We loved these 7 video games in 2024

In 2024, the Numerama editorial team has of course played many video games. In this article, find the favorite of the year from each of our journalists:

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2, for Julien

Unbridled violence, spurts of blood, waves of hordes of xenos threats that tumble continuously, a fascist Imperium that we must defend at all costs like a good little conditioned and fanaticized soldier… Warhammer 40 000: Space Marine 2 ticks all the boxes of what we can expect from an adaptation of W40K, in a future where there is only war.

Of course, Space Marine 2 is not a first for the license. There have already been many other games, including a first part. But this new title does all that very well. In any case, good enough for us to enjoy destroying hordes of monsters, alone or in a group. All, moreover, in a very beautiful setting: the game is technically accomplished and visually neat.

The very last third of the campaign is particularly exciting and epic, with a staging and some aesthetic choices that hit the mark. As for the side missions and multiplayer, it’s also a lot of fun – especially when playing in a group. PVP is however quite dispensable, and not all modes are equal (we especially appreciated the one requiring capturing and holding points).

Life is Strange: Double Exposure, pour Marcus

It’s obviously a joy to reunite with Max Caufield, the cult heroine who launched the entire Life is Strange franchise. We could have feared that the soufflé would die down, or that we would be disappointed by this long-awaited return, but no, the “vibe” so specific to Life is Strange is still there. The cozy side is accentuated by the omnipresence of winter, the chalet, the sublime snowy landscapes. But the police investigation, too, is still underway, with its share of dark issues. Of course, Double Exposure does not have the impact of the first Life is Strange on us, but we take great pleasure in finding Max again and being touched by this new adventure at the borders of reality, always in the style of an initiatory quest.

Destiny 2: Final Form, for Adam

Destiny 2 is obviously not a recent game, having been released well before 2024. However, this year marked the end of an era for Bungie’s title. With The Final Form, the latest expansion released on June 4, concludes a plot woven over ten years, since the launch of Destiny in 2014.

The Final Form concludes a narrative arc brilliantly, carried by an enigmatic antagonist teased for years: The Witness. The expansion arrives with a new campaign, new areas, weapons, equipment, new activities, and a raid that captivated me for hours. Everything is enhanced by a mastered narration and cutscenes worthy of great science fiction films.

What particularly impressed me was the density of the experience, which is all the more remarkable given Bungie’s recent financial difficulties. The Final Form is actually the last expansion of this genre for these same reasons – these expansions take a long time to develop and sometimes leave a certain hollowness in the game once completed. In 2024, the adventure can also seem intimidating for new players: the universe is vast, complex, and access remains expensive. I highly recommend this expansion to long-time players, who will appreciate the masterful conclusion to this saga. For newcomers, it’s best to check out the previous expansions before getting started, provided you’re willing to invest time (and money).

Mouthwashing, pour Nino

Mouthwashing is this year’s UFO. Despite its disturbing narration and its 3D graphics which are reminiscent of PS1 games, this game unfortunately made little noise in France.

Mouthwashing is a first-person psychological horror game set on a space freighter, the Tulpar. After a mysterious accident, the five crew members are trapped on the ship. Their captain, Curly, is alive but seriously injured, unable to speak or move, and the crew suspects him of causing the accident. Jimmy, a member of the crew, proclaims himself the new captain, but the rest of the crew doesn’t seem convinced. Throughout the game and its non-linear narrative, you will discover the dark secrets of the ship’s cargo and the fate of the crew.

Gameplay focuses on narrative exploration. The game does not seek to put you in difficulty, but to immerse you in a disconcerting atmosphere, without jumpscare. You won’t have much to do other than walk around, solve puzzles, and talk to crew members, and so you can fully immerse yourself in a surreal experience. A game that will stay in your head long after you have finished it because it is so disturbing.

Astro Bot, pour Nico

Is designating a universally recognized title the “game of the year” too easy a choice? Maybe, but I accept my choice. Like many, I discovered the Astro series thanks to the game offered with the purchase of the PS5, which allowed you to discover the potential of the DualSense controller. Astro’s Playroom turned out to be a real favorite, which had little to envy of certain paid titles.

With Astro Bot, which this time costs money (69.99 euros), the Team Asobi studio shows the full potential of its license. Astro Bot is a kind of modern Mario game, with sumptuous graphics and settings, a multitude of good ideas reminiscent of the best years of LittleBigPlanet and a fun storyline, always revolving around the history of PlayStation (this time with games, since we have to save characters from other licenses). Astro Bot is simply a delight that young and old alike should devour. I particularly enjoyed the complicated levels (on the planets cross, square, triangle and circle), which sometimes tortured me for several hours. Astro Bot is an ambitious game unlike any other, and it’s a pleasure. Looking forward to the sequel!

Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown, pour Alfred

Ubisoft, sometimes, forgets who it is and releases a good game. A friend working at Ubisoft (hello Corentin) gave me this game at the beginning of the year. He had worked on it and was very proud of it. I started the game to please him, until I started the game to please myself.

Having been bottle-fed by Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and its dynamic third-person parkour gameplay, I was convinced I hated the series’ return to its metroidvania/2D platforming roots. Well, I was wrong. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is very good. The gameplay is satisfying, but demanding. It pushes you to repeat the same routes over and over again, to obtain a damn Xerxes coin! Special mention to the excellent VF of the game which transported me with these iconic voices. Unfortunately, Ubisoft remembered who it was and canceled the sequel.

Silent Hill 2, for Maxime

I love horror games, but I completely missed the Silent Hill saga. The remake of the second episode, developed by Bloober Team, is therefore a godsend for discovering it. Condemned even before its release, this rereading is a real gem. Carried by a masterful production, Silent Hill 2 is a terribly distressing game, with an atmosphere that does not make you want to play it in the evening, in complete darkness (which is rather positive for a survival horror). Its convoluted plot and its multiple secrets complete a major production, which also hides a beautiful homage to a monument of the genre. Sensitive souls, refrain.