the mylesofbacon games top 5 games of 2024
2024 has been another remarkable year in gaming filled with Indie darlings, AAA behemoths, and everything in between. That said, narrowing down all of the incredible games I've played this year down to a top five list was pretty tough -- what a great problem to have! So, how does it work? I've ordered the best games I played this year from five down to one, with number one being the M.O.B.G. game fo the year. The games on this list were chosen due to their superb technical achievements, creative designs, impeccable art-style, and undeniable fun-factor. So without further adue, let's get into it!
#5: Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6
With Activision/Blizzard/King officially coming under Xbox ownership with a 69 billion dollar acquisition in 2023, this year's Call of Duty title walked into some extremely lofty expectations to satisfy. Expectations to deliver a game that would break the cycle of lukewarm gameplay experiences that defined the previous handful of titles. Black Ops 6 not only delivered on that expectation, but it set a bright and exciting path forward for the franchise as a whole. Boasting a diverse and compelling cast comprised of returning favorites and newcomers alike, a story campaign with wildly impressive range and unbridled creativity, topped off with Call of Duty's hallmark gameplay feel, Black Ops 6 has landed on a formula that pushed the boundaries of what a Call of Duty game could be. In addition to this, the return of offline, round based Zombies adds a level of replay-ability to this game that makes it impossible to put down, and for that, it's landed at the #5 spot on my Game of the Year list.
M.O.B.G. Review Score: 9/10 (outstanding)
#4: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Demon's Souls piqued my interest in Souls games, and Elden Ring made me fall in love with them entirely. When I first put the controller down after becoming Elden Lord, it was unfathomable to me that FromSoftware could expand upon such a behemoth of an experience -- how naive I turned out to be. Shadow of the Erdtree is more than just an expansion, it's a thoughtfully curated experience that deepens the lore, expands the combat, and offers fresh gameplay mechanics. The Land of Shadow also boasts an impressive amount of new places to explore, new and compelling enemies and companions alike, and pushes Elden Ring's storytelling approach to new and greater heights. Beyond all else, Shadow of the Erdtree recreates the remarkable feeling you get when you first step into Limgrave at the start of the base game. When I took my first steps into the Land of Shadow, I felt that same sense of wonder wrapped up in excitement about what lied ahead. For all of these reasons, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree lands at the #4 spot of my favorite games of the year.
M.O.B.G. Review Rating: N/A
#3: Kunitsu Gami: Path of the Goddess
The Real Time Strategy genre has always been one that I've looked at with interest from the outside looking in, but was always slow to find my way in. I cracked the door with Minecraft Legends in 2023, and with Kunitsu Gami: Path of the Goddess, the door came straight off of its hinges. Kunitsu Gami's expertly executed blend of character action combat and deep real time strategy makes it a force to be reckoned with, even amongst long-time RTS veterans. The combat system boasts a vast system of techniques to employee that are each as visually satisfying as they are mechanically sound. The RTS side of the game is equally as satisfying, hosting a nice variety of challenges that requires you to constantly rework your strategy to survive. Kunitsu Gami: Path of the Goddess is easily the most unique gaming experience I've had this year, and for that reason, it takes the #3 spot on my game of the year list.
M.O.B.G. Review Score: 9/10 (Outstanding)
#2: Astrobot
I'm not a platforming gamer, and after playing Astrobot, I still don't aspire to be one. However, when I think about my time with this game, I look at it as an unbelievable one-off experience that just happens to live in a genre that I don't particularly care for. This may sound like I actually don't like Astrobot, but it's just the opposite. Every second and every inch of this experience is chock full of boundless creativity, childlike joy and wonder, and unreal visual and mechanical polish, making me completely forget that I was barreling through a genre that I don't particularly care for. More importantly, Astrobot is a stark reminder to the industry and gamers alike, that an offline, singleplayer experience untethered by live service ambitions can deliver a world class experience. Astrobot is like a warm hug to gamers everywhere, and for that reason, it takes the #2 spot on my game of the year list.
M.O.B.G. Review Score: 10/10 (MASTERPIECE)
#1: The 2024 M.O.B.G. Game of the Year
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
For me, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is one of those rare games that I constantly think about playing even when I'm not, and in the ten months that have passed since rolling credits, I've NEVER stopped thinking about it. Rebirth's cast of characters are some of the best I've ever had the pleasure of adventuring with, as both the writing and performances that went into bringing them to life are nothing short of legendary. The world building, environments, and level design offer an unbridled level of diversity. The hybrid turn based character action combat system is not only expertly evolved from FF7 Remake, but it's a consistently satisfying test of ones ability to think on their feet in the heat of the action -- making it my favorite combat system of any video game, full stop. There isn't a single aspect of this game I didn't fall completely in love with, from the remarkable and addicting Queen's Blood card game, to the myriad mini games, exceptional quest design and more -- I could go on and on. In short, Final Fantasy VII is not only my game of the year, but it's my new favorite game of all time. Now the question becomes....how will part 3 compare?
M.O.B.G. Review Score: Review coming after the PC release