Feature: Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2024

14 hours ago 19

2024. You piece of trash. Your time has come.

Yes, it's the end of another year on this planet we're all involuntarily stuck to, and it's been another fairly atrocious one all round, truth be told. Whether its within the games industry itself, which is currently being eaten alive by straight-up greed, or on the world stage where our politicians are showing off just how craven they really are, things are somewhat dark right now. We are officially in the dark timeline, and then some.

However, and on a more positive note, good games have very much still happened over the past twelve months, even if Xbox itself hasn't necessarily had the best of years in terms of exclusives. High points in 2024 have included the likes of Metaphor: ReFantazio, Animal Well, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth and the mighty Dragon's Dogma 2.

We've also had proper heavy-hitters in the form of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Stalker 2, Black Ops 6, Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Indiana Jones & The Great Circle, all of which have been reviewed and received well for the most part. And the indie scene, too - as per usual - has been a nonstop parade of Very Good Stuff Indeed. (Balatro, you have ruined my life).

Of course, as is customary at this time of the year, a few weeks back, we asked you fine folks to cast your votes for Pure Xbox's Game of 2024. And so, with those votes now cast, and the results having been weighed and sorted via a complex system of levers and pulleys here at PX Towers, it's time to reveal our top ten for the year what was Two Thousand and Twenty Four!

Let's jump in!

10. Death Stranding Director's Cut (Xbox Series X|S)

What a delight it is to finally have Hideo Kojima's post-apocalyptic masterpiece on Xbox consoles. Yep, we said "masterpiece", and we backed that claim up with a 10/10 score when we revisited the game earlier in the year.

With flawless performance, and visuals that we swear are getting better with age, Death Stranding Director's Cut is the ultimate version of one of the most unique and powerful games we've played. In fact *whisper it* some of us actually prefer this over any of the MGS series. As we said in our review;

"Death Stranding Director's Cut is a phenomenal experience that, five years on, is still as incredible - mechanically, narratively and graphically, as ever. A top-notch cast do their best with what is an admittedly bonkers story (bonkers in all the best Kojima ways, you understand), whilst this incredibly haunting world, this emotional tale and its characters, absolutely hook you in for one of the most memorable journeys of the past few console cycles. It's so good to see this masterpiece finally arrive on Xbox."

9. Star Wars Outlaws (Xbox Series X|S)

We didn't expect it in the slightest, but Star Wars Outlaws is an absolute banger as far as we're concerned.

Coming at this one expecting some shoddy half-relation to Jedi Survivor is the wrong way to go - as it turns out, as Kay's adventure takes an entirely different route through the Star Wars universe. This is stealth-centric stuff, Deus Ex mashed with everyone's favourite sci-fi franchise, with a little Splinter Cell sprinkled on top. It shouldn't work as well as it does, perhaps, but tight controls, excellent writing and top voicework combine with a smarter style of Ubi-collectathon for a surprisingly great slice of SW. As we said in our review;

"Star Wars Outlaws has been a thoroughly welcome surprise. We expected a great big open world dullard of a thing, but instead we've got clever stealth systems, excellent level design, fun combat and a wise refining of the usual collectathon and busywork mechanics. Kay Vess and Nix make a highly competent stealth/death squad, the whole thing looks and sounds great and you even get to take off from planets, fly into space and blow stuff up. What it lacks in new mechanics or originality in gameplay, it makes up for with vibes. It's got it where it counts, kid."

8. Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Xbox Series X|S)

It felt - to us at least - as though Dragon Age: The Veilguard sort of just arrived out of nowhere this year. It got a little lost in the mix, we ain't gonna lie.

However, once you've settled down with this belter, it's not long before you're reminded of why Dragon Age is so bloody great, so beloved by so many for so long. Another incredible cast of characters lights up a fantastical world full of magic mirrors and wonderfully warped landscapes in an adventure that goes all-out on the action front.

Some may baulk at the cutting back on decision-making and the shorter, sharper tone to the conversations in general, but it makes for a thrilling time while it lasts. This is a big, bombastic return, as we said in our review;

"Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a triumphant return to form for BioWare. This is a top-class action-RPG that lives up to the Dragon-Age name whilst laying to rest the ghosts of Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem. With a roster of amazing companions to recruit, a mind-bending world full of exquisite regions to explore, and combat that raises the bar in every possible way for the franchise, this is the good stuff, thank you very much. We were worried, for sure — it's been a long time since the glory of Inquisition — but we've been served a follow-up here that improves on 2014's game in every way - and that's really saying something. How very exciting!"

7. Metaphor: ReFantazio (Xbox Series X|S)

Atlus has gotta be out of its mind thinking it can make another game, one so similar to the mighty Persona 5, that's in any way fit to lick that masterpiece's booWROOOOONG!

It's sort of hard to believe just how good Metaphor: Refantazio is, coming so soon off the back of some of the studio's best work in the Persona franchise. It may look overwhelmingly similar - and it is, in many ways - but this romp across Euchronia is enough of its own thing, too, and a must-play for any Persona fan. As we said in our review;

"Metaphor: ReFantazio is the team behind the best of the Persona series at the very top of their game. We were a little concerned we were in for a quick reskin of Joker's past glories, if we're being fully honest (we'd probably still have gobbled that up, let's face it), but what we've actually ended up with is a monumental JRPG. This is a coming together of everything that's been learned, honed and perfected over the years, presented through a phenomenal core narrative that's full of emotion and hope, amazing characters, some of the most warped enemy designs we've ever seen, and enough slick combat and style to do us until they make the next one. They better be making the next one already."

6. Dragon's Dogma 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

Dreams, as it turns out, do come true. Like, 10/10 levels of true.

Dragon's Dogma 2 was something that seemed too good to be real, in all honesty, when it was announced. Surely we weren't gonna get a follow-up to one of our favourite off-kilter RPGs of all time, and then have it be flippin' good and everything into the bargain?

Well, that's exactly what happened, mate, with Capcom continuing a tremendous run-of-form in a sequel that stole our hearts. As we said in our glowing review earlier in the year;

"Dragon's Dogma fans rejoice! This second entry in the series, as much a remake as it is a sequel, absolutely nails everything it sets out to achieve. You can feel the desire to perfect every aspect of the game that we got in 2012 here, with slicker combat, a more engaging pawn system, an incredible world stuffed full of amazing beasties and a general vibe that just begs you to slow down, take your time, and enjoy the majestic adventure ahead. If you're in the market for a fantastic RPG with the power to fully transport you to a world of gritty fantasy and magical friends, we reckon this might just be right up your street."