Last year set a high bar for quality video game releases, and 2024 so far isn’t quite clearing it.

The pandemic screwed up production schedules for countless big-budget video games, and as a result, 2023’s game release scheduled ended up with a logjam of incredible games released week after week.

Long production cycles mean we are seeing fewer high budget games from studios. In the 1990s and early 2000s, many games often took under two years to create, but now they take anywhere from half to a full decade. There is no clearer example than the 11-year gap between Grand Theft Auto V and the sixth title, scheduled for a 2025 release.

This year could’ve used some of that sizzle, as many projects still have “to be determined” tags to their release dates. But 2024 will at least start out very strong, especially in the first quarter.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Platforms: Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC

Release date: Jan. 18

Ubisoft revives (for the third time) one of gaming’s first stories ever told. This new reboot evokes the 2D roots of the series while updating the tale with flashy action and a modern visual language edited with style and panache.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox, PC

Release date: Jan. 26

The 18-year-old Japanese crime drama series (formerly called “Yakuza”) has been steadily growing its audience, and its shift to old-school, turn-based gameplay was a surprising and welcome success. Surprising, in part, because the series changed focus away from an extraordinarily well-liked protagonist to a new one, an unemployed 40-something optimist named Ichiban Kasuga, and no one complained because the stories and characters were so well written. The new chapter sees Ichiban visiting Hawaii to further explore his history as he tries to escape the criminal life and go straight.

Tekken 8

Platforms: PS5, Xbox, PC

Release date: Jan. 26

The modern-day fighting game renaissance continues, as the best 3D fighting series introduces new characters and features. It also seems to present the most visually striking fisticuffs ever seen. This game is going to light up fighting game tourneys for years.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Platforms: PS5, Xbox, PC

Release date: Feb. 2

This is probably the most controversial game on the list simply for its method of business. Developer Rocksteady Studios made its name on single-player, story-focused Batman games, yet this game focuses on multiplayer gameplay meant to be a “Fortnite”-like “live service” game, the kind of experience that asks for money and demands engagement time. Despite these red flags, Rocksteady has a great record that deserves a chance. It helps that it looks like a fun time regardless.

Helldivers 2

Platforms: PS5, PC

Release date: Feb. 8

Speaking of live service, this is a rare PlayStation console exclusive that focuses entirely on multiplayer gameplay. Sony has famously expressed interest in live service games, but this was before many of these games started to fail. But “Helldivers 2” seems to be built to succeed by focusing on being a simple shooting game with aliens. Like pizza, it’s hard to screw up a classic man vs. aliens video game.

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Platform: PS5

Release date: Feb. 29

This is probably the most anticipated game of the year. Final Fantasy VII in 1997 helped establish PlayStation as a dominant entertainment force. The remake trilogy, whose first installment launched in 2020 to critical acclaim, is meant to honor and continue that game’s story. Rebirth will cover the second chapter, when the most consequential events break out, including what many believe to be the single most memorable event in a video game story.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Platforms: PS5, Xbox, PC

Release date: March 22

The first game was a flawed masterpiece. Due to a famously rushed development period, the 2012 game had a terrible story and a relatively empty world, but its magic and beast-fighting systems were better than basically any other fantasy adventure. The sequel aims to chisel out any flaws to finally let this concept shine. No other game captures David vs. Goliath energy quite like this series.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

Platform: Switch

Release date: March 22

The first lady of video games finally gets another starring role. Last time, her game centered around problematic notions of emotions. This time, she’s basically able to take any job she wants, from swordfighter to detective. Nintendo’s release schedule is otherwise quiet this year, because it’s likely making way for its next console release, so there’s a high chance that Peach’s stage presence will be the swan song for the world’s best-selling game console at the moment.

Rise of the Ronin

Platform: PS5

Release date: March 22

It’s an open-world samurai adventure made by the makers of the Nioh series and the early 2000s Ninja Gaiden games. If those words mean anything to you, you won’t need any more convincing.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Platforms: Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox, PC

Release date: April 23

A fantasy game with 100 characters sounds outlandish, but this wouldn’t even be the first of its kind. This is the spiritual successor to the niche but adored Suikoden games, and creator Yoshitaka Murayama returns for another shot. Overshadowed by “Final Fantasy VII” during the ’90s, the 100-hero concept will get a second chance at a far more diverse and welcoming global gaming audience.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Platforms: Xbox, PC

Release date TBD

After years of cooking, the sequel to psychological horror action game Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice may finally see the light of day this year. Xbox has had trouble lining up exclusive titles, but Senua’s Saga aims to showcase the console’s power for photorealistic storytelling. This one is likely aimed for a late 2024 release, but has yet to get on the calendar.

Baby Steps

Platforms: PS5, PC

Release date TBD

Acclaimed game designer Bennett Foddy is known for creating quirky, funny games about moving around. Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy was a viral hit among streamers and YouTube creators. Baby Steps seems to take this concept further by imagining a middle-aged man with the navigational faculties of an infant. No doubt, this is going to be on thousands of streamer screens by the end of the year, whenever it releases.