Hello again goodjers. It's that time of the year, time for the 2024 Community Game of the Year thread.
You konw the drill: you, the GWJ community members vote for your favorite games of the year, games you played for the first time in 2024, whether they were released this year or not. If you decided to change your list before the deadline, PLEASE do not edit your post: make a new one and specifiy you've changed your mind, so I can keep track of the changes.
Polls will close on January 1st 6th, 2025, 9am CET (that's 3am EST, or midnight PST).
Complete guidelines in Q&A form in the post below, and final results will be out when I say they're out.
Below are the "Official" Rules of the 2024 Community GOTY Voting Thread, Q&A style.
- What games can I vote for? Any game you played for the first time in 2024. Say you played Zelda: Breath of the Wild for the first time this year? You can absolutely put it on your list. But if you're into your third playthrough of The Witcher 3 and already made it #1 on your list in the past, then you don't get to vote for it again. Voting this year is still open to any game on any platform from any year.
- How do you know if I really played it for the first time this year? I don't. That'll be between you and your conscience, so we're on the honor system. But honestly, why are you trying to rig a forum poll?
- What if I didn't finish it yet? Not a problem. If you feel you've played enough of this game for it to surpass others you've played this year, go ahead and put it on your list. Sometimes, we don't have to play more than 5 hours of a game to know we're going to love it (not to mention that some games are really suuuuuuuuuuper long: you might not have finished it, but still know it's awesome).
- Why are we doing it this way? Because we're all busy and free time is a precious commodity. GWJ is a community mostly populated with mature, adult gamers with jobs (it's right there in the name of the site), family obligations, hobbies, and other things that take up our time. And we can't all afford the new hotness as soon as it's released. Most of us have piles (see 2024 - 12 Month Pile Program, now run by our very own trueheart78), and though we try to play through them, we don't often get a chance to say that we really love something even if it's a bit older.
- What if the top game ends up being from 2007 or something? Then I'll be very surprised.
- So how are votes counted? Games in the top spot on a list get ten votes, second place gets nine, et cetera, et cetera, with tenth place getting a single vote. If your list is out of format (lists that aren't ranked and/or lists that go over ten), games on your list will get one vote each for the first ten games only. If you do not abide by the format, I'll make an executive decision and sort it all out.
- Can I vote for an expansion pack? For the purposes of vote counting, votes for expansions are folded into votes for the base game. So for example, a vote for The Witcher 3: Blood & Wine is counted as a vote for The Witcher 3.
- I played a game before, but this year I played the remastered Director's Cut with new content on a new platform. Can I vote for it?
Nope. Again, the spirit of this thread is to vote for things that were new to you this year, and replaying a game you love with spiffier graphics runs contrary to that. Most famously Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is technically not eligible. - Can I list a game multiple times so that it gets more votes?
If you have to ask, I think you know the answer. And why would you want to rig this? It's just a community based poll, after all. - When does voting open? When does it close?
You can vote now. Yes, now. Right now. As soon as the thread goes up. So post your list if you want to! Or wait until the holidays if you're holding off for new releases! Voting will close on January 1st, 2025, 9am CET (that's 3am EST, or midnight PST). - Are you going to do anything really neat and special with the results?
We'll see. - What if I change my mind after I posted my list?
As previously mentioned, under no circumstances should you edit your post. Simply post a new list indicating you've changed your mind. Editing will majorly mess up the tracking of new posts and make my life more difficult.
If you are so inclined, you can check out previous years:
- 2023 Community Game of the Year
- 2022 Community Game of the Year
- 2021 Community Game of the Year
- 2020 Community Game of the Year
- 2010s Community Game of the Year
- 2019 Community Game of the Year
- 2018 Community Game of the Year
- 2017 Community Game of the Year
- 2016 Community Game of the Year
- 2015 Community Game of the Year
- 2014 Community Game of the Year
- 2013 Community Game of the Year
- 2012 Community Game of the Year
- 2011 Community Game of the Year
- 2010 Community Game of the Year
- 2009 Community Game of the Year
- 2008 Community Game of the Year
- 2007 Community Game of the Year
- 2006 Community Game of the Year
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
It is that time of the year again!
Wallet-enabling list-galore thread.
Thanks for continuing to do this.
I have played very few new games this year. At least one of the lists will be fairly short!
Thanks for making it happen again — can’t wait!
