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PC has continued to see more games releases from Sony and Microsoft, which, combined with all of the exclusives the platform gets, makes it a great place to play. While Nintendo is an exception, you're all but guaranteed to get the best of Xbox and PlayStation on this platform, and even without those console giants courting PC gamers, the year has been loaded with high-profile releases. According to GameSpot sister site Metacritic, the best-reviewed PC games--as of December 5--covered a wide variety of genres.From AAA releases to smash-hit indies, 2024 was a year where From Software released a masterpiece with its Elden Ring expansion, Animal Well took the world by storm with its engrossingly weird metroidvania magic, and Tactical Breach Wizards reminded the world that defenestration is always an option. We've rounded up all of the games below that received high metascores, and you can read more below. Be sure to also check out our running list of the best PC games to play right now.More Best Of 2024:Our Favorite Games That Didn't Make The Top 10Best PS5-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best Switch-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best PC-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best Xbox Games Of 2024Best-Reviewed Games Of 2024Best Of 2024 hub Elden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeIs it even possible to make one of the best games of all time even better? Shadow of the Erdtree positively answers that question with its gorgeous new location, breathtaking boss fights, and new gameplay ideas to create a new gold standard for future souls-like games to be measured against.Metascore: 94 | Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review See at Fanatical Metaphor ReFantazioWhat initially looked like it might be little more than a fantasy reskin of the Persona series proved to be much more. Metaphor: ReFantazio was named GameSpot's Game of the Year for 2024 and earned a rare 10/10, and for good reason: It evolves Persona's turn-based combat in interesting new ways to make for a phenomenal experience, and it pairs that with a compelling narrative that feels appropriate given the current-day political climate. It plays great on Steam Deck, too.Metascore: 92 | Read our Metaphor: ReFantazio review See at Fanatical Tekken 8We're living in a golden age of fighting games, and after the arrival of Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 last year, it was time for an iron-fisted king to make a grand return. Tekken 8 doubles down on its strength, cementing its position as one of the Big Three in fighting games. Its gorgeous visuals pack a punch, new gameplay systems reward you for aggressively dishing out pain, and its single-player storyline is an entertaining clash between Tekken's most-entertaining personalities and several newcomers.Metascore: 90 | Read our Tekken 8 review See at Fanatical UFO 50One of the most ambitious indie projects in years, UFO 50 imagines a fictional video game console and uncovers a whopping 50 games from it. The collection is a fantastically diverse set of retro-style games spanning the styles of genre conventions of the 1980s. It's a smart and savvy exploration of classic gaming tropes while also giving you a wide array of new games to sink your teeth into.Metascore: 91 | Read our UFO 50 review Animal WellThe less you know about Animal Well, the better, as this hit indie game works best when you go in with as little information as possible. A cryptic metroidvania where you collect items that can be used to alter the environment in surprising ways, everything about Animal Well feels like an intricate piece of art. Don't let the lo-fi visuals and deceptively simplistic gameplay fool you, as this nonlinear game is a masterclass in suspense.Metascore: 91 | Read our Animal Well review SatisfactoryAfter years in early access, Satisfactory finally released in full this year, and it's hard to argue it wasn't worth the wait. It's a game all about building automated systems, and in that regard, it's top-notch. When you're invoking a sense of satisfaction with your title, you had better deliver, and Satisfactory certainly does.Metascore: 91 BalatroBalatro has been one of the biggest surprises of the year, and as anyone who has played it can tell you, it's not hard to see why. Expertly blending its poker inspirations with roguelike deckbuilding gameplay, it's a game of endless possibility and captivating design that you can easily lose yourself in and play until the wee hours of the morning. Every card you pick up can drastically alter your chances for the better--or worse!--while a combination of synthwave music and psychedelic visuals help to create a hard-to-put-down flow to Balatro's magic.Metascore: 90 | Read our Balatro review See at Fanatical Shin Megami Tensei V: VengeanceAtlus could have easily ported Shin Megami Tensei V, slapped on a new coat of paint, and called it a day, but the publisher decided to go above and beyond for what was expected of it. