All the festive salads have been saved, and some of the Christmas trees have gone to the attic to wait for next December. But at the same time, it's time to look for an answer to one important question: "What can we expect from the year 2024?". The previous year turned out to be one of the best in terms of releases in recent years, and now players are expecting something similar or even better. And we can already understand which projects will quietly force us to enter our bank card details to replenish our library with new games.
The editorial team of gg has collected in one place the most anticipated games of 2024 that will be released on PlayStation (since we spend most of our gaming time with this console) and other platforms. We have also divided the text into two parts: games with an exact release date, and those projects that are theoretically due in 2024, but everything can change.
Games to look forward to in 2024
This section includes two types of games. The first are PlayStation 5 exclusives. The second ones are those that will be released on several platforms at once.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: roguelike mode No Return, cut levels, improved graphics, and the ability to upgrade for $10 for owners of the PS4 version of the game
The Last of Us Part II is an action-adventure game with horror elements by Naughty Dog that continues the story of the first part. The sequel gave players one of the most brutal and depressing stories in the gaming industry. The second part raises the themes of revenge, loss, war, and forgiveness. And thanks to the dynamic gameplay and atmosphere, you are immersed in these events, experiencing all the painful and joyful moments with the characters and ready to go with them on a mysterious and dangerous path that will give you an experience that will not leave anyone indifferent.
For those who have not played it yet, everything is clear, but why should those who have already played it buy the game? And who needs a remaster of a 2020 game anyway? These are the most frequently asked questions, so let's look for answers.
The first and most important thing is the No Return roguelike mode. It gives you the opportunity to play as new characters, go to dynamic battles in different locations, where there are all kinds of challenges, modifiers, and tasks, which encourages you to come back again and again until you discover absolutely everything. After completing the story, you will not ask yourself: "what to do next?". You have the opportunity to stay in the game for a long time, get new experiences and impressions that The Last of Us Part II could not give before.
Other innovations include a section with cut-scenes. Players will find 3 levels that were not included in the final version of The Last of Us Part II. During their passage, you can listen to the developers' comments, which reveal more details about the creation of the game.
The developers also increased the resolution of textures, increased the level of detail and improved the quality of shadows. At the same time, Remastered has three performance modes: 4K (30 fps), 1440p (60 fps), and a mode that removes the frames per second limit. But the latter requires VRR TV support.
So for $10, there's plenty of new content here. And this is a good opportunity to return to the game or try it for the first time. So don't look for a betrayal where there is none.
Developer: Naughty Dog
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Release date: 19 January 2024
Game website: playstation
Tekken 8
Why it's worth opening your wallet for this game: seven years have passed since the release of Takken 7, and during this time, technology has changed a LOT
Tekken 8 is a new game in one of the most famous fighting game series developed by Bandai Namco. The game continues the tragic story of the Mishima and Kazama clans and the feud between father and son, but the new instalment has more interesting things to offer besides the plot.
In Tekken 8, we will have 32 fighters. Among them are legends such as Paul Phoenix, King, Marshall Law, and Nina Williams, as well as the return of Raven, who last appeared 15 years ago in Tekken 6.
Players will also find a single-player Arcade Quest mode where they can create their own avatar and defeat opponents in various arcades.
Another interesting thing is the Heat system, which increases your strength for exactly 10 seconds. There is a blue bar below the health indicator. If you fill it in, you will be able to activate Heat, but remember that it can only be used once per round. Also, key skills such as Rage Arts are back, as well as all the signature moves and devastating combos.
And, of course, the developers have worked hard on the visuals. The characters are very detailed, and their faces and animations deserve special attention. Objects in the arena are also destroyed, and the picture is so bright and with so many special effects that not every eye will survive at least one battle (mine are definitely not ready for this). So, we will see the classic notes of "madness" that are inherent in the Tekken series in Part 8.
