Ralph's Unconventional Top 10 Games That Made 2024 

Time for that end of the year round up. We all have those games we've played this year that really stood out to us. Let me tell you mine.

This has been a good year for playing video games. We've seen a lot of awesome games come out. Particularly the ones that interest me being RPGs and action RPGs. The only downside for me is that I could not play most of them, but there were some that I were really excited for that I was able to play. Also, some games that weren't really games that improved my workflow and focus so much. Without further Ado, let me tell you the 10 games that made my year.

Best Game That Helped Me Focus: Spirit City Lo-fi Sessions

If you follow my socials then you will know, and it would be no surprise the game that takes this spot is Spirit City Lo-Fi Sessions. We're about a good 2 weeks this year. I did not have internet and the game that really helped me focus on just managing my time. Making artwork, taking proper breaks, has been Spirit City Lo-Fi. I love that I was able to customize The room. The timer function and task list was something that I used a lot to help keep myself on track. The habit function I used in order to get myself back into the swing of doing studies like per week, and also it is fun to be able to unlock spirit s all while working. Truly, this is a forever installed game for me. You will not see me uninstalling this at all as it is such a helpful game but also tool. 

MMO that I love but question its future: Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis

No surprise, Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. I have played this since the beginning. Its character customization is great. Combat in game feels good. Just as a player who has played since the start, it's lacking a lot. As an PSO fan in general, it feels lacking. I feel NGS could use some clean up. As a max level player, there feels to be an overabundance of weapons dropping that are old and should have been phased out with how this game does equipment. It’s lacking story content and just enjoyable content to do when you reach max level. It’s not fun to grind mobs for a single new weapon drop with a low drop rate.

I love the PSO series, and it can be so much better than what NGS is turning out to be. 

Best Cozy Before Bed Game: Palia

I love me some cozy gaming, especially before bed most days when it’s stressful. The game that has filled this role in 2024 has been Palia. The community in game is great and helpful. Many a night have been spent just fishing, trying to catch rare fish. I’ve been enjoying crafting furniture and making set themes for my abode. I’m very much looking forward to where the game goes from here now that I believe the prologue is complete.

The game that took me to many different worlds in 2024: No Man’s Sky

No Man’s Sky! I love space exploration, and Hello Games made something that provides a very good experience doing that. I’ve played No Man’s Sky since the beginning and the game has only gotten better and better. The way the expeditions have evolved into no longer needing to start a new save. Hello Games has brought about so many QOL improvements that have really just made the game bliss. So many free updates that they have provided and with each something new. If Hello Games ever decides to keep updating NMS just to use it as a sandbox to test things for new games, I’d be all for it.

Game I’m Glad Went Offline Play: Wayfinder

At first, I was down about Wayfinder going from being an MMO to a solo experience. When I went two weeks without internet, I was glad it did. I put so much time into Wayfinder, and it is very enjoyable. The world is big, and running it solo can feel a bit empty most times. I really missed seeing others running around, but that did not take away from the gaming experience. I have to get more time in with it to get to the newer content.

Game I wish had come out 2024: Blue Protocol

Like many others, I was also eagerly awaiting Blue Protocol’s release. Finding out it was shutting down really was a downer this year. It was the game at the top of my list of releases I was looking forward to. Upside, at least the game has been kept alive in some way, with a mobile/pc version coming by the company who bought them. It’s not all a rolling downhill. I’m looking forward to trying that version when it releases. 

Best Gacha Game that got me hooked: Zenless Zone Zero

Zenless Zone Zero(ZZZ) has been a very enjoyable gaming experience. I’ve played most if not all the gacha games that have released and out of them all, ZZZ is the one I love. I love the style, game setting, music, and story. The characters in ZZZ just feel filled with so much personality, and the way it’s highly animated in a comedic style lends itself to the overall fun feel of the game.

Most Played Series of Games 2024: Monster Prom (all of them)

Monster Prom is one of my favorite fun dating sim games to play. It is silly, fun, characters are awesome. Play it enough, and you realize there is some deep lore in it across all three so far. There are many different endings in each game and lots of replayability. I have been enjoying trying to get all the endings. All the characters are my favorite, but as far as favorite to try and date, Polly is always top of that list.

Monster Prom 4: Monster Con is already wish listed, and I will be playing that day one. I fully recommend checking these games out if you haven’t and playing them with friends.

RPG I Was Most Excited For In 2024: Keylocker

Keylocker by Moonana was everything I wanted it to be. It reminded me of times playing games when I was younger. The turn-based, timing-based combat was very fun and somewhat difficult. Skilling the characters to play the way I wanted them too was quite enjoyable. I did my best to make sure I had a variety of class and subclass to pick so that I could make use of every weapon. Keylocker was very challenging but very enjoyable. 

Most Anticipated Game 2025- Monster Hunter Wilds 

Not a lot of games coming out in 2025 from what I've seen vibe with me. I am excited for Ashes of Creation, but with that said I'm pretty tired of the fantasy genre for MMORPGs. I would like to see a new genre take the lead. 

As there are no MMORPGs that have caught my eye, the game that has my interest the most is Monster Hunter Wilds. Now I have not played the demo, but it seems like it will be a bigger version of MH:Worlds. I am here for that and the delicious looking food in game. 

I’m hoping that on the far horizon someone will tackle an MMORPG genre that is not widely used.