In 2024, the gaming industry saw a shift as smaller games like Palworld, Balatro, and Animal Well gained unexpected success, surpassing larger budget titles in sales. Nintendo released a Zelda game featuring the titular princess, while Sony introduced Astro Bot, a platformer that drew comparisons to the best Mario games. However, major companies faced challenges with mass layoffs affecting the industry.
Despite the challenges faced by game developers, 2024 proved to be a diverse year for gamers. NPR explored a range of games, from cozy puzzlers like Botany Manor to multiplayer hits like Helldivers 2 and epic adventures like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The list of games is sortable by platform and genre, offering players the opportunity to discover their next favorite game.
Overall, 2024 was a year of surprises in the gaming world, with smaller titles gaining recognition and offering unique gameplay experiences. While major releases slowed down due to industry challenges, the diversity of games available provided ample opportunities for players to explore new worlds and genres. With a variety of games to choose from, gamers can look forward to finding their next favorite title in the ever-evolving landscape of the gaming industry.
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