2014 was perhaps the most interesting year for video games since I started covering the industry in 2009. There were no clear-cut winners when it came to the “Game of the Year” debates. Universally adored games like The Last of Us and Skyrim didn’t dominate the gaming collective’s minds for months on end like they did in 2011 and 2013. There were no games everyone just assumed was going to sweep the Game of the Year awards this year. There were favorites, for sure, but nothing was a given in 2014. And I like that.
This year, I was more excited to tally the votes from the VGW staff than I’ve ever been. Not only because this would be our final time voting on these awards as a staff, but because I had no idea what to expect. Would Super Smash Bros. or South Park: The Stick of Truth run away with the vote as a fan favorite, or would the more immersive experiences like Shadow of Mordor and Dragon Age: Inquisition plunge the staff into a time-sink-induced stupor that forced their hands to vote for them. Maybe it would be a new challenger like Sunset Overdrive or Destiny that would claim the title this year?
I couldn’t wait to see what the staff had in store this year, and they did not disappoint. Check out our top 25 games of 2014, and let us know what we missed along the way!
25. Destiny // Bungie
Bungie’s first attempt to move beyond Master Chief was a different kind of beast than what fans of Halo were used to. Deep in gameplay mechanics, exploration, and potential, Destiny was an outstanding start to a new IP that confused many longtime fans of the studio, as the MMO-like elements brought with them a less engaging story and less content than most first-person shooters typically offer. Regardless of the initial backlash, Bungie was quick to resolve most of the launch day server issues, and has remained steadfast in its original plans to support the title through post-launch events and expansions well beyond 2014. The “shared world” first-person shooter brought a unique take to the genre, which has led to it retaining a very active community months after launch.
Read our review here.
24. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze // Retro Studios
Kicking off what ended up being a sizzling year for the Wii U, Tropical Freeze burst onto the scene and showed why the Donkey Kong Country series is renowned within the platforming genre. With gorgeous visuals and an astoundingly beautiful soundtrack that delivered both new tunes and remastered classics from the series’ past, Tropical Freeze was appealing to eyes and ears, but it was the level design itself that propelled the game to become one of the best of 2014. Following a strong holiday release schedule in 2013, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze helped keep the momentum going for Wii U until the heavy hitters came out later in the year.
Read our review here.
23. This War of Mine // 11 bit Studios
In an industry flooded with wartime games, This War of Mine was a breath of fresh air. Taking the perspective and shifting it from that of a soldier to that of a civilian caught up in the literal crossfire, This War of Mine stepped away from the summer-movie-esque experiences offered by other games based on wars and delivered a dark, survival-based game that required players to be inventive and resourceful as they struggled to survive without the usual conventions of similarly-set titles.
22. Infamous: Second Son // Sucker Punch Productions
2013 brought with it the excitement of two new consoles, but there were few games that delivered the true “next-gen experience” fans were craving on the new hardware. Sucker Punch Productions changed that with the graphically stunning Infamous: Second Son, the third retail installment of the popular morality-based superhero series. Second Son introduced players to Delsin Rowe, a much wittier protagonist than what had been seen in the series to that point with Cole MacGrath. Infamous: Second Son did a stellar job of encouraging players to partake in the abundant sidequests, and in doing so, had the potential to be a massive time sink for anyone who played it.
Read our review here.
21. The Wolf Among Us // Telltale Games
Telltale Games became a household name after the runaway success of its adaptation of the popular Walking Dead license, but with The Wolf Among Us, Telltale took the storytelling aspect it’s come to be known for to the next level. Acting as a prequel to the popular Fables comic book series, The Wolf Among Us puts players in control of Bigby Wolf as he struggles to keep the world around him in order. With unparalleled storytelling and atmosphere, as well as excellent action sequences, The Wolf Among Us gave players a glimpse into the direction that Telltale Games is evolving its now-trademark game style.
20. Threes // Sirvo
Simplicity is the name of the game with Threes, a mobile game that took the games industry by storm and inspired multiple clones, including the popular 1024 and 2048. The accessibility of the game’s object of combining like-numbered tiles to create higher multiples of three was what hooked players initially, but once the strategy involved with getting those numbers to fall in the right places to combine them became apparent, Threes became the reason many of us were taking long breaks at work.
19. Dark Souls 2 // From Software
Punishment was paramount for From Software’s 2014 release, Dark Souls 2. Delivering all of the difficulty players had come to expect from the series, as well as enhanced graphics, audio, and level design. From Software is known for its gameplay that rewards experts while punishing anyone else, and Dark Souls 2 was no different. Players who have been coddled by modern game design conventions were in for a shock with how little direction the story gave players, but the reward of finishing the story was as good as it got in 2014. Add to that the extensive DLC release schedule throughout the year, and Dark Souls 2 was what every fan of the challenging series hoped it would be.
Read our review here.
