Phenixx Gaming’s Game of the Year 2024

It’s that time again! The team at Phenixx Gaming has come together to deliver details on our Games of the Year for 2024. Because we come from such different backgrounds and gaming styles, we don’t just pick one game for our entire team. If you’ve been with us since we started, you know the drill, but here are a few guidelines for a refresher. No games in Early Access are included, no DLC is included, and these are not in any particular order or hierarchy. Now then, let’s get into our Games of the Year!

Alexx – Metaphor ReFantazio

I had a lot of options this year for my Game of the Year. It’s really tough to choose between a classic-style mascot platformer, a Final Fantasy RPG, and an RPG from a developer I love dearly. However, after thinking about it, Metaphor ReFantazio is my best choice. To start a brand-new IP with such a strong first outing, Atlus has created a masterful new RPG that hammers home a very important message. The stories we tell ourselves and the stories we share are vital in our development as people and civilization. I think it is only fitting that my Game of the Year is a game that celebrates the power of stories and is the start of what I hope is a successful IP for years to come.

Keiran – Nobody Wants to Die

I’ve tossed, turned, and tossed again thinking of what I might pick for this year’s top spot. By the time played, It would be Farming Sim 25, by other people’s reviews it would be Sumerian Six or Summer House, and by completion, it’s Duck Detective, but what’s stuck in my head the most throughout the year was Critical Hit Games’ Nobody Wants to Die. The main contender was the charming Duck Detective, then I remembered Satisfactory released out of early access, Sumerian Six is a great romp, and I loved my time with Microbird Games’ Dungeons of Hinterberg.

What seals it for Nobody Wants to Die isn’t the gameplay, because that’s where it lacks the most. The blend of retro-futurism, which is itself almost inspired by both Ridley Scott’s take on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and Luc Besson’s 1997 classic The Fifth Element, matched with simple character work. The world, the atmosphere, and the overall feeling of Nobody Wants to Die is something I fell in love with, something I want more of with maybe a slightly bigger focus on gameplay that matters. I adore the ideas and foundation that the story of James Karra lays out.

Mike – Echo Point Nova

Echo Point Nova is my game of the year. For a game to not only tick all my boxes, but also do something no other game has managed to before it, makes it truly noteworthy. I have dreamed of flying around on a hoverboard at Mach speed, and Echo Point Nova is that dream realized within the scope of an airtight shooter from the dev behind Severed Steel.

With so many guns, arenas, and upgrades, it is true gaming bliss for any FPS fan. It is a game I’ll revisit for years to come, and one I’ll happily play co-op with any friend that shows even an inkling of interest.

Taylor – Balatro

My game of the year is Balatro. We’re far from the days when the roguelike genre was a rarity. They are a dime a dozen nowadays, but Balatro truly achieves something special. With all of the addictiveness that games like Slay the Spire feature, regular poker just feels boring now. It took me about 12 runs to finally “win,” but that didn’t leave me feeling done with Balatro.

While great on the Switch or PC, this is now my go-to mobile game for needing to kill 15 minutes in between tasks. There’s no shocking, trailblazing component to Balatro; it almost feels like an obvious premise that should have been made a long time ago. That makes it 2024’s best game and will likely make it timeless.

David – Vampire Therapist

My Game of the Year for 2024 is, without a shadow of a doubt, Little Bat Games’ Vampire Therapist. I don’t want to be overly candid here, but I’ve had some awful experiences in the past when I’ve sought help from mental health professionals. Those unfortunate turns of events have kept me too scared for years now to even attempt to get the help I know I need. That is, until I started playing Vampire Therapist and was absolutely amazed by the extent to which its gameplay has shown me that therapy actually can and should be a positive experience.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not suggesting that playing a video game about vampires getting assistance working through their psychological baggage is an appropriate substitute for seeking help from real-life mental health professionals, even though competent therapists were consulted during Vampire Therapist’s development. What I am saying, though, is that playing Vampire Therapist has shown me how getting therapy is meant to help those in need even though I was coincidentally unlucky during my first two experiences with it. If you’re hesitant about seeing a therapist like I still am, I wholeheartedly believe Vampire Therapist could reassure you about that idea as it has so effortlessly done for me.

Matthew – Turnip Boy Robs a Bank

There have been a lot of unexpected games that I played this year that were extremely enjoyable. Some of these were loved by many, while others were extremely polarizing. One game that I never got to write a review for, but thoroughly enjoyed, was Turnip Boy Robs a Bank.

Snoozy Kazoo knocked it out of the park again with a sequel that took chances with the gameplay while still maintaining the quirky dialogue and world that made the first game so wonderful! If you haven’t gotten the chance to check this game out, give yourself the gift of Turnip Boy this holiday season.

Edward – Unicorn Overlord

As usual, I had a lot I wanted to play this year. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to devote to many of the upcoming releases. Out of the small pool of new releases, I did manage to play Unicorn Overlord, which certainly stood out. Developed by Vanillaware and published by Atlus, the game balances two of my favorite genres: real-time and turn-based strategy in a way that feels innovative and seamless. This is complemented by a wonderful presentation and deep customization found within passive skills, unit combinations, and assists. I consider this game to be a serious competitor to the Fire Emblem series and something truly special in the genre. If you are at all a fan of tactical strategy and looking for something that perfectly captures the essence of GBA-era titles check this out.

There you have it folks! Phenixx Gaming’s team has a varied opinion on their Games of the Year. What do you choose as your favorite game from this year? Think we were wrong? Let us know in the comments!