My most anticipated games of 2024

My 8 most anticipated video games of 2024. 

When thinking about what to write to close 2023/begin 2024 with a 'most anticipated video games' wasn't in my head. The reason? Well, I didn't, and honestly still do, have any 2024 game that has me chomping at the bit. No 'big-hitters' that have my undivided attention. Not only that, but I didn't have a good idea of the games that were scheduled for 2024 at all. So, I decided to remedy that and start diving into the 2024 release schedule. 

One thing led to another and I found enough games that I felt writing this article would be worth it. I had enough I wanted to talk about, at the very least. 

With all of that said, let's dive into 2024's release schedule and what games have caught my eye. 

The 2023 list

First off though, a look back at those 8 games of my 2023 list to see where they've ended up. Surprisingly, of the 8 games I listed last year, I ended up buying 6 of them and reviewed three: Burning Shores, Spider-Man 2 & Forspoken.

The only game I didn't buy, aside from the delayed Plucky Squire, is Fire Emblem: Engage. I really used to like Fire Emblem and while I still do, as I said before SRPGS like Fire Emblem and Triangle Strategy are a type of games I really need to be in the mood for. I simply haven't been in the mood for another SRPG in a while. Even if I do get that itch again, I'm going to give Three Houses' DLC 'Cindered Shadows' a go first. Never say never, but I don't see myself buying Engange for quite a while. Not at full price, at least.

Now, on to the 2024 list!

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Release date: January 18th
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Going through the games by their release order, as far as those are known, the first game up is a title that seems to follow in the footsteps of Metroid Dread. The first Prince of Persia game in over a decade goes back to the series' roots with a 2.5D platforming action adventure. It´s because of its 2.5D visuals and the inclusion of Metroidvania elements that I compare it to Dread, a game I very much enjoyed, and the reason it´s on my radar at all.

As a fan of that game and other MetroidVania´s like the Shantae series, the trailers of The Lost Crown speak my language. With some good visuals, a level of customizability in the equipable amulets and the promise of a setting heavily inspired by Persian Mythology, the title has some great promise. Not enough for me to pick up the game on day one, I don´t have that kind of faith in Ubisoft, but if the reviews are good I will give it serious consideration when the mood for another Metroidvania adventure strikes me.

Another Code: Recollection

Release date: January 19th
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

I can´t say that I ever heard of Another Code until the last Nintendo Direct. On further inspection, I did see the boxart of Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories pop up once or twice in online stores but that's about it. The trailer of this double remake, which goes the Spyro: Reignited Trilogy route here, pulled me in. '

The atmosphere it gives off is so strikingly strong that it just demands my attention. The eerie piano, the beautiful cell-shaded graphics and the lighting. The promise of puzzles and mysteries to unravel. It all just clicks with me. I've never played a 'point-and-click' or 'visual novel' game before, but the demo that's now out might just push me over the edge if it clicks.

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered 

Release date: February 14th
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered is basically a 'put your money where your mouth is' situation. For years I've wanted the older Tomb Raider games accessible on modern hardware. As someone who only recently discovered the series, getting to play all but the 'Survivor' trilogy is quite difficult. You'd need both the proper hardware and these old games: quite a costly and timely endeavour.

I would've been satisfied with a simple re-release but this collection also gives the graphics of the first three games a bit of extra polish. It's far from something like the visuals of the Reignited Trilogy in that these titles haven't been remade to fit modern graphics and whatnot. It's more that the games have been polished up to look sharper, be in HD, and have extra textures while keeping the style of the originals. They keep the 'artistic-intent' of what the original PS1 games looked like.

Not going to lie, I would've liked a more thorough visual rework, the more or less look like HD ports of PS2 games, but if these titles have updated controles (goodbye tank controls) then I don't see any reason not the buy these remasters and finally give the 'orginals' a go. Through a physical copy, preferably.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

Release date: March 22nd
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

Princess Peach: Showtime! is very much here out of morbid curiosity. My fondness for Mario has grown over the years and with the Mario Movie still fresh enough in my mind, all Mario-related media catches my attention easier than usual. So, when this game was teased in a Nintendo Direct, it was one of the games that when the screen went black it stayed with me.

The look was brief, but it looked interesting enough. That it is Peach's 2nd ever solo title (that doesn't make a gameplay mechanism out of her emotions going out of control) is a big part of that, I admit.

