13 Amazing Xbox Games Snubbed for 2024’s Game of the Year

By our reckoning, we dished out round eighty 4.5/5 overview scores via 2024, from the early mainstays of Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown, to Planet Zoo: Console Version, the summer season drop of Humanity and the 20th Anniversary Edition of Beyond Good & Evil, to the yr’s latter video games like Simply Crow Issues, The Smurfs: Dreams and the eventual Xbox drop of Loss of life Stranding Director’s Reduce. 

All eighty-odd of these video games went near discovering a spot on our Games of the Year 2024 list, however have finally come up a bit brief, lacking out on the coveted 5/5 overview scores, like these of Balatro, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Metaphor: ReFantazio. 

However that doesn’t imply you shouldn’t be enjoying them. And so we’ve narrowed that preliminary checklist all the way down to an unfortunate 13; a smidge over a dozen of the best Xbox video games which were snubbed for our Video games of the Yr checklist. 

See them as video games we predict you shouldn’t miss – the Xbox video games from 2024 that went oh-so-close… 

Loss of life Stranding Director’s Reduce

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/death-stranding-directors-cut-review/

Loss of life Stranding Director’s Reduce is a singular expertise, even when it falls in need of Recreation of the Yr standing. 

This post-apocalyptic journey from Hideo Kojima casts you as Sam Bridges, a porter tasked with reconnecting a fractured America.

The gameplay focuses on traversing treacherous terrain and delivering important cargo, constructing belief with remoted communities alongside the way in which. Whereas the “FedEx simulator” label is considerably reductive, the core loop of navigating the surroundings and managing assets is surprisingly compelling.

Kojima’s signature weirdness is on full show, with a surreal story, memorable characters, and weird paranormal encounters. Loss of life Stranding has some shortcomings although – the fight is clunky, and the gradual tempo might not attraction to all gamers. Nonetheless, for these searching for a very distinctive and unforgettable gaming expertise, Loss of life Stranding Director’s Reduce is effectively value exploring.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/dragon-age-the-veilguard-review/

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an enormous and immersive RPG that delivers a compelling story, gorgeous visuals, and satisfying fight. Gamers tackle the function of Rook, a hero tasked with saving Thedas from a pair of highly effective, Blight-tainted elven mages.

The sport boasts a various forged of companions to recruit and construct relationships with, alongside an unlimited world stuffed with quests and actions. Exploration is inspired, and the rewarding fight system permits for experimentation with totally different talents and celebration compositions.

Whereas some minor graphical glitches and repetitive dialogue are current, they don’t detract considerably from the general expertise. It does imply that, for pretty much as good as Dragon Age: The Veilguard is, it doesn’t fairly do sufficient to surpass the heights of Dragon Age: Origins.

Nikoderiko: The Magical World

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review/

Nikoderiko: The Magical World is an enthralling and vibrant platformer that pays homage to classics like Crash Bandicoot and Rayman. Gamers management Niko or Luna, two mongooses on a quest to avoid wasting their world from the evil Baron Grimbald.

The sport shines in its various degree design, stuffed with secrets and techniques, collectibles, and difficult platforming sequences. From traditional 2D phases to 3D sections and underwater areas, Nikoderiko retains the gameplay recent and thrilling.

It’s helped by visuals that are brilliant and vibrant, paying homage to 90s platformers, whereas the soundtrack, composed by David Wise (Donkey Kong Nation, Snake Pass), is a real spotlight.

Sure, the story and dialogue could also be a bit tacky, however the core gameplay, with its tight controls, various challenges, and abundance of collectibles, will attraction to followers of traditional platforming adventures. In all, Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a pleasant and nostalgic expertise that’s positive to convey a smile to your face.

EA Sports activities FC 25

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/ea-sports-fc-25-review/

EA Sports activities FC 25 builds upon the success of its predecessor, delivering a extra tactical and thought of soccer expertise. The brand new FC IQ system introduces Participant Roles, permitting for deeper customisation and strategic depth, whereas HyperMotionV know-how enhances participant actions and animations.  

A recent recreation mode referred to as Rush affords fast-paced 5v5 motion, playable in each Golf equipment and Final Staff. The ladies’s leagues are actually built-in into Supervisor and Participant Profession modes, and Golf equipment mode receives a number of upgrades, together with customisable Digital Professionals and membership budgets.  