Developer: Bandai Namco
Genre: Fighting
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC
Release date: 26 January 2024
Game website: bandainamcoent
Helldivers II
Why you should open your wallet for this game: a co-operative shooter where you can drop a 500-kilogram bomb on aliens
Helldivers II is a 3-person to four-person PvE shooter by Arrowhead Game. We play as the Helltroopers, elite soldiers fighting against alien invaders to preserve peace, freedom and democracy on their planet *sounds like Fortunate Son *
The authors promise an arsenal of powerful weapons and various tools that can change the course of battle. It is already known that in Helldivers II, it will be possible to drop a 500-kilogram bomb, after which only the freed corpses of beetles will remain. But what if you are on the defensive? Then call up an anti-personnel mine laying machine and sow the entire battlefield with them.
You will also have to constantly interact with your partners and choose your tactics: build masterful strategies or run forward shouting "For Democracy".
And please don't confuse your friend with an alien creature, because then you'll be fighting in three, not four.
Developer: Arrowhead Game
Genre: Shooter
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
Release date: 8 February 2024
Game website: playstation
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: Have you ever dreamed of becoming a ghost hunter and hunting them in the forests of 17th century North America
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is an action RPG by Don't Nod. Now we're in New Eden, and it's 1695. Our protagonists, Anthea Duarte and Red Mack Reith, love each other, but are also outcasts. However, all these difficulties in life do not frighten them, because they have an important mission. The couple swore to protect the living from ghosts. And guess what happened? That's right, once Anthea was not very lucky and became a ghost herself. And now you need to make sure that you bring the girl back to the world of the living.
Players will have to make decisions that will influence the events in the game. And the decisions will affect not only people but also spirits. It used to be that the heroes mindlessly destroyed all the ghosts, but after the incident with Antrea, they will have to think carefully about what to do with this or that spirit.
At the same time, we will be able to play as two characters at once and defeat enemies with the help of magic, weapons (cold and firearms), spiritual powers, as well as pump up our abilities and collect resources (a classic for RPGs).
And considering that we haven't run in the forests of North America for a long time, and Don't Nod usually makes games that are primarily interesting to the studio itself, Ghosts of New Eden looks like an interesting project on paper.
Developer: Don't Nod
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC
Release date: 13 February 2024
Game website: focus
Pacific Drive
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: to blow the roof off your car from the mystical events you find yourself in
Pacific Drive is the debut survival game from Ironwood Studios. We travel to the northwest Pacific coast and face otherworldly dangers in the Chernobyl Olympic Exclusion Zone, where we need to uncover all the secrets of this place.
The basis of the entire gameplay is the car. You need to constantly improve it and monitor its condition so that your tank doesn't suddenly leak. But that's not the half of it. If there are holes in the car, you will be exposed to radiation. And what is worse, to be in the forest without fuel or to smash your car so that radiation gets in? You can find the answer yourself.
But don't be afraid, if you collect a lot of resources and use them in your garage to improve your car, it's not so bad. Although no, you should still be afraid, because there are plenty of paranormal phenomena in the game world. Mysterious figures in the dark, moving piles of scrap metal, towering hulks, and other secrets. Although this is not the worst thing. When you see a storm, it's a sign that it's time to step on the gas and run.
Fans of mysticism, survival, and adventurers should take a closer look at the project, because Pacific Drive's slogan is: "You don't take risks, you don't drink champagne."
Developer: Ironwood Studios
Genre: Survival/Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
Release date: 22 February 2024
Game website: pacificdrivegame
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: One of the best games of 2013 has been updated to modern standards. So now those who missed it and those who played it more than 10 years ago will be able to play it
Back in 2013, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was released back in 2013 and received positive reviews from players and critics alike. However, not everyone who reads this text has played the game in 2013 or may have simply missed the project. Therefore, a remake of the game is being prepared for this audience.
The story tells of two brothers (if the title hasn't already made it clear). Their father is fatally ill, and the two sons will have to go on a journey to find "living water" - the only way to save him.
During the passage, you will have to solve puzzles, visit different locations, and survive all the dangers. If you are playing the game alone, you can control two brothers at once with one gamepad. You can also play in co-op with a friend, in which case each of you will control one of the brothers.
