Andy is a lunatic. I have hundreds of hours in Satisfactory and it has never once occurred to me to ask 'What does this factory make?' Less questions, more productivity please, Andy.
Same as all factories, it makes money. Or an equivalent to money, resources, caps, bells, turnips, etc. Whatever it takes to keep the lights on and the workers coming back.
Jane's look for just a split-second after that had me wondering if she was thinking "I'm not going to let him know how good that was" or "I am going to teach Mike the meaning of 'defenestration' first-hand after lunch."
Honestly that’s probably accurate it does feel like it’s trying a little too hard to be the most neutral and accessible game. Like if Astarion were in Dragon Age he’d be less “flamboyant” to be “more appealing to straight women as a romance option” but him being that flamboyant gives him more character to latch on to.
The term prequel is generally used to refer to a series set before the original it is inspired by but made after it. I wouldn't class the original Dragon Age games as prequels but just the previous games.
It's amazing to watch. (Seemingly) No script. No sponsored content. No "we have to be funny". Just raw unadulterated passion! The way Jane talked about Satisfactory immediately made me look it up on Steam and, as soon as it has official controller support on PC, I will be purchasing it and probably go missing for a couple of weeks, if not months lol
I was thinking the same thing. I'm an engineer and it's the perfect kind of game for the analytical, efficiency-driven minds common in those with STEM interests. It's too bad we didn't get any Satisfactory streams or videos
Me too! I remember with RDR2 and Life is Strange they did some in depth videos and I’d love to see them do that with Veilgaurd, even if it’s not a super glowing review 😅
Mike picking a turn based anime-ish JRPG as GOTY is something I never thought I'd ever see and hear. A surprise, but a nice one. Although, if Le Mans Ultimate is fully released, I suspect that might be his pick instead.
I know it arrived late but surprised no-one mentioned Indiana Jones. A genuinely great game that lived up to the hype. Much better than I was expecting
I realized I was really into satisfactory when I was creating a very complex excel spreadsheet to track all the resources and machines I would need to build one of the end game parts...before building the first machine. And was very excited to put that in action.
My job as a bookkeeper has had me creating spreadsheets since I started. Not because I have to, it's not part of my job description, but just because I knew I could do way better than what they had and streamline things. To the point that now I have other managers asking to borrow me for a day or two to come do the same for their stores. And somehow it has never ONCE occurred to me to make one for any of the automation games I play lol. That's a great idea. I already know those numbers almost by heart in Factorio, but I could see it being really useful in Satisfactory and Dyson Sphere Program.
The thing with Astro Bot is that yes it's stacked full of playstation nostalgia, but even if you strip out that set dressing, it's still a really solid charming platformer
I expected Andy and Ellen's choices but I wasn't sure what Mike and Jane would pick. Definitely agree with Ellen about Astro Bot, it's one of the best platformers I've played in years
I'm with Andy, Like A Dragon has been such a pleasant experience since it switched from the grittier Yakuza games to the fun, turn based RPGs. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Yakuza series (I still remember playing it on the PS2) but I love turn based RPGs and Ichiban is such an enjoyable character. My honorable mention would probably be another game that has roots back to the PS2 days: Persona 3 Reload. I'm a big Persona fan, and the story of P3 has always been a favorite of mine, so being able to revisit such a cherished memory from my adolescence, with shiny new visuals and a fun soundtrack was an absolute treat.
Infinite Wealth is such a fine game. The side quest where the Yakuza men used the foam from their pervy sex nappies to recreate snow for an elder.y couple’s anniversary had me simultaneously laughing my head off and crying real tears.
I just love that I went, "Ah here comes Mike with another car game for GOTY." And he makes me just so happy when he gives Metaphor as his choice, which just so happens to be my personal GOTY as well. Also I love that sponsored video you guys did of the game. Made me wish you guys had a playthrough series of it tbh.
My GOTY is the absurdly underrated Crow Country. It's an indie horror game inspired by ps1 Silent Hill and Resident Evil set in an abandoned theme park. Very creepy, super interesting plot, great level design and puzzles that fit within the world. The fact it wasn't nominated for best indie game at the Game Awards is absurd to me. And honourable mention goes to Sonic X Shadow Generations. A really solid remaster of one of the best Sonic games and a new game that's even better
Glad to hear you kept playing Metaphor, Mike. After watching your playthrough I decided to continue the adventures of Ray Fantaz. I platinumed it and loved every second.
I was sorta vaguely interested in Metaphor before this video, but Mike's excellent and informative summary has sold me on the game, especially as someone that's never been too interested in Persona before - Japanese anime high-school dramas are not my thing. Satisfactory also sounds appealing if my PC could run it!
So glad I finally got into the Yakuza series after Andy's past recommendations, this year I recently finished Yakuza 0 and I'm currently near the tail-end of Yakuza: Like a Dragon. When Andy says in this video that Ichiban is one of the greatest video game protagonists ever, I'd like to go a step further and say that he is personally my favourite video game protagonist of all time. I admit to not being terribly invested in the convoluted crime drama plot of Yakuza 0, but putting it in context with a character like Ichiban who is not important in the grand scheme of things but commits himself so completely sincerely it elevates the story for me.
