2024 can be encapsulated with this statement from Swen Vinke from Larian Studios, winner of the 2023 GOTY with Baldur’s Gate 3, at this year’s ‘The Game Awards’ where he says the formula for making a game is, ‘Stupidly simple, but somehow it keeps on getting lost’. He addresses particularly within this epic speech the corporate greed and need to make staggering numbers that have plagued many titles as they have been considered no more than investments by publishers this year and tanked considerably so because of this. Fortunately, though, many games in 2024 have shared the same idealist, heart and creative values as Swen and whether it be AAA or independent developers and all the in-betweens, we, the audience, have had a buffet to choose from of incredibly exciting and entertaining games. 

It has been an absolute cracker of a year for games. It was definitely a great time to be alive as a gamer. In saying that, with a growing cast of reviewers this year the annual ‘MKAU’s GAMES OF THE YEAR’ article definitely has a lot of variety, flavour, and spice as the many different gaming styles and personalities come together. This is what our editors Stacy, Ash, and reviewers; Yas, Em, Hayden, Sammy, Larry, Gary, Cambie and our newest recruit Dylan had to say. Categories are as follows, feel free to tell us your own favourites in the comments below or on our social media:

Stace: ‘Neva’
It was a tough decision with myself almost going with ‘Empire Of The Ants’ but Neva was such an emotional rollercoaster. An epic tale of a woman and her wolf pup companion this has a message of the destruction of life that pulled at my heartstrings the whole time.
Ash: ‘Anger Foot’
With hyped-up visuals, music, and gameplay, ‘Anger Foot’ kicks all the competition to death. The delight this game brings with its superior running and gunning you will replay this game repeatedly to beat that previous high score.
Hayden: ‘Go Home Annie: An SCP Story’
I’ve fallen in love with psychological thrillers and Go Home Annie was a late entry to this year’s releases I fell in love with the game and the story kept me immersed from start to finish wanting more when it was finished.
Yas: ‘The Plucky Squire’
Following the Plucky Squire, Jot, players delve into the pages of his adventures, whether it be solving puzzles, engaging in rhythm battles or manipulating the world through words. The gameplay takes a massive turn when Jot is able to burst out of the book into a fully 3D world. Charming and adorable, The Plucky Squire is a masterclass in game design.
Larry: ‘Night-Runners Prologue’
Set in the era of the 1990s-2009 underground Tokyo street racing, Night-Runners Prologue was a smash hit for me that provided a fresh and reminiscent feeling. Old school graphics and art style paired with a classic synthwave-style soundtrack reminded me of the good old days of jamming Midnight Club 2. Ultimately this game had a perfect sense of uniqueness and was a fantastic first release from Planet Jem.
Sammy: ‘Blazing Strike’
Made primarily by one person in Brazil, Blazing Strike is a solid fighting game that pays homage to classic 2D fighters of the 90s. Even though it’s been riddled with glitches and other issues since its release in October, it has already built a dedicated fanbase who have helped keep the game going thanks to their ongoing support.
Gary: ‘Max Mustard’
This Australian-made VR platformer brings pure joy from the very second you dive into its whimsical world. Max Mustard delivers a fresh new take on the classic platforming genre that is extremely fun and challenging enough to keep you on your toes. You can’t help but fall in love with Max as she rescues the adorable Mudpups from the evil Stubbins.
Dylan: ‘Balatro’
If the definition of “one more run” could be in the dictionary then Balatro should be what appears underneath it. At the beginning of this year, I absolutely didn’t think a roguelike card game revolving around building the best poker hands would have me in a vice grip but here we are, and it doesn’t appear to be letting go of me anytime soon.
Cambie: ‘W.A.N.D. Project’
This game impressed me on many levels and even after completing the review I went back for many hours playing and repeating missions because it was so enjoyable, definitely a game for everyone to jump into for some solo fun!
Em: ‘Into the Emberlands’
‘Into the Emberlands’ is a fantastic little rogue-lite that I had the pleasure of reviewing this year. Its unique gameplay, procedurally generated landscape and cute little Knack characters give the sort of cozy vibe that just completely relaxes me after a long day and it’s one that I keep coming back to.

Stace: ‘Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’
I don’t play scary games per se, but I do watch a lot which gives credit to the developers for making awesome stories. I watched a friend play a lot of Senua’s Saga and I was blown away by the atmospheric eerie environments thrown in with interesting combat. I was gripping my seat in some sections to see what was lurking around each corner
Ash: ‘Kill It With Fire 2’
Depending on your view of spiders, ‘Kill It With Fire 2’ can be horrific. Regardless, when one of these eight-legged hairy terrors leaps out at you, you’ll be glad of whatever weapon you have to deliver righteous justice for all humankind.
Hayden: ‘The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication’
This game had me wanting more from the story the entire time which was a perfect mix of puzzles, jump scares and a great story combined into a neat little title. It kept you guessing what was happening the entire time and having to navigate your way around the paranormal beings.
Larry: ‘Don’t Be Afraid 2’
While I didn’t play the first instalment, Don’t Be Afraid, I still thoroughly enjoyed Don’t Be Afraid 2. Not being a fan of horror games had me quite a sceptical stepping into this one but boy was I proven wrong. Intriguing story and hours of slewing puzzles had me hooked for hours wanting to know more and more about the backstory of David. 
Yas: ‘Pacific Drive’
While Pacific Drive isn’t marketed as a horror game (rather, a survival game), it most definitely delivers enough of a sense of tension to get me wanting to drive as fast away as possible. Now I don’t know how to change a tyre, nor troubleshoot any car issues, but when there’s a sense of tension whilst doing so with ominous sound effects and droning music, I will get out of that car and run if I have to. Players are still discovering the mysterious and supernatural phenomena that keep players on edge long after their initial playthrough and that’s the mark of a great horror game.
Sammy: ‘Silent Hill 2’
The original game was one of the scariest horror games of the early 2000s. The 2024 remake of Silent Hill 2 looks better than before and more frightening than ever.
Gary: ‘Madison VR’
Madison was already scary enough on its flatscreen version, being scared to the point of jumping clean out of your skin in VR is a truly terrifying experience. This was reviewed as one of the scariest VR experiences to date, to be honest, I’m still working up the courage to get into this one myself.
Dylan: ‘Mouthwashing’
Mouthwashing is not only my favourite horror game of the year, it is one of my favourite games of this year period. The game tells an incredibly dark story involving a wild cast of characters on a crashed ship with twists that not only leave you shocked but will also probably leave you feeling uneasy once it’s all said and done.
Cambie: ‘Horror Tales- The Beggar’
This title blew my mind with the attention to detail for true immersion and setting a standard for Horror games, this game features unique stories and is fun and scary at the same time. This title also featured many amazing additions like gravity manipulation and super unique puzzles. Definitely a must-play!
Em: ‘Sons of the Forest’
Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not brave enough to play horror games, but The Forest was definitely one of the exceptions. Sons of the Forest is a standout sequel to its predecessor with incredible overhauls to its original format with so much more to do and discover within its mysterious storyline. I still can’t play it on my own though. 