The remake has completely redesigned the visuals to match today's graphics, and the soundtrack has been re-recorded with a live orchestra.
Developer: Avantgarden SRL
Genre: Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC
Release date: 28 February 2024
Game website: brothersthegame
The Outlast Trials
Why you should open your wallet for this game: you're a big fan of Outlast, but you can't play the new instalment on PC (and you also lack adrenaline in your blood)
The Outlast Trials is a first-person horror game. The game takes place in the Cold War era, where the Murkof Corporation recruits people to test advanced brainwashing and mind control techniques.
You can play the game alone or in a co-op of up to 4 people. The main goal is to leave the horrible place you find yourself in. And in order for everything to go well, you will have to hide or run away from various enemies who are hunting you. However, players will also be able to create an arsenal that will make their escape a little easier. These can be items that deafen enemies, blind them, allow you to see through walls, or heal yourself and people around you.
The game is currently available only on PC and has received positive feedback from players. Soon, PlayStation and Xbox owners will be able to try to escape from the corporation.
Developer: Red Barrels
Genre: Survival horror
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC
Release date: 5 March 2024
Game website: redbarrelsgames
Rise of the Ronin
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: Assassin's Creed, Ghost of Tsushima, and Dark Souls mixed into one, and we got a new story in the Japanese setting
Rise of the Ronin is an open-world adventure game by Team NINJA, the studio behind Nioh and NINJA GAIDEN. The official description of the game's story is as follows:
Japan, 1863. After three centuries of despotic rule by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Black Ships of the West are approaching Japan's borders, and the country is in turmoil. Amidst the chaos of war, disease, and political unrest, an unnamed warrior seeks his own path, taking the fate of all of Japan into his own hands.
The game's story is non-linear. We play as a ronin, a free samurai who creates his own destiny. Further events will depend on the decisions of the player and the characters you decide to team up with or kill.
We will also have an open world where we can learn more about the Bakumatsu period and, of course, perform various activities. And where without clashes with enemies. To fight them, the protagonist has melee and firearms. Although Team NINJA creates far from casual games, Rise of the Ronin will have three difficulty levels, so a fairly high percentage of players will be able to complete the game.
Developer: Team NINJA
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Release date: 22 March 2024
Game website: playstation
Dragon's Dogma 2
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: you are attracted to fantasy worlds where you can spend hundreds of hours
Dragon's Dogma 2 is a single-player action role-playing game. The advantage of the game is that you don't need to have played or even be familiar with the first part, which was released in 2012.
In the game, you create your character, choose a class, customise everything for yourself and go exploring a huge open world. In this world, players will find random events, story quests, dozens of activities, and battles with a variety of enemies that can be defeated with a bow, sword, or magic. However, sometimes you will have to build a whole tactic for the battle, because the option to just rush at a monster with a sword can fail in a few seconds.
And to make the game more fun, you will find pawns - mysterious otherworldly creatures that will become your companions on the journey.
The developers assure that they have spent a lot of time on physics, AI and visuals, so we should expect another interesting fantasy adventure.
Developer: Insomniac Games
Genre: Action/RPG
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC
Release date: 22 March 2024
Game website: dragonsdogma
Black Myth: Wukong
Why you should open your wallet for this game: Have you often seen soulslike about Chinese mythology where the main character is a monkey?
Black Myth: Wukong is a role-playing action game based on Chinese mythology. The plot is based on Journey to the West, one of the four great classic novels of Chinese literature. You'll face challenges to uncover the hidden truth behind the veil of a glorious legend from the past.
You'll have to use your staff, magic, and various equipment to find an approach to each enemy. And in between epic battles, you can explore locations for interesting content or admire the scenery.
So if you're a fan of soulslike and Chinese culture, and have always wanted to fight for a monkey, don't plan anything for the end of August.
