Hello. Yes, this is Evil Uno. Again. You may have occasionally seen me wrestle on your TV set for AEW, at your local wedding hall for an independent wrestling show, or maybe you’ve watched me host Mystery Wrestling, my Twitch wrestling show where every single competitor is a surprise.

2024 was a weird year. It looked like no big games were scheduled for release. Yet, a wave of insanely great independent developers dropped bangers in 2024, making it one of the most memorable years for video games. Here are my personal favorites from this year.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

If The Game Awards can nominate a DLC, then Evil Uno can too! I love Elden Ring. Everyone did! I’ve even claimed in a past life that it was the greatest game ever created. Shadow of the Erdtree is wayyyyy more Elden Ring. More weapon sets. More bosses. More lore. The sheer size of this thing is impressive. While I loved what I played, I guess I’m starting to feel like I’ve played TOO MUCH Elden Ring at this point. Now we’re getting a co-op Elden Ring game? I think I’m going to need a break after 2025.

1000xResist

1000xResist is a third person narrative game and also my favorite story game of 2024. Read no more if you are already sold. These kinds of games are always better played blind. You are one of 6 clones of a woman whose genes make her immune to a deadly virus that is killing off the human race. You must revisit the original’s saved memories to decipher what is going on with your creator, the clones, and ultimately Earth itself. It tackles duty, love, race, family, individuality, the end of the world, and it RULES.

It’s a fascinating game that really caught me off guard and one I think everyone should play this year.

Thank Goodness You’re Here

There are so few “comedy” games that are, well, funny. Thank Goodness You’re Here is a short, point-and-click adventure game filled with weird interactions, hilarious quips, and utter nonsense. The colorful art style and voice acting lends itself to a bunch of dumb jokes. It’s stupid and that’s why I love it.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle

I think every man in his 30s is an Indiana Jones fan. I was excited at the idea of a modern Indiana Jones game, but truthfully, I didn’t have high hopes. December games typically miss the window for GOTY nominations. I assumed it was being released in December by design. Color me surprised: I’ve loved what I’ve played of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle!

Troy Baker’s voice acting is superb and makes your adventure feel like a sequel to the movie series. There’s a wide variety of biomes to explore and the open world areas are filled with challenging puzzles to solve. Yet, it never holds you by the hand when trying to solve them. In a lot of ways, its structure reminds me of 2017’s Prey. It has occasional Bethesda engine jank, but who cares about that when I can whip a dude in the face?!

I’ve yet to finish it (I’m a completionist), but I’ve seen enough for it to secure a place on my favorite games of this year.

Minishoot' Adventures

Has this concept ever been done before? A top-down shooter, but laid out like a Zelda game? The art style isn’t anything to write home about and there isn’t much of a story to follow, but the core gameplay is so satisfying. It’s the kind of game that I obsessed over getting 100% in. It’s a perfect Steam Deck game for me to play in short stints and that holds a lot of weight for me, who predominantly plays on the go these days. Thanks, Dan Ryckert for the recommendation!

Lorelei & The Laser Eyes

You must LOVE puzzles to play this game. There are so many damn puzzles. I fell in love with the Killer 7 like aesthetics of this game, yet I’ve found myself taking month long breaks because the game would humble me. It’s the only game this year that had me writing in a physical notebook to solve my puzzles. Trying to make sense of the notes after my month-long breaks was a puzzle of its own. I’ve yet to finish this game, but it is one I keep thinking about.

UFO 50

Similar to the Action 52 cartridge I had as a kid, UFO 50 is a collection of 50 pixel-based games. There are full RPGs, RTS games, puzzle games, adventure games, co-op games, multiplayer sport games and more. The impressive thing is that the quality of MOST of these games is insanely high. I think some of these could have found a lot of success as their own individual releases.

Some of my favorites include:

• Night Manor, a point and click horror game with a slasher mechanic that makes for a tense experience.
• Mortol, a puzzle platformer game where you use your corpse as a platform in your next run.
• Warptank, a puzzle platformer in which you’re a tank that can leap from the floor to the ceiling.
• Party House, a deckbuilder game with blackjack-like mechanics.

Astro Bot

Astro Bot may be the most polished mascot platformer ever made. It’s a lot of what Astro’s Playroom was: unique gimmicks, interesting uses of the new PlayStation controller, a deep dive into Sony’s 30-year history. Approachable for all ages, yet still challenging enough for a seasoned pro. It’s vibrant and just plain fun to play. I really loved the grandiose feel of the multiple boss battles and felt rewarded with levels specifically influenced by old Sony games. It’s a game I would recommend for anyone with a PlayStation 5. All hail our new Sony mascot, Astro Bot.