Stace: ‘Stellar Blade’
Stellar Blade is incredibly underrated. If you, no pun intended, strip back the sexualised outfits of EVE there is a decent story hidden underneath. Couple that with the intense gameplay and amazingly orchestrated backing music, this makes for one mean and sexy title.
Ash: ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’
Challenge me if you dare, but what else embodies action and adventure? That’s right ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ takes an already established franchise and builds further on it during Indiana’s prime years.
Hayden: ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’
Wearing the classic fedora and hitting a weapon from someone’s hand with the whip is the reason Indiana Jones got the spot. The story is immersive and follows true to a character we have grown up to love. The mixture of great story, challenging puzzles and beautiful scenery created the perfect package.
Yas: ‘Stellar Blade’
Stellar Blade was a strange one for me, it felt pretty generic, but as I progressed through and gained more abilities, I managed to get addicted to the gameplay. It’s a tale as old as time, the badass lady goes on an action-packed mission to save humanity from certain doom, and while the story was a weak point, it more than makes up for it with intense, fast-paced combat.
Larry: ‘Black Myth: Wukong’
While I didn’t Play Black Myth: Wukong, it did seem very intriguing and ultimately took the world by storm. Doing a quick Google search will provide you with plenty of highly positive reviews from players raving about this classical Chinese novel-inspired game. Black Myth: Wukong is definitely something I’ll be checking out eventually.
Sammy: ‘Tales of Kenzera: ZAU’
The passion project of Abubakar Salim exceeded expectations with its unique and creative gameplay mechanics providing many exciting and intense moments. It also has a touching and emotional story that showcases the beauty of African culture and Bantu mythology.
Gary: ‘Black Myth: Wukong’
I have been obsessed with the legend of the Monkey King Wukong since I was little, Black Myth: Wukong is both fun and at points infuriating with its souls-lite combat. I couldn’t help but become addicted to the challenge.
Dylan: ‘Astro Bot’
You can say a lot about how Astro Bot was celebrating 30 years of PlayStation and while it is memorable for this, for me it’s the fact that the game is a beautiful love letter to the platformers of old. The level design, abilities and boss fights were nothing but a joy to experience from the beginning all the way to the end.
Cambie: ‘Outpost_Infinity Siege’
Outpost_Infinist Siege put a standard in my mind for multiple zone playstyles with vast areas to explore and destroy enemies while also completing puzzles, one thing that really stood out to me was it was mostly first person, until you switch over to base command mode when raiding zones you collect resources and use them to upgrade your Outpost to defend against more onslaught. Such a great game.
Em: ‘Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake’
‘Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake’ is the prime example of what studios should aspire to achieve when they look to remake or remaster any of their classic games because in Dragon Quest IIIs’ case, it’s flawless. The seamless combination of the classic 16bt sprites against the modern graphics of the surrounding environment is so visually encapsulating I found it hard to not just go about my merry way and explore everywhere and everything, ignoring the quest line.

Stace: ‘Helldivers II’
The fact you could friendly-fire your friends had me hook, line and sinker. I was made for the chaos that was this brilliant game with the range of weapons, stratagems and teamwork with randos, Democracy couldn’t be any sweeter and the content clipped couldn’t be any funnier.
Ash: ‘Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’
Warhammer games are hit-and-miss. However ‘Space Marine 2’ is a hit and you don’t have to be a 40K fan to enjoy it. With multiple modes to play and deep customisation ‘Space Marine 2’ will give hours of chain swording fun against the impure.
Hayden: ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’
It’s hard to contend with Call of Duty games and Black Ops 6 is no exception to this and was something that brought me back into the Call of Duty series and had me loving how it looked and handled. There were some great implementations added this year and from my point of view were all positive.
Yas: ‘Helldivers II’
As a fan of the original Helldivers, I wasn’t sure what to expect when the top-down shooter transitioned to a third-person shooter, but wowsers did Arrowhead deliver. Gathering up a squad to fight looming threats alongside my squadmates has been an absolute joy. Considering I’ve clocked over 300 hours on the field, it’s clear to say, that I love fighting for democracy!
Larry: ‘Mullet Mad Jack’
Mullet Mad Jack exploded onto the scene and I was hooked instantly just from the trailer alone. Being solo only I thought I would get bored quickly but this game had me far from it. Retro vibes all throughout and guns galore, Mullet Mad Jack was easily my favourite game of the year next to Helldivers 2 and Night-Runners Prologue.
Sammy: ‘Marvel Rivals’
It hasn’t even been a full month yet but Marvel Rivals exploded onto the scene, allowing us to play as our favourite Marvel superheroes, supervillains and antiheroes. The famous comic characters were more than enough to convince many to try this free game, but the gameplay and teaming up with your friends is what keeps them coming back for more. As of this writing, there are currently over 10 million players.
Gary: ‘Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’
Space Marine 2 was the game that I was most excited to play this year and the devs couldn’t have done a better job for all Warhammer 40k fans. I had some of the most fun I’ve had in years playing through this campaign in co-op with one of my closest friends. Slaying heretics and delivering swift justice doesn’t get much better than this.
Dylan: ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’
The year is 2010. I’m playing Black Ops and listening to Linkin Park. Fast forward to 2024, and I’m playing Black Ops and listening to Linkin Park. Black Ops 6 is such a great return to form for the franchise, featuring a unique campaign full of espionage, classic zombies, and what I think is the best multiplayer experience in years. Treyarch is back to firing on all cylinders.
Cambie: ‘Call of Duty Black Ops 6’
It’s not hard to see why black ops 6 isn’t at the top of my list, with so many game modes and enjoyment with friends. One thing that drew me in was black ops coming back to its roots, with traditional zombies being flushed and made how it was meant to be. Don’t even get me started on the omnidirectional movement blowing my mind.
Em: ‘Helldivers II’
Having never played the first game in the series, I didn’t know what to expect when I dove into ‘Helldivers II’, but it easily came on top as one of my favourite games of the year. Whether I was exterminating bugs or the automatons, I had hours of fun playing with my mates to defend Democracy.

