“Black Myth: Wukong” Photo: Game Science Developer: Game Science Publisher: Game Science Platform: PC and PlayStation 5 The developers of “Black Myth: Wukong” have become superstars in China after their game became an international mega-hit. And the success is fully deserved, because of the engaging action! You take on the role of the Monkey King from the Chinese adventure “Journey to the West”, and must fight a whole bunch of fantastic bosses on your way. The game has a whopping 107 boss fights, in fact! Some of them – especially the very last one, as well as the hidden, actual final boss – are some of the best boss fights in any game, ever. “Nine Sols” Photo: Red Candle Games Developer: RedCandleGames Publisher: RedCandleGames Platform: PC / Mac / PlayStation 4 and 5 / Nintendo Switch / Xbox One and Series X/S “Nine Sols” is not only the most beautiful game of the year visually, it is also one of the toughest of the year. Both because it combines beautiful environments with hard sci-fi, but also because it is strongly inspired by “Sekiro”. We’re talking about really challenging battles and bosses, with a focus on lightning-quick reaction skills and parrying attacks. And considering the next spot on my list, it’s worth mentioning that “Nine Sols” was developed by an indie studio in Taiwan. “Animal Well” Developer: Shared Memory Publisher: Bigmode Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch “Animal Well” is a brilliant example that the best gaming experiences can come from anywhere. It’s developed by one person (Billy Basso), but it’s still more creative and more engaging than most of what came out in 2024. On the surface, this game may look like a cute 2D platformer starring a cool ball, but you peels off layer by layer and ultimately ends up with an extremely creative, engaging, challenging and well-crafted experience that grows and grows. “Astro Bot” Video: Sony Interactive Entertainment Developer: Team Asobi Publisher: Sony Interactive Platform: PlayStation 5 If you buy a PS5 console, you get the amazing mini-experience “Astro’s Playroom” with the purchase. In “Astro Bot”, the concepts are expanded into an entire, huge game with the now iconic mini-robots of Asobi in all roles. We are talking about a 3D action-adventure and platform game that is fully on par with the best of Nintendo’s “Super Mario” games. Brilliant puzzles, lovely exploration, just the right amount of difficulty and a celebration of 30 years of PlayStation are all gathered in an irresistible and extremely charming gift package for the whole family. “Balatro” Developer: LocalThunk Publisher: Playstack Platform: PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, iOS, Android It’s hard to explain how “Balatro” actually works and why it’s so sensationally good. The starting point is poker, but from the sidelines come strange jokers, tarot cards and modifications that move the whole game into Joker Nord territory. But there is order in the madness. This is about manipulating the cards you use to give more and more and more points. It’s a tactical card game with endless possibilities. And when the pieces fall into place, “Balatro” becomes dangerously addictive. It doesn’t exactly help that it’s now also out on mobile – this game has more or less taken over my life for parts of 2024. It’s criminally cool, quite simply. Games that almost made the list: “UFO 50”, “Thank Goodness You’re Here”, “Dragon’s Dogma 2”, “Den hellige fy flate”, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle”. PS: I must mention that I have chosen not to include new versions of old games or expansions of existing games. It hits two of the year’s clearly best releases, “Silent Hill 2” and “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree”. “The Sims 4 – Life and Death” Photo: Electronic Arts Developer: Maxis Publisher: Electronic Arts Platform: PC / Mac / PlayStation / Xbox As Norway’s self-proclaimed biggest “The Sims” fan, I MUST talk about this expansion pack. “Life and Death” takes the Sims universe to a whole new level with dark humor and unexpected disputes. Complete your bucket list, flirt with a ghost, or become Death himself’s loyal assistant. It’s creative, crazy and something we’ve never seen in the series before. A breath of fresh air that really impresses! “Fruitbus” Photo: Krillbite studio Developer: Krillbite Studio Publisher: Krillbite Studio Platform: PC, coming to consoles later I have a weakness for games like this – so relaxing and so addictive. The Norwegian game “Fruitbus” is perfect to disappear into when you just want to “grind” for hours. And as an added bonus? It’s absurdly cute and super cozy! This is pure play therapy. “Super Mario Party Jamboree” WATCH: Tonje and the rest of the FlippKlipp gang play “Mario Party Jamboree”. Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Nintendo Switch I LOVE Mario Party and this game has quickly become my go-to when playing with friends. It’s full of mayhem, laughter and competition – perfect for a fun game night! This Christmas I have one plan: geek out on the minigames so hard that I’ll be unbeatable by 2025. “Buckshot Roulette” Developer: Mike Klubnika Publisher: Mike Klubnika / Critical Reflex Platform: Windows / Linux This is a well-constructed, unique, indie strategy game that is easy to get into and will make you sweat. Here you will play a slightly advanced version of Russian roulette against the “Dealer” or a friend, and it really puts your mind to the test. If you have nerves of steel and an icy head, you will be able to enjoy yourself with “Buckshot Roulette”. “Den hellige fy flate” Perfectly Paranormal/Yogscast Games Developer: Perfectly Paranormal Publisher: Yogscast Games Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Switch The Norwegian game developers Perfectly Paranormal have really created a hysterical game with good mechanics and given me a new understanding of stress . It is clear that they have a huge imagination. They have created something completely new in their third game in what they call the “Tuesday Trilogy”. A perfect opportunity to support Norwegian game developers! “Helldivers 2” “REGISTER!”: The military uses a propaganda video to get new soldiers to join the fight against creatures on alien planets. “Kill them before they get here and kill us!”, is the logic. (Note: the video will not play in power saving mode on mobile).ARROWHEAD GAME STUDIOS / PLAYSTATION PC LLC Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment Platform: PlayStation 5 / Windows The way I discovered this game was through players posting videos on social media, where they sort of begged for help from the front lines on different planets in “Helldivers 2”. Since everything was happening in “real time”, the players treated it like a real war. Both the game creators and the players created good satirical humor and something that can never be recreated in the same way again. You should have been there. Published 13.12.2024, at 14.55
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