The Best Video Games of 2024 So Far

A Switch exclusive, Serpentcoil Island is the latest release in what is now a nearly 30-year-old franchise, though this is the first new game since 2010. The roguelike RPG sends you (and your talking ferret) on a dungeon adventure in search of a girl in distress and a potential pirate treasure.

"Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is an extremely polished and deeply enjoyable entry in the franchise. It doesn't break the mold or introduce wild new gimmicks, but it focuses on giving you more challenges, more options, and making the basic experience shine." —Worth Playing

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Many recent Atari releases are built on nostalgia, but 2021's qomp was a modern-day ode to the very first video game to capture widespread attention: the 1972 hit Pong. Now comes a sequel to both of those games. Also available for PC plus PlayStation and Xbox consoles, qomp2 finds you playing as the ball from Pong, who escapes from that game only to become trapped in a maze of puzzles. To solve those puzzles and battle various bosses across 30 levels and four worlds, you have just two controls: A dash button, and a second button to change your direction.

"qomp2 is truly a remarkable follow-up to its predecessor, despite being so short in length. This game is like a never-ending present, constantly surprising players with its secrets, collectibles, and challenging puzzles at every turn. The inclusion of bosses is an unexpected and fantastic addition, serving as the ultimate test of your skills and knowledge acquired throughout each chapter. Whether you're a fan of action puzzles or simply seeking a game with a satisfying level of difficulty, I'd highly recommend qomp2." —Nintendojo

Available at Nintendo

Like many turn-based political strategy games, the indie Solium Infernum finds you plotting to ascend to the seat of ultimate power. That seat, though, is what's different: You are trying to become the new leader of Hell.

"Solium Infernum is a truly satisfying political strategy game with a ton of unique systems to allow you to scheme and backstab to your heart's content." —DualShockers

Available at Steam

A futuristic indie adventure set after an alien invasion that has brought a civilization-ending plague to Earth, 1000xRESIST casts you as the sole human survivor, a teenage girl who is somehow immune—in fact, even immortal—and who raises an army of clones to fight off the occupying force. Praised by critics for its exceptional narrative, the game is also available for Nintendo Switch.

"1000xResist is a revolution in storytelling, creating its own complex and rich fiction that's beautifully written and spectacularly visualized. By expertly weaving genuine intimate moments with a sharp political identity, it makes its statements with a confidence that leaves an everlasting impact." —IGN

Available at Humble and GOG

Also available for Xbox Series X/S and PC, this sequel to the 12-year-old action-RPG Dragon's Dogma is set in a much deeper and larger open fantasy world—caught between warring kingdoms—that you'll explore while accompanied by otherworldly (and customizable) NPCs called Pawns. Critics are finding it an improvement over the original though note that it's not for novice gamers.

"Dragon's Dogma 2 is easily the best action RPG of 2024 so far – and is very unlikely to be dethroned – and manages to go toe-to-toe with [Elden Ring] in terms of how impactful and absorbing exploring the world feels. This is what Dragon's Dogma was always meant to be, and it's a masterpiece." —GLFH on Sports Illustrated

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This sequel to 2014's The Forest is another open-world survival horror game set in an isolated, cannibal-filled locale. This time your private contractor is stranded on an island after being hired to search for a missing executive and his family. First announced in 2019 but delayed repeatedly, Sons was an immediate hit upon its release for PC in February.

"Sons of the Forest is a great horror game and survival craft em up that balances a strong atmosphere and terrifying moments with player freedom. Whether you want to build a better tree house, or survive the story, there's something here for you." —GamesRadar+

Available at Steam

The first major installment in the once-popular Prince of Persia action-adventure fantasy series since 2010's The Forgotten Sands, The Lost Crown is a metroidvania-style side-scroller featuring a new protagonist, Sargon, who must travel through a declining Persian Empire to rescue a kidnapped prince. Inspired by Persian mythology as well as past PoP titles like The Sands of Time (whose time powers return here), the game is also available on Xbox, PC, and Switch.

"Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an expertly executed series revival that displays the best of Ubisoft Montpellier's pedigree while pushing the action-platformer to new highs." —WellPlayed

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Also available on Xbox and Switch, Unicorn Overlord is a fantasy tactical RPG from 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim studio Vanillaware. As the crown prince of a fallen kingdom, you'll get to explore a large and diverse world, conduct quests, recruit an army, and conduct turn-based battles to liberate towns, which you can then rebuild.

