Nominees for Destructoid’s Best PS4/PS5 game of 2024

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The year 2024 was certainly a good time for PlayStation, with its wave of overtly entertaining RPGs, co-op titles, platformers, and many more. We’re here to celebrate its accomplishments by welcoming you to our nominee list for the best PlayStation 4/5 games in 2024.

But before we dive into nominees, you should at least know our guidelines for this list before moving forward. We’ll only be looking at games from December 2023 to November 2024, so titles that have only just been released this year won’t be making it. Additionally, each game can only make it to one category. So, if an entry was released on multiple platforms, it may show up on our other lists, such as Indie or Xbox.

Now, without further ado, we present to you our list of nominees for the best PS4/PS5 games in 2024.

Helldivers 2

When I first stepped into Helldivers 2, I knew I was witnessing something glorious. It puts a good name for co-op games, making you feel like you’re going on a wild, bug-filled ride with a few friends. Everything about Helldivers 2 is fun, and it’s made me enjoy multiplayer games moreso as a primarily single-player user.

Helldivers 2 has even solidified its status as a co-op title by winning the award for Best Multiplayer and Ongoing Game of 2024. And it’ll only get better with the promise of new content that keeps the bug train going.

Rise of the Ronin

Playing Rise of the Ronin was one of the highlights of my year, brimming with the most diverse combat gameplay I’ve ever experienced. Not only do you wield a katana like a true samurai, but you also have guns, polearms, spears, and any other weapons you can think of. Various gadgets, such as gliders and enemy detectors, are also thrown in to give you even more variety.

Besides the ever-changing combat, you can get lost in Rise of Ronin’s enriching history. I came out of the game knowing a lot more about 19th-century Japan, thanks to its descriptive portrayals of notable figures and key events in history.

Astro Bot

It’s been a long time since I’ve 100 percented a game, that is, until I played Astro Bot. I just couldn’t put this one down and had to hit every trophy to experience this game as long as possible. It feels downright victorious to tackle each level and then be rewarded for your efforts with a surprising PlayStation cameo. There are so many cameos packed in here that you’ll at least find one of your favorites in its massive collection.

Even though nostalgia plays a huge part in why I love this game so much, Astro Bot’s highly entertaining gameplay is one of its true sellers. I enjoy how much it tests your platformer skills with a myriad of distinct abilities. And, it never gets frustrating enough to make you want to rage quit. Those Astro Bots are just too dang adorable to be mad at.

LEGO Horizon Adventures

Even though I was a little late to the party, I am a massive fan of the Horizon series. Aloy is one of the best protagonists out there, and it’s so great to see just how many titles she’s been in. This year, we got a different take on her and the Zero Dawn world with LEGO Horizon Adventures.

It’s a delightful blend of the Horizon series’ post-apocalyptic setting and the whimsical, creative world of LEGO. Since it is set in the LEGOverse, it’s much less stressful than what you may be used to with the other Horizon titles. No longer will you be constantly brought down by those colossal mechanical beasts.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero

The highly anticipated release of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, also known as “Tenkaichi 4,” was everything that I hoped it would be and then some. It brought back all the nostalgia of the Dragon Ball fighting games I used to play as a kid while still bringing on fresh elements for the franchise.

Almost everyone from the cast was brought onto the roster, from the underrated GT to the newest Super. The ‘What If?’ storylines were also a nice touch, as they explore unique narratives separate from canon. Players could even implement their own ‘What Ifs?’, which made for some hilarious or thrilling scenarios. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see Hercule take down all the gods?

Black Myth: Wukong

If you haven’t heard about Black Myth: Wukong, you probably live under a rock. When it was first released, it was all anyone ever talked about in the gaming world, and rightfully so. This action RPG completely immerses you in Chinese mythology, whether through storytelling, architecture, or the culture surrounding you. Plus, the game is just plain stunning to look at in a world where every piece of land has been expertly crafted.

Sure, Black Myth: Wukong is notoriously difficult when it comes to combat (even the Chapter 1 boss can be absolutely brutal). But it all becomes worth it once you triumphantly bring those beasts down.

Unicorn Overlord

You can never go wrong with Vanillaware titles, especially with the likes of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Odin Sphere. This year, we got one of the best games yet with Unicorn Overlord, a tactical fantasy RPG that takes you on a magnificent adventure you won’t want to miss.

Unicorn Overlord offers a classic take on the strategy RPG genre while also introducing new elements to keep things fresh. Its gripping story also draws you in with its cast of lovable characters and expansive lore.

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