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There is no single, universally agreed list of the best games of 2024. This curated selection brings together GameSpot’s ten picks with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, using critic coverage and PlayStation’s player-voted awards as different—not interchangeable—signals. It includes different genres and platforms, and one pick is an expansion rather than a standalone game. No live prices or offers have been verified here, so use the shopping guidance below to check current deals before buying.
How to read this list
GameSpot’s December 9, 2024 list presents its ten selections alphabetically, not as a ranked top ten. Its editors explicitly included expansions and evolving live-service games alongside new standalone releases. This article adds Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which appears in GameSpot’s reviewed-games roundup and PlayStation Blog’s 2024 award results. The result is an editorial mix, not a claim that these are the eleven highest-selling games or a universal consensus.
The sources measure different things. Metacritic’s PC list aggregates professional reviews of eligible games released in 2024 and requires at least seven critic reviews; PlayStation Blog’s awards reflect votes from PlayStation users. Sony reported more than 1.6 million votes globally across 19 award categories in 2024, but that is not a representative survey of every player or game. GameSpot’s reviewed-games roundup also uses a score threshold of at least 8 for inclusion; that threshold does not mean lower-scoring or unreviewed games cannot be enjoyable.
The 11 games and who they suit
| Game | Type and fit | Platforms listed in the cited coverage | Before you buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astro Bot | Colorful single-player platform adventure; a strong fit for approachable, imaginative play. | PS5 | Check that the listing is the PS5 edition. PlayStation Blog’s player-voted Best PS5 Game winner was Astro Bot. |
| Balatro | Poker-inspired roguelike deck-builder with a distinctive spin on card-game runs. | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, iOS, Android | Confirm the platform and storefront; mobile and console versions are separate purchases. |
| Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree | Substantial action-RPG expansion for players who want more of Elden Ring. | Check the store listing for the platform and edition you own. | This is an expansion, not a standalone game. Verify that you own the compatible base game and match the expansion to the same platform ecosystem. |
| Helldivers 2 | Cooperative PvE shooter particularly suited to playing with friends. | PC, PS5 | Check whether you have the platform your group uses and whether online play requires a paid service on your console. |
| Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | Exploration-focused action adventure with an immersive-sim approach. | Xbox Series X|S, PC | Confirm system compatibility and the correct platform edition before comparing prices. |
| Lorelei and the Laser Eyes | Puzzle-heavy mystery with psychological-horror elements; best for players who enjoy working through intricate puzzles and keeping notes. | PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, PS4 | Its puzzle focus is a better guide to fit than a broad action-adventure label. |
| Metaphor: ReFantazio | Turn-based fantasy RPG with social-simulation elements. | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4 | Compare only listings for the platform you use; the cited coverage also links to a retailer listing, which does not establish a current price. |
| Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown | Metroidvania combining platforming, combat, exploration, and navigation aids. | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One | Check edition and platform. A Nintendo year-in-review page displayed a past price, but it is not evidence of a live offer. |
| Silent Hill 2 | 2024 remake and reinterpretation of the 2001 horror game. | PC, PS5 | This is horror; check the correct platform edition and consider whether the genre suits you before purchasing. |
| S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl | Survival-focused first-person game set in a fictionalized Chornobyl exclusion zone. | PC, Xbox Series X|S | Check the store’s system requirements and platform listing before committing. |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | Large-scale RPG and the second installment in a three-part remake project. | PS5 | It follows Final Fantasy VII Remake; newcomers should account for that story sequence when deciding whether to start here. |
Platform lists above reflect the cited coverage, not a guarantee of current availability in every country or store. Editions, regional listings, and platform support can change, so confirm the exact product page before paying.
#1 Best Overall
How to check for a real deal
A retailer link or a past sale price does not establish what a game costs today. The sources available for this guide do not verify live prices, inventory, or sale end dates for October 8, 2026. For example, Nintendo’s year-in-review page displayed Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown at $8.99 against a $29.99 regular price, but that retrospective figure is not a verified current offer. Treat any price you encounter as current only after checking the seller’s live listing.
- Start with your platform. Check the official digital store for your console, the PC storefront for the launcher you use, or a reputable retailer for a physical copy. Retailer links in game coverage can help locate listings, but they do not prove today’s stock, lowest price, regional eligibility, or offer terms.
- Match the edition and format. Confirm the game title, platform, edition, and whether the listing is digital or physical. A low price for the wrong console version—or for an expansion without its base game—does not save money.
- Compare the delivered cost. Check the price for your region, including any delivery charge for physical copies, and compare like with like. Treat a stated discount as meaningful only if the seller identifies the reference price and you can verify it.
- Check multiplayer requirements. Find out whether online or co-op features require a paid platform service. For Nintendo Switch, Nintendo notes that some multiplayer requires additional games, systems, or accessories, and online features require a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Record the offer details before deciding. Note the region, edition and platform, digital or physical format, price, verified discount basis, and date and time checked. Sale prices and stock can change.
Choose by play style, not just acclaim
For a focused solo platform adventure, consider Astro Bot or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. If you want a puzzle-led experience, look at Lorelei and the Laser Eyes; for a card-based run you can play in shorter sessions, consider Balatro. Players looking for a shared session can start with Helldivers 2, while RPG fans can compare Metaphor: ReFantazio and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth—keeping the latter’s place in a continuing story in mind. Horror is central to Silent Hill 2, and survival is central to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. For Shadow of the Erdtree, the first decision is whether you already have the compatible base game.
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