GOTY 2024: Adam Cook - Investment Policy

As a long-time fan of video games and someone who grew up playing the original Final Fantasy VII, I can wholeheartedly say that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was a masterpiece that exceeded my expectations in every way. Being part of a trilogy based on one of my all-time favorite games, it brought back memories of my younger days spent exploring the world of Gaia and controlling Cloud Strife.

The game’s visuals were absolutely breathtaking, and the combat system was one of the best I have ever experienced in an RPG. I found myself spending hours upon hours immersed in the beautiful open world, revisiting familiar locations and exploring new ones.

However, as someone who values a challenge, I must admit that I was a bit disappointed with how easy the game was. As a child of the 90s, I remember struggling to progress through games like this one, and it felt odd to breeze through Rebirth without much difficulty. But hey, I’ll take it!

All in all, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was an incredible addition to the series and a must-play for any fan of RPGs or JRPGs. It brought back the magic of the original game while also offering fresh new experiences that kept me hooked from start to finish. I can’t wait to see what Square Enix has in store for us with the final installment in this trilogy!

And as a side note, it’s funny how much my life has come full circle – from playing Final Fantasy VII on my old PlayStation, to replaying it on my PS5 Pro. I guess some things never change, eh?

This past year has been filled with Metroidvania games and large role-playing games for me, making my Game of the Year (GOTY) list for 2024 likely to deviate from the usual. To be honest, I’ve found myself saying that each passing year is more challenging than the last, but this time, I’d rather emphasize the positive aspects, which primarily consist of those very same role-playing games you’ll find in this list. It has been a journey back to the games I cherished as a child for me, and honestly: I can hardly recall a year when I’ve completed so many 40-plus hour games.

As a dedicated gamer, let me clarify that while neither ReFantazio nor Romancing SaGa 2 appear in my top ten favorites, it doesn’t imply they were unenjoyable or left unfinished. To put it plainly, ReFantazio’s conclusion left me feeling it had run out of creative steam, yet I was relieved rather than disappointed when I reached the end. On the other hand, Romancing SaGa 2 is a game I couldn’t complete, but the moments I experienced were captivating and memorable.

Looking back at the rollercoaster ride that was 2024, I can’t help but feel grateful for the personal events that shaped my journey. Instead of dwelling on the tough times and potentially casting a shadow over the upcoming celebration, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation. To the dedicated team here, and my cherished friends on Discord, you’ve been a lifeline during this challenging year. Your unwavering friendship and love have truly carried me through, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now, let’s get this party started – I can’t wait to immerse myself in the games ahead!

GOTY 2024 Honourable Mentions

Experiencing Life is Strange: Double Exposure feels like diving back into a familiar yet intriguing universe. While some plot inconsistencies may persist, I can’t help but be captivated by the charm of this world. I eagerly anticipate uncovering more of its secrets.

Game 50: UFO – Something so extraordinary, it feels unreal. Astonishing, captivating, preposterous. I hope it finds its way onto every gaming platform, allowing others the pleasure of experiencing a mind-blowing moment as I did.

Hell Divers 2: The Explosive Blast

In essence, this isn’t just about “The Hell Bomb.” Instead, it’s a top-notch multiplayer game that has captured my fascination completely.

Hell Divers 2: Detonation in the Underworld

To be clear, this isn’t merely about “The Hell Bomb.” Rather, it’s a fantastic multiplayer game that I can’t get enough of.

Minishoot’s Journey: Disregarding peculiar naming structures, this game is an outstanding homage to the finest aspects of Metroidvania, Shoot ’em Ups, and Adventure Games. It embodies nearly everything I cherish about these genres.

Although it excels flawlessly in its intended tasks, I’ll label it as my “second best choice”. Remarkably magical and even more optimized for mobile usage.

10. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Among all the games on my list, this one stands out as the most emotionally engaging. Despite its flaws, I found myself completely captivated by its seamless blend of elements – from its intricate base-building mechanics and swift combat system, to its compelling narrative that breathed life into each of its numerous characters, giving them distinct personalities and stories. The large-scale battles were thrilling, and the balance between challenge and enjoyment was spot on. All in all, it was an exhilarating experience, marking a promising start for RPGs in my year.

GOTY 2024: 9. The Thaumaturge

2024 saw The Thaumaturge, an unusual blend of narrative, turn-based battles, characters, and detective elements, earn a spot in my top ten Game of the Year list. Though I initially overlooked it, its release on PS5 drew me in. The choices presented were engaging and consequential, yet it wasn’t until I delved deeper that I realized the tactical combat was more intricate than first perceived. Furthermore, the detective gameplay proved hard to resist and highly addictive. In short, while The Thaumaturge may seem peculiar, it offers a rich and satisfying gaming experience.