Animal Well

Animal Well is a game that rewards curiosity. While best described as a metroidvania, Animal Well’s rules are never strictly defined. It never tells you where to go, what to do, or how to use an item. In a typical metroidvania, you unlock an item to serve one function, like opening a very specific type of door. In this game, discovery is not enough. Your curiosity is what allows you to progress forward. Example: A frisbee. It can be used to throw at far away switches. Sure. It can also be used as a method of transportation, or as a tool to distract a dog, or to bounce back and forth endlessly in a switch puzzle. It’s that moment of clarity in the game that I fell in love with. When whatever stupid idea you have actually works. It’s also a game FILLED with secrets. One of my favorite experiences this year was unraveling those secrets alongside everyone else who was playing this game for the first time. It’s a game I’ll never forget and one I can not believe was developed by a single person. Wild.

1. Balatro

Balatro is poker on crack. It’s less about the game of poker itself and more about how you cheat at the game of poker. A royal flush is typically the strongest hand, but what if I could make that a pair instead? Or what if I turned all of my cards into one suit so that I can ensure I have flush at all times? Trying to figure out new and interesting synergies amongst the Joker cards and essentially breaking the games makes you feel like the smartest person in the world. Its the most addictive gaming loop of 2024. I’ve put over 200 hours into Balatro across 3 different devices and will likely put another 100 hours into it next year. This is Evil Uno’s game of the year.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is suing Walmart and payroll service provider Branch Messenger for alleged illegal payment practices for gig workers. The bureau says Walmart was opening direct deposit accounts using Spark delivery drivers' social security numbers without their consent. The accounts also can come with intense fees that, according to the complaint, would add either 2 percent or $2.99 per transaction, whichever is higher. It also says Walmart repeatedly promised to provide drivers with same-day payments through the platform starting in July 2021 but never delivered on that. The Bureau alleges that for approximately two years starting around June 2021, defendants engaged in unfair, abusive, and deceptive practices in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, including by requiring Spark Drivers to receive their compensation in Branch Accounts, opening Branch Accounts for Spark Drivers without their informed consent or, in many instances, on an unauthorized basis, and making deceptive statements about Branch to Spark Drivers. Spark delivery workers have been complaining about Walmart's Branch Messenger account requirements for years, which forced workers to use these accounts with no option to direct deposit to a preferred credit union or local bank. Walmart allegedly told workers they'd be terminated if they didn't accept the Branch accounts.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Adam Cole is a professional wrestler working for All Elite Wrestling. He recently returned to the ring after a lengthy injury. You can see him take on his arch nemesis, MJF, at Worlds End live on PPV on Saturday, December 28. You can also often find him playing games on Twitch where he goes by TheCHUGS.

2024 had a lot to live up to. 2023 was an unbelievable year when it came to Video Game releases. The pressure was on…and 2024 did not disappoint! Some amazing games dropped this year, and this is my list of the top 10 Video Games of 2024!

Honorable Mention - Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Now I know this is a DLC, so I won’t include it in my Top 10 list, but this was just too good not to mention. Elden Ring is one of the greatest video games ever created, and Shadow of the Erdtree is one of the greatest DLCs. This DLC was the size of a Dark Souls game, giving you so much new content, new weapons, new bosses…at the end of the day it was more Elden Ring and that is always a good thing! This is the best DLC since The Witcher 3’s DLC, and it was an absolute joy to play this year!

10. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door

This is a re-release of a game that came out years ago, but this is my first time playing it…and I’m so glad that I did! Paper Mario: TTYD is regarded as the best Paper Mario game, and I completely understand why. The art style is beautiful, the characters are so well written, and the game has charm in spades. I am so thankful that Nintendo decided to release this game for modern gamers on the Switch. If you haven’t played this turn based RPG, you are missing out!

9. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II

This was my first experience playing a Warhammer game, and my god I loved it. This is an adrenaline filled adventure that is well worth your time. Just playing the opening mission was mind blowing to me. So many enemies on screen at one time was so impressive, and the combat is such a rush! Playing this with a friend of mine was one of my favorite gaming experiences this year!