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance shines on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC thanks to an absurd amount of extra content in this demon-hording adventure. It's also packed full of thoughtful quality-of-life tweaks, all adding to an already-engaging narrative that makes this challenging series worth jumping into for the first time or revisiting if you're looking to play the best version of it.Metascore: 87 | Read our Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance review See at Fanatical Thank Goodness You're HereThe beauty of Thank Goodness You're Here is that you never quite know what to expect from this adorable "slapformer." In terms of gameplay, you're not doing much beyond steering a curiously small chap through various scenarios that can be solved with some percussive maintenance, and yet you'd be hard-pressed to find another game as memorable as this one.Metascore: 90 | Read our Thank Goodness You're Here review God of War RagnarokThe stream of first-party games from Sony, formerly exclusive to Playstation consoles, continued in 2024, and there aren't many better than God of War Ragnarok. The continuation of 2018's soft reboot told another great story filled with memorable characters and set pieces, and the action took another step forward with new tools and wrinkles to keep it feeling fresh. It might be a few years old, but like its predecessor, Ragnarok holds up exceptionally well.Metascore: 90 | Read our God of War Ragnarok review See at Fanatical Like a Dragon: Infinite WealthLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth hits a bullseye for what a sequel should be--bigger, bolder, and now with Danny Trejo playing a machete-themed villain. At the same time, Infinite Wealth is a wonderful passing of the torch, as it brings back old faces for one last ride. A polished and emotionally charged adventure, Ichiban's return will tug at your heart with its expertly crafted narrative and leave you with plenty to do after the end credits have rolled thanks to a surplus of extra content.Metascore: 89 | Read our Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review See at Fanatical Kill KnightSure, the name is funny (Kill Butt 2: 2, anyone?), but Kill Knight is also a gloriously stylish shooter that will remind you of legendary arcade games like Smash TV and Robotron 2084. It's all wrapped up in a hellish aesthetic that's decidedly darker and more grim than the aforementioned games, and in a sort of reverse-Doom situation, it's up to you to make angels extinct. You will not cry when angels deserve to die.Metascore: 88 See at Fanatical Destiny 2: The Final ShapeThe Final Shape effectively took on the challenge of concluding the decade-long story of Destiny and helped to bring the game into its best, most interesting form yet. The RPG elements are more fully fleshed out than ever, and the new activities, compelling campaign, and dense Pale Heart location all make for a satisfying end to the Light and Darkness Saga. Though it's not the end of Destiny 2, which will continue on, it is undoubtedly a high point for the game.Metascore: 89 | Read our Destiny 2: The Final Shape review See at Fanatical Horizon Forbidden West: Complete EditionHorizon Forbidden West launched a few years ago on PlayStation, and it finally made its way to PC in 2024. The second chapter in Aloy's journey sees her diving further into the technological conspiracy that caused the end of modern civilization, but with an added threat from a new group of people possessing seemingly unstoppable weapons of their own. Like the original, it features a mix of stealth and all-out action, both against other humans and the many "breeds" of robotic dinosaurs scattered across a devastated world.Metascore: 89| Read our Horizon Forbidden West review See at Fanatical Persona 3 ReloadPersona 3 defined with would become the formula that elevated the franchise to a new level of popularity. But elements of it aged poorly, and it also had never been available on PC. Reload makes it easy to jump into, with a good-looking PC version (that also runs well on Steam Deck) adding various quality-of-life improvements.Metascore: 89 | Read our Persona 3 Reload review See at Fanatical Ghost of Tsushima: Director's CutAn open-world samurai game, Ghost of Tsushima presents a more approachable blend of stealth and action than souls-like-style games. It's got a gorgeous world to explore and wonderful cinematography to take in, all of it improved with the visual improvements you get on PC, plus additional content that was included with the Director's Cut release.Metascore: 89 | Read our Ghost of Tsushima review See at Fanatical Lorelei and the Laser Eyes2024 might just go down as the best year ever for puzzle games, and at the top of the cerebral pile, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes stands strong. Imagine a game flexing an Italian cinema art direction, puzzles that'll make you reach for a notebook to keep track of everything, and surreal vibes, and you've got everything you need to enjoy a wonderfully weird mystery.Metascore: 88 | Read our Lorelei and the Laser Eyes review Tactical Breach WizardsTactical Breach Wizards takes the basic gameplay concept of the brilliant Into the Breach--turn-based gameplay where you know your opponents' next move, and where you can manipulate their positioning to enable a better outcome--and dumps the roguelike structure for a story-based campaign. It's full of great writing and humor, and it also innovates with its gameplay by expanding the number of potential actions on each turn, making it so even complex levels can be solved in a single, ultra-satisfying turn.Metascore: 88 | Read our Tactical Breach Wizards review Dragon's Dogma 2Dragon's Dogma 2 is a satisfying and