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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11There is no single best game of 2024 for every player. For a joyful, approachable PlayStation adventure, start with Astro Bot; for inventive card strategy, try Balatro; and for cooperative action, consider Helldivers 2. Awards and critics’ lists point to different winners, so the right choice depends on your platform, preferred pace, and whether you want to play solo or with others.
How to choose a 2024 standout
Use four practical questions to narrow the list: Which platform do you own? What genre and pace do you enjoy? Do you want a solo game or cooperative play? And how much challenge—or family friendliness—are you looking for? The platform listings below identify supported systems, but they do not establish identical performance or features across versions.
Awards offer useful signals, not a universal verdict. Metacritic’s tracker, whose final listed update was April 9, 2025, compiles awards and nominations from several organizations; it is a comparative index rather than an award body itself. Its tracker lists Astro Bot among the most decorated Game of the Year winners. In a different result, the Game Developers Choice Awards named Balatro its Game of the Year in the 2025 ceremony honoring 2024 games. TIME’s December 5, 2024 list is another distinct, critic-led selection, not a consensus ranking.
The best games of 2024 by player type
Astro Bot: best for an accessible, joyful PS5 adventure
Astro Bot is a full-length platform adventure built around PS5 controller features, with exploration, varied worlds, and playful references to PlayStation history. TIME praised its appeal to families and newer players while noting that it still offers challenges. Metacritic’s tracker lists Game of the Year wins from BAFTA, DICE, Metacritic, the New York Game Awards, and The Game Awards. Choose it if you want a colorful, broadly approachable game and have a PS5; its acclaim does not mean it will be every player’s favorite. Metacritic’s 2024 awards tracker and TIME’s 2024 selection provide the award and editorial context.
#1 Best Overall
Balatro: best for compact, inventive card strategy
Balatro turns poker-inspired card combinations into a strategic game. It won the Game Developers Choice Award for Game of the Year in the 2025 ceremony honoring 2024 releases. That archive also lists Astro Bot, Black Myth: Wukong, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Helldivers 2, and Metaphor: ReFantazio as finalists. The award is the jury-selected Game of the Year, distinct from the archive’s Audience Award, which is decided by public vote. Pick Balatro if you enjoy experimenting with combinations and making tactical decisions; its award recognition is not a guarantee that card strategy suits you. The 25th annual Game Developers Choice Awards archive explains the cycle and award distinction.
Helldivers 2: best for high-intensity team action
This cooperative third-person shooter is for players who want fast, high-intensity action with a team. TIME lists it for PS5 and Windows and notes that the game faced server strain early on. It also appears in multiple award categories in Metacritic’s tracker. Choose it if playing with others is part of the appeal; it is a less natural fit if you are looking for a quiet, primarily solo experience. Platform details appear in TIME’s list.
Rank #2
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: best for a large-scale RPG
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second installment in a planned three-part remake, with an expanded open world, party interactions, and a substantial story. TIME lists it for PS5. It was a Game Developers Choice Awards finalist and a Game of the Year nominee in Metacritic’s tracker. Choose it if you want a lengthy role-playing adventure with a strong story focus; it is part of a continuing series rather than a standalone conclusion. See TIME’s editorial selection, the Game Developers Choice Awards archive, and Metacritic’s tracker.
Neva: best for atmospheric visual storytelling
Neva follows Alba and her wolf companion across four seasons in an atmospheric side-scroller. TIME lists it for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, macOS, and Windows. Consider it if you value visual storytelling and want options across several console and computer platforms. TIME’s platform and game details are in its 2024 list.
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Black Myth: Wukong: best for demanding myth-inspired action
Inspired by Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong pairs mythic imagery with challenging combat. TIME lists it for PS5 and Windows, and it appears among the Game of the Year nominees in Metacritic’s tracker. Its difficulty makes it a better fit for players who welcome a demanding action game than for anyone seeking a relaxed, forgiving experience. See TIME’s selection and Metacritic’s tracker.
LEGO Horizon Adventures: best for a lighter cooperative adventure
LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a lighter retelling of Horizon: Zero Dawn and includes co-op play. TIME lists it for PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. It is a useful option when you want a more family-friendly adventure or want to play cooperatively. TIME’s description and platform list are available in its 2024 selection.
Rank #4
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What the review scores and awards can—and cannot—tell you
Metacritic’s tracker displayed Metascores of 94 for Astro Bot, 90 for Balatro, and 92 for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in its 2025 update. These are scores shown in that tracker, not objective measures of quality; ratings and game pages can change. The tracker’s awards coverage also has limits: it compiles selected awards, omits awards determined solely by public voting, and excludes awards that do not primarily correspond to the calendar year. Check the current game page if you need a current score. Metacritic’s tracker gives its listed scores and awards context.
Quick Recap
Quick picks
- For a broadly approachable PS5 platform adventure: Astro Bot.
- For card-based strategy: Balatro.
- For cooperative shooter action: Helldivers 2.
- For a substantial story-driven RPG: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
- For atmospheric storytelling across several platforms: Neva.
- For challenging myth-inspired combat: Black Myth: Wukong.
- For lighter co-op and family play: LEGO Horizon Adventures.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