"Unicorn Overlord delivers a deeply engaging tactical RPG experience with nods to classics like Ogre Battle and Fire Emblem, boasting a vast world to explore and rewarding strategic gameplay. While the main plot may feel predictable and clichéd, the game excels in its varied battles, intricate formation system, and stunning visual and audio design, making it a must-play for tactical RPG enthusiasts." —Vandal

Available at Best Buy and

An indie "bullet hell"-style twin-stick, top-down shooter that's clearly inspired by Zelda games (despite its genre), this PC exclusive has been lauded for its handcrafted art style and its emphasis on exploration of a rich and varied world.

"Minishoot' Adventures is great, plain and simple. It's oozing charm from its art style and UI to gameplay and exploration. It's a game you want to complete 100%, and I wouldn't have it any other way." —GameGrin

Available at Steam

Originally released in 1997, the first-person point-and-click PC adventure game Riven was the first sequel to the biggest game of that decade, Myst. And just like the latter was remade in 3D (and VR) by original developers Cyan Worlds a few years ago, now Riven has received its own 3D glow-up. But this time the remake is an unequivocal success. Asking you to solve a series of complex puzzles in a surreal island-filled setting as a civilization teeters on the brink of collapse. The real-time 3D environment is obviously a huge graphical upgrade over the original, and the game has been modernized and expanded to entice newcomers as well as longtime fans.

"When Riven was first released in 1997 it was heralded as a majestic piece of art. Now almost 30 years later, Cyan Worlds returns to that world, bringing it to modern standards using the tools of today. Once again, they've created a majestic piece of art, and a world worth exploring all over again. It'll test your mind, it's a feast for your eyes and ears, and if you enjoy deep puzzles, it's a game you absolutely cannot miss" —GamingTrend

It may seem a little soon for a new take on Shin Megami Tensei V, which came out just three years ago. But Vengeance—also available for Xbox, Switch, and PC—is a greatly expanded take on the JRPG (part of the same franchise that's home to the Persona series) that allows developers to work in content they didn't have time to incorporate in the original release. In fact, it adds an entire campaign that features a new story, characters, locations, and endings in addition to the original campaign of the prior release, giving newcomers a chance to essentially play through two different games in the same world.

"Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance eclipses its predecessor in every way, making it one of the best turn-based JPRGs of the year." —CGMagazine

Available at Best Buy and

After five years of development, Atlus's remake of the 2006 JRPG/social simulation game Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 finally became a reality in February. Also available on PC and Xbox, Reload adds new scenes, activities, and improvements to the original game in addition to overhauling the graphics. But the premise remains the same: You play as a student transferring into a new high school who teams with friends to investigate the secrets of the "Dark Hour," a mysterious period of time between the end of one day and the start of the next that is occupied by monsters called Shadows.

"Persona 3 Reload is not a carbon-copied remaster of Persona 3 Portable or even Persona 3. It's a refreshed perspective of Persona 3 that removes a good bunch of pain from older RPGs while retaining the charm and character of the original. It feels like many thoughtful decisions were made to better the game's flow without compromising on its core experience or watering it down." —Digital Chumps

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The enjoyably over-the-top first game from indie studio Hammer95, Mullet MadJack is an anime-inspired "superfast" FPS that forces you to repeatedly kill enemy robot billionaires (hey, it's the 2090s!) in order to buy 10 additional seconds of life as you try to advance floor-by-floor through a building.

"Mullet Madjack is plain fantastic. It looks gorgeous, feels amazing, and is a sublime boomer shooter with an aesthetic we don't usually see in the genre. If you have even the smallest interest in boomer shooters and like the 90s anime aesthetic, this one is worth getting." —TouchArcade

Available at Steam

Originally released on GameCube two decades ago as the second title in the humorous Paper Mario RPG series, The Thousand-Year Door returned this spring in remake form as a Switch exclusive. The charming picture book-style visuals—completely remade for the Switch—have never looked better (despite a lower framerate), while quality of life improvements (including fast travel and the ability to quickly change your companion character) make playing more frictionless.