Thanks Eleima! I’m looking forward to writing up my top games — this was a great year—and also, I’m excited to learn what I’m going to buy in 2025.
Woot!
Thanks for running this Eleima!
1. Balatro
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Everything else.
1. Balatro
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Everything else.
This what my list was like until I played something *whispers* that I enjoyed more than Balatro. I know. I didn't that was going to be possible. But this is the reality I now live in.
Thanks, Eleima!
1. Astro's Playroom
2. Stray
3. Heaven's Vault
That's it...
This what my list was like until I played something *whispers* that I enjoyed more than Balatro. I know. I didn't that was going to be possible. But this is the reality I now live in.
I definitely enjoyed other games more, but they weren't better games. They were just less difficult or less random.
If it wasn't for that top bullet I'd just vote for Baldur's Gate 3 again. HOWEVER...
This was IMO an off year for really great titles I played vs other years' lists, but there's definitely a handful that will make it to the top.
I already have a solid idea of what will by my GOTY and some of the high placers, and I'm powering through Yakuza 0 right now. It'll make the list too, but I'm early in the game so I'm not sure where it'll land.
Maker's Breath, lit a fire in my ass to get moving in Dragon Age: Not Dread Wolf
Ugh, this year has had its upheavals in my work life that I genuinely can't remember everything I played this year (doubt I will make 10 titles). But great to see the GOTY thread arises as a constant uplifting thread to end each year!
Looking forward to any posts that come out as I'm abroad over the Christmas break and need to buy/load some titles to keep me busy during my downtime.
My game of the year is Robocop: Rogue City.
Ugh, this year has had its upheavals in my work life that I genuinely can't remember everything I played this year (doubt I will make 10 titles). But great to see the GOTY thread arises as a constant uplifting thread to end each year!
Looking forward to any posts that come out as I'm abroad over the Christmas break and need to buy/load some titles to keep me busy during my downtime.
I try to start a note in my phone at the beginning of the year and add the name of every new game I play.
And so it begins. - Pricklepants, Toy story of Terror
I’ve been curating this list for a few months in anticipation of this thread, thanks for managing this!
This has been the year of the PS5 for me. As a long time PC gamer I’ve branched out a lot over the past few years and Sony has been knocking it out of the park in my opinion.
1 Stellar Blade (PS5)
This was the biggest surprise for me this year. I’d describe it as an easier Dark Souls type of game. I think this was just the right amount of difficulty to keep me interested. The unique bosses were well done and progression felt satisfying.
2 Unicorn Overlord (PS5)
As soon as I heard about this game I knew I wanted it. Ogre Battle and Ogre Battle 64 are some of my favorite strategy games of all time. I’m surprised there hasn’t been more of these squad based tactical games where you don’t control the individual units. The strategy of group formation is an underutilized mechanic.
3 Astro Bot (PS5)
A great platformer whose only fault is its length. There’s a ton of charm and thought put into every inch of this game. I get that this will probably never see a PC release which is a shame, more people should get to experience this one.
4 Demeo (PS5 VR)
A cross-platform co-op tactical RPG in VR? Yes please! This isn’t a new game but it’s new to me. I’ve had a blast with this even when facing a brutal defeat. If there’s one game on my list I could convince you to play, it's this one.
5 Helldivers 2 (PS5)
Another great co-op experience that surprised me this year. I played a lot of the original Helldivers and when they announced a sequel I expected it to be of similar scope. The transition to over-the-shoulder gameplay serves it well. This is a game I keep meaning to play more of but get distracted with other things. If there was a regular GWJ group I could join with I think I’d hop in.
6 Dragon’s Dogma 2 (PC)
I couldn’t get into the original Dragon’s Dogma so I wasn't sure about this one. After seeing some reviews and wanting to play a new RPG I picked it up. The combat was a delightful experience. The game is difficult in all the right ways and gives you a lot of options for how to tackle encounters. There’s a lot of odd choices that most games would avoid that give this a unique feel. It’s not a game I would recommend to everyone but it really clicked with me.
7 Space Marine 2 (PC)
Another fun co-op experience this year! I would have rated this higher if it had more content. I’ve enjoyed my time with it so far and would be willing to pay for an expansion.
8 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (PC)
The addition of a Career Mode is exactly what I needed from a Flight Sim game. It’s a buggy mess but still fun. If it wasn’t so rough around the edges this may have been my #1 game. I’m buying a HOTAS setup for Christmas because of how much I’ve enjoyed it.
