Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is probably the original game released this year that I've had the most fun with. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was also fucking fantastic. Need to play more of it.
As strange as it is to be typing this out I might have enjoyed Black Ops 6 more than anything else, mind you I have spent a lot of the year catching up on games from the year before.
Shadow of the Erdtree is far and away the best thing I've played this year. Distant second would be Metaphor, then the rest of the pack would be UFO 50, Dawntrail, and Silent Hill 2.
I'd say MonHun: Wilds' demo would qualify for contention if not for the AWFUL performance, total optimization fail.
My buddy Daryl… that dude got game for days. Bro is like 5’4” and has eyebrows that are brothers but not twins, if know what I mean, but he could make Scarlett Johansson blush.
I'm a big fan of Balatro and all the recognition it's getting, but for me the game of the year is Tactical Breach Wizards. It's hard to understate the degree to which it is exactly my shit.
I love Helldivers so much. And if I had gotten to play Tekken 8 I know I'd love it too. I've been playing Tekken since I was a child. I could never not love it.
Helldivers 2. But to be honest I haven't gotten to play much else new this year. I was completely hyper focused on it and got over 1k hours. I also was laid off so money has been too tight to buy games this year.
Dragon’s Dogma II — one of the most exciting, unpredictable open world games I’ve ever played (and replayed). Can’t believe it’s not getting more love! It’s such a unique experience.
Inscryption: played it this year, best game so far.
Wild Bastards came out this year. It was good, but not exactly great. The story could've been told better, but the gameplay and artstyle were more memorable. Trying to beat the hardest difficulty is a real grind though.
New games that came out this year it’s Black Ops 6 having a blast. Any games that I played for the first time this year it’s Cyberpunk, absolutely loved it and I’m glad I waited for the 2.0 patch.
Rn I’m stuck between Like a Dragon and Metaphor. Honorable mention to Dragon’s Dogma 2! The narrative was super mediocre but I couldn’t stop playing it.
Final Fantasy Rebirth, definitely. The only other (possibly) correct answers would be Metaphor Refantazio or Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Nothing else comes close, which is saying something considering how many great games released this year.
Gimme Rebirth, especially given all the hype behind it. Could have easily gone sideways and disappointed a lot of people, but it was better than even I thought! Probably Metaphor after that, but I have not finished it yet.
Stalker 2 but it won’t qualify for this year. Hopefully 2025. I haven’t played many new games this year, but if I had to choose one I’d say black myth wukong.
Kunitsugami: Path of The Goddess. One of the most unique games I have played for a long time and definitely my Game of The Year. Either that or Black Myth Wukong.
Either Astro Bot or Dragon Age. I haven’t jumped into Baltro because I get hooked on things to easily, like video games, or TC games, or crack, or a good show. Normal stuff.
Most likely Balatro - I’ve logged dozens of hours into it on the Switch, and am already thinking about eventually getting it on PlayStation and platinuming it there (but not before I complete all its content on switch first!)
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Metaohor is amazing, and may be structurally be a better game, but I have stopped thinking about Rebirth since the day I started it. One of those “forever games” for me.
Comments
But Cocoon is a heavy contender.
Balatro and Meta
Who are we kidding it’s Balatro
Unicorn Overlord.
Balatro.
Astro Bot is a close second
2. Shadow of the erdtree
3. FF7 rebirth
However, 12/6 is my personal Barbieheimer.
Both Marvel Rivals and Path of Exile II drop and I got a feeling I’m gonna obsess over both.
I just think it’s gonna be Balatro instead (I won’t be mad though, if it is)
I'd say MonHun: Wilds' demo would qualify for contention if not for the AWFUL performance, total optimization fail.
FPS: 7 Days to Die
Roguelite: TMNT Splintered Fate
Fighting: Tekken 8
Squad based: Helldivers 2
Helldivers was a riot at launch, I’ve been waiting out some balance changes but will be picking it back up soon. HMU if you wanna squad up!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cryptmaster-the-making-of-a-word-based-rpg/id1186106962?i=1000657403656
Metaphor Refantazio if you don't
Wild Bastards came out this year. It was good, but not exactly great. The story could've been told better, but the gameplay and artstyle were more memorable. Trying to beat the hardest difficulty is a real grind though.
The absolute joy I experienced playing that game is something I’ll not forget for a long time.