"Top 2024 Games to Play Right Now: Best Releases Reviewed"
, by Unboxify, 5 min reading time
Best Games of 2024 So Far 🎮
2023 set a high bar for fantastic gaming experiences, with IGN awarding 83 games a review score of eight or higher, including heavy hitters like Baldur's Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As we approach the holiday season—a period brimming with new releases—let’s take a look back at some of the best games 2024 has offered us so far. This year may not have hit the highs of 2023, but there are still plenty of amazing games worth your time.
Top Games Scoring an Eight and Above 🌟
Alan Wake 2: Night Springs 🔦
The first DLC for Alan Wake 2, Night Springs, is a compact yet gripping collection of standalone stories. From entertainingly violent shootouts to survival horror and beyond, it keeps fans immersed in Remedy's Multiverse of Madness. While it may lack novelty in gameplay, the rich return to Alan Wake's universe is worth every minute.
Another Crab's Treasure 🦀
Another Crab's Treasure is a delightful addition to the Souls-like genre, featuring colorful and unique gameplay mechanics. Its charming shell-swapping mechanic and cheerful mood make it a standout, despite some shallow combat and minor flaws.
Black Myth: Wukong 🐵
Black Myth: Wukong is an action-packed, challenging game that tests your skills with pristine combat mechanics and mesmerizing visuals. While it struggles with localization issues and needs a map, its strengths prevail, making it a must-play.
Botony Mana 🌿
Botony Mana invites you to grow fantastical plants in a charming Old English setting. The game offers puzzling elements more interesting than its storyline, providing a laid-back, decompressive gaming experience.
Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile 📱
Warzone Mobile brings the full-scale multiplayer experience to mobile devices. Despite touch control disadvantages and high hardware demands, it delivers fast and fun Battle Royale action, integrated seamlessly with the main game via cross-progression.
Capes 🦸♂️
Capes is a superhero-inspired tactics game filled with challenging missions and teamwork-focused gameplay. Optional stealth missions add layers to its engaging story and diverse characters.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor 🌌
In Early Access, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor extends the adventurous spirit of its big brother into a single-player roguelite. With punchy weapons and critter-filled caverns, it's a worthwhile addition to the franchise.
Disney Dreamlight Valley 🏰
Originally in Early Access, Disney Dreamlight Valley has evolved into a cozy game packed with colorful areas and lovable characters. Despite ongoing issues from its Early Access phase, it remains an enjoyable adventure for Disney fans.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 🐉
Dragon’s Dogma 2 revives the dynamic world and engaging combat of the original. Although it has its quirks, it stands out in its genre, rewarding players with an incomparable action RPG experience.
Top Games Scoring a Nine and Above 🔥
Satisfactory 🏭
Satisfactory excels as an automation game. Its blend of exploration, combat, and conveyor belt puzzles is engaging, despite some technical annoyances. Overall, it's a standout factory builder worth your time.
World of Warcraft: The War Within 🪖
The War Within brings World of Warcraft back to its peak with a strong narrative, engaging gameplay, and stunning design. Some bugs and tuning issues linger, but they don't diminish the overall fresh and thrilling experience.
Astro Bot 🚀
Astro Bot delivers endless joy through inventive levels and fantastic abilities. Especially delightful for PlayStation fans, it nearly rivals top-tier Nintendo platformers.
1,000 Cross Resist 🌌
1,000 Cross Resist breaks new ground in storytelling with its rich, intimate depiction of the Asian diaspora. It's a sci-fi adventure that blends emotional depth with radical politics, making for an unprecedented gaming experience.
Animal Well 🐾
Animal Well is a feast of brain teasers set in a gorgeous, dynamic environment. Its rewarding gameplay encourages curiosity and inventive problem-solving, making it a captivating experience.
Balatro 🃏
Balatro takes the simplicity of poker and transforms it into a deep, engaging deck-building adventure. Its fun mechanics and thrilling gameplay make it easy to lose hours exploring its possibilities.
Hades 2 🔱
Even in Early Access, Hades 2 offers rich content, excellent combat, and engaging progression. With more features on the way, it's a tantalizing treat for fans and newcomers alike.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth 💰
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth shines with its renewed turn-based combat system and spectacular Hawaiian setting. Its compelling story and diverse activities ensure hours of enjoyment.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door 📜
This visually dazzling remake of The Thousand-Year Door returns to RPG roots with modern improvements, ensuring both new and returning fans have a delightful experience. The sharp writing and lovable characters make for an unforgettable journey.
Sons of the Forest 🌲
Sons of the Forest builds on its predecessor with better base-building mechanics, improved combat, and a beautifully dangerous island setting. It's a top-notch survival crafting game that promises endless exploration.
The Perfect Score: 10/10 💯
Shadow of the Erdtree 🌳
FromSoftware's Shadow of the Erdtree for Elden Ring earns the only 10/10 so far in 2024. This expansion packs a punch with its hefty content, challenging boss battles, and stunning visuals, making it one of the best DLC expansions ever.
Although fewer games have been awarded a perfect score compared to the previous year, 2024 continues to deliver stellar gaming experiences. With an exciting run-up to the holidays, there's much more to look forward to. For a sneak peek at what’s still to come, stay tuned to IGN!
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