The best games you (probably) didn't play in 2024

I hope you haven't planned too much for the Christmas holidays. Because here are 39 of the best games of the year that flew under the radar.

"Animal Well"

Without a doubt one of the most unusual games I've ever played. It explains nothing to you and yet you gradually find out what there is to do. As a kind of blob, you explore a mysterious and interconnected labyrinth. It is full of puzzles that are not always obvious at first glance. This applies to the items you can use as well as the creatures and areas you will find. You can read the test here.

Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

"Arco"

"Arco" is a tactical action game in which you control several characters in turn during the campaign. You accompany them on adventures through a fictional but South America-inspired world full of bandits, supernatural beings and curses. There are decisions to be made and tricky battles to be fought, which consist of a mixture of real-time and turn-based elements.

Where: PC, Mac, Switch

"Batman Arkham Shadows"

For VR fans, I can highly recommend "Batman Arkham Shadows". It relies on the same recipe for success as the other non-VR games in the "Arkham" series. As the iconic flappy man, you cleanse Gotham of the Rat King. The VR elements are superbly implemented. Not only do you fulfil your role as a master detective by investigating crime scenes, but you also deal out a lot of muzzles. And that works surprisingly well in VR.

Where: Quest

"Bloomtown: A Different Story"

This JRPG is set in 1960s America. Together with her friends, Emily fights nasty demons that dwell in the hearts of the inhabitants of a pixelated small town. There are turn-based battles in which you have your own demons at your side. There's plenty to discover and the story is wonderfully wacky.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

"Buckshot Roulette"

In the back room of a gloomy underworld club, you duel against a masked stranger in a game of Russian roulette. You shoot with a shotgun. To ensure that you shoot your head off as rarely as possible - one shot does not mean the end - you have various tools at your disposal. Saw off the barrel for more damage, call a mysterious number that tells you which cartridge is empty or chain up your opponent so that he has to miss a round. Can now also be played online against others.

Where: PC

"Children of the Sun"

"Children of the Sun" is the perfect game for anyone who can't aim well. In this puzzle shooter, you manipulate the trajectory of your bullet after firing it. It also features an audiovisual presentation with a surreal and disturbing atmosphere. You can read the test here.

Where: PC

"Deep Rock Survivor"

Another spin-off of the new "Survivor" genre. Embark on an excursion into planetary depths. Dig through the earth, collect resources and fight your way through hordes of gruesome bug monsters. The aim of each section is to destroy as many enemies as possible until the boss arrives. Use the resources you collect to unlock upgrades, both for the current run and for later ones. Because you will die often. Looks pretty and offers plenty of variety with unlockable dwarves, weapons and equipment.

Where: PC

"Dungeon Clawler"

This unusual game concept comes from the same Swiss studio as "The Wandering Village". "Dungeon Clawler" is a mixture of roguelike and deckbuilder. You control a grappling hook, but instead of fishing stuffed animals out of a vending machine, you grab the resources you need to flatten your opponents. You can use the gold you earn to upgrade and modify items and unlock wild synergies to eventually make your way into the evil dungeon lord's dungeon.

Where: PC, Mac, Android, iOS

"Echo Point Nova"

In this futuristic first-person shooter, you shoot your way through a floating island world. You can use your grappling hook to pull yourself up clouds and glide along walls with your hoverboard. There are gigantic enemies and a world that you can dismantle almost like "Minecraft". Can also be played in co-op.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Emio

"Emio - The Smiling Man" is Nintendo's first 18+ game and a suspenseful, sometimes disturbing crime thriller. The uneven pace of the story and the old-fashioned trial-and-error gameplay formula spoil the excellent overall impression. However, the last third of the game in particular will leave you open-mouthed in front of the screen. You can read the tested here.

Where: Switch

"Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit"

"Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit" is a point-and-click adventure game with a spooky twist. Your father has been kidnapped by creepy animatronic figures that provide some jumpscares. By jumping into the ball pool of a pizzeria, you travel back and forth between two times and solve small puzzles to save your father and your friends from the monsters.

Where: PC

"Flock"

A small but enchanting game in which you play as a flying shepherd in a colourful world with cute flying animals. Finding and catching the animals involves small puzzles and skill passages. Overall, however, it is an extremely relaxing game that invites you to switch off and enjoy yourself.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

"Indika"

Are you in the mood for a really weird trip with a WTF factor? Then check out "Indika". As a nun in an alternative 19th century Russia, you embark on a journey through a strange world. You solve small puzzles along the way, but the story is the main focus. Because the special thing about Indika is that she can talk to the devil.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

"Infection Free Zone"

The world has once again been overrun by zombies. Rebuild it in a city of your choice - thanks to data from OpenStreetMap. Build emergency shelters, production facilities, farms and power plants in your infection-free zone. You can find resources in abandoned buildings, but watch out for the zombies. They come at night at the latest, which is why you should be prepared for their attacks.

