The 24 Best Video Games of 2024
PopMatters’ 24 Best Video Games of 2024 highlight achievements in game design and the risks creators take to lure gamers into the magic circle.
Luis Aguasvivas
Luis Aguasvivas (aguaspoints.bsky.social) is a writer, researcher, and member of the New York Videogame Critics Circle. He covers game studies for PopMatters. Other writings at aguaspoints.com.
The 24 Best Video Games of 2024
PopMatters’ 24 Best Video Games of 2024 highlight achievements in game design and the risks creators take to lure gamers into the magic circle.
Phoenix Springs’ Journey to Nowhere Is Worth It
Phoenix Springs‘ streamlined gameplay and inventive point-and-click adventure has the pacing of an art-house psychological drama.
Asian American Pop Culture Stands on the Shoulders of a Giant Robot
Today’s Asian American pop culture stands on the shoulders of Giant Robot, a beloved zine that published an eclectic mix of artists and subjects.
Neva’s Emotion-Engine Gameplay Is a Beautiful Crowd-Pleaser
Neva‘s emotion-engine gameplay, inspired more by Disney’s Bambi than the works of Miyazaki Hayao, is the most sentimental game I’ve played in a long time.
Punk Troubadour Manu Chao Returns After 17 Years
Latin alternative artist Manu Chao sings for a better future on his first album in 17 years, Viva Tu. This music is meant to be lived with.
‘Five Years Old Memories’ and Naïve Art in Video Games
Japanese visual artist, Komitsu’s newest work “Five Years Old Memories” is a colorful interactive documentary. It reimagines old CD-ROM software for the digital era.
Heems’ ‘VENNA LP’ Communicates Across Boundaries
On VEENA LP, Queens rapper Heems delivers a significant and sonically diverse work of NYC rap fueled by diaspora blues. It’s his best record as a solo artist.
The 5 Best Video Game Hip-Hop Soundtracks
Fresh off hip-hop’s 50th birthday PopMatters looks at some of the best hip-hop video game soundtracks. These games boast soundtracks fit for classic status.
Horror Puzzle Video Game ‘The Exit 8’ Is an Inescapable Meme
The horror puzzle video game The Exit 8 is peak capitalist art, or if you prefer, content farm. Either way, it’s also an inescapable meme.
Aminder Dhaliwal’s Latest Shows That Our Culture of Work Is a Malice Burning Us Alive
Aminder Dhaliwal’s A Witch’s Guide to Burning shows the follies of our toxic relationship with overwork and how to break its spell.
No Such Thing as Failure: Nintendo’s Failed Virtual Boy
Nintendo’s failed Virtual Boy followed the tradition of wondrous human inventions made to trick the eyes, like a diorama. “Retro collecting” gamers love it.
1000xResist’s Magnificent Operatic Heterotopia
Set in the politically significant year of 2046, sci-fi game 1000xResist evokes Michel van der Aa’s operatic music and Hou Hsiao-hsien’s heterotopia-like films.