10 Best Games From 2024 You May Have Overlooked This Year

2024 was a busy year for players, with several popular titles released throughout the year. Helldivers 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth took the world by storm earlier this year in February, while Black Myth: Wukong amassed critical acclaim and widespread attention in August, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 dominated sales charts in October. More popular titles were released in between, like Astro Bot, Tekken 8, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Hades 2.

Keeping up has been hard with so many popular games released this year. As such, many smaller titles have been overlooked. Whether because they were released around the same time as more high-profile titles or because they were from smaller developers who didn’t have the marketing budget to compete, these hidden gems deserve a second look from players. Here are 10 games many have overlooked but are worth checking into.

10

Rise of the Rōnin

An Open-World Dive Into Japan’s History

Rise of the Rōnin is a PS5 roleplaying exclusive packed with action. It was first announced in 2022, and then, during The Game Awards 2023, a pre-order trailer was released, generating some buzz. Sadly, the excitement around the game died down and few seemed to give it a second thought when it was finally released. Hardly anyone seemed to be playing the game or talking about it, even now, despite it being a fun and captivating title.

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Although it didn’t do as well as it should have, the game still has a few dedicated fans. Rise of the Rōnin provides players with an immersive, open-world historical atmosphere. The game dives into Japan’s history, offering a rich narrative set during the turbulent Bakumatsu era in the 19th century.

The game lets players explore a beautiful open world while uncovering a deep story full of interesting characters, exciting combat, and engaging and fun quests. While many have overlooked it, Rise of the Rōnin is a hidden gem that more people should try in 2024 and beyond.

9

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

An Action RPG Overshadowed By FF7

Granblue Fantasy: Relink was poised to be a great RPG with elements of action, adventure, fighting, and shooting. It was released on the PS4, PS5 and PC, catering to a broader audience than if released on just one system. However, because it was released around the same time as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, it unfortunately struggled to maintain the spotlight and was overshadowed by the larger franchise.

Players in Granblue Fantasy: Relink take on the role of the captain of a skyfaring crew as they traverse through the Sky Realm, visiting various islands and engaging in combat and quests. Players team up with three other characters whom they can choose from a roster once unlocked. Each character is unique in their weapons, skills, and combat. For those not interested in combat, Granblue Fantasy: Relink comes with accessibility options in assist modes. All skill levels can enjoy this game.

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Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fantastic option for any RPG fan who enjoys exciting worlds, action-packed combat, and a variety of characters.

8

Crypt Custodian

A Look Into The Afterlife From A Cat’s POV

Fans of the Metroidvania genre, the Zelda franchise, and cats are in for a treat with Crypt Custodian. While many popular Metroidvania games are fast-paced and sometimes confusing, Crypt Custodian promises a more chill experience in its gameplay.

Crypt Custodian comes from indie developer Kyle Thompson, who is also responsible for Islets and Sheepo. So, fans of those games will surely enjoy this one, too. Much like Thompson’s other games, Crypt Custodian offers stunning visuals, a beautiful story, and an atmospheric soundtrack that can be enjoyed both in and out of the game.

In Crypt Custodian, players take on the role of a recently deceased cat, Pluto, who has just arrived in the afterlife and soon finds himself sentenced to clean up messes for all eternity. As Pluto, players will explore what the afterlife has to offer, battling monsters and gaining new abilities along the way. There are also puzzles and secrets to explore, promising an experience players won’t want to miss.

7

Pacific Drive

A Survival Game With Cars

Pacific Drive received a lot of attention when it was first announced in 2022. It’s a survival game where players navigate a dangerous post-apocalyptic world with only their car. Unfortunately, Pacific Drive didn’t do as well as expected upon its release.

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Survival games are often challenging for players, which could have turned players away. Pacific Drive also has its challenges, because not only do players have to survive in this new world, but they must also keep their cars in decent shape.

Pacific Drive has a lot for fans to enjoy: survival elements, supernatural dangers, unique challenges, an upgradable and customizable car, and a mystery waiting to be solved. Players explore both on foot and by driving, fighting against the storm, scavenging resources, and trying to survive the Pacific Northwest. It’s a great game for anyone who enjoys exploration and survival challenges.

6

Arco

A Strategy RPG About Indigenous People

Arco has a perfect five-star rating on Steam, but despite that, it’s still a highly overlooked game. Few people have played it, and even fewer are talking about it. However, it’s a game worth checking out for people who enjoy action RPGs with strategy in the mix. With its deep combat mechanics, engaging story, and tactical turn-based depth, Arco offers a unique experience perfect for players looking for more than just fast-paced action.

Players are in charge of leading four indigenous people as their stories intertwine. They’ll come face to face with monsters, rival nations, and colonizers who threaten their way of life. Each of the four characters brings a unique story, skill tree, and playstyle to life. Players will have to make choices that can change the story and gameplay. There are more than 200 locations to visit, 100 items to find, and 50 enemies to face off against.

5

Dungeons Of Hinterberg

An Open-World Dungeon Crawler

Upon its release, the utterly charming Dungeons of Hinterberg received some initial buzz among players. However, the talk and excitement around the game quickly died down and not much has been heard about it since. Even looking at the game on Steam, it clearly did not amass a significant following; yet, it’s a game worth looking into.