Where: PC

"Kunitsu-Gami"

The game feels like a cult classic from the PS2 era. The exciting mixture of tower defence and hack'n'slash is a lot of fun and gets better and better as the game progresses. In a world full of huge, highly polished and generic AAA games, "Kunitsu-Gami" feels like a breath of fresh air from a simpler gaming past. You can read the test here.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

"Little Kitty, Big City"

Not only cat lovers should enjoy this entertaining adventure. During an afternoon nap, a cat has fallen out of her flat and wants to get back in. Instead, she explores a small neighbourhood and helps other animal inhabitants. In typical cat fashion, she gets up to all sorts of nonsense, throws pots off roofs or walks through a grocery shop with dirty paws.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

"MechWarrior 5: Clans"

Climb into the Cockpit of one of these mighty battle colossi and march across the battlefield. In typical MechWarrior fashion, you have to use the right weapon systems in your confrontations with other mechs, keep an eye on the heat and shield and aim for the right parts of the enemy's armour. You can also play the missions with friends, who will hopefully be a little cleverer than your AI comrades.

Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

"Minishoot' Adventures"

"The Legend of Zelda", but instead of Link you control a spaceship. Explore an enchanting world full of puzzles. With new gadgets, you can explore new areas and master new challenges. You can upgrade your spaceship, which is essential. The boss battles in particular, in which countless projectiles fly around your ears, will make you break out in a sweat.

Where: PC, Mac

"Mullet Madjack"

You will have to search a long time for a more frenetic first-person shooter than "Mullet Madjack". You sprint through narrow corridors at breakneck speed and slaughter everything in your path. If you don't kill something at least every ten seconds, it's game over. If you make it to the end of a level, which usually last less than a minute, you can unlock upgrades such as fiery katanas. This makes for even more carnage. The whole thing is wrapped up in a brightly coloured 90s anime style.

Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

"Nine Sols"

"Nine Sols" differs from other Metroidvanias with its hellishly difficult combat system inspired by "Sekiro". Getting into the game is difficult. The developer studio Red Candle Games, which is otherwise known for horror games, leaves you in the dark at the beginning and is stingy with explanations. If you stick with it, you can expect a wonderful Metroidvania with a gripping story and a challenging level of difficulty.

Where: PC

"Nobody Wants to Die"

In a dystopian future strongly reminiscent of "Blade Runner", you play a washed-up detective on the trail of a serial killer. The special thing about it: In this world, no one can actually die because their consciousness can be transferred to another body. With futuristic gadgets that allow you to reconstruct murders, you investigate crime scenes and slide deeper and deeper into a dark conspiracy.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

"Omochapon"

Here you control toys through a Japanese shopping centre. Sometimes as a Transformers-like combat robot, sometimes as a glider, sometimes as a ball. You have to choose the right toy for the various puzzles and platform interludes. Just watch out for nasty robot hoovers or burning cookers.

Where: Switch

"Pacific Drive"

The star of this game is your trusty station wagon, which you can improve with countless upgrades to drive further and further into a mysterious restricted area full of anomalies. From turning the ignition key to welding holes in the bodywork, there are many manual operations that strengthen your relationship with the vehicle. You can find the test here.

Where: PC, PS5

"Pepper Grinder"

Not every game has to be a 50-hour monster. "Pepper Grinder" proves that even four hours of playtime is enough to leave a lasting impression. You take on the role of the eponymous pirate Pepper. She is stranded on an island and has been attacked by other pirates. Armed with a giant drill, the "Grinder", you fight, jump and drill your way through the island world and get your stolen booty back. You can read the test here.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

"Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown"

"Prince of Persia" is back and how! The Metroidvania makeover has done the ageing infant a world of good. The wheel may not have been reinvented, but the developers from Ubisoft Montpellier have mastered the 2D keyboard. A world full of secrets, epic boss battles, tricky platforming sequences and enchanting animations make for one of the big surprises of the year. You can read the test here.

**Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch /

"Schnupferich: The Melody of the Moomin Valley"

Still the game my children (four and six years old) had the most fun with. As Schnupferich, you explore the magical world of the Moomins, help the inhabitants with small tasks and solve puzzles with various musical instruments. A magical game for young and old alike.

