Happy Christmas, Pushing Buttons readers! My honest and heartfelt because of everybody who’s learn the e-newsletter this 12 months, and to all our new subscribers. Writing this article and studying your correspondence stays my favorite a part of my job. It means rather a lot that so lots of you might have written in to say that you just stay up for Pushing Buttons touchdown in your inbox each week.
Thanks additionally to the Guardian’s good e-newsletter workforce, who’ve labored exhausting all 12 months to get these missives to you on time even once I’ve submitted them horribly late. (I’m sorry, workforce. Relatedly: if video games publishers may cease dropping large information proper round my deadline in 2025, that may be wonderful.)
To cap the 12 months off, we’ve bought a bumper challenge of readers’ favorite video games of 2024. You possibly can learn my record right here, and our critics’ record of video games you will have missed right here. I’m as soon as once more impressed by your broad and attention-grabbing tastes. And so, it’s over to you.
Your favorite video games of 2024
Sorry to be predictable, however my favorite sport of this 12 months was Astro Bot, no query. I took a break from it throughout an intense interval of labor, and coming again to it was like injecting happiness intravenously. – Kenny Park
. As a mother or father of a close to two-year-old, my time for gaming appears to have evaporated. Fortuitously, across the launch time of Warhammer 40,000: Area Marine 2 I bought a uncommon weekend off, locked myself away with two shut pals and accomplished the co-op marketing campaign and a lot of the co-op additional missions. Whereas the sport will not be significantly groundbreaking, the spectacle of the swarms of enemies, the large set piece monsters (or allies) and the sheer pleasure of seeing a treasured universe dropped at the display screen made for a really memorable weekend. – Dan Chalaye
My favorite video games are video games that my associate and I can play by collectively – not as a co-op however by making the selections collectively, weighing up choices, speaking by clues or puzzles collectively … So my sport of the 12 months was Pentiment, which got here out on the Swap this 12 months (although I realise it’s been out on different platforms for some time). One of many issues I like most in life is when somebody’s ardour for his or her pursuits actually shines by, and Pentiment is the embodiment of that. The love for what could be thought-about a distinct segment nerd obsession (medieval manuscripts, anybody?) is entrance and centre on this, and it’s unattainable to not be impressed by that. – Marie Winkler
I don’t assume I’ve ever performed something like Thank Goodness You’re Right here!. It’s like enjoying a comic book strip from the 90s; it’s totally, unashamedly bizarre, very Yorkshire, and most significantly it’s truly humorous. It’s wonderful how a lot will be achieved when your solely technique of interacting with the world is slapping it. – Andrew Robeson
Metaphor: ReFantazio is for my cash the height of the Persona-like style. It’s been faraway from the standard modern high-school setting, which appears dangerous at first, however provides the story super scope to sort out subject material that may really feel trite if it wasn’t surrounded by the fantasy trappings and high-stakes plot. However Studio Zero additionally managed to maintain the low-key, private arcs of the social gathering members intact (and related!), which is an incredible balancing act. – Paul Cosgrove
We’ve been spoiled with authentic indie video games this 12 months, so it’s becoming that UFO 50, a sport about spoiling you with authentic indie video games, was my 2024 favorite. It’s not fairly within the spirit of the query to select a compilation of fifty video games, so I’ll single out Pilot Quest as one of the best of the set. Its compelling use of idle mechanics excuses me to take a look at different UFO 50 video games as I watch for my sources to tick up within the background, whereas nonetheless being a enjoyable sport in its personal proper. – Jak Marshall
Fingers down, Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge was my favorite sport of the 12 months. I hadn’t performed a sport to the tip since … Tomb Raider, I assume? A lot enjoyable, simple to dip out and in, numerous other ways to perform your objectives, however not overwhelming. Possibly a bit simple within the first half, however I liked the second a part of it. The puzzles and storylines had been very satisfying. – Steffanie Yeakle
Tactical Breach Wizards is well the standout sport of the 12 months. It was so humorous, so deep and I cared a lot concerning the characters as properly. And I like a sport that makes me need to end all of the bonus goals (which I did for each degree) and makes that really feel achievable relatively than a complete completely different endeavour. The work they put into it clearly paid off and I couldn’t advocate this sufficient! – David Edwards