Developer: Game Science
Genre: Action/RPG (soulslike)
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC
Release date: 20 August 2024
Game website: heishenhua
Games that may be released in 2024
In this category, we have collected games whose fate is not completely clear. We have heard about them, seen trailers or gameplay demonstrations, but they still remain mysteries. They are likely to appear this year, but everything in life can change and we will have to wait for more. There are, of course, many such projects, but we decided to take into account the five most interesting ones.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: You need to finally understand why older people call this game almost the best horror game ever
I follow this game especially because I have heard only positive reviews about the original. However, I wasn't even born when it was released. So for me and people like me, this remake is the perfect opportunity to understand and feel what thousands of gamers around the world were terrified of in the early 2000s.
After receiving a letter from his late wife, James sets off in the hope of seeing her again in the city they share memories of: Silent Hill. There, by the lake, he meets a woman who looks very much like her. But what really brought him to the town?
Bloober Team is developing the project. The team approaches the remake with great care and respect for the original game. The developers are working closely with the creators of the original game to preserve the unique atmosphere of Silent Hill 2.
One of the features of the horror remake will be the standard third-person view. Also, the game will rebuild the combat system and improve facial animations to better convey the emotions of the characters.
The game is being created on the Unreal Engine 5 game engine. They are using Lumen for lighting and Nanite for level design. All this will help to update the foggy city and enhance its atmosphere.
Developer: Bloober Team SA
Genre: Horror
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
Release date: approximately 2024
Game website: playstation
Star Wars Outlaws
Why it's worth opening your wallet for this game: finally, a game not about the Jedi (Cal Kestis, sorry)
Star Wars Outlaws is an open-world game set between the fifth and sixth episodes of the films. It is developed by the authors of The Division (Massive Entertainment) and published by Ubisoft. The story is not about a Jedi, but focuses on Kay Wess, an ordinary girl who constantly wants to get into a situation and emerge victorious. Her main goal is a large-scale robbery, after which she will be able to feel what a normal life is. She will be travelling with a cute animal named Nyx and a BX-commando droid.
Players will be able to visit both familiar and new places in the Far Galaxy on their own speeder. The game will have stealth mechanics, but if something goes wrong, you can always use a blaster and destroy all enemies. The developers also promise a choice system that will affect Kay's reputation.
A game in the Star Wars universe not about a Jedi but about a girl adventurer with a blaster exploring the Far Galaxy on her own speeder looks promising.
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC
Release date: approximately 2024
Game website: ubisoft
Little Nightmares III
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: one of the best horror platformer series of recent years has a co-op mode
Little Nightmares III is no longer developed by Tarsier Studios, but by Supermassive Games, which is known for Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures. In Part 3, we play as Low and Alone, who are looking for a path that can lead them out of Nowhere. The heroes will have to go to the Spiral, which is a cluster of gloomy lands, such as the Necropolis desert, a disturbing fun fair, and a gloomy factory.
And traditionally, in this atmosphere of horror and tension, we will find many puzzles and creepy enemies.
You can play the game alone or with a friend. However, the only downside is that the authors do not plan to add local co-op, so you won't be able to play Little Nightmares III together on the same console.
Developer: Supermassive Games
Genre: Horror/Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Release date: approximately 2024
Game website: bandainamcoent
The Wolf Among Us 2
Why this game is worth opening your wallet for: The return of one of Telltale's best stories
The Wolf Among Us 2 is an interactive cinema game. The story takes place six months after the first season. It is now known that the main character, Bigby Wolfe, has been removed from the post of sheriff of Fabletown.
The authors say that much of the story revolves around Bigby discovering his own definitions of right and wrong when he meets a detective from New York and helps him with a new complicated case. Players can expect new characters such as the Scarecrow and the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.
The gameplay will be similar to the first season, but will have some innovations. In total, we are waiting for 5 episodes.
Developer: Telltale Games
Genre: Interactive movie
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC
Release date: approximately 2024
Game website: telltale
Planet of Lana
Why you should open your wallet for this game: imagine that Hayao Miyazaki created his colourful game
Planet of Lana is a 2D platformer in the science fiction genre that tells the story of a girl Lana and her faithful assistant, a tiny creature Mui with extraordinary abilities, who together are looking for the main character's sister.
