After 2023’s parade of gaming pizazz, 2024 seems to be a slower year before a much bigger 2025 with GTA 6 and Monster Hunter Wilds looming across that horizon. But this isn’t to say that 2024 could be another great year if the big titles all land. There are many games of 2024 without a certain release date such as Hades 2 only getting an early access release within Q2-2024, but the game could still fully launch in October. But when it comes to the most anticipated games of 2024, the year starts of big a pretty packed January with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Tekken 8, and February is on fire like usual.
2024 looks to be a mixed bag as there’s a decent bit of everything, but there’s no major Sony or Nintendo games announced yet that will definitely release this year. Though, Microsoft seems to have at least two interesting titles in the pipeline.
One of the most exciting aspects about gaming in 2024 and beyond is that game are finally taking hold of the Unreal Engine 5. We witnessed its power through Alan Wake 2, and we’re going to see what a Soulslike can make of it through Black Myth: Wukong. We’re at the turning point of what gaming will be like, especially as even The Witcher 4 is set to be made using Unreal Engine 5.
Games to Look Forward to in 2024
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) – January 18
Normally, Ubisoft games are easy to brush aside… right? Same checklist map, linear story, and some meaty side characters but which go nowhere… except Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown seems to be anything but that. It’s clear that Ubisoft developers are good at their work and even love it, and when they get to make something fresh and fun, we get to see a great revival of once beloved action, adventure IP.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown seems to be a Metroidvania which incorporates the time reversal mechanic the franchise is known for. I can’t wait to try this one out to kick-start the year.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – February 2
Now, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League seems to have cast quite a bit of doubt as it’s strayed away from what Rocksteady is known for revolutionizing – fast paced melee combat. For some reason, we have King Shark shoot some lead while Captain Boomerang refuse to use boomerang as his primary mode of… throwing boomerangs, obviously, maybe… not?
But still, while this is my least exciting entry, I want to hope that it does something right. Otherwise, it may mean the end of a once stellar studio, doomed by corporate and soulless greed.
Persona 3 Reload (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) – February 2
Ah, Persona, a game about living life… If life was all about alter egos, fake scenarios, and a wicked frenzy about deadlines… While that doesn’t sound too far-fetched from our day to day, what makes Persona incredible is it’s ability to connect you with a cast of characters that become your best friends.
While I’ve only played Persona 5 and Royal, I’ve heard how great the narrative of Persona 3 is, which has me excited for the different palaces and personas to discover. The blue tint for the theme is already mesmerizing enough that I just want to sink in!
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5) – February 29
As someone who has only played the Remake in 2020, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has me excited to reunite with Tifa and Aerith. There smiles are enough to light anyone’s heart up into a blaze of cherry blossoms. But more so, I’m exciting about the legendary clash between Cloud and Sephiroth. Final Fantasy VI is an obvious classic, and Rebirth seems to be ticking all the right boxes, especially taking inspiration from The Witcher 3’s side quest system in its open world.
Alone in the Dark (PS5, Xbox Series X|C, PC) – March 20
Now this game piqued my fancy just because of it’s mysterious, horror nature. Alone in the Dark seems like one of those games which can be a real sleeper hit gem or one you’d be embarrassed ever being hyped about. It’s such a Schrodinger’s scenario where there’s always this sense of charming wonder if the game will truly live up to the intrigue or not.
The game follows the lifestyle of a weird village that only gets darker and more twisted, but only time will tell if such a presentation realizes its potential.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 22
Another year, another Capcom creme de la creme. Capcom has seriously been on fire with its entries, and with how diverse they have been. From hunting to horror to fighting, Capcom is blessed with everything it releases. And now we’re finally getting a sequel to Dragon’s Dogma, Capcom’s newfound touch on the RPG genre.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 seems like one of those games that could just win game of the year, and it would be a big surprise to some, but totally deserved considering all the world Capcom has been putting into its release slate.
I have not played the original game, but the way the classes ans combat seem to interweave into one another seems like an exciting presentation of fantasy and magic. Now, considering Dragon’s Dogma main focus isn’t its story, it may not necessarily be the game for me, but I still look forward to it due to the same reason I enjoyed Street Fighter 6 despite barely playing it. There’s that sense of combat or exploratory depth in Capcom’s game that keep you coming back to try the new flavor of the month.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) – June 4
Destiny 2 has been going through a rough patch. Maybe some of it is deserved due to anticlimactic Lightfall release, but to lose this many developers, especially someone as prestigious as Michael Salvatori is a tragedy. Destiny 2 is the only gamess of its kind. Yes, Warframe edges within that vicinity, but the gameplay depth and fantasy worldbuilding and narrative can feel unmatched, even if it feels a bit dragged out at times. Destiny brings a sense of co-op immersion that every live services wish it could reach.
