Apple Arcade, the tech giant's subscription-based gaming service, had a unique 2024. Despite seeing few notable exclusives, the platform still managed to flesh out its offerings with a range of big-name titles, including Balatro, Dicey Dungeons, and Vampire Survivors.

The year's releases were marked by a lack of exclusives, a departure from Apple Arcade's usual focus on showcasing unique experiences. Instead, the service saw a number of high-profile titles that were already available on other platforms. While this shift may not have been ideal for highlighting Apple Arcade's distinctiveness, it did bring a wealth of new content to subscribers.

One of the standout titles of the year was Balatro, a poker game that has gained a significant following since its initial release on PC and consoles. The game's roguelike structure and mobile-friendly design made it a natural fit for Apple Arcade. Another notable release was Dicey Dungeons, a deckbuilding game that has been praised for its engaging gameplay and unique mechanics.

In addition to these titles, Apple Arcade also saw the release of Final Fantasy IV (3D Remake) Plus, marking the beginning of a new partnership with Square Enix to bring classic RPGs to the platform. The service will also be getting the original Final Fantasy in January, further expanding its RPG offerings.

Other notable releases included NFL Retro Bowl '25, a retro-style sports game with a focus on simplicity and accessibility, and Outlanders 2, a city-building game that boasts beautiful visuals and a relaxing gameplay experience. The point-and-click adventure game Return to Monkey Island Plus also made its way to Apple Arcade, bringing with it a dose of humor and clever puzzle-solving.

Vampire Survivors, a survival game with a focus on unlocking new characters and abilities, rounded out the year's releases. The game's addictive gameplay and high replayability made it a standout title in Apple Arcade's lineup.

Finally, Words in Progress, a daily puzzle game, provided a fresh take on the popular Wordle formula. The game's multiple modes and daily challenges helped to keep players engaged and coming back for more.

While 2024 may not have been the year of exclusives for Apple Arcade, the service still managed to expand its offerings and provide a wealth of new content for subscribers. As the platform continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Apple balances its focus on exclusives with the desire to bring high-quality titles to its users.