It’s a fact; 2023 was a breathtaking year for video games, bringing us exceptional titles like new instalments of The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario franchises, Armoured Core and Baldur's Gate Resurrections, to cite just three exciting examples.
And in 2024, the games are even better. Game developers are delivering more immersive, exciting, and playable games than ever. Yes, a lot of it is thanks to graphics, but you can't argue that the games themselves are just better than ever.
Below, we'll give you some of the best titles of 2024...so far.
Mask of Amun
Slot games are always popular, but a (relatively) small few make it to the very top of the charts – but Mask of Amun is a standout example, as highlighted in Golden Tiger’s casino review. Developed by Fortune Factory Studios, this game captures the allure of ancient Egypt with its stunning visuals and engaging gameplay mechanics. If that wasn’t enough, it offers a whopping 4,096 ways to win…
What sets Mask of Amun apart is its balance between accessibility and depth. The minimum bet starts at just 0.20, making it approachable for casual players, while the maximum bet of 50.00 caters to high-rollers.
At the same time, the graphics are beautifully rendered, the animations are fluid, and the understated, atmospheric soundtrack adds to the overall experience without overwhelming the experience with too much ambience.
Also, we can’t forget about the bonuses. We can trigger free spins or enter the Gold Blitz feature by landing scatter symbols, which can significantly boost winnings. High variance means the potential for big rewards, which is one of the reasons players keep coming back to it as more and more new titles flood the scene.
Dragon's Dogma 2
And now, after twelve long years of waiting, Dragon's Dogma 2 is here and the fans couldn't be happier with it. This instalment comes packed with a wide world full of life and danger which gives more depth to its predecessor. Action-RPG gameplay seamlessly merges into party-based MMO aspects without being restrained like some other examples of this genre.
In Dragon's Dogma 2, players can customise their characters by selecting vocations according to their tastes. Being open-world games, you shall come across different creatures, such as goblins and wolves up to towering cyclopes or gryphons each one having distinct features from the other. It is a game that does not have fast travel which makes exploration an essential part of it – every trip matters. It's hard to find a game that can provide such a deeply satisfying experience; whether you are fighting against massive monsters or uncovering intricate storylines.
Animal Well
You definitely should play Animal Well.
This pixelated adventure subtly lures players into its eerie and peculiar world. In this game created by Billy Basso, participants go on a mind-blowing journey through a mysterious maze filled with creepy images and intelligent riddles.
What makes Animal Well so beautiful is its minimalist design and the sense of wonder it invokes in players. Every area has been carefully constructed to create an aura of mystery around it. The puzzles in-game are tricky but fair; they will demand creativity- this is another kind of game entirely.
This engrossing design and brilliant execution make it one of those games that stick with you long after you put down the controller.
Stardew Valley 1.6 Update
Ever since its release, Stardew Valley has been a much-loved mainstay in the gaming community, with the recent 1.6 update reinvigorating this classic for fans - and they've managed to pull it off. Developer Eric Barone surpasses expectations by adding features that improve gameplay while still staying true to his vision for the game.
The 1.6 update is an improvement in quality and the addition of new content that makes Stardew Valley more engaging than ever before. The Meadowlands Farm, through which players can get to chickens immediately, simplifies early game progression. It's these kinds of updates and others - like the ability to drink mayonnaise to gain energy - that make it practical yet unique. And players are loving it.
These changes go a long way towards making Stardew Valley even more enjoyable and reassure us that it remains a must-play title. Sometimes, remastered versions of games are a flop, but this definitely isn't one of them.
Princess Peach: Showtime!
In Princess Peach: Showtime!, Nintendo offers an enchanting experience where Princess Peach takes centre stage. In this game, she gets into trouble at a theatre occupied by bad guys, making her perform different acts to save the day. This game isn't your typical Mario fare - it presents new viewpoints on well-known characters with different gameplay.
What sets Princess Peach: Showtime! apart, is its multiple aspects of gameplay. Each costume worn by Peach during her adventures endows her with special powers. Whether she plays the role of ninja detective pastry chef, or others, keeps it from being monotonous or predictable for gamers of all ages alike. Combining nostalgic elements with innovative mechanics, it's a title that pleases players of all ages.
It's been one of those years that's already given us game lovers several surprises - we have to keep our eyes open this year as there's always something beautiful waiting. Don't sleep on playing some of these titles!
And the best thing is, we're only halfway through the year - the rest of 2024 should produce some incredible games. It's just a shame GTA 6 faced delays that pushed it to 2025.