Dungeons of Hinterberg offers a refreshing take on the dungeon-crawling genre. It combines intense combat with puzzles and exploration through the Austrian Alps. The story centers around Luisa, a tired law student looking to recharge by conquering the island’s dungeons. The dungeons are filled with challenging puzzles that test both strategy and creativity. Beyond the dungeons, the game features open-world exploration that allows players to zipline through forests, snowboard down glaciers, and more.

Despite its somewhat quiet reception, Dungeons of Hinterberg is a distinctive adventure game that you won’t want to miss out on. Plus, it features a New Game Plus feature that allows some replayability.

4

Shiren The Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon Of Serpentcoil Island

An Unpredictable Dungeon-Crawler With Procedurally Generated Dungeons

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is another highly overlooked game released in 2024 that more players should give a chance. Released on the Nintendo Switch and PC, the game features roguelike elements packed into an engaging and unpredictable dungeon-crawling experience. Players play as Shiren the Wanderer, accompanied by a talking ferret named Koppa. Shiren and Koppa travel and explore the mysterious Serpentcoil Island, searching for treasure.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island has a lot of replayability, thanks to its procedurally generated Mystery Dungeon, which changes layout, enemies, and treasures through each playthrough. The uncertainty in the dungeons keeps players on their toes and requires them to adapt to new challenges in an ever-changing dungeon.

With its exciting blend of strategy, exploration, and unpredictable dungeon encounters, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island offers a fresh and rewarding experience that fans of roguelikes and adventure games won’t want to miss.

3

UFO 50

A Collection Of 50 Diverse Video Games

UFO 50 isn’t just one game, but a collection of them. In fact, it has 50 games in one, which makes UFO 50 an exciting and varied experience for players. With 50 games to choose from, there’s something for everyone — from puzzle games to roguelikes, platformers, and more. Yet, despite its variety, UFO 50 hasn’t truly received the recognition it deserves.

UFO 50 is a game reminiscent of old-school retro classic collections, in which players can enjoy a wide range of styles and genres and aren’t limited or confined to just one type of gameplay. This allows players to experiment to find something else they might enjoy beyond their usual games. There’s a mix of single- and multiplayer games, as well as games that are both small and arcade-style to larger open-world adventures. Each game promises a unique experience, lasting a few hours to several.

While UFO 50 is akin to retro games, modern elements have also been included to appeal to both retro and modern gaming fans. Though UFO 50 hasn’t received much recognition, its fans hope it will be a strong contender for Game of the Year.

2

1000xResist

A Story Of Betrayal And Unexpected Twists

Another dark horse contender for Game of the Year is 1000xResist, a gripping futuristic sci-fi thriller game that blends mystery, exploration, and deep emotional storytelling. The game features aliens and a disease that has killed off most humanity, with the survivors living underground. Iris, the ALLMOTHER, is the only known immune person among the survivors. Besides being immune, she is immortal and has created clones to form her own society. Unlike their original, the clones are not immune.

Players take on the role of a new clone who becomes the Watcher in their society. As the Watcher, players will relive Iris’ memories and learn about important moments in her life. However, everything comes to a halt when players uncover a shocking secret about the ALLMOTHER, revealed to them by a close ally. Thus begins a journey of betrayal and self-discovery as players work to navigate the truth behind the ALLMOTHER’s past and the dark secrets of their society.

1000xResist is a gripping tale that will challenge players’ perceptions of identity, trust, and power. It’s a must-play for fans of deep narrative-driven games that dive into complex themes and offers a riveting experience. Its emotional storytelling, unexpected twists, and thought-provoking narrative will keep players on the edge of their seats until the very last moment.

1

Nine Sols

A Challenging Platformer That Will Keep Players Occupied Until Silksong

Nine Sols is one of the greatest and most overlooked games in 2024. While the game barely received any attention this year, it stands out with its great action, story, and 2D art and gives a similar feel to Hollow Knight. It has everything you would expect in a platformer: challenging combat with unique boss fights, unique levels, and a unique world that keeps players engaged from start to finish.

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Players take on the role of Yi, exploring the regions of New Kunlun and uncovering secrets as he fights to defeat the rulers, or Nine Sols, of New Kunlun. It’s a game full of fast action and intense battles similar to Sekiro‘s, with a rich story and beautiful world design, living up to the best qualities of a platformer.

While several prominent and big-name games have released in 2024, players should not forget the smaller titles put out by indie developers. Indie developers are often free to take more risks and experiment with new concepts, bringing unique gameplay experiences. Many of these games fly under the radar, but they can surprise players with their ingenuity and charm and are worth checking out. These games might not get as much attention as titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Helldivers 2, but they still deserve recognition for their creativity and unique gameplay.

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Nine Sols

Action

Platformer

Soulslike

Released

May 29, 2024

Developer(s)

RedCandleGames

Publisher(s)

RedCandleGames

Engine

Unity

ESRB

T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Use of Alcohol

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