The Best PlayStation Game Every Year 1994 - 2024
1. 2024 - Helldivers II
Even if it doesn’t land amongst the best of the year, at the very least Helldivers II can claim a prize for being the most pleasant of surprises in 2024. Whilst the industry deals with numerous problems in the AAA space like development costs and return, Helldivers II was able to spring forth from the Earth with a mischievous grin on its face, somehow becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation game ever.
It’s the power of word of mouth at play. Gamers flocked to a reasonably priced multiplayer shooter to enjoy with friends without the predatory microtransactions that have hobbled so many major franchises.
Weapons feel weighty, objectives are numerous and many worlds in need of liberation change the game feel with weather effects. Best of all, Arrowhead Studios have been very consistent with updates, adding new content to the game.
At its core Helldivers is about emergent gameplay moments where players across the globe are working together for a common goal (and accidentally crushing each other with weapons drops sometimes). The game has, and therefore fosters, a great sense of humour and, more to the point, there’s no cynicism in Helldivers that often comes from the demands of the larger studios. We’re all here to have fun.
Very few video games bring that feeling to the forefront, asking players to collaborate for a greater goal, even if that goal is somewhat ironic in its tone. Helldivers II, if nothing else, should be thought of as a great coming together of gamers to celebrate and enjoy a game that is all about player satisfaction more than it is about filling the pockets of the studio heads.