By our reckoning, we dished out round eighty 4.5/5 overview scores by means of 2024, from the early mainstays of Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown, to Planet Zoo: Console Version, the summer time drop of Humanity and the twentieth Anniversary Version of Past Good & Evil, to the yr’s latter video games like Simply Crow Issues, The Smurfs: Goals and the eventual Xbox drop of Dying Stranding Director’s Lower.
All eighty-odd of these video games went near discovering a spot on our Video games of the 12 months 2024 checklist, however have finally come up a bit brief, lacking out on the coveted 5/5 overview scores, like these of Balatro, Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
However that doesn’t imply you shouldn’t be taking part in them. And so we’ve narrowed that preliminary checklist all the way down to an unfortunate 13; a smidge over a dozen of the best Xbox video games which were snubbed for our Video games of the 12 months checklist.
See them as video games we expect you shouldn’t miss – the Xbox video games from 2024 that went oh-so-close…
Dying Stranding Director’s Lower
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/death-stranding-directors-cut-review/
Dying Stranding Director’s Lower is a novel expertise, even when it falls in need of Recreation of the 12 months standing.
This post-apocalyptic journey from Hideo Kojima casts you as Sam Bridges, a porter tasked with reconnecting a fractured America.
The gameplay focuses on traversing treacherous terrain and delivering very important cargo, constructing belief with remoted communities alongside the best way. Whereas the “FedEx simulator” label is considerably reductive, the core loop of navigating the atmosphere and managing assets is surprisingly compelling.
Kojima’s signature weirdness is on full show, with a surreal story, memorable characters, and weird paranormal encounters. Dying Stranding has some shortcomings although – the fight is clunky, and the gradual tempo could not attraction to all gamers. Nevertheless, for these searching for a really distinctive and unforgettable gaming expertise, Dying Stranding Director’s Lower is nicely price exploring.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/dragon-age-the-veilguard-review/
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an enormous and immersive RPG that delivers a compelling story, gorgeous visuals, and satisfying fight. Gamers tackle the position of Rook, a hero tasked with saving Thedas from a pair of highly effective, Blight-tainted elven mages.
The sport boasts a various solid of companions to recruit and construct relationships with, alongside an unlimited world crammed with quests and actions. Exploration is inspired, and the rewarding fight system permits for experimentation with totally different talents and occasion compositions.
Whereas some minor graphical glitches and repetitive dialogue are current, they don’t detract considerably from the general expertise. It does imply that, for nearly as good as Dragon Age: The Veilguard is, it doesn’t fairly do sufficient to surpass the heights of Dragon Age: Origins.
Nikoderiko: The Magical World
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review/
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a captivating and vibrant platformer that pays homage to classics like Crash Bandicoot and Rayman. Gamers management Niko or Luna, two mongooses on a quest to avoid wasting their world from the evil Baron Grimbald.
The sport shines in its various degree design, crammed with secrets and techniques, collectibles, and difficult platforming sequences. From traditional 2D levels to 3D sections and underwater areas, Nikoderiko retains the gameplay contemporary and thrilling.
It’s helped by visuals that are vibrant and vibrant, paying homage to 90s platformers, whereas the soundtrack, composed by David Clever (Donkey Kong Nation, Snake Move), is a real spotlight.
Sure, the story and dialogue could also be a bit tacky, however the core gameplay, with its tight controls, numerous challenges, and abundance of collectibles, will attraction to followers of traditional platforming adventures. In all, Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a pleasant and nostalgic expertise that’s positive to convey a smile to your face.
EA Sports activities FC 25
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/ea-sports-fc-25-review/
EA Sports activities FC 25 builds upon the success of its predecessor, delivering a extra tactical and thought of soccer expertise. The brand new FC IQ system introduces Participant Roles, permitting for deeper customisation and strategic depth, whereas HyperMotionV know-how enhances participant actions and animations.
A contemporary sport mode referred to as Rush affords fast-paced 5v5 motion, playable in each Golf equipment and Final Workforce. The ladies’s leagues at the moment are built-in into Supervisor and Participant Profession modes, and Golf equipment mode receives a number of upgrades, together with customisable Digital Execs and membership budgets.