Stace: ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’
Black Ops 6, was a surprise. I haven’t loved it but just instead endured Call Of Duty for a long time and was impressed by this newest addition. The Zombies is so entertaining, multiplayer feels refreshing and the campaign was memorable with some really fleshed-out espionage gameplay.
Ash: ‘Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’
Already being the best shooter, it only makes sense ‘Space Marine 2’ is the best multiplayer game. Standing shoulder to shoulder eviscerating the enemy screaming “SAVE ME, BROTHER” never gets old.
Hayden: ‘Farming Simulator 25’
This game will forever create some great memories with some of my best friends. It’s the perfect game to just sit back and relax and have some laughs and the scenarios we find ourselves in will be memories I will cherish which is why this is my best multiplayer.
Yas: ‘Helldivers II’
Helldivers 2 is a real test of trust with friends, ensuring you all have a cohesive load-out, provide each other support and have impeccable co-ordination is paramount. More often than not, it ends up being accidental friendly fire or a way-too-close orbital barrage that takes out squadmates. Whether intentional or completely unintentional, there’s always time for democracy, especially considering they’ve just released a new threat, I’ve found myself joining the fight for democracy time and time again.
Larry: ‘Helldivers II’
Helldivers 2, where do I begin? I had HOURS of fun jamming this game with my friends. Whether it be running around like mad lads exploding everything in sight or tactically timing reloads, Helldivers 2 provided a plethora of Democratic fun. There really is nothing quite like running into battle yelling “FOR DEMOCRACY” with your mates.
Sammy: ‘Diesel Legacy: The Brazen Age’
4 player fighting games aren’t exactly a new concept, but the gameplay of Diesel Legacy: The Brazen Age is specifically themed around it and takes it to a whole new level. It features unique and creative gameplay mechanics not seen before to create intense and exciting battles. It is also brimming with style thanks to its gorgeous hand-drawn 2D animations, dieselpunk theme and diverse cast of characters full of personality.
Gary: ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’
Having suffered years of disappointing entries into the Call Of Duty franchise I wasn’t holding my breath for this year’s entry. Black Ops 6 was a very welcome addition bringing back a lot of the fun that Call Of Duty has been missing. The only thing that could improve this game would be the removal of Skill-Based Matchmaking in non-ranked lobbies.
Dylan: ‘Helldivers II’
It’s hard to state how much of an impact Helldivers 2 had when it launched, it felt like the entire internet was at Malevelon Creek helping defend from the automatons. It was such a cool feeling playing the game with friends and seeing the gaming community actually get to progress the world map over time as we attacked or defended different planets and remember, FOR SUPEREARTH!
Cambie: ‘Farming Simulator 25’
This is a given as it’s such a great game to play with friends being able to develop an amazing farm, even creating issues to fix as a team to create some grand times. I know those who know, and are well aware Farming Simulator 2025 creates bonds through farming like no other game, with no stress involved just relaxation and good times all around!
Em: ‘Sons of the Forest’
Again, I’m not a fan of horror games, but ‘Sons of the Forest’ was my favourite game to play with my mates this year. Endnight Games brought the teamwork aspect of the first game back into this sequel with new and improved optimization, only to make it bigger and better than ever before. A master of their craft.