He's my favorite kind of character, a person that's just so lovable and good natured that the people around them just have to support them. The closest other one I can name is Carrot Ironfounderson from Discworld, who is likewise very sweet, kind, helpful, and trusting to the point where you'd think they're an idiot except they're always right to do it. The kind of person who believes so hard in the good deep inside other people that those people have no choice but to believe it too.
While I love to hear everyone’s opinions, Mike has always been my voice on this channel and I’m very surprised by his goty for 2024. I’ll have yo checknit put
According to steam, Balatro was my most played game this year by hundreds of hours. And that didn't even include the time I spent playing Balatro on my partner's Xbox and the time I put into it on my phone. I was in fact playing Balatro on mobile while I was watching this video. It is the closest thing to video game crack I've ever experienced and it changed my life for the better/worse. Edit: And shoutout to the Balatro theme. It is so rare to get some video game music that's not in 4/4. It adds so much to that hazy dreamy vibe of it all.
Unrelated to this video, but related to this channel, the Alone in the Dark reboot posted recipes for 5 different cocktails today in honor of New Year’s Eve, in case you guys were interested in making more cocktail videos 😅
Putting in a vote for a Satisfactory livestream, Either the 3 (4?) of them start a new game together, or two hours of Jane guiding us through her factory city would be great.
I love hearing everyone talking about games they love ☺ I'd not being paying all that much attention to games that came out this year beyond what was covered by a couple of my favourite chanels, so there were a few surprises here for me.
Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2 is my GOTY. Never has a game made my jaw drop at it’s sheer intensity and the gameplay loop is simply phenomenal and unmatched. I can never get enough of slaying endless Tyranid hordes. It’s the only game this year that kept me playing, hooked and coming back again and again.
I heartily agree with Mike, Metaphor:ReFantazio is fantastic. I've got my gripes with the story, but it was such an enjoyable game for all the 130 hours I played of it. My personal GOTY it was not, however, that honor (?) goes to Unicorn Overlord, which completely blindsided me with the sheer fun of its gameplay.
It has been wonderful watching Marvel vs Capcom 2 make a resurgence. The game hasn't been available in any form for 16 years, and now its become very popular. While MvC2 isn't a perfect game, it is the most fun to play and watch of the Marvel vs Capcom games. Also MvC2 has one of the best soundtrack of the series.
At the start of the year, I had the choice between buying BG3 and Infinite Wealth. I chose BG3 and, as was the case with every BG I have played, had a modestly fun time destroyed by game breaking bugs. I really wish I could get a refund on that game. Later in the year, MechWarrior 5: Clans came out (I was hoping there'd be a sponsored content with OXBox like MW5:Mercs had), I picked it up and unfortunately my computer could only barely run it. FPS was single digits and it wasn't practical to continue. I was able to get a refund on that, thankfully. Despite all that, it's still my honorable mention for my GOTY. With all my bad luck with new games this year, my friend picked my up a copy of Infinite Wealth, and thankfully my computer actually can run it. Because I devote a lot of time to running a TTRPG (I take my role as GM pretty seriously even if the game is a largely goofy one. People are giving up their Sundays to spend time doing what I create for them, I should at least do it to the best of my abilities), I haven't had a lot of time to play it, but I've enjoyed every part that I have. I used to live in Japan, and I miss it dearly. So games like this and, strangely, Earth Defense Force bring back a lot of nostalgia as I notice a lot of familiar little things, and I love it.
Me: Ready to throw hands and argue in favor of the masterpiece that is Satisfactory Jane, immediately: "My game of the year is Satisfactory" Well played, OX!
So glad to hear Jane's nuanced takes on Veilguard because for some reason my social media algorithm keeps sending me the most bigoted, whiny, bad faith takes about it. Glad to see a legitimate review from someone I respect. And my respect only grew with "The skeleton can watch."
THIS. There's so much whining and crying about it online, and honestly... I enjoyed it, a lot. Did it have problems? Yes. But what doesn't? Games don't need to be perfection, they just need to be FUN. I don't watch any content about it unfortunately because you never know when someone's take is just going to be because they're a bigot snowflake who is crying because other people with different lifestyles or opinions exist... I watched one review before realising my mistake, and it had things taken out of context, agendas pushed that really aren't a big deal in the game etc just so they could be misogynistic & transphobic... It's sad that you basically have to avoid all mention of it online for fear of coming across all the rubbish.
@@CharbifiedI’ve been watching Jesse Cox’s play through after completing mine, and it’s awesome to see someone willing to just enjoy it on its own terms. It’s really refreshing to see a take completely devoid of unnecessary hate. A comfort food take on a comfort food game
I understand Jane. There's enjoyment to be found in getting through the jank, which is why I'm still trying to make my way through Morrowind even though my speed stat is making it a real pain to travel.
Once you're levitating constantly you forget all about the slow slog is what eventually got me through my one time finishing it so far lol Only took 20 years..
I have to share the TV with the family, so I had to play a lot of the game on remote play on my Odin with the sound down. Regardless, I should have got it though! - Mike
My game of the year is 1000xResist. An absolute banger sci-fi experience that hits on themes of global pandemics, intergenerational trauma, and the Hong Kong diaspora. It is melt your mind weird, and lovely because of it. Hekki Allmo!