18. Transistor // Supergiant Games
Supergiant Games burst onto the scene in 2011 with the smash hit Bastion, and following up such a sensation proved to be little problem for the new developer, as the team built upon the successful formula of Bastion with Transistor. Carrying over many of the qualities that made Bastion such a hit, Transistor expanded on that solid foundation with a new turn-based combat system built right into the existing real-time mechanics. Add to that the unbelievable sound design Supergiant has become widely known for, and gamers received an all-around delightful experience when starting up Transistor.
Read our review here.
17. Neverending Nightmares // Infinitap Games
Navigating through nightmarish situations is nothing new for video game players, but navigating through actual nightmares has rarely been as appealing as in Neverending Nightmares, a horror title released by Infinitap Games. The 2D line art graphical stylings might be the first thing to catch your eye, but it’s the concept of conquering one nightmare, only to find yourself dumped into another that makes this release one of the best games of 2014.
16. Fantasia: Music Evolved // Harmonix
Fantasia: Music Evolved is one of the unsung heroes of 2014. Continuing its tradition of being one of the sole developers to release quality titles for Kinect, Harmonix’s collaboration with Disney proved that the developer can still conceptualize great new ways to experience and discover music. This time, instead of matching notes or dance moves, Harmonix implemented a gesture-based system that allowed for players to act as a conductor during the song, even letting them remix it multiple times on the fly. It really is a shame Microsoft had to nerf the Kinect prior to this release, as it is easily the best Xbox One game to use the motion sensing device.
Read our review here.
15. Shovel Knight // Yacht Club Games
Yacht Club Games had an instant hit on its hands with the nostalgic Shovel Knight, which debuted on 3DS, Wii U, and PC. Heralded as one of the best designed 2D platformers in years, Shovel Knight played just as well as any side-scroller from the genre’s heyday. Not just that, but it was presented itself very much the same as those legendary platforming games, as the 8-bit sprites and chiptune soundtrack drove home the nostalgic experience. Those who missed out on this stellar title will have another shot to soak it in, as it will also be arriving on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita in 2015.
Read our review here.
14. Titanfall // Respawn Entertainment
Rising from the ashes of the team responsible for multiple Call of Duty games–including Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare–Respawn Entertainment attacked the first-person shooter genre with an ambitious debut title in Titanfall. The online multiplayer title, which was one of the most anticipated launches going into 2014, fell short of revolutionizing the FPS genre, but it clearly succeeded in delivering one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences of the year. It’s also worth noting that in a year of botched launches, both online and otherwise, Titanfall‘s launch was among the most solid, as it leveraged Microsoft’s cloud servers in an impressive display of stability.
Read our review here.
13. South Park: The Stick of Truth // Obsidian Entertainment
Very rarely does sidesplitting humor and solid gameplay come together in the games industry, which is perhaps why South Park: The Stick of Truth feels so special. One of the funniest games in recent memory, The Stick of Truth achieved the remarkable feat of remaining consistent with the tone and pacing of the TV series, making references to pop culture, the show itself, and even other video games along the way. The biggest surprise of all was how well the RPG elements, including the upgrade system and combat mechanics, were handled, as the game proved to be much more than just a humorous diversion from the normal onslaught of releases.
Read our review here.
12. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare // Sledgehammer Games
After two consecutive lackluster entries in Black Ops II and Ghosts, there were those who began questioning whether the biggest franchise in gaming had lost its way. By adding a third team to the development cycle in Sledgehammer Games, Activision brought a team with a fresh vision and a strong skillset to the franchise–and it paid off. The campaign could very well be the best Call of Duty has brought since the original Modern Warfare, and the new abilities and weapons added the much-needed shot in the arm the franchise needed. Add to that the great performance given by Kevin Spacey as the game’s main antagonist, as well as more enormous set pieces than you can count, and it’s safe to say that the series has returned to what originally made it so popular in a big way.
Read our review here.
11. Child of Light // Ubisoft Montreal
This gorgeous RPG captivated gamers across the globe. The beautiful graphics were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the care given to the presentation of Child of Light, as the wonderful soundtrack aws capped off by an awesome narrative delivered in iambic pentameter. The gameplay was no slouch either, as the combat mechanics combined real-time and turn-based conventions to create a hybrid system that excelled at creating tension and was a delight to experience.
Read our review here.
10. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft // Blizzard Entertainment
Very rarely do deck-building video games sink their hooks into players as deeply as Hearthstone did in 2014. Featuring a colorful cast of characters, and a deceptive simplicity that quickly revealed astounding depth, Hearthstone became one of the most addictive experiences on PC and mobile devices. The accessibility was just one of the reasons for its mass appeal, as its pacing and community make this collectible card game almost too good not to play. To top off the experience, it’s free without any obligation to spend money to win.
