The Best Games Of 2024 (So Far)

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After a historic year of highly rated game releases, 2024 has some big boots to fill. Game of the Year contenders were plentiful in 2023, while dozens of quality games across a wide variety of genres were also released. So far, 2024 is off to a strong start as we've seen strong sequels and beloved classic games given the remake treatment. Barring any major delays, it looks like another year of genre-defining and must-play games are on the horizon as there are high expectations for upcoming titles like Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, and STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, to name a few.
Just like last year, we'll be keeping track of the best of the best. For this list, a game has to earn a review score of at least 8 (which is pretty darn great!) or higher from GameSpot to make the cut. That's not to say that games scoring lower (or that we didn't manage to review) should be ignored, as there's still plenty of fun to be had even if these titles didn't meet this threshold. Expect this list to become loaded with excellent games as the year continues, and for a closer look at potential contenders, you can check out our features on the most anticipated games of 2024.

Balatro -- 9

Just when you think you've seen every possible combination from the roguelite genre, a game like Balatro comes along to deliver a pleasant surprise. Rapid-fire rounds of poker combined with deep deck-building mechanics and layers of intricacy beneath its deceptively simple facade, Balatro goes all in on its concept and is difficult to put down once it sinks its fangs into your free time.
Read our Balatro review. Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Switch.
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Dragon's Dogma 2 -- 9

12 years after the first game came out, Dragon's Dogma 2 builds on the best parts of that sweeping fantasy tale to deliver a magical open-world RPG. It might not be the most innovative sequel, but those core strengths are enhanced by emergent moments, technological leaps, and varied gameplay to create a thrilling sense of adventure.
Read our Dragon's Dogma 2 review. Available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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Helldivers 2 -- 9

Switching from a top-down twin-stick shooter design to a third-person perspective, Helldivers 2 is an action-packed adventure across alien planets. In a crowded live-service environment, developer Arrowhead has delivered a fun romp that's best enjoyed with friends, enhanced by satisfying gunplay, and feels constantly fresh thanks to some clever design.
Read our Helldivers 2 review. Available on PC and PS5.
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Persona 3: Reload -- 9

Long considered to be one of the best Persona games of all time, Persona 3: Reload is a complete remake for the modern age. The best way to experience an all-time classic and one of the darkest stories in the franchise, Persona 3: Reload is a comprehensive overhaul of the game that makes it combat more approachable, upgrades it visuals to provide a slick feast for the eyes, and bundles it all up with an unforgettable soundtrack.
Read our Persona 3: Reload review. Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
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Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown -- 9

After an era of 3D adventures, Prince of Persia's return to its 2D roots feels like a welcome breath of fresh air for the franchise. Smartly incorporating metroidvania elements into its design, The Lost Crown throws in pitch-perfect combat and a beautifully crafted world for good measure, combining them all into a cohesive whole. The Lost Crown isn't just a thrilling metroidvania; it's a finely-tuned entry in the genre that other games will be looking to for inspiration in the years to come.
Read our Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review. Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Switch.
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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth -- 8

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a blockbuster of a sequel, a bigger and bolder return of Cloud and friends as they continue to defy destiny. While the game makes a few fumbles, they don't detract from the new chapter's impressive visuals, finely honed combat, and exciting deviations from the established series lore.
Read our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review. Available on PS5.
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Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth -- 8

When it comes to wild action, weird scenarios, and storytelling that'll leave you emotionally devastated, few games can compare to the Like a Dragon series. The latest chapter in the mainline series builds on the RPG gameplay introduced in its predecessor, further fine-tuning and polishing the experience so that it can offer a more joyful experience. While the main story does meander in places, this swansong for the legendary Dragon of Dojima has its heart in the right place and offers an incredible amount of side content like Dondoko Island, Sujimon battles, and so much more.
Read our Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review. Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
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The Outlast Trials -- 8

Red Barrels' third Outlast game is a major departure from previous entries in the series, successfully evolving from single-player terror to a four-player PvE game of collective horror. A major shift into new territory, The Outlast Trials retains the core dread of its predecessors and reimagines that unique experience as a group immersion therapy session from hell with its spine-tingling story and clever gameplay systems.
Read our The Outlast Trials review. Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
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Pacific Drive -- 8

We've seen plenty of roguelite spins on familiar genres over the years, but Ironwood Studio's Pacific Drive is a different beast altogether. Challenging and atmospheric, it has fascinating mysteries to explore inside of a wonderfully weird world, while its upgrade mechanics are satisfyingly deep enough to keep any gearhead invested in this wild ride.
Read our Pacific Drive review. Available on PC and PS5.
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Pepper Grinder -- 8

Pepper Grinder will put a smile on your face thanks to its inventive gameplay mechanics, a graceful sense of motion, and an art direction full of personality. Short and sweet, it never outstays its welcome as you master its propulsive action and revel in its adorable pixel art.
Read our Pepper Grinder review. Available on PC and Switch. 
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Tekken 8 -- 8

In the wake of new Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat games in 2023, the return of Tekken was long overdue. It might be fashionably late to the fisticuffs party, but Tekken 8 came out swinging this year with one of the best entries in the franchise. Stacked with an impressive roster on day one and flexing graphical muscles that allow you to see every sinew before a haymaker finds its mark, Tekken 8 pushes the series forward with rewarding and aggressive gameplay.
Read our Tekken 8 review. Available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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Ultros -- 8

As a metroidvania, Ultros makes a great impression with its psychedelic graphics and strong fundamentals. But where the game shines is in how it builds on this foundation by borrowing elements from several other genres, combining them into a winning recipe of flashy combat and thoughtful time loop gameplay mechanics. With a living network of biological levels to explore and a constant sense of reward the deeper you venture into its colorful underbelly, Ultros is a visually captivating and engrossing experience.
Read our Ultros review. Available on PC, PS5, and PS4. 
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Unicorn Overlord -- 8

Unicorn Overlord might play it safe with a fairly standard fantasy tale, but everything else about this game is a delightful mix of elegant style and thrilling combat. Teamwork makes the dream work, and in this sophisticated showcase of assembling a ragtag group of warriors to help reclaim a kingdom ruled by an evil despot, Unicorn Overlord is another thrilling adventure from Vanillaware.
Read our Unicorn Overlord review. Available on PC, Switch, PS5, and PS4. 
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WWE 2K24 -- 8

WWE games have been steadily improving since the series bounced back from the low point that was WWE 2K20, and this year's sports entertainment simulator is a main event contender. With polished fundamentals, a wealth of content, and a Showcase mode featuring the best of Wrestlemania across the decades, WWE 2K24 is the undisputed champion of the pro wrestling genre.
Read our WWE 2K24 review. Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
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