As an avid pinball and video pinball participant, I search out each sport undertaking that tackles the silver ball in a technique or one other. Not yearly sees a sport that stands out in that space, however 2024 noticed the discharge of Pinball Spire, a tremendous little pinball action-puzzler the place you flip your method up the eponymous spire. There are additionally powers, like slo-mo or casting your self as a fireball. – Robert Glashüttner
For me it needs to be Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. It modified my concept of what video games will be. It simply saved shocking me and by no means bought right into a rut of repeated duties of an analogous nature. The storyline was revolutionary, visually all the time partaking, typically fairly horrifying and intellectually stimulating. That it ended so ambiguously was a further delight. – Bob Williams
I wasn’t certain if the workforce behind Hades II may pull off one other sport nearly as good as the unique. They couldn’t – that is higher! Better balanced gameplay, extra selection and the soundtrack went up one other degree. Excellent. – Matt Froggatt
One in every of my prime video games of 2024 is Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It nonetheless has its annoyances and visible glitches, however you be taught to chuckle them off once you’re correctly immersed. – Kennedie Hodkinson-Gibbs
I feel Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a kind of DLCs that qualifies as practically its personal sport. The verticality of the map makes it fascinating to discover. Two of the bosses have left me laughing with delight as they pummelled me into the bottom. I’m nonetheless wrapping that one up as a result of I’ve been enjoying it with my sibling as a co-op expertise, nevertheless it actually has been a spotlight of my 12 months. – Rayna B.
My favorite sport of the 12 months was Animal Properly. Not as a result of the sport design itself was all that particular, however as a result of it’s the primary I’ve performed in a lengthy time with genuinely distinctive, attention-grabbing graphics, they usually actually make the creepy, lonely vibe work. Pixelated artwork is a restricted medium however they’ve actually proven how a lot you are able to do with color, shading and animation whereas remaining legible. I hope artwork administrators and indie devs are paying consideration. – Ian Wilkes
My standout favorite is Passable. I like the sarcastic AI paying homage to GLaDOS (nonetheless completely different sufficient that it doesn’t really feel like a rip-off to me) – the best way the machines and belts all snap collectively is a dream, and the combination of establishing manufacturing and exploring whereas your machines do their factor is balanced very well, in my view. – Max Pogonowski
One other Crab’s Treasure is certainly my favorite sport of 2024. You’re a cute little hermit crab who has his shell stolen. It’s stuffed with attention-grabbing areas, nice characters and good jokes. What are you ready for? – Josh Howard
Helldivers II. I’ve all the time be reluctant to both play on-line video games and/or play video games that embody capturing folks. In fact HD2 has a really navy fashion, however combating bugs or machines makes a distinction to me. I bear in mind, once I was new to the sport, somebody shared his soar pack with me. A small however nonetheless mild gesture, which I now (as a extra skilled veteran) prefer to cross on to the subsequent newbies. – Falk von Hollen
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Planet Crafter is a superbly paced sport: you gather sources which let you construct ever-more superior buildings to terraform the planet. Regularly, your work has an impact and earlier than you realize it you might have reached the primary milestone and there’s blue sky. I cheered aloud when it began to rain! I’m eagerly anticipating my first bugs. I’ve a approach to go earlier than my planet is totally inexperienced. – Kirsten Wheeler
I like Factorio dearly and have spent far an excessive amount of time on it. The premise is straightforward: your spaceship has crashed and you must construct a alternative to flee. There are sources aplenty, limitless house … oh, and the native inhabitants would really like a phrase with you. Strive it, however not when you have any deadlines looming or something to do tomorrow. – Glenn McDougall
The Rise of the Golden Idol. Very very like its predecessor The Case of the Golden Idol and Return of the Obra Dinn, there’s something so immensely satisfying about poring over a collection of tableaux and making an attempt to glean what was occurring in every occasion with a view to progress. A easy scene having the ability to maintain my consideration while maintaining the dreaded cell phone doomscrolling at bay has rather a lot going for it. – Curtis Ebanks
