In a turbulent year for both the industry and the political landscape, video games remained a refuge — and a powerful tool for expression. For senior editor Bryant Francis, 2024 was a year of transformations. He played less on his PS5, embraced the Steam Deck, dove into tabletop RPGs, got married, and amidst it all, found time for games that speak of chaos, resistance, escapism, and humor.
The result is a rich, varied, and deeply personal selection. No AAA giants monopolizing the spotlight — the list celebrates smaller studios, intimate stories, and games that challenge conventions. Here are the 10 titles that most moved Francis in 2024.
Little Kitty, Big City – Double Dagger Studio
Yes, it’s a game about being a kitten in a big city. And yes, it’s absolutely charming. But Little Kitty, Big City goes beyond “cute” and delivers a miniature open world where every corner hides delightful discoveries. It draws from the same spirit as A Short Hike, with a light exploration vibe and interactions that fully embrace feline instincts: knocking over vases, stretching out, and causing mischief.
Combining chaos with charm, the game celebrates the contradictory nature of cats: adorable and, at the same time… agents of chaos. No weapons, no violence — just paw, claw, and meow.
Helldivers 2 – Arrowhead Game Studios / Sony
Bryant thought he wouldn’t fall for a co-op shooter in the Starship Troopers style. He was wrong. It only took two days for him to yell “FOR DEMOCRACY” while launching orbital strikes and roasting enemies with a flamethrower — all amid explosions and, of course, accidents caused by distracted allies.
Helldivers 2 thrives on messy cooperation, improvisation, and error. But it also impresses with its dynamic galactic campaign system and the studio’s rare willingness to listen to players — something uncommon in today’s service-game fatigue.
Metaphor: ReFantazio – Atlus / Sega
Released right after the U.S. presidential elections, Metaphor: ReFantazio arrived as an optimistic fantasy in a dark time. Atlus’ new JRPG explores power, dreams, and the burden of believing in utopias — even when everything seems lost.
With gameplay systems tightly woven into the narrative (like class-switching and teleportation), the world feels more immersive, and the cast, more memorable. Instead of portraying fantasy as a magical fix, the game questions it — and challenges players to decide if it’s still worth dreaming.
Caravan Sandwitch – Studio Plane Toast / Dear Villagers
Another miniature open world that charmed Bryant. Caravan Sandwitch is a homecoming journey set in a sci-fi desert full of mysteries. Its aesthetic and simple systems — grappling, scanning, driving — are delicately crafted into a nostalgic and reflective experience.
It’s the kind of game that proves not every open world needs 100 hours and endless quests. Sometimes, good moments are enough.
Dungeons of Hinterberg – Microbird Studio / Curve Games
Though it shares gameplay systems with Metaphor — like the Persona-style social calendar — Dungeons of Hinterberg shines through its focus on fast-paced combat and dungeon exploration. The story? An Austrian village overrun by adventurers hunting monsters.
It’s a fun critique of mass tourism, while also tackling burnout, social pressure, and identity. An RPG that uses clichés to speak on very current themes.
Echo Point Nova – Greylock Studio
No metaphors or introspection here: the goal is to run, jump, and shoot. Echo Point Nova is a fast-paced FPS where the character wields a grappling hook, a hoverboard, and a dozen weapons. Movement is sharp and precise, recalling the spirit of old-school shooters with a modern twist.
It’s perfect chaos — and a reminder that indie studios can still reinvent oversaturated genres.
Indika – Odd Meter / 11 bit Studios
Possibly the saddest — and most striking — game on the list. Indika is a dark fable: part religious satire, part Russian literature, part existential confession. We follow a young nun seeking redemption in a hostile world, with the devil as her constant advisor.
It’s funny, disturbing, and poetically painful. More than a game, it’s a bold narrative experience that tests the limits of what video games can be.
Pacific Drive – Ironwood Studios / Kepler Interactive
Bryant never liked cars. Until he played Pacific Drive. The game turns your relationship with your vehicle into something emotional, almost ritualistic. You care for, repair, and customize your station wagon while driving through a paranormal zone full of random dangers.
Between adrenaline and scares, lies a love story about movement, mystery, and mechanics. A survival game with heart — and wheels.
Tactical Breach Wizards – Suspicious Developments
Wizards armed with pistols and spells in turn-based tactical battles. Need we say more? Tactical Breach Wizards is a puzzle disguised as combat, where each map becomes a dance of strategy and shattered windows.
The humor and typewriter-style dialogue pacing enhance the gameplay, creating one of the smartest and funniest experiences of the year. Combat design turned into the art of visual punchlines.
Against the Storm – Eremite Games / Hooded Horse
Officially released at the end of 2023, but included in the 2024 list, Against the Storm blends city-building with roguelike elements. Each settlement must survive constant storms — and every decision counts.
What fascinates is how the game balances creativity with adversity. Want to build something beautiful? Great. But the game will push you with hunger, floods, and despair. The lesson? The storm doesn’t care about your plans — and surviving is already a creative act.
