RPGamer’s Personal Top 3s of 2024
2024 was another year stacked with releases of all kinds and had something for everyone. We once again asked our staff volunteers to share their own personal top three games from the year, based on whatever criteria they wished. Backlogs and other circumstances may have prevented some from staying as fully up to date as they might have liked to, but there’s still much to celebrate from the games that they were able to get to. We hope you enjoy reading about our staff’s personal picks from 2024 and invite you to share yours!
Matt Masem
Moonstone Island — A late 2023 PC release, Moonstone Island was ported to Switch this summer. Even though I was away on vacation, I was a dozen hours deep into the game just a couple days after release. The Rune Factory series is one of my favorite series of all time, and this pixelated 2D farming, relationship, and deck-building RPG hit all the same notes. While the relationship mechanics went deeper than expected, the farming hit a perfect note by not getting overly complicated. The exploration was amazing, with 100 floating islands to explore and dozens of dungeons to delve into. The combat being deck-based set it apart from many other farming sims and was intense and enjoyable throughout, again, without being overly complicated. A casual game with excellent combat and an incredible amount of exploration, Moonstone Island was number one in my book by a large margin.
Terra Memoria — I only learned of this game upon its release earlier this year but was intrigued enough to pick it up the week it released. While it might’ve blended into the hundreds of smaller RPG releases every year, small French indie studio La Moutarde created a dazzlingly beautiful world that’s a pleasure to explore, a cute cast of characters, and a fun battle system unlike any I’ve seen before. The battle system is turn-based, but primary and support party members are randomly paired in each battle, meaning you never know what blend of spells you’re going to have available in any given battle. Combat focuses on breaking down enemy barriers and doing massive damage when they’re most vulnerable. It’s quite fun to experiment with, especially since each encounter can prove unique. With a small base-building mechanic available as well, there’s a lot to this indie gem.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D — Had Square Enix included everything that prior Dragon Quest III ports featured and brought the game to full modern Dragon Quest glory, this would be my number one with a bow on top. As it is, it’s still an excellent remake of one of the best classic Dragon Quest games of all time, presented with the most beautiful HD-2D pixel art the series has ever seen. The addition of the Monster Wrangler class and all the monsters available to wrangle throughout the game are a definite highlight, as is seeing the massiveness of the Dragon Quest III overworld. All this, plus the soundtrack being presented in its full orchestral glory, definitely makes this the must-play version for all newcomers to the series.
Sam Wachter
Persona 3 Reload — When it arrived, my husband and I fought over who got to play Persona 3 Reload. It was a Valentine’s Day present to each other, with my husband beating me to the punch on starting. However, while he may have started first, I finished before him! I blitzed through Reload in a mere three weeks and found that my Persona addiction had come back with a vengeance. The happiness I felt being back with the S.E.E.S crew made me feel like I was hanging out with old friends again. I got to date Mitsuru, save the world, and fell in love with the story all over again. Reload is how a remake should be: stylish UI, an improved battle system, and even having more side content to complete, given the original game was rough for nighttime activities. It easily one of my favourite RPGs from 2024, and I am looking forward to the inevitable similar treatment for other Persona titles in the distant future.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth — Being back in the Like a Dragon universe is always a joy, and roaming around Hawaii with Ichiban and his newfound posse was simply the best. The game had a fantastic main story, as well as ridiculous substories that were simply out of this world. Each game in the series gets just a bit more insane, and from Ichiban the Uber Eats driver to beating the crap out of a shark, it’s the kind of crazy that I just can’t get enough of. Ichiban’s second outing was such a treat that I easily put 50+ hours into it and somehow reviewed it before the deadline. There is just so much content that it’s a bit overwhelming, and yet so easy to keep going back to. I hope that Majima Pirate Adventures™ will be just as much of a slam dunk as Infinite Wealth was.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — 2024 was a year of big games and too much content in them. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s pretty easy to fall down the hole of trying to do a lot of the side-content in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The sidequests offer great stories, and doing the intel missions provides interesting and useful boons. I still have not finished the game yet, but every time I pick it up, I find myself getting lost in the story and the world, which is hilarious considering I used to be a Final Fantasy VII hater. I loved revisiting Coast Del Sol and having some cute character moments with my Final Fantasy girlfriends, and I enjoyed the revamping of the Golden Saucer (though I am heartbroken by the lack of snowboarding!). I also love how different all of the characters play, and the encouragement from the battle system to experiment with each character, and I’m honestly not ready for it to end… or what awaits my Final Fantasy girlfriend.
