Steam is flooded with positive reviews! Which of the top 10 hot games in early 2024 have you played?
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Release Date: 01/18/2024
Metascore: 86/100
Despite many friends considering Ubisoft a "canned food factory," with most of its open-world AAA games tasting similar, when it comes to artistry and innovation, titles like "Rayman," "Beyond Good & Evil," and "Braveheart" have truly set the stage. Kicking off 2024, Ubisoft has taken a page from the book of "Star Wars" and "Castlevania" with "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown," showcasing creativity like never before.
This installment introduces a difficulty option, so newbies need not fret over challenging controls. Coupled with detailed tutorial levels and map guidance, you'll rarely find yourself stuck in a boss battle loop or lost in a maze of dead ends.
At the same time, Ubisoft has prepared over 60 distinct and uniquely styled enemies for seasoned players. Paired with a combat system that offers both depth and the joy of combo moves, the further you delve, the more features there are to explore. Whether it's skill combinations or combo design, the game offers a high level of replayability.
Of course, in a game like "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown," map design is crucial. The addition of mechanics like time stop, rewind, and blink further ensures the feasibility of complex and varied terrain. Each scene in the game presents different mechanisms and secret passages. Apart from dangerous environmental scenes and mechanisms, mysterious treasure chests and reward items are also placed in unexpected places. The exploration aspect of the game is definitely maxed out!
Balancing both new and veteran players, the action system is impactful, skill combinations and various items ensure depth of exploration, the map design is excellent, the graphics are exquisite, and the special effects are gorgeous... Apart from the relatively high price, "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown" is a near-flawless work. Those who understand Ubisoft games know that it's definitely worth buying at full price after the limited-time offer ends!
Palworld
Release Date: 01/19/2024
Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (222,754 reviews, 94% positive)
The popularity of "Fantasy Beast Paru" needs no further elaboration. Although it's only been less than two months since 2024 began, it can be asserted that this is the most sensational game of the year. It has already dominated social media platforms both domestically and internationally for quite some time... Even excluding the discussions surrounding its legal issues with Pokémon, the game's content clearly has many merits.
In terms of gameplay, Paru has little to do with "Pokémon." Setting aside the "throwing balls to capture" element, it is essentially an open-world survival and construction game. Players will gradually explore the vast map, collect magical creatures called Paru, and use them to build and repair homes, cultivate crops, craft necessary items, and fight against powerful enemies.
The online system and private rooms ensure an excellent multiplayer experience. Playing solo for a long time may become boring, but struggling for your homeland with three to five good friends instantly elevates the gaming experience, bringing a lot of social energy through human interaction.
However, objectively speaking, the current content of the game is still a bit rough, and issues with cheats and bugs have not been completely resolved. But by combining elements from Zelda, Pokémon, and Ark, it still manages to provide a fresh experience for several dozen hours.
The widely circulated internet memes about being a "worker" and the countless players who have already voted with their wallets speak volumes. Whether you are a veteran of survival and construction games or a new player attracted by the "capitalist" memes online, "Fantasy Beast Paru" definitely lives up to its reputation. Just gather a few friends and enjoy the experience together.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Release Date: 01/26/2024
Steam Review: Overwhelmingly Positive (5,211 reviews, 91% positive)
"Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth" as the latest installment in the series, continues the fantastic yakuza story, turn-based combat system, various mini-games, and charming hostesses. It also introduces the gameplay of exploring Hawaii islands and building your own home, enriching the game's content. To fully immerse yourself, it may take hundreds of hours, and whether this investment is worth it is entirely up to you!
The game features a turn-based combat system similar to "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" with each character having unique abilities. For example, Kiryu Kazuma's exclusive job "Dragon of Dojima" allows him to switch between three combat styles, while Ichiban Kasuga's "Hero" job boosts the entire team's abilities. Each character's unique job offers different strategic possibilities, and choosing different teammates based on the situation can lead to unexpected effects. The process of gradually improving character abilities also provides a continuous sense of achievement.
Additionally, the game includes a wealth of side missions and mini-games for players to enjoy. In addition to classic mini-games like karaoke, darts, and mahjong, there are even arcade games for players to challenge. The participation of beautiful Taiwanese cheerleaders, Kson, Ashlynn models, and other actors adds to the game's charm. Whether you are a fan of the "Yakuza" series or not, the rich content and high-quality production of "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth" are definitely worth a try!
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Release Date: 01/25/2024
Steam Review: Overwhelmingly Positive (717 reviews, 93% positive)
In the field of detective-themed text adventure games, the "Ace Attorney" series is undoubtedly a prominent hallmark.
