Dave the Diver by far. If you told me a few months ago a pixel game about a fat dude scuba diving for fish to run a sushi restaurant would be my hands down game of the year, I'd have told you you're off your rocker.

Just everything in the game is so slick and well done. I love the wacky aesthetics and sense of humor as well. It's just a chill and enjoyable experience through and through. Now if you'll excuse me there's a narwhal I need to harpoon.

cracktorio

Single player: Balatro. With an honourable mention to Shapez2

Multiplayer: Helldivers 2. With an honourable mention to Space Marine 2

I’m going to say HellDivers 2 since the game is really fun!

Helldivers 2

This game is just amazing! Cinematic, chaotic, cool! I spent hundreds of hours with it and it still doesn't get boring

Combat Complex

Twin-stick shooter against various bugs and robots with some ARPG gearing, and the action here is fantastically tight with probably three key factors:

• Enemies target you but hit each other, so you manage their attacks to help your fighting instead of just staying out of trouble.
• "Frenzy" orb pickups, which act a bit like combo meter fuel except instead of chaining hits you make frequent choices about whether an orb drop is worth chasing, keeping you close to danger.
• Instant gun switching with overheating instead of reloading, so you fight hard and switch constantly between your three guns to keep any one from overheating while getting the best out of their specific properties.

I play a lot of twin-stick and top-down shooters, and this does a great job mixing the arcade twin-stick feel of high intensity fending off a swarm with tactical top-down dungeon crawling elements, and it's just really special feeling to play. The core action feels not just well designed but like it was made just for me, and I'm genuinely glad someone made it (or is making it, since it's early access). Plus, it's extraction style instead of being a roguelite, so you're always right at the best action while still getting procedural levels, to keep runs a little different.

Metaphor Re:Fantazio

Abiotic Factor. An absolutely amazing survival crafter. From someone who was sick and tired of survival crafters.

Not sure if I played anything released this year but I enjoyed the following

Tloz echos of wisdom

Disco Elysium

Half life 2

Streets of rage 4

The last campfire

Super Mario wonder

Vampire survivors

Nine Sols. Best metroidvania since ori will of the wisps.

New game: Deadlock
Expansion/Update: Factorio

Factorio's space age expansion

Satisfactory.

Helldivers 2!

Little kitty big city. Only thing I managed to 100%

Timberborn, if early access counts. If not: Until Then

Release : Satisfactory/Shadow of doubt

Multi : Helldivers 2

personal GOTY : Dishonored

I had it for years because of free epic stuff and finaly give it a try. Textures are meh tiers now but animations are very cool gameplay and lore are awesome

Balatro.

HM for Satisfactory - haven't play it yet, but spent a lot of time watching others. Nine Sols and Uncle Chop's Rocket shop also seemed pretty cool.

Indiana Jones and the great circle

Marvel rivals is a late entry, but for someone who doesn't play hero shooters, I'm hooked. It's super polished

Parking Garage Rally Circuit

YIIK I.V babyyyyyy we're so back egglestonheads

Most played/enjoyed this year: Shattered Pixel Dungeon and Crimsonland.

Same, but also released this year: Kitsune Tails.

Drova - Forsaken Kin...well, it's the only 2024 game I played.

Red dead 2