Honourable Mention: The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak
Jordan McClain
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — Coming off the heels of Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth is an extraordinary accomplishment for RPGs in 2024. While I had some small, lingering doubts about how the experience would fare after branching out beyond Midgar, I was absolutely blown away by the sheer size, scope, and detail of Rebirth’s world and how significantly it fleshes out so many areas, especially the locales of Junon and Cosmo Canyon. The character writing and coherency of the story improved measurably from some of the smaller quibbles I had with Remake’s plot, and characters like Cait Sith finally feel as endearing, valuable, and nuanced as other members of Final Fantasy VII’s iconic cast. Most importantly, the combat system is astronomically enjoyable, building upon Remake’s best attributes while also adding mechanics that produce some of the most riveting RPG gameplay of this generation. Specifically, Synergy Abilities make the party feel like one cohesive unit, while also upping the tempo, complexity, and intensity of combat into something truly special. All these qualities synthesize into a game that far surpassed my wildest expectations, leaving Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as my top RPG of 2024. Given how remarkable Rebirth is, I’m truly excited to see how Square Enix concludes the adventure in part three.
Metaphor: ReFantazio — Studio Zero completely floored me with this game, and it excels in just about every measurable regard. Atlus really seems like its hit its stride with this game, and it feels like the best elements of SMT, Persona, and Etrian Odyssey are all wrapped into one ultimately unique package. Story-wise, the narrative is intense, epic, and paced about as well as any RPG I’ve ever played. The characters, narratives, and themes — especially concerning discrimination — are surprisingly nuanced and well-written, and not a single member of the cast feels underdeveloped. The sub-narrative theme of fantasy vs. reality and its connection to the idea of utopia is very delicately woven throughout the game’s adventure. The brief but profound reflections on utopia lend extraordinary credence to the game’s intended message, but it also avoids coming off as sanctimonious or preachy. If the game’s narrative wasn’t enough of a sell, it also features one of the best job systems I’ve seen in any RPG, with a dizzying level of party customization and a wide plethora of strategic options, all of which execute magnificently in the game’s turn-based combat. Had there been just a little more variety in the game’s secondary towns and optional dungeons, Metaphor might have gunned for the number one spot, but it is a truly impressive and moving RPG nonetheless.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake — Dragon Quest III is one of my all-time favorite RPGs, so I was interested to see how another remake would deliver on its foundations and what changes it might make. Fortunately, the HD-2D remake retains the revolutionary job system of the original game and builds on it very smartly with the addition of the Monster Wrangler job. Throughout the journey, the game feels significantly more balanced than most of its other editions. The addition of weaknesses and resistances along with new bosses adds an extra layer of strategy to combat while also not sacrificing or infringing upon the design choices the original game made. Expansion of the game’s world, especially the World of Darkness, and additions to the story, specifically regarding flashbacks about Ortega, all improve the original experience; context and depth are added, but faithfulness to the original narrative and atmosphere are not sacrificed. When you add the gorgeous orchestral score and appealing graphics, you end up with an optimal version of a timeless classic that both newcomers to the series and fans of the original can enjoy.
Honorable Mentions: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Visions of Mana, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak
Pascal Tekaia
Enotria: The Last Song — It’s not that Soulslikes are anything new at this point, but Jyamma Games’s take on the genre traded in the usual dark and brooding atmosphere of these games for something bright and oh so beautiful to behold. The game is set in a fictional take on Renaissance Italy, and it was an absolute treat to explore sun-kissed ivory coastlines bordered by deep azure waters or pick my way through a warren of canals and alleyways in a city clearly inspired by Venice. Combat is no slouch either, being swift and brutally challenging, though the developers have also included options that will make the game far easier to entice a larger player base. World-building, too, receives plenty of attention. Really, one of the only downsides is that the equipment system is so full of options and mechanics that it is a little overwhelming, to the point where a more streamlined approach may have been favorable.
