Last year was an absolute incredible year for game releases. As for this year, while a bit quieter on the major releases, 2024 has already had a number of really great games released so far. We’re now about a third of the way through the year, and, thus, let’s look back at the year so far and see the six games that we at mxdwn consider some of the best games that have been released through the first few months of 2024!
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Release Date: January 18, 2024
Starting our list today is possibly the sleeper hit of 2024 so far with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This metroidvania action platformer is the first entry in the series in almost fifteen years, and returns the series to its sidescrolling roots, though this time in 2.5D. The story if the game sees the protagonist Sargon and the rest of the elite group of fighters known as the Seven Immortals travel to a time altering temple to rescue the prince of Persia.
The gameplay is what you would expect in this type of game featuring simple and heavy attacks, a parry that is essential, and plenty of unlockable powers to experiment with. Where Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown really shines though is the exploration and overall style that is featured throughout the game. The map is massive and there are an absolute ton of secrets to discover and ways to traverse to different areas. Plus, one of the lifesavers in this kind of game being able to put little screenshot markers on the map to remember key locations or places you can’t access yet and need to return to later. Then the style, from the art style itself to how combat looks with the more powerful abilities and cinematic parries, this game oozes spectacle that’ll keep you engaged throughout.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Release Date: January 26, 2024
It seems with every release, Like a Dragon just hits. The long-running series changed things up with Yakuza: Like a Dragon going from its action beat em’ up style of combat to a full real-time turn-based RPG. It also introduced a new protagonist in Ichiban Kasuga. While the combat changed, everything else that are hallmarks of Yakuza are still there, the insane story, characters, and all of the different minigames.
Infinite Wealth continues Kasuga’s story and changes things up by bringing in former protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. It also brings things to the West by going to a new setting outside of Japan in the form of Honolulu, Hawaii. Infinite Wealth refines Like a Dragon’s turn-based combat system and continues the series’ tradition of over-the-top characters, story, and minigames. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth continues the franchise’s legacy as one of the most beloved in video games. The focus on refining its new gameplay style on top of everything else that makes Like a Dragon great makes Infinite Wealth one of the best RPGs this year and in turn one of the best games of 2024 so far.
Tekken 8
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Tekken 8 continues the recent trend of fighting games that have dominated the conversation when they were released. And like Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 before it, Tekken 8 does it by doing things in its own way.
The new “Heat System” provides players the ability to access special movements and enhance characters’ unique features and opens things up in a way that has never been seen before in Tekken’s history. Plus, as with Street Fighter VI and Mortal Kombat 1, Tekken 8 has provided new ways for new players to get in on the action The game’s robust multiplayer suite with the new Fight Lounge and in-depth customization mode has provided new ways for the community to engage with each other like never before and to tailor things how they want.
The engagement the community has with the game is the reason why Tekken 8 took the gaming world by storm and is one of the best games of 2024 so far.
Persona 3 Reload
Release Date: February 2, 2024
Persona 3 Reload is the fourth iteration of Persona 3 following the original, Persona 3 FES, and Persona 3 Portable (which released on modern consoles early last year). It is incredible to see this game recreated so beautifully for modern consoles even if Tartarus is still a bit of a slog to traverse. The game incorporates all the best aspects from the later iterations like being able to control your party members like in the portable version and the FES epilogue will come later this year. Though, the game is missing the female protagonist that was featured in P3P. Even though not having all the content as of this time, this is easily the definitive way to experience Persona 3.
For those unaware, Persona 3 is where the series turned into what it is known for today. From the daily calendar to the social aspects that fans adore, all originate with this game. This is easily a great jumping in point for those who have wanted to start the series or for older fans to get to reexperience the game again with the features added from later iterations. While not as advanced as where the series is now with where Persona 5 left us, Persona 3 Reload is a great visitation to when the series was carving it’s place in the JRPG pantheon and will hold us until the inevitable Persona 6.
Helldivers II
Release Date: February 8, 2024
Helldivers II took the video game world by storm when it was released earlier this year. While it had its audience back when the first game was released, I think it’s safe to say no one knew how much of a pull the game would have on the gaming community.
What makes Helldivers II so special is its unique gameplay mechanics. Having friendly fire always on plus having to call in stratagems is a combo that always ends with utter chaos, and that chaos is Helldivers II’s bread and butter. Another thing that makes Helldivers II unique and special is how developer Arrowhead Studios is running the game as a live service. While most live services end up running things the same way, Helldivers II has taken the opposite approach and it has resonated with the community.
Helldivers II could be considered one of the best gaming experiences this year with its uniqueness and doing things its own way and because of that, it’s one of the best games of 2024 so far.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Release Date: February, 29, 2024
Finally, to end our list for now, is the highest rated game of 2024 so far with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Honestly, this game deserves all the praise that it has received. It’s incredible how well Square Enix is handling the remake of Final Fantasy VII. Not only did they break one of the best games of all time into multiple parts, they have made each part be an outstanding master class at how to expand and add to such a classic story. With so much skepticism going into the project when it was first announced back in 2015, they’ve blown us all away.
With Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Square Enix went all out. From the early moments of the game, you can feel all the budget, love, care that the developers put into the game. Because of that, the game is chock full of content from great side quests and activities to an absolute plethora of minigames for you to lose track of time to (not even including the ones at Gold Saucer). The combat has been improved and is still probably my favorite party based action RPG combat system. I’ll always remember going into the game expecting to spend maybe 40 or so hours with it like the first game, but, by the end of my first playthrough, my game clock was well over 100 hours and I loved every minute of it. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth showcases why, even as the middle part of a remake trilogy of one game, why Final Fantasy VII is such a beloved game to so many people.