2023 was a great year for gaymers, with projects like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Spider-Man 2 including queer subplots and characters. As we look towards the rest of 2024, we can see that plenty more LGBTQ+ video games are on the horizon. From action-adventure and puzzle games to third-person shooters and visual novels, here are seven LGBTQ+ video games we’re looking forward to in 2024. 

The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Following the success of the 2023 TV adaptation of The Last Of Us, it is no surprise that The Last of Us Part II Remastered was on the top of many gamers’ wish lists this year prior to its PlayStation 5 release on January 19.

Set five years after the events of the first game, this remastered sequel follows the continued journey of Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey in the HBO adaptation, as she seeks revenge. In the sequel, Ellie is joined by Abby, a soldier attempting to settle a conflict that has erupted between her militia and a religious cult. 

This post-apocalyptic sequel has been remastered to feature visual improvements as well as faster loading times. The game’s creators have similarly introduced a rogue-like survival mode known as “No Return”. 

Hades II
Greek mythology gays rejoice! The long-awaited sequel to Hades, a rogue-like action role-playing game set in the world of Greek myth, is set to release sometime in 2024, though early access could come to some gamers as soon as this month. 

In the original Hades game, players followed Zagreus, the bisexual son of Hades, as he attempted to slay his way out of the Underworld. In Hades II, Zagreus passes the torch onto his sister, Melinoë, the princess of the underworld, as she goes head-to-head with Chronos, the Titan of Time. 

Dragon’s Dogma 2
We’re adding yet another LGBTQ+ video game sequel to our list with Dragon’s Dogma 2. 

The original Dragon’s Dogma, released in 2012 by Capcom, was an action role-playing hack-and-slash game. The sequel’s graphics, from what we’ve seen so far, look outstanding, and LGBTQ+ video game players are excited to return to the world of Arisen. 

While Dragon’s Dogma isn’t explicitly queer, the game does feature a non-playable character (NPC) in the form of a lover that the player must attempt to woo into becoming their Beloved. Unlike many other video games, this NPC can be of any gender. 

Capcom has yet to outline the romantic details for the upcoming release of Dragon’s Dogma II, however, LGBTQ+ gamers are expecting a suitable amount of thirst from the game that releases on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on March 22, 2024. 

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League released earlier this year from Rocksteady Studios. Set five years after the events of Batman: Arkham Knight, this third-person shooter game follows the members of the Suicide Squad, including iconic DC characters such as Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley Quinn and King Shark. 

It is Harley Quinn’s involvement in the game that has LGBTQ+ video game players the most excited. Quinn is canonically bisexual, not only in DC comics but also in other projects such as the 2020 film Birds of Prey.

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League is currently available to download on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. 

Beloved Rapture
Following the adventure of Johan, a carefree introvert from the countryside who is forced to grapple with a religious faction, Beloved Rapture is a Super Nintendo-style role-playing game that leads players through a world dripping with political intrigue and ancient magic. 

On his journey, Johan meets Aiden, the son of a mysterious shrine caretaker, as well as Crystal, a runaway noblewoman. 

Beloved Rapture creators 2 Left Thumbs have highlighted how “existentialism, spirituality, family trauma, LGBT themes and friendship” are crucial to the game’s story. Beloved Rapture is currently available to stream on Steam (PC). 

Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To
Not all of 2024’s LGBTQ+ video games are action-adventure projects. Some, like Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To, cater to the puzzle solvers rather than the snipers. 

Spirit Swap is an action puzzle game set in a world crawling with witches, demons, and plenty of other adorable characters to smooch in this captivating narrative-driven world. 

In an interview with Gayming, Spirit Swap creative director Alex said that this game is for the “queer extended family,” noting that all of the its characters are canonically non-binary with gender presentations ranging across the spectrum.

TOUCHSTARVED
“In a world steeped in horror, your decisions determine whether you can save yourself and the one you love. Not every ending has a happily-ever-after. You’ll have to choose carefully or you and your Love Interest may meet a gruesome end.”

These are the words used to describe TOUCHSTARVED, a gothic horror romance visual novel and “passion project” from the minds at Red Spring Studio. 

This choose-your-own-adventure game features over 15 possible endings, as well as allowing players to choose their character’s pronouns. 

A free demo version of TOUCHSTARVED is currently available to stream on Steam and Itch. 

The concludes our list of some of the LGBTQ+ video games we can’t wait to play in 2024!