Whereas the goalkeeper AI could be erratic and technical points persist within the menus, the core gameplay is superb. EA Sports activities FC 25 solidifies its place as a number one soccer recreation, satisfying each informal and hardcore followers alike.

Crossy Street Citadel

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/crossy-road-castle-review/

Crossy Street Citadel takes the addictive infinite runner components of the unique Crossy Street and transforms it into an enthralling, but difficult, vertical platformer. 

The objective? To climb a procedurally generated fortress, tackling a collection of bite-sized ranges stuffed with obstacles, enemies, and secrets and techniques. Nevertheless it comes alive via the colourful visuals and various themed worlds, from the traditional Unihorse Citadel to the quirky Area Station 115, serving to preserve the expertise recent and fascinating. Unlocking new characters, skins, and hats via in-game foreign money and challenges provides to the replayability.

Whereas the grind for unlocks can little question be repetitive at occasions, the swift nature of the degrees and the fixed introduction of latest mechanics preserve the gameplay loop satisfying. Native co-op multiplayer provides to the enjoyable. 

General, Crossy Street Citadel is a pleasant and addictive platformer that captures the spirit of the unique Crossy Street whereas providing a recent and fascinating expertise. 

Simply Crow Issues

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/just-crow-things-review/

Simply Crow Issues from Unbound Creations, the creators of Rain on Your Parade, is one other delightfully quirky and distinctive gaming expertise. 

This time round you play as Crowy, a younger crow on a quest to retrieve her stolen sun shades, embarking on a collection of charming and humorous adventures.

The sport options a wide range of self-contained ranges, every with its personal distinctive aims and challenges. It’s right here the place Crowy’s means to fly, work together with objects, and trigger mischief provides to the enjoyable and freedom of exploration.

Whereas the narrative is finest skilled spoiler-free, count on intelligent degree design, witty dialogue, and loads of Easter eggs. Unlockables like hats and skins, together with a New Recreation+ and Sandbox mode, present extra replay worth.

Simply Crow Issues is a pleasure to play and is certain to go away a smile in your face.

CYGNI: All Weapons Blazing

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/cygni-all-guns-blazing-review/

CYGNI: All Weapons Blazing is a visually gorgeous and difficult shoot ’em up that harkens again to the glory days of the style. With breathtaking graphics, and intense bullet hell motion, CYGNI delivers an exhilarating arcade expertise.

The sport introduces distinctive mechanics, equivalent to the power to modify between aerial and floor assaults, and a dynamic defend/firepower balancing system, including depth and strategic decision-making to the gameplay. 

Every degree presents distinct challenges, culminating in spectacular boss encounters that may check your expertise and reflexes. Whereas the problem is unforgiving, even on the best setting, the power to improve your ship affords a way of development and encourages persistence.

CYGNI: All Weapons Blazing is about as near a must-play for followers of shoot ’em ups as you may get, interesting to anybody searching for an exhilarating and rewarding arcade expertise.

Valorant

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/valorant-review/

The favored PC shooter from Riot Games, Valorant, makes a profitable transition to consoles. 

This tactical 5v5 hero shooter combines parts of Counter-Strike and Overwatch, providing intense, close-quarters fight with a low time-to-kill and distinctive agent talents.

The sport options a wide range of modes, together with unrated, aggressive, deathmatch, and Swiftplay, catering to totally different playstyles and preferences. Whereas mastering Valorant requires dedication and apply, the satisfying gunplay and strategic depth make it a rewarding expertise.

The free-to-play mannequin, with non-obligatory beauty purchases and a battle go, permits gamers to leap in and benefit from the core gameplay with none upfront price. And regardless of a steep studying curve and a few limitations in customized recreation choices, Valorant on console is a extremely polished and fascinating shooter. 

Humanity

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/humanity-review/

Humanity is completely distinctive, because it blends parts of Lemmings with a particular visible type and a thought-provoking narrative. 

As a glowing Shiba Inu dog, you information hordes of people via intricate ranges stuffed with obstacles and challenges. It’s right here the place the gameplay revolves round strategically inserting instructions to direct the circulation of people in the direction of the exit, utilising a rising repertoire of actions like turning, leaping, and pushing.

