Cover Image for The Best Xbox Games for 2024: Indiana Jones, Hellblade 2, and Other Highlights.
Sat Dec 14 2024

The Best Xbox Games for 2024: Indiana Jones, Hellblade 2, and Other Highlights.

The year 2024 has had its ups and downs for Xbox, but it has managed to stand out with titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, as well as Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2.

2024 was a year of transformation for Xbox, marked by the completion of the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the largest in the history of the industry. This event brought with it a series of ups and downs for Microsoft's gaming brand. Throughout the year, the company laid off thousands of video game developers and closed several studios, including Arkane Austin, Mighty Dog, and Roundhouse Studios. Additionally, it divested from Hi-Fi Rush and its developer, Tango Gameworks, after considering its closure.

Xbox Game Pass underwent a confusing change by splitting into several tiers, increasing its cost for those who wanted to access new releases from day one. However, this shift also reflected a pivot toward a different strategy, with titles like Ara: History Untold and Towerborne launching exclusively for PC. Microsoft also adopted the controversial idea that any device could become an Xbox if its games are accessible, either conventionally or through the cloud, which has unsettled some of the brand's most fervent supporters.

Despite these changes, Xbox Game Pass had a great year in terms of content. Numerous high-quality titles were released, including Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 from Ninja Theory, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from MachineGames, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which arrived on the service on its launch day. The variety of developers also contributed to the rich selection of titles available on the service, offering multiple options to users.

Among the standout releases, Age of Mythology: Retold provided a remaster of this classic real-time strategy game, enhancing its graphics and adding support for controls on PC and consoles. On the other hand, Ara: History Untold, a competitor to the acclaimed Sid Meier’s Civilization, allowed players to shape their civilization through exploration, resource management, and decisions about trade or war.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 stood out for its thrilling campaign, online game modes, and solid production that captured the elements that have made the franchise a success. In the realm of indie games, Dungeons of Hinterberg shone with its emotional story and unique artistic style.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle continued MachineGames' tradition of creating titles about fighting Nazis, giving players the chance to solve puzzles and explore while experiencing an immersive narrative. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 stood out as the most detailed flight simulator to date, although its complexity may be a challenge for new players.

Lastly, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 exceeded expectations with stunning graphics and a deep narrative that explores psychology and mental health. While S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl started with technical issues, it has proven to be a worthy successor to its predecessor, providing an intense survival experience in a post-apocalyptic setting.