The best video games of 2024 so far

Survive a spooky theme park, embark on a punishing journey through ancient Iceland or try your hand at a magical card game – the year’s best games so far

Channelling the sci-fi military satire and extreme gloopy gore of Starship Troopers, Helldivers 2 was a surprise mega hit on its launch in February. Looking back we shouldn’t have been shocked: it delivers engrossing, hilarious co-op action in a range of desolate landscapes against horrible insects and crazed robots, and it makes each fight feel like part of a much wider story – a factor heightened by Arrowhead Game Studios’ excellent use of social media channels.