2024 was a giant yr for folks with a unending affinity in direction of all issues survival-horror, largely attributable to the truth that the Silent Hill 2 Remake lastly launched. A recreation that, after its preliminary announcement, I used to be actually dreading. I like Silent Hill 2, a lot, and for the longest time, all I ever actually wished was for the unique trio of video games to be ported to trendy platforms precisely as they’re. Nothing extra, and nothing much less. I, admittedly, didn’t belief Konami or Bloober Workforce to do it justice.
I couldn’t have been extra fallacious. After a preview occasion through which we spent three hours with the sport, I used to be wholly obsessed. Transformed from the cussed, bitter Silent Hill fan I used to be all the time was (that is with due to the cancellation of Silent Hills, which I’ll by no means cease banging on about) into, nicely, somebody who lastly felt hopeful concerning the collection. Bloober Workforce alleviated me of all my Silent Hill woes in such a brief span of time, and continued to take action as soon as the sport was launched.
The remake was a unique recreation to the unique Silent Hill 2, however Bloober Workforce managed to make one thing so particular; a wholly new iteration of James’ journey that was simply as psychologically tormenting because the final. I’ll by no means doubt Bloober Workforce ever once more. As for my belief in Konami, we’ll must see how Metallic Gear Strong Delta seems first.
Whereas the Silent Hill 2 Remake stands tall as my private recreation of the yr in 2024, it was removed from the one recreation to have impressed me. 2024 wasn’t fairly the yr for horror followers that 2023 was, — we obtained the Lifeless House remake, Resident Evil 4 remake, and the distinctive Alan Wake 2 final yr — however we did obtain a superb portion of indie horror video games making an attempt to make their mark, which some did with ease.
Mouthwashing, for instance. An acid-trip of a recreation that, for 2 hours, is inconceivable to place down as you attempt to piece collectively its non-linear, grotesque story. Beneath all that, although, is a poignant dialogue of existential dread. Is there extra to life than, nicely, capitalism? Working your manner up the ranks in an more and more merciless world? Does any of it even matter? It isn’t the cheeriest solution to spend your time, but it surely’s one recreation that you just received’t be forgetting in a rush.
My horror GOTY’s apart, there may be yet one more recreation that — whereas it doesn’t fairly beat Silent Hill 2 for me, personally — I spent probably the most time with this yr. A recreation that some might argue isn’t actually a recreation in any respect, and that’s Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree enlargement.
Part of me would argue that Shadow of the Erdtree, given its dimension and scope, is a recreation inside its personal proper. There’s simply a lot to be accomplished, however the folks who argue that it’s important to combat the likes of Radahn and Mohg to even entry the DLC admittedly have some extent. Both manner, I feel one factor many people can agree on is that Shadow of the Erdtree was an distinctive DLC. I anticipated one thing good from FromSoftware, as all the time, however I wasn’t fairly ready to be whisked right into a haunting world through which most of my burning questions have been lastly answered.
Shadow of the Erdtree boasted quite a few bosses in a way more compact area. An area that was nonetheless large, nonetheless, that means that exploration was nonetheless very a lot a giant — and essential — factor in Erdtree, however the DLC felt one step nearer to a Darkish Souls recreation. Boss fights have been frequent, the world felt darkish and grim, and the characters you meet alongside the best way… oh, how they tug at your heartstrings (for probably the most half). Moore and his pals will ceaselessly have my coronary heart.
I additionally owe a shout out to the likes of Persona 3 Reload and Balatro. These are two extra video games which have helped form my yr in gaming, although I’m not fairly accomplished with them simply but. And I don’t suppose I’ll ever be accomplished with Balatro… that’s for positive.
