somnambulance

I can’t wait for this trio of games from Mr. Kojima. Hopefully production goes smoothly and we see all four of his projects release by the end of the decade (with Death Stranding coming this year).

Also, jeez, with how many strikes are happening, hopefully fair pay gets established over the course of 2025. Hopefully this is the year the economy mends the lives of working people after a harsh 2024.

@Dalamar I’m down for that as well!

I’m not even redeeming Suicide Squad, but I’m happy more people will play Stanley Parable!

I wish I liked Atlus’s games, but unfortunately I just can’t seem to get into them. I love the art style of them, but the act of playing them… is just not for me. I will be looking forward to the inevitable Metaphor: the Animation though.

As someone that is typically not a fan of gatchas, I’ve got to admit that Infinity Nikki is better than I ever would’ve expected. I’ve not sank a lot of time into it currently (I think I’ve maybe played 10-15 hours total in gaming for the month, which is not much for me), but I’m quite fond of what I’ve played and my wife and kids like it too. Honestly feel like it might’ve made my own top games list if it had been out longer, which surprises me.

Doesn’t matter if a game is single player or multiplayer, live service or not…. I just want good games. If the games are good, I’m ready for them.

The Lake House was my favorite DLC. Sure it’s short, but it’s a bridge between Alan Wake 2 and Control, two of the best games of all time. I loved it.

That said, I get why Erdtree won. I loved Elden Ring, I really did, but Erdtree sort of just felt frustrating. The huge gap of time between the base game and DLC allowed me to Gohan myself, so to speak. I wasn’t even sure if I remembered how to go Super Saiyan. I pushed through it, and it was solid, but it was also just another punishing area of Elden Ring. With a game as obtuse in storytelling as Elden Ring, it sort of made me realize how important the story is for me to really enjoy DLC properly. The imagery is great, but it felt like more of the same rather than something genuinely new.

Honestly surprised this one isn’t higher, given this site’s history as basically the most prominent editorial champion for the series in the West.

Rebirth > Silent Hill 2.

I dunno about everyone else, but the Silent Hill 2 remake sort of made me realize how aloof James is as a character. The game is simultaneously terrifying and sort of silly because James is sort of unlikeable to me. I feel like my opinion of Silent Hill 2 is a little bit less than it was before the remake, and I say this totally feeling that the remake was fantastically made. Bloober finally proved they can do it. It’s still good, just not what I remembered, you know? It’s not quite a REmake or Rebirth where I’ve got a new level of appreciation for the source material. The gameplay was effective, but I like the story less than I did 20-ish years ago.

Oh, and Dragon Quest 3 belongs on this list.

@Orochilocka By my comment, I meant that other similar games have lesser visuals and likely lesser soundtracks. If there’s two areas that Stellar Blade is undeniably strong, it’s the audio and visual department.

Honestly, no hate to Stellar Blade, but it’s a game that, while solid, just reminded me of other games that do what it does, but better, albeit with less polished visuals and debatably lesser soundtracks. It’s reminiscent of the PS2/PS3 titles and updates their formula for a modern audience rather than pushing the boundaries of what they did like the oft-compared title Nier Automata, for instance. So, yeah, I’ll admit it’s not in my top 10 and I’ve felt the game was overrated all year, even though I do think it’s an overall good game.

However, that said, it’s impossible for this one not to be in a top 10 for a PlayStation site. It’s a very palatable title and one of the few AAA tier games that released this year. I can see where some might’ve liked the game more than me, and, if you’ve not been as exposed to the genre as some of us ancient gaming folk, I could see where the game might not recall other games as strongly. Now to see if Metaphor or Infinite Wealth is next… Astro Bot is almost certainly Pushsquare’s GotY.

Banishers gets my vote. I can’t believe how little credit the game has received this year.

@Mattock1987 Wukong is definitely not even in the top 10. It didn’t seem to be a hit among Pushsquare staff or readers in the same capacity as it was in some circles. The top 4 is certainly Stellar Blade, Metaphor, Infinite Wealth, Astro Bot… potentially even in that order…

That said, Balatro deserved higher. I gave Rebirth my personal GotY, but honestly Balatro is closer than I ever thought a game could be. I’d consider 2024 a miss year overall, but Rebirth, Balatro, and Astro Bot aren’t just fantastic games from this year, but genre-defining classics that hit better than most games even in solid years.

