It’s been a pretty interesting year for Xbox players as more big-name games hit the shelves of the Game Pass collection. Even if its general 2024 catalog has racked up some bangers, covering all sorts of genres. So, now that the year is coming to a close, we’ve put a nominee list together for the Best Xbox Game of 2024.
Our guidelines for this best-of-nominee list center around games from December 2023 – November 2024. Plus, if you’re wondering why a particular entry didn’t make it on here, don’t worry; it might be on another list, like our Indie Nominees. We’re just sticking to placing a game into one category to keep things simpler.
Let’s look at which 2024 Xbox titles made it to our list of nominees:
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The Call of Duty Game Pass integration became a huge deal among Xbox players. It’s the first time we got to dive into a CoD title on Day One without making a substantial purchase (Sorry, PlayStation users). This entry was none other than Black Ops 6, a♏ game I have played every day since its October launch.
BO6’s newest Omnimovement was the first thing that drew me in, making movement all the more smooth. Sure, I’ve accidentally dolphin-dived a few times off a cliff, but hey, I still think I looked cool doing it. Zombies mode also brings back the classic look and feel of its Black Ops predecessors, including its classic Easter Eggs and robust Wonder Weapons. With Multiplayer, Zombies, and the new Warzone combined, you’ve got a lot to unpack in this unique CoD experience.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
The Yakuza series, now Like a Dragon, always holds a special place in my heart, where my journey first began with its classic blocky PS2 style. Despite not initially gaining tremendous success in the West, I’m happy the series is finally getting its flowers, especially with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s release. The newest storyline returns my all-time favorite character, Kazuma Kiryu, alongside the franchise’s latest protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga.
There’s never a dull moment in Infinite Wealth, from an Animal Crossing-like mini-game to chatting it up at the bar to old-fashioned brawls. It’s an interesting mix of gameplay mechanics, that’s for sure, but it just adds more to Like a Dragon’s unique charm.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
There are a lot of sequels to behold in this 2024 Xbox game nominee lineup, starting with Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. I’m a big lover of story-rich games, and fortunately, Hellblade II is one of the top contenders in this category. Everything from the first one has dramatically improved, making you want to experience Senua’s tales from start to finish.
Even if you’re not a die-hard fan of narrative games, the sheer realism of the graphics in Hellblade II is enough to leave you in awe. The chara☂cter visuals are so lifelike that at times, I found myself questioning whether I was watching a video game or a mov📖ie.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
When I first heard that The Lost Crown was returning to Prince of Persia’s platformer roots, I was initꦛially hesitant. But, after playing it through and through, I was blown away by its exceptionally entertaining gameplay mechanics. Puzzles continue to be the star of the show, making your mind think ꦗout of the box almost every time.
Combat is just plain fun to play, keeping you on the edge of your seat with its fast-paced style. Though I do miss the original Prince, The Lost Crown’s main protagonist, Sargon, s🍸hows a refreshing, new take on the franchis🐎e.
Aaero 2
While many of the titles of this Xbox list center around single-player entries, there had to be at least one co-op gem. That’s where Aaero 2 comes in, blasting off from the original title from 2017. It’s fun. It’s competitive. And it’s got some sweet tunes for you and your friends to jam to.
Aaero 2 is almost like a ship version of Guitar Hero, just with a sci-fi twist. It’s got some interesting duals to partake in, too, whether with NPC bosses or PVP battles.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Back in my teens, I remember Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl being the talk of the gaming town. Now, it’s happening again in adulthood, with the highly-anticipated release of its sequel, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Despite some hiccups along the way with its wonky mechanics, th🍌e continuous updates have finally started to flesh things out.
Folks here at Destructoid consider Stalker 2 a riveting homecoming with the same heart as the first one. It’s an excellent homage for Stalker veterans while still bringing ne🔥w things to the table for this open-world ﷺsurvival title.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
The Microsoft Flight Simulator series has been a staple in the gaming community since 1982. With each new title, the series has pushed the boundaries of realism, and the most recent entry, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, is no exception. The game’s realism factor has increased substantially, with improvements in graphics and physics, bringing it in line with the modern standards of aviation simulation.
Out of all the things that MFS 2024 offers, the career mode is the true highlight. You’ll genuinely feel like you’re stepping into the shoes of a pilot, soaring across the skies of many notable locations. Not to mention that the plane selection continues to grow, where you can try over 50 types of aircraft.
Published: Dec 12, 2024 08:08 am