Games Played in 2024

Played quite a lot this year; Got excited about Switch gaming for a while during the summer, and then later in the year I got myself a Quest 3 VR headset. I’m not new to VR, but hardly ever used my Occulus Rift S due to the need for Windows login and due to how janky the software & connection/cabling was. The Quest 3 has been great so far, solving many of my issues with the Rift S (no Windows use, no cables, much better software) and is so much more convenient to throw on and play with. I’ve only been using it standalone (without PC connection) so far and it’s incredible to what can be achieved on what is effectively a mobile Android device.

Anyway, Below are all the games in 2024 that I spent more than a few hours playing, along with my brief thoughts. This is roughly chronological from start to end of 2024, although some games I’d often return to here and there.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Was playing this when writing my 2023 list. Continued and finished to begin 2024. Absolutely incredible game. Every piece and detail just felt so well built and so amazingly composed, at such a high quality. The story is one of those experiences that lingers in the mind, and genuinely makes you feel connected to the characters. Writing soon after completing, I’m not sure I’ll play anything that comes close to this for a while, as such a well-rounded game experience.

Parkitect

Enjoyed getting into this for a little while, as a nice modern equivalent to Roller Coaster Tycoon 2. That said, not sure I can get into it as much as RCT2. The game mechanics and visuals mean I spend a lot more time tinkering, trying to gain a visually impressive park rather than focusing on roller-coasters and core goals.

Factorio

Got partially addicted once again to the continued factory growth and progression. Launched a few rockets, but like always I stopped playing once I felt I was making little further progress when being consumed in hours of optimization. Still an amazing game though!

Slay the Spire

Came back to this, but tried out multiplayer via mods which was great fun as you try and combine strategies. I hope they build this into the next version of the game so it’s less flaky and better balanced.

Animal Crossing New Horizons

Returned to my covid-time island to try and enjoy a gentle background game. Enjoyed doing up my island a bit more for a while, but soon got bored again due to the forced limitations and time-based requirements which made it feel like a bit of a drag. Feels like Nintendo gave up on this a bit to be honest. The shop would often lack items and seasonal events appeared to be the same as 4 years ago.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

After starting this a few years back, I returned to complete this off which I eventually did but I was ready for the game to end. I can see this is an amazing game, but for some reason I find it hard to enjoy. Just can’t get into the combat to be effective, so it always feels like a struggle.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

A great tactical game which I really enjoyed for the most part. Found some parts quite tricky with some sudden difficulty spikes, but overall a great experience with some pleasant & fun visuals & cutscenes.

51 Worldwide Games

Enjoyed learning some new games but hard to fully get into this, good contender for future local multiplayer.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

Fun to play through a COD for the first time in a while, enjoyed the journey but looking back I have no recollection of what the story was 6 months later.

Mario Strikers: Battle League

Was really looking forward to get into this after being a big fan of strikers charged on the Wii, but this plays very different. Lands quite flat and dull unfortunately, missing a lot of the wackiness I loved of strikers charged.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Second attempt at this, but got into it this time until the finish. I respect it as a good polished time, but falls a tad flat/generic after playing Odyssey.

On the other hand, I enjoyed Browser’s Fury much more that I expected. The different format felt fresh for Mario and it didn’t outlast its welcome.

Splatoon 2

Tried the story, but couldn’t get into it at all. Enjoyed the multiplayer for a bit but it reminded me of times playing COD online, where team matches were easily dragged down by a single members, which just leads to frustration.

Metroid Dread

I don’t usually like 2d side-scrollers, but this gripped me all the way to the end, probably helped by how refined everything feels, including the level design, controls and visuals. Got fed up a few times during struggles, including the last boss battle, but it would keep me coming back to finish it off.

TinyGlade

Enjoyed this as a cosy morning game for a week or so. Absolutely beautiful and a great option for clearing your mind.

Middle Earth: Shadow of War

A binge of the old Lord of the Rings movies got me going back to Shadow of War, and this time I actually completed the game. Only really kept playing this for the gameplay and nemesis system. The main story felt a bit off, and I never really cared what was going on.

Synth Riders (VR)

I used to play Beat Saber on my Rift S, but I tried out Synth Riders instead on my Quest 3, and have found to prefer it. While not initially feeling as cool, Synth Riders gets me moving, and much more into the songs, and therefore has become my main go-to active/fitness game.

Puzzling Places (VR)

This one is a surprise find for me. I was just looking for a comfy sit-down game, and this VR 3D jigsaw game is so unique and cosy, forcing you to really look at the detail of a real-life object/scene/place to understand how to piece things together. The context specific sounds turn elevate this further.

Eleven VR Table Tennis (VR)

Works really well to simulate playing table tennis. Have slowly improved to beat the second level AI, but that’s still quite low. Will keep coming back to this as it’s great to get moving a bit and/or to fill a quick 10 minutes of time. Could do with some better in-game background music though.

Batman: Arkham Shadow (VR)

Still playing this, but towards the end. I’m enjoying my time being batman, more so as I get my “VR legs” since it’s quite intense at first when bat-grappling-around everywhere. A lot of backtracking and walking about, in addition to a few bugs encountered, brings the experience down a little, but the combat and main action is fun enough to make me want to finish it.

Factorio - Space Age

Jumped into the Space Age expansion blind, and it’s been incredible. Still going through it, but have now been to each planet. Really enjoyed discovering the alternative mechanics for each new location, and strategising over space platforms & logistics, and refactoring my core base with additions from new planets. The new planet-unique background music, and refined visuals were nice bonuses.