Glad to see Infinite Wealth on at least one persons list. I never really played the Yakuza games (I tried 0 once and the first Judgement game but never really clicked) until I tried Like a dragon, and totally fell in love with that game, and Ichiban is one of my fave characters of all time now. I wasn't able to play Infinite wealth when it came out due to financial reasons, but picked it up with the Like a dragon as well, as I now had a new PSN account after my old one got shut down for a dumb reason (uploading tool manufacture logo DeWalt to GT7), and wanted to play both back to back. Like a dragon is amazing, but Infinite Wealth is even better. As you say, they really refined the combat which makes things so much more fun. Actually ended up platinuming after 163 hours, that's how much I enjoyed it. I thought FF7 Rebirth was gonna be top game, but Infinite Wealth was just so much fun. (although I think an Ichiban/Yufi team up would blow my mind) Oh and I should say, it also encouraged me to buy The man who erased his name due to the story connection and I am loving it so will probably end up buying all the previous games as well and have preordered the pirate game.
Here’s to enjoying things! Love this channel - always - and love this list. My GOTY is Dragon Age: The Veilguard. I’m on my second run right now. It reminds me of Mass Effect 2, in a good way - plus dragons. What’s not to like?
Maybe there's a correlation here, but it's interesting y'all picked games that you made quite little content about? Maybe the studio move cut back on some of that or you just took the time to properly enjoy these games without the need to make content? Either way, it's good to see fresh games and what looks to be genuine joy on y'all's faces when talking about them.
@@SixShooter14 Yeah I wonder whether someone else will get added to outside xtra side. Either way I hope next year we get some more let's play, streams across both channel plus some more board game & VR content.
@@DJHoward82 I wonder that too, I like seeing the oxbox crew over on oxtra but I'm sure they have had to changeup their workflow a lot between shooting/editing with 1 less Luke. I agree about more let's plays and streams and such. I feel like they did a lot more lists and one-offs this year that while great, are less enjoyable for me personally than seeing them get properly into a game. The IRL videos were very fun too but I feel they were cut down so much that a lot of the natural chemistry seen in livestreams got lost in the editing of "scenes".
@@SixShooter14 I think they overall did a good job this year after Luke left, changing studio & also the whole IGN buying Gamer Network from Reedpop situation (after Luke's departure) in which IGN has shares in OX which I'd guess would've also mixed things up as well. There where more list videos but probably because they know that type of content does well for them so they're a good stabilizer whilst also trying to figure out what to do with oxtra going forward where they are trying some other stuff as well.
Mike picking Metaphor wasn’t in my bingo card but it was also my personal GOTY. Now when it comes to persona, I think 5 has the best dungeon design. 3 reload suffered from Tartarus being grindy and enemies being recolored with shifted weaknesses. At least Royal has personas that fit the theme of the palace ruler
My GOTY is Baldurs Gate 3. Did it come out in 2023? Yes. Does it have sooo many possibilities that I'm still exploring everything that can happen well into 2024/5? Also yes.
Shout out Oxboxtra (especially Andy) for introducing me to the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series! It’s quickly become my favorite series and Infinite Wealth is my game of the year too! Special shout out to Astro Bot too!
All choices are very good, but Mike and Jane resonate with me most. Metaphor is my absolute game of the year and only thing is stopping me from diving to facrory building - agreement with friends to play Satisfactory on release in coop.
Shadow of the Erdtree dlc for Elden Ring is my GOTY (don't @ me, it's only a label and could've worked as a smaller sequel), but if it hadn't been for it, it would be Dragon Age The Veilguard. It's not perfect but I love it, and I'm on my 3rd playthrough. Emmrich was my first romance and I love him, and our skeleton son, Manfred.
GOTY for me absolutely has to be FFVII Rebirth. It's a colossal achievement, made with true love and respect - respect for both the original game, and FF fans in general. Honourable mentions, Shadow of the Erdtree, FFXIV: Dawntrail, Path of Exile 2, and Satisfactory. Actually since those are, respectively, an expansion, an MMO expansion, basically in closed beta, and a game I played more and enjoyed more in early access pre-2024, they might not count.
Satisfactory was my GOTY too. Been playing it since day one Early Access on Epic Games Store back in 2019. Was so excited for it to finally reach 1.0 and win PC GOTY at Golden Joysticks. Edit: Oh and as others have said... Would Love to see Jane do a livestream of it on the channel.
My GOTY is Silent Hill 2 remake. The way the dev team brought this classic back for both the modern audience & older fans who played the OG is a love letter to what made the OG a classic in the first place. Even though the tank controls are gone, the atmosphere, monsters, & characters still remain just as creepy as it was all those years ago. It actually caused me to break my one rule that I've held since my first GOTY which was 20 years ago & was to not have a remake or remastered be my GOTY
Not sure if early access games count but I played so much of TCG Card Shop Simulator and Hades 2 this year. I would also say Vampire Survivors but it was just multiple DLC released for it this year.
If you want to be a stickler for rules, I'd say they don't count, because I've been hearing about satisfactory for *a while* (entered early access in 2019, apparently) But that's just my interpretation, you do you.
