While the majority of outlets pump out all their Game of the Year coverage before the actual end of the year, we’ve elected to do ours in the traditionally quiet January period instead.
While a fair few members of the XboxEra team have elected to create personal lists reflecting their individual tastes, we just had to have a staff vote and make an official XboxEra Top Ten. So sit back, relax and enjoy as we detail XboxEra’s Top 10 Games of 2024.
Jesse:
There is no game I enjoyed more, nor that I wanted to replay as badly as this one. 2025 is non-stop so I’m not sure when I can, but I am going to do my damndest to get back to The Veilguard. It has my favorite BioWare team, the companions are all excellent, and the combat is sublime. I like linearity more than choice, so being a part of and molding a set narrative was exactly what I wanted. It looks incredible, sounds even better, and gave me the best 60 hours of gaming I had this year.
9. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Jesse “Doncabesa”:
BROTHERS! This epic mix of masculine bravado, cult-like worship, and gorgeously gory action is everything I needed. This is the most Xbox 360-assed release in a long time, leaning into over-the-top set-pieces, with an emphasis on mixing solid controls with cool-looking shit, and it works perfectly. The Swarm engine takes this 3rd-person melee shooter and gives it the epic vistas and enemy counts needed to make your 8-foot+ tall Ultra Marine feel like a God amongst aliens and men.
8. Astro Bot
Aarsal “SoulBlazerz”:
And a Playstation first party makes the list! But make no mistake, Astro doesn’t share the usual traits there. It’s not hyper narrative focused, it’s not dour and serious, and most importantly, it’s gameplay over everything else. Easily amongst the very best games Sony has made (if not the best, if you limit yourself to the PS5), Astro Bot is a must play for… Well, for pretty much everyone really. It’s just a damn good game.
Nick “Sir Iron Wolf“:
The Va’ruun home world beacons the star side traveler in Starfield: Shattered Space. While this is technically an expansion it did offer a bountiful experience that felt the length of a standard game, especially with brand new side quests and factions. If you enjoyed the main game then you will enjoy the fresh new weapons, armor, space ghosts, and the highly anticipated RAV 8 rover. As someone who adored the exploration to find that perfect spot for an outpost, the rover made that experience exponentially more fun, and faster.
The new quest offered in the expansion gave the right amount of mystery, action, and exploration as you discover why The Oracle was broadcasting that strange signal which set in motion a thrilling series of events. Like a rocket booster, Starfield: Shattered Space ignited that flame inside for me to start another playthrough with all the sweet new loot that was busting out of my cargo hold.
6. Helldivers 2
Nick “Sir Iron Wolf”:
Hold on tight to your cup of Liber-Tea because Helldivers 2 will deliver you to overrun worlds in need of freedom! Releasing in February, it took the internet by storm as it gave players the chance to drop side by side, spreading democracy across the galaxy in the name of Super Earth. Being a third-person shooter with options for all sorts of unlocks for weapons, stratagems, and cosmetics it gives you the option to play how you want.
What I love about Helldivers 2 is it provides a fresh breath to the shooter genre with a sprinkle of that battle royal feel. While you aren’t firing at each other, the action combined with cinematic moments provides that constant adrenaline rush that makes Helldivers 2 perfect for that short or long play session. I love being able to just blast away at alien bugs as I march my way to the objective, and I am sure you will too.
FairyEmpire:
Call of Duty is back, and it couldn’t have chosen a better time to find form again: right when Microsoft’s groundbreaking acquisition of publisher Activision, brought the series as a staple Game Pass day one release. The most technically impressive chapter yet with the revamped omnimovement system that, combined with the 120fps support we nowadays get on our consoles, is just a bliss to play.
A bombastic and memorable campaign, a Zombies mode that took a bit to get going but is getting there with new updates and maps, and the best iteration of the multiplayer in ages – albeit it still carries some burden from recent games. The franchise hasn’t been in such a good spot in a long while, and Treyarch has brought back its iconic Black Ops series back to where it belongs: to the top of the Call of Duty ladder, and to being one of the best games of the year.
Jon “Sikamikanico”:
Hellblade II is an incredible experience. I remember pinging Jesse shortly after playing through the opening act, remarking at how absolute insane everything looked, sounded and felt. I was surprised to see the game be so divisive come review time, and personally, it’s unfortunate so many wanted the game to be something it isn’t and was never meant to be.
Come review publication time, I got a message from a pretty well known industry figure out of the blue. They sent me the following. “I have no skin in the game for Hellblade 2, but reading some of these reviews, I think a lot of people don’t get it and nor do they even try to. I appreciated yours.”
So yeah – go play Hellblade II. I hope Ninja Theory make a third.
3. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Nick “Shpeshal Nick”:
This game man. Prince of Persia the Lost Crown is just the perfect Metroidvania.
A well designed map, a well thought out upgrade path, collectibles with meaning, incredible and varied combat and of course – the most important part, the tightest and most precise platforming gameplay possibly ever seen in the genre. This game will show you the ropes and absolutely test out what you’ve learned.
This game is toight like a Toiger.
It’s all supported by an incredible Middle Eastern inspired soundtrack that somehow has the ability to blend seamlessly into the background while enhancing the experience and having you remember how good it was. I actually wouldn’t be able to hum a single tune from it. Yet I just know how much I adored listening to it while playing.
Simply put, it might be the best Metroidvania ever made.
2. Balatro
Jon “Sikamikanico”:
ad·dic·tion (can also be pronounced: Ba-lat-ro)
noun: the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity:
Here’s some examples on how to talk about addicition. I mean, Balatro.
“His relationship broke down because he kept playing Balatro”
“As mobile phone batteries drain at an alarming rate, it’s clear the addiction to Balatro is spreading”
“The endlessness of playing Balatro is both a blessing and a curse.”
Nuff’ said. Anyone want to play Balatro?
1. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Aarsal “SoulBlazerz”:
And Indy takes number one, eh? Looking at the score distribution from our staff votes, it was a narrow victory but deserved nonetheless. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a triumph in gaming in so, so many ways. Yes that sounds exaggerated, and no it isn’t the best thing since sliced bread, but it is a damn good videogame. One that Machine Games deserves so much credit and praise for crafting that I don’t think I’ll ever tire singing praise of it.
You see, they didn’t just make an Indiana Jones game. They created an Indy experience that stands right next to the very best in the franchise, be it the movies, the books, or whatever else. I was often at disbelief in just how well they transitioned the IP into a videogame, from Troy Baker’s stellar vocal performance to the exploration of underground temples, to the cutscenes and overarching storyline and more. And hey, with it releasing on PS5 in a few months, I’m hoping the game gets a very well deserved push come awards season again.
I’d recommend the game to pretty much anyone, even those who aren’t enamored with the Indiana Jones character, as it’s just a damn good, masterfully crafted videogame.
Aaaaand that’s our list! What may have started off as a weaker year to some, Xbox wise, 2024 proved to once again be a stellar year for any owners of an Xbox (and any subscribers to Game Pass). Before we jump feet first into 2025 (and believe me, it’s already poised to start off with a bang), it was nice to take one last look at last year and the momentum its started to build.
Did you agree with our picks? Disagree? Did we miss some major titles completely? Let us know in the comments below!
