10. The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom (Switch)
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a wonderful first (no, CD-i doesn't count) outing for the titular princess. It's at once nostalgic and brand new, combining classic Zelda gameplay with the flexibility and freedom of the modern styles. It's a genuine delight from start to finish, with the only real complaints revolving around the fact that the performance hasn't improved from the last game that was developed on the same game engine. If you're a fan of Zelda, Echoes of Wisdom is a must-play.
9. Silent Hill 2 Remake (PS5, PC)
Overall, Silent Hill 2 Remake is incredibly faithful and respectful while it modernizes large chunks of the game. Silent Hill 2 is largely successful at what it is trying to do, which is to present a version of the game that is more polished and modern. It doesn't eclipse the original version, but for anyone who didn't grow up playing PS2 games, this is the easiest version of the game to play.
8. Dragon's Dogma II (PS5, XSX, PC)
Dragon's Dogma II doesn't feel like anything else on the market. Despite fantasy action-RPG being one of the most common genres, Dragon's Dogma II manages to stand out from the crowd. The unusual atmosphere, excellent combat, and general sense of place and weight make it feel distinct in a world full of Soulslikes or Skyrim clones. It's a boatload of fun to play, and it manages to make what could be a tiring genre feel fresh and full of life. If you're looking to hunt some monsters and cast some spells, Dragon's Dogma II is easily one of the best titles on the market.
7. Balatro (Switch, PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC)
Balatro is excellent all around. The concept is simple, and while the various card types seem overly complicated, the game remains easy to understand no matter how many rules there are. It's utterly enjoyable to the point where you'll keep coming back no matter how many times you lose to a boss with a ridiculous modifier. For anyone who likes card games, Balatro is a must-have.
6. Metaphor: ReFantazio (PS5, PS4, XSX, PC)
Metaphor: ReFantazio is fantasy Persona. Familiar mechanics, familiar concepts and familiar design all come together to make something that doesn't escape from the shadow of its predecessor. Almost all of those things are executed extremely well and add creative twists and new ideas to the formula. Even the simple setting change does a lot to keep it feeling fresher. It's a genuinely fun experience, even if it isn't the most distinct one. It isn't Persona 6, but it's a darn good replacement. Every RPG fan should play Metaphor: ReFantazio.
5. Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown (Switch, PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC)
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a great game and a nice pivot for the dormant series. The combat is enjoyable, and the crisp controls translate well to platforming that requires a good deal of skill to master but rarely devolves into frustration. The puzzles do an excellent job of being tricky but satisfying to solve. You can still point at a few flaws, like the fact that the story is standard, but those are minor nitpicks that don't stop the game from being worthy of a classic adventure fan's library. For Switch owners, The Lost Crown shows how much power there is to tap in Nintendo's portable console.
Helldivers II is a good game that happens to have some current teething problems. Everything — from the perfect satirical tone to the solid gunplay and variety of difficulty levels — create some exciting and satisfying gaming moments. Some of the more military simulation traits generate some tense situations, but they can be humorous moments, too. The microtransactions don't feel too bad in the game's overall scheme. If the connectivity issues can be resolved and stabilized soon, then Helldivers II can be one of the sleeper hits of the first half of 2024.
3. Indiana Jones and The Great Circle (PS5, XSX, PC)
From the start, The Great Circle feels like a proper Indiana Jones adventure. There's an old, yellowing world map that's complete with the period-appropriate names of regions, the active red dotted line denoting travel, and clips of various forms of transportation. The side characters you meet along the way are all memorable and quirky. You've got a spunky female sidekick, and the trademark Jones wit doesn't get overused. More importantly, the game nails the pacing of a standard Indiana Jones film. There are moments of sadness and romance mixed in with the adventure, and it all naturally flows together. You can make an actual film adaptation of this game without changing too much.
2. Black Myth: WuKong (PS5, XSX, PC)
After all these years of waiting, Black Myth: Wukong is a very good adventure game. Using a setting that rarely gets seen in the Western world makes the game intriguing, and that's strengthened when you discover all of the character background stories. The combat is just as varied as the environments, and while the game isn't as masochistic as other modern action games, it is difficult enough that a little patience and planning will still take you a long way in skirmishes. The presentation is amazing, but it stresses out even the best hardware at the moment. To optimize the gorgeous graphics in Black Myth, players need beefy hardware that can take advantage of various upscaling technologies. It is a worthy pick-up for patient adventure fans, and the title will keep players busy for quite some time.
Astro Bot genuinely feels like PlayStation has its own Mario now. The gameplay, creativity and charm are competing with Nintendo's powerhouse with wonderful level design and engaging gameplay from start to finish. Only the relatively short runtime is a potential negative, and even that feels like a minor complaint. If you're a longtime PlayStation fan looking for a rush of nostalgia, a parent looking for a good game for their kids, or you just want a darn fun platformer, Astro Bot is a must-play.
Editor's Note: Don't miss our prior Top Games of 2024 coverage: