With only a few days left before the end of 2024, like many media outlets and content creators, it is time to tally up the year with what I used to call the PlayersForLife Top 5. We have been doing this for nearly 20 years, but it all stopped after COVID. The team that departed has left me managing the PlayersForLife website, YouTube channel, and social media alone, so I am sleeping even less than before – a significant change since I already wasn’t getting much sleep with a team by my side. It’s been three years since we last conducted this exercise of sharing our Game Awards equivalent with you. When I say “we,” it is merely a linguistic habit; in reality, it should be “I” since I am on my own now. 2024 was quite an eventful year for game releases, marked by surprises, disappointments, and more heated debates than ever before, with this significant ideological divide between the woke, anti-woke, and those in the middle trying to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Will 2025 solidify this trend or soften it? I have my thoughts, but we’re here to present a list of my top 5 games, so let’s dive in.
5- NEVA (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Six years ago, Nomada Studio gained recognition with Gris, an atypical platformer that ventured off the beaten path and demonstrated that even among indies, distinction is still possible. Neva continues this same ideology, pushing it further. By fully embracing harmony with nature and openly drawing inspiration from Hayao Miyazaki’s works and Studio Ghibli productions, the Spanish developers of Nomada transport us to an utterly enchanting universe where each moment, each screen seems to reveal the accomplished work of artist Conrad Roset. With the onset of the COVID crisis, the birth of his child, and a shift in perspective, this evolution in personality is also reflected in Neva, a game where the need for mutual aid and caring for one another resonates in a dying world. Nothing is truly lost, an optimistic message guiding players through an experience unlike any other. The platform remains relevant, puzzles are as enjoyable as ever, but we’ve gained ferocity and adversity thanks to the katana wielded by Alba, our heroine, capable of many feats and movements. Her hand-crafted animations elevate her combat as well, while Neva, a growing sheep, is a character we too wish to care for. Sublime.
4- TopSpin 2K25 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Top Spin has made its comeback in 2024. This statement seems nearly surreal given that the license was considered lost for 13 years. Nevertheless, through persistence and belief, the best tennis game of all time is back, and it did not disappoint. It is true that 2K Games and Hangar 13 took minimal risks by retaining the core gameplay from Top Spin 4. However, some adjustments and modifications were made to provide more consistency and depth, addressing areas that still needed improvement, such as serving, volleys, and an increase in faults or balls going out of bounds. This approach was indeed the best compromise, considering how divine the gameplay already was back then and now reaches unparalleled heights. More than ever, timing and placement must be managed to the millimeter to ensure accurate shots in the right spot, ensuring even wilder progression margins for those who were already skilled at Top Spin 4. With Top Spin 2K25, no tennis game has ever been as varied in its exchanges or as fluid in its rhythm. Unfortunately, 2K Games fell short in maintaining the game’s support, pushing many players away from further investment. There aren’t enough new players, and the big names are absent despite the refined gameplay with each update—truly unfortunate.
3- Ants (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
With “Ants,” Microids presents its first major game release, capable of competing with the big productions of late 2024. This might seem surprising given the company’s modest history, although it has produced enjoyable titles in the past. The effort is genuine, as betting on Tower Five developers paid off. The Rochelais studio has demonstrated mastery of Unreal Engine 5, making their title one of the most visually stunning games of the year. Additionally, they have successfully adapted real-time strategy gameplay to consoles with controller-friendly controls. Instead of a mouse, players control an ant that manages all actions on the battlefield efficiently and keeps them at the heart of the action. Consequently, players must constantly manage different nests to ensure their prosperity without ever being passive.For those who are skeptical about RTS games, “Ants” also offers adventure, exploration, and contemplation through beautifully crafted levels seen from an ant’s perspective in a suddenly vast world. The game is visually striking, offering a refreshing experience that stands out from typical video game offerings. Players venture into a new, well-conceived, and richly detailed world with challenging content. It is rumored that the campaign mode alone takes about 20 hours to complete, but including side activities, it totals closer to 40 hours of gameplay. The multiplayer mode further extends the enjoyment. At €39.99, “Ants” offers excellent value for its comprehensive gaming experience.
In a year marked by intense debates and diverse game releases, the author presents their top 5 games of 2024:5. NEVA (PC, PS5, Xbox Series): Developed by Nomada Studio, this platformer pays homage to Hayao Miyazaki’s works and emphasizes themes like mutual aid and caring for one another in a dying world. The hand-crafted animations of the heroine Alba and the growing sheep companion Neva add depth to combat and exploration.4. TopSpin 2K25 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series): After a 13-year absence, the tennis game license returned in 2024 with Top Spin 2K25 by 2K Games and Hangar 13. Although it retained core gameplay from Top Spin 4, improvements were made to serving, volleys, and ball out errors, elevating the game’s realism and challenge. However, lack of support and absence of big tennis names hindered its success.3. Ants (PC, PS5, Xbox Series): Microids’ first major title, developed by Tower Five, delivers an exceptionally beautiful real-time strategy game adapted for consoles with controller-friendly controls. Players manage ant colonies across stunning levels as they explore and contemplate their gigantic world. With a captivating campaign of about 40 hours and multiplayer mode, Ants offers an engaging experience at an affordable price of €39.99.
Astro Bot, the official Game of the Year 2024, ranks second on my personal awards list. It has been an incredible experience to share with my children, offering a genuine sense of enjoyment and togetherness. Astro Bot fully deserves its accolades for Game of the Year; it has not unjustly claimed this status. The game offers a captivating, dazzling, and warm universe along with a precise gameplay system. The fluidity of actions, the surgical playability, and the incredible tempo that make players feel like anything is possible contribute to making Astro Bot absolutely phenomenal in its gameplay mechanics. Each new level introduces innovative ideas, gadgets that constantly vary the experience, diverse environments, and massive bosses that are a real joy to face. This makes it one of the best 3D platformers of the past decade. Nintendo had previously dominated this genre with their high-quality productions, but now we must also recognize Nicolas Doucet and Team Asobi for their contributions. It is clear from our article that Sony needs to strengthen its support for platformers in their ecosystem, reminiscent of the PS2/PS3 era when franchises like Ape Escape, Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, LocoRosso, and Sly Raccoon were prominent. The level of craftsmanship seen in Astro Bot should not be allowed to decline…
Black Myuth Wukong: Our 2024 GOTY (PC, PS5)
Black Myth Wukong is undoubtedly our game of the year for 2024. Since its announcement in 2020, we have been promised grandeur, and it has delivered without any lies, downgrades, or tricks. Some publishers should take note. Whether in terms of execution or gameplay, Game Science’s title demands respect. Visually, the game is a significant visual achievement, to the point where it will become a benchmark for future games of this caliber. The Chinese studio proves not only that they master Unreal Engine 5 but also deliver an immersive and beautifully narrated universe. Nothing is left to chance in its lore, with cultural references scattered throughout the adventure. Rarely has Sun Wukong’s story been revisited so well, with a sublime artistic approach added.
The gameplay in Black Myth Wukong is also impeccable, featuring a fluid, tense, and enjoyable combat system that allows players to experience the Monkey King’s abilities, including his legendary agility and multiple transformations, alongside the mastery of his magical staff. Game Science has opted for an evolving game system customizable by the player through three different stances offering distinct techniques. It is particularly rewarding that the game permits redistribution of skill points, allowing experimentation with various paths and enhancing every encounter. Even when facing challenging bosses, the game remains far less punishing than imbalance-prone Souls-like titles such as Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree.
Certainly, one could express concerns about the absence of a map to navigate through the increasingly expansive environments (by Chapter 6, players find themselves in an open-world zone with magical cloud travel and riding giant jumping bugs), that invisible walls could be better concealed, and that some secrets are frustratingly difficult to discover. However, these minor issues are overshadowed by the game’s significant achievements. It is important to note that Black Myth Wukong is not only the first game from a young independent studio but was also created by an incredibly small team (they started with just 13 developers back in 2018), which deserves recognition in its own right.
Heartfelt Choice – Helldivers 2
This text appears to be a list of game reviews or recommendations for the year 2024. Here’s a summary of the review for “Helldivers 2”:—The document outlines a personal top 5 games of 2024, compiled by someone managing the PlayersForLife website, YouTube channel, and social media alone after a team departure due to various circumstances including personal crises. The list includes:5. **Neva** (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – An enchanting universe platformer developed by Nomada Studio, inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s works, focusing on harmony with nature, mutual aid, and optimistic messages through hand-crafted animations and gameplay.4. **TopSpin 2K25** (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – The return of the Top Spin tennis game franchise after a 13-year absence. It retains core gameplay from Top Spin 4 with refinements for better consistency and depth, though support has been insufficient to attract new players or big names in the sport.3. **Ants** (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – A major release by French publisher Microids, developed by Tower Five. It’s a visually stunning real-time strategy game adapted effectively for consoles with controller-friendly controls, offering adventure, exploration, and a refreshing experience in a microcosm viewed through the eyes of an ant.2. **Astro Bot Rescue Mission (PS5)** – Acknowledged as the official Game of the Year 2024 by the user, praised for its captivating universe, precise gameplay, diverse environments, massive bosses, and high-quality craftsmanship. The user suggests a resurgence of quality platformers in Sony’s ecosystem similar to the PS2/PS3 era.1. **Black Myuth Wukong** (PC, PS5) – Declared as the user’s personal Game of the Year 2024 for its impressive visuals and narrative based on Sun Wukong’s legend, masterful use of Unreal Engine 5, and a fluid yet challenging combat system. The game is commended for its respect to the source material and the generosity of its design despite minor flaws, being the debut title from a small independent studio.The author concludes by mentioning **Helldivers 2** as an honorable mention.