The latest installment, "Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy ," includes the main stories of "Ace Attorney 4," "Ace Attorney 5," and "Ace Attorney 6," as well as a special DLC chapter, totaling 16 chapters of storyline. "Ace Attorney 4" was previously only available on NDS/3DS platforms, and its release on Steam is believed to fulfill the needs of many fans who missed out.
In addition to the main game, this installment also introduces many new features. For example, the "Symphony Orchestra Hall" allows players to enjoy popular orchestral music pieces, as well as in-game BGM.
The "Art and Literature Library" not only includes exquisite illustrations and memorable scenes but also contains some original concept art. Completing each game or completing all three games will unlock a new illustration. Additionally, players can watch the original illustrations and a special short animation, "Ace Attorney 6 Prologue."
With its rich and immersive storyline, Chinese voiceovers and subtitles, and numerous additional features, there is no reason for fans of the "Ace Attorney" series or enthusiasts of detective-themed text adventure games to miss out on this equally enriching sequel.
TEKKEN 8
Release Date: 01/26/2024
Steam Review: Overwhelmingly Positive (10,579 reviews, 91% positive)
Nowadays, fighting games are relatively niche, and 3D fighting games are particularly difficult to get into. However, "Tekken 8" has received high scores, with a Metacritic score of 90 and over 10,000 reviews on Steam giving it a 91% "Very Positive" rating. These scores indirectly prove the game's quality, and it's not an exaggeration to say that it has raised the quality ceiling and lowered the entry barrier!
The biggest reason why people hesitate to play 3D fighting games is the difficulty of getting started. "Tekken 8" has significantly lowered the barrier to entry. Players can start their "ironing" career with "one-button moves" and single-player mode.
Nowadays, most fighting games have simplified modes like "one-button moves," which generally lack some actions compared to traditional button presses, or reduce combo damage. "Tekken 8" goes a step further by allowing players to switch instantly in the game, meaning the cost of practicing combos is greatly reduced.
In addition to the traditional story mode, "Tekken 8" also introduces a brand-new single-player game mode called "Arcade Missions" for players to experience. In this mode, players can customize their character's appearance and participate in a story set in an arcade hall from a player's perspective.
The replay function and AI enemies are intuitive ways to make progress. Replaying the video with the ability to re-enter commands allows players to clearly understand the correct strategy against enemies. During combat, each character used by the player will generate a separate AI. As the number of battles increases, the AI will gradually approach your own level of operation. Challenging the AI and seeing it constantly improve can be very rewarding.
Whether it's old friends reminiscing about the pure fun of the past or new players interested in trying 3D fighting games, now is the best time to get into "Tekken 8"!
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Release Date: 01/02/2024
Steam Review: Overwhelmingly Positive (20,444 reviews, 90% positive)
This game features a rich single-player mode that tells a unique and intriguing story within a distinctive world. It introduces a large cast of playable characters, each with unique weapons and skills, showcasing distinct action styles.
Moreover, the game supports 4-player online co-op, allowing you and your friends to unleash "Chain Attacks" and "Ougi Chains," resulting in a satisfying sense of impactful damage! A variety of large, imposing monsters ensures a fresh gameplay experience.
If you enjoy aspects like weapon and skill progression, as well as gear customization, this game will provide you with hours of enjoyment. It's worth noting that different characters require different materials, so focusing on developing one character first might be a good idea for full completion.
Additionally, Cygames has demonstrated impressive technical prowess, evident in the game's gorgeous and detailed character designs and visual quality, which alone can be a reason to dive into the game. The combat system and skill combinations are also exceptional, making it a worthwhile experience even if you're just looking to try out a multiplayer action RPG! Whether you're familiar with the Granblue Fantasy IP and its previous stories or not, this game welcomes every player to become a "Skyfarer"!
Persona 3 Reload
Release Date: 02/02/2024
Steam Review: Overwhelmingly Positive (8,246 reviews, 97% positive)
Although 2024 has yet to see "Persona 6," the highly acclaimed "Persona 3 Reload" on Steam is enough to satisfy fans' cravings.
As a classic remake in the series, "Persona 3 Reload" boasts epic enhancements to its gameplay mechanics, 4K/60fps graphics quality, newly produced 2D animations, and the largest volume of voice content in the series, all of which demonstrate the high quality of this remake.
In terms of gameplay, the game continues the series' classic turn-based combat and persona development system, with the enjoyment of "Persona fusion" and "Persona summoning" being self-evident. Although the dungeon crawling mechanic may be seen as a bit of a grind by some players, it undoubtedly deepens the JRPG's replayability and game length.
The game's main storyline maintains its original suspense and tension, while the addition of new character subplots and social interactions further adds to the game's freshness. If you are a fan of the storyline, the rich Galgame-style daily life and the profound main storyline involving life and death themes in "Persona 3 Reload" are definitely a must-play for 2024!