Fun fact for you: the title and various other things in the game is a real language called Esperanto. It's a made up language created in 1887 and was designed to help facilitate world peace by providing a universal language, which fits considering the games theme of uniting different cultures and people in a very divided world. By extension Fantazio means fantasy in Esperanto, which makes the title be functionally "return to fantasy"
I think Jane could really enjoy No Man's Sky and what it's become nowadays. And hopefully I'm not alone in thinking it'd be nice to have chill Unpacking style streams of just chill exploring and base building. Lovelovelove to all of the oxboxtra crew (front and back of camera) and best wishes for the new year ps. vtm oxventure by jane when?
I was thinking "I haven't actually played that many games released this year, and would Marvel vs. Capcom Collection count as it's a compilation pack rather than a new game"? Then Mike said it's fine 👍
Ah, Jane is in that famous phase where you can't mention how much you _adore_ a Dragon Age game without also going on a lengthy tirade about missed opportunities, rushed development and baffling choices. Mine has lasted about 8 years after Inquisition's release.
I played and LUVVED ASTROBOT!! I totally plan to collect the toys or statues if they do them properly, sounds and lights. However I still get the “Mario Sunshine” and “Kirby’s forgotten land” Vibes from Astrobot. Almost a total copy of these games and mechanics
Everyone else: It has been a great/horrible year.
Jane: It has been a Satisfactory year.
Inspiration.
Exactly what you'd expect to hear from someone who is both Video Game Mum and Aspiring Global Conqueror
She's adorably malicious! _~old Lucky Charms tune~_
Based Jane.
"The skeletons can watch" - Jane Douglas, 2024
"Excited hiss"
Voiced by Matt Mercer
Am skeleton. Respectfully controlling my hipbone.
Andy is a lunatic. I have hundreds of hours in Satisfactory and it has never once occurred to me to ask 'What does this factory make?' Less questions, more productivity please, Andy.
This factory makes more factory...
Same as all factories, it makes money. Or an equivalent to money, resources, caps, bells, turnips, etc. Whatever it takes to keep the lights on and the workers coming back.
Why am I not surprised Jane chose a game about world domination
Mike dealing shade: “this may look like your therapist’s office…”
😂😂😂
I’m stealing that for my next team meeting.
Jane's look for just a split-second after that had me wondering if she was thinking "I'm not going to let him know how good that was" or "I am going to teach Mike the meaning of 'defenestration' first-hand after lunch."
Jane reviewing Dragon Age the Veilguard: “It insists upon itself.” 😂
That is such a great quote.
Sums up everything you need to know about DAtV ; needy but not as good as the prequel
@@MSte21It's a Family Guy quote.
Honestly that’s probably accurate it does feel like it’s trying a little too hard to be the most neutral and accessible game. Like if Astarion were in Dragon Age he’d be less “flamboyant” to be “more appealing to straight women as a romance option” but him being that flamboyant gives him more character to latch on to.
The term prequel is generally used to refer to a series set before the original it is inspired by but made after it. I wouldn't class the original Dragon Age games as prequels but just the previous games.
These end of the year videos are always my favourite. I love when you guys just sit together and talk about things you enjoy!
Completely agree! This and the quiz of the year are two of the videos I love watching the most from Oxboxtra
Same here, When their videos don't feel scripted.
I enjoy these too. It's lovely to hear them talk about what they enjoy and rag on each other.
Except when Andy went full-loathing on the Borderlands movie. I don’t normally enjoy things like that but his indignant disdain was a sight to behold.
It's amazing to watch. (Seemingly) No script. No sponsored content. No "we have to be funny". Just raw unadulterated passion!
The way Jane talked about Satisfactory immediately made me look it up on Steam and, as soon as it has official controller support on PC, I will be purchasing it and probably go missing for a couple of weeks, if not months lol
"This might look like your therapist's office however..." is such a beautiful line.
Jane's pick makes so much sense considering her STEM background.
I was thinking the same thing. I'm an engineer and it's the perfect kind of game for the analytical, efficiency-driven minds common in those with STEM interests.
It's too bad we didn't get any Satisfactory streams or videos
@SixShooter14 pretty much guaranteed to get a stream when it gets released on consoles
@@eddythefool Oh, yeah, I always forget they don't really play PC here. Hopefully it's not too painful watching someone play it with a controller.
@@SixShooter14 if they release a major dlc for it before it gets on consoles then it's possible they might stream the PC version
@@SixShooter14 Ok, but I'm a chemist and I'm on team Andy/Ellen. Astrobot, LaD: Infinite Wealth, and Metaphor are my top 3 for the year.
I'm not sure if I missed it, but I'd really love to hear Janes in-depth thoughts about Veilguard some time.
Me too! I remember with RDR2 and Life is Strange they did some in depth videos and I’d love to see them do that with Veilgaurd, even if it’s not a super glowing review 😅
Mike picking a turn based anime-ish JRPG as GOTY is something I never thought I'd ever see and hear. A surprise, but a nice one.
Although, if Le Mans Ultimate is fully released, I suspect that might be his pick instead.
