Game of the Year: Stephen’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 must say that this year has been nothing short of a feast for the gaming community. Amongst all the games released, I’ve found myself particularly captivated by Stephen Tailby’s top 5 picks of 2024.

In this piece, members of our dedicated editorial staff, including writers and editors, will be showcasing their preferred PlayStation 5 games from the year 2024. Today, we’re featuring recommendations from our assistant editor, Stephen Tailby.

5: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

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Admittedly, I wasn’t able to complete this massive game this year, but let me tell you, it’s fantastic. Enhancing the combat system from the last game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Infinite Wealth offers an outstanding RPG experience that crams in almost an unbelievable amount of content.

The primary characters are truly remarkable, and exploring Hawaii offers a delightful change after countless adventures in Kamurocho. A standout feature for me, shared by many others, is the multitude of side missions and activities that enrich the game with unique charm and diversity. It’s an experience I look forward to revisiting, as it’s evident that this exceptional game merits a complete playthrough to its conclusion.

4: Thank Goodness You’re Here!

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As a gamer, I rarely come across games that intentionally make me laugh, but in 2024, Thank Goodness You’re Here! was one of the precious few that nailed it. This game is brief, uncomplicated, and perhaps an acquired taste, yet it resonated with me so deeply that I’ve replayed it multiple times already.

The offbeat British comedy is consistently hilarious, with exceptional vocal performances and outstanding art and animation that amplify its absurdity. It’s astonishing how the fictional town of Barnsworth feels like a real place, being both an exaggerated farce and a spot-on representation of rural England.

Absolutely cracking.

3: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

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2024 saw Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown getting overshadowed during the hectic first quarter, leading to its relatively low playtime. Nevertheless, this game is worthy of acclaim; it offers a remarkable gaming experience in the genre of Metroidvania action games.

This game brings back the side-scrolling style from its origins yet incorporates time-manipulation capabilities similar to contemporary titles, creating a seamless experience that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. The platforming and combats are both engaging and demanding, the map is vast with numerous hidden treasures, and an ingenious tool simplifies locating areas for revisits.

If it hadn’t been released during such a busy period earlier in the year, I believe it would have garnered more attention and discussion – it’s definitely worth exploring.

2: Balatro

I’ve had a soft spot for roguelike games and even ventured into card-style adaptations like Slay the Spire and Monster Train. However, among these, Balatro stands out exceptionally in its specialized genre. It’s not just one of the top picks in its niche, but it also ranks among the year’s finest overall games. In essence, it offers a minimalistic experience with no elaborate storylines or convoluted mechanics. Instead, it focuses on helping you play the most effective poker hands to achieve the highest scores possible.

The game offers an abundance of strategies to customize and enhance your play area, creating numerous possibilities for victory scenarios. As you discover compatible combinations and effective techniques, you’ll enjoy achieving impressive results that feel incredibly rewarding. It’s a game that is endlessly engaging, meticulously crafted, and richly deserving of every accolade it receives.

1: Astro Bot

It’s probably a predictable number one, but I don’t care. Astro Bot is sensational.

From my perspective, I believe this is the finest 3D platformer that Sony has put out; each level offers a distinct and enjoyable experience, the controls are intuitive and swift, and every aspect of it seems meticulously crafted with great attention to detail.

This creation exudes a refined quality, creativity, and meticulousness that strongly evokes Nintendo’s internal productions, and it truly excels. The harmony between elements is exceptional – the layout of levels, the controls and tactile feedback, the visuals, the soundtrack, every aspect is outstanding.

This character appearance, charming though they may be, are merely a tasty bonus. The experience stood out significantly for me due to its exceptional quality and a refreshing change compared to today’s mainstream gaming world. Truly an outstanding game!

How do you feel about Stephen’s choices for his annual Game of the Year awards? You are welcome to share your thoughts, either expressing strong agreement or offering polite disagreement, in the comment area beneath this post.

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2024-12-22 14:06