Thank Goodness You’re Here, Neva, and Trombone Champions for me.

This is fantastic. I can’t wait to see this. Exit and Platform 8 were two of my favorite gaming experiences that I tried this year.

I, for one, am grateful Rebirth even made the list. It’s my GotY, yes, but I’m also aware of how Pushsquare has cumulatively covered the title over the course of the year, so I knew this wasn’t going to be up toward the top. If anything, I wouldn’t be surprised if this one was thrown a bone based on community support here rather than editorial support. That said, for us Rebirth fans, let’s not make like the Wukong developers at TGA and weep over this. Though I am curious if it’s verbatim in 7th place for FF7… Seems sort of obviously cheeky, but also too obviously cheeky?

My guess on the rest of the top 10:
6. Balatro
5. Stellar Blade
4. Silent Hill 2
3. Metaphor
2. Infinite Wealth
1. Astro Bot

@Uromastryx It’s my GotY, but Pushsquare had famously not featured it in best games of 2024 list they made in September. We shall see. I’d complain, but these guys also made RE Village GotY a few years back, so bless them for going against the grain. You never quite know what Pushsquare will do in these lists. I could see them being snarky and dropping it a #7 for 7 too. I’m almost certain Infinite Wealth or Astro Bot will be GotY, judging by how discourse has been this year, with Metaphor in third. Just a guess. They will omit a noteworthy game or two and there will be outrage, I’m certain of it, and thankful all the same.

I’m honestly sort of surprised Crypt Custodian edged out Animal Well. Otherwise, I totally agree with this list.

Balatro is realistically so good, it’s GotY tier. It’s one of the best games this generation, potentially top 5. Quite possibly a top 5 indie games of all time for me as well. Certainly the biggest surprise I’ve had this year in gaming. If, last year around this time, you would’ve told me my cumulatively most played game this year would’ve been a game that I now own on PS, Switch, and mobile and it’s a Poker based roguelike, I’d have laughed at you. I bought the game for my Dad for Christmas too. This… has never happened where I’ve bought my Dad a game… and I’m sure my Mom will kill me for it in a few weeks.

Given how Dragon’s Dogma’s been dominating some of the categories lately. I’m surprised to see it at #8.

Genuinely curious to see if Rebirth receives a controversial exclusion from Pushsquare’s top 10 list. Always interesting to see what you guys decide. Whether I agree with the list or not, Pushsquare always has a bevy thoughtful lists that tend to be just a little bit more unique than the typical GotY coverage.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth deserves the win here. How is it not a voting option?

I will say that Dragon’s Dogma does exceed in the concept of an open world game though.

Almost a whole year later… I still don’t get this one! I thought Concord was more fun!

…don’t shoot!

Depends what it is. I own the Sega titles I’ve liked the last two generations. Next year, I’ll be down to Dashpass, Netflix, NSO, Gamepass, and PS+

I honestly think Balatro deserves the win here. It’s simple, but so darn effective.

@ORO_ERICIUS Even having dropped it earlier in the year, I think I’d still put Dragon’s Dogma 2 above the rest of the contenders on this list. Warhammer isn’t for me. Black Myth is perhaps a contender for the most overrated game to release this year, even as it does have solid gameplay and visuals. It’s just incoherent as a narrative, which is bizarre as its source material is certainly not. Sorry to say, but Black Myth feels sort of like an extended tech demo to me. And Stellar Blade… well… Electric Playground described it as “one of those games that reminds you of games that are better than it while you are playing it and makes you want to go back and play them.” And I definitely agree with that.

Dragon’s Dogma 2, on the other hand, is clunky, janky, dated, and also incomprehensible as a story, but things are always happening in it and it’s wildly ambitious. I just dropped it because I wasn’t clicking with the story at all. I was sort of lost with what to do in the game. I’ve been back and forth on going back to it for a while, but I just haven’t had the time. This has not been a gaming year with time to spare for me, which is also another reason I dropped DD2. Given how blank next year looks (for me currently), it may be the ideal time to return to it.