I mean in a year of FF7 Rebirth. This is his GOTY? I really need to get into it properly.
@@rizkyanandita8227 Tbh its not great, most of it is just pressing the x button to go through dialogue, the range of options is also quite poor.
I know it arrived late but surprised no-one mentioned Indiana Jones. A genuinely great game that lived up to the hype. Much better than I was expecting
I realized I was really into satisfactory when I was creating a very complex excel spreadsheet to track all the resources and machines I would need to build one of the end game parts...before building the first machine. And was very excited to put that in action.
My job as a bookkeeper has had me creating spreadsheets since I started. Not because I have to, it's not part of my job description, but just because I knew I could do way better than what they had and streamline things. To the point that now I have other managers asking to borrow me for a day or two to come do the same for their stores. And somehow it has never ONCE occurred to me to make one for any of the automation games I play lol. That's a great idea. I already know those numbers almost by heart in Factorio, but I could see it being really useful in Satisfactory and Dyson Sphere Program.
I was both surprised and pleased to see Metaphor get a mention. I'm glad you're enjoying it, Mike!
Now we just need to pray to Chutulu for a .wmv video out of nowhere
Small patreon supporter spoiler: one is indeed coming and I can't wait 👀
@@flyingwithbirbs1202YESSSS
The thing with Astro Bot is that yes it's stacked full of playstation nostalgia, but even if you strip out that set dressing, it's still a really solid charming platformer
Jane's GOTY 2024: Space British Empire Simulator
I expected Andy and Ellen's choices but I wasn't sure what Mike and Jane would pick. Definitely agree with Ellen about Astro Bot, it's one of the best platformers I've played in years
Games are back everybody!
BEWARE GAMES!
SMOOCH THAT NECROMANCER. ONE OF US.
Satisfactory is how i imagine the Adeptus Mechanicus consume planets with their endless factories...
I'm with Andy, Like A Dragon has been such a pleasant experience since it switched from the grittier Yakuza games to the fun, turn based RPGs. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Yakuza series (I still remember playing it on the PS2) but I love turn based RPGs and Ichiban is such an enjoyable character. My honorable mention would probably be another game that has roots back to the PS2 days: Persona 3 Reload. I'm a big Persona fan, and the story of P3 has always been a favorite of mine, so being able to revisit such a cherished memory from my adolescence, with shiny new visuals and a fun soundtrack was an absolute treat.
Infinite Wealth is such a fine game. The side quest where the Yakuza men used the foam from their pervy sex nappies to recreate snow for an elder.y couple’s anniversary had me simultaneously laughing my head off and crying real tears.
"The skeleton can watch" 😂❤
I just love that I went, "Ah here comes Mike with another car game for GOTY." And he makes me just so happy when he gives Metaphor as his choice, which just so happens to be my personal GOTY as well.
Also I love that sponsored video you guys did of the game. Made me wish you guys had a playthrough series of it tbh.
I just got Metaphor yesterday and I'm so hyped to finally play it. ❤
That video convinced me to try the demo and then as a result buy the game. Definitely my favourite of the year and I am very much not a Persona fan.
To be fair...there hasn't exactly been any racing games this year I think f1 being the only one?
"Do not let Fixit down!" made me laugh out loud. Excellent mum-style guilt tripping 😂😂
Jane, as a huuuuge Dragon Age fan, I feel your assessment of Veilguard 100%
Yep, it’s a great DA game but it does some stuff differently from the old games that it probably didn’t need to. But I’m still loving it
For this year, my pick is Metaphor Refantazio. The story was beautiful, and the game play was fun.
My GOTY is the absurdly underrated Crow Country. It's an indie horror game inspired by ps1 Silent Hill and Resident Evil set in an abandoned theme park. Very creepy, super interesting plot, great level design and puzzles that fit within the world. The fact it wasn't nominated for best indie game at the Game Awards is absurd to me. And honourable mention goes to Sonic X Shadow Generations. A really solid remaster of one of the best Sonic games and a new game that's even better
Glad to hear you kept playing Metaphor, Mike. After watching your playthrough I decided to continue the adventures of Ray Fantaz. I platinumed it and loved every second.
I was sorta vaguely interested in Metaphor before this video, but Mike's excellent and informative summary has sold me on the game, especially as someone that's never been too interested in Persona before - Japanese anime high-school dramas are not my thing. Satisfactory also sounds appealing if my PC could run it!
Mike of all people being the one to latch onto Metaphor was definitely a surprise but lovely to see!
(Mike says he might chose Black Ops 6 as his Honorable mention)
Andy: "Wow. Are you some kind of jock?"
That's so spot on it's funny 😭😭
I love watching and listening to people talking passionately about things that they enjoy
fun fact: in like a dragon infinite wealth the title of each chapter is an elvis presley song title cool detail
So glad I finally got into the Yakuza series after Andy's past recommendations, this year I recently finished Yakuza 0 and I'm currently near the tail-end of Yakuza: Like a Dragon. When Andy says in this video that Ichiban is one of the greatest video game protagonists ever, I'd like to go a step further and say that he is personally my favourite video game protagonist of all time. I admit to not being terribly invested in the convoluted crime drama plot of Yakuza 0, but putting it in context with a character like Ichiban who is not important in the grand scheme of things but commits himself so completely sincerely it elevates the story for me.