rewarding jaunt into fantasy. Capcom's return to the series isn't flawless, but those imperfections are easy to live with once you become drawn into a vast world of possibility that is full of helpful Pawns, thrilling adventures, and combat that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.Metascore: 88 | Read our Dragon's Dogma 2 review See at Fanatical Shogun ShowdownThis roguelike deckbuilder sets itself in feudal Japan, challenging you to take on enemy swordsmen with nothing but your wits and a deep, turn-based combat system. You'll carefully position your shogun and choose the perfect moment to strike, and as your runs progress, you'll unlock new characters and skills.Metascore: 88 See at Fanatical The Crimson DiamondA throwback to the days of Sierra's MS-DOS point-and-click adventure games, The Crimson Diamond still manages to mix a few modern ideas into its old-school design. A murder-mystery full of devious puzzles to solve, this love-letter to text-parser games like the Laura Bow Mystery Series is a must-play for anyone looking for a return to the past.Metascore: 88 Mullet MadjackMullet Madjack is like a first-person take on Hotline Miami, blending the intensity of that game with a distinct, colorful art style and a satirical spin on streamer culture. You'll need to rush from kill to kill before your timer runs out, soaking in the bloody visuals and '80s-style soundtrack that make this an exhilarating experience.Metascore: 88 Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the PitCan a Five Nights at Freddy's game be just as terrifying in 2D as it is in its traditional 3D format? The answer is a resounding yes with Into the Pit, as this Five Nights spin-off looks gruesomely gorgeous with its pixel-art animation. Throw in dual timelines, signature Five Nights at Freddy's frights, and unsettling levels, and you've got a rock-solid spin-off.Metascore: 87 Crusader Kings III: Roads to PowerCrusader Kings III already gave players nearly endless ways to conquer the world, whether it be through careful diplomacy or assassinating a child and then staging a large-scale invasion. If you thought you've seen all Crusader Kings III has to offer, think again, because Roads to Power adds several new wrinkles via the Byzantine Empire. New governmental options, co-ruling, and less restrictive exploration all breathe new life into a brilliant do-evil simulator.Metascore: 87 See at Fanatical Halls of TormentA Survivors-like that was already a worthy entry to the genre while it was in early access, Halls of Torment saw its 1.0 release in 2024. Its Diablo 2-style visuals evoke a certain era that will appeal to some, but its longer-term progression makes it hard not to opt into one more run whenever you finish one up.Metascore: 87 Minishoot AdventuresA Zelda-like adventure game by way of a shoot-em-up, Minishoot Adventures combines two very different genres and discovers they're like chocolate and peanut butter. The bullet hell mechanics feel right at home as you explore dungeons, find powerful new equipment, and take on enormous bosses.Metascore: 87 Silent Hill 2Bloober Team weathered many doubts for years as the team worked on Silent Hill 2. Players seemed to preorder their frustrations with the game. But then something funny happened: It launched, and it was exceptional. Both a faithful remake to an all-time great horror game and an experience that adds to the overall experience and even lore of Konami's best horror game, the Silent Hill 2 remake is arguably the best horror remake in a long line of them over the past several years.Metascore: 87 | Read our Silent Hill 2 review See at Fanatical Dragon Quest III HD-2D RemakeJRPG fans have been spoiled for choice throughout the year, but Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake left an indelible mark with its nostalgic appeal and a visual overhaul that Square Enix excels at. While some archaic elements remain intact--and show just how far the genre has come since this game was first released--Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is still a thrilling collection of turn-based battles and surprisingly flexible gameplay systems.Metascore: 87 | Read our Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake review AntonblastAntonblast is a relentless platformer, one that plays like a 2D Crash Bandicoot with breathtaking anger-management issues. With a frantic pace, platforming that requires deft skill, and an art style that isn't exactly easy on the eyes, it can be a bit of an acquired taste. But if you're looking to cap the year off with high-energy platforming action featuring a protagonist with an undying rage that could put the Doomslayer to shame? Then you'll have a blast with Dynamite Anton in this game.Metascore: 87 Indiana Jones and the Great CircleThe best Indiana Jones game since the intrepid archeologist solved the fate of Atlantis, The Great Circle embodies the spirit of a cinematic icon with its big-budget presentation, scrappy combat, and puzzles that'll make you feel like you deserve a teaching post at Marshall College. Developer MachineGames did its homework with this Indiana Jones game, but more than that, the entire project feels like a labor of love that celebrates the character and his long-lasting impact on pop culture.Metacritic: 87 | Read our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review See at Fanatical Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.

