The month of June was kicked off with the 2024 Summer Game Fest. Summer Game Fest is an annual event that has filled in the hole left behind by E3 after its final convention in 2021. It is a positive point of the year for the gaming industry. However, the rest of June 2024 was filled with layoffs and more studios closing. As bad as things are looking in the gaming industry it is important to look at the good and June gave us some incredible titles, some that might have undergone your radar. Here are the best games of June 2024 that everyone forgot about.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
©Cover Art for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance - Original
- Released On: June 14, 2024
- Available On: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S
- Metacritic Score: 87 (Generally Favorable)
- Metacritic User Score: 8.1
- All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: 21,749
- Average Steam Player Count: 1,264
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive edition of the very successful Shin Megami Tensei V.
This title was meant to fix some issues that the original title had with poor story elements, poor navigation, and unfair difficulty. Vengeance succeeded in further polishing one of the best releases of the last few years.
Fans and critics loved the added content and changes with even Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu shining a light on the game’s balance. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a masterclass in difficulty. Atlus created a perfect role-playing experience at any difficulty level.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
©Cover Art for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - Original
- Released On: June 21, 2024
- Available On: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S
- Metacritic Score: 94 (Universal Acclaim)
- Metacritic User Score: 8.1(Generally Favorable)
- All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: N/A
- Average Steam Player Count: N/A
Fromsoft needs no introduction at this point. They solidified themselves as some of the best developers in the triple-A industry and continued their run with their Elden Ringexpansion, Shadow of the Erdtree.
This will go down in history as one of the best DLCs of all time because the game builds upon the greatness of the base game and adds over 50 hours of new content, making it akin to a sequel instead of a normal expansion.
The game was so well received that it was recognized at the 2024 Game Awards. It was nominated for Game of the Year much to the disapproval of gamers. Unfortunately, it lost to Astro Bot, but this game is undoubtedly one of the year’s best titles.
Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition
©Ubisoft
- Released On: June 25, 2024
- Available On: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S
- Metacritic Score: 82 (Generally Favorable)
- Metacritic User Score: 7.2 (Mixed or Average)
- All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: 584
- Average Steam Player Count: 15
Beyond Good & Evil was originally a 2003 action-adventure game developed for the PS2, PC, Xbox, and Gamecube. The 20th Anniversary Edition is the second remaster this classic has gotten to bring it to modern consoles.
In Beyond Good & Evil players play as Jade and embark on one of the best narratives in gaming. The game is remembered so fondly for its storytelling and design. It was truly pushing the industry forward back in the early 2000s.
Today, the game is remembered as a cult classic. Although the game does well with critics that reception doesn’t and still hasn’t translated to sales. Players should give it a chance because its one of the most underrated titles of all time.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
©Nintendo
- Released On: June 27, 2024
- Available On: Switch
- Metacritic Score: 77 (Generally Favorable)
- Metacritic User Score: 7.5
- All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: N/A
- Average Steam Player Count: N/A
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of the phenomenal Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon.
The original is a sequel to Luigi’s Mansion and continues the reception of its predecessor. Many publications considered the original titles as Nintendo at its best.Dark Moon is atmospheric and has a lot of heart making it a perfect casual title for children and adults alike.
This remaster didn’t do as well as the original however it’s still a viable way to enjoy the classic title. The game performed very well commercially, topping the charts in Japan and the United Kingdom in its first week.
SPYxANYA: Operation Memories
©Bandai Namco
- Released On: June 28, 2024
- Available On: PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch
- Metacritic Score: 63 (Mixed or Average)
- Metacritic User Score: N/A
- All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: N/A
- Average Steam Player Count: N/A
Fans of the popular SpyxFamily anime received a game catered to them in June. While the reviews are less than stellar when compared to the rest of the entries that’s because it is catered to a very specific demographic.
Mixed or Average reviews only mean that the title resonated with some more than others meaning the best way to approach it is giving it a try yourself. SPYxANYA: Operation Memories is a very cozy title with an adorable world and laid-back gameplay.
If you’re a fan of the SpyxFamily anime, cozy games, or arcade-like mini-games then this has the potential of being one of the best games of the year for you. However, if you’re not then maybe it would be best to catch this title on a sale.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©CheatCC/Jazz Stewart.