Another Crab’s Treasure — It’s a good year when my top RPG list includes not one, but two Soulslikes, and both with a more lighthearted tone than I often see in these games. Aggro Crab’s take on the formula sure looks like a Disney animated feature, but don’t be fooled by its cute aesthetics. Under the surface of the game’s vibrant aquatic world lies a challenging but fun romp through the ocean to help protagonist Krill reclaim his shell and resume his unbothered hermit crab life. There are lots of options to fine-tune the game’s challenge to one’s liking here, as well, including a weapon that will kill any enemy (including bosses) in a single hit. When it comes to Soulslikes, I may be more of a snob than I’d like to admit, and I very easily might have passed up on Another Crab’s Treasure based on its silly premise and adorable visual style. I’m glad I didn’t.
Flowstone Saga — For something a little different, Impact Gameworks’s Flowstone Saga brings a wholly unique flavor, not just to this list, but to turn-based RPGs in general. Combat takes the form of a round of Tetris here, with damage being dealt based on clearing lines. While that premise alone may have been enough to draw me in, the game’s true enjoyment was actually in its other aspects: everything from the amazing pixel art, the banging soundtrack, the stellar narrativem, and the comedic, laugh-out-loud timing is at the top of its game here. There’s a lot to love here, and the game really lets its story breathe, making for a satisfying experience. Truly, the only burr here is that the combat system, initially the one thing that attracted me to it, has trouble mustering up enough staying power for the game’s decent runtime.
Ezra Kinnell
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — Final Fantasy VII Remake was already an incredible experience, and Rebirth makes everything bigger and better. While the open world design is derivative, the art, quest, and combat design all make up for this. The narrative gracefully goes from being a fun romp, an epic journey, and a deeply personal experience without too much in the way of tonal whiplash, ending in an incredible climax. It’s truly an incredible game and I hope Square Enix is able to top it with part three.
Metaphor: ReFantazio — Atlus games just have a secret sauce in them. They have a way of melding the gameplay loop with the story that most studios have next to no grasp on, and in a lot of ways, Metaphor:ReFantazio feels like the culmination of their experimentation over the last few games they’ve released. The social systems of Persona have been refined in this game, with a few changes and enhancements to make them feel unique. The way the Press-Turn system works so well with the new method of character building is a testament to how well it holds up almost 20 years since its inception. Of course, the art direction is incredible and some of my favorite stuff of the year. Finally, special shoutout to Louis Guiabern as my absolute favorite antagonist of the year, who is such a special character.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink — I’ve been following the Granblue Fantasy series for a while. I’m a big fan of Shadowverse (where’s World’s Beyond, Cygames?!) and the Versus fighting games are incredibly fun, but I’ve wanted a full-fledged RPG from this series for a long time. Well, that’s what we finally got in 2024, and what an RPG! The campaign does a really good job of introducing players to the combat system while not taking up too much time. The endgame sucked me in, and the grind is incredibly fun. Relink is genuinely a fantastic action RPG and I hope for more from Cygames in the future.
Ryan Radcliff
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes — Suikoden was and is my favorite RPG series, so when the franchise fell to obscurity, a large RPG hole was left that no new game could really satisfy. A few years ago, Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama started a passion project that was basically Suikoden in all but name, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. Since its announcement, I waited patiently for this game, knowing that this would be something right up my alley. Eiyuden has all the charm the original Suikoden had, with quality-of-life improvements that were not thought of in the mid ’90s. The graphics, battle system, characters to recruit, and atmosphere all took me back to my younger days when I would play and explore games top to bottom with excited curiosity. Needless to say, I ate this game up and managed to beat it twice to collect that ever-elusive platinum trophy. Sadly, Murayama wasn’t able to see this game release, as he passed away a few months before Eiyuden reached players’ hands, but he delivered a game that is the equivalent of RPG comfort food, and for that I will be ever appreciative.
Unicorn Overlord — This was the first Vanillaware game I played, and I think I picked a good place to start! Unicorn Overlord is a game that reminded me of the Ogre Battle series, with modern conveniences and a beautiful world to explore and conquer. I really enjoyed the team building aspect of this game, as there are a ton of jobs and party compositions to play around with while planning a battle strategy to topple the evil forces that control the lands. Unicorn Overlord has a fun story, gorgeous battle scenes (which players can skip if they want faster skirmishes), and tons of side content that kept me entertained throughout.
Visions of Mana — I was always a big fan of the Mana series thanks to its ability to let me play an RPG with my younger sibling. Those days seemed to have been long forgotten about, but it was still refreshing to see a brand-new Mana game in 2024. Visions of Mana definitely has the look and feel of a Mana game as players control Val and company on their journey to save the land. Every character has a few unique battle styles, so it was a lot of fun to try and figure out which character had my preferred fighting method (Careena, for those curious!). The world is fun to explore, and the game was fun to play start to finish.
