Must-Play Games That Will Blow You Away In 2024

2023 was an impressive year in gaming, no doubt about it. With top-tier AAA titles such as "Baldur's Gate 3," "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom," and "Armored Core 6," not to mention indie gems like "Blasphemous 2," this year has been packed with exciting experiences.

As we wind down, let's take a closer look at a select handful of exciting titles scheduled for release in 2024. It's early days yet, but what has already been announced for release next year should have gamers brimming with excitement and anticipation. What follows is a list of some of the most technologically impressive, interesting, and unique titles in the 2024 pipeline, titles that should be on every gamer's radar. Whether you're an RPG fan, a shooter fan, a lover of quirky indies, or just a fan of well-crafted games that are trying to do something different, there's something here for everyone to get excited about.

So put on your blast helmet, get your hype goggles on, and prepare yourself as we take a look at the must-play titles that are bound to blow you away in 2024!

To say "Tekken 8" looks stunning would be an understatement. Using the power of the Unreal 5 engine, the eighth mainline entry into the iconic fighting series looks like a true next-gen fighting game. The game features 32 unique characters (many returning from previous entries), each with incredible details such as cloth and hair physics and high-quality animations depicting actual muscle movement relevant to each of their unique fighting styles. While the designs for the characters will look familiar to fans of this long-running series, it is very apparent each of them has received a significant upgrade in the visual department. Not only that, but there'll be a whole bunch of alternative costumes for each of them, unlockable through the story mode and the all new Arcade Quest.

Speaking of, Arcade Quest is an exciting new single-player mode that allows players to designing their own avatar and compete in virtual tournaments. It's a pretty unique premise and allows you to focus on combat outside of the main story, but still remain invested. "Tekken 8" also introduces a new mechanic called the Heat System, which rewards aggressive gameplay by unlocking special movements and ability enhancements unique to each character. Overall, "Tekken 8" looks to be thrilling experience and excellent way to "kick" off 2024.

In "Granblue Fantasy: Relink," an action JRPG from Cygames, Inc., you play the captain of an airship. You'll employ various skyfarers in your party of four as you embark on your epic quest to save the Sky Realm, a vast collection of islands floating in a blue expanse. It's here where you'll discover the secrets of the Primal Beasts and a mysterious organization known as the Church of Avia.

The real-time combat on display in the trailer looks like a total blast: meaty, responsive and appropriately flashy for a JRPG. With the party-based combat system, you'll be able to perform group-based specials know as Link Attacks and Chain Bursts, which are bound to be an absolute visual delight, not to mention crucial for overcoming the games more intimidating encounters. What's even more impressive is that all of this will be achievable with online co-op play (up to 4 players).

With its stunning visuals, beautiful character designs, and rich lore, everything about "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" appears to be a love letter to the JRPG genre.

If you've played the original "Final Fantasy 7," you must remember the part after leaving Midgar and being thrust into the open world. After following a semi-linear, narrative-driven section set in an oppressive urban location, it was absolutely breathtaking to suddenly find yourself in verdant landscape full of opportunity and Chocobos!

"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth," the sequel to "Final Fantasy 7 Remake," aims to recreate this exact feeling and turn it up to 11. Gaia has never looked so beautiful, and seeing so many familiar locations in the trailer with next gen graphics is mind-blowing for longtime fans. Square Enix is really putting the Playstation 5 to work here, and getting to explore Gaia on foot — with this level of graphical fidelity — is an extremely enticing prospect. In the game's story trailer, Cloud and his friends can be seen fighting on the beach; in the background you can see the city of Junon, complete with its massive cannon. That's just one of many locations you'll be revisiting in this massive sequel, which further reimagines the "Final Fantasy 7" timeline.

With the fresh but familiar open world, the introduction of fan favorite Yuffie, and an exciting new take on a beloved story, "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth" is set to blow minds sometime in early 2024.

In early 2024, "Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth" takes fans to sandy shores of Hawaii in this highly anticipated sequel to "Yakuza: Like A Dragon." The "Yakuza"/"Like A Dragon" series has always been a wacky mixed bag of dramatic storytelling contrasted with absurd mini-games and bizarre comedic moments. Setting the game in Hawaii will no doubt provide plenty of opportunities to take these familiar elements and really expand on them. "Yakuza" has always been aware of its own absurdity, but the fact that the main trailer for "Infinite Wealth" shows "Like A Dragon" protagonist Ichiban washing up naked on a crowded beach shows you exactly the tone they're aiming for.

Fans of the series know that each new entry tends to take things up a notch. Ultimately, this dramatic RPG and charming open world extravaganza looks to be a wonderfully hilarious "fish out of water" experience, and we're here for it. While the litany of mini-games and unexpected insanity will be the ultimate selling point, longtime "Yakuza" players will be excited to see the first true team-up between series protagonists Kasuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga. 

Obsidian is a developer synonymous with the RPG genre, thanks to its affinity for world-building, complex characters and engaging gameplay. "Avowed," set in Obsidian's "Pillars of Eternity" universe, looks to be yet another entry from Obsidian that is bound to blow our collective minds in early 2024. You pay as an envoy of Aedyr that has been sent to The Living Lands to investigate a mysterious plague ravaging the island. This plague and its origins hide a secret with cataclysmic consequences. Based off the trailer and the dev's reputation for outstanding RPG experiences, you can guarantee this one is going to be a hit for fans of Obsidian's previous work.

The new game features a number of diverse combat options. In the official gameplay trailer, you can see the player character wielding a variety of weapons, including duel flintlock pistols, swords, shields and bows. In addition to these, players can also cast some extremely powerful spells with devastating effects. The Living Lands themselves look gorgeous, boasting plenty of vibrant colors and expansive landscapes. The enemy designs are also worth noting; the art department for Avowed have been very creative and it shows. From hulking brutes to fungus-covered zombies, the details and animations of the enemies on display are quite stunning.

Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment brings its tried and true open world formula to the "Star Wars" universe with "Star Wars: Outlaws." Set between "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," you play as Kay Vess, a rogueish criminal type looking earn their freedom in Imperial controlled space. To achieve this goal you'll work with various crime syndicates and visit a wide variety of worlds while dodging stormtroopers, corrupt Imperials, and other villainous scum along the way. But you won't be going it alone, as your trusty animal companion Nix and your Commando Droid friend ND-5 will be accompanying you for the adventure.

What's immediately apparent about "Star Wars: Outlaws" is the level of detail on display. The atmosphere is rich with that classic "Star Wars" vibe and the character work and voice action appear to be movie-quality. Gameplay-wise, "Outlaws" looks to be a rich feast. This is a third-person action game with player choice at the forefront of its design philosophy. You can choose to handle encounters with stealth or cunning, or you can brute-force your way with blasters-a-blazing. There's rich dialogue options for each interaction, and every choice you make will have immediate or long-term consequences that effect your standing with the Syndicates and Imperialists across the galaxy.

Ultimately, "Star Wars: Outlaws" looks to be a must-have for fans of the franchise — especially if Han Solo was your favorite character from the original trilogy.