It’s surprising that we’re nearing the end of 2024, but it’s been an incredible year for gaming. November 2024 is relatively light on major titles compared to the rest of the year, but there are still a few standout games we’re interested in checking out. Notable ones include Mario & Luigi: Brothership, Slitterhead, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, LEGO Horizon Adventures, and the long-awaited early access to Path of Exile 2. Here are our picks for the top games to play in November 2024.
Farmagia
Love farming? Love creature collecting? Farmagia is right up your alley. Developed by Marvelous and published by XSEED Games, Farmagia features artwork by manga artist Hiro Mashima, known for Fairy Tail and Edens Zero. This all-new adventure has players taking on the role of Ten, exploring and battling across the lands of the Underworld following the death of Felicidad’s ruler. Collect resources to upgrade your skills and grow monsters to challenge Overlord Glaza and the Oración Seis.
Farmagia releases on November 1 for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC.
Metal Slug Tactics
Metal Slug is back with a tactical RPG featuring roguelike elements: Metal Slug Tactics. As the first tactical RPG in the Metal Slug franchise, it takes a break from the running-and-gunning to deliver 110 hand-crafted maps and 20 different mission types. Come up with the perfect strategy from 36 different weapons and 176 weapon mods, while enjoying huge replayability through the die-and-retry roguelite progression. Metal Slug Tactics includes nine iconic characters and bosses familiar to Metal Slug fans.
Metal Slug Tactics releases on November 5 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
Planet Coaster 2
As the sequel to one of the most popular coaster park simulators, Planet Coaster 2 features enhanced and improved building and pathing tools, so players can build their dream theme park. One major new feature is the ability to intuitively add scalable scenery and objects to every ride, adding to the piece-by-piece construction system. Planet Coaster’s appeal lies in building roller coasters, thrill rides, and managing the park. Planet Coaster 2 also gives players the opportunity to collaborate with friends in Franchise Mode to build the best theme park empire, while competing with others to reach the top of the leaderboards.
Planet Coaster 2 releases on November 6 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
Mario & Luigi is finally back on the Switch with a new adventure: Mario & Luigi: Brothership. This high-seas adventure unfolds in the world of Concordia, fractured by the destruction of the Uni-Tree. The journey will take the brothers one island at a time as they work to reconnect a fractured world. To do this, they’ll set sail on Shipshape Island, exploring a diverse set of locations from tropical rainforests to bustling cities. Some revealed islands include Allsand Island, Lottacoins Island, Heatfreeze Island, and Merrygo Island. New friends like Connie and Snoutlet join the adventure, along with familiar faces like Peach and Bowser.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership releases on November 7 for Switch.
Slitterhead
An action-adventure game from Bokeh Game Studio, Slitterhead takes place in Kowlong, which looks to be inspired by Kowloon in Hong Kong. Players take on the role of the Hyoki, an entity that is devoid of memory and physical form. The Hyoki’s sole goal is to eradicate the Slitterheads, monstrous beings that disguise themselves as humans. Players must find allies among other humans known as Rarities. The relationship with these Rarities is the key to uncovering the mysteries of Kowlong.
Slitterhead releases on November 8 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Farming Simulator 25
It’s almost unbelievable that the Farming Simulator franchise is now over 16 years old and has created an entire genre of simulator games that range from police to goats. The Farming Simulator series continues with the next entry, Farming Simulator 25, letting players build their dream farm in North America, Central Europe, or East Asia. New challenges include weather disasters such as twisters and hail, while tire tracks now leave an impact thanks to ground deformation. The latest entry expands crop options to 25, including two types of rice. Farm solo or cooperatively in multiplayer and enjoy over 400 authentic vehicles and tools from more than 150 international brands.
Farming Simulator 25 releases on November 12 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Tetris Forever
Developer Digital Eclipse is celebrating 40 years of Tetris with Tetris Forever, which includes over 15 playable classic Tetris games and an all-new one called Tetris Time Warp. Some titles in this compilation have never been released outside Japan. Digital Eclipse has also included an hour of documentary featurettes about the friendship between Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov and Tetris Company founder Henk Rogers. From multiplayer battles in Tetris Battle Gaiden to creating massive explosions in Super Bombliss, there’s a good variety of Tetris gameplay in Tetris Forever. If that isn’t enough, Tetris Time Warp puts up to four players warping between different eras of Tetris to experience a variety of graphic styles and gameplay mechanics in one mode.
Tetris Forever releases on November 12 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
For many of us gamers who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a highly anticipated title. I have many fond memories of the original and am looking forward to seeing how well the story and its mechanics hold up after all these years. The HD-2D Remake is being handled by ARTDINK, developer of Triangle Strategy, and is billed as a reimagining of the masterpiece. This adventure offers diverse allies to recruit and a vocation system to customize their combat roles. As a bonus, the Remake introduces a new vocation called the Monster Wrangler.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake releases on November 14 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
LEGO Horizon Adventures
Sony is really looking to expand the reach of its Horizon franchise with a LEGO-inspired adventure that is also launching on the Nintendo Switch. LEGO Horizon Adventures looks to be a lighter, more humorous take on Aloy’s journey as she battles against giant dinosaur-like machines. She’s joined by Varl, Teersa, and Erend, allowing players to go solo or engage in couch co-op. There’s a bit of customization too, as players can decorate Mother’s Heart in ways you would expect from a LEGO game.
LEGO Horizon Adventures releases on November 14 for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC.
Path of Exile 2 Early Access
Path of Exile 2 is my most anticipated game for November 2024, even as it launches in Early Access. Path of Exile 2, the sequel to one of the most successful action role-playing games (ARPGs), features co-op for up to six players, a new campaign with six acts, 100 environments, 600 monsters, and 100 bosses. It launches in Early Access with 12 character classes, covering each combination of Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. Each class has three unique Ascendancy specializations, providing a total of 36 Ascendancy options for players. The skill gem system evolves from Path of Exile’s original skill system, featuring 240 skill gems and 200 support gems. The original game’s Passive Skill Tree returns, now offering 1,500 skills. Path of Exile 2 is now a standalone game and will remain free-to-play, with purchases shared between both games.
Update: Shortly after publishing this post, Game Director Jonathan Rogers confirmed Path of Exile 2’s Early Access has been delayed three weeks. Path of Exile 2 enters Early Access on December 6 for PC.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
The next-generation Microsoft Flight Simulator is on the horizon, featuring the series’ largest fleet of aircraft. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 includes an aviation career mode where players gain experience, build a reputation, and complete certifications to access realistic aviation roles like Medevac and Aerial Firefighting. Players can compete against other pilots in the new Challenge League mode, with additional activities like Rally Races, Precision Landings, Low-Altitude Challenges, and Red Bull Air Races. The game features an enhanced physics system with over 10,000 rigid-body structures, allowing for realistic simulation of any aircraft shape. Finally, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, players can land anywhere and exit their aircraft to explore 27 detailed biomes. Just make sure your computer is up to the task.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 releases on November 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
After several delays, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chronobyl is expected to meet this release date. Developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chronobyl places players in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, filled with dangerous enemies, deadly anomalies, and powerful artifacts. The game features a 64 km² radioactive zone with diverse post-apocalyptic environments, combining FPS, horror, and immersive sim elements. The game offers a non-linear story with multiple endings to enhance replayability. Players can also anticipate a multiplayer mode, which is expected to be added as a free update shortly after release.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl releases on November 20 for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
