Games I look forward to in 2024 and beyond

Previously, I talked about several demos that caught my eye during the recent demo galore that was Steam's Next Fest October 2023. However, not all of those games made into my wishlist, and even if they did, I didn't rank them highly. And that compelled me to write this list: here are some titles that I very much look forward to in 2024 and beyond. Some of them have already been fully released, some are still in Early Access, and some are still in development with demo builds available.

Potionomics

Released last year, Potionomics is a shop management game with elements of cooking sims and deck-building, in which you create and sell potions. You haggle with customers in mechanics akin to that of deck-building combat. Honestly, I have a soft spot for upbeat artstyles, but I'm absolutely intrigued by its unique mix of gameplay elements.

Moreover, a few years ago, I played "Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop," which made me realize that I do love me some good management games. However, there's no way I can haggle my purchase of Potionomics, so I'm pretty much playing the waiting game for now. Once it gets a deep discount, it'll definitely go into the cart.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters

I'm a complete sucker for squad-based turn-based tactical games akin to Firaxis' XCOM, so of course this game immediately caught my attention. Recently I watched some gameplay playthroughs of the game with my brother, and noticed several very challenging mechanics that put some interesting twists into the game. I don't think I'll be playing it anytime soon though - maybe if there's a deep discount - but I very much look forward to it.

Solium Infernum

As mentioned in my previous post, I very much look forward to playing Solium Infernum. In this turn-based strategy, as one of the archfiends of Hell, you fight for your ascension to the throne of Hell, less with brute force but more with subtle diplomatic games such as backstabbing. Politics are overseen by a governing board named the Conclave, which you have to please by increasing your Prestige points, in order to win their favours. No release date yet, but the demo gives a good picture of the game's direction.

Biomutant

Biomutant has been on my radar since forever (see post here: link)! On paper, it's a charming action adventure with elements of hack-and-slash and platformer. You play as a fully customizable racoon adventuring in a land full of equally weird inhabitants and enemies - a setting that reminds me of that of Zeno Clash's. Despite its mixed deception, my interest in the game in still high, but I am still waiting for a deep discount.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Now here is another action adventure with elements of hack-and-slash and platformer, except it's more polished than Biomutant. Looking straight out of a Pixar animated film, Kena: Bridge of Spirits follows the adventure of a young Spirit Guide named Kena in her journey to restore life back to a broken world. Fleshed out combat, interesting lore, and charming visuals, what more do you want?

WORLD OF HORROR

WORLD OF HORROR is a 1-bit turn-based adventure heavily inspired by Junji Ito and H.P. Lovecraft. The development of WORLD OF HORROR went through some ups and downs. At one point, the game's own community defeatedly thought that the developer had completely abandoned the game. But he eventually broke the radio silence, returned and resumed development. Regardless, the game was already in a very playable shape back then.

I have been eyeing it for a long time, but unwilling to take the risks that typically come with Early Access titles, I sailed to the high seas to try it out, but this was about 2 years ago. Now, the game has undoubtedly been improved. WORLD OF HORROR graduated out of Early Access 4 days ago (at the time of writing), and the reception has been very positive so far.

Goblin Stone

Goblin Stone turns the table on the whole "human good, goblin bad" narrative. I played the demo sometime in late 2021, and fell in love with it. In this charming turn-based title, adventurers have driven goblins to near extinction, and so, desperate to survive, the goblins have to work together to fight back and rebuild their society. This title kind of worries me though. It was supposed to see the light of Early Access earlier this year, but as of now, there is no set release date yet.

Fabledom

Fabledom is a laid-back city-builder set in a fairytale world. It's still in Early Access, and was released earlier this year. It reminds me of the idyllic settings of old school children's animated shows like like Postman Pat and Shaun the Sheep. True to its direction, Fabledom's mechanics are very accessible to newcomers, but fun enough for veterans of the genre.

Thanks to this game, after trying out the demo last month, I had a crazy "cozy city-builder" itch. But, again, unwilling to take the risks that come with Early Access titles, I bought Foundation instead to scratch that itch. I still very much look forward to playing Fabledom.