2024 has been phenomenal for gamers. Long-awaited sequels like Tears of the Kingdom and Alan Wake 2 united critics and gamers in praise.
Lesser-known publishers even came up with sequels no one expected, with Baldur’s Gate III managing to top the charts and become a shock game of the year twenty-odd years after the release of its predecessor.
Meanwhile, top-tier remakes like Resident Evil 4 and Metroid Prime Remastered delighted both newcomers to their respective franchises and hardcore fans. That isn’t even mentioning the indie hits that stood their ground among such a competitive pool of big-budget blockbusters, from the steampunk Pinocchio reimagining of Lies of Pie to the Lovecraftian fishing game of Dredge.
It seems hard to envision how 2024 could match, let alone beat such lofty standards. There is reason for gamers to be hopeful, however, as the coming year is packed with as many promising launches as the year past. So, let’s look at some of the most exciting titles slated for release in 2024.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The Final Fantasy saga has been going strong since 1987. In 2020, Square Enix remastered the original 90s trilogy with a universally acclaimed Final Fantasy VII Remake. Dropping on February 29 as a PlayStation 5 exclusive before moving to other platforms in May, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth picks up right where its direct predecessor ended. While no brand-new entry, the second chapter in this overhauled trilogy features enhanced graphics that are definitely more palatable to a modern audience than those of its retro source material.
The studio behind the most anticipated game of 2024 teased quite the narrative shift from the original trilogy, too. Additionally, heaps of new content and characters are bound to keep the experience fresh for long-time fans. Although it stands as the second of a three-part adventure, Rebirth will also be playable as a standalone story, offering a quick recap for players needing to catch up on previous events.
Star Wars Outlaws
Despite the saga being on a silver screen hiatus, diehard fans of the Star Wars universe are far from starving for content. Shows like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ashoka might have divided the fandom, but Disney + has commissioned many more cosmic adventures, nonetheless. From Skeleton Crew to The Acolyte, 2024 will not see the end of Star Wars TV. One of the biggest gaming releases of the upcoming year will also play out in a galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars Outlaws sets itself apart from its televised counterparts, though. Jointly developed by Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft, this action-adventure game isn’t a spin-off nor a direct sequel to any previous title. This original chapter, set in between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, follows outlaw scoundrel Kay Vess and her companion Nix on their crime-ridden intergalactic journey. More down-to-earth than entries like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Star Wars Outlaws will feature as many daring escapes as clever stealth sessions and high-tension shootouts. No formal release date has been revealed for this open-world entry, but it shall hit the shelves sometime in 2024.
Tekken 8
Next up on our list is the tenth overall instalment in Bandai Namco’s iconic fighting series. Launching on January 26 on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PS5, Tekken 8 is the first entry in the franchise since 2015. Familiar faces are making a grand return, including Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama, bringing back this father versus son dynamic that is the meat of the entire saga. Incidentally, the story will revolve around their final confrontation.
Other Iron Fist Tournament characters have been announced alongside newcomers boasting unique skills and designs, from a coffee-craving Peruvian MMA fighter named Azucena to a stylish French super spy with a very knightly name, Victor Chevalier. To make the most of this exciting roster of 32 confirmed fighters, the game is set to double down on aggressiveness by introducing a new gameplay mechanic, the Heat gauge system. Hence, gamers with a passion for epic fights are in for a wild ride.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Sega’s over-the-top mobster series is returning on January 26 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows, PS4, and PS5. And the craziness is pushed to the max in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Starring Ichiban Kasuga and a returning Kazuma Kiryu, the ninth mainline installation in the saga goes abroad for the first time ever, embarking its iconic duo on a Hawaiian adventure full of brutal fist-fights and wacky side quests. In addition to series staples such as darts and karaoke, fun new activities include everything from a Pokémon parody game to an in-game management sim with an Animal Crossing flair.
Developers also put a fresh spin on the obligatory casino minigames with a new game called m HOLD’EM, which might even get poker players itching to go all-in for real. If so, many casino operators offer handsome Bonuses for users to grab. Some platforms give instant access to hundreds of up-to-date offers. When subscribed, players can keep posted on the latest rewards straight into their email inboxes. No need to be on the lookout for top promotions offered by the best casinos and sportsbooks around, thus.
Mario vs Donkey Kong
The Mario franchise is having an incredible run, with Super Mario Bros. Wonder selling like hotcakes. While Mario vs Donkey Kong might not fly off the shelves as quickly, this remake of a twenty-year-old platformer is pretty hyped up in its own right in gaming circles.
Dropping on Nintendo Switch on February 16, this puzzle-platform game will still be about Mario going after Donkey Kong to retrieve stolen Mini-Mario toys. Neither the main storyline nor the game’s mechanics have changed. However, new graphics are poised to add a fresh feel to that timeless classic. Better yet, an added co-op mode will reinvent the whole experience for multiple players to enjoy.
Final Words
The games listed above are barely scratching the surface of what’s to come in 2024. We could have mentioned cult classics in the making, such as Hades 2, Persona 3 Reload, or Hollow Knight: Silksong. Many indie gems will undoubtedly take the gaming world by surprise, too. Needless to say, there is little doubt we’re looking at another great year for gamers.