by Alex Quevedo
2024 was both a year meant for my gaming and not meant for my gaming. What a weird situation!
Why was it meant for gaming? For the most part, it was due to having two major dental surgeries with lots of recovery time. Plus, post-long-run recovery for when I was active. On the other side, why wasn’t it meant for gaming? Moving into a new place in the middle of the year around one of those surgeries. Busy, busy, busy! The weird balance allowed me to play a little more throughout the year compared to the years before, when I could barely scratch together five games to highlight. That said, I’m still going with a Top 5 since I can’t highlight 10 quality games.
Bonus Highlight: Helldivers 2 (PlayStation 5, PC)
I can’t give Helldivers 2 an official spot on my list since I’ve only played it for a small handful of hours. It’s fun, but I got busy with other games and I wasn’t super great with the combat (my own issues, not the game). However, the household has spent hours on it. With my wife sinking hundreds of hours into the game, maxing out everything and consistently being able to win at the highest levels, I’ve seen plenty of bugs, machines, and now Illuminates get smashed in the name of democracy. I had to highlight it for her.
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Campaign Only (Multiplatform)
I hadn’t played a Call of Duty game in a while because I’m generally trash at the multiplayer. But considering the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate prices went up because of COD, I figured “why not get mine”. I only installed the campaign to mitigate the stress. It was worth it. The wacky, alternative view of 90s wartime was a lot of fun to play through and genuinely engaging.
4. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD (Switch)
What a 2024 for Luigi! You can check out my review (linked in the title) for why I liked this.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Switch)
Though I would have much preferred a full-fledged Zelda game to play and actually fight as Zelda, Echoes of Wisdom was a solidly fun game I still enjoyed quite a bit. The gimmick of using random items and enemies to fight your way through Hyrule never got old.
2. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Xbox, PC)
I’ve been spending the holidays with Indiana Jones and I’m glad to be doing it. The Great Circle captures a lot of what makes Indy such a great franchise. I’m not going to say it “makes up” for the last two movies, but it does well to evoke the spirit of a movie and feel just as cinematic.
1. Astro Bot (PlayStation 5)
What a joy Astro Bot was to play. I never grew up with any PlayStations, so much of my PS experience has been PS4-PS5 oriented games, with some catch up. Even still, Astro Bot hit the right type of feels and sold me on everything even if it went over my head. It was the mix of a positive tone, fantastic gameplay, and solid challenges. And, if we’re being transparent, maddening times during the Great Master Challenge. BUT ASTRO BOT ALOY WAS SO CUTE.