He's my favorite kind of character, a person that's just so lovable and good natured that the people around them just have to support them. The closest other one I can name is Carrot Ironfounderson from Discworld, who is likewise very sweet, kind, helpful, and trusting to the point where you'd think they're an idiot except they're always right to do it. The kind of person who believes so hard in the good deep inside other people that those people have no choice but to believe it too.
@@weneedaladder8384 I started reading the City Watch collection around January this year and you're so right.
While I love to hear everyone’s opinions, Mike has always been my voice on this channel and I’m very surprised by his goty for 2024. I’ll have yo checknit put
According to steam, Balatro was my most played game this year by hundreds of hours. And that didn't even include the time I spent playing Balatro on my partner's Xbox and the time I put into it on my phone. I was in fact playing Balatro on mobile while I was watching this video. It is the closest thing to video game crack I've ever experienced and it changed my life for the better/worse.
Edit: And shoutout to the Balatro theme. It is so rare to get some video game music that's not in 4/4. It adds so much to that hazy dreamy vibe of it all.
I can agree 100%
Unrelated to this video, but related to this channel, the Alone in the Dark reboot posted recipes for 5 different cocktails today in honor of New Year’s Eve, in case you guys were interested in making more cocktail videos 😅
Putting in a vote for a Satisfactory livestream, Either the 3 (4?) of them start a new game together, or two hours of Jane guiding us through her factory city would be great.
I hope we get a follow-up on Jane's opinion of Veilguard after the penultimate mission
I love hearing everyone talking about games they love ☺ I'd not being paying all that much attention to games that came out this year beyond what was covered by a couple of my favourite chanels, so there were a few surprises here for me.
I kinda love that Jane’s favourite game is Satisfactory.
Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2 is my GOTY.
Never has a game made my jaw drop at it’s sheer intensity and the gameplay loop is simply phenomenal and unmatched.
I can never get enough of slaying endless Tyranid hordes.
It’s the only game this year that kept me playing, hooked and coming back again and again.
This year, Balatro became the first game I ever 100-percented. Only took nearly 400 hours. Easy GOTY for me.
I heartily agree with Mike, Metaphor:ReFantazio is fantastic. I've got my gripes with the story, but it was such an enjoyable game for all the 130 hours I played of it. My personal GOTY it was not, however, that honor (?) goes to Unicorn Overlord, which completely blindsided me with the sheer fun of its gameplay.
So what I’m gathering is that Mike would really like Persons 5
I look forward to this video every year. Happy new year Oxtra gang✨
It has been wonderful watching Marvel vs Capcom 2 make a resurgence. The game hasn't been available in any form for 16 years, and now its become very popular. While MvC2 isn't a perfect game, it is the most fun to play and watch of the Marvel vs Capcom games. Also MvC2 has one of the best soundtrack of the series.
Helldivers 2 has absolutely swept the year for me, to a truly silly degree.
No game in maybe a decade has reminded me how much *fun* games can be
At the start of the year, I had the choice between buying BG3 and Infinite Wealth. I chose BG3 and, as was the case with every BG I have played, had a modestly fun time destroyed by game breaking bugs. I really wish I could get a refund on that game.
Later in the year, MechWarrior 5: Clans came out (I was hoping there'd be a sponsored content with OXBox like MW5:Mercs had), I picked it up and unfortunately my computer could only barely run it. FPS was single digits and it wasn't practical to continue. I was able to get a refund on that, thankfully. Despite all that, it's still my honorable mention for my GOTY.
With all my bad luck with new games this year, my friend picked my up a copy of Infinite Wealth, and thankfully my computer actually can run it.
Because I devote a lot of time to running a TTRPG (I take my role as GM pretty seriously even if the game is a largely goofy one. People are giving up their Sundays to spend time doing what I create for them, I should at least do it to the best of my abilities), I haven't had a lot of time to play it, but I've enjoyed every part that I have. I used to live in Japan, and I miss it dearly. So games like this and, strangely, Earth Defense Force bring back a lot of nostalgia as I notice a lot of familiar little things, and I love it.
Gotta say, was not expecting to see a skit with Japanese people trying to understand a Hawaiian Menu... but it was great. :D
Me: Ready to throw hands and argue in favor of the masterpiece that is Satisfactory
Jane, immediately: "My game of the year is Satisfactory"
Well played, OX!
not me literally playing Balatro right now
Jane! I'm so glad you enjoyed Satisfactory! If you can get the other folks into it, you have the recipe for a delightful stream!
Thanks for shouting out the Emmerich romance!!! It's the best one❤
My game of the year is Astro Bot. It's a delightful platformer that I had alot of fun playing.
So glad to hear Jane's nuanced takes on Veilguard because for some reason my social media algorithm keeps sending me the most bigoted, whiny, bad faith takes about it.
Glad to see a legitimate review from someone I respect.
And my respect only grew with "The skeleton can watch."