Whereas the goalkeeper AI will be erratic and technical points persist within the menus, the core gameplay is superb. EA Sports activities FC 25 solidifies its place as a number one soccer sport, satisfying each informal and hardcore followers alike.
Crossy Highway Citadel
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/crossy-road-castle-review/
Crossy Highway Citadel takes the addictive limitless runner method of the unique Crossy Highway and transforms it into a captivating, but difficult, vertical platformer.
The purpose? To climb a procedurally generated citadel, tackling a sequence of bite-sized ranges crammed with obstacles, enemies, and secrets and techniques. Nevertheless it comes alive by means of the colourful visuals and numerous themed worlds, from the traditional Unihorse Citadel to the quirky House Station 115, serving to maintain the expertise contemporary and interesting. Unlocking new characters, skins, and hats by means of in-game forex and challenges provides to the replayability.
Whereas the grind for unlocks can little doubt be repetitive at instances, the swift nature of the degrees and the fixed introduction of recent mechanics maintain the gameplay loop satisfying. Native co-op multiplayer provides to the enjoyable.
Total, Crossy Highway Citadel is a pleasant and addictive platformer that captures the spirit of the unique Crossy Highway whereas providing a contemporary and interesting expertise.
Simply Crow Issues
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/just-crow-things-review/
Simply Crow Issues from Unbound Creations, the creators of Rain on Your Parade, is one other delightfully quirky and distinctive gaming expertise.
This time round you play as Crowy, a younger crow on a quest to retrieve her stolen sun shades, embarking on a sequence of charming and humorous adventures.
The sport options a wide range of self-contained ranges, every with its personal distinctive goals and challenges. It’s right here the place Crowy’s capability to fly, work together with objects, and trigger mischief provides to the enjoyable and freedom of exploration.
Whereas the narrative is finest skilled spoiler-free, count on intelligent degree design, witty dialogue, and loads of Easter eggs. Unlockables like hats and skins, together with a New Recreation+ and Sandbox mode, present further replay worth.
Simply Crow Issues is a pleasure to play and is bound to go away a smile in your face.
CYGNI: All Weapons Blazing
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/cygni-all-guns-blazing-review/
CYGNI: All Weapons Blazing is a visually gorgeous and difficult shoot ’em up that harkens again to the glory days of the style. With breathtaking graphics, and intense bullet hell motion, CYGNI delivers an exciting arcade expertise.
The sport introduces distinctive mechanics, resembling the flexibility to modify between aerial and floor assaults, and a dynamic protect/firepower balancing system, including depth and strategic decision-making to the gameplay.
Every degree presents distinct challenges, culminating in spectacular boss encounters that can take a look at your abilities and reflexes. Whereas the issue is unforgiving, even on the simplest setting, the flexibility to improve your ship affords a way of development and encourages persistence.
CYGNI: All Weapons Blazing is about as near a must-play for followers of shoot ’em ups as you may get, interesting to anybody searching for an exciting and rewarding arcade expertise.
Valorant
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/valorant-review/
The favored PC shooter from Riot Video games, Valorant, makes a profitable transition to consoles.
This tactical 5v5 hero shooter combines components of Counter-Strike and Overwatch, providing intense, close-quarters fight with a low time-to-kill and distinctive agent talents.
The sport options a wide range of modes, together with unrated, aggressive, deathmatch, and Swiftplay, catering to totally different playstyles and preferences. Whereas mastering Valorant requires dedication and observe, the satisfying gunplay and strategic depth make it a rewarding expertise.
The free-to-play mannequin, with non-compulsory beauty purchases and a battle cross, permits gamers to leap in and benefit from the core gameplay with none upfront value. And regardless of a steep studying curve and a few limitations in customized sport choices, Valorant on console is a extremely polished and interesting shooter.
Humanity
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/humanity-review/
Humanity is totally distinctive, because it blends components of Lemmings with a particular visible type and a thought-provoking narrative.
As a glowing Shiba Inu canine, you information hordes of people by means of intricate ranges crammed with obstacles and challenges. It’s right here the place the gameplay revolves round strategically inserting instructions to direct the movement of people in direction of the exit, utilising a rising repertoire of actions like turning, leaping, and pushing.
