My 2024 Backlog Is Already Looking Insurmountable

Highlights

Regardless of a perceived lack of main releases, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo nonetheless have notable video games in 2024, whereas indie video games thrive.
My to-play checklist retains rising, with many demos and Steam Subsequent Fests contributing to the backlog.
There are just too many video games.

2024 is a nasty yr for video games, apparently. With PlayStation not releasing something till subsequent yr, Xbox struggling to know what to do with itself, and Nintendo frozen till the Swap successor arrives, players are stricken. Bereft of alternative, we should head again to the live-service mines to grind our tremendous credit.

Besides, that’s not the case in any respect. PlayStation went again on its phrase with the reveal of Astro Bot (and to a much less extent, Lego Horizon Aventures), Xbox’s not-E3 showcase was its greatest in years with loads of video games concentrating on 2024, and Nintendo has a number of extra tips left up its sleeve earlier than the Swap provides up the ghost fully.

astro riding a dualsense with astro bot avatars above him

However even away from the triple-A scene, the place many titles will probably be delayed anyway, I’ve discovered my to-play pile stacking up and threatening to topple. It’s nonetheless a lighter yr than most earlier than a packed schedule in 2025, and I’m snowed beneath. We’re solely midway by 2024, and I’m already feeling responsible concerning the video games I’ve missed.

Whereas I haven’t been as obsessive about Helldivers 2 as others on TheGamer crew, it’s sucked loads of hours out of me into defending Tremendous Earth. Dragon’s Dogma 2 gripped me, regardless of the actual fact I hadn’t performed the primary recreation, and I used to be virtually glad that I’ve no approach of enjoying Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth till it involves PC as a result of my time is so scarce as it’s.

As Summer time Recreation Fest confirmed, indies are holding the fort proper now. And so they’re doing so admirably. Too admirably, you may argue. I’ve solely simply completed Animal Properly, for goodness sake. Indika – essentially the most gamey recreation of the yr – was nice, I loved Arctic Eggs’ frying mechanic, and platformers like Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown have perfected the snappy motion that retains me . That jogs my memory, I haven’t performed Tales of Kenzera: Zau but. One other one for the checklist.

zau in tales of kenzera zau — by way of Surgent Studios

Demise of a Want is sensible, as are Youngsters of the Solar, Buckshot Roulette, Harold Halibut, and Pepper Grinder. Balatro took over my life for a strong month and I can’t cease dropping again in for an additional session. And the way can I speak about all these indies with out referencing 1000xResist, probably the most thrilling narrative video games this yr?

Video games on my ‘to play’ checklist embrace: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, One other Crab’s Treasure, Ultros, Nonetheless Wakes The Deep, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and The Thaumaturge. Flintlock: The Siege of Daybreak’s demo additionally shocked me, so July is already filling up.

If the primary six months of the yr weren’t unhealthy sufficient for stellar indies, I’ve been enamoured with numerous demos from the two Steam Subsequent Fests we’ve already had this yr – lots to stuff the wishlist there – and LudoNarraCon didn’t assist both. There’s lots extra to return this yr, and I’m confronted with inextricable evaluation paralysis; I can’t resolve what to play subsequent!

Lorelei And The Laser Eyes, Red Maze, Getting the laser eyes

Away from indies, there are some triple-A titles releasing this yr that want sure contextual studying. I’m set on enjoying Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth after its glowing opinions, however solely managed to get 40 hours into Yakuza: Like A Dragon earlier than Dragon’s Dogma 2 took over. I additionally absolutely intend on (lastly) ending Dragon Age: Inquisition earlier than The Veilguard drops, as I’ve fallen off a number of occasions already however I’m so ingrained within the Dragon Age storyline that I need to play the brand new launch instantly.

That’s two huge non-2024 RPGs that I have to play in 2024 with the intention to play their 2024 sequels, which doesn’t assist proceedings. At this level I’m tempted to observe a let’s play of the final a part of Like A Dragon as a substitute of grinding within the sewers, regardless that I do know it’ll be a far worse expertise.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's combat, showing a mage character choosing from different abilities.

There are just too many video games. Whether or not you’re within the largest hitters or searching tiny indies from one-person studios, video games are all the time releasing, all the time thrilling, and all the time obtainable. I’ve cherished the video games I’ve performed already, however can’t assist feeling responsible about people who languish in my Steam library. I do know I shouldn’t, however it’s inevitable.

My largest fear, although, isn’t of the right here and now. If I’m having a backlog drawback midway by 2024, I dread to assume what 2025 has in retailer.