Underrated Gems in Gaming: The Best of 2024 That Missed the Top Ten

Putting together our top 10 games of 2024 was, as usual, a challenging endeavor. Numerous games received votes for inclusion, and hours of discussion narrowed that list down to just 10. However, that means we had games that we cherished but couldn’t incorporate into the final list.

Perhaps a title deeply resonated with one of us. Maybe others just didn’t have the chance to experience it. Regardless, there are several games released this year that we genuinely feel are outstanding and still deserve recognition, even if they didn’t have enough backing from the team. What you will find below are the personal favorite selections from our staff members’ top 10s that did not make our official list. As a result, you might notice some more obscure titles or ones that sparked debate among those who played them.

No matter the reason for their exclusion from the top 10, these are games that at least one of us at GameSpot adored, and we hope you will too.

Available on: PC

My admiration for Into the Breach is well-known, so I’m naturally inclined to be intrigued and likely to be quite critical of anything similar. Tactical Breach Wizards features a familiar style of tile-based tactical gameplay where you must anticipate how the incoming enemy turn will unfold and strategize accordingly to achieve your objectives. However, Tactical Breach Wizards is much more than a mere Into the Breach copy; it introduces several essential modifications that make it not only my favorite game of 2024 but also one of my all-time favorites.

Unlike the replay-focused, roguelike format of Into the Breach, Tactical Breach Wizards includes a narrative-driven campaign, which is impressively well-written, filled with humorous dialogue and characters I came to adore–the story turned out to be completely different than I anticipated due to the ridiculousness of the early trailers. And while a game that can consistently make me laugh is always going to resonate with me, what truly hooked me about Tactical Breach Wizards was the vast array of tactical choices available for every move. As I’ve previously mentioned, I ended up spending way more time than necessary on almost every turn, exploring just how many options exist for each upcoming action, which can often shift your mindset from thinking, “Well, there’s no way I can beat this level” to discovering a method to conquer it in a single turn. Add the never-getting-old ability to hurl enemies out of windows, and you have a delightful blend of humor, narrative, and tactical gameplay. It runs wonderfully on Steam Deck, too.

— Chris Pereira

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5

It’s remarkable that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 even came to be, considering the original was released over a decade ago and wasn’t a blockbuster success. Time can create wonders, however, and over the years we’ve seen a cult following develop around its unique combination of third-person shooting and hack-and-slash gameplay. Astonishingly, Saber Interactive has crafted a sequel that goes far beyond merely living up to its predecessor—it exceeds it, delivering silky-smooth combat that allows you to seamlessly switch between blasting foes with your Bolter and executing devastating moves with your Chainsword.

Opting for a linear progression akin to the original game keeps the action fast-paced and consistent from the beginning of the campaign to the end; however, Space Marine 2 also showcases massive set pieces in the distance—like a giant creature or a massive explosion—that truly display moments from cooperative missions you can undertake with others. These serve to enhance the main story rather than merely feel like additional “content,” and while the competitive multiplayer doesn’t carry this same narrative justification, it’s still plenty of fun to obliterate your enemies with a well-placed grenade.

If gamers could have known then how excellent the sequel would be back in 2011, their minds would have been blown. Space Marine 2 definitely isn’t attempting to reinvent core gameplay mechanics or “fix” what was already a solid predecessor. Gamers simply wanted another high-stakes adventure with Titus, and that’s exactly what they received.

— Gabe Gurwin

Available on: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC

Over the past few years, multiplayer modes have become a significant focus in horror games. Most of these games have centered on PvP, and while I enjoy many of them, they tend to attract controversy. Discussions in communities often devolve into debates over balance, while fandoms complain in the comments on social media. It feels like developing multiplayer horror games is largely a thankless endeavor—except when you’re Red Barrels, the team behind The Outlast Trials. Perhaps to its advantage, the game is centered around PvE, which seems to eliminate much of the contention and results in a truly enjoyable, eerie, and endlessly replayable co-op game that
“`the community endearingly cherishes.

I am right there with them. The Outlast Trials has become one of my favorite horror games. Designed for four-player cooperative play, it offers a very different Outlast experience compared to its predecessors. While it may sacrifice some overall terror due to the cooperative environment, it compensates with a variety of unpredictable missions. Like the previous single-player Outlast installments, its antagonists are intense and grotesque—none more so than Mother Gooseberry. However, one of my favorite aspects of the game is undoubtedly the live-service content.

The Outlast Trials has received regular updates, introducing new modes, events, and incredibly creative character cosmetics. As I pen these thoughts, the Winter Kills event has just launched, and I am eager to dive in after work today to unlock a stylishly warped Santa costume. With its shift away from single-player as the main focus, The Outlast Trials had me worried about the long-term viability of a series I love. But as we head into 2024, it’s clear this dark game has an exciting future ahead.