The 2nd trailer, the one that actually showed gameplay and went into the setup, gave me more mixed feelings than others though. I do like the entire theatre aspect (the musical atmosphere, the sets, the costumes that change up the gameplay etc.) but there's just something about the perspective and how slow and heavy the gameplay seems that I don't love. I also worry that the gimmick of different outfits that change the gameplay will lead to a title that lacks cohesion. A jack of all trades, master of none type of situation.

I will have to see more of the gameplay and, again, wait for the reviews but if this game is a good and unique enough experience that addresses the issues I have with it now, then I might just give it a go.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution

Release date: TBA
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC

I mentioned Shantae when talking about why the new Prince of Persia game caught my attention so I think it comes as no surprise that the upcoming 6th game in the series is still on this list. And with quite an interesting story behind it too! Before the release of the original Shantae on the GameBoy Colour in 2022, developer WayForward where already working on a sequel for the GameBoy Advance. With the poor sales performance of the original though, no one wanted to fund the sequel and the game got shelved.

Now though, the title is back. WayForward, together with Limited Run Games, are now completing the game to give us the GBA title we missed out on. Well, as close as the original vision you can get all these years later. Crunchy sprites, an interesting gameplay gimmick and that classic Shantae wit. Plus: a multiplayer mode, the first one the series has gotten. Yeah, this game's looking like a fun time and window into the past.

The Plucky Squire 

Release date: TBA
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

The one and only holdover from last year's list is the Indie title 'The Plucky Squire'. I’m not really invested in the Indie scene, but The Plucky Squire is on my radar because of its interesting style and gameplay. It’s about three storybook characters who “discover a three-dimensional world outside the pages of their book. They must jump between 2D & 3D realms to save their friends in this charming action-adventure”. 

What this translates to is that you jump between 2D and 3D gameplay. The characters will jump outside their pages of the book and continue their adventures in the room the book is lying in. From the desk to the little print that is on the coffee cup. That looks like a fun and unique experience. Bonus: former Pokémon designer James Turner is one of the developers.

Visions of Mana

Release date: TBD
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

The timing of announcement of this game is an interesting coincidence. In 2020 I played the Trials of Mana Demo, alongside that of Dragon Quest XI Echoes of an Elusive Age: Definitive Edition, and quickly decided that both demos were fun enough to keep both titles in my head. Even though I had checked out deals on the game ever since, I never actualy bought it untill I decided to finally bite the bullet this Black Friday when the Switch version was discounted.

Yes, it´s the technical inferior version of the title but I´ve sat through the entirety of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 with its similair pop-in issues, so it´s all good. A small price to pay for playing it on my favourite console, really. I haven´t played the game yet but because Trials of Mana has been in my mind quite a lot, this game caught my eye. From what I´ve seen and experiences from Trials of Mana, Visions of Mana looks like a bigger version of that game with, undoubtedly, more modern convenices and lots of added bells and whistles.

The absence of a Switch logo in the trailer is a peculiar detail. However, with 2024 very likely the year that the Switch successor will drop, I imagine that console will be put on the platforms list after its big reveal. If the PS4 can run it, I imagine Nintendo's next console can as well.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Release date: TBD
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

Last but not least is the, in some circles, long awaited re-release of the most popular game in the Paper Mario series: The Thousand-Year Door. I first learned of this game through YouTuber Arlo who, way back in 2019 started, a campaign about the game: #RemasterThousandYearDoor. He knew it would not lead to a Thousand-Year Door remaster but he hoped that his effort would lead to more visibility for the game, thus more peopple trying it out and talking about it. That this conversation could push the needle when it came down to it. 

Now that the game is getting a remaster (regardless of this campaign or not) I finally have the chance to try it out for myself and see what all the hubbub was/is about. Beyond that, it'll be interesting to see how this game performs. Will it benefit from the Switch effect (sell comparatively better on the Switch than other consoles)? Will the game get its wings clipped by the inevitable 'Switch 2'? We'll have to see. 

..........

So those are the 8 games coming, if everything goes according to plan, in 2024 that I'm looking forward to. As you've read, my hype level for 2024 is on the lower side of the spectrum. Some fun and interesting looking games, sure, but all titles I can wait for. Assuming they even turn out well in the first place but that's OK. Not every year can be a banger.

Plus: I can use the 'time' to play through my backlog. Actually finish Tears of the Kingdom and Octopath Traveller II, start Uncharted 4 and Trials of Mana and more. Well, until the 'Switch 2' is revealed alongside its lineup and/or Sony starts announcing some 1st party titles, at least.