As I look back on 2024 from the vantage point of 2025, man, what a wild ride it was for us gamers. It was a year where long-gestating passion projects finally hit the shelves and sequels proved they could not only match but surpass their predecessors. From the depths of alien caves to the frozen frontiers of a post-apocalyptic society, I was blown away by the sheer creativity on display. Let me take you through the titles that absolutely owned my playtime and stole my heart.
Kicking off my list is the wonderfully niche Empires Of The Undergrowth. I’ve always been fascinated by ants—from a safe distance, of course, not when they’re raiding my kitchen! This game is a love letter to those tiny titans of industry. The survival-RTS gameplay, presented like a gripping nature documentary, is brutally satisfying. There's nothing quite like the feeling of overwhelming a giant spider with a tidal wave of your own six-legged soldiers and dragging its carcass back to the colony. Talk about a power trip!
Next up, a game that came out of left field for me: Core Keeper. I’ll be honest, sandbox crafting games aren't usually my jam. I never fully vibed with Minecraft or Terraria. But Core Keeper? Dude, this game had me hooked. Its subterranean world is packed with secrets, and the boss fights require real strategy—they really get the old gray matter working. I lost more sleep to this game than I care to admit.
For my puzzle fix, TerraScape was the undisputed champion. It’s everything I wanted Dorfromantik to be and more. Building a kingdom tile by tile, creating insane combos for a high score, or just chilling and making a pretty landscape—it’s pure, unadulterated bliss. The fact that the devs are still pumping out new puzzle maps and features is the cherry on top. I'm currently on a mission to reclaim my 'All Achievements' ribbon. The grind is real!
Now, let's talk about the big one, my Game of the Year for 2024: Caves Of Qud. Holy moly, this game. After a development saga that rivals Dwarf Fortress, it finally hit 1.0, and I dove in headfirst. I hadn't touched the early access, so everything was brand new. I was utterly captivated. Qud’s depth is absolutely bonkers. Its science-fantasy world feels like a mad blend of Dune and Numenera, and the beauty is you genuinely have no clue what’s around the next corner, even on your 100th run. It's enchanting, surprising, and beautifully strange in a way that no other game this year managed. It’s a tough sell for everyone, but for those who take the plunge, it’s a potential all-time favorite. It’s just that good.
Of course, I can't forget the sequels that absolutely brought their A-game. Frostpunk 2 was my frontrunner for GOTY for most of the year. It’s the perfect sequel—it respects the original's bleak world but expands the scope from mere survival to the messy politics of building a society. Watching your city grow and dealing with the new problems of a generation that doesn't remember the initial freeze? Absolutely fascinating stuff.
Another sequel that defied expectations was Helldivers 2. The first month was pure, unadulterated magic—the whole internet was on fire with patriotic fervor for Super Earth! While things cooled a bit as the galactic war dragged on, the recent 'Omens of Tyranny' update that brought back the Illuminate faction has totally reinvigorated the community. This game has serious legs, and I'm here for it.
Here’s a quick rundown of some other heavy hitters that dominated my 2024:
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Star Wars Outlaws: I'm usually the first to criticize the Star Wars franchise, but this game? It made me feel like a giddy kid again. The most fun I've had in an open world in ages.
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Songs Of Silence: A gorgeous blend of Heroes of Might & Magic and card-based autobattling. It's fast, beautiful, and has a killer soundtrack by the legendary Hitoshi Sakimoto.
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Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn: As someone who typically clashes with Soulslikes, Flintlock won me over with its incredible world, characters, and story. I'd kill for a DLC to spend more time with Nor and Enki.
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Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven: A brilliant remake with a genius succession system that makes empire management in a JRPG actually fun. I was sad when I ran out of worlds to conquer!
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to my Honorable Mentions. These games ruled but just missed the top-cut:
| Game | Why It Rocked |
|---|---|
| Songs Of Conquest | A fantastic evolution of the HoMM formula. With a fifth faction coming, 2025 is looking bright. |
| Steamworld Heist 2 | Keeps the series' flawless record alive with incredibly tight and challenging tactical combat. |
| Millennia | Adds a fantastic twist to the Civilization formula with its dynamic Ages system and a cool secret meta-narrative. |
So there you have it. 2024 was a year that proved video games are in an incredible place. We got sequels that innovated, new IPs that dazzled, and a generation-defining masterpiece in Caves Of Qud. As a pro gamer, my backlog is terrifying, but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Here's to an equally mind-blowing 2025! ✨