Fortnite has become one of the most competitive games to date, featuring a wide skill gap due to its building mechanics. While knowing how to build and edit effectively is crucial for securing a Victory Royale and dominating Ranked matches and Tournaments, aiming is just as important, if not more so.

An Elden Ring player has pulled off the incredible feat of making Margit fall off the cliff while fighting, something which is unheard of even almost three years after the launch of the title. Considering how difficult the game can get at times, some Elden Ring fans often employ clever methods to take down the game's unforgiving bosses, but this one seems to be quite a unique way of defeating Margit.

Thanks to its massive library of incredible software, the PlayStation 2 has remained the best-selling video game console of all time. Perhaps one of the key reasons that the software was so good was thanks to its protagonists, as its impressive roster of RPGs, survival horror adventures, racing titles, and action-adventure games is packed with outstanding lead characters.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, available in white smoke, black, and chilled lilac are currently $129 (marked down from $179)their lowest price ever, according to price trackers. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) $129.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $129.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $50.00 The touch controls on these earbuds are said to be quite responsive, with a light tap letting you manage your media. You can also tweak features like noise control, EQ settings, and Aware mode through the companion app. That said, their slightly bulkier design might not be the most comfortable for extended listening sessions (though they come with three pairs of wings and eartips to help you find a fit that works for you). The earbuds also feature an IPX4 water-resistance rating, making them suitable for light rain or sweat, though this protection doesnt extend to the charging case, unlike the AirPods 4 (currently $169, down from $179).Bose is practically the gold standard for noise cancellation, but according to this PCMag review, the QuietComfort Earbuds dont block out as much noise in the lower and mid frequencies compared to the QuietComfort Ultra ($229, down from $299). Even so, they deliver strong overall performance. Equipped with 10mm drivers, these earbuds produce crisp and balanced audio across a wide frequency range (20Hz to 20kHz), offering an immersive listening experience for music, podcasts, and more. However, they lack advanced features like spatial audio and Google Fast Pair functionality.On the plus side, they offer Bluetooth multipoint pairing so that you can connect two devices at once. Codec support includes AAC and SBC, which should satisfy most users, though high-res audio fans might miss options like LDAC. Bose claims the QuietComfort Earbuds can last up to 8.5 hours with ANC on, with the charging case providing an extra 31.5 hoursenough to get you through a busy day easily. Charging is convenient too, with support for both USB-C and Qi wireless charging options available.

In the latest ChromeOS 131 update, Google is rolling out a new feature called Safety reset, which, as the name implies, will let you reset your Chromebook to a stable state. This option is for the times when you need to get rid of unwanted pop-ups or when you're having issues like network connectivity.Prior to this new update, Chromebook users who wanted to reset their machine would need to do a Powerwash, which would factory reset a Chromebook to default settings and wipe any user data. This would ideally be used when selling or giving your Chromebook to someone else. If you'd rather not wipe all your data, though, this new Safety reset setting in ChromeOS 131 might be a better option. When using Safety reset, it will reset Chrome settings and Chrome shortcuts, disable extensions, and delete cookies and other temporary site data. User data such as bookmarks, history, and saved passwords won't be affected when using Safety reset.You can find the Safety reset option under Settings > Safety and Privacy. It can also be accessed using the keyboard shortcut, CTRL + Shift + Search + R.In addition to Safety reset, ChromeOS 131 has a couple of other new features, including a new design for Quick Answers, which is a GenAI-powered reading assistant in ChromeOS, and also a new accessibility feature that will flash the screen when a new notification appears. ChromeOS 131 is rolling out now over the coming days; Chromebook users should see it on their devices soon.