8. Stellar Blade

As a gamer, let me tell you, Stellar Blade boasts one of the most gratifying parries in gaming for quite some time. It’s almost like having any character stepping into Eve’s shoes, with its captivating combat and world to traverse, would make for an exceptional experience. Initially, it may seem reminiscent of Souls-like games, but trust me, it’s not. This title is akin to the genre of character action games, similar to Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, and the likes. It offers fresh abilities in an instant, features incredible boss battles, and sports an outstanding soundtrack. I understand why some might overlook this gem, but we need more games that focus solely on action without the Souls’ influence.

7. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

This exceptional Metroidvania-style game, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, might have been slated for release in 2024, but it quickly became a staple on my must-play list. Its platforming is superb, offering challenges that can make you pull your hair out, yet never becoming frustrating because you understand that your poor execution of precision jumps is the culprit. But that’s not even half of what it offers: the combat is equally impressive, the powers thrilling, and even its storyline manages to keep your interest. It’s a shame this game didn’t receive more recognition, as in an era where people yearn for big publishers to take chances on smaller games and concepts, this could have been a standout choice. A truly remarkable game that delivers an unforgettable experience in the palm of your hands.

6. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

Ever since Remember Me’s early days, Don’t Nod has been my go-to developer, always pushing for unique gaming experiences instead of relying on traditional big sellers. If you were to compare Banisher to recent God of War games in modern era, that’d be an apt description. The combat might seem slow to pick up initially, I get why some may find the early game off-putting, but the world and stories are simply exceptional. This game presents some of the toughest moral dilemmas I’ve ever encountered in a choice-based narrative, even though I ended up with the bad ending, it’s definitely worth giving it a shot.

GOTY 2024: 5. Zenless Zone Zero

It’s hard to accept that a free-to-play gacha game like ZZZ has managed to crack my top ten, let alone reach such a high position. However, after reviewing my playtime (which totals over 100 hours), and considering my two purchases of separate battle passes – my first and only ones ever made – I can’t deny its appeal without being dishonest with myself. The combat animations are not only visually stunning but also hide a more challenging, hardcore gameplay beneath the surface. Initially, it was a game I played every day for months. Intriguingly, it was as they added more content that I gradually started to play less.

4. Dragon Age: The Veilguard

As a long-time fan of BioWare games from a decade ago, I must admit I was skeptical about The Veilguard. With ten years in development and a new team at the helm, it could have easily turned into a disappointing mess. But boy, was I wrong! The combat system is top-notch, the characters are endearing, and the narrative is heart-wrenchingly good. Some of the writing could use a bit more polish, but that didn’t stop me from being completely hooked on this game. The graphics, sound design, and gameplay are all exceptional, making The Veilguard an absolute delight to play. It’s safe to say that BioWare has once again delivered a masterpiece that I will cherish for years to come.

3. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

In numerous ways, the outcome of Infinite Wealth could have taken a turn for the worse. Leading up to its release, we were aware that certain characters would face specific challenges and that some sort of conclusion was imminent. Yet, miraculously, RGG Studios managed to make each moment significant. Infinite Wealth encapsulates every ounce of genius from the Yakuza series, encompassing humor, empathy, and raw emotion. It’s also important to note that this game essentially incorporates a Pokemon-like title and an Animal Crossing-esque game within it. Frankly, I believe I could have spent the entire year playing it without growing tired. I can only wonder where the team will take the next mainline Like a Dragon game, but I’ll be there on day one.

GOTY 2024: 2. Astro Bot

Instead of giving an award for “the least surprisingly great game” of the year, Astro Bot would undoubtedly win that title. It’s a masterclass in platforming, with some individual levels that stand out among the best. Frankly, it’s high time Mario faced some competition, and Team Asobi is exactly that. From the mouse level to the casino, the tree, and the end of world themed levels – it’s all simply enchanting. I’m still not sure if it’s a good or bad sign that I achieved platinum status within just a few days, but I can’t get enough!

1. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Growing up as a child of the ’90s, Final Fantasy VII holds a special place in my heart. As a die-hard fan of the series since its release, I eagerly anticipated Rebirth and was initially thrilled by its visual splendor and engaging combat system. However, upon reaching its conclusion, I couldn’t help but feel let down. Despite being an essential part of this beloved trilogy, Rebirth fell short in terms of storytelling for me – a disappointment given my high expectations. Yet, as a testament to the game’s other strengths, it remains one of the most visually stunning titles of that generation, and perhaps boasts some of the best RPG combat ever devised. From the moment I heard the title screen music and took control of Cloud once more, I was captivated from start to finish.

Although others might find the checkbox-style of the open world unappealing, I found myself genuinely captivated by it. I yearned to complete every aspect of this game, but certain tough challenges with steep difficulty made me hesitant. Exploring fresh areas in the second installment was an absolute joy, and replaying the game on the PS5 Pro left me longing for another 65 hours to immerse myself once more.

2024-12-30 13:17