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As the year draws to a close, a few must-play games of 2024 might have slipped under your radar. The festive season is the perfect time to catch up on the best games you missed out on.
These games offer the highest quality experience available; whether it’s robust game mechanics, stunning graphics, or just a well-written story that tugs at your heartstrings. With the winter sales in full effect, there is no better time to pick up some great games at knockdown prices.
So we present the five best games that you most likely haven’t played this year, but definitely should and wished you picked up sooner. The following is in no particular order and has been made in consideration of a range of platforms and genres.
Best underrated games
Another Crab’s Treasure
Release Date: April 25, 2024
Cost: $29.99
Available platforms: Xbox, Steam, PlayStation, Nintendo
Another Crab’s Treasure is one of the most charming souls-like games worth playing in 2024, but don’t let its colorful style fool you. The game is no less challenging than its peers, combining the iconic melee combat pioneered by FromSoftware with RPG exploration. Players can collect various shells and weapons to create builds that suit their preferred playstyle, offering extensive customization. Xbox players can look forward to accessing this title with a Game Pass subscription, but everyone else can still get in on the underwater adventure for a reasonable price.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Release Date: October 11, 2024
Cost: $69.99
Available platforms: Steam, PlayStation, Xbox
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a turn-based RPG with a twist, combining the best aspects of strategy and action in an anime-themed AAA experience. Out of all the games to make The Game Awards nominations, Metaphor: ReFantazio was a game many weren’t familiar with. The medieval fantasy tells the story of an orphaned boy in his quest to become the next king of the game’s main setting – Euchronia. With an expansive cast of characters based on magical archetypes, the game boasts scale in terms of content and combat depth. If you’re looking for an open-world RPG to lose yourself into in 2025, then Metaphor: ReFantazio might just be the title you’ve been looking for.
Frostpunk 2
Release Date: September 20, 2024
Cost: $44.99
Available platforms: Steam, Xbox
Frostpunk 2 is the long-anticipated sequel to the classic narrative-driven city builder, which became available day one on Game Pass. It is a title that combines the best elements of city building with survival mechanics, creating an emotionally charged experience where every decision counts. Its complex systems, from oil management to moral dilemmas, make Frostpunk 2 stand out as a must-play game in 2024 and beyond.
An announcement has been made for a PlayStation release, but an exact date has yet to be confirmed at the time of writing this article.
Balatro
An announcement has been made that the game will eventually be released on PlayStation, but an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
Release Date: February 20, 2024
Cost: $14.99
Available platforms: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, iOS and Android
Balatro is on the cheaper end of this list, but also one of the most underrated games in 2024. This poker-themed roguelike blends deck-building with strategy, rewarding you with powerful cards the longer you survive. Strategically choosing cards, combining effects, and adapting to randomized elements never gets old. Balatro is a must-play game that provides enough variety, challenge, and satisfaction to make any playthrough worthwhile; making it ideal for quick sessions or extended play. If you aren’t one of the millions who have become addicted to it so far, now is as good a time as any.
Animal Well
Release Date: February 20, 2024
Cost: $24.99
Available platforms: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo
Animal Well was the first major game released by influencer-led publisher – Bigmode. The game emphasizes non-linear exploration in a mysterious, interconnected world as players strive to solve a series of environmental puzzles. It’s a title that features stunning pixelated visuals that combine retro charm with modern sensibilities. It offers a meditative yet engaging experience that stands out as one of the best indie games in 2024, and a solid debut title for Big Mode as a gaming publisher.
Plenty more await
2024 has been a pretty decent year for games so there are plenty out there that didn’t make this top five, but if we had to choose, these are the ones we say you should head for first.
