My 2024 in Video Games

2024 is over. That means it’s time to take a look at the games I played in that year and tell you about the good ones. I’m a little later with this post than usual, but at least it’s still January!

Best First Plays of 2024

The following games are the best single-player or co-op games I played for the first time in 2024 regardless of their original release year.

They are not ordered.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore (2024, Multiplatform)

GAME CLEAR post
Few tribute/nostalgia games have accomplished their missions quite as well as Arzette did. The game had the silly and questionable goal of making a fun and functional version of the Zelda CD-i games and succeeded in just about every way possible. Execution of a vision doesn’t necessarily make something good if the vision is bad, but this game proved to me that maybe there was some good in those old CD-i games. Solid platforming, great artwork, and a fun soundtrack combine to make this a winner. The game’s credits indicated that Arzette would return, and I can’t wait to see what the team does with a sequel.

Wanted (1989, Master System)

GAME CLEAR post
The Master System remains a very underexplored platform for me, and Wanted was the first game I beat on original hardware. The latter fact is due in part to Wanted being a light-gun game, which is a subset of Master System titles I had not looked into at all but that are also all stuck on the original platform for obvious reasons. For my money, Wanted is as good as any of the shooting options available on the NES and plays like an arcade game despite being wholly original to the Master System. It’s difficult to play these days with its hardware and CRT television requirements, and I don’t know if it would charm others like it did me, but I wanted to shout it out one more time in my year-end wrap-up.

Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers (2022, Multiplatform)

GAME CLEAR post
This may not be my favorite game I played in 2024, but it certainly is the one with the creative vision I most admire. A shmup tribute to ’50s sci-fi and kaiju films, Squad 51 vs the Flying Saucers combines FMV cutscenes with sharp enemy and environment design to sell an aesthetic I never thought I’d see delivered in quite this format. The gameplay is great fun and more forgiving than a lot of its peers in the genre. This makes it a great entry point for newcomers to both the shoot ’em up and FMV game genres. The fact that the team accomplished what they did on an indie budget is all the more impressive. I love this game and really hope I can convince some folks to check it out.

The 7th Guest VR (2023, Multiplatform VR)

GAME CLEAR post
I’m pretty ignorant to the PC space, so The 7th Guest was not a game whose rather substantial influence was known to me until last year. As part of my prep for a talk on FMV games I gave just a few days ago at MAGFest, I came across this VR version of the classic puzzler. It’s one of my first substantial experiences with VR, and I loved it (motion sickness be damned). More importantly, I think it’s the exact approach that should be taken with more remakes. It follows the same plot as the original, but it uses puzzles that were completely rebuilt for VR and recast and shot all cutscene performances with volumetric video so they could be rendered in realtime in the environments of the game. This makes it a lovely companion to the original game rather than something that obviates the need to play the original. I know there are lots of reasons why VR hasn’t seen nearly the mainstream adoption that traditional video games have, but if you have a VR headset, definitely check this one out. They did right by a great game.

Astro Bot (2024, PS5)

GAME CLEAR post
Although I sometimes like to think of myself as someone with interesting, non-mainstream, and occasionally iconoclastic taste in games, I have no trouble admitting that little made me happier in the world of games last year than the runaway success of Team Asobi’s Astro Bot. A big-budget platformer with beautiful graphics and tight controls is simply always gonna make me smile. The reverence for IPs owned by Sony or made famous by PlayStation platforms can certainly feel masturbatory at times, but it doesn’t really matter when the simple run-and-jump gameplay feels so good. Each stage is bursting with color and personality, and Astro’s various power-ups are doled out in just-right amounts. The folks who made this are absolute professionals at what they do and should continue to be given more money and encouragement to make another entry. Hell, they’ve already been kind enough to grace us with some free downloadable stages over the past few months. It’s a blessed time to love the platformer.

And endorsement of a game like this by me, someone already so keen to like it, may not mean much, but it’s just too good not to mention. Play Astro Bot.