"Whether you're replaying for the new visuals, or a very lucky first-time player, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is one of the best RPGs ever to come out of Nintendo." —God Is a Geek

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Also released on PC, the latest indie from Annapurna Interactive is a unique nonlinear mystery game from Swedish developers Simogo (Sayonara Wild Hearts). Stylized mainly in black-and-white with color highlights, Lorelei is set in a mysterious old European hotel, where players must solve over 150 often surreal puzzles. Critics have been praising the stylish visuals, thought-provoking puzzles, and the game's overall David Lynch-ian vibes.

"Even if its dream is often a nightmare, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is one of the most compelling games I've played in years. As a puzzle game, it's already a triumph, but the meditations on art and bold aesthetic choices elevate it to the level of a magnum opus as grand as the artwork at the heart of its story." —Inverse

Available at Best Buy

Part of the recently re-named Japanese series formerly known outside of Japan as Yakuza, Infinite Wealth continues the story of Ichiban Kasuga, who was also the lead in 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon. In this new RPG (also available on Xbox consoles and PC), he travels to Hawaii—the first non-Japan setting for the franchise—to track down his biological mother, while also aiding former series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu as he battles cancer. That may sound more like a soap opera, but don't worry: There are still plenty of organized crime storylines, opportunities for combat, and the franchise's trademark minigames and side missions.

"Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth evolves to deliver a refreshing RPG brimming with emotional sincerity. The tactical turn-based combat keeps you on your toes as you fall deeper in love with its cast of unconventional heroes, accompanying them on a memorable quest for reconciliation. And no matter how long our to-do list has become, thanks to its veritable treasure chest of exciting content, we'll be coming back to soak up every last ray of Hawaiian sunshine." —NME

Available at Best Buy and

The first major new installment in Bandai Namco's 30-year-old fighting franchise in nine years was worth the wait. Concluding the story of enemies Kazuya and Jin, Tekken 8 features 32 playable characters, adding depth to a game that features greatly improved graphics and plenty of innovative tweaks throughout.

"Tekken 8 is the pinnacle of series progression: it's not trying to reinvent in the wheel, just make it shinier and a smoother ride. With absolutely gorgeous visuals, punch-perfect fighting and a huge roster to play with, this is GOTY for beat 'em ups already." —Finger Guns

Available at Best Buy and

A surprise hit indie title that reinvents poker as a roguelike deckbuilder, Balatro adds uniquely powered jokers, cards, and entire decks to offer an entirely new poker-playing experience—as well as an extremely accessible entryway into the roguelike genre. It's also available on all current consoles, while a mobile version is now being developed.

"Balatro is an ingenious and entertaining roguelike and one of my favorite games of the year. Playing it has become a near-obsession; everything feels perfectly designed to encourage you to keep trying because that next run could be the run of your life. Even after hours of play, I still can't overcome Balatro's biggest challenge: putting it down." —Game Informer

Available at Fanatical and Humble

The best indie game of 2024 so far comes from solo developer Billy Basso. Animal Well (also available for PS5 and Switch) is a Metroidvania-style puzzle/platformer that finds you exploring a beautifully pixelated world filled with secrets to discover.

"At a time when the big video game companies are focused on building video games designed to function like sport, with seasons and passes and never-ending fixtures designed to dominate your leisure time, what a joy to be presented with a game that is so intricate and contained. This is a perfectly made contraption, with a start, a middle and an end, intended to inspire joy and build culture, and not, mercifully, shareholder value." —The Guardian

Available at Steam

Metacritic's #1 Game of the First Half of 2024. A PS5 exclusive that requires no prior knowledge of the vast Final Fantasy franchise, Rebirth is the second part (following 2020's FF7 Remake) of a planned trilogy of standalone games reimagining the original 1997 version of Final Fantasy VII. Blending action, strategy, and RPG gameplay, the new game is set in a mostly open sci-fi world as your character, the mercenary Cloud Strife, sets off from the city of Midgar in search of the villainous Sephiroth. Critics think that it not only improves on Remake but may also be the best Final Fantasy game to date.

"One of the best stories the medium has ever seen, memorable characters that really matter, a refined combat system that is amplified with great new ideas, living open worlds that are constantly surprising you and of course, an authentic audiovisual presentation. scream, make Final Fantasy VII Rebirth not only the most serious candidate to win the Game of the Year title in 2024, but also one of the most outstanding representatives of its genre in all of history. No, I'm not exaggerating." —Atomix

Available at Best Buy or