Stace: ‘Rise Of The Ronin’
I ABSOLUTELY loved Rise Of The Ronin. It oozed of a ‘Ghosts of Tsushima’ (a previous GOTY winner for myself) vibe, with a plethora of likable characters as you traverse industrial 1950s Japan, with grapples and gliders. It was both beautiful, interesting and charming.
Ash: ‘Microsoft Flight Simulator 24’
Though ‘Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’ was not a game for me. I can certainly appreciate the level of expertise put into this game to allow you to don the captain’s hate and fly the aircraft of your dreams.
Hayden: ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’
This might cause some controversy but I loved Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The game had me dragged in with its storyline, characters and combat system. I had never played a Dragon Age game before so I was fresh into the series.
Yas: “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom”
It’s taken almost 30 years for gamers to have another opportunity to play as Zelda, the time has finally come. Exploring Hyrule as an adorable chibi princess Zelda is a delight. Especially with the bizarre power to summon objects to fight and navigate through it, I have never found chairs and tables quite as practical in the real world since.
Larry: ‘Hades II’
Set some point after the events of Hades. Hades II was a fun change of pace compared to the usual games I play. Thanks to its fascinating story and soundtrack, I was enveloped for hours grinding away and immersing myself deeper into the lore.
Sammy: ‘Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’
For almost 20 years, the Yakuza/Like a Dragon games have always drawn me into its deep lore, engaging characters and over-the-top fights of epic proportions filled with emotion. Playing as both Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga plus several other memorable and distinct characters in the new setting of Hawaii provided hours upon hours of neverending fun while also honouring the past. It creates even more excitement and intrigue to find out what’s next for Kiryu and Ichiban.
Gary: ‘Black Myth: Wukong’
I’ve played some great RPGs this year but everything else I played paled in comparison to Black Myth: Wukong. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the different biomes and seeing what cheeky monkey trouble I could get myself into. I loved experimenting with different builds and hunting down gear sets to make me feel powerful like the Monkey King.
Dylan: ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’
Persona 5 is one of only five games I’ve ever given a perfect score so when the next game from the same developers was announced I wasn’t going to miss it and it sure didn’t disappoint. I just adore the way they design these massive JRPGs where the freedom is completely yours in your combat builds, character relationships and even just your free time outside of the main quest.
Cambie: ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’
This title honestly blew me away with the amount of story and character building while also keeping true to the genre, it kept dragging me in for more and I couldn’t get enough. Even though the review was over I kept playing till I completed the game as it was so much fun. Definitely a game to revisit on a cold rainy day!
Em: ‘Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake’
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a shining example of how to make a classic RPG, keeping it modern, feeling fresh, and not straying too far from what made the original game fantastic. The visuals, the story and the party system had me coming back to this game time and time again thanks to its endless replayability.

Stace: ‘Tekken 8’
I am not a massive fighting game fan but I did play a lot of Tekken 8 with my nephew. The customisation alone makes this a notch game with myself instantly creating Vegeta from DBZ out of Lars. The game has stylish combos and beautiful backing environments.
Ash: ‘Harry Potter Quidditch Champions’
‘Harry Potter Quidditch Champions’ took me by surprise. Not a fan of sports games or Harry Potter I began playing this with my nose in the air. It did not take long for ‘Harry Potter Quidditch Champions’ to win me over with its simple and rewarding gameplay.
Hayden: ‘Undisputed’
This was not even a hard decision. Undisputed was the game we have all been waiting for years as boxing fans and the developers delivered a great game where you can unleash some frustration. I spent hours playing this title and still load it up now to punch the hell outta someone.
Yas:  “Just Dance 2025”
Over the years, the annual Just Dance releases have become a staple party game and the perfect excuse to get up and move. I can never get over the incredible choreography, catchy tunes and impeccable polish delivered throughout the Just Dance catalogue. While the song list isn’t as strong as in previous years, I still enjoyed coming back and getting back into the groove with more routines to get into in its ever-expanding catalogue.
Larry: ‘Night-Runners Prologue’
Without a doubt, Night-Runners Prologue was my favourite racing game of 2024. I cannot stress enough the pure enjoyment I had racing around the Metropolitan Expressway or Wangan as it is popularly known. The sheer volume of customization and a superb soundtrack provided a beautiful aura and had me spend a copious amount of time earning funds to make my car faster and faster.
Sammy: ‘Tekken 8’
The latest game to determine the King of the Iron Fist Tournament goes all out and pulls no punches. Tekken fans will experience an epic story continuing the Mishima blood feud, features to help improve skills of any level, tons of nostalgia and incredible online play with smooth rollback net code and crossplay, filled with tough competition.
Gary: ‘Tekken 8’
I haven’t had the pleasure of playing any sports/fighting games this year, which is honestly a rarity for me. I may be late to the party picking this game up but I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my friends duking it out against each other.
Dylan: ‘Tekken 8’
One of the only sports/fighting games I played this year which made this choice very easy since it’s been years since I was this invested in a fighting game smashing through its awesome campaign which continued the Mishima story in cool ways, fun customisation and even getting into it’s ranked play, Tekken 8 was awesome.
Cambie: ‘Dead or Alive 6’
Although sports and fighting games don’t normally interest me and haven’t really played any, I did find Dead or Alive 6 to be quite intriguing and would love to give it a crack at some stage but otherwise nothing from me hehe.
Em: ‘Tekken 8’
I’ve been a ‘Tekken’ kid for as long as I can remember, playing my first game back on the original PlayStation. The series has come a LONG way, and it shines through ‘Tekken 8’. Not to sound like a broken record of my peers, but the continuation of the fantastic Mishima storyline from the previous titles and the online and ranked play had me coming back to this like it was a bad ex-boyfriend. 