Where: PC, Mac, Switch

"Shadows of Doubt"

One of the most ambitious games I've come across in a long time. "Shadows of Doubt" simulates a huge sci-fi city in a film noir setting. As a private detective, you solve cases that can play out in a variety of ways. The approach is completely up to you. You can break into flats, search for fingerprints, hack computers or question residents about their alibis. The density of information is enormous, but that's also what makes it so appealing. You are not taken by the hand, but have to listen carefully and combine clues - just like a detective.

Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

"Skald: Against the Black Priory"

Here you get a really nice retro role-playing game. You are stranded on a mysterious island and gradually gather a powerful troop around you. All kinds of gruesome creatures from the Lovecraft universe await you in the pixelated world. Combat is turn-based, little is explained and death is omnipresent. Creates a gripping atmosphere despite the rudimentary pixel graphics, which is also linked to the great soundtrack.

Where: PC, Mac

"Sophia the Traveler"

For fans of hidden object games, I have "Sophia the Traveler" on sale. Sophia is travelling through Venice and in ten different scenes you not only have to find the red-haired girl, but also numerous other hidden objects. The whole thing is designed like an interactive picture book. You can interact with certain things. You can open windows and doors, but you can also click on a cloud and make it rain. Relaxed and magical and ideal for younger people.

Where: PC, Switch

"Star Trucker"

"Star Trucker" is a lorry simulator set in space that even sim beginners will love. You don't just reel off kilometres with your sluggish freighter, you actively look after its well-being. There is also a large portion of retro future vibe and atmospheric star systems that sometimes shine so brightly that your electronics sizzle. You can read the test here.

Where: PC, Xbox Series X/S

"SteamWorld Heist II"

The latest game in the SteamWorld series puts you in command of a squad of robot pirates. Their different abilities must be skilfully used in the turn-based battles so that you can defeat the numerically superior enemies. Thanks to bullets that bounce off walls, exploding barrels and all kinds of special abilities, the battles are very varied.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

"Tactical Breach Wizards"

Guide a chatty squad of mages with Kevlar waistcoats and automatic weapons through turn-based battles to uncover a conspiracy. Thanks to all kinds of special abilities, such as the ability to turn back time, the missions offer plenty of tactical freedom and the story has a surprising amount of humour.

Where: PC

"Tetris Forever"

This game is actually an interactive documentary celebrating the 40th anniversary of the legendary block game. Using images, videos and interviews with inventor Alexei Paschitnow and others, it tells the story of how the game was created, how it ended up on the Game Boy and how it developed into a global phenomenon. It also contains numerous "Tetris" versions to try out.

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

"The Plucky Squire"

An enchanting story, quirky characters and imaginative puzzles that combine 2D and 3D worlds await you here. "The Plucky Squire" is literally the storybook version of an action adventure game in which the hero of the book is thrown out of his own story and has to find a way back. You can read the test here.

Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

"The Rise of the golden Idol"

The sequel to "The Case of the Golden Idol" continues the story of the magical artefact. Once again, it tempts numerous people who do not shy away from murder. In a 70s setting, you deduce exactly what happened from individual scenes that are slightly animated. To do this, you collect all the clues and use the terms you have learnt to fill in the gaps in the text that explains exactly what happened. A marvellous puzzle game with a gripping story.

Where: PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

"Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip"

"Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip" is a small, fun open-world game in the style of "Simpsons Hit 'n Run". Terry wants to drive his new car into space. Conveniently, there is a ramp in this absurd city that leads directly into the sky. But first Terry has to upgrade his car's turbo. He collects the money for this by completing various missions, most of which involve smashing, collecting or stealing cars.

Where: PC

"UFO 50"

"UFO 50" is like someone slamming 50 of the best NES games at your feet. This is not a collection of mini-games, but 50 fully-fledged games. They may look like they're 40 years old, but they play much more modern and innovative than they did in the NES era. And yet they still retain the charm of the time.

Where: PC

"Unicorn Overlord"

From the minds behind "13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Odin Sphere" comes this tactical role-playing game. There is a magical fantasy world to explore and a powerful squad of over 60 unique characters to assemble.

Where: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

"Wild Bastards"

In the spiritual successor to "Void Bastards", you travel from planet to planet with a team of 13 outlaws. Each has their own weapons and abilities. Heated shooting duels await you on the planets in a futuristic Wild West setting. The characters must be used skilfully depending on the terrain and enemies. There are also cards to unlock new abilities and a board game component.

Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch \