It’s been an amazing – and often record-breaking – year in video games, but as usual there are a pile of favourites that stick out amongst the rest. So, it’s time we look back at the ones we consider as part of that list. Here now are the 15 games we think are the best of the best from a really strong year…
15. Mario Kart 8
One of the greatest game series of all time returned this year with a typically brilliant game on the Wii U. At first glance, the game is much of the same as what we’ve experienced in past experiences (not that this is a bad thing), but on repeated plays you discover just how improved the game is – from the shear beauty of being in HD for the first time, to some of the best tracks they’ve ever given us. It’s the series at its best. – Larry Heath
14. The Wolf Among Us
A perfect blend of comic book visuals, a hard boiled noir detective story and high fantasy. Smart, assured, pitch black story telling. The new standard for comic book adaptations in video games. – David Smith
Telltale seemingly bit off more than it could chew at first, with delay after delay hitting The Wolf Among Us’ episode release schedule (while The Walking Dead Season 2 and news of two new projects, Tales From Borderlands and Game Of Thrones got worryingly announced)…thankfully, it was all worth it. Fabletown’s murder mystery grabs you and won’t let go, with the story twisting and turning in typical noir style against a garish 80’s neon backdrop. While the conclusion was very admittedly abrupt and underwritten compared to the first half of the season, the unique setting and characterization of all involved elevates the material above all other Telltale releases this year, and personally sitting just behind The Walking Dead’s first season as a favourite. – Andrew Wade
13. GTA 5 Remastered
An amazing re-release of a game that will live on for decades. The introduction of the first person camera angle was one of the most interesting additions to a game I’ve seen. Walking through the streets of Los Santos a second time was chilling, as I literally felt like I was experiencing my actions. An amazing experience. – Jordan Cortazzo
12. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
While it is a remake of a game released in 2011, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a brilliant experience. It retains its beautiful creepiness, while improving on the original game massively. With all new items, all new playable characters, all new bosses… this Zelda-inspired Rogue-like has enough content to keep you entertained for ages. – Billy Jones
11. Destiny
Destiny was an interesting game. Its release was honestly a little bit disappointing, but despite it’s limitations, I found myself coming back to it long after it was released. The more I played the more I seemed to love it that little bit more. The armour and weapons, the raids and strikes, and the all out mayhem of multiplayer was an absolute joy to be a part of. Some absolute gems hide inside this game, they just had to be found. – Jordan Cortazzo
10. South Park: Stick of Truth
Billed as a parody of the MMORPG genre, it turned out that the long in development Stick of Truth was actually a brilliant – albeit short – RPG in its own right. But where the game won over was in its brilliant animation, from the old 2D adventure games in Canada, to Kenny’s Japanese adventure (as also seen in the then recent South Park episodes) and the general gameplay that genuinely looked like you were watching an episode of the TV show. And from start to finish, it was hilarious and worth playing all over again… – Larry Heath
Oh god, I wanted to put this on equal first with my game of the year – it’s just so slightly trumped, but by a literal underwear gnome’s dick. With the drama behind the development of the game highly public and Obsidian’s reputation of greatness built upon the shakiest of foundations, it was touch-and-go if this game would ever see the light of day. Thank fuck it did. As a fan of the show, it hit every note – while there’s references aplenty, there’s just as many obscure ones to reward the hardcore as there are with those who really only remember how Kenny dying was considered a big deal in the nineties. While the RPG elements are relatively light, it fits the combat system perfectly, and everything from the scripts, acting, and presentation is just so lovingly crafted as the show has been for so many years. It never drags or gets itself mired down in RPG tropes or its own ridiculousness, and it runs the gamut of possibly being the best tie-in of the format. – Andrew Wade
9. Shadow of Mordor
What can be said about this game other than the fact that it was one of the most satisfying games to hit a console this year. The combat was second to none. An absolute joy and easy contender for best game of the year. It had very few problems, though it just didn’t hit me as hard as a few other games this year. – Jordan Cortazzo
8. Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls
Blizzard used their Diablo 3 expansion to take absolutely everything that was wrong with Diablo 3 and throw it out. Reaper of Souls expansion dumped the universally reviled auction house system and fundamentally rebuilt the game, transforming it back into the addictive click-em-up lootfest we wanted in the first place. – David Smith