Stace: ‘Until Dawn’
Until Dawn was good even before it was remade. A classic in the choose your own adventure to ‘save or lose your companions’ this has everything from great writing, fantasy creatures and murder mysteries.
Ash: ‘Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD’
Never had the opportunity to play ‘Luigi’s Mansion 2’ when it was originally released. So it was a delightful treat to experience a glossed-up version.
Hayden: ‘Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons Remake’
This was a beautiful game from start to finish and not even playing the original finishing this made me go back and play the original to see the comparison. The visuals, storyline and audio were a beautifully put together little package and I enjoyed it very much.
Yas: “Persona 3 Reload”
The Persona series has a special place in my heart and Persona 3 Reload is no exception. With updated graphics in line with Persona 5, a super catchy soundtrack, addictive gameplay and a captivating story, Persona 3 Reload is a time-sink I can’t get enough of.
Larry: ‘Until Dawn’
Since I never played the original. I was intrigued to see what all the ruckus was about when this was released. While I’m not a fan of horrors I was fairly surprised by how well it reeled me into the story.
Sammy: ‘Sonic X Shadow Generations’
One of the best Sonic games during a time when the franchise was known for its run of terrible games, now looks even better and plays just as well. The additional Shadow Generations game finally gives the Ultimate Lifeform his long-overdue solo adventure that delves deeper into his tragic past.
Gary: ‘Arizona Sunshine Remake’
This remake made so many improvements over the original PSVR release that it honestly felt like a brand-new game. Arizona Sunshine Remake is the ultimate Arizona Sunshine experience for new players with the inclusion of all previously released DLC included.
Dylan: ‘Persona 3 Reload’
Persona 5 was my entry into the Persona franchise so when they announced Persona 3 was being remade in the style of Persona 5 I was over the moon knowing I was going to be able to experience it for the first time with the better art style and all the fantastic quality of life changes from the original game and it didn’t let me down at all. Persona 4 next, please!
Cambie: ‘Last of us 2 Remaster’
One thing I loved about the remaster was that it treated fans to three never-before-seen levels that were cut from the original game, although they weren’t finished it showed a sneak peek behind the curtain and with almost like a director cut made it that much more special while also giving commentary through the levels. Was definitely worth it!
Em: ‘Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake’
Summarizing my earlier points, studios need to study ‘Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake’ for how a remake is done right. The integration of the classic 16bt look of the sprites against the modern graphics of the surrounding environment refreshes the game in such a way that doesn’t detract from the original’s atmosphere, only enhances it for the current state of gaming. This game pays for itself with the replayability options of testing out different party combos and strategies for battle.

Stace: ‘Diablo IV: Vessel Of Hatred’
God dang, this time Blizzard came out the gates swinging. With additional story content I would consider better than the base story, this DLC brought a range of new mounts, gear and even new sections of the map. I was thoroughly impressed by how clean and how perfectly it ties everything together.
Ash: ‘The Talos Principle 2: Road to Elysium’
This was a given as my game of the year last year was The Talos Principle 2. So it stands to reason that being given more of what I love ‘The Talos Principle 2: Road to Elysium’ gets my vote.
Hayden: ‘Diablo IV: Vessel Of Hatred’
The content I have watched and hearing how excited Stace was whilst playing is not an easy feat which is why this DLC is getting this spot. Blizzard spent the time and created a DLC that is worth purchasing and worth sinking time into for all the Diablo fans.
Yas: “Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis – The Answer”
Aigis was my best girl in Persona 3 Reload, so I was overjoyed when the Episode Aigis DLC was announced. Aigis’ arc is heartfelt, deep and gorgeous. Adding even more content to an already jam-packed game, it builds upon the Persona universe in a way that sheds a whole new light on the S.E.E.S gang, and especially Aigis which made me fall for her even more.
Larry: ‘Destiny 2: The Final Shape DLC’
I will admit, there have been a few times that Bungie have reeled me back in with an intriguing DLC but very little has kept me hooked. The Final Shape DLC was one of them. Apart from the usual new story missions, weapons and supers. I ultimately came back for Cayde but was thoroughly surprised by the sheer atmospheric campaign missions.
Sammy: ‘Tekken 8 Season 1 Pass’
As an Eddy Gordo player since Tekken 3, seeing him revealed as the first DLC character was a huge relief knowing I didn’t have to wait long to play as my main. Lidia and Heihachi (who isn’t dead after all) were also fantastic additions and the story expansion adds even more to the lore. Recently announced and released guest character, Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy XVI has already shaken things up.
Gary: ‘Beat Saber Metallica Pack’
I have been enjoying the shreds of Metallica for almost my entire life, so seeing a Metallica music pack getting added to Beat Saber more than filled me with excitement. This music pack doesn’t just cover a tonne of bangers over the course of Metallica’s epic music career, it also adds a new variable note speed mechanic where the more intense a song is the faster the blocks will appear.
Dylan: ‘Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’
FromSoftware cooked for 2 years to give us an expansion that on its own is bigger than some brand-new games, includes a map that was only slightly smaller than the original game, includes some incredible visuals/atmosphere and has some of the best boss fights they’ve ever designed. If I could ever award Game of the Year to a DLC, it would be this one.
Cambie: ‘Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance’
I couldn’t have asked for a more fun and enjoyable experience. Each aspect of the game pushes everything to the limit, and the fantastic gameplay and lore really pull you into the world and into the characters. Being able to feel the compassion and hatred of each character really digs deep.
Em: ‘World of Warcraft: The War Within’
I cannot give more praise to ‘World of Warcraft: The War Within’. It brought me back to WoW with a vengeance after so long, and now I’m stuck in my WoW-Hole once again. The first entry in the trilogy of the ‘Worldsoul Saga’, kicks things off with a huge bang, introducing the Harbinger of the Void, Xal’Atath, and she’s hellbent on claiming the Worldsoul for herself. I cannot wait for the continuation of this story. It’s just so good, and it’s a great entry/reentry point for new and old players alike.