There is no doubt that the modernized remake of "Persona 3 Reload" is quite successful. I am even looking forward to the opportunity to experience this unforgettable story again. Whether you are a JRPG enthusiast or a loyal fan of the Persona series, you should not miss this game!
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition
Release Date: 07/02/2024
Steam Rating: Mixed (18,577 reviews, 47% positive)
"Wo Long" initially faced a lot of issues with bugs and optimization upon its release, but after a year of updates by the Ninja team, the PC experience can now be said to be above the acceptable level.
The gameplay of this game continues the ARPG approach. In addition to various weapons and combat skills, resolving or counteracting is the core mechanism of the game. While avoiding damage, you also accumulate momentum for the enemy. When the momentum bar is full, pressing the heavy attack key triggers an execution, causing a large amount of damage. In terms of action systems, the Ninja team has always been reliable, and game enthusiasts who enjoy challenges will surely find joy in it.
The complete edition is also very worthwhile, bundling all content in one go. In addition to the 46 main and sub-battlefield levels in the base version, it will also include 10 from DLC1 "The Hunt for the Central Plains", 10 from DLC2 "Dominating Jiangdong", and 12 from DLC3 "The Wind Rises in Jingzhou", totaling 32 new levels.
The new fifth round "The Way of the Dragon King" and the gradually improved late-game mode "Riding Solo for a Thousand Miles" further ensure the game's replayability. In the late game, not only are there various bosses carefully designed by the Ninja team, but there is also a chance to obtain "legendary equipment" with stronger effects. For friends who like to enhance character performance by brushing attributes and equipment, now is the time to further strengthen your characters.
If you haven't played the dark action game created by the Ninja team yet, "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition" is definitely the best time to get into it.
HELLDIVERS 2
Release Date: 08/02/2024
Steam Rating: Mostly positive (79,707 reviews, 71% positive)
Since its release, "HellDivers 2" has surpassed the total number of players online for all Sony PC games on Steam, showing its popularity. Apart from some indescribable server quality issues, this third-person cooperative shooter game has basically no obvious shortcomings.
In the game, players can form teams with up to three other players to combat the invasion of aliens and improve the living conditions of citizens. The game offers a variety of weapons such as pistols, machine guns, and flamethrowers, providing players with rich tactical choices, allowing each player to find a fighting style that suits them. Additionally, strategic equipment such as artillery and airstrikes ensure that each game session is unique, maintaining the game's freshness.
During strategic missions, players not only need to carefully deal with powerful enemy attacks but also need to avoid accidentally injuring their allies, which is a huge threat. Although it may sound like it raises blood pressure, joking around during the game is still very fun (except for intentional team killing behavior).
However, as mentioned earlier, the shortcomings of this game are also very obvious. PC optimization issues have not been resolved, and bugs and crashes occur from time to time, and there are even cases of server congestion preventing players from entering the game, in addition to the impact of anti-cheat systems. It's like having a table full of delicious food in front of you but not being able to taste any of it. I hope I can pilot a mech; I'm willing to do anything for it!
Skull and Bones
Release Date: 16/02/2024
Metascore: 64/100
"Skull and Bones" has received poor reviews since its release, with user ratings on M Site hitting rock bottom. Clearly, it's not holding up to the standard set by "Assassin's Creed: Black Flag." However, in actual experience, the game isn't entirely without merit. I believe it has the potential to become an excellent pirate game, but unfortunately, there are many areas that need improvement. Reflecting on my experience with "Sea of Thieves" when it first launched, I'm willing to give Rare another chance, as the advantage of long-term operation is the ability to gradually improve the game.
Currently, the gameplay of "Sea of Thieves" mainly revolves around playing as a pirate, sailing ships, and completing tasks at sea. As the game progresses, you can purchase new blueprints and upgrade ships and weapon configurations, which are standard operations.
In ship battles, players need to pay attention to factors such as wind, waves, and crew stamina. The realism of "Skull and Bones" in this regard is quite good. The main cannon and four side cannons are the sources of firepower, and players need to aim them themselves. This system has a certain learning curve, but once mastered, its quality becomes apparent. With Rare gradually updating this gameplay, it should be able to be recognized by more players.
Of course, cooperative multiplayer gameplay in this kind of game is always more interesting than solo play. However, the current multiplayer gameplay still needs improvement. For example, in a small water area, friendly ships, NPCs, and other players are all clustered together, creating a chaotic visual experience. The PvPvE gameplay itself is not bad. Challenging powerful enemy ships with friends and then looking at the pile of loot after victory always feels rewarding.
At this stage, I can't wholeheartedly recommend "Skull and Bones"， but with updates, it has the potential to become a great game. It's best to wait for several major updates before diving in! After Rare ends the limited-time full price offer, it's worth giving it another chance if you're a fan of naval combat or multiplayer games.
