For this latest batch of five games coming in 2024, we have everything from intense anime fighting game, through to peaceful world exploration and puzzle solving. Let’s dive in!
40 – Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]
PS5, PS4, NSW, PC – 25th January 2024
In the finest of Japanese and fighting game traditions, the Under Night In-Birth series has done its very best to avoid slapping a number on the end with a full sequel. Originally debuting in arcades in 2012, Exe:Late brought major revisions and console releases, with Exe:Late[st] and Exe:Late[cl-r] bringing further revisions and improvements. But French-Bread and Eccole Software are finally obliging fans with a full, numbered sequel in 2024.
Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes] will be the final chapter in the Hollow Night storyline that the original story began, but more important will be the revamped battle system with an expanded move list, new character abilities, balance changes to the new and returning characters, and the implementation of rollback netcode.
39 – Outcast: A New Beginning
PS5, XSX|S, PC – 15th March 2024
Outcast: A New Beginning revives the world and setting of the 1999 cult classic original. Developer Appeal Studios is seeking to really reinvent what it means to be an open world game by crafting a setting that will meaningfully grow and offer you opportunities depending on your actions.
You’ll be helping the native Talan lead a resistant fight against hostile robot invaders, fostering settlements to regrow, and then having the chance to, for example, hatch an egg found in the wild, nurture the offspring within, and then ride the giant flying creature it turns into into battle against the robots once more.
38 – Europa
PC – 18th April 2024
Take a break from all the intense action games and multiplayer battles with Europa, as you explore the calm and peaceful environment with Zee, the android.
Jupiter’s moon of Europa has been terraformed into a lush paradise, but for some reason the human populace has disappeared and their settlements crumbled into ruin. Zee sets out in search of answers, gradually growing the power of their Zephyr jetpack to boost and glide further through the world, while solving puzzles and uncovering secrets within the ruins.
Play the Europa demo now on Steam.
37 – Yohane the Parhelion – NUMAZU in the MIRAGE
PS5, XSX|S, PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 22nd February 2024
A spin off from the multimedia franchise Love Live! Sunshine!!, Yohane the Parhelion reimagines all of the characters from the original anime into a new fantasy setting with Yohane heading back home to Numazu to try and start a fortune-telling service. That doesn’t quite go to plan in the anime… but we’re here to talk about video games!
After a 2D metroidvania released this year, 2024 will see Yohane the Parhelion leap into the deckbuilding roguelite genre with Numazu in the Mirage. Play cards to dictate moves in battle and try to navigate your way through a maze-like map of a mirror universe “Reverse-Numazu”.
36 – Pacific Drive
PS5, PC – 22nd February 2024
Trapped in an anomaly-ridden exclusion zone in the Pacific Northwest, you’re only goal is survival, and your only hope of survival is a beaten up wood-panelled station wagon.
Head out from your safe haven on missions that will take you deeper and deeper into the Olympic Exclusion Zone, scavenge for scrap metal and resources, and repair and upgrade your car to help you get further and further through this abandoned research site.
Anything tickling your fancy? Come back tomorrow for another set of up and coming games next year.
