Introduction
2024 is a good year for video games, offering a mix of new releases and revamped classics that connect with players everywhere. In addition to fresh titles, we saw many expansions and remasters of older games that have long been fan favourites. Developers have been updating these classics with better graphics and new content, making them feel current while keeping what made them great in the first place.
Along with new titles, expansions and remasters of old classics have appeared. While sometimes new games are absolute hits, it’s still tough to dethrone the old classics, that is the reason why you might have already heard about some of these games before.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Shadow of the Erdtree is a major expansion for Elden Ring, bringing a ton of new content to an already expansive game. This DLC introduces a completely new map, packed with 70 new weapons, 10 new shields, 39 new talismans, and much more. Players also get 14 new sorceries, 28 new incantations, 20 new Spirit Ashes, 25 new Ashes of War, and 30 new armour sets, along with new consumables and craftables.
The expansion was first announced on February 28th, 2023, via the official Elden Ring Twitter account. After months of anticipation, a gameplay trailer finally dropped on February 21st, 2024, offering a glimpse of the new features and areas players could explore. This was followed by a story trailer on May 21st, 2024, which deepened the intrigue around the expansion’s narrative. The DLC was officially released on June 21st, 2024, and quickly became a must-play for fans of the game
This expansion added a lot of new content and also revitalised the community, drawing new players into the world of Elden Ring. It’s clear that FromSoftware put a lot of care into crafting Shadow of the Erdtree, making it one of the year’s standout releases. The way it expanded the lore and gameplay of Elden Ring shows how much room there still is to explore in this rich and mysterious world.
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 was released on February 8 2024. It’s a third-person shooter. Players take on the role of elite troops dropping from orbit to hostile planets. They must complete missions on procedurally generated levels while defending themselves from hordes of enemies. The game is a cooperative multiplayer with up to a maximum of four players. There is no single-player campaign.
The game offers a range of difficulty levels, from level 1 (Trivial) to level 10 (Super Helldive), each presenting its own set of challenges. Players can only unlock higher difficulty levels by successfully completing operations on the previous level. Higher-difficulty missions test your skills but also offer greater rewards, including more experience points and in-game currency, giving players an incentive to push their limits.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape
The Final Shape is the big expansion for Destiny 2 that fans have been waiting for in 2024, and it finally dropped on June 4th after a bit of a delay, but it was worth the wait. This expansion wraps up the long-running “Light and Darkness” saga that’s been building up for years. The story centres on the player’s Guardian chasing down the series’ main villain, the Witness, who is threatening to wipe out all life in the universe.
There’s a ton of new content, including a fresh subclass called “Prismatic”, which lets players mix and match Light and Darkness abilities. Plus, there are new missions, maps, gear, and even a 12-player PvE activity, which is a first for the series. Unlike past years, this one isn’t following the usual seasonal content model. Instead, Bungie is rolling out three big episodes throughout the year, each with its own storyline, starting with Echoes. The return of Cayde-6, who’s been dead since 2018, is a huge deal for longtime players, adding a nice touch of nostalgia to this final chapter.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered
In November 2023, Naughty Dog revealed a remastered version of The Last of Us Part II, and it hit the PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024. While some folks wondered if the game really needed a remaster so soon after its original release, others thought the new features and the price made it worth it.
The remaster adds several new gameplay modes, such as Guitar Free Play, where you can strum guitars with characters like Ellie and Joel in different locations. There’s also Lost Levels, which lets you explore three cut sequences with commentary from the developers. Another exciting addition is No Return, a roguelike survival mode with randomized combat encounters and ten playable characters, each with their own traits. In No Return, you’ll face five encounters and a boss fight each run, with all your upgrades and items lost if you finish or fail.
Other
Besides these big titles, there are always a lot of other games we didn’t mention. It could be because they didn’t have as big of an impact as the games we mentioned, or because their more niche. Regardless, it’s worth exploring all corners of gaming, whether we’re talking about AAA titles or indie games like Undertale or Stardey Valley.
Browser-based games, including the most popular online slots in the UK, are another area worth checking out. These games offer quick, accessible fun and can be a great way to unwind or try something different. While they might not have the same depth as a sprawling RPG or a high-octane shooter, they provide their own brand of entertainment that’s easy to pick up and play. It’s worth looking around the gaming scene and see what’s the current state of the industry, and what can we expect in the future.
Conclusion
It’s clear that this year has been packed with exciting developments in the gaming world. There were massive expansions like Shadow of the Erdtree and The Final Shape that added depth and new challenges to beloved games. Luckily we had new releases as well, such as Helldivers 2 and remasters of classics like The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
