Lady Arcaders Best of 2024 Awards
Written by SweetPeebs
Published on February 1st, 2025
Back in December, we asked the members of our private Lady Arcaders Discord server to submit their favorite video game release of 2024. This could have been, but not been limited to, new releases, remasters, remakes, demakes, DLC, expansions, or any transformative video game medium. These submissions were then showcased live on Twitch during our Lady Arcaders Best of 2024 Awards on February 1st, 2025. You can watch the full broadcast of the event on YouTube or Twitch!
Ten members provided their top recommendation for the best games of 2024, which are listed below.
The darkwitchclaire Award for Video Game Excellence goes to
Kitsune Tales, by Kitsune Games!
darkwitchclaire says, “A very fun platformer inspired by SMB3 starring a queer fox. The levels are well designed and lean on the more challenging side while doing away with lives and continues. There's a variety of powerups and the structure of the game keeps it from getting repetitive. It really feels like a refinement of the classic formula with enough new additions and style to stand out.”
The Mina Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, by Atlus!
Mina says, “Atlus could have released SMTV as-is on every non-Switch system and people would have been happy. So they did the logical, obvious thing: make a definitive edition and release it on everything at the same time. An entirely new story route, improvements to multiple gameplay systems, and lots of new demons to befriend make Vengeance both a great starting point for newcomers interested in mainline MegaTen; and an enticing revisit for veterans of the original release.”
The Pcol Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Cow Life Sim RPG, by Pajama Bee Entertainment!
Pcol says, “Have you ever wanted a game where you play as a cow that can make juice out of anything and ride a pride flag ferris wheel and hang out with pride flag themed pigeons and commit arson? Become a cow and level up your skills and complete quests to get achievements! IT'S TIME TO MOO!!!!!!”
The Star Anise Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Kitten Burst, by Jam2go!
Star Anise says, “Of all the games I played this year, the one that's stuck with me the most was Kitten Burst. And yes, it might be because of the cool 3D racing, or the imaginative Frutiger Aero artstyle, or the sick cybercore soundtrack, or the cute kitty, but at the heart of all that is a story about struggling for individuality, for those weird little places or experiences or people you care about, against the uncaring monolith of capital. It's a story that's been reverberating through a lot of creative industries this year, about people fighting to keep art alive through all these ideas of mass appeal and profit-motivated culture. Some days, I see it as a story about something we've lost, but playing games like Kitten Burst gives me the hope that it's also a story about something we can reclaim.”
The ThePalmtopTiger Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Echo Point Nova, by Greylock Studio!
ThePalmtopTiger says, “Movement is fast and fluid. Bullets travel in real time so hitting enemies at distance requires planning. The levels are well designed with these things in mind to ensure players are able to maintain momentum as they fight. Finally, a scratch for the itch which Tribes Ascend left a decade ago.”
The BD Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Lorelai and the Laser Eyes, by Simogo!
BD says, “I don't normally describe things I like as "intimidating," let alone things that I would recommend. Here I am, then, saying that Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is the most intimidating puzzle game I've played in a very long time, and wholeheartedly recommend it if you enjoy puzzle games. Simogo, who you may know from "Sayonara Wild Hearts," wrapped an absolutely genius layer cake of riddles, brainteasers, puzzles and observation tests in a beautiful, hypnotizing style. If you're the kind of person who enjoys games which require taking notes (and I mean handwritten, diagrammed notes ), you will absolutely lose yourself in Lorelei.”
The Rexy Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Balatro, by LocalThunk!
Rexy says, “Deck building and roguelites already have dedicated gamers individually, but when combining traits of both genres together with a pinch of CRT lo-fi, you would end up with the unique experience that is Balatro. For those not into either, it had a draw out of the gate - poker rules and a load of extra steps, all to reach the score specified in the round that you're in. All additional scoring (added chips and multipliers) are provided from a variety of jokers, all with careful thought as to how they react to their real-life counterparts and well worth an online wiki read after the run is over. There is a learning curve with figuring out which jokers work best in what scenario, whether it be the blinds or the various bosses that impose different handicaps onto your cards, or even getting through some of the additional challenges that would get unlocked with more successful victories. Cap it off with a dose of CRT imagery, lo-fi aesthetic and a beautiful interface, and you've got what I feel is the most addicting game of 2024.”
The AstridTheHorrorGirl Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Nobody Wants to Die, by Critical Hit Games!
Astrid says, “Nobody Wants to Die is a Cyberpunk Noir Murder Mystery Adventure Game where you unravel a conspiracy about a mind-jacking serial killer who is targeting Politicians and Plutocrats who have been involved with the creation of 'Ichor,' a substance that grants all who have it, nearly complete immortality. While solving the mystery, our protagonist, Detective James Karra, is also forced to face his own inner demons as well, as he struggles to adapt to life in a new body. I chose this one because I am a fan of Detective Adventure Games, especially ones that don't shove in QTEs and Action/Arcade Sequences, which are sins committed by the genre's devs all too often. The story is dark, intriguing, diabolical, and immersive, and it also has an incredible aesthetic as someone who loves Cyberpunk AND Noir storytelling.”
The threepup Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore, by Seedy Eye Software!
threepup says, “Arzette is a love letter to one of the most notorious eras of the Zelda franchise. It is a lovingly crafted tribute to the Zelda CDi games that keeps all of the quirky charm that those games had but instead of just going all-in on the meme, it is also just a genuinely great action adventure game. The lead developer is also just a massive sweetheart who supported a small but devoted community of speedrunners and general fans that arose out of their love for this silly, silly game. Arzette was my gateway into speedrunning, and in that way I am forever grateful for it helping me improve myself as a person and meet so many incredible people along this strange and wild journey.”
The Metroid Crime Award for Video Game Excellence goes to…
Sonic X Shadow Generations, by Sonic Team!
Crime says, “I have never really considered myself a fan of 3D Sonic games. I've played them mainly to experience them, but I've always hated how they felt. Shadow Generations changed that for me, I cannot put this game down. It's so satisfying to go fast in the Shadow portion of this game. All of Shadow's cutscenes and animations are dripping with style and character! Plus, Shadow getting his own game is so fitting for the Year of Shadow.
The Sonic Generations part of the game exists as well if you're looking for that nostalgia trip!”