The term high income is a moving targetjobs that once allowed folks to afford a nice lifestyle can lose their luster over time as inflation and other economic forces conspire to erode their value. If you want to be in the top 10% of income in the United States, for example, you have to earn at least $160,000 annually. Which is a lot, considering that the average income these days is around $60,000.If youre trying to bridge that $100,000 gap, there are some surprising ways to earn six figures, and some jobs that pay pretty well without requiring a degree. But if you really want to rake in the cash, you might have to consider not only getting out from behind your desk, but also risking your dignity and possibly your physical safety. The jobs on this list pay extraordinarily wellbut that high income comes with a cost.FishermanWhen the subject of high-paying, dangerous jobs comes up, someone will always mention commercial fishing in Alaska. Is it dangerous? Well, when no one died in 2021 it was big enough news to be mentioned by the Alaskan government, so theres your answer. But it can be incredibly profitable in the short term: While the average annual income for commercial fisherman in general is just $28,530, deckhands working boats in Alaska can make as much as $50k in a few months, and even young kids like this guy can earn $100-$125 per dayhe eventually hauled in $7,000 over one summer. Most boats pay out a percentage of the profits instead of a salary, so earnings can vary wildlybut you can definitely make a ton of cash in a short time if youre willing to work incredibly hard and deal with the danger and harsh conditions.Whether this remains true is a good questionthe Alaskan fishing industry is in crisis and shedding jobs instead of adding them, so finding a job there might not be as easy as it once was. If youre interested and have some fishing or maritime experience you can check the Alaska Job Finder board, and if you dont have any experience but want to check out this career, you can contact the Alaska Longline Fishermens Association (ALFA) about their training program.Garbage collectorThe average earnings for garbage collectors vary from area to areawhile the median salary was just $43,540 in 2022, garbage collectors in San Francisco could make more than $72kand in some areas, like New York City, garbage workers can pull in well into the six figures once overtime kicks in. So if youre willing to deal with one of the dirtiest jobs in the world (as well as long shifts that often take place in the middle of the night), you can really earn a good living.Oil rig workOil rigs offer a career path that can lead to high earnings, but come with significant danger and separation from family and other aspects of your life. Starting off as a Roustabout will usually bring a relatively modest salary between $35k and $45k, but being promoted to Roughneck can bump your salary into six figures in some circumstances. If you stick with this dirty, dangerous career path, you can work your way up to Tool Pusher, where the salaries max out closer to $250,000 per year in some casesthough it can take decades to get there.Certified public accountantCertified public accountants can eventually earn an average salary of over $122,000 per year. While you obviously need to have a way with numbers and math (and a love for taxes) to do the job, you might be surprised to find out its a job no one wantsas it turns out, theres a dire CPA shortage in this country because becoming a CPA is actually really, really hard. In addition to a bachelors degree, you usually have to complete whats known as the 150 Hour requirement, which is basically a two-year apprenticeship before you can even sit for the exam, which itself is no walk in the park. But if you can get through the process, you have the potential to earn a very high income.Solid waste managerIf the phrase sold waste makes you wince, you already know why nobody wants to be a Solid Waste Manager. As you might imagine, the job is chiefly concerned with properly collecting, processing, and disposing of waste from cities and organizations, which can involve some, er, hands-on work in landfills or with hazardous materials. But the average annual salary for the job is $121,755, with a high-end nearing $160k. Best of allyou dont necessarily need a college degree to become one.GastroenterologistIt might seem strange to think that being a doctor of some sort could be on a list of jobs no one wantseveryones parents dream of their kids becoming doctors, dont they? Sure, but then you realize which part of the body gastroenterologists deal with and it all makes sense. Despite the fact that gastroenterologists earn an average income of $501,000thats half a million dollarstheres a severe shortage of them, fueled by both increasing demand from an aging population and a lack of new physicians pursuing the specialty.While the unglamorous nature of the work likely has something to do with a lack of gastroenterologists, it can also be a very high-stress job with long hours, a lot of emotional impact, and a very high burnout rate.Truck driverWhen you look for jobs with high salaries, youll often be directed to look into truck driving. Theres a huge demand for drivers with their commercial drivers license (CDL), and trucking companies are so hard up for drivers theyre often willing to train you and help you get your CDL. And the jobs pay really well: While your pay varies by region and the kind of driving you do (the longer youre willing to stay out on the road, the more you get paid), some driver salaries scrape near $200k annually. Walmart advertises that their drivers can earn up to $100,000 in their first year.There are downsides, however. Driving a truck not only means being away from family for long stretches, enduring loneliness and very high stress levels, it also means a very sedentary lifestyle, which can have a severely negative impact on your health. Whether those six figures are worth it is something youll have to decide for yourself.

Shuttle XH610G2 features a small form factor with dual PCIe slots for expansion.

According to MacRumors, Apple is preparing the release of iOS 18.2.1. We dont have a known build number at the moment, but well likely see this software update released in the near future.Although we dont know whats coming in iOS 18.2.1, its likely just bug fixes and security patches. Apple released iOS 18.2 earlier this month, bringing support for a new wave of Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration.Typically, new iOS releases begin to appear in analytics prior to release, which is a key indicator that Apple is internally testing the update on a wider array of devices.Apple is also working on iOS 18.3, which released to developers and public beta testers last week. That update is expected to launch in January.Do you have any issues in iOS 18.2 youre hoping to see fixed? Let us know in the comments.My favorite iPhone accessories on Amazon:Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel