The end of the year is upon us, meaning the holiday-game rush is here. This year feels lighter than in the past, but make no mistake; there are quite a few bangers to add to your wishlist if you haven’t already.

Without further ado, let’s close out the year with a bang.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – September 9

Starting with a literal bang, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is finally here! Previews have been glowing over Saber Interactive’s latest work, which looks to build off the pillars of World War Z.

This game screams insanity, and with a group of your friends, I don’t see how you can’t be excited to turn off your brain and melt Tyranids. You can preorder for four days of early access, but since I’m constantly knee-deep in a trillion titles, I’ll wait until the rest of the world gets it…

Or maybe I won’t. Social media has a way of making you feel like you’re missing out.

The Plucky Squire – September 17

I’ve had my eye on this one for some time since I adore the charm developer All Possible Futures has shown with The Plucky Squire. The gameplay reminds me of LittleBigPlanet, a treasured series in my heart, as your little squire jumps in and out of the pages of a book.

I’m looking forward to this one, especially because it’ll provide a much-needed break from the constant barrage of triple AAA gaming I partake in.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster – September 18

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t really like Dead Rising‘s time loop, which gave you X hours to survive a zombie infestation while completing side missions and fighting off deranged humans. 

That said, I am looking forward to giving it a chance with Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, which is quite the contradictory name since there’s a lot more at play here than better FPS and a paint of coat.

Thanks to Capcom giving Dead Rising the RE Engine treatment Devil May Cry 3 needs (I will never stop my DMC 3 propaganda), Frank West is back and better than ever. The footage looks incredible and with updated control schemes and features, this could be the “Snyder Cut” I need to enjoy this game.

Black Ops 6 – October 25

Death, taxes, and Call of Duty releasing yet again are life’s guarantees.

Honestly, I don’t get excited for CoD anymore, especially in 2024. That said, the bare minimum of positive emotion I get slightly increases when it’s Treyarch’s turn at the franchise. This year promises absurd movement mechanics via omnimovement, which will take some time to get used to after hands-on with the beta, the proper return of Zombies, and Classic Prestige for the first time since it was oddly axed in Modern Warfare 2019.

Again, I don’t get super excited for CoD anymore, but I do feel heightened anticipation when it’s Treyarch’s turn to drive the CoD bus.

Honorable Mentions

• I Am Your Beast – I’ve shared my love for this game in a previous post, so I felt it was only fair to mention it again.
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Last year’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage left me a little bummed, and while Shadows is seemingly back to the RPG formula I hate, the Japanese setting certainly should be enough to deliver a good game… right?
• Shadows of the Damn Hella Remastered – I got to play a little bit of this at PAX East earlier this year, and it was solid enough to pique my interest. My friend also swears by this game, so I’ll give it a whirl at some point.