Compared to 2023 and its wealth of blockbusters, from Tears of the Kingdom to Super Mario Bros. Wonder, 2024 appears quite weak on the AAA front. Meanwhile, the gaming industry went through a rough patch, fuelled by controversial creative choices and exacerbated by a record level of layoffs.
Still, several games made a splash in the gaming landscape, including titles that were not on anyone’s radar before their unexpected success. In this retrospective, we will check the hits that took the gaming community by storm in 2024.
Palworld
It is nearly impossible to talk about viral megahits without mentioning Palworld. In fact, this action-adventure game was possibly the first breakout hit of 2024. Arguably, its success had been years in the making. Dubbed “Pokémon with guns” when its trailer hit the internet in 2021, Palworld was set up for success – but few could have predicted it would sell over 8 million units in less than a week.
Evidently, the similarities between its Pals and Pokémon were too glaring to ignore, leading to many allegations of plagiarism. With its focus on survival, the foundation for its gameplay also leaned heavily toward games like Fortnite. Quite inevitably, the game suffered a massive player drop as weeks went by and controversies kept swelling. Still, there is no understating its considerable appeal as Palworld achieved the milestone of reaching 2 million concurrent players on Steam, a first since PUBG: Battlegrounds.
Tiny Glade
You might have noticed a recent uptick of screenshots showcasing cosy cottages and romantic ruins on your social media– courtesy of one of the latest gaming sensations. Released in September, Tiny Glade is a peaceful diorama builder that focuses solely on doodling whimsical castles and pastel-toned hamlets. There is no combat nor tedious management in this construction game that emphasises relaxation over complexity.
Its grid-less approach won’t stop delighting players with discoveries, as it allows them to explore the endless possibilities of its procedural building system to find out how the game will react to their creations. Gamers are encouraged to experiment and change their mind on a whim since there are no wrong or right answers limiting their creative freedom. With its chill vibes and lovely visuals, this spiritual successor to Townscaper deserves its time in the sun.
Helldivers 2
Unlike games like Hades II or Dragon’s Dogma 2, Helldivers 2 was not a strong contender for the most-anticipated sequel of 2024. Few fans expected a direct follow-up to their favourite top-down shooter from 2015. The fact that Helldivers 2 seemingly came out of nowhere makes its commercial success even more resounding, as it sold about 12 million copies in under three months.
Incredibly, this cooperative third-person shooter became PlayStation’s fastest-selling title ever. Both gamers and critics recognised its merit, with Helldivers 2 being crowned Best Multiplayer Game at the latest Game Awards. The ceremony even gifted fans a bonkers trailer for an upcoming update introducing the new Illuminate faction.
Balatro
Next up is another prize-winner at the Game Awards 2024. Despite conceding defeat to Astro Bot in the GOTY category, this creative roguelike has bagged three awards out of the five it was vying for, starting with Best Debut Indie Game. While some gamers lamented its lack of production value, as opposed to flashier and heavily disputed snubs like Dragon Age: The Veilguard or Stellar Blade, this indie sensation isn’t just another card game. Originally a passion project by Canadian creator LocalThunk, Balatro reimagines poker by integrating roguelike elements with deckbuilding mechanics.
Its mobile launch boosted its mainstream popularity, which might have benefited other roguelike deck-builders like Griftlands and Chrono Ark. Mobile players may also be inclined to apply their poker skills to real online sessions. If so, they can explore platforms like casinobonusca to grab current deals and bonuses. Users can filter through hundreds of offers to find the right pick for their playing style. Every promotion comes with a detailed breakdown of its pros and cons. Additionally, industry experts help newcomers get started on the safe side with comprehensive reviews and learning material.
2024 was arguably a quiet year for gamers, who saw many titles fail to deliver on their promises. Yet, just as many surprise hits surpassed all expectations, from action RPGs like Black Myth: Wukong to indie slapformers like Thank Goodness You’re Here! And there are more hidden gems to discover before moving from 2024 to 2025 – a year that looks astonishingly packed for gaming fans.
