Must-Play Games of 2024 According to Metacritic

As the gaming world continues to evolve, 2024 has already seen some remarkable titles that have captured the hearts of players and critics alike. From expansive RPGs to innovative adventures, here’s a roundup of the year’s must-play games, each showcasing exceptional gameplay, compelling stories, and immersive experiences. If you're looking to dive into some of the best gaming experiences this year, these titles should be at the top of your list.

1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

   • Release Date: June 21, 2024

   • Rating: Rated M

   • Metascore: 95

   • Description: Rise, Tarnished, and forge a new path in the Lands Between with the upcoming expansion for ELDEN RING. Anticipate new adventures and challenges in this highly acclaimed game.

2. Astro Bot

   • Release Date: September 6, 2024

   • Rating: Rated E10+

   • Metascore: 94

   • Description: Join Astro on a thrilling new mission to rescue his crew and rebuild the PS5 mothership. With fresh power-ups and epic PlayStation camaraderie, this exclusive PS5 adventure is a must-play.

3. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

   • Release Date: February 29, 2024

   • Rating: Rated T

   • Metascore: 92

   • Description: The next chapter in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake saga takes players on a journey from the city of Midgar to "The Forgotten Capital," continuing the epic story of Cloud and his comrades.

4. Animal Well

   • Release Date: May 9, 2024

   • Metascore: 91

   • Description: Explore a dense, interconnected labyrinth, uncover secrets, and survive the dark with this captivating and immersive game.

5. Balatro

   • Release Date: February 20, 2024

   • Metascore: 90

   • Description: Dive into a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder where creating powerful synergies and winning big are key to your success.

6. The Last of Us Part II Remastered

   • Release Date: January 19, 2024

   • Metascore: 90

   • Description: Experience the award-winning game with enhanced graphics, new gameplay modes, and full DualSense controller integration on the PS5.

7. Thank Goodness You're Here!

   • Release Date: August 1, 2024

   • Metascore: 90

   • Description: Embark on a comedic adventure in the strange town of Barnsworth, taking on odd jobs and exploring a vibrant hand-drawn world filled with colorful characters and humorous dialogue.

8. Tekken 8

   • Release Date: January 26, 2024

   • Rating: Rated T

   • Metascore: 90

   • Description: Continue the dramatic saga of the Mishima bloodline with epic battles and new characters in this latest installment of the TEKKEN series.

9. Destiny 2: The Final Shape

   • Release Date: June 4, 2024

   • Metascore: 89

   • Description: Confront your ultimate adversary in the final chapter of Destiny 2’s story, with a new campaign and raid that explores the heart of the Traveler.

10. Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon

    • Release Date: June 27, 2024

    • Rating: Rated M

    • Metascore: 89

    • Description: Experience a reimagined classic with updated visuals and expanded narrative in this thrilling visual novel.

Note: Metacritic scores are based on aggregated reviews from critics and users, reflecting the overall reception of these games. As always, individual preferences may vary, so exploring these titles yourself is the best way to find out which ones resonate with you the most.