With its distinctive premise, charming visuals, and difficult puzzles, Humanity affords a compelling expertise that begins off stress-free however steadily evolves into a real check of strategic pondering. 

The one factor higher than Humanity? Humanity in VR…

Harold Halibut

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/harold-halibut-review/

Harold Halibut is a kind of narrative adventures that stands out, full with a visible type of its oen, in addition to a heartwarming story. 

Developed over a decade utilizing painstaking stop-motion animation and puppetry, the sport presents a stunningly handcrafted world stuffed with memorable characters and enchanting environments.

Gamers step into the function of Harold, an odd-jobber residing on a spaceship that crashed way back on an alien ocean planet. The story unfolds with attraction and wit, exploring themes of group, hope, and the seek for a brand new dwelling. However don’t suppose that is simply ‘story’. Whereas the gameplay primarily includes exploration and interplay, it’s punctuated by artistic puzzles and mini-games that preserve the expertise partaking. The one downside is the quantity of backtracking required, which might really feel tedious at occasions.

Nonetheless, the sport’s true power lies in its artistry. The visuals are breathtaking, with meticulous consideration to element evident in each scene. And that’s accompanied by some very good voice appearing, bringing the characters to life with emotion and persona.

Harold Halibut is a testomony to the facility of creativity and dedication. 

Planet Zoo: Console Version

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/planet-zoo-console-edition-review/

Planet Zoo: Console Version brings the acclaimed zoo simulation to consoles, providing an in-depth expertise for animal lovers and administration fans. 

The sport incorporates a complete tutorial that introduces the core mechanics, together with animal care, habitat design, and visitor administration. Whereas the controls can take some getting used to, the intuitive interface and useful search operate make navigating the menus comparatively straightforward.

Planet Zoo affords a wide range of modes, together with Profession, Sandbox, Problem, and Franchise, offering various gameplay experiences. Franchise mode, specifically, permits gamers to construct a zoo empire throughout totally different biomes, including a layer of strategic depth to the simulation.

Regardless of occasional frustrations with object placement on account of terrain intricacies, Planet Zoo: Console Version is a triumph, as Frontier go about setting a brand new commonplace for zoo simulation video games.

New Star GP

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/new-star-gp-review/

New Star GP – an exhilarating, retro-inspired arcade racer that captures the thrill and nostalgia of traditional System One. 

The sport options a wide range of tracks impressed by iconic F1 circuits, together with a various roster of fictional drivers and groups. And that performs out via a profession mode that spans 5 many years, permitting gamers to progress via totally different eras of motorsport and improve their vehicles as they climb the ranks.

New Star GP on Xbox strikes a neat stability between arcade accessibility and simulation depth, with reasonable automobile dealing with, strategic pit stops, and a group administration element. The dearth of on-line multiplayer is a notable omission, however the intensive single-player content material supplies hours of leisure.

In all, New Star GP is a must-play for followers of arcade racers and System One fans.

Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown

Our overview – https://www.thexboxhub.com/prince-of-persia-the-lost-crown-review/

Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown revitalises the traditional franchise, however does so with a contemporary Metroidvania twist. 

This action-packed journey follows Sargon, a member of an elite group referred to as The Immortals, as he ventures into the treacherous Mount Olaf to rescue the kidnapped Prince.

The sport options quick and livid fight, requiring skillful parrying, dodging, and particular assaults to beat difficult enemies and managers. Exploration is equally rewarding, with a sprawling 2D world stuffed with secrets and techniques, aspect quests, and difficult platforming sections.

Whereas the narrative could be convoluted at occasions and the problem is kind of difficult, the general expertise is an exhilarating homage to the unique Prince of Persia. In truth, Ubisoft very almost nailed it. 

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So there you’ve got it – 13 wonderful Xbox video games that, whereas they could not have topped our Video games of the Yr checklist, nonetheless supply improbable experiences. 

From epic adventures and quirky indie gems to intense shooters and stress-free simulations, there’s one thing right here for everybody. Don’t let these hidden gems slip underneath your radar – dive into their full evaluations, uncover your subsequent gaming obsession, and see for your self why 2024 was such a stellar yr for Xbox.

As at all times, we’d love to listen to from you. Get into the feedback…