Stace: ‘Akarat – Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred’
I have played some wonderful games this year, but I must admit not many of these gems had characters I connected with or overtly loved to play as or next to. A toss-up between Mephisto and Akarat, Akarat the golden lion god incredibly voice acted. He had added so much heart and soul to the story and was probably the one character that made me gasp with my hands over my mouth with feeling.
Ash: ‘Indiana Jones – Indiana Jones And The Great Circle’
Considering I did a double-take when hearing Indiana Jones, thinking they took Harrison Ford’s voice directly from the movies. When discovering ‘Troy Baker’ voiced our intrepid adventurer. Sir, I tip my fedora to you.
Hayden: ‘Indiana Jones – Indiana Jones And The Great Circle’
If I didn’t know the talented Troy Baker was voicing Indiana Jones I would have sworn it was Harrison Ford. The developers did a fantastic job and made this character look just like the character we grew up loving Troy Baker making him sound like the character we all grew up loving.
Yas: ‘Astrobot – Astro Bot’
Team ASOBI created a PlayStation icon quite a while back with Astro. Our little bot is super endearing and I was super invested in his mission to save PlayStation icons. Astro has delivered so many aww and awe-inspiring moments, even the occasional tear to my eye, and that’s the mark of a true hero.
Larry: ‘Cayde-6 – Destiny 2’
Who doesn’t love Cayde-6? I’m sure plenty of Destiny fans would agree with me when I say I was overwhelmed with joy to see my beloved Hunter Vanguard. While it was a very bittersweet moment to see him come back for a little stint. It was a glorious moment to ride again with the one and only Cayde-6.
Sammy: ‘Ichiban Kasuga –  Like A Dragon’
Kazuma Kiryu will always be the face of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise, but Ichiban has managed to forge his own path and fanbase, bringing comedic relief but can also be serious and rise to the occasion. He made a big impact as the new protagonist in his debut game and went deeper into his past in his second game and fans are already excited to see what’s next for Ichiban Kasuga.
Gary: ‘Max – Max Mustard’
Falling in love with a completely voiceless character is no easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. What made Max my favourite character was more so the effort that Toast Interactive put in to help you connect with the character. An excited wave of the hand, an infectious smile and the clincher was the way that she would look toward you as her navigator with a look on her face as if to say, where do we go from here?
Dylan: ‘Astro Bot – Astro Bot’
Why should I pick one character when our new little PlayStation mascot is not only adorable in its own right but can also cosplay characters from beloved games like Bloodborne, The Last of Us, Ratchet & Clank and more, How cute is that? Astro is here to stay as the face of PlayStation going forward I feel and I couldn’t be happier.
Cambie: ‘Mario – Mario vs. Donkey Kong’
All my life Mario has been there yahooing around and creating memories for me mario is my all-time favourite character with every game he’s in, slowly building the story and lore behind who Mario is and who he influences. Not to mention that every Mario game is amazing.
Em: ‘Xal’atath – World of Warcraft: The War Within’
I am ignoring every single red flag that comes from Xal’atath now and forever. First seen in Legion, bound to an artifact dagger of the same name, this Void Shadow Priest has been unleashed upon Azeroth thanks to a bargain with the adventure N’Zoth, and, oh my god, thank you N’Zoth. The Harbinger of the Void is a badass antagonist who is ruthless, cunning, and extremely dangerous. She destroys the Nerubian Royal Family from within and creates an army of Nerubians to claim the Worldsoul of Azeroth. I can’t wait for her story to continue. 

Stace: ‘Black Myth: Wukong’
Muchly deserving of the praise too, Black Myth Wukong was a game, that I knew certain people would love but the fact the mass audiences enjoyed it was such a refreshing sign this year.
Ash: ‘Nothing’
This year presented itself in such a way that nothing took me by surprise. My expectations of failure and success across the board met the status quo. I suppose the biggest unexpected success was making it to the end of the year unphased by it all.
Hayden: ‘Palworld’
Whilst I didn’t dabble too much in Palworld I was super surprised to see how quickly it had grown and how many people were stuck into playing it While it’s existence might have been super short it was still a super surprising thing to see people playing the title to the amount they did.
Yas: “Stellar Blade”
Stellar Blade was a slow-burn for me, my first impressions were that it had potential, but was not quite shooting for the stars. While it’s by no means perfect, the gameplay, visuals and soundtrack kept me coming back. To top it all off, the recent NieR: Automata DLC and content updates have brought me back for a second playthrough and its nominations at The Game Awards speak for themselves.
Larry: ‘Palworld’
While I didn’t play too much of Palworld I am quite surprised it didn’t get sued out of existence. I was fairly shocked to see it make a huge comeback and gain mass popularity not only across the globe but also among my friends. Palworld made a huge comeback and if I’m honest, I did get addicted for a while.
Sammy: ‘Helldivers II’
It feels like this game came out of nowhere, as it blasted onto the gaming scene with rave reviews and a huge player base that the servers couldn’t handle. Even though it’s had issues with Sony’s questionable business decisions, no one can deny the impact it had on release day. Even those who don’t normally play shooters haven’t been able to put this down.
Gary: ‘Helldivers II’
Having played the original Helldivers it was no surprise to see Helldivers 2 doing well out of the gate. The biggest surprise for me was the fact that Helldivers 2 was such a hit with so many people who wouldn’t typically play a shooter. There is so much great stuff in this game that even music artists were making entire albums dedicated to fighting the good fight and chronicling our desperate struggles.
Dylan: ‘Balatro’
Balatro was developed by a solo developer named LocalThunk, who had such low expectations for the game that the production file is still stored in the “Learning” directory on their PC. This tells you how far the game has come, reaching impressive heights since its release, including collaborations with other famous indie titles such as Cult of the Lamb, Stardew Valley and more.
Cambie: ‘Sea of Thieves for PlayStation’
Even though it was released way back in 2018, Sea of Thieves is undoubtedly one of the biggest financial successes of 2024, and it stems from a move we never anticipated Xbox would make. Although I have never played Sea of Thieves I always watched my friends play and it always looked like such a blast with some great dlcs not hard to see why it stands up even these days.
Em: ‘Palworld’
Palworld brought what fans of a certain long-running, very popular series have been asking for for years, decades even – a truly open-world experience. The difference? Base building, your Pals having literal guns, multiplayer aspects, enslaving your Pals for industry production. I knew it would be big, but I had no idea it would grow to be as massive as it did. Despite the legal issues, the game is still being regularly updated with new Pals, new events, and stat balancing.

