In the final quarter of 2022, I penned an article making the case that Starfield, despite its passable yet somewhat artificial and detached universe, truly merited the title of Game of the Year for 2023?
Not because it was the best game of 2023, but because the sensation of playing it, the fleeting moments of delight within the meandering journey through the galaxy that often lacked meaning or surprise, most closely mirrored the experience of living and working in and around the gaming industry last year?
A would-be masterpiece with all the awe-inspiring dimension and scale, yet sorely lacking in the soul that once elevated this medium. In an era when cutbacks left a trail of uncertainty, and layoffs became a harsh reality, our small victories felt like precious bittersweet comforts.
While I wouldn’t pinpoint 2024 as particularly triumphant, the industry’s overall outlook is even gloomier when considering the lackluster debut of Starfield, which eerily mirrored the state of trade entrances in 2024.
To counterbalance the negativity of recent times, I’ll intentionally shift my attention to the positive aspects and celebrate the good things that have been happening. This year, the indie scene has consistently produced both underrated hidden gems and critically acclaimed hits.
Despite varying records, this is mine.
The administration sim Golden Lap exudes a vibe as immaculate as Funselektor’s releases, consistently meeting expectations since my initial review; with developers diligently addressing early issues and introducing enhancements over the past few months, it has only improved further.
Thalassa: Fringe of the Abyss, often overlooked but definitely worth exploring for fans of Baldur’s Gate 3’s enigmatic narrator and those who enjoy a thought-provoking, detective-driven experience.
Despite this, The Deep’s descent into Lovecraftian and inventory horror overshadows the chilling potential of catastrophic consequences lurking beneath the surface; yet, it remains a decent effort, elevated by its authentic Scottish tones and intense pursuit of a monstrous behemoth.
I had a blast playing Hades 2, even with my limited time to revisit Supergiant’s updates since its early access release, which was already on par with the original game – arguably, it might just surpass it in certain aspects.
During my retrospective exploration, Renaissance portray romp Demise of the Reprobate emerged as a standout favourite, largely due to my current endeavour to revisit its quirky point-and-click antecedents, which boast an equally unique and side-splitting charm.
Here are five Steam Early Access games that I highly recommend, especially for those who enjoy fast-paced action titles like Preserve Driving:
While yearly indie releases have their unique charms, a notable aspect is how they can contribute to making 2024 an exceptional year for video games overall. Mods.
While certainly notable, yearly has seen a proliferation of high-quality mods, with the modding scene increasingly recognized by both major and minor publishers as a crucial factor in enhancing players’ experiences, particularly within large single-player RPGs that I have always been fond of, 2024 marked a significant milestone.
Despite its troubled debut, Fallout: London offered an unofficial take on the beloved series, inviting players to lose themselves in a richly detailed world for countless hours over the course of a year, with the television adaptation serving as a tantalizing precursor that only heightened anticipation for a new entry in the franchise.
Larian Studios’ recent addition of official mod support to Baldur’s Gate 3, available for both PC and consoles, has enabled a precise recreation of the game that surpasses certain metrics from its initial release in 2023.
The release of CD Projekt’s REDkit modding tools for The Witcher 3 sparked a resurgence in interest for the game, as enthusiasts eagerly showcased their creative endeavors, including innovative quests and expansive world designs, through various competitions and online platforms.
Many upcoming 2024 titles have placed significant emphasis on modding capabilities. From time to time, we encounter instances where, despite our best efforts, certain individuals simply do not fit into neat categories.
As we approach 2025, the passion for game modding shows no signs of waning, with its popularity soaring to new heights. For someone like myself, who delights in sharing their thoughts about this phenomenon on a regular basis, it’s undoubtedly the most captivating aspect of gaming in recent years.
