Games of the Year

RPGFan Games of the Year 2024: Best Ongoing Game

Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail - Best Ongoing Game of 2024

Winner: Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail

Writeup by Des Miller

Over the past decade, Final Fantasy XIV has gone from being a tragic tale of corporate mismanagement to one of the most beloved games in the industry. With over ten years of story building upon itself, the main storyline finally concluded with 2021’s breathtaking and jaw-dropping Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. The stakes were so high, the tension more intense than ever, and each narrative note hit like a ton of bricks with a nigh-perfect conclusion.

So, where do we go after saving the world? Vacation.

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail serves as the start of a new story. While the narrative may not be as intense or climactic as Endwalker, Dawntrail puts gameplay first with new dungeons, raids, trials, and ultimates that feature the most fun and unique mechanics the series has had in years. Here’s to another decade of the critically acclaimed MMORPG. I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon.

Runner-Up: Genshin Impact

Writeup by Patrick Gann

It’s been four years since Genshin Impact’s global release, and there’s no question that it continues to have a bevy of content waiting each month. In August, the season-based live service title hit its 5.0 milestone with the version update Flowers Resplendent on the Sun-Scorched Sojourn (they go all out with these detailed names!). Personally, I remain impressed with the steady stream of high-quality music written by the HOYO-MiX sound team for each and every Genshin Impact update. This steady stream of music accompanies new story quests, new characters, and often new environs to explore. It would seem Genshin Impact has a lot of life left in it!


Readers’ Choice: Best Ongoing Game of 2024

Winner: Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail (62.4% of votes)

Runner-Up: Honkai: Star Rail (13.3% of votes)

Des Miller

Des Miller

Des is a reviews editor, writer, and resident horror fan. He has a fondness for overlooked, emotionally impactful, and mechanically complex games - hence his love for tri-Ace and Gust. When he's not spending hours crafting in Atelier or preaching about Valkyrie Profile, he can usually be found playing scary games in the dark. With headphones. As they should be played.