THIS. There's so much whining and crying about it online, and honestly... I enjoyed it, a lot. Did it have problems? Yes. But what doesn't? Games don't need to be perfection, they just need to be FUN. I don't watch any content about it unfortunately because you never know when someone's take is just going to be because they're a bigot snowflake who is crying because other people with different lifestyles or opinions exist... I watched one review before realising my mistake, and it had things taken out of context, agendas pushed that really aren't a big deal in the game etc just so they could be misogynistic & transphobic... It's sad that you basically have to avoid all mention of it online for fear of coming across all the rubbish.
Totally agreed!!! It’s my personal goty but it made me sad cause all I saw online was weird hate towards it for irrelevant, icky reasons :(
Even OxBox's own channel was hit by the bigot brigade when they covered it.
It's this year's Starfield. A perfectly good game that social media dogpiled on for no reason.
@@CharbifiedI’ve been watching Jesse Cox’s play through after completing mine, and it’s awesome to see someone willing to just enjoy it on its own terms. It’s really refreshing to see a take completely devoid of unnecessary hate. A comfort food take on a comfort food game
I understand Jane. There's enjoyment to be found in getting through the jank, which is why I'm still trying to make my way through Morrowind even though my speed stat is making it a real pain to travel.
Once you're levitating constantly you forget all about the slow slog is what eventually got me through my one time finishing it so far lol
Only took 20 years..
how come metaphor is Mike's game but he didn't recognize its very distinctive battle theme?
I have to share the TV with the family, so I had to play a lot of the game on remote play on my Odin with the sound down. Regardless, I should have got it though! - Mike
@@outsidexbox, an answer from mike himself, i have platinumed youtube!
My game of the year is 1000xResist. An absolute banger sci-fi experience that hits on themes of global pandemics, intergenerational trauma, and the Hong Kong diaspora. It is melt your mind weird, and lovely because of it. Hekki Allmo!
Glad to see Infinite Wealth on at least one persons list. I never really played the Yakuza games (I tried 0 once and the first Judgement game but never really clicked) until I tried Like a dragon, and totally fell in love with that game, and Ichiban is one of my fave characters of all time now. I wasn't able to play Infinite wealth when it came out due to financial reasons, but picked it up with the Like a dragon as well, as I now had a new PSN account after my old one got shut down for a dumb reason (uploading tool manufacture logo DeWalt to GT7), and wanted to play both back to back.
Like a dragon is amazing, but Infinite Wealth is even better. As you say, they really refined the combat which makes things so much more fun. Actually ended up platinuming after 163 hours, that's how much I enjoyed it.
I thought FF7 Rebirth was gonna be top game, but Infinite Wealth was just so much fun. (although I think an Ichiban/Yufi team up would blow my mind)
Oh and I should say, it also encouraged me to buy The man who erased his name due to the story connection and I am loving it so will probably end up buying all the previous games as well and have preordered the pirate game.
Here’s to enjoying things! Love this channel - always - and love this list. My GOTY is Dragon Age: The Veilguard. I’m on my second run right now. It reminds me of Mass Effect 2, in a good way - plus dragons. What’s not to like?
Janes pick really shocked me because I was sooooo into satisfactory I did a whole series on it and never images it would be Jane’s pick
Maybe there's a correlation here, but it's interesting y'all picked games that you made quite little content about? Maybe the studio move cut back on some of that or you just took the time to properly enjoy these games without the need to make content? Either way, it's good to see fresh games and what looks to be genuine joy on y'all's faces when talking about them.
Luke leaving outside xtra earlier in year could've also factored into this as well.
@@DJHoward82 yeah, definitely. I really missed the solo streams of the team chatting and playing some of their personal favorite games.
@@SixShooter14 Yeah I wonder whether someone else will get added to outside xtra side. Either way I hope next year we get some more let's play, streams across both channel plus some more board game & VR content.
@@DJHoward82 I wonder that too, I like seeing the oxbox crew over on oxtra but I'm sure they have had to changeup their workflow a lot between shooting/editing with 1 less Luke. I agree about more let's plays and streams and such. I feel like they did a lot more lists and one-offs this year that while great, are less enjoyable for me personally than seeing them get properly into a game. The IRL videos were very fun too but I feel they were cut down so much that a lot of the natural chemistry seen in livestreams got lost in the editing of "scenes".
@@SixShooter14 I think they overall did a good job this year after Luke left, changing studio & also the whole IGN buying Gamer Network from Reedpop situation (after Luke's departure) in which IGN has shares in OX which I'd guess would've also mixed things up as well. There where more list videos but probably because they know that type of content does well for them so they're a good stabilizer whilst also trying to figure out what to do with oxtra going forward where they are trying some other stuff as well.
I love like a dragon and it' nice to see it in this kind of list. I feel since it was January people forget it was this year.
Mike picking Metaphor wasn’t in my bingo card but it was also my personal GOTY. Now when it comes to persona, I think 5 has the best dungeon design. 3 reload suffered from Tartarus being grindy and enemies being recolored with shifted weaknesses. At least Royal has personas that fit the theme of the palace ruler
My GOTY is Baldurs Gate 3. Did it come out in 2023? Yes. Does it have sooo many possibilities that I'm still exploring everything that can happen well into 2024/5? Also yes.