Stace: ‘Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League’
Oh dear, what a bloated mess this seemed to be. Live service was always going to be the nail in the coffin for this one, but behind all the bright colours it was flat. Flat in content, flat in creativeness, flat in story.
Ash: ‘All You Need Is Help’
All You Need Is Help … to be shown to the nearest woodchipper thrown in and forgotten about. This travesty of a puzzle game proves the human race is doomed as logic is tossed into the nearby woodchipper as well. Stupid people need to stop breeding.
Hayden: ‘Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League’
This game was great for the storyline and was something I played from start to finish without thinking about another title but the post-game gameplay which was meant to be filled with content was super repetitive and boring and super grindish which made me not even go back to complete the DLC’s when released.
Yas: ‘Concord’
As one of the minority who got to experience Concord before servers got pulled, I can say that I was not completely surprised the hero shooter missed the mark. While it wasn’t necessarily the most original or fun game, I could see potential down the line, but unfortunately, we all predicted the future with this one, as the somewhat uninspired, overdone gameplay led to Concord’s mission ending well before it could take off.
Larry: ‘The First Descendant’
The First Descendant. I had high hopes for this game as I found vast similarities with Destiny but with heaps more content. I’m not saying it was a bad game but it just died very quickly for me and it was sad to see. Some may disagree but I did expect a lot more from this game.
Sammy: ‘Concord’
There have been a lot of disappointing games this year, but none have fallen harder than Concord, which led to Sony taking it offline after only two weeks, refunding customers and closing down an entire studio. Sony has a whole library of classic games they should look at remaking, porting to modern consoles or maybe even some sequels.
Gary: ‘Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League’
Even though I really enjoyed playing through the main campaign and played through most of the first season just to unlock Joker, I couldn’t keep playing this abomination of a live service title. Way too much grind for very little reward killed this game and fast.
Dylan: ‘Concord’
I didn’t even get the chance to fully experience Concord but the fact the game only lasted TWO weeks before being sunset after it was in development for eight years and costing over $400 million USD to make tells you everything you need to know about it’s troubles. Sony fumbled this one in a huge way and surely learnt its lesson in the process.
Cambie: ‘XDefiant’
I knew from the very beginning that Xdefiant wouldn’t last even though it was very fun to play with friends, it didn’t have longevity built in and it got very boring very fast. Especially with the late release of additions to the game and the release of Black Ops 6, it was dead in the water from the beginning.
Em: ‘Outward Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch’
Having previously played Outward on the PC, I was excited to play it in a portable format. It’s known that the Nintendo Switch does have a limit to its software capabilities, but Jesus, it’s not THAT limited. This port was an insult to anyone who bought it. It was literally like it was put through a free online porting website, and uploaded to the Nintendo Store with a $60.00 price point without any playtesting, optimization, anything. Absolute joke. 

Stace: ‘Continuous lay-offs in the industry’
The billion-dollar companies trying to penny-pinch in the smaller developer sectors are grotesque. Collapsing teams, projects and laying off the little guys is really hurting the industry even when they established themselves with fabulous games. Gaming is in dire straights.
Ash: ‘NFT Games’
Companies trying to force these games into existence. Stop it, no one wants it, no one needs it. We just want you to make games so we can have fun, not measure how long our … umm … purse strings are … yes that’ll do …
Hayden: xDefiant Sunsetting
I was super disappointed to see xDefiant was being sunsetted which in turn puts lots of people out of work which sucks for the gaming industry which is already hurting. I would have loved to see some more content put into the title to see more people coming back as the game was super enjoyable to play.
Yas: Studio Closures
The game industry seems to be thriving more than ever, so it’s baffling just how frequent studio layoffs are so common. This year saw the hugely successful Hi-Fi Rush devs, Tango Studio get shut down as well as Arkane Studios in Austin, the makers of the unfortunate failure, Redfall. It’s terrifying that game devs are at the mercy of larger parent companies, where a small misstep or a “reprioritising of resources” can lead to the complete closure and loss of hundreds of jobs.
Larry: ‘xDefiant shutting down’
I did dabble in a few games on xDefiant and found it pretty fun so it was very surprising to see Ubisoft make the ultimate decision to shut it down. This adds to a very tumultuous year for Ubisoft. xDefiant is not even a year old and with servers already being shut down shows how quickly things can change in an instant.
Sammy: ‘Microsoft buying and shutting down studios’
Alpha Dog Games, Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks were all sadly shut down this year and not even award-winning games were enough to save them from closure. It’s not a good look for Microsoft and other studios now being cautious of them.
Gary: ‘xDefiant shutting down’
Seriously Ubisoft what the hell are you thinking? The announcement of this shutdown was honestly a complete shock to me and completely devastating as a frequent player. This shutdown has left me feeling like a child who has just had all of their fun taken away.
Dylan: ‘More Layoffs’
I remember back to when Xbox acquired Activision/Blizzard and promised “zero layoffs” so when the gaming industry is constantly boasting profits and growth why are devs waking up each morning wondering if they still have a job or not? I implore leadership at these companies to please do better.
Cambie: ‘Development shifting’
One thing I’ve found really disappointing is the way game studios are moving towards publishing unfinished games and releasing work-in-progress titles even on AAA games. This sucks to see as it takes away from the overall experience ruining it for a lot of people.
Em: ‘Studio layoffs’
Ah, there’s nothing like waking up in the morning to read the news about more million/billion-dollar studios laying off their employees in the midst of some of their highest-profiting years. Capitalist greed knows no bounds, and it shone bright this year when thousands upon thousands of industry workers across the board lost their livelihoods.