Lost Crown, Balatro, and Astro are also in my personal top 5. This is a list of incredible taste, sir!

I really should give Dragon’s Dogma 2 a second shot. It’s one of the few games this year I question if I gave it my best or if I was just grumpy in my gaming and sort of rushed on it. I’ll redownload it for the sake of it winning.

Also, yes! Finally GotY season! Some of my favorite articles to read all year.

Ah, my identity has been revealed!

Thanks for picking my submission! It was originally ten times the word count limit and, man, did I realize how wordy I am. 😵‍💫

Loved reading the other submissions. It’s great when people have unique picks like Nine Sols and Animal Well (and Earth Defense Force!). Especially love seeing LiS get some praise, given how it’s been dogpiled this year.

Not sure I’ll be doing much gaming this weekend. My wife was in a car accident two days ago, so, while she’s physically fine, she’s feeling emotional shock. I had plans to play games with friends, but cancelled. I suppose I’ll be playing Santa Claus Simulator Real Edition, if that counts. I would like to maybe try that Slitterhead demo, but realistically, maybe I’ll do a round or so of Puyo Puyo Tetris with the wife to help get her mind off the stress.

Definitely downloading the demo. Happy to see this! If any game ever needed a demo, this one is it

@Grumblevolcano Frankly, I wouldn’t mind if GTA6 pushed back into 2026 as long as it gets a firm release date. I have zero interest in Wolverine, so it does warm my heart that PlayStation fans are more excited about Ghost instead.

@RadioHedgeFund Thank you, my friend

Refreshing to see Ghost of Yotei beat GTA6

@RadioHedgeFund No money, just lots of time. Lots and lots of time. Since Balatro’s gone mobile, I’m pretty sure it’s my most played game this year now.

It’s not going to be a Borderlands game then?

Balatro is more addictive than real gambling. Praise Balatro.

I’ll be honest, I don’t really get the hate on Intergalactic. The trailer gave me sort of Alien meets Cowboy Bebop vibes and I’m all there for everything about it. Man, I hope that one’s another one next year. Totally fine with having more games that look more personally exciting to me than GTA6 on the docket.

And man I do with Project Robot felt closer. See you for the PS6, Ueda!

Superstars was ok. The bosses were ludicrously hard compared to the levels though. I remember my son handing me the controller for literally every boss, which was funny because the regular levels he could breeze through. You gotta commit to one difficulty level for the full thing.

This is just my two cents, of course, but the game didn’t even deserve nomination. It’s a good game, but the narrative is disjointed unless you’ve done the reading. No game should require homework to make sense if it’s in that category. Sure, most in China would know the story, but globally, not so much. It’d be like if we, in the West, made a game based off Beowulf, but skipped most of the narration for combat sections linked by brief exposition tone pieces. It’s works for gameplay, sure, but games require more now. Astro Bot had a more coherent story as basic as it was, strangely enough, and it was aiming for Mario-esque simplicity.

Additionally, the game does have technical issues on PlayStation. As pretty as the game can be and as fluid as the gameplay is, it certainly feels like a game meant to show off the promise of a fledgling studio rather than a magnum opus. I wouldn’t put in my top 10, not sure if I’d put it in my top 20, though I’d think about it. It’s a really impressive 7/10 tier game and many critics feel the same. TGA GotY is a critic’s choice to some degree. Astro Bot won their hearts and minds. Plain and simple. Astro’s a pure game, a celebration, nothing to be upset about losing to. I’ve seen some argue it’s not a Baldur’s Gate or Elden Ring, but ask the kids in 20 years what this game means to them, and we may be saying something different. I know my son thinks it’s the greatest game ever made. I disagree, but I’m happy for him and happy for Team Asobi. (Astro Bot is #3 on my personal list for 2024 too, fyi)

@breakneck You’re so right! We’re in an unfortunate place where there’s no seal of quality on any platform anymore and it makes the e-shops a cesspool to dive into. It’s impossible to randomly find a hidden treasure now, basically, which is why it’s great that all these gaming sites exist now to help ensure taste can persist.

