Once again 2024 delivered loads of brilliant video games. At times it felt like you couldn’t go a week without a great new game releasing. However, there have been two main standouts for me this year. One of which I was hoping would be great fun and one that I wasn’t expecting at all to capture my attention in the way it did.
Helldivers 2

There is no denying that the launch of Helldivers 2 took the gaming world by storm. Its fun and frantic gameplay that went from the top-down view of the original to fully 3D felt like a breath of fresh air. Whether eradicating bugs or
blasting robots you were always having a hell of a good time with your fellow Helldivers.
With loads of stratagems to unlock, difficulty levels to master, and items to unlock through the war bonds there has always been plenty to get stuck into. I’m not even that high level in the game and haven’t played it religiously. However, it’s one of those games that I know I will always be happy to dip in and out for years to come when something new drops – like the newest enemy faction that revealed itself not too long ago. Or when I just fancy some good old-fashioned fun dishing out democracy with friends.

It’s not all been plain sailing with the game with the controversy around account linking with Sony. That being said, the core gameplay has always delivered fun. I think one of the best things about the game has been the fact that friendly fire has always been switched on. If it wasn’t I don’t think the game would have half as many funny moments as I’ve experienced. In fact I’d say that most of the funniest moments from the game have come about from friendly fire incidents coupled with the ragdoll physics.
I think there are too many games these days that have lost their way a bit with being fun and instead adding random bloat that doesn’t feel like it really adds anything. That’s what I love about Helldivers. You can jump in, play a few games, and jump back out. There isn’t crazy FOMO trying to drag you back in all the time. It’s simple, shoot stuff and enjoy yourself.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Speaking of games being ‘fun’. The new Indiana Jones game perfectly sums that up with its tongue-in-cheek romp around the world searching for a circle.
I’m sure many have already said it, but Indiana Jones and the Great Circle felt like playing a video game version of one of the early Indiana films. The tone, the settings, the art style, and Troy Baker doing a pretty spot-on Harrison Ford impression. I was pretty blown away by how much I like this game.
Again, one of the main things that resonated with me and this game was that it felt a lot more streamlined than I was expecting. It’s not open-world per se, but there is a free-roaming openness to the areas. Which lets you approach your missions in loads of different ways. But it doesn’t feel dragged out or sluggish in its pacing. Sure, there are also some side quests to engage in and collectibles to gather up. However, I felt like the side quests all added something to the game. Whether that was additional story or fun puzzles. None of that felt dull or pointless. Even the collectibles add a little bit. Although, I didn’t go out of my way to hunt them all down as I didn’t feel like I needed to.

It’s so cliche to say, but it does make you feel like Indiana Jones, or at the very least like you’re in the movies. It’s camp, it’s silly, over the top, and more. But it is just so enjoyable. I found myself laughing and smiling all the time. The environments are beautifully imagined with so much detail and so many interesting spaces to explore. The fact that it was on Gamepass is just a little cherry on top. I might not have played it otherwise. With so many other games I wanted to play and already had to play. Dropping another £60 on one I wasn’t sure about wasn’t likely. However, I’m so glad I decided to give it the time during the Christmas period. It’s a blast.
Roll on 2025 and even more incredible games.
-Will