2024's Most Anticipated Games - Paul's Picks
2024 has a hard act to follow to live up to the incredible release calendar of 2023. That said, there’s still no shortage of high quality games coming this year. No matter whether you play on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or the Nintendo Switch and even its upcoming successor, you’re going to have a lot to play in 2024. Given that, we couldn’t simply pool the team’s thoughts into one top 10 countdown of the most anticipated games, so we solicited 10 from each person to discuss. Today, hear what Paul has to say about his 10 most anticipated games of 2023, sorted from 10 to 1.
10. Mina The Hollower
I’ve tossed and turned a lot over what game would fit in this tenth spot, so a massive shoutout must go to Obsidian’s Avowed, and Rabbit & Bear’s Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, but it is the much anticipated return of Yacht Club Games with Mina The Hollower that takes the cake. The thing that I love about this game is that we see plenty of indie titles that are inspired by games of a certain era, but Mina The Hollower genuinely looks and feels like a game that is of the GBC era. The team is ultra talented, and the game looks exceptional. I’m ready!
9. Helldivers 2
I loved the original Helldivers and while the sequel retains the core essence of the original, much like what Housemarque achieved with Returnal, it seems that a healthy finacial investment from PlayStation has given Helldivers 2 that AAA sheen that comes with those premiere PlayStation exclusives. Now a third-person shooter, Helldivers 2 ticks all the boxes that I’m looking for in multiplayer. Co-op stupidity, paired with rock-solid systems are always a good time. I’m ready to go
8. The Plucky Squire
I was fortunate recently to get to sit and watch The Plucky Squire get demoed for me by Jonathan Biddle, co-founder of All Possible Futures, the developers of the game, and I couldn’t have been much more impressed by the incredible balance of combat, clever platforming, and puzzles. If it weren’t for a certain other South Australian developed title that’s been in limbo for half a decade, The Plucky Squire would be my most anticipated Aussie game of the year, though I’m sure for many the presence of Hollow Knight Silksong has no bearing at all on their hype for this one. It’s looking sensational.
7. The Wolf Among Us 2
I’m starting to go weary of the wait for The Wolf Among Us 2, if I’m being perfectly honest. Surely after countless delays, studio closures, and more, 2024 must be the year where Bigby Wolf returns. The debut trailer whipped me into a frenzy like few games have ever done. I know exactly where I was at the time (absolutely working hard and definitely not watching The Game Awards on paid time), but I don’t know when I’ll be playing the game yet, and that’s continuing to disappoint me. Studio layoffs worry me, but my anticipation remains high. I just hope it all works out.
6. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Microsoft have been stringing this one out long enough. Hellblade II, for as good as it looks, should never have premiered alongside the Series X reveal in 2019, because we’re now entering a fifth year of waiting for what is an exceedingly good looking title from Ninja Theory. I’ve loved the studios work, dating back to Heavenly Sword, but Hellblade is absolutely their best work so far, so if this sequel can get in my life already, that would be great!
5. Star Wars Outlaws
Say what you will about how Disney is wringing Star Wars fans dry across, film, television and games, but, at least in the games space, the quality has remained consistently high, especially post-Battlefront’s various debacles. I’m full of confidence in what Ubisoft’s Massive team is developing here, and it’s a nice change of pace from the regular lightsaber-swinging titles of many decades.
4. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door Remake
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is one of my favourite games of all time, and so the opportunity to play a remade version of the game has me incredibly excited. The humour of the original still holds up today, with an endearing level of charm that is likely to make new players explode. We’ve seen developers re-releasing classic RPGs in recent years with combat tweaks to speed things up for the modern audience, I’m curious to see what Nintendo will implement (if anything) in this case.
3. Hollow Knight: Silksong
It’s been 84 years! That meme is starting to become less meme-y and more accurate as Team Cherry continues to drag out the wait for Silksong. I was so sure of its 2023 release thanks to what Xbox had said during their 2022 June showcase, and yet, Hollow Knight: Silksong was one of the very few exceptions to what Phil had said. Of course a bunch of Aussies would be the ones to flip off the head of a gigantic arm of the biggest company in the world… but for as much as I love that, i hate it too, because it just means the wait continues. If they were close enough to declare early 2023 at one stage, then launch cannot be far away now. Surely 2024 is it… Surely!
2. Visions Of Mana
I’ve been a Mana fan since I was 4 or 5 years old, with Secret of Mana being a massive eye-opener to what video games can be. Since then my love has continued despite Square-Enix’s own love of the IP being a bit flaky but my hopes of a serious rekindling of the love affair between Square-Enix and its classic IP, based on the spate of remasters, remakes and re-releases, was founded when Visions of Mana was revealed and it presented like everything that I’d want a new entry to look like in 2024. Not long to wait!
1. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Nothing has me more excited for games in 2024 than the impending launch of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The intrigue surrounding where Square-Enix will take the story given the way 2020’s Remake deviated late in the piece is hitting fever pitch, while the gameplay and visuals can only improve further on what was already looking extraordinary in 2020’s release. The world is not ready for the noise that will be emanating from the gaming pocket of the internet when Final Fantasy VII Rebirth launches. This is going to be massive.
So that concludes Paul’s list of his most anticipated games of 2024. What are some of yours? Hit us up via social media to let us know what games you are keen on in 2024!
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