Latest Gaming Releases of 2024

December is usually the calmest month in the gaming industry, as even the most avid gamers tend to spend money on Christmas gifts for their loved ones rather than new games. Developers often hold back their releases for the early months of the new year. However, this tradition was broken in 2024.

Following the highly anticipated release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 at the end of November, other leading game developers laid their cards on the table. So, if you’ve already returned from the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, other exciting adventures in new gaming worlds await you.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Platforms: Microsoft Xbox Series X/S, Windows

This Ukrainian role-playing first-person shooter blends post-apocalyptic survival horror and immersive simulation elements. Developed and published by GSC Game World, the game is the fourth instalment in the cult-classic S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where, in addition to the 1986 nuclear disaster, a second catastrophe occurred in 2006. This event drastically altered the physical, chemical, and biological processes in the area, leading to numerous anomalies, artifacts, and mutant creatures. The protagonist, a stalker nicknamed "Skif," navigates one of the largest open-world environments ever created in a post-apocalyptic setting. The game features a massive nonlinear storyline, where player decisions affect the fates of characters, local events, and the world at large.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, GSC, based in Kyiv, released a video appealing for financial support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces. The war and the need to protect its employees forced the company to temporarily suspend development. On 14 March 2022, the game’s subtitle was changed from Heart of Chernobyl to Heart of Chornobyl to reflect Ukrainian orthography instead of Russian. Additionally, the release in Russia was cancelled, and the Russian-language voiceover was removed.

Despite these challenges, GSC announced in a development diary on 14 June 2022 that work on the game had resumed, even as some team members had fled their homes or joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Interestingly, some prominent Ukrainian soldiers served as prototypes for characters in the game. The company openly supports Ukraine's military efforts financially, a fact mentioned in the game’s disclaimer. This has likely contributed to the possibility of Heart of Chornobyl being officially banned in Russia, where players are already complaining about not understanding the Ukrainian-language voiceover.

“This game is the biggest and most complex project of our lives. It was ambitious from the start and has evolved into the ultimate challenge. This game is incredibly important and dear to us, as it is being created under the most stressful conditions imaginable,” said Yevhen Hryhorovych, CEO of GSC Game World.

Upon its release on 20 November 2024, Ukrainian internet providers reported a significant slowdown in home internet speeds due to the game’s massive downloads. Completing the game requires at least 100 hours of gameplay. Additionally, Heart of Chornobyl introduces gamers to contemporary Ukrainian music, featuring a playlist of over 450 tracks.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S

A long-anticipated action-adventure release based on the Indiana Jones franchise, developed by MachineGames (creators of the iconic Wolfenstein) in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games. This title combines thrilling exploration with puzzles and offers dual playstyles: confront enemies head-on or embrace stealth, mirroring the cautious nature of Professor Jones. Combat includes familiar tools like his whip, revolver, and fists. The story is set in 1937, between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. Players will journey through pre-WWII settings, encountering Axis powers—Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan—who serve as antagonists. Indiana's mission involves uncovering connections between the "Great Circle" relics—ancient structures ranging from the Vatican and Egyptian pyramids to Thai temples and Himalayan monasteries. Accompanied by Gina Lombardi, a sharp-witted reporter, and opposed by intellectual Nazi antagonist Emmerich Voss, this adventure promises to be as exhilarating as the films.

Path of Exile 2

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

The main rival to Diablo, this action RPG by Grinding Gear Games takes the genre to the next level. Path of Exile 2 retains its predecessor’s strengths while doubling its scale and depth.

Key features include:

• 6 campaign acts

• 100 unique locations

• 600 types of monsters

• 100 bosses

• 1,500 passive skills

• 12 character classes

• 36 advanced ascension classes

• 240 skill gems

• 200 support gems

• 700 equipment items

Boss fights are more strategic and challenging, with visually stunning combat animations and greater freedom of movement. Character development is more intricate, featuring new amulets and dual-specialization options. Co-op multiplayer supports up to six players with cross-platform and cross-progression features, while console versions also offer local multiplayer.

Delta Force: Hawk Ops

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

A revival of the iconic tactical shooter series, this cross-platform FPS features both multiplayer modes and a dedicated single-player campaign. The solo mode reimagines the classic campaign of Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, inspired by real events from Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993. Players experience the harrowing American operation that spiralled into a 24-hour urban conflict. In multiplayer, set in 2035, players join an elite GTI unit investigating the shady dealings of the Haavk Corporation. Teams compete on expansive maps, battling both AI enemies and other players in dynamic scenarios. With such compelling stories and gameplay mechanics, these December releases promise to close out 2024 on a high note for gamers worldwide.