Mega Man Battle Network (2001, GBA)

GAME CLEAR post
On the other hand, a vote from me in favor of a deck-building game like Mega Man Battle Network should come as a surprise. Additionally, despite the fact that I am a huge fan of the classic, original Mega Man series, I have never played many of its spinoffs and have always looked at them with a rather hefty dose of skepticism. Battle Network overcame both of these biases to impress me as a really excellent little title with a compelling real-time battle system that’s unlike anything I’ve ever played. Because of that, it’s difficult for me to compare to anything else, but if you like the real-time shooting gameplay of the original games but wish it were fused with some strategy and grid-based positioning challenge, then this is certainly the game for you.

Battle Network borrows concepts and characters from the original series while carving out a strong identity of its own. I understand the sequels improve on just about every aspect of this first game I loved, so I look forward to checking them out in time.

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005, Xbox/PS2)

GAME CLEAR post
I think nostalgia for the childhood lifestyle is about as corny as it gets (nearly everything about being an adult is better; grow up!), but I’ll admit I had a great time having what amounted to a video game sleepover event to blast through this game. A buddy of mine and I started this game on a Friday night, he stayed over, and we finished the latter half on Saturday, with the necessary meals and breaks interspersed throughout. Opportunities to do something like this don’t present themselves as much as they did back in the day, and this was a game I never did manage to purchase as a boy despite my strong desire for it. I’m glad I got to finally have a co-op playthrough of this game after all these years.

I suppose I should talk a bit about the game itself, though. Shaolin Monks is a 3D beat ’em up starring Liu Kang and Kung Lao from Mortal Kombat. The two fight their way through a retelling of the stories of Mortal Kombat (1992) and Mortal Kombat II. They retain much of their movesets from the traditional fighting games of the series but are obviously more mobile. Cameos from friendly fighters abound, alongside fights against classic foes. The game can be played through solo, but it obviously is most fun in its co-op mode. It’s roughly 5 or 6 hours long, which is perfect for a weekend playthrough with some breaks thrown in. I’m a big Mortal Kombat fan, so I was always inclined to like this, but I think it holds up really well on the merits too. It feels good to beat up bad guys, and the combo systems are pretty sophisticated for a game of its time. There’s a nice sense of progression and power creep throughout, and it feels great to get better at the game as you go.

Since the game mostly concerns the classic cast and the events of the first two games, you also don’t have to be an MK lore expert to enjoy it like some of the more recent main series entries. I highly recommend it and hope it gets a rerelease one of these days.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020, Multiplatform)

GAME CLEAR post
Ryu Ga Gotoku studio made a big bet when they turned their beloved series of beat ’em up action games into a turned-based RPG series, but they executed it so well that they left no doubt that the series remains in good hands. The fact that it was their first stab at the genre shows from time to time, but it’s nevertheless a great effort, and much of that was cleaned up in Infinite Wealth as well. Just as daring as the genre swap was the decision to introduce a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, after years of building Kazuma Kiryu into a fan favorite. They pulled this off just as well, though, as Kasuga is every bit as lovable and sports a wholly distinct personality.

The story is just as crazy, high-stakes, and occasionally confusingly-written as ever, and RGG doesn’t show any signs of being incapable of topping themselves in that regard. I look forward to seeing them continue to drive this series forward as long as they don’t burn themselves doing it with the mindboggling frequency that they churn out new titles.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024, PS5/PC)

GAME CLEAR post
Bloated beyond belief, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is nevertheless essential. Its combat remains as thrilling and well-crafted as it was in Remake while adding the expected iterative improvements. Its world is insanely large and that real estate is used in interesting ways at least as often as not. The structure of its world may be Ubisoft as hell, which flies in the face of everything I love, but the world and characters of Final Fantasy VII remain irresistible to me. If you don’t feel that way, you may tire of this game before you reach its conclusion. If you love all those silly little guys, though, there’s a lot to like in this oversized return to Gaia — even if the story decisions don’t sit so well with you.

Best Multiplayer Experiences of 2024

The following are the games I had the most fun playing with or against others in 2024.

F-Zero 99 (2023, Switch)

F-Zero 99 was unsurprisingly my most-played multiplayer game for the second year in a row. I’ve been really pleased with its continued content updates and have been happy to see that it still has a healthy number of players. I don’t think I’ll ever achieve my goal of winning every Grand Prix — the competition is simply too stiff and I am not dedicating enough time to getting better. Nevertheless, I hope to continue racing for the fun of it throughout 2025.

