Wes' Top 5 Favorite Video Games of 2024! [Wes' World, Issue 51] - December 2024

🎮 I play my games on "easy" mode, and I suck at Fortnite. 👾

Dec 05, 2024

Video games are not only one of my favorite pastimes, they have become a vital part of my creative process. Over the past twenty-five years, much of my work has been influenced by the games I love to play. From the Zelda franchise and Mario Bros. to Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War, the stories, the art, the mechanics, and the sounds of video games have impacted the comics I make.

This past year, I’ve played fifteen different video games, but not a lot of new releases. That said, here are my Top 5 Favorite Video Games of 2024:

Baldur’s Gate 3 (PS5)

Baldur’s Gate 3 is massive in every possible way. It’s the first game I’ve played where I want to replay it, not because I want to experience the story again, but because there are entirely different stories to experience!

My friend, Jeff, and I were playing through this game at the same time. And every day we’d check in to see how the other was progressing. I was so worried about spoiling the story for him (or having it spoiled for me!), but we both quickly discovered that—despite us both being in the same spot in the game—we had played through very different experiences! Neither of us made the same choices, had the same interactions, or explored the same areas. And because of that, the story outcomes and the makeup of our party were very different!

I highly recommend this game if you haven’t played it yet. Totally lives up to the hype.

Fallout 4 (PS4/PS5)

I had already played through Fallout 4 a couple years ago on the PS4, and I loved it. When the show was released on Amazon Prime this year, Bethesda re-released the game with enhanced graphics and additional content for the PS5. I had to get it, and went ahead and got the older DLC for it, as well. Still have yet to finish all the new content, but it’s been fun to roam around the Commonwealth again. Great game.

Homescapes (Mobile)

This one is a little embarrassing, but during the spring and summer I was absolutely addicted to this game.

In case you’re unaware, Homescapes is a mobile game where you solve puzzles and remodel a house. There’s a cute little storyline that unfolds as you bring each room of the house back to life. It’s a pretty clever—and addictive—formula.

My goal was to renovate all the rooms in the house, which I accomplished. When I finished them, an all new area was unlocked for the protagonist to redecorate. The idea of remodeling another house felt a little tedious. Not only that, but the little love story between the main character and his childhood friend was still spinning its wheels. It was time for me to move on.

If you’re looking for a good time-waster, this game will certainly do the trick.

The Room 2 (mobile)

The Room 2 is available on multiple platforms, but I played it on my phone. You wouldn’t know it by looking at it, but this little game is over a decade old! And it holds up really well!

If you like games like Myst where you solve puzzles to progress to another area (in this case, another room), then this game is for you. The game is atmospheric and creepy, so definitely play with some headphones on. It’s not a very long game (you should be able to finish it in under two hours), and it will definitely leave you wanting more. But the short amount of time you get with it is very enjoyable.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4/PS5)

Red Dead Redemption 2 is not a new game. In fact, it’s pushing eight-years-old. But it is my favorite game of all time, and I decided to plug it into my PS5 to see if it still holds up. I’m here to tell you, friends, that it totally does. The graphics and scenery are still breathtaking, and the story is second-to-none. If you’ve never played this game, you could probably snag a used copy for pretty cheap. And you totally should. You can thank me later.

Honorable Mention

Fortnite is the most popular game in the world, and I absolutely suck at it. But my sons love it, so I play in order to stay relevant to them. Luckily, Fortnite added a Guitar Hero element and a LEGO-themed element, and both of those modes have occupied my time more than the Battle Royale mode. My oldest says that the new modes “aren’t Fortnite”, but he’s not the boss of me. I do what I want.

God of War: Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLC is pretty fun and provides a lot of story that fills in the gaps between the original games and these last two Norse-themed games. I still haven’t finished it, but I will. Eventually. Quit bugging me about it.