As another year draws to a close, it’s time to look back on the digital landscapes that defined our downtime. In one household, the controller was rarely still, with every family member finding their own virtual escape. From rhythm games to survival horror, the year offered a diverse buffet of interactive entertainment, each title leaving its own unique mark.
The family’s gaming habits painted a varied picture. The eldest was a dynamo on the dance floor in Just Dance 2024, while also managing a digital metropolis in a city-building app. The youngest found her thrills in the tense corridors of Resident Evil Biohazard, balancing horror with building a perfect, shark-inhabited utopia in The Sims. One son remained fiercely loyal to his competitive shooter of choice, proudly avoiding mobile games altogether. Meanwhile, a determined playthrough of a classic platformer became a year-long project for another member of the family, proving that some journeys are best taken at a steady pace.
For the head of the household, the year was dominated by a single, captivating card battler. Its clever mechanics and constant updates provided hundreds of hours of strategic engagement. However, that very allure eventually revealed a darker side, as the compulsion to keep up with new content began to feel less like fun and more like a financial trap, leading to a decisive—if regretful—uninstallation.
Not every acclaimed release found a fan. A much-anticipated sequel left this player cold, feeling like a bloated and uninspired retread, a sentiment that sparked surprisingly passionate criticism from its defenders. Similarly, a critically adored, exploration-heavy title failed to connect, its deliberate obscurity feeling more like a relic of a bygone era than a welcome challenge.
Yet for every disappointment, there was a revelation. A late discovery of a previous year’s sleeper hit proved to be a masterclass in game design. Its deceptively simple premise—a twisted game of poker—unfolded into an endlessly inventive and witty system, becoming the kind of game one dreams of being stranded with. Another highlight was a bold reimagining of a legendary first-person shooter franchise, whose immersive world and visceral combat offered a cathartic power fantasy that real life seldom provides.
The industry itself provided its own drama, with controversial business partnerships and premium pricing strategies sparking debates about ethics and value in modern gaming. And through it all, a familiar physical toll mounted—a persistent ache in the thumb joint, a silent testament to countless hours of button-mashing and screen-tapping.
Looking ahead, the horizon is dominated by two colossal sequels, their promised arrivals serving as beacons for the future, however distant one may be. But for now, the controller is set down, the console rests, and the memories of virtual victories, frustrating defeats, and shared family screen time define the gaming year that was.