There are a lot of great games set to release in 2024 and I’m excited for a lot of them. If I was to make a list of them all, this post would be extremely long, so I’m trimming it down to the 11 that I’m anticipating the most in 2024. Most of them are big games, some of them are small games, and many of them don’t have solid release dates. What they all have in common though is a perceived level of quality that can’t be denied. With that said, let’s get into it.
Persona 3 Reload
Kicking off the year in high gear for me is February’s Persona 3 Reload. I’m a newfound Persona fan thanks to 2020’s Persona 5 Royal, but I’m absolutely ecstatic for this remake’s upcoming release. I’ve heard nothing but praise for the original and have always wanted to play it, and this remake is looking like it’ll be the perfect way to do so by bringing the game up to the same standards as Persona 5 Royal.
I may not be there for Reload on day one due to other games that are going to be releasing around the same time as it, but I’m making it my mission to experience this brand new (to me) Persona adventure at some point this year.
Pacific Drive
Pacific Drive has had me intrigued since it was first announced thanks to its ominous vibe and its interesting premise. Exploring a paranormal/extraterrestrial zone with your car in a rogue-like fashion in order to discover the truth behind what’s going on sounds like a game that’s right up my alley. The more I see of it, the more I just want the full game right in front of me so I can uncover all of its mysteries.
Just like with Persona 3 Reload, I might not be there on day one, but I’m certainly going to be making time for Pacific Drive this year. I also know that I want to make content on it in some way, shape, or form, though what that will be is up in the air right now. We’ll see where the wind takes me.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is undeniably the biggest game of the year and easily takes the crown for my most anticipated game of 2024. The previous entry Final Fantasy VII Remake masterfully brought the 1997 classic into the modern age with a battle system that wonderfully fused turn-based combat and real-time action, and a story that remained faithful to the original while also twisting events in fascinating and mind-boggling ways.
Rebirth looks like it’ll be blowing up everything that made its predecessor so beloved in all the best ways. A large open-world to explore? Check. Iterating on the battle system with more synergy attacks and new playable characters? Check. Sticking to the original story and doubling down on brand new elements? Check. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is going to be an event when it releases, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.
Avowed
Obsidian Entertainment has been firing on all cylinders since they were acquired by Microsoft. Between The Outer Worlds, Grounded, and Pentiment, the team can’t seem to miss and they look to be continuing their win streak with their upcoming fantasy-RPG Avowed. I greatly enjoyed The Outer Worlds so I’m eager to experience Obsidian’s style of gameplay, storytelling, and character work in a fantasy setting.
It also helps that we haven’t had a new single-player Elder Scrolls game in just over 12 years, so Avowed will help fill the void that Bethesda has left behind. We still don’t know when it’s coming this year, although at this point I reckon it’s going to be Xbox’s big fall release. You can count me in as one of the people who’ll be jumping in on day one.
Earthblade
Celeste was a game that took me by surprise because of its heartfelt story and thrilling platforming, so I’ve been excited for whatever their next game would be. Enter Earthblade, a Metroidvania-esque game that’s decidedly more action-focused than Celeste was. At this point in time, it’s an enigma since we’ve only seen one trailer back at The Game Awards in 2022 and haven’t heard much since. Nevertheless, I’m excited to experience another adventure from Extremely OK Games whenever it releases later this year.
Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link
I wouldn’t be a Kingdom Hearts fan if I didn’t include Missing Link on this list. While I’m not much of a mobile gamer, nor was I the biggest fan of Unchained X, I’m still excited for this next entry in my favorite franchise. The gameplay looks like it’s more fun and engaging than in any of the series’ previous forays on mobile, and the story is going to tie into the upcoming Kingdom Hearts IV, so I’ll have to play it in order to be all caught up.
Speaking of catching up, I still need to watch all the story cutscenes for the previous mobile games since I never actually played through them. I should probably get on that soon since I get the feeling that Missing Link will be getting a surprise release whenever it finally comes out. Potentially in March or April as a sort of 22nd anniversary gift to us fans? Only time will tell.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Atlus makes the list twice with their brand new IP Metaphor: ReFantazio. In a major departure from their Persona franchise, this game has a fantasy setting with interesting looking characters and creatures, and Atlus’ trademark stylish menus to boot. In the months since its announcement I’ve slowly become more and more excited for Metaphor: ReFantazio, and while I’m not at peak excitement just yet, I’m getting closer every time new footage is shown.
Everything about this new IP is utterly fascinating, namely the combat, story, and presentation. It has its hooks in me now and I don’t want it to let go. Me being there on day one will be heavily dependent on what other games are releasing around the same time as it, since I’m sure it’ll be a pretty lengthy game like Atlus’ other RPGs. Either way, count me in for this new adventure.
The Plucky Squire
Like many others, I’ve been a stan of The Plucky Squire since the moment I first laid eyes on it. Its incredible premise and art style had me blown away instantly and I’ve been desperate to play it ever since. The way it blends 2D gameplay and 3D gameplay together is amazing and I can’t wait to see what unique surprises it has in store for us when it comes out.
I sincerely hope that it isn’t buried by other big AAA games when it releases because The Plucky Squire looks like it’s going to deserve all the attention in the world. You can bet that I’ll be on this game the moment it comes out.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
It’s a bit weird for me to be excited for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II since I never played the first one. The original is a game that I’ve wanted to play for years, but time has constantly alluded me. Now with the sequel quickly approaching this summer, I’m going to have to make time for it because Senua’s Saga looks downright incredible.
The story and character work looks like it’s going to be real heavy with a lot to dig into thematically and emotionally. With how big a focus those things appeared to be in the first one, it’s no surprise that developer Ninja Theory is going even deeper on those fronts. We don’t know too much about Xbox’s game lineup this year, but if Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is able to deliver in the way that we all expect it to, then fans will have a major hit in their hands soon.
Star Wars Outlaws
When Star Wars Outlaws was first revealed last year, I was impressed by what Massive Entertainment had put together. A story-focused open-world Star Wars game where you play as a scoundrel pulling jobs across the galaxy? Sign me right up! I’ve enjoyed EA and Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi series, but it’s refreshing to have a game set in this galaxy far, far away where you aren’t playing as a Jedi.
The slice of gameplay that we saw last year has me excited at the possibility of making my own story choices and getting caught up in illegal activities that send the Empire after me. On top of that, I’m already on board with the cast and want to see how Kay Vess’ story progresses. Star Wars Outlaws is primed to be one of the biggest games this fall and if it’s able to live up to its potential, it could also end up being one of the best Star Wars games ever made.
The Wolf Among Us 2
It’s been a long time since Bigby and the rest of the Fables cast first graced our consoles, but they’re finally returning this year in The Wolf Among Us 2. Admittedly, I remember very little about the first game given I haven’t played it since it first released, but I did greatly enjoy it so I’m excited to return to this world and solve another mystery with these characters.
What will the case be this time around? What characters will we cross paths with? How difficult will it be for me to make story choices? There are so many questions and just as many answers awaiting us with The Wolf Among Us 2, and I’m very eager to see how everything plays out.
TheComfySpot 