With its distinctive premise, fascinating visuals, and difficult puzzles, Humanity affords a compelling expertise that begins off stress-free however regularly evolves into a real take a look at of strategic pondering.
The one factor higher than Humanity? Humanity in VR…
Harold Halibut
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/harold-halibut-review/
Harold Halibut is a kind of narrative adventures that stands out, full with a visible type of its oen, in addition to a heartwarming story.
Developed over a decade utilizing painstaking stop-motion animation and puppetry, the sport presents a stunningly handcrafted world crammed with memorable characters and enchanting environments.
Gamers step into the position of Harold, an odd-jobber residing on a spaceship that crashed way back on an alien ocean planet. The story unfolds with attraction and wit, exploring themes of group, hope, and the seek for a brand new residence. However don’t assume that is simply ‘story’. Whereas the gameplay primarily entails exploration and interplay, it’s punctuated by inventive puzzles and mini-games that maintain the expertise participating. The one downside is the quantity of backtracking required, which may really feel tedious at instances.
Nevertheless, the sport’s true power lies in its artistry. The visuals are breathtaking, with meticulous consideration to element evident in each scene. And that’s accompanied by some very good voice appearing, bringing the characters to life with emotion and character.
Harold Halibut is a testomony to the ability of creativity and dedication.
Planet Zoo: Console Version
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/planet-zoo-console-edition-review/
Planet Zoo: Console Version brings the acclaimed zoo simulation to consoles, providing an in-depth expertise for animal lovers and administration lovers.
The sport encompasses a complete tutorial that introduces the core mechanics, together with animal care, habitat design, and visitor administration. Whereas the controls can take some getting used to, the intuitive interface and useful search perform make navigating the menus comparatively straightforward.
Planet Zoo affords a wide range of modes, together with Profession, Sandbox, Problem, and Franchise, offering numerous gameplay experiences. Franchise mode, particularly, permits gamers to construct a zoo empire throughout totally different biomes, including a layer of strategic depth to the simulation.
Regardless of occasional frustrations with object placement because of terrain intricacies, Planet Zoo: Console Version is a triumph, as Frontier go about setting a brand new commonplace for zoo simulation video games.
New Star GP
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/new-star-gp-review/
New Star GP – an exciting, retro-inspired arcade racer that captures the joy and nostalgia of traditional Method One.
The sport options a wide range of tracks impressed by iconic F1 circuits, together with a various roster of fictional drivers and groups. And that performs out by means of a profession mode that spans 5 a long time, permitting gamers to progress by means of totally different eras of motorsport and improve their vehicles as they climb the ranks.
New Star GP on Xbox strikes a neat steadiness between arcade accessibility and simulation depth, with lifelike automobile dealing with, strategic pit stops, and a group administration part. The dearth of on-line multiplayer is a notable omission, however the intensive single-player content material offers hours of leisure.
In all, New Star GP is a must-play for followers of arcade racers and Method One lovers.
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown
Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/prince-of-persia-the-lost-crown-review/
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown revitalises the traditional franchise, however does so with a contemporary Metroidvania twist.
This action-packed journey follows Sargon, a member of an elite group referred to as The Immortals, as he ventures into the treacherous Mount Olaf to rescue the kidnapped Prince.
The sport options quick and livid fight, requiring skillful parrying, dodging, and particular assaults to beat difficult enemies and executives. Exploration is equally rewarding, with a sprawling 2D world crammed with secrets and techniques, facet quests, and difficult platforming sections.
Whereas the narrative will be convoluted at instances and the issue is kind of difficult, the general expertise is an exciting homage to the unique Prince of Persia. The truth is, Ubisoft very practically nailed it.
So there you will have it – 13 wonderful Xbox video games that, whereas they might not have topped our Video games of the 12 months checklist, nonetheless provide unbelievable experiences.
From epic adventures and quirky indie gems to intense shooters and stress-free simulations, there’s one thing right here for everybody. Don’t let these hidden gems slip underneath your radar – dive into their full evaluations, uncover your subsequent gaming obsession, and see for your self why 2024 was such a stellar yr for Xbox.
As all the time, we’d love to listen to from you. Get into the feedback…
