Gaming is one of the major growth industries of the 21st century. It is currently valued at around $243 billion and there appears to be no end in sight to its expansion.
In many countries games have now surpassed other kinds of entertainment in terms of popularity, such as movies and television. One reason for that is they offer a level of interactivity that those more passive forms of entertainment consumption cannot match.
Another is the sheer variety of games that are in the stores and online. There are many popular game types in 2024 – from casino ones to first-person shooter (FPS) titles and a lot of choice within each genre.
That choice can make finding the best games a lot of work though, so we have used this article to zero in on the ones you should pick at the start of this year.
Slingo
Casino games are an enduringly popular genre, but that is again partly down to the constant introduction of new games and mash-ups into the mix. That is really what slingo should be viewed as, because it is a game that takes elements from both online slots and bingo.
There are lots of fine casino sites where you can play slingo games and where you will find promotions like free spins to help you start with a bang. Slingo games employ the grid format of a slot, but it is usually 5×5 instead of 5×3.
The reels also feature the numbers involved in a 75-ball bingo game rather than the picture icons usually deployed in slots. There is a button to press to spin the reels and then you have to mark down numbers that are on your grid, with the point being to get matching lines or rows to win money.
It is a clever blend of the best parts of online bingo and slots and is a really fast and fun way to blow away the last of the winter blues.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
This game arrived for both consoles and PCs at the end of January and it is an early highlight of 2024. The graphics in games have been steadily improving over the years and the Infinite Wealth series is beloved for the way it recreates the look of the big cities of Japan in incredible, painstaking detail.
That is a serious plus point for role-playing games (RPGs) like Infinite Wealth because it makes the experience of playing them feel more ‘real’ and immersive. Like a Dragon is the ninth game in the series and it features the original main character – Kazuma Kiryu – alongside Ichiban Kasuga.
It also brings in a brand new setting, with parts of the game taking place in Hawaii, but it still focuses on the Japanese yakuza gang and the criminal underworld. With new characters that include a man whose hands have been replaced by balls of spikes, Like a Dragon is a blood-soaked thrill ride of a game.
It is available in shops for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles and Windows PCs.
Another Code: Recollection
This title was among the most eagerly anticipated of early 2024 among US gamers, because it has been largely unavailable here since it was first launched for the Nintendo Wii console. The protagonist of the game is Ashley, a teenage girl living in a coastal town who decides to try to get to the bottom of a mystery involving her father.
Nintendo has taken the opportunity to upgrade the graphics compared with the earlier release, as well as adding fresh elements like game environments that players can explore freely and a new hint system. It was released in January for the Switch console.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
The middle of February brings Valentine’s Day and this unearthly romance will make the perfect gift to enjoy with a loved-one. It is the work of the Don’t Nod studio and they are helpfully releasing it just in time for the most romantic day of the year.
The plot involves becoming a Banisher and getting rid of a curse so that you can find and connect with the spirit of your one true love. It combines action, romance and RPG elements that will make it equally appealing to both sexes.
Pacific Drive
The last of the top new games is another that centers on the supernatural. Pacific Drive is about heading through the North West US in a beat-up car.
You have to get essential repairs done while evading the strange lightning caused by the presence of something from another world. Spooky and enthralling, this PlayStation 5-exclusive comes out in late February.
These are the games that will get you through the cold months at the start of the year.