Shout out Oxboxtra (especially Andy) for introducing me to the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series! It’s quickly become my favorite series and Infinite Wealth is my game of the year too! Special shout out to Astro Bot too!
Mike rightly picks Metaphor Refantazio, but I'm pretty sure he didn't guess the battle theme correctly on the recent quiz.
Would Jane do a stream of Satisfactory in the same vein as the Theme Hospital ones?
My Game of the Year is Until Then. It has such a good story, and I'm a sucker for pixel art. Highly recommended!
Always nice to look back on fun times from the year 😊
All choices are very good, but Mike and Jane resonate with me most. Metaphor is my absolute game of the year and only thing is stopping me from diving to facrory building - agreement with friends to play Satisfactory on release in coop.
I wish more people picked Pacific Drive as their game for the year with how great it is.
I worked on Metaphor, and this made my day.
The door thing at 29:08 had me replaying it over and over 😅 hahaha
One thing I learned from Metaphor; always poop on Sunday (or the equivalent of Sun day in the game).
Shadow of the Erdtree dlc for Elden Ring is my GOTY (don't @ me, it's only a label and could've worked as a smaller sequel), but if it hadn't been for it, it would be Dragon Age The Veilguard. It's not perfect but I love it, and I'm on my 3rd playthrough. Emmrich was my first romance and I love him, and our skeleton son, Manfred.
Ive got the metaphor demo downloading now thanks Mike. It's not normally my thing but sounds worth a shot
Nearly 8 hours later yeah I'm going to look into getting the full game. Thanks Mike
Cannot believe I actually agree with Mike, what a weird year. :D
GOTY for me absolutely has to be FFVII Rebirth. It's a colossal achievement, made with true love and respect - respect for both the original game, and FF fans in general.
Honourable mentions, Shadow of the Erdtree, FFXIV: Dawntrail, Path of Exile 2, and Satisfactory. Actually since those are, respectively, an expansion, an MMO expansion, basically in closed beta, and a game I played more and enjoyed more in early access pre-2024, they might not count.
Satisfactory was my GOTY too. Been playing it since day one Early Access on Epic Games Store back in 2019. Was so excited for it to finally reach 1.0 and win PC GOTY at Golden Joysticks. Edit: Oh and as others have said... Would Love to see Jane do a livestream of it on the channel.
My GOTY is Silent Hill 2 remake. The way the dev team brought this classic back for both the modern audience & older fans who played the OG is a love letter to what made the OG a classic in the first place. Even though the tank controls are gone, the atmosphere, monsters, & characters still remain just as creepy as it was all those years ago. It actually caused me to break my one rule that I've held since my first GOTY which was 20 years ago & was to not have a remake or remastered be my GOTY
We already know Andys GOTY for 2025
Not sure if early access games count but I played so much of TCG Card Shop Simulator and Hades 2 this year. I would also say Vampire Survivors but it was just multiple DLC released for it this year.
If you want to be a stickler for rules, I'd say they don't count, because I've been hearing about satisfactory for *a while* (entered early access in 2019, apparently)
But that's just my interpretation, you do you.
Fun fact for you: the title and various other things in the game is a real language called Esperanto. It's a made up language created in 1887 and was designed to help facilitate world peace by providing a universal language, which fits considering the games theme of uniting different cultures and people in a very divided world.
By extension Fantazio means fantasy in Esperanto, which makes the title be functionally "return to fantasy"
SATISFACTORY!!! LETSGOOOOOO!!!! If only I could tag CoffeeStain studio on this video I would.
For anyone who might be curious, fantazio means fantasy in Esperanto, the worlds most popular artificial language.
I’m surprised you didn’t insist on Kingdoms of Amalaur: Re-Awakening as your game of the year every year.
I KNOW!! I was so worried at the end of Astro Bot, but I was very relieved when it turned out okay.
I think Jane could really enjoy No Man's Sky and what it's become nowadays. And hopefully I'm not alone in thinking it'd be nice to have chill Unpacking style streams of just chill exploring and base building.
Lovelovelove to all of the oxboxtra crew (front and back of camera) and best wishes for the new year
ps. vtm oxventure by jane when?
I was thinking "I haven't actually played that many games released this year, and would Marvel vs. Capcom Collection count as it's a compilation pack rather than a new game"? Then Mike said it's fine 👍
25:07 Ellen would know what makes a pun fun…
Ah, Jane is in that famous phase where you can't mention how much you _adore_ a Dragon Age game without also going on a lengthy tirade about missed opportunities, rushed development and baffling choices. Mine has lasted about 8 years after Inquisition's release.
Agreed, Andy! Infinite Wealth was a complete treat to play. Thanks everyone for sharing! Got some new games to try out for 2025 😊
So happy Jane got her space explorer sim, first winter cozy stream, let's taze herbivores!!
Mike's pick surprised me in a very good way, but the quiz had 2 questions about that game, how did he get them wrong?!
Thanks, guys. Always nice to see some surprises here, some games that aren't among the big AAA "obvious choices".
I played and LUVVED ASTROBOT!! I totally plan to collect the toys or statues if they do them properly, sounds and lights. However I still get the “Mario Sunshine” and “Kirby’s forgotten land” Vibes from Astrobot. Almost a total copy of these games and mechanics