Game of the Year: Robert’s Top 5 PS5 Games of 2024

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I find myself in agreement with Robert Ramsey’s Game of the Year picks for 2024. Being a child of the late ’90s and early ’00s, I grew up with the original Yakuza games, so it’s no surprise that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth made its way to the top of my list as well. The improved combat system and the sheer madness of the escapades were truly captivating, even for someone like me who had grown tired of the series’ formula.

In this piece, members of our dedicated writing and editing crew are expressing their individual favorite PS5 games from the year 2024. Presently, we’re featuring an opinion from our assistant editor, Robert Ramsey.

5. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

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To be honest, I wasn’t fully convinced about Yakuza: Like a Dragon at first. While I appreciated the fresh take on the Yakuza series by switching to turn-based RPG gameplay, I found the combat system to be simplistic and somewhat unbalanced, and there were moments in the story where it felt overly prolonged.

It’s great that Infinite Wealth builds upon almost everything, particularly the combat system. Over the span of several months, I found myself eagerly returning to Ichiban and his companions after taking breaks to review other games. Each time, I had to wait a week or two before resuming play, but I was always excited to rejoin them.

I find this game remarkably unique, as only Yakuza / Like a Dragon can be. While it has some structural and design issues that make it somewhat bulky, the intriguing characters and the outrageous nature of their adventures held my attention for nearly 100 hours straight.

4. Trails through Daybreak

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Trailblazing through Daybreak has consistently been a significant leap for Falcom’s renowned series, and although it may not be my personal top pick, it continues to showcase Falcom’s exceptional skill in creating immersive worlds and compelling characters, making it another stellar demonstration of their craft.

The sunrise chatter can sometimes be excessive ( honestly, the volume of information is astounding ), but when it gets going, it delivers some of the series’ finest storytelling. Moreover, the principal characters, primarily new ones, are exceptional. Van could very well be the best protagonist in the Trails series.

The scene has been perfectly prepared for the arrival of Trails through Daybreak 2 and Kai no Kiseki, and I am absolutely eager to dive into these games!

3. Persona 3 Reload

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As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel that Persona 3 Reload isn’t getting the recognition it truly deserves. This remake stands out amongst the crowd for me, it’s simply exceptional. In my opinion, it easily ranks among the best remakes I’ve ever experienced.

A big reason for the game’s success is my deep love for Persona 3, but I firmly believe that Atlus skillfully updated the classic PlayStation 2 role-playing game to appeal to today’s players.

From a gamer’s perspective, let me state this clearly: Persona 5 Royal still holds the crown as my favorite in the series. However, there’s something about Reload that catches my attention – its streamlined structure is more appealing to me. It feels less… overstuffed, even though it enhances character development by offering extended social links, adding depth and richness to them.

Person 3 Reload is an exceptionally well-organized and polished remake; its sleekness and smoothness are so remarkable that I believe it truly embodies the ideal representation.

2. Dragon’s Dogma 2

2024 saw some unforgettable gaming experiences for me, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 certainly stands out among them as a captivating open-world RPG. However, it’s hard to say whether I prefer it more or less than the original, as it still doesn’t feel like the ultimate Dragon’s Dogma adventure.

For myself, such instances significantly enhance the overall encounter – they are particularly impactful when looking back. While Dragon’s Dogma 2 certainly has its imperfections – it’s important to acknowledge them – yet when it excels, it truly shines magnificently.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but be captivated by the game’s exhilarating sense of adventure. The intriguing journeys that unfold as I transition between quest targets never cease to amaze me. I still recall my initial expedition to the arid expanse of Bakbattahl—I chose the more challenging path, winding through ominous caves and traversing daunting cliffs.

It turned out I wasn’t sure about my destination, but that game session made Dragon’s Dogma 2 stand out among my top picks for the year. I was totally engrossed in it, which carries a lot of weight in today’s gaming world.

1. Metaphor: ReFantazio

After much deliberation over several weeks, I found myself struggling to choose the best game of the year for 2024. Many titles on my shortlist had been potential winners throughout the process. However, in the end, I made up my mind and selected Metaphor: ReFantazio as my top pick.

This RPG is incredibly captivating and unforgettable. Being a fresh creation by Atlus, the anticipation alone was thrilling. What makes it truly remarkable is its rich fantasy backdrop and consistently engaging atmosphere.

This collection encompasses characters, battles, a feeling of excitement (a recurring element I’m now understanding), visual design, music… All these elements come together to create a Role-Playing Game that seems vivid, lively, and especially distinct.

A remarkable game, without a doubt, is one that leaves you eagerly anticipating another playthrough immediately after the ending sequence concludes. So far, I haven’t managed to fit in a New Game+ session, but by 2025, it seems inevitable.

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the games that Robert chose as his Personal Game of the Year. Whether you find them spot-on or have differing opinions, don’t hesitate to share your feedback in the comments area below!

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2024-12-27 14:36