Kingdom Rush is a tower defense game available on iOS and Android, considered the pinnacle of the genre with tight unit balance, intuitive controls, inventive level design, and a comic book aesthetic.
The best PC games of 2024 include:
- Duck Detective: The Secret Salami: Players solve the mystery of a stolen salami in a quirky office environment, combining humor and intrigue with a captivating design and storytelling.
- Turnip Boy Robs a Bank: A sequel featuring a mischievous vegetable engaging in a heist, noted for its engaging art style and witty writing.
- The Crush House: A game blending reality TV and social commentary, exploring entertainment pressures and social media impacts with humor and engaging gameplay.
- Conscript: A portrayal of the psychological toll of war, offering a raw narrative crafted by Australian developer Jordan Mochi.
- Sumerian Six: A strategic turn-based adventure combining history and fantasy, encouraging thoughtful tactics and creativity.
- The Rise of the Golden Idol: A successor to The Case of the Golden Idol, featuring fresh aesthetics and intricate puzzles that promote critical thinking.
- Neva: Known for its emotional storytelling and stunning art direction, creating an immersive experience.
- Harold Halibut: Reflects on life’s purpose through a handcrafted aesthetic and engaging narrative.
- The Plucky Squire: Blends 2D and 3D environments, showcasing innovative mechanics and captivating visuals.
- The Sims 4 Life and Death: An expansion pack introducing themes of mortality, enhancing the gameplay experience with new elements like funerals and a Reaper career.
2024 saw a significant rise in PC gaming, with major support from Sony and Microsoft. The top 10 PC games recognized by Gamespot’s Metacritic include:
1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - An expansion featuring a new area, adversaries, and deeper lore.
2. Tekken 8 - A continuation of the fighting game series with stunning graphics and dynamic gameplay.
3. God of War Ragnarok - A sequel with an engaging story and new mechanics, continuing the legacy of the franchise.
4. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - A sequel with an emotional narrative and polished gameplay, featuring Danny Trejo.
5. Destiny 2: The Final Shape - A milestone in the Destiny saga, enhancing RPG elements and concluding the Light and Darkness Saga.
6. Horizon Forbidden West: Complete Edition - The PC release of the sequel with stunning visuals and an engaging narrative.
7. Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut - An enhanced PC version of the samurai game with improved graphics and additional content.
8. Silent Hill 2 - A remake that honors the original while enriching its lore.
9. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - A game that celebrates Indiana Jones with cinematic flair and engaging puzzles.
10. Crusader Kings III: Roads to Power - An expansion adding new mechanics and features to the strategy game.
Hunt: Showdown, officially known as Hunt: Showdown 1896 after its 2.0 update, is an extraction shooter known for its unique blend of suspense and chaos. The latest 2.2 update introduces Post Malone as a circus ringmaster, running until February 10, 2025, featuring a circus-themed environment with zombified carnies and the Ursa Mortis mini-boss. Players can interact with a Fortune Teller machine for random rewards and participate in a balloon-shooting stall for event points, which can be exchanged for exclusive weapon skins. A new weapon, the sawblade launcher (Shredder), allows players to bounce blades off walls to hit multiple targets. The Lawson Delta map has been redesigned with graphical upgrades using a new CryEngine iteration, enhancing the visual experience and adding expanded ear-ringing effects for more dynamic gameplay.
A new trailer for the upcoming game Steel Seed has been released, showcasing its narrative, gameplay, combat mechanics, and enemies. The story follows the protagonist, Zoe, and her flying drone companion, KOBY, as they explore immersive sci-fi environments and uncover dark secrets. Steel Seed will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a launch scheduled for 2025.
Star Wars: Hunters is a PvP action game inspired by Overwatch, released in spring for Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms, with a PC version coming soon. Beta testing is scheduled for December 13 to 16, followed by another round from January 10 to 13, leading to an early access launch on January 27. The game features 4-on-4 online battles with a roster of heroes from the Star Wars universe, and developers plan regular updates with new characters and maps. It is a free-to-play game.
A new action RPG is generating excitement in the gaming community due to its vibrant aesthetic, contrasting with the darker tones of many contemporary games. Players are enthusiastic about its colorful visuals, describing it as a "true delight for the eyes." The game is set to release this Friday, with many anticipating it could be the game of the year. A trailer showcasing the graphics and gameplay is available for viewing.
The world's first fully AI-generated video game, Oasis, has been launched by Decart as an AI simulation of Minecraft. The game features dynamic gameplay where the world evolves in real-time based on player actions. Players can choose starting locations and upload images to create unique worlds, but must wait in a queue for server access, with gaming sessions lasting 15 minutes. Inside the game, the environment transforms as players explore, with inventory items shifting based on their gaze. The AI model simulates physics, game rules, and graphics by learning from gameplay patterns. YouTuber YuB described his experience with Oasis as "kinda creepy" and noted the unpredictable nature of the game.