9 Hades 2 (PC)
When this was released into Early Access it was a no-brainer to buy. I haven’t spent a ton of time with it yet or it may have been higher. Hades was my GOTY when it was released so this has a lot to live up to.
10 Shapez 2 (PC)
I picked this up on a whim based on an online description and I have enjoyed it. I haven’t gotten into other builder games like it because they always end up with some sort of inhibitor. This game has none of that. There’s no enemies, limited resources or repetitive requirements. You just build what you need to build and then build on that.
My game of the year is Robocop: Rogue City.
Is that just your list or only a statement? I genuinely can't tell.
Thank you Mixolyde, detroit20, mrwynd for your lists, the votes have been tallied. Super happy to see Heaven's Vault on a list!
And thank you everyone for your kind words. 
Veloxi wrote:My game of the year is Robocop: Rogue City.
Is that just your list or only a statement? I genuinely can't tell.
Thank you Mixolyde, detroit20, mrwynd for your lists, the votes have been tallied. Super happy to see Heaven's Vault on a list!
And thank you everyone for your kind words.
Oh gosh, I hope you didn't spend real effort on my "list." That was mostly satire. I'll post a real one at some point.
Eleima wrote:Veloxi wrote:My game of the year is Robocop: Rogue City.
Is that just your list or only a statement? I genuinely can't tell.
Thank you Mixolyde, detroit20, mrwynd for your lists, the votes have been tallied. Super happy to see Heaven's Vault on a list!
And thank you everyone for your kind words.Oh gosh, I hope you didn't spend real effort on my "list." That was mostly satire. I'll post a real one at some point.
Took me at least five seconds I’ll never get back. Guess I’ll have to shorten my next shower or something to compensate. ^^
Thanks for the heads up, I’m looking forward to all your lists!
For those of us needing a reminder of some of the games this year here is Polygon's The 50 best video games of 2024
For those of us needing a reminder of some of the games this year here is Polygon's The 50 best video games of 2024
A very fun video, but there's a few interesting omissions despite being 50 games long. Also, they massively underrated Unicorn Overlord. 
Unicorn Overlord is likely to be on my 2025 list, I just didn't get there this year.
For those of us needing a reminder of some of the games this year here is Polygon's The 50 best video games of 2024
NPR's list of 2024's best games was also excellent. There's a lot of overlap, but each featured a few different ones, so I think they're both worth a browse.
Haven't had a lot of time for this site lately but had to check in for one of my favorite threads
I feel like this was a really thin gaming year for me so I don't have much to share and most of it is odd stuff that probably won't get many other votes.
1. Brotato (Xbox Series X)
This one came out of nowhere for me. It was talked about on a podcast I listen to and then it showed up on Game Pass so I downloaded it and it became my turn my brain off and just play game. I thought I was finished and then they released DLC and I am back in.
2. Final Fantasy 1 Pixel Remaster (Xbox Series X)
When the Pixel Remaster collection finally released on Xbox I had to pick it up despite buying (and never playing) it on Switch. Way back in like 1992 or 1993 after playing FF2 (FF4) on the SNES I tried playing Final Fantasy on the NES and just couldn't do it. This version is actually quite enjoyable and the quality of life improvements like XP and Gil Boost and always run and turn off encounters are amazing.
3. Stacklands (Mac)
I downloaded this and started playing it at like 7pm one night when my wife was away and next thing I knew it was like 4am and I was barely able to keep my eyes open yet I wanted to keep going. Not sure what more I can say about it other than it is seriously addictive.
4. Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered (PS5)
Totally forgot about this game at first. I got a PS5 back in April (happy birthday to me) and this is literally the only game I have played more than an hour of on that system, but this game was amazing.
5. Dragon Age: the Veilguard (Xbox Series X)
Yea like it is freaking Dragon Age and I am a huge BoiWare fanboy so what more do I need to say? Kind just makes me want a new Elder Scrolls game and a new Mass Effect game more than anything though.
6. Little Kitty Big City (Xbox Series X)
As a cat person this is just super charming and fun.
7. Star Wars: Outlaws (Xbox Series X)
If I had played more games this year I don't think this would have made my list. Planning to go back to it at some point once they have patched it up some.
