With 2024 having bitten the dust, the time has come to look back and start thinking of who is going to make it on our GotY list. But as is the way with modern life, things never truly go to plan and through the year there have been titles that just landed at the wrong time to get a full fat review unfortunately. Here’s a game review round-up of titles that there just wasn’t enough time in the day to give them full reviews, despite sinking hundreds of hours into them in some cases.
Plus, it also earns them entry into consideration for our GotY list too and odds are high, there be a few hidden gems in the mix as well.
Helldivers 2
Dropped in February, this was an instant hit on the PS5. Set in the 22nd century, the story follows the Helldivers – an elite force of shock troops dispatched to combat various threats to humanity, while switching up the gameplay just a bit.
Combat was thrilling and engaging as you blast everything that moved; from robots, to giant bugs with your buddies in tow, while having a hell of a time with an ever-growing arsenal of firepower.
Gunplay itself was weighty and unlocking new gear was honestly rewarding and not a grind. Also, Arrowhead Game Studios have supported the game every step of the way, releasing new content monthly that really does enrich the whole experience.
Pros = superb gunplay, epic cinematic gameplay, great DualSense haptics use, total blast with friends.
Cons= matchmaking can be a little sticky at times.
5/5
Funko Fusion
A bit of a random title in a lot of ways, but from some of the team behind the likes of Lego Dimensions, you can feel its lineage running through the game in ways. Though not 100% toys to life, there is that core feeling to things as you explore a number of pop culture universes; like Hot Fuzz, The Thing, Jurassic Park and Scott Pilgrim to name a few.
Gameplay is also very ‘Lego’ at its core, with each character having a set number of abilities and sees you having to re-run levels with a different group to fully complete them.
Although it had a bit of a rough launch in September, 10:10 Games have been working away at it and it’s actually in an ok shape now with co-op available, as well as a number of DLCs. Though, their pricing is questionable.
If you’re a fan of Funko and their PoP figures or some of the IPs on show, you’ll have a good time here. Just don’t let its childish look’s dupe you.
Pros= good use of the licenses, packed with nostalgia, enjoyably silly.
Cons= weird mix of franchises when you look at them all, had a rough start, DLC pricing.
3.5/5
Train Sim World 5
It’s more of the same and if you’re a fan you’ll love it and if not, it’s not going to sell you on the series. With its enhanced array of trains and routes, as well as the overall presentation being more polished.
Though they do raise the bar with each game, Dovetail Games walks a fine line with these almost yearly instalments. There are new features like conductor mode, where you can work on the train beyond just driving adding new depth to the sim feel.
Whereas route hopping makes it easier to jump between routes, instead of having to restart a run every time you want to mix things up. The games tutorial system is more refined and more welcoming, if you are jumping in for the first time or taking a new loco for a spin. It also works as a hub title once again and pulls in any past titles DLC you may have, to grow your route book and saving you a bit of cash too.
Also hot off the press as the game is gearing up for officially licensed Thomas & Friends DLC in 2025, adding a new spin on gameplay aiming to be entirely story-driven, with a narrative that follows the adventures of Thomas and his Friends during their visit to the West Somerset Railway.
4/5
Pros= visual upgrade, conductor mode is a fun addition, more routes and trains.
Cons= does it really justify being a whole new game?
Slitterhead
A new horror-based title from the man behind Silent Hill? Sign me up. As that’s just what Slitterhead is, as Keiichiro Toyama returns to his horror roots to craft something delightful and horrific in equal measures.
Taking place in the 1990s in Kowloon, where mysterious monsters called Slitterheads are sighted killing humans. You play as a spirit called the Night Owl, who is tasked with hunting down these Slitterheads and stop what evil is afoot.
But it’s not that easy as they are disguised as humans, so you have to use your powers to jump from human to human, using them to unlock areas and travel the world. Though your average Joe lacks any real power or skill, you’ll find Rarity people who have abilities that can stop the Slitterheads.
It’s a cool idea and the body swapping adds a layer of spice to combat, but the mission types and overall writing bog everything down a bit too much. That said, Kowloon looks great and the Slitterheads are grotesque with their body horror designs, but what starts out strong does lose more than a bit of steam by the time the credits roll, due to a number of shortcomings.
3.5/5
Pros= fresh core ideas, solid art design.
Cons= controls poorly at times, repetitive, wastes some interesting premises.
Parcel Corps
What would happen if you mixed together Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi and a bicycle courier together? Well, it wouldn’t be far off Parcal Corps I reckon.
Where you skid your way around the streets of New Island delivering packages of various shapes and sizes, but you’re not alone as there are three bicycle courier corporations all vying to become the biggest, most profitable business in town too, so watch your back.
It’s a very tongue in cheek title which isn’t afraid to poke fun at a lot of the questionable practices in business today. The writing is witty and honestly funny at times, as the stakes get ramped up.
But it’s on the gameplay front where it really shines, as New Island is a courier’s paradise full of short cuts, jumps and ramps to make getting from A to B in under 30 mins a blast. As you grind rails, ride walls and back flip around the place. A real sleeper title this year that came out with next to no fanfare, which is a real shame as it’s an arcade fuelled thrill with more than a few sharp points of satire along the way.
