Year in Review: The End of the World Was the Talk of the Town in 2024

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As a gamer with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that 2024 has truly been a golden year for post-apocalyptic gaming enthusiasts like myself. From the desolate landscapes of Fallout to the vastness of Stellar Blade, this year has offered us a smorgasbord of opportunities to explore the end of the world in all its glory (or despair).

This year, enthusiasts of thrilling post-apocalyptic journeys have been richly satisfied. Ranging from the irradiated wastelands of Fallout to the numerous planets of Helldivers 2, and from STALKER 2’s ‘The Zone’ to the shattered remnants of Earth in Stellar Blade, the theme of the world’s end has been extensively portrayed across multiple gaming platforms in 2024.

Last year, we delved into one of the darkest themes in video games – the fascination with societal collapse – and yet, it never ceases to captivate us. The typical gamer is drawn to the challenge of enduring in a world scorched by nuclear devastation or ravaged by lethal diseases. Earlier this year, I delved into that subject myself as I am also an ardent enthusiast of post-apocalyptic video games.

How about we reminisce about the year 2024 and stroll through some thrilling games designed for an end-of-the-world adventure?

Starting Strong

2021 saw a wave of anticipation as The Last of Us Part II Remastered, initially designed for PlayStation 5, emerged (and later released on PC). This new version of Naughty Dog’s renowned series was warmly welcomed by fans who had been eagerly waiting, once again delivering exceptional quality and boasting an improved visual appeal.

In January, The Last of Us Part II Remastered hit the shelves, revitalizing the series’ momentum that had slightly dwindled during the gap between the first and second seasons of the television adaptation on HBO.

Following this, in February, a massive influx of players participated in a frantic struggle to shield humanity from various perils in Helldivers 2. Remarkably, it took merely three months for the game to exceed sales of 10 million units, as players teamed up with their friends to dash, shoot, and obliterate swarms of formidable Terminids, Automatons, and Illuminate adversaries.

In late [the specified month], Pacific Drive, an acclaimed survival game that takes place in a dreamlike setting, was launched to widespread praise. Additionally, Sons of the Forest emerged from early access, and Balatro made its debut. This trifecta of releases captivated countless millions of gamers worldwide, who eagerly invested all their extra hours into the unique, independently developed game titled Balatro by a solo developer.

Spring Through

In March, Horizon Forbidden West debuted on personal computers, making accessible to a fresh wave of players one of the finest post-apocalyptic games ever crafted. This exceptional port was warmly welcomed by PC enthusiasts across the globe, offering them a captivating view of a once-beautiful world now dominated by fearsome robotic beasts.

In April, the game “Broken Roads” was launched, offering a nostalgic experience for fans of old-school Fallout series. Towards the end of the month, a new game titled “Stellar Blade” was unveiled on PlayStation 5, developed by Shift Up, a creative studio from South Korea.

It was discovered that Stellar Blade emerged as one of the top games this year, significantly impacting the PlayStation community. This was largely due to two main factors: firstly, the gameplay within the title was robust; secondly, the protagonist – Eve – stirred up a fair amount of controversy.

In Stellar Blade, players delve into a bleak, terrifying depiction of Earth from the future. Overrun by monstrous, mutated creatures known as the Naytiba, it’s now up to the player, assuming the role of Eve, to save humanity and defeat the leaders that have enslaved us.

Back in April, the Fallout television series made its debut, generating an unprecedented wave of popularity that sent shockwaves through the franchise. As a result, an influx of new players, numbering in millions, flooded into Fallout 76, the apocalyptic MMO.

In a few short months, the world of XDefiant – a game that wasn’t post-apocalyptic – will cease to exist. For those who found themselves captivated by its charm, this marks the end of an era.

To The End of All Things

With the arrival of summer, I couldn’t help but immerse myself in The First Descendant, an exhilarating free-to-play MMO that exudes a gripping apocalyptic atmosphere. Filled with a diverse roster of heroes, each boasting their own extraordinary abilities, this game has become my go-to escape from the real-world heat.

In the heart of the gaming realm, I found myself immersed in Zenless Zone Zero – a post-apocalyptic world called New Eridu, beaming with life from the future. This game, though similar to others in theme, managed to captivate HoYoverse enthusiasts like me, offering a vibrant and lively experience that set it apart.

After Human’s release in July, expanding the growing collection of post-apocalyptic survival games, and towards the end of the month, Fallout: London was long-awaited for Fallout 4, attracting fans of the series to the game-sized mod on PC.

In September, we saw the release of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, Frostpunk 2, and Starfield: Shattered Space – games that share themes of hardship, survival, danger, and doomed planets.

In October, Silent Hill 2 was released, followed closely by A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead. Towards the end of the month, Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster made its debut on PC and PS5. November proved to be an exciting time for fans of post-apocalyptic settings as Metro Awakening became available on VR platforms, and STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl also arrived.

2021 saw STALKER 2 emerge as a highly debated video game, providing players with an immersive yet fragmented journey through a contaminated, mutant-infested landscape known as The Zone in Ukraine. Despite ongoing updates, it’s clear that this title ranks among the top post-apocalyptic games released this year, offering a unique gaming experience.

It’s astonishing that I haven’t been able to compile a complete list of all the end-of-the-world themed games launched in 2024. This year has been exceptionally significant for this genre, and it’s clear that fans of this niche are in for a treat as things continue to improve. With The Last of Us season two, Fallout’s second season, and numerous other post-apocalyptic games on the way, the excitement is palpable!

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2024-12-24 19:18