What were the best video games of 2024? I need answers! I didn’t play that many games from the year (my life was very hectic!), and I want to know what to prioritize in my backlog. I turned to the contributors of The Punished Backlog and invited everyone to sign up for a speed-dating-like session with me to share one of their favorite games on the podcast.

This episode features about a dozen writers (myself included!) and their picks. Each mini-interview is about five to 10 minutes long. In each, I ask for a description of the game, what the writer loved most about it, and who else might enjoy it.

At the end, I include a LONG honorable mention list trying to recap every game anyone on our site liked in our Best of 2024 coverage, and I also got just a little emo at the end reflecting on my four years at the Punished Backlog! Hope y’all enjoy, and happy new year!

– Amanda Tien, Editor

The Punished Podcast Episode 12

Check out the latest episode below. A reminder that you can listen here, download the MP3 file, or catch us wherever you get your podcasts. Happy listening!

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MP3 Download | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Review the timestamps below to read more from these authors!</figcaption></figure>

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Intro





• 2:13 – David & UFO 50





• 13:37 – Allison & Turnip Boy Robs a Bank





• 17:28 – Zack & Balatro





• 27:00 – Vaughn & Tekken 8





• 33:00 – Joe & Buckshot Roulette





• 39:40 – Amanda & Thank Goodness You’re Here





• 46:56 – Sam & Astro Bot





• 56:55 – Alexia & Core Keeper





• 1:04:30 – Kei & Final Fantasy VII Rebirth





• 1:13:40 – Gary & Metaphor ReFantazio





• 1:24:05 – Ben & Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown & Stardew Valley 1.6 Update





• 1:33:51 – Outro: Honorable Mentions, Gratitude, and Looking Ahead

Song Credits:

The songs below, aside from the opener and outro, are all inserted before their corresponding features!

• Opening: “Amble” from Thank Goodness You’re Here by James Carbutt





• “Play Forever” from UFO 50 by Eirik Suhrke





• “Menu” from Turnip Boy Robs a Bank by James Currier





• “Main Theme” from Balatro by Luis Clemente





• “Rude and Reckless” from Tekken 8 by the TEKKEN Project/Bandai Namco





• “Blank Shell” from Buckshot Roulette by Mike Klubnika





• “Trip to Town” from Thank Goodness You’re Here by James Carbutt





• “Disco Tree (Mini Boss Remix)” from Astro Bot by Kenneth C M Young for Team Asobi





• “My Growing Home” from Core Keeper by Jonathan Geer





• “Gongaga Region Theme” from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth by Mitsuto Suzuki and Masashi Hamauzu





• “Melancholy Star” from Metaphor ReFantazio by Shoji Meguro





• “Kushan Attack” from The Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown by Gareth Coker





• Transition to Outro: “Nice to Have You” from Thank Goodness You’re Here by James Carbutt





• End: “Winter (Nocture of Ice)” from Stardew Valley by Eric Barone

Want More Great Video Games From 2024?

Explore the rest of our Best of 2024 coverage.

The post The Punished Podcast: Episode 12 – The Best Games of 2024 (Speed Dating Style) appeared first on The Punished Backlog.