Planet of Lana stands out among other platformers in two ways: its visuals and the game world. The first one is reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki's works, and this game is just a pleasure to look at. And the game world shows an interesting concept that gamers have already seen in the Horizon series - mysterious machines in a world where people have not even found electricity.
The game takes place in one evening, and throughout the adventure you will have to solve puzzles, confront dangerous machines, and figure out what is going on in the world.
Planet of Lana will especially appeal to those who like more cosy games with a pleasant atmosphere and a touch of action.
Developer: Wishfully
Genre: Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Release date: Spring 2024
Game website: planetoflana
Our impressions of games in 2023
At the beginning of last year, we created a similar material. We managed to play some of those games, so now we would like to share our "after" impressions, not "before", which were based only on trailers, screenshots, and developer comments.
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Although I am not a big fan of the superhero theme, the game gave me a lot of emotions. Insomniac took all the best from Marvel's Spider-Man 2018 and Miles Morales' Spider-Man, multiplied it by two, and created something new. With the ability to play as two spiders at once, cool enemies, dynamic boss battles, vibrant New York City, and a great soundtrack, we've got one of the best superhero games in recent years. Full review here.
- SEASON: A letter to the future. A game that almost no one has heard of, and that makes it sad. The story is about a woman who has lived in a village all her life, but now has to explore the world on her bicycle. This world is about to be washed away by a secret cataclysm, and while there is still time, the heroine must collect as many memories as possible. A letter to the future has a very pleasant atmosphere, lots of beautiful landscapes and interesting characters. So if you need a game to relax as much as possible, I definitely recommend it.
- Tchia. In general, Awaceb made a pretty good game. It has a good story, sometimes interesting gameplay, but I would definitely not pay for it. It's good that the game is included in the PS Plus Extra subscription.
- Assassin's Creed Mirage. The game has a far from great story and sometimes crooked parkour. However, the atmospheric and detailed Baghdad and the fast-paced gameplay compensate for these problems, and we get a project that, although it does not offer anything new, will clearly appeal to a large part of AC fans. Read the full review of here.
- Layers of Fear. First of all, the game attracts with its visuals. Developed on Unreal Engine 5, Layers of Fear supports ray tracing, HDR, and 4K resolution. The locations and attention to small details make this project one of the most beautiful in 2023. But the game rarely manages to scare, even though it's a horror, and some of the story arcs are too long. Full review of here.
- Alan Wake 2. For me, this is the game of the year. It managed to give an interesting and twisted story with two protagonists at once. At the same time, the sequel was created in the survival horror genre. I would also like to note the atmosphere, which is of a high level and has its own contrasts, as we will have to visit small towns in the United States and the night and gloomy analogue of New York. If you are a fan of Remedy games and detective stories, you can't pass this game by. Read the full review of here.
How to prepare for new releases?
In 2024, we will see the continuation of long-familiar franchises, indie games, new stories, and re-releases (where can we do without them). And there will be enough genres for everyone: horror, shooters, RPGs, open-world games, fighting games, and others.
And if you have already found interesting games from this list that you want to play, it is better to tell your parents, friends, and loved ones in which game universe and at what time of year you should look for you. Just don't tell them that The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Dragon's Dogma 2, and Star Wars Outlaws alone will take you more than 100 hours to complete. You shouldn't scare people ahead of time.
But it's better to start preparing your wallet now, before we get swept up in the avalanche of releases. Also, we don't recommend telling your friends how much you'll pay to fight for a monkey in Black Myth: Wukong, defend democracy in Helldivers II, and cement the experience by escaping from the lab in The Outlast Trials.
Go Deeper:
Our game editor has been playing games since he was 4 years old and can't imagine himself without it. He has played 100+ games on PlayStation, but still considers The Last of Us Part II to be the best in the industry. In January 2022, he joined the gg team. He studies at the Faculty of Journalism at Kyiv International University.