Rocket League (2015, Multiplatform)

The best sports game around remained in my rotation as well. I don’t play this as often as I could, but I enjoy hopping on with my friends once in awhile. The game is nearly ten years old, and I see no end in sight to my continued enjoyment of it. Just a fundamentally sound little game.

Games I made in 2024

I didn’t make anything this year! 😭 I don’t think this was necessarily a misuse of my time — other things seemed to just call to me more. A friend of mine is interested in collaborating on some games, though, so maybe we’ll get something off the ground in 2025. I still want to make a little something for 2600 in assembly as well, but that’d be a solo project. Hopefully this section is not empty next year!

All Games Beaten in 2024

The following list is mostly for my records but is presented here for your consideration as well.

Beaten:
01/02 - Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS5)
01/05 - Fighting Vipers 2 (PS5 [Arcade])
01/12 - Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PS5)
01/27 - SpikeOut: Final Edition (PS5 [Arcade])
02/06 - Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir (Switch [FDS])
02/22 - Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind (Switch [FDS])
02/24 - Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (Xbox)
03/01 - Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (PS5)
03/03 - Berzerk: Recharged (PS5)
03/07 - Raimais (PS4 [Arcade])
03/22 - Jumping Flash! (PS5 [PS1])
03/24 - The King of Fighters XV (PS5)
03/30 - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (PS5)
03/31 - Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch)
04/05 - Sunset Riders (PS4 [Arcade])
04/09 - Mega Man Battle Network (Switch [GBA])
04/24 - Princess Peach: Showtime! (Switch)
05/17 - Liberation Maiden (3DS)
06/02 - Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (PS5 [PSP])
06/03 - Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties: Definitive Edition (PS5 [3DO])
06/04 - The Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (PS4)
06/04 - 3D Super Hang-On (3DS [Arcade])
06/07 - Penny’s Big Breakaway (PS5)
06/12 - Kolibri (32X)
06/20 - OutRun 2 SP (PSP [Arcade])
06/22 - Nekketsu Oyako (熱血親子) (Saturn)
06/25 - Caverns of Mars: Recharged (PS5)
06/12 - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)
07/15 - Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore (PS5)
07/17 - Mr. Run and Jump (2600)
07/23 - Wanted (SMS)
07/24 - Neo Turf Masters (NGPC)
07/26 - EA Sports College Football 25 (PS5)
07/28 - Fighters Megamix (Saturn)
08/03 - Final Fight (PS4 [Arcade])
08/05 - Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster (PS4 [NES])
08/09 - Binary Land (Family Computer)
09/07 - RoboCop: Rogue City (PS5)
09/08 - WipEout HD (PS4 [PS3])
09/11 - Astro Bot (PS5)
09/16 - Ico (PS3 [PS2])
09/19 - Vib-Ribbon (PS3 [PS1])
10/16 - Space Channel 5: Part 2 (PS3 [Dreamcast])
10/18 - Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! (PSVR)
11/01 - Phantasmagoria (PC)
11/03 - Erica (PS4)
11/16 - Bat Boy (PS5)
11/22 - Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers (PS4)
12/01 - Her Story (PC)
12/05 - She Sees Red (PS4)
12/08 - Immortality (PS5)
12/19 - The 7th Guest VR (PSVR2)

Completed:
02/06 - Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir (Switch [FDS])
03/03 - Berzerk: Recharged (PS5)
05/03 - F-Zero (3DS [SNES])
06/25 - Caverns of Mars: Recharged (PS5)
07/17 - Mr. Run and Jump (2600)
08/05 - Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster (PS4 [NES])
09/11 - Astro Bot (PS5)
11/16 - Bat Boy (PS5)
12/19 - The 7th Guest VR (PSVR2)

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Progress - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2017 - 2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021 - 2022 - 2023 - 2024
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Finished - 0024 - 0041 - 0034 - 0022 - 0025 - 0014 - 0019 - 0025 - 0038 - 0060 - 0042 - 0038 - 0052
Complete - 0000 - 0004 - 0005 - 0001 - 0002 - 0001 - 0002 - 0002 - 0006 - 0006 - 0005 - 0006 - 0009
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