Stace: ‘HasanAbi’
In a climate that is so politically charged at the present time, Hasan brings an insightful look into what is currently going on in the world. I have huge respect for someone who is a square peg in a circle hole.
Ash: ‘Joe Vargas’
The Angry Joe Show was the first channel I followed on YouTube. After 16 years I still return to his content every week.
Hayden: ‘Cleetus McFarland’
There are not too many people who own a race track and a private airport but Cleetus does and I’m yet to miss one of his videos. The number of toys he has and his positive attitude to his videos is something I look forward to coming home each night and watching.
Yas: ‘Kingwoolz’
Anyone who knows me knows that horror games are not my jam. However, watching others play horror games absolutely is. Watching Kingwoolz face plenty of spooky and straight-up terrifying encounters in indie horror games is hilarious, all while letting me experience horror games without having to actually play them.}
Larry: ‘Cole Bennet’
Founder of Lyrical Lemonade, Cole Bennet has consistently pushed the boundaries when it comes to music videos. From 2013-present there hasn’t been a single video that hasn’t captivated many and he is still building the Lyrical Lemonade empire with various ventures such as merch, beverages and the ever-popular Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash. Thanks to his hard work and the fans, Lyrical Lemonade is now a home for various talented directors trying to find their feet in the industry.
Sammy: ‘jwonggg’
Justin Wong is a fighting game eSports legend who currently holds 9 EVO Championships amongst other big achievements, but most might remember him for EVO Moment 37 being on receiving end of the infamous Daigo Parry in 2004. Outside of FGC events, he also applies his talents as a streamer and YouTuber playing his favourite games, even trying his luck in terrible/unfairly hard fighting games and hilariously getting Daigo Parried in online matches against other players.
Gary: ‘Matteo 311’
I have consumed a hell of a lot of VR content this year as there have been so many exciting new games and hardware released. I came across Matteo while perusing some upcoming titles and caught a few of his reviews. It quickly became clear that Matteo was more than just a fan of VR he truly loved the platform and what it can achieve.
Dylan: ‘KaiCenat’
Kai had an incredible year full of staggering numbers during his many marathon streams. The one I easily enjoyed the most was his Elden Ring marathon since I’m a huge fan of the game and its developer, because of this he also introduced an entire audience of people to try out FromSoftware games for the first time which can only be described as a good thing.
Cambie: ‘Ambiguousamphibian’
This content creator has made huge strides all without showing his face creating real and authentic videos for everyone to enjoy, while also being true to his word. Even though he may be another cog in the machine he got me through a lot of hard times with his positive and funny energy.
Em: ‘j aubrey’
Although not gaming-related, I’m a sucker for a good, long-form, well-researched documentary into influencer and celebrity debauchery. Call it a ‘Tea’ or ‘Drama’ channel, but ‘j aubrey’ is the only YouTuber I receive push notifications for. His Deep Dives into the messy side of fame and fortune is a humbling reminder of why it’s okay not to be rich, powerful and influential, because the higher you fly, the harder you fall. 

Stace: ‘Helldivers II’
I did not think I would have this much fun in a game, it totally blindsided me. The instance-to-instance hilarious moments come thick and fast as you take out enemies in a very ‘Starship Troopers’ like parody style. Snubbed at the official Games Awards, it is an injustice to ignore just how good this game was this year.
Ash: ‘Warhammer 40000: Space Marine 2’
I was tossing up between ‘Angry Foot’ and ‘Space Marine 2’. Ultimately ‘Space Marine 2’ just edges out ‘Angry Foot’ because you can put many more hours into ‘Spae Maarine 2’ and you can do it with your brothers.
Hayden: ‘Farming Simulator 25’
This was not a hard decision this year and that is purely because Farming Simulator I can get lost in time with this game you start playing look at the clock and it’s been six hours and the memories I get to make with my friends whilst we are attempting to farm is nothing but amazing so that is why it’s getting my Game of the Year for 2024.
Yas: ‘Astro Bot’
To absolutely no one’s surprise Astro Bot takes Game of the Year for me. A loving tribute to all the games I grew up with as a PlayStation kid, with super varied gameplay, worlds and characters, it’s a wild and heartwarming ride through PlayStation’s history and serves as a reminder of all the glorious game series that deserves to be brought back into the limelight.
Larry: ‘Helldivers II’
Game of the year. No surprises from me but of course it is Helldivers 2, providing heaps of entertainment with my mates and hours of thrill. Helldivers 2 had me blasting Motley Crue 24/7 while spreading Democracy across the galaxy.
Sammy: ‘Tekken 8’
Tekken 8 has been one of the most exciting and competitive games of the year, creating some of the biggest moments at eSports events worldwide. The player base is bigger than ever, the game is more accessible than before and it pays homage to its 30-year-long history, with no signs of it slowing down as the Season 2 Pass has already announced. It’s been a big year for the FGC and Tekken players will always be getting ready for the next battle in 2025 and beyond.
Gary: ‘Warhammer 40000: Space Marine 2’
I’m with my fellow Space Marine, Brother Ash on this one. I haven’t found a game this year that was easier to pick up and even harder to put down. Playing this gem with fellow brothers has brought me the most fun I’ve had in years.
Dylan: ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantasy world so rich and diverse filled with characters, stories, and things to do that I felt a part of its world from the very beginning. My favourite games are ones that take me on unforgettable journeys that I fall in love with and create memories that I’ll one day look back on with nostalgia. Atlus & Studio Zero have accomplished this, which is why Metaphor: ReFantazio is my Game of the Year in 2024.
Cambie: ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’
In my opinion, this has been the most fun and exciting game I’ve played all year no game has matched it, it created such a great story that blended so well into the gameplay making it feel natural and smooth.
Em: ‘Sons of the Forest’
I was so excited for this sequel to the cult classic The Forest, and I’m so glad it made leaps and bounds over my expectations. Building on its predecessor’s format, with new and improved features, a whole new building system overhaul, recruitable NPCs, expanded multiplayer options, and its intense new story filled with mystery and suspense, ‘Sons of the Forest’ is the stand-out for me this year. 

MKAU Gaming would also like to thank all the developers, publishers, fans, and our amazing community members for all the love, support, and amazing opportunities you have provided us this crazy year as content creators and media. We wish you all a happy holiday and a prosperous, merry, and safe new year gaming into 2025!  – MKAU KREW

Editors: To our amazing review team, thank you for all your outstanding hard work and dedication this year. We couldn’t do it without you! – Stace, Ash and Mel