Michael Baker
SaGa Emerald Beyond — I am not sure what I was expecting when I leapt into the latest entry in the most notoriously off-beat of all Square Enix franchises, but it’s safe to say that this game does not care what the player’s expectations are. It provides snapshots of bizarre worlds and fanciful situations and then drags the player along for the ride. Given the assortment of main quests and the fact that the scenarios for each world will vary depending on who is visiting them and when, the fact that I played through this one six times straight is the least surprising thing of all.
#BLUD — For a change of pace, choose cartoonish levels of gratuitous violence. That is the lesson of this game. Essentially Buffy the Vampire Slayer done by Cartoon Network, #BLUD serves up the laughs over copious amounts of monster blood. The bonus DLC chapter rounded out my annual gaming towards the year’s end with even more gratuitous hilarity. And there’s still plenty in there for a sequel.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven — I knew exactly what to expect from this remake, and even so, it exceeded expectations on most counts. If there were a gold standard by which to measure remakes–for improvements, for expansions, and for fidelity to the source–then this game gets high marks all around. Despite being my third SaGa game played this year (I did a run through of Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- as well), Revenge of the Seven still felt fresh for being so different from the others in certain aspects while holding to the core elements of the series. In its original form, Romancing SaGa 2 was a standout oddity as a semi-open world Super Famicom title with no central narrative or characterization, and yet through the magic of remakes, all that is old shall be new, and Revenge of the Seven manages to feel modern even when nothing’s changed in twenty years.
Robert Sinclair
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail — With a new expansion, new classes, new regions, and a ton of quality-of-life changes, this year has been a fantastic year to be in the game. I was creeping up on almost a thousand hours and it has rarely been unenjoyable. After getting my PS5 and migrating over to it, load times and graphics became considerably better, adding even more to my enjoyment of new areas. I’ll not be dropping this one any time soon.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake — I love Dragon Quest and was very happy to play this version of the game. It has the classic style that just looks pretty, sounds great, and scratches all those nostalgic itches. There are a few things that have been a bit disappointing, such as some overworld movement and many of the treasures on the map being useless, but for me it hit way more than it missed.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance — I was deep in a rut when this game came out, not feeling like doing or playing anything. I never got around to the original despite owning it, but something made me just try it out and it really sank its claws in deep. It’s exactly what I want from SMT and I’m glad they really bounced back after how disappointed I was with SMTIV and SMTIV: Apocalypse. They weren’t bad, but I feel like Vengeance is the direction I want the series to move in.
Casey Pritt
Although 2024 was stacked with amazing games, somehow I managed to play just three new RPG releases. So rather than my “top” three, these are my only three, presented in order of most to least play time.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail — Whenever Final Fantasy XIV releases a new expansion, I’ll be there. Dawntrail’s launch was perhaps the smoothest yet; my spouse and I were free to team up and quest to our hearts’ content, with minimal login queue times and no lag to speak of. This time around, the stunning graphical updates left a huge impression on me, and Wuk Lamat proved to be such an endearing new central character. Really, though, this expansion is just getting started now that its subsequent patches are rolling out. While I take comfort in knowing what to expect regarding FFXIV’s update cycles, I’m also hoping to see Yoshi-P’s team shake up some aspects of the game that have grown stale, such as job play style homogenization. Either way, I’ve invested plenty of hours into this game over the past decade, and that’s sure to continue!
Peglin — I was surprised at how much play time I’ve already racked up in this indie Peggle-esque RPG since it left Early Access in late summer. But after a year of standout titles, I’m glad for the opportunity to mention one that might’ve flown under the radar here. Peglin possesses three main facets that make it so compelling for me. For starters, the wide variety of unique orbs you can choose from, not to mention artifacts and classes, makes experimentation fun, if not always fruitful. Next, the randomness of each new run keeps me on my toes as I prepare for upcoming bosses and any unforeseen encounters. Finally, because the game autosaves frequently, it’s so easy to pick up and put down. In this busy modern life, being able to snatch up brief opportunities for gaming is a necessary source of joy. If that involves playing as a cute little goblin who throws orbs at their increasingly scary foes, the more the better.