8. Super Mario Party Jamboree

You really can’t go wrong with Mario Party, but this one just feels so right! The new maps and new mini games are SO much fun to play! Specifically, the different maps really add to the excitement of this game! I have played this with both experienced Mario Party players, and with family members who had never played before. Both experiences were equally as fun! This is definitely the best Mario Party in a long time!

7. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty is always one of the biggest game releases of the year. This year's Black Ops 6, top to bottom, is just an excellent game. The campaign seems to be one of the best COD campaigns in a long time. The omni movement feature feels incredible, and I’m sure we will see more FPS games use that feature in the future. And the Zombies mode is SO much fun! Zombies is what I’ve put most of my time into…and that will continue into 2025!

6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

I absolutely adore metroidvanias. I love the exploration, the ability unlocks, the boss fights…the adventure that a good metroidvania takes you on is unlike anything else! And The Lost Crown isn’t just a good metroidvania…it’s a great one! The combat has so much depth. The ability unlocks give you so much to explore. The voice acting and story is so well done. And this game is challenging, but in the best and most rewarding way possible! I feel like this game didn’t get near as much love as it should have. If you like metroidvanias (and while we wait for Silksong haha) please pick this game up!

5. Helldivers II

I don’t know if I’ve had more fun playing a multiplayer game this year! Many many nights this year were spent playing this with friends, and every single time it was such a blast! Every match felt different and exciting in its own way! The different weapon types, unlocks, customization, and enemies keeps things fresh and fun! I will absolutely be returning to this game in 2025!

4. Silent Hill 2

The original Silent Hill 2 is regarded as one of the best psychological horror games of all time. And rightfully so. This remake had a LOT to live up to, and I feel that they knocked it out of the park! It clearly follows the formula and path of the original, but adds its own modern twist to this legendary game. In certain aspects, I feel like this game is even scarier than the original! With how well this was done, I hope we get more Silent Hill remakes in the future!

3. Astro Bot

I was pretty excited to play this when it released. And to say this exceeded my expectations would be an understatement. I really do believe that this is the greatest 3D platformer of all time. That’s how much I loved this! This game feels like a love letter to Sony, and I’m a sucker for nostalgia! I had a huge smile on my face the entire time, and never wanted to put this game down! The use of the haptic feedback was second to none, and makes me even more excited for the future. I really can’t say this enough. If you love video games, you need to play this!

2. Black Myth: Wukong

I don’t think any game captured the world’s imagination this year quite like Black Myth Wukong. This action adventure game absolutely exploded in popularity, and rightfully so! The story was incredible. The combat was my favorite of the year. Visually the game was gorgeous. Black Myth Wukong took me on a journey that I will NEVER forget!

1. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The original FF7 changed the way that I look at video games. It made me realize how amazing the characters, the story, the music, etc can be. FF7 Rebirth has captured my imagination the same way it did when I was a kid playing the original. I don’t think there is a better set of characters than the ones in FF7. The combat is SO much fun and gives you so many choices. The open world is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Over 400 tracks that are filled with some of the best video game themes ever created. This game reminded me why video games are one of my favorite things in the world, and why they are so special. The fact that this game exists still blows my mind. FF7 Rebirth is not only my favorite game this year, it’s one of my favorite games of all time.

Hey, it’s me, your resident Giant Bomb Nintendo mark. But, what’s this? A top ten list with a bunch of indie (and Indy) games and nothing from Nintendo! What a year, huh?

Runners-Up

• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• SteamWorld Heist II
• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip

10. UFO 50

There were only three or four of these 50 games that I was able to get really into, but I LOVE the concept and it was pulled off masterfully. So many of these games felt exactly like the type of weird games I would try at a friend’s house or rent based solely on the box art growing up. It made me nostalgic for games that never existed until now.

9. The Rise of the Golden Idol

I loved being a thinky investigator guy in The Case of the Golden Idol, but it turns out I like it even more when I get to do it in Detective Times instead of Satchel Times. Just feels a lot cooler solving murders when they involve scientists and dudes with sunglasses instead of like…cobblers or whatever they did back then.

8. Wild Bastards

Void Bastards was so good, and Blu Manchu made a successor set in a weird sci-fi version of the Old West with a ragtag group of cool gunslingers. For some reason, no one really talked about it, so here’s me again saying that it’s very good, it’s perfect on Steam Deck, and you should absolutely play it.

7. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Wow, this was a whole lot better than I expected it to be! It did right by its license in a way few games outside of Arkham have, and Troy Baker contributes a wildly good Indy voice that does wonders for the experience. This game has you doing a ton of real Indiana Jones shit, rather than just slapping his hat onto a standard FPS protagonist and storyline. That said, I never want to do another instant-death underwater snake segment for as long as I live.

6. Thank Goodness You’re Here

Maybe the funniest game I’ve ever played? I played through this in two settings from a hotel bed in Kansas City and was laughing out loud by myself the entire time, which I rarely do. Really thought it was funny to keep slapping that kid on a bench who just wanted to eat his sausage pop so bad.

5. Minishoot' Adventures

Just hook this to my veins. It took roughly 15 seconds for me to realize I was going to love this game, and it just got better from there. I saw someone describe it as Zelda plus Geometry Wars and I immediately felt little Fantavision fireworks start going off in my brain.

4. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Oh right, Call of Duty! It’s been a few years, old friend. I took a couple breaks from the series in recent years (including Cold War) so I wasn’t expecting to be blown away by this one. But holy hell, I had a blast with the campaign and didn’t plan on playing much multiplayer, but then I got SUPER into the multiplayer. It doesn’t even do anything too crazy this time around…I’m just playing plain ol’ Team Deathmatch and Domination and prestige-ing like it’s 2007 all over again. Just a top tier FPS package all around.

3. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

They’ve done some weird stuff with this franchise throughout its history, and it’s been like fifteen years since the last one anyone gave a shit about. And then Ubisoft was like “hey what if we just bring it back and make it one of the best Metroidvanias of all time?” (followed shortly by “nevermind, let’s disband the studio”). It kills it on every level that’s important for the genre - exploration, combat, and platforming. I’m not in love with the story or the characters, but it was easy to look past the game’s shortcomings when it plays like this.

2. Balatro

It’s weird writing about Balatro as a game of 2024 because it’s hard to remember an existence before Balatro.

1. Astro Bot

All I wanted after playing Astro Bot: Rescue Mission and Astro’s Playroom was an honest-to-god full-on 3D platformer from Team Asobi. And holy crap did they ever do it. It’s one of the best platformers of all time, standing up there alongside Mario’s best entries. Plus his little laser feet make me think of how Mario controls with FLUDD and that’s always a big plus. More than deserving of all the praise and awards it’s received this year, and I want sequels until I die.

PayPal-owned browser extension Honey manipulates affiliate marketing systems and withholds discount information from users, according to an investigation by YouTube channel MegaLag. The extension -- which rose in popularity after promising it consumers it would find them the best online deals -- replaces existing affiliate cookies with its own during checkout, diverting commission payments from content creators who promoted the products to PayPal, MegaLag reported in a 23-minute video [YouTube link]. The investigation revealed that Honey, which PayPal acquired in 2019 for $4 billion, allows merchants in its cashback program to control which coupons appear to users, hiding better publicly available discounts.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Spotify has evolved in its roughly 16-year history. While initially functioning as a free, unlimited iTunes library, the app started creating in-house playlists in 2013, and from there began to invest more into algorithmic programming. But through it all, the company has earned criticism for the paltry sums it pays out to the artists; significantly less than a penny per stream, usually. But Spotify has also gained criticism over the years for filling playlists with its own licensed music, effectively excluding artists from one of the few revenue streams. Now, in an excerpt of her forthcoming book published in Harper's, author Liz Pelly goes deep on the subject. 

In Pelly’s investigation, she found that Spotify had been working with stock-music companies like Epidemic, which offer music that tends to be played in the background rather than music that is wholly focused on. Think jazz, electronic, lo-fi beats to study/relax to. This led to the Perfect Fit Content (PFC) program; since most of Spotify’s revenue was going to paying royalties to major labels like Sony and Warner, there was an incentive for Spotify to find cheaper music for these background playlists.

Pelly also speaks with some musicians hired to create some of this stock music for dinner playlists, who liken the experience to taking a standardized test: there are a few right answers in making this, but far more wrong answers. The goal for these musicians is not to arrive at a pure artistic expression, but to provide unobtrusive musical wallpaper. “This kind of felt like the same category as wedding gigs or corporate gigs. It’s made very explicit on Spotify that these are background playlists, so it didn’t necessarily strike me as any different from that,” one musician said. “You’re just a piece of the furniture.” While the pay for these gigs can be decent, musicians don’t earn residuals or royalties for these tracks, often losing out on money in the long run. 

Of course, the Harper's article goes into far more detail on the subject, and explores why “an artist and the business of background music are increasingly entwined,” in Pelly’s words. You can check out the whole article here.