9. Bayonetta 2 // Platinum Games
The triumphant return of the beloved Platinum Games IP did not disappoint, as Bayonetta 2 did everything right. A part of that formula was Platinum Games keeping much of what made the series debut successful and expanding upon it. The combat mechanics could perhaps be the tightest of any game on this list, and despite the comparatively short story, the replayability will keep the truly devoted coming back for more. The unfortunate part about Bayonetta 2 is that relatively few gamers have played it due to Wii U exclusivity, but with the Wii U having an exceptionally strong year, the chances for new owners of the console to pick up this game are promising.
Read our review here.
8. Alien: Isolation // The Creative Assembly
Tense stealth at its best, Alien: Isolation did all it could to wash away the bad taste left by last year’s Aliens: Colonial Marines. Rather than bringing the high-action experience of Colonial Marines, The Creative Assembly decided to focus on bringing a stressful stealth-based story that required players to be intentional with their every move. Isolation nailed one of the most important components of stealth games: the atmosphere. Sneaking around the ship, all but helpless to defend yourself against the Alien is nerve wracking, but successfully completing each sequence is met with a certain satisfaction that simply isn’t delivered by most games on this list.
Read our review here.
7. Mario Kart 8 // Nintendo
Mario Kart 8 is a great metaphor for the state of transition Nintendo currently finds itself in. The game relied heavily on the consistent set of core mechanics that has made the series such a fan favorite over the years, but it did so in ways that provided room for innovation. The anti-gravity sections gave the game a new feel while allowing new and exciting course designs to come into play, and the selection of power-ups is the best ever seen in the series. Add to that one of the most modern approaches to downloadable content Nintendo has taken on any of its titles, and Mario Kart 8 is a strong representation of Nintendo’s evolving methods in releasing games.
Read our review here.
6. Wolfenstein: The New Order // MachineGames
First-person shooting at its finest and most focused, Wolfenstein: The New Order was everything the waning franchise needed to get back into the spotlight. Doing away with multiplayer to focus on the single-player experience, MachineGames made every moment count. There isn’t a single poorly-designed sequence in the entire campaign, the pacing is as good as it can get in a shooter, and the story strives to be more than just the summer action movie we’ve grown accustomed to in the genre. Sure, there are more than a few massive set pieces–as well as a few big boss battles that pay homage to the franchise’s old school roots–but Wolfenstein: The New Order is, above all else, about the humanity behind the heroes of the war. In that regard, Wolfenstein is most successful. The New Order will be looked back on as the entry that revitalized the iconic franchise.
Read our review here.
5. Far Cry 4 // Ubisoft Montreal
Far Cry 3 was one of the best shooters of last-gen, so the fact that Far Cry 4 changed so little was far from a deal-breaker. The reason for this is that while it kept much of the formula in place and did little in way of innovation, nearly every aspect of the phenomenal Far Cry 3 was improved upon with this year’s release. The exploration, the hunting, the story, the sidequests–everything was better. Far Cry 4 is the kind of game that encourages players to create their own memories, which helps it to stand out in the crowded FPS scene. On top of that, there’s so much to do in Far Cry 4 that you could spend your time wandering the region without paying much attention to the main story and still get your money’s worth.
Read our review here.
4. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor // Monolith Productions
In the past, many Lord of the Ring and Tolkien-licensed games have limited their audiences to preexisting fans of the series. With Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Monolith Productions released such an excellent game that even people who dislike the IP can thoroughly enjoy playing a game in the universe. The gameplay borrows heavily from the Batman: Arkham and Assassin’s Creed series, but it marries them in a flawless manner and ties the whole experience together through a power economy known as the Nemesis system. With any old enemy able to get promoted all the way to the top of Sauron’s army, the Nemesis System makes every battle feel meaningful; something its predecessors have failed to do.
Read our review here.
3. Sunset Overdrive // Insomniac Games
A zany new IP from Insomniac Games, Sunset Overdrive put a humorous and fun twist on both the open-world and zombie genres. The weapons found within the game are evidence enough that this is a release from the creators of the Ratchet & Clank series, but with pop culture references abound, and a traversal system that feels part Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater/part BioShock Infinite Skyhook, Sunset Overdrive is possibly the most thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable releases of 2014.
Read our review here.
2. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U // Sora Ltd.
1. Dragon Age: Inquisition // BioWare
Following a disappointing sequel to the lauded Dragon Age: Origins, BioWare struck back with a vengeance with Dragon Age: Inquisition. The unbelievable graphics are equaled by the voice acting, elements of choice, and enormous explorable map. Delivering a story swelling with political and social commentary, while making several statements of its own, Dragon Age: Inquisition might just be the best story in BioWare’s illustrious history. The gameplay brings the best of both worlds from Origins and Dragon Age 2 to create a truly special gameplay system. All these elements converge to create one of the most lavish and robust experiences of the past several years. You can truly lose days exploring the vast continent of Thedas and interacting with the many characters and items there within. As fantasy epics go, they don’t get much better than Dragon Age: Inquisition, our 2014 Game of the Year.
Read our review here.
Editor’s Note: This list was made with consideration given to votes rendered by the VGW staff.
The post VGW’s Top 25 Games of 2014 appeared first on Video Game Writers.