Now, yes, Destiny seems to be all doomer and gloomer, but The Final Shape is the ending of their ten year saga. It has to be good. It would be a massive blow to both Bungie and the community if The Final Shape does not deliver on the thematic and resolute narrative it’s built up to be as the Witness’ swan song, while acting as an end to a long journey for the players. Lightfall died, so that The Final Shape could live, or so that’s what many of us hope so.
And let’s be honest, just the music alone is enough to perk up our ears for this space opera’s conclusion.
Black Myth: Wukong (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – August 20
Black Myth: Wukong may arguably be the most hyped game for me personally. While I have a deeply rooted love for the Persona series, just the childlike awe and wonder I vibrate with when I watch those Wukong trailers is a whole different breed of greed. Yes, it’s another Soulslike, but if Lies of P has expressed anything, it’s that Soulslikes are finally evolving to have their own identity, and Wukong seems to bring the energy of entire personality disorders and personas along with it.
It’s not just a Soulslike, but a retelling of the Journey to the West. So that means essentially playing as a variant of the Monkey King, with the beautiful addition of his transformations. This ability to shapeshift makes it seem like an entirely other game, and if we’ve experience even a glimpse of what Unreal Engine 5 is capable of, I’m hoping Black Myth: Wukong truly lives up as one of the most anticipated games of 2024.
2024 Games without Fixed Date
There’s no gaming year without its surprises. And while a release date may not necessarily be the biggest reveal, there’s always the idea of a delay. And while a push back can lead to a better game, we all want our toys as soon as possible. But still, the chances of the next few games coming out in 2024 is still good enough.
Avowed (Xbox Series X|S, PC)
Obsian Entertainment is back to finally deliver their core fantasy experience. Avowed could truly be a gem. With how much love New Vegas gets, and the decent acclaim received by The Outher Worlds, Avowed has the ability to capture the same magic as Skyrim, but as a more condensed experience.
There’s not a lot we know about Avowed but that works in its favor. All we want to know is that we’re getting an RPG experience from Obsidian, and that is enough to leave enthusiasts with goosebumps.
Metaphor: ReFantazio (PC, consoles)
I can’t even believe we’re living in a time where we’re getting two big Atlus releases back to back. And better yet, it seems they’ve evolved the combat to give it a real-time feel while still incorporating the dynamic, polished turn-based experience that Atlus is known for.
It’s essentially Persona, but instead of a casual school setting, we’re not battling for our lives in a blood and battle ridden Medieval land. I think this is an exciting change of pace as it deviates from what has been quite obvious and allows Atlus to truly live that fantasy JRPG experience while still being true to their roots and strengths.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 (Xbox Series X|S, PC)
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was a unique visceral experience which incorporated the raw feel of what it is like to live with schizophrenic while having the player endure rough battles as if they were really there. While I didn’t enjoy the forced puzzles, I think the way the original formatted itself as a single shot camera experience really speaks to the journey of life. It’s just one go of weird and normal in ways that leave us questioning what is real or not.
I hope Hellblade 2 is the game for Microsoft. Microsoft needs a win, one in the eyes of both consumers and critics alike. And Hellblade 2 seems like a perfect opportunity for Microsoft to cement its own God of War-esque play within gaming.
Death Stranding 2 (PS5)
Now, I thought I’d be a little cheeky and slip in this Kojima conundrum. Yes, Death Stranding 2 has no official date locked in, but how could Sony go without releasing a single game? And it will be 6 years in 2024 since the first Death Stranding. I believe we’ll see the official 2024 date revealed in an early Sony showcase or even dedicated Playstation State of Play.
The first game was such a different experience. Walking, building, warping in spacetime… but it also felt like a resolute end. So I’m curious where Kojima take Death Stranding 2 as there’s a whole different way to express his vision in a sequel while still building on the world and characters established by the first.
Game DLCs of 2024
Alan Wake 2 (PC, Consoles)
There’s not a lot to say about this one except that we’ll be getting 2 new expansions for Alan Wake 2 in 2024. This alone could be my most exciting addition to the year, and DLC content as 2 extra levels sound incredible. The amount of feedback they must have learned from the base game leaves me really looking forward to what kind of crazy juice Remedy is going to pump out.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (PC, Consoles)
Need I say more? With how long this Elden Ring DLC has been in the world, it’ll practically be a whole new game. But my only expectation is to play another Limgrave or Lurnia type region with its boss and level design.
If you enjoyed this article on the most anticipated games of 2024, do check up on our Alan Wake 2 Review!