4.5/5
Pros= controls are drum tight, stylistically pleasing, funny.
Cons= can get stuck on geometry at times, its brand of humour may not date well in the future.
The Plucky Squire
Sometimes a game comes along that just makes you smile from ear to ear as you play it, with the wonder and glee of a child and for me this year The Plucky Squire did just that. A charm filled blend of countless art and gameplay styles, as you play as the heroic Jot who quickly discovers his world is in-fact existing in a children’s story book.
Sending Jot on an epic adventure to reclaim his story, after being cast out of the tale by the villainous Humgrump.
The game starts out very standard with a spin on the classic 2D Zelda titles, but it soon goes up the gears thanks to hopping dimensions and mind-bending puzzles. Where your words are weapons, letting you shape the world as you wish. All while opening up new worlds to explore, as you never know what awaits you on the next page.
Packed with colour, joy and whimsy, this is one of 2024’s must play titles no question about it, as it’s a pure joy.
5/5
Pros= undeniably charming story, unique uses of 2D and 3D, creative fourth-wall breaking.
Cons= little bit slow to really get going.
The Casting of Frank Stone
Supermassive Games are the masters of interactive horror tales, just looking at their back catalogue. Although they may be chasing the highs of the original Until Dawn, they can still craft a spooky time.
The Casting of Frank Stone is an interesting title, though as they have teamed up with Behaviour Interactive – the team behind Dead by Daylight, to deliver the first story driven tale set in the Dead by Daylight universe.
Which first aims to take fans deeper in the Dead by Daylight lore till now, only available as text logs in its game. Though Supermassive Games have sprinkled their horror magic on this one, to bring that text-based world to life.
The game jumps across different time periods and eras, while building its tale along with a few Dead by Daylight nods and winks in there. Did someone say generators? Though the tale is on point, the movement and puzzle side of things does let it down a bit. Though it’s very much more of the same from Supermassive Games.
This is ultimately a welcome team up, that may be the beginning of things to come. As it stands the game is a must play for Dead by Daylight, or fans of Supermassive Games looking for world building and jump scares in equal measures.
4/5
Pros= Dead By Daylight tie in, a good entry point for Supermassive games, packed with tense moments.
Cons= controls are a bit on the janky side, puzzles are not the most testing.
Classified France ’44
A turn-based strategy game set in World War II that gives off strong Commandos vibes at times, while testing your grey matter as well as military might. Set during the months leading up to the Allied invasion of France in June 1944, Classified France ’44 sees you taking command of a special-ops team of Allied commandos and French resistance fighters, to be a thorn in the side of the Nazi war machine, before things really kick off.
Very much a slow-paced affair, that you have to very much plan and plan and plan again, before rushing in, as it’s far from a run and gun affair. It’s dare I say very daunting at first, as it throws the book at you and there is so much you have to learn and get your head around.
But take your time and you will be granted a challenging and sometimes brutal time, that is extremely rewarding when all the pieces come together and you complete a mission after being sat at it for 3 hours. Controls can also be a bit fiddley when it comes to small movements and more detailed commands. But overall, it was a solid tactical offering.
3/5
Pros= deep systems at play, morale management plays an interesting role, challenging.
Cons= heavy on the info drop at the beginning, few rough graphic edges, challenging.
Stellar Blade
A stunning PS5 title that wasn’t without its share of controversy around its launch, but as the dust has settled what shines through is a killer PS title no questions about that. Think NieR: Automata meets Bayonetta and you’ll not be wrong, a third person hack and slasher from Korean developers Shift Up. You play as Eve – the sole survivor of a combat unit tasked with reclaiming Earth.
But things go wrong and you find yourself helping Xion – the last surviving human city on Earth. It’s a good little tale that is a little stilted in ways, by rough translations it feels and just naff writing.
It’s a framework to hold the combat which is rock solid and has vibes of a soulslike, but more on the offensive front with more weight put on perfect blocking and parrying. So timing is very much king, as you fill bars that let you pull off special attacks and the like.
All backed up by a deep skill tree and gear system, plus a healthy side mission selection beyond the core tale – where you get to explore for a little bit what is left of the Earth and help the locals along the way.
Visually stunning and all backed up by a stellar soundtrack that really embodies the meaning of epic.
Sony deliver what Sony does best, another solid new IP that could easily become a much loved and long running series.
5/5
Pros= looks great, plays great, compelling story and world, deep combat.
Cons= some weak writing/translation.
Nightdive Studios / Aspyr Remakes
Both Nightdive Studios and Aspyr have being kicking it out the park this year with Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster, Killing Time: Resurrected, The Thing: Remastered, Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, plus more on the way in 2025 too.
It’s great to see these studios taking time to give classics from the PS2 and Xbox era some love and letting them shine to a whole new audience. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered for example, they have done right with care and love for the source material and let a whole new generation see just how crap tank controls really were.
Personally, I am playing The Thing: Remastered and Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered just now and loving the trip down memory lane. Both games have stood the test of time and the new lick of paint and a few tweaks here and there for modern audiences are welcome.
It’s hard to pick one from the crop that is best this year on the Remake front from both teams, so I’ll just say if you love any of their titles they have updated, it’s worth checking them out. Or if you are looking to try them for the first time, these builds are the perfect jumping on spot.