— Save Delaney

Available on: PC

We’ve seen numerous retro game compilations for classic, cherished consoles from the past. UFO 50 poses an intriguing question: what if we created one for a console that never actually existed? A team of developers led by Spelunky’s Derek Yu imagined a fictional retro console, complete with its own developers, UFO Amassed, and produced an extensive library of made-up, internally coherent retro games—encompassing the authentic feel and scope of real games from the 8-bit era.

It’s a bold idea, made all the more impressive by the high quality of the library. The 50 games included cover a wide array of genres, while also weaving a subtle, multilayered meta-narrative reflecting the developers’ various musings about the industry and how game design has evolved through sequels and spin-offs. You might find yourself diving into the games and easily enjoying dozens of retro experiences on their own, but as a collection, it provides depth and insight into the history of traditional game development.

This is all presented fictively as friends discovering a forgotten game console in a dusty attic. You start playing games for the first time by blowing the dust off of them. It’s perhaps the most charming framing device for a game that is both about and evokes discovery. A significant part of the allure of classic games was uncovering ongoing experiments in a fledgling medium that was striving for relevance. UFO 50 is a game that understands this concept and replicates it, allowing us to recapture that sense of raw, untamed wonder.

— Steve Watts

Available on: PC

Steam is replete with Zelda-like games, and typically, these consistently pay homage with certain recognizable visual elements—a youthful, spirited character, often a boy, usually garbed in a tunic with a sword and shield. These are all heartfelt tributes to the iconic top-down Zelda series, but Minishoot Adventures takes a unique approach. Rather than mimic the look and feel of Link to the Past, it recaptures that sensation of movement with flair and charm.

The main distinction of Minishoot is that instead of a top-down melee action game like Zelda, it is modeled after a shoot-em-up similar to Geometry Wars. You play as Minishoot, a tiny sentient ship summoned to vanquish the plague of cursed and corrupted vessels. Within that framework, it successfully captures the essence of a classic Zelda game. You can explore dungeons, acquire new gear to enhance your combat and movement skills, and use them to conquer formidable bosses. The pacing between exploration, combat, and upgrading your abilities is top-notch, making it easy to lose track of time as you immerse yourself in the rich world. And if your shooting skills aren’t quite exceptional, no problem, as it includes various difficulty and accessibility settings to accommodate your personal skill level.

— Steve Watts

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4

The Black Ops franchise was never my favorite Call of Duty series, as Zombies never quite appealed to me, and I never resonated with the gameplay and feel of Black Ops. It always felt slightly ‘off’ to me. Instead, I generally preferred the Modern Warfare series from Infinity Ward. However, Black Ops 6 drew me in from the start, perhaps due to the fact that the game shares a similar ‘feel’ as the Modern Warfare franchise now that all Call of Duty titles operate on the same engine.

Regardless of the reason, Black Ops 6 has impressed me from the outset with its fresh multiplayer map layout (and a fantastic returning map in Nuketown!) as well as an intriguing arsenal of inventive and unique weapons, gadgets, and Scorestreaks. I mainly play Team Deathmatch, and after over 30 hours, I haven’t yet grown weary of the experience; rather, I often find myself eager to return. With a substantial holiday update, a consistently refreshed in-game store with various quirky and bizarre items available, and regular events, I believe Black Ops 6 will keep me engaged and thrilled for a very long time to come. I haven’t delved into the campaign or Zombies mode yet, so I can only assume I will eventually explore those and delve deeper into the complete Black Ops 6 experience.

— Eddie Makuch

Available on: PC, Nintendo Switch

From the moment I began playing 1000xResist, I was captivated by its surreal universe and immersive narrative. I was enthralled by its icy introduction and even colder characters, who spoke in eloquent riddles that I desperately sought to decipher.

Much like our game’s protagonist, 1000xResist is a title that is both enigmatic and deeply vulnerable. As you traverse its fragmented, non-linear memories—some heartbreaking while others are horrific—things become clearer but decidedly more complex as well. Much of this complexity is due to its themes, which encompass generational trauma, immigration, and sexuality, among others, and are all addressed with care, thoughtfulness, and nuance. It’s a game that relies on your introspection alongside its own, and the reward for engaging in this process is a piece of art that is transformative.

Even on the surface, the sci-fi adventure game is a delight. Part of this enjoyment stems from its highly stylized visuals—richly saturated and perfectly conveying the tone of every moment—and its straightforward gameplay that remains engaging. But even more crucial to the experience is the world and overarching story it constructs, drawing inspiration from classic works of science fiction while also feeling entirely original. In a year filled with impressive games and captivating narratives, 1000xResist stands out as one of 2024’s most remarkable artistic endeavors.

— Jessica Cogswel