Our particular person Sport of the Yr articles permit our pretty staff of writers and editors to share their very own private PS5 picks for 2024. In the present day, it is the flip of assistant editor Liam Croft.
Whereas it didn’t land with me fairly as a lot because it did with the remainder of the PlayStation viewers, Astro Bot continues to be simply certainly one of my favorite experiences of 2024. Each single stage is just phenomenal, a lesson in satisfying and pristine platforming blended with the memorable (and a few not so apparent) faces of the model’s previous.
I cherished seeing all of the Particular Bots gathering collectively in the primary hub space, after which the franchise-specific levels made for extra highlights. I’ve by no means even performed LocoRoco earlier than, however that stage was wonderful.
Sony’s output this yr has felt lacklustre, however Astro Bot was for certain one thing particular — and would nonetheless be remembered the identical even surrounded by stronger releases.
Atlus had a completely excellent 2024, and Metaphor: ReFantazio was the cream of its crop. This for me was an expertise a lot extra concerning the story, characters, and surroundings than the fight, because the turn-based battles ultimately grew to become a little bit uninteresting for me.
Fuelling me was the battle to be king, and all of the narrative twists that got here with it. I did it for Maria, who must be the loveliest character Atlus has ever made. I additionally did it for all of the gorgeous scenes Neuras would cease the gauntlet runner for.
This for me was all concerning the group you constructed throughout a 70-hour playthrough, and the way your relationships with every member flourished. It’s a superb JRPG, however a good higher recreation about individuals.
The primary recreation I reviewed this yr stayed with me proper till the very finish; Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is totally elegant. Simply the perfect the sequence has ever been, I used to be completely gripped by the storyline of Ichiban’s quest to search out his mom, and all the occasions occurring round it.
The turn-based fight acquired higher, the aspect tales acquired even funnier, and the frankly absurd quantity of elective content material on supply had me beating up dudes in sewers for extra hours than I’d prefer to admit. RGG Studio is aware of tips on how to begin the yr with a bang, and it actually did so with Infinite Wealth.
I might play these video games for an eternity; what a cracker.
I by no means, ever thought Stellar Blade could be making my prime 5 listing for the yr, no much less in second place, within the leadup to its launch. I had little curiosity within the recreation, and truthfully wrote it off as one thing purely for pervs.
However then I performed it. After which I saved enjoying it. After which I performed it much more. I haven’t been hooked on some other recreation greater than Stellar Blade this yr, and that’s solely right down to its superior fight system.
I cherished the skills you could possibly equip, which mixed with the Souls-like fights and enjoyable platforming, made for a gameplay loop I might by no means put down.
I geared up Eve with a considerably respectable outfit and went to city on Stellar Blade this yr. A sequel instantly, please.
I’m the resident survival horror freak right here on Push Sq., and whereas I used to be positively trying ahead to Silent Hill 2, even I had my reservations about Bloober Staff dealing with a remake of one of many style’s biggest entries.
To say it knocked it out of the park is an understatement, although, offering a masterclass in tips on how to remake a PS2 traditional. From prime to backside, this can be a masterpiece.
The developer faithfully brings again every part that was already nice concerning the unique after which respectfully expands on it in minor however significant methods, like new locations to discover and extra endings.
The place it has made small changes is referenced in new collectibles, and the final facelift to fight, exploration, and gameplay general kinds a considerably higher enjoying recreation.
It was recreation over for completely the rest after I rolled credit on Silent Hill 2; I’ve by no means been prouder to name one thing my Sport of the Yr. You probably did it, Bloober Staff.
What do you consider Liam’s private Sport of the Yr picks? Be at liberty to agree wholeheartedly, or disagree politely, within the feedback part under.