Top 10 Games of 2024 You May Have Forgotten This Year

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

Keeping up with so many popular games released this year has been difficult. As such, many smaller titles have been forgotten. Whether it's because they were released around the same time as higher-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 gamers. Here are 10 games that many have overlooked but are worth checking out.

10

Rise of the Ronin

An open-world dive into Japanese history

Rise of the Ronin is an action-packed PS5 exclusive RPG. It was first announced in 2022, and then during The Game Awards 2023, a pre-order trailer was released, generating some buzz. Unfortunately, the excitement surrounding the game waned and few seemed to think twice when it was finally released. Hardly anyone seems to be playing it or talking about it, even now, despite it being a fun and catchy title.

Although it didn't do as well as it should have, the game still has some dedicated fans. Rise of the Ronin offers players an immersive, open-world historical atmosphere. The game delves into the history of Japanoffering a rich narrative set during the turbulent Bakumatsu era in the 19th century.

The game allows players to explore a beautiful open world while discovering a deep story full of interesting charactersExciting combat and engaging, fun missions. Although many have forgotten this, Rise of the Ronin it's a hidden gem that more people should experience in 2024 and beyond.

9

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

An action RPG overshadowed by FF7

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

Players in Granblue Fantasy: Relink Take on the role of captain of an aircrew as you traverse the Sky Realm, visiting various islands and participating in combat and missions. Players team up with three other characters that they can choose from a roster once unlocked. Each character is unique in their weapons, abilities and combat. For those not interested in combat, Granblue Fantasy: Relink comes with accessibility options in assistance modes. All skill levels can enjoy this game.

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 Keeper

A look at the afterlife from a cat's point of view

Fans of the Metroidvania genre, the Zelda franchise, and the cats will have fun with Crypt Keeper. Although many popular Metroidvania games are fast-paced and sometimes confusing, Crypt Keeper promises a more relaxed gameplay experience.

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

In Crypt KeeperPlayers take on the role of a recently deceased cat, Pluto, who has just arrived in the afterlife and soon finds himself doomed to clean up the mess for all eternity. As Pluto, players will explore what the afterlife has to offer, fighting monsters and gaining new abilities along the way. There are also puzzles and secrets to explorepromising 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 just their car. Unfortunately, Pacific Drive It didn't do as well as expected upon its release.

Survival games are often challenging for players, which may have turned players off. Pacific Drive also has its challenges, because not only do players need to survive in this new world, but also they must also keep their cars in good condition.

Pacific Drive There's plenty for fans to enjoy: survival elements, supernatural dangers, unique challenges, an upgradeable and customizable car, and a mystery waiting to be solved. Players explore on foot or by driving, battling storms, scavenging for resources, and trying to survive in the Pacific Northwest. It's a great game for those who like exploration and survival challenges.

6

bow

A strategy RPG about indigenous people

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

Players are tasked with leading four indigenous peoples as their stories intertwine. They will come face to face with monsters, rival nations, and colonizers that threaten their way of life. Each of the four characters brings to life a unique story, skill tree, and play style. Players will have to make choices that can change the story and gameplay. There are over 200 locations to visit, 100 items to find and 50 enemies to face.

5

Hinterberg Dungeons

An open-world dungeon crawler

Upon its release, the absolutely charming Hinterberg Dungeons received some initial buzz among gamers. However, the talk and excitement surrounding the game quickly died down and not much has been heard about it since. Even looking at the game on Steam, it clearly hasn't gathered a significant following; Still, it's a game worth checking out.

Hinterberg Dungeons offers a refreshing take on the dungeon crawling genre. Combines intense combat with puzzles and exploration across the Austrian Alps. The story revolves around Luisa, a tired law student who seeks to recharge his energy by conquering the island's dungeons. Dungeons are filled with challenging puzzles that test strategy and creativity. In addition to dungeons, the game features open-world exploration that allows players to zipline through forests, snowboard across glaciers, and more.

Despite its somewhat muted reception, Hinterberg Dungeons is a distinctive adventure game that you won't want to miss. Additionally, it has a New Game Plus feature that allows for some replayability.

4

Shiren The Wanderer: The Mysterious Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

An unpredictable dungeon crawler with procedurally generated dungeons

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mysterious Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is another highly overlooked game released in 2024 that more players should give a chance to. Released for Nintendo Switch and PC, the game features roguelike elements brought together in an immersive 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, in search of treasure.

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

With its exciting mix of strategy, exploration, and unpredictable dungeon encounters, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mysterious Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island offers a new 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 It's not just one game, but a collection of them. In fact, it has 50 games in one, which makes it 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. However, despite its variety, UFO 50 has not truly received the recognition it deserves.

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

While UFO 50 is similar to retro games, modern elements have also been included to appeal to both retro and modern game fans. However UFO 50 hasn't received much recognition, its fans expect it to be a strong contender for Game of the Year.

2

1000xStamina

A story of betrayal and unexpected twists

Another dark horse candidate for Game of the Year is 1000xStaminaa thrilling futuristic sci-fi thriller game that combines mystery, exploration and deeply emotional storytelling. The game features aliens and a disease that has killed most of humanity, with the survivors living underground. Iris, THE MOTHER OF ALL, is the only known immune person among the survivors. In addition to being immune, she is immortal and created clones to form her own society. Unlike the original, clones are not immune.

Players take on the role of a new clone who becomes their society's Watcher. As an Observer, players will relive Iris' memories and learn about important moments in her life. However, everything stops when players discover a shocking secret about 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 ALLMOTHER's past and the dark secrets of their society.

1000xStamina is a gripping story that will challenge players' perceptions of identity, confidence, and power. It's a must-play for fans of deep narrative-based games that delve into complex themes and offer a fascinating experience. Its gripping narrative, unexpected twists and thought-provoking narrative will keep players on edge until the last moment.

1

Nine suns

A challenging platformer that will keep players busy until Silksong

Nine suns is one of the biggest and most overlooked games of 2024. Although the game has received almost no attention this year, it stands out for its excellent action, story and 2D art and gives a similar feel to Hollow Knight. It has everything you would expect from a platformer: Challenging combat with unique boss fightsunique levels and a unique world that keeps players engaged from start to finish.

Players take on the role of Yi exploring the regions of New Kunlun and uncovering secrets as you fight to defeat the rulersor Nine Suns, from New Kunlun. It's a game full of fast-paced action and intense battles similar to Sekiro's, with a rich story and a beautiful world design, living up to the best qualities of a platform game.

While several major, big-name games were released in 2024, gamers shouldn't forget about the smaller titles released by independent developers. Independent developers are often free to take more risks and experiment with new concepts, bringing unique gaming experiences. Many of these games go unnoticed, but they can surprise players with their ingenuity and charm and are worth checking out. These games may not get as much attention as titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Helldivers 2but they still deserve recognition for their creativity and unique gameplay.