Unicorn Overlord — Despite having this game in hand for longer than any other 2024 RPG, I’ve put the fewest hours into it. Still, I was already a huge believer in Vanillaware, and Unicorn Overlord only deepened my love for its work. This is my personal Game of the Year and very near to my ideal strategy RPG. It boasts a diverse cast of playable characters, gorgeous visuals, and a sizable map that’s packed with interesting nooks and crannies to explore. In combat, players have so many unique toys to play with that they can potentially spend hours preparing for and iterating upon the perfect battle. Yet therein lies my downfall; the sheer scope of it all kind of intimidates me. But I won’t give in to despair. Even if it takes me years of scattered thirty-minute play sessions to drag my army across the continent, I will liberate every square inch of Fevrith!
Ryan Costa
Unicorn Overlord — This title is, for a tactical RPG bloodhound like me, just about amazing in every conceivable way. Memorable characters each get at least a little bit of the spotlight. The gameplay is easily accessible to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre, but also deep enough that finding the best ways to compose units can be an endlessly enjoyable task. There’s multiplayer for people to test their skills against one another. Even the mini-games and map exploration always have something new and fun. Everything just blends together for my favourite experience in 2024 and one I hope that as many people as possible give a look, because it is just a work of art.
Ys X: Nordics — My first foray into the Ys franchise was an exciting time for me. I love how every character introduced has a basic story premise that is easy to follow and endearing, but like Nihon Falcom’s sister franchise, has so much story waiting for players whotraverse and converse with everyone after every major plot point. Beyond the amazing story beats, there’s a combat system that is more flashy than complex, and it doles out new abilities at a regular enough pace that, even though the buttons pressed are the same, there’s something fun and exciting happening on-screen at any given time. Traversal is never problematic, as dungeon mechanics are never forgotten and are reintroduced in every dungeon. The pacing for everything was picture-perfect, and there’s never a dull moment in Adol’s latest adventure.
SteamWorld Heist II — My favourite indie title by a slim margin is one filled with charm. The characters of SteamWorld get a chance to shine visually, as a few take center stage to provide a fun story that never feels too negative. Beyond the wonderful designs, there’s also a deep tactical game that is never easy to complete. In so many missions, players have their back against the wall, both literally and figuratively, as they design a heist to steal treasure from an unsuspecting base. This feeling of adventure never gets too overwhelming, as the options for character growth are open enough that there’s always a new plan to formulate. Finding the best way to utilize the crew of colourful characters to combat the new curveballs the title throws at players, all of which are presented with charming visuals and delightful music, makes every step just plain old fun.
Honorable Mentions: VED, Withering Rooms, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
Alex Fuller
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak — Nihon Falcom’s Trails series has been the picture of consistency with excellent gameplay, strong and incredibly deep characters, and brilliant worldbuilding. However, it needed something fresh after the full Erebonia and Crossbell saga. Trails through Daybreak provided that by presenting players a different cast, a new nation, and a revamp of its combat system. Van is an excellent new protagonist, and is joined by a colourful group of allies, while the story in the Republic of Calvard puts a fascinatingly more mature spin on the Trails formula. Trails through Daybreak is a superb title that easily stands out as one of the series’ best.
Metaphor: ReFantazio — Atlus brought a fantasy take on the Persona formula with Metaphor: ReFantazio, and there’s no denying it was a fantastic success. The United Kingdom of Euchronia offers players a unique and intricately built setting. The level of detail Studio Zero has applied to the game truly stands out, from its graphical design, incredibly polished and effective combat system, and more. The game is so much more than a transplant of Persona elements into a fantasy setting, and will stick long in the memory.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — Final Fantasy VII Remake did a superb job of kickstarting the trilogy, but Rebirth brought about a fresh challenge as players venture out of Midgar for the first time into Final Fantasy VII’s open world. It was difficult to know quite what to expect from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and how it would build upon the original content in a similar manner to Remake. However, the game ended up providing tons of enjoyment and impresses in how much variation it throws at players to keep things from getting stale. Square Enix’s presentational flair also once again rises to the fore in its audiovisual experience, making Final Fantasy VII Rebirth a real treat.
Honorable Mentions: Fantasian Neo Dimension, Unicorn Overlord, Persona 3 Portable, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Let us know in the comments below, or on social media, what some of your Top 3s of 2024 are. We’d love to see if you agree with any of our selections above!
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