8. Final Fantasy 2 Pixel Remaster (Xbox Series X)
Same as above. I like what I have played but it is not as good as the other FF games I have played (still better than 8 though).
Thanks for running this and for everyone posting their lists and comments!
I guess I like horror themes?
1 Resident Evil 4 Remake
Even more dynamic and varied than the original. A cow got scared and knocked Ashley over. There are enough actions / weapons that it's interesting to juggle them without being overwhelming.
The DLC was a fun way to try the weapons I hadn't used in the main story as well as focus more on melee attacks. Ada's mobility was a lot of fun.
I accidently played half the main game without most of the HUD and thought I had to keep track of health and ammo in my head / referencing the inventory. Kind of interesting, but not recommended.
2 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Like Breath of the Wild, they want to lead you towards moments of discovery and are largely successful.
More often then not, the game steers you with rumors and hints in the world. There might be maps lying around or characters mentioning weird things they've seen in the woods. I was able to mark up the map in-game as well as take photos with the Switch screen capture feature or the in-game camera. Even when the nudges are obvious, the discoveries are still fun.
I played Breath of the Wild again once I made it pretty far in Tears of the Kingdom and while many of these features are in Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom has a lot more of it, so it feels like the connections work much better. I even talked with some friends to speculate on what might be going on.
The main story also has a fun setup, decent twists along the way, and a fun conclusion.
3 Dragon Quest Builders
Very similar to the excellent sequel. Varied activities with quests, base building, and exploration.
The characters are great and the game really comes together towards the final moments when they feature prominantly.
4 Tunic
I really had fun with the puzzles: taking notes, trying to solve the smaller contained ones and larger game-spanning ones. Puzzle rewards and hints throughout the game do a good job of leading you to more puzzles. A simple well known example is that you find pages of a game manual throughout. These new pages might provide hints to puzzles you had set aside while often containing puzzles of their own.
Since I stumbled across some of the broader puzzle patterns early, I was able to enjoy many of the smaller ones throughout the game as you progress through the main story.
I'd suggest looking for hints online if you play a decent amount and feel like you can't find the smaller puzzles.
5 Resident Evil Village
Playing only in 3rd person works surprisingly well given this is an added feature.
I imagine some of the uniqueness is lost playing this way, but I wouldn't have played at all if it were only first person.
6 The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Surprisingly similar to 2D puzzle-based Zelda games and particularly Tears of the Kingdom.
It's fun to play with the echoes and find new uses for them; often with the help of comments in the investory listing. Many echoes have an obvious use as well as less obvious ones. This leads to many ah-ha moments as well as the fun of circumventing intended puzzle solutions.
Examples:
- Using spiders to crawl up walls
- Using water blocks to swim around
The characters and short stories continue to be entertaining; it's fun to see the same characters or groups again.
7 Pokemon TCG Pocket
This is a fun condensed Pokemon TCG game. It plays quickly while having many similar-yet-tweaked aspects of the card game.
I had fun making a few different decks and playing around with ideas like energy acceleration with Misty and positioning with Sabrina, Koga, Wheezing, and Arbok. Graninja and Articuno are also fun with spread damage.
8 The Expanse
Well acted with the feel of a TV mini series.
The slower moments let you explore the setting at your own pace. They mix in some interesting science fiction as well as fantasy / horror. The overall plot presents an interesting what-if scenario around surviving while stranded in space.
9 Signalis
I enjoyed the flashlight mechanic in this inventory-juggling Resident Evil style game: it looks neat and provides some interesting trade-offs since it takes up space in your inventory and you have to choose between the flashlight and other sub-items like a stun gun.
The graphic style and gameplay largely come together and the intentionally vague story works.
10 Dead Space Remake
The general combat system supports a variety in approaches. You can stun (melee, fire, thrown objects), slow (cripple, stasis), run away, set traps (flamethrower, line gun), or use a variety of weapons. It's easy to stick with ones you enjoy or try some others out. Most of my later time was spent stunning enemies with the flamethrower and using the saw to chop them up.
At a very surface level, the main story is fun with some twists and turns.
5 Resident Evil Village
Playing only in 3rd person works surprisingly well given this is an added feature.I imagine some of the uniqueness is lost playing this way, but I wouldn't have played at all if it were only first person.
I played it in third person as well and I thought it was fantastic. I also wouldn't have played it if not for this feature, and other than the cinematics, which were all kept in first person, one could perfectly think the game was always intended to be like this.
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