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Going back and playing this a second time, I'm still blown away by the sheer amount of content and dedication to the original title. Sure, there are some new features, but this is FF7 like we dreamed of it being back in 1997. The voice acting, the music, the world, the characters, it's all unbeatable. Knocking a star off for a few frustrating moments in the title's mini-games, but that's a small complaint. A masterpiece.

The Sims wishes it could be InZOI in 2025. The graphics are otherworldly, the vibes are immaculate, and the future of this game is bright. Even in Early Access, it feels incredibly polished. I can't wait to see how it grows.

Opening packs triggers my dopamine receptors, but I'm not a huge fan of the UI, though that's a small complaint. I had a Platinum subscription for a few months, but it didn't feel worth the $10 price tag. Still, a fun way to waste a few minutes each day.

Proof that simplicity goes a long way in game design these days. Balatro takes about two minutes to learn and seemingly a lifetime to master, with each playthrough quick enough to fit into any time of the day. Satisfying on every level, it haunts you--after all, your next playthrough could potentially be incredible, so why not play right now?

Recommending a graphic novel isn't always easy, but this game has remained at the top of my favorites list for years. Unfortunately, it's something that needs to be properly played to understand--or, read, as there isn't truly any gameplay to speak of beyond a few choices the player needs to make. The soundtrack is unbelievable, the twists and turns are unpredictable, and I cried my eyes out multiple times throughout, with the ending nearly leaving me catatonic. This isn't a game, it's an experience. (It was also the highest-rated game on the Switch for a while, so do with that information what you will.)

The actual FPS elements of F.E.A.R. Are somewhat lackluster, but the implementation of horror is where it really shines. Even so many years later, it can still make me jump (though the sequel upped the scary factor to a much more polished and heavy degree.)

Despite often being the most maligned in the series, Dragon Age 2 has a compelling narrative, well-written characters, and plenty of lore for fantasy lovers to obsess over. (It also has Fenris, if you know, you know.) Yes, it's pretty much all set in one city, but that doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. Go into it looking to make a lot of impactful choices and to get to know some neat people, and don't worry too much about things like combat or exploration. (That wasn't sarcasm, I really love it.)

If you're wondering why I didn't give this absolute masterpiece of an RPG a perfect score, it's because you can't play Gwent with literally every person or animal you come across. Yeah, I could spend 400+ hours doing every quest and hunt, but what if I want to spend Balatro-levels of time on card games? Guess I can keep my fingers crossed for The Witcher 4, please come through for me CDPR.

Rhythm games aren't as popular as they used to be, but Muse Dash has been an oasis in the desert for years now. For a super low price, players gain access to dozens of incredible songs, and with an additional purchase, they can enjoy tons of DLC tracks that are updated frequently. Muse Dash is the epitome of "easy to learn, difficult to master," with only two buttons to press. Believe me--it's near impossible at higher difficulties.

One of the more unique Final Fantasy spin-off entries, World of Final Fantasy is easy to pick up and play, lacking some of the more serious story beats of the mainline titles. Dozens of popular characters are reimagined as chibi versions of themselves, and the title tasks players with capturing creatures and using them in battle. The graphics are colorful and fun, and the gameplay can be challenging--my biggest issue with the game is the poor optimization for PC. While it's available on Steam, it tends to crash frequently years after the port was released. (It runs perfectly on PS4!)

Sometimes, a character in a game sticks with you for long after the game is over, and for me, that was Connor. Bryan Dechart did an incredible job in his role, along with Clancy Brown as Hank and all the other actors in this incredible game. While there isn't much to its gameplay outside of making choices and quick-time events, it still managed to keep my attention for its entire runtime. I also enjoyed how, at the end of each chapter, it would show a flowchart of all available choices, making it easier to discover every possible ending. If you're a fan of cinematic titles with less of an emphasis on combat, this is a great one to pick up.

No matter who you are, Infinity Nikki has a little something for you. The fashion is enough to pull in plenty of players on its own, but in the time I've spent with it, I've become addicted to fishing and treasure hunting, with some platforming challenges and crafting thrown in for good measure. Since it was just released, I'm eager to see what the developers introduce to the title in the future. It runs incredibly well on my PC and is a delight to look at--and it hasn't drained my wallet just yet.

Listed as a standard detective title with a mystery to solve, Paradise Killer features some of the most bizarre worldbuilding I've ever seen. While I wish it could have been fleshed out a little more, the tidbits of strangeness you find as a player is enough to keep you hooked, with a city pop/vaporwave soundtrack that never gets old.

My personal pick for Game of the Year 2024, Metaphor ReFantazio proves that Atlus can port its Persona formula to a new setting to draw in new players. For years, I've heard people say that the high school setting of Persona was a negative, and despite my disagreeing with that statement, meeting new characters in a high fantasy setting was a welcome breath of fresh air. Metaphor's story is relevant to many people today, while the title also introduces a new magic system and frantic combat along with a headbanging soundtrack throughout. Even after putting in 120 hours at launch, I'm already gearing up for another playthrough.

The addition of full voice acting--and the studio's choice of voice actor for the title's narration--boosted this game from an eight to a 10, without question. The story is compelling, the lore players uncover is absolutely out of this world unbelievable, and countless moments in Disco Elysium made me laugh out loud. It's also worth noting that even after my sixth playthrough, I still find new dialogue and side quests. If you like unbelievable amounts of deep lore, lots of reading, and are interested in psychology, Disco Elysium might be for you.

Despite being over a decade old, Dragon Age: Inquisition remains a series highlight. Its lore, characters, voice acting, and music effortlessly pull players into its world, and the attention to detail found throughout its many unique areas still impresses me in 2024. While the first two titles and the recently released The Veilguard are excellent games, something about Inquisition has kept me coming back the most. Despite a few graphical bugs here and there, it's worth picking up and spending dozens of hours exploring.