@__Seraph @lazarus11 @DarkTron How am I claiming Gamepass to be a better method of gaming? I’m just claiming Gamepass is trending in a more positive direction by actually delivering day 1 exclusives when the last few years have been barren for the console, and now I’m back in the ecosystem. PS+ meanwhile hasn’t had a big Day 1 title since The Plucky Squire. I’m definitely dropping to the lowest tier for PS+ once my sub lapses at the current rate since… you know… I’ve bought everything of interest from the PS+ release slate. I want new games to play in a cost effective fashion. I typically purchase Sony exclusives at launch, but would be happy to get them on a sub service instead, save money, and purchase my favorite ones for permanent use. Gamepass had Nine Sols, Stalker, Black Ops 6, Metal Slug Tactics, Flight Sim, and Indiana Jones all launching on top of each other. That’s a decent line-up. Gamepass is worthwhile when it is delivering. I say this as someone that played less than 25 hours of Xbox before November and 20x that on PlayStation. If Xbox makes Gamepass a more viable option than it has been, it could be a more viable competitor.

@LifeGirl Disagree completely about Day 1 releases not being vital to these services. I’m back on Gamepass after nearly a year off of it because they’re finally putting stuff on there Day 1 again because they actually have releases to put out. Looking at the line-up, I’ll likely stay subbed all year next year. Meanwhile, I can’t say that for PS+. The only games I played on PS+ this year were day 1s like Animal Well and Dave the Diver.

Also, on the note of Forspoken, it felt like few of the people that talked about the game had played it on release. I preordered the game and blasted through it in a weekend and really enjoyed it, but when I engaged in online discourse, I would constantly see flags from people that didn’t even know about the game outside that one quippy trailer that made people cringe. And to make matters worse, most didn’t even want to discuss the game on its own merits, but would cite the experience of others they watch online who played it. I mean, trash a game you’ve touched if you’re going to trash it.

I’m quite happy to see people be positive toward the game. No, it wasn’t a GotY tier game, but it was unique and fun, and I honestly found it to have game-like dialogue rather than cringe-inducing dialogue. I mean, did we not all grow up with a healthy heap of cringe from classics such as Resident Evil? I enjoyed it more than most PS exclusives this generation. If it would’ve released before the era of YouTubers literally complaining about every game, Forspoken would’ve been a cult classic. How many weird PS2 and PS3 era games would be trashed today, but are remembered fondly in spite of quirks? Forspoken is practically the PS5 answer to that style of game.

Good to know. The lack of crossplay sort of ruined Baldur’s Gate for me because I was left behind by my PC master race friends (I say sort of because it was actually the bugs after I tried playing it solo that actually ruined it).

I’ll let people know… although I’m not sure how many people I know are going to want a third Elden Ring experience so close together either. I’m sort of torn on it, considering I thought Erdtree was good, but not essential.

I will definitely play the new Astro Bot level and Balatro on my phone. Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic is likely on the Switch. But, man, do I want to go back and play some Indiana Jones.

My top 5 on PS:

1. Rebirth
2. Balatro
3. Astro Bot
4. Prince of Persia
5. Nine Sols

Man, this was a year where I had a hard time finding games that clicked with me, but, man, you’d never know it, given how incredible the top games were this year. Shout out to Banishers too. Even if the gameplay was flawed, the story and performances were the best in gaming this year and the game was sadly overlooked. Also, shout out to Life is Strange: Double Exposure for just being a great experience, even if the reviews dogpiled it. And one more shout out to the Platform 8 for being an exceptional single hour gaming experience. I’ll remember it more than most 40+ hour games I’ve played. 🍻 Cheers to the greats!

Intergalactic by an edge perhaps. Ueda’s new title and Witcher 4 are up there, but Intergalactic looks like it may be soonest to release.

And also got to say that it’s crazy we’ll be getting not one but two Obsidian RPGs next year.

I am still shocked that we saw nothing of Kojima though. Surely that was proof that a Sony showcase is soon.

I enjoyed the show a lot. There were half a dozen games that I’m excited about now that I wasn’t aware of 24 hours ago. It was the most tasteful Keighley’s been with his cringe as well. Had a great time with it.

Only negative I can say is that I absolutely have no idea what is actually releasing next year. It still seems so murky. I’d like to know because I’d like to buy some of these games.

So happy to see Balatro continuing to get more exposure and star power

I downloaded it and I’ll test it out. Why not?