7. Outlast
If you’re one of those people who love to torture yourself by occasionally scaring yourself witless, then Outlast is for you. Set in an asylum where horrible experiments took place, your character decides to go in armed with only a camera. At the very least the camera has night vision, but the night vision takes up batteries. Needless to say, terrifying things ensue. While it may indulge in a lot of genre tropes, Outlast is a survival horror gem. – Billy Jones
6. Forza Horizon 2
Forza Horizon 2 was the most pleasant surprise I had all year. Any game that lets me take rare, vintage automobile worth millions of dollars and thrash it through a lavender field has my heart for as long as it wants. One of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful games this year, it refused to take itself seriously for a moment and for a genre soaked in games trying to appeal to Fast and Furious fans, it was a breath of fresh air. – David Smith
5. Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Some people may question why a Pokemon game is on a “Games of the year” list at all, let alone a Pokemon game that’s a remake. Well, I denounce these cynics. Having racked up over 75 hours of gameplay within the past month alone, I’m a pretty big advocate. There are vast array of new features, many of which bring the Pokemon world and timelines together like you’d never imagine. That’s right, I said timelines. Pokemon has gone all sci-fi on us, and it’s cool as hell. I genuinely give Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire a high commendation. It scratches the Pokemon itch, it caters for both new and old players and it’s just so. Much. Fun. – Billy Jones
4. Dark Souls 2
Between my love for Horror games, and my love for the Souls series, one might suggest that I have gaming masochism. Dark Souls 2 doesn’t quite have the appeal that Dark Souls 1 had, but that’s alright. Dark Souls 1 was a one in a million game. Dark Souls 2’s world doesn’t seem as connected the first games, but it makes up for it in many ways. The combat feels much tighter, the environment design is appealing and challenging and the thematical elements in the lore of the world is beautiful. Dark Souls 2’s lore gives you so much to think about, so much to dissect. It gets you thinking about the universe that these games reside in and the laws that govern it. The game can seem easy the first time to Dark Souls 1 veterans but when upping the difficulty with new game plus and difficulty raising items it becomes massively challenging. Dark Souls 2 doesn’t match the first game overall, but it still absolutely blew me away. – Billy Jones
3. Titanfall
Titanfall is a game where you run along walls, blow stuff up, shoot stuff, and pilot gigantic destructive robots. What more could you want? Its fast paced action sets it apart from other shooters. While many would argue Call of Duty has a fast pace as well, Titanfall feels quicker in a different way. Movement is built in to the game. 90% of the in-game features are designed to keep you moving. It truly gets your adrenalin flowing. While the story is somewhat flimsy, and the justification for the conflict between the factions is kind of laughable, you truly have to wonder how much that matters when you can punch other giant robots in the face with your giant robot. – Billy Jones
Titanfall was the game we needed at the start of the year. With next to nothing in terms of good console games at the start of 2014, Titanfall was able to come in and save the day. The combat and physics were pretty spectacular and a great change to the traditional Call of Duty and Battlefield shooters. We’re all fans of the multiplayer shooters, but everyone’s a bit tired of the CoD franchise, so this was an excellent change. – Jordan Cortazzo
2. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
The best party game released all year. In a year of broken, unfinished releases Smash Bros was polished to a shine. A huge roster of characters, more items, a crazier group of levels than ever before, seriously stable online play and the introduction of 8 Player Mode and Nintendo’s new amiibo fighters adds up to one of the few must-own games of the year. Don’t own a Wii U? Get one. It’s that good. – David Smith
1. Dragon Age: Inquisition
There’s just so much to love with this game. With over 80 hours of actual gameplay, Dragon Age: Inquisition surprised me with the scale of the world. It was so rewarding being able to play a RPG that had so much to offer. From customising your mounts to upgrading your keep, Dragon Age: Inquisition was definitely the Skyrim 2014 needed. – Jordan Cortazzo
Was it ever in doubt? Without question, the most incredible experience I’ve had with a game all year. It seriously just keeps on giving. Enormous areas to explore, sparkling dialogue from truly lifelike characters, a sprawling narrative that seems to just keep escalating no matter how far you play through it, there’s so much do and see and every time I think I’ve cleared out an area of side quests I pick up fifteen more and off we go again … I just adore it. Dragon Age Inquisition is the best game of the year. – David Smith