Timberborn on PC. Unbelievable metropolis builder (with beavers!) that has nice simulation of water dynamics and has devoured hours of my time this 12 months. Nonetheless in early entry however has no proper to be because it’s so totally featured. – Andy
I picked up 9 Sols on the Nintendo Swap after seeing comparisons with Hole Knight and I’ve completely liked it. It’s undoubtedly brutal at occasions, nevertheless it has an awesome story and the boss fights are all actually enjoyable (and provide you with nice satisfaction when you’ve crushed them after dying 30 occasions). I like the hand-drawn design, too. A sport that’s undoubtedly scratched the itch I’ve whereas ready for Silksong! – Bhavna Patel
My favorite launch this 12 months has bought to be Caves of Qud (although admittedly I’m undecided if this strictly counts as a 2024 sport because it’s been in early entry for 15 years!). It’s a science-fantasy roguelike seemingly impressed by all types of post-apocalyptic sci-fi, from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind to The Guide of the New Solar. It’s fantastically bonkers and endlessly fascinating. It does have a steep and pretty punishing studying curve, however current updates have launched a tutorial, an up to date consumer interface and non-permadeath modes, so it’s far more beginner-friendly than it ever has been earlier than. – Wil Evans
Can I cheat barely and select two? Crow Nation and Worry the Highlight are implausible throwbacks to 90s survival horror and pull off the balancing act of giving gamers a critical repair of PS1-era nostalgia with fashionable playability. Worry the Highlight is a specific delight, a playful horror journey laced with loving element and actual coronary heart and emotional intelligence. Can’t advocate it sufficient and would urge folks to play the choice timeline as properly for the total expertise and influence! – Patrick Lowe
My vote goes to Pepper Grinder: splendidly tactile gameplay and graphics synergy; scratches the “the place is Drill Dozer on Swap On-line itch; and has an choice to gradual the gameplay down which means that I can nonetheless take pleasure in it. – Gassi
Fields of Mistria, for offering some much-needed cosiness and leisure. Though it’s been a tough 12 months for the business, the video games which were launched are a testomony to the exhausting work of the individuals who made them. It saddens me that lots of those that made a few of my favorite experiences of 2024 will now be out of labor or dealing with an unsure future. Right here’s hoping that modifications in 2025. – Amy Colclough
Useless Drop: A Carol Reed Thriller. Carol is an English personal detective (who nonetheless speaks with a slight Swedish accent) who lives in a small city in Sweden and solves murders, lacking individual instances and different mysteries. A brand new sport is launched each 1 January: you click on by images to maneuver across the scenes, and use your mouse pointer to seek for clues and objects within the images. The ambiance created by the gorgeous images and music, together with the relatively dry humour, is kind of particular, a bit like an odd European movie. – Piero Serra
My favorite sport of 2024 needs to be Faaast Penguin. It’s a daft Japanese multiplayer kart-racer that includes lovely penguins who you possibly can costume up in foolish outfits. What’s to not love? – Chris Martin
I’ve to appoint Little Kitty, Huge Metropolis for my favorite sport of ‘24. This 12 months we misplaced our beautiful black cat, Neko, so having the ability to see him wander round on an journey was a beautiful expertise for my sons and I. It’s an virtually excellent little sport, with sufficient to maintain you engaged however not an excessive amount of to seek out you’re doing pointless infinite fetch quests. Plus, every entrance paw had a devoted swipe button. What’s to not love? – Tom Fogden
Slice & Cube, a sort of dice-builder roguelike the place you’re taking a celebration of various courses to battle bizarre monsters in several campaigns and modes. It’s like a retro Ultimate Fantasy sport besides with a much more subtle battle system – the size and complexity of the fights turns into obvious in a short time, whereas nonetheless remaining actually accessible and, importantly, enjoyable! – Steven Harvie
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That’s it for 2024; hopefully you’ve discovered a plethora of interesting solutions right here for what to play within the lifeless zone between Christmas and New Yr. Till 2025!
When you’ve bought a query for Query Block – or the rest to say concerning the e-newsletter – hit reply or e mail us on pushingbuttons@theguardian.com.
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