by abczyx
The games I played in 2014, consisting of both new releases and older games that I had never played significantly prior to this year. When rating, I consider the original purchase price of the title regardless of my actual price paid as it's fairer to judge that way.
(6 January 2015): Overall, 2014 was a pretty mediocre year for gaming. In fairness, I have not even played some of the year's best games (Shadow of Mordor, Sunset Overdrive and Dragon Age stick out), and have played but not owned a couple of other good ones including CoD:AW and the GTA V next-gen edition (I'm waiting for the PC version myself), but even if those games were as good as popular opinion suggests it would not change 2014's status as a pretty underwhelming year. I think part of why I didn't play those games because the output in the first 8 months of the year was pretty uninspiring - in particular, what I've seen of Watch Dogs was so bland I never bothered picking it up, and whilst Infamous is a fairly good action game it's nothing special. I lost my inspiration a bit this year, although given the quality of some of the year-end titles I missed I will undoubtedly play them in the future - check my 2015 list.
As for my GOTY, it's hard to call. Thinking about the games that were only released in 2014, which on a brief check numbers only 12 of the 26 games on this list, including significant remakes (Master Chief Collection and DW8's PS4 version) but not simpler ports (AA Trilogy and Limbo), the ones I have had the most fun with are Dynasty Warriors 8 and Assassin's Creed: Unity. I can't exactly declare a GOTY yet, so I'll come back when I've played more of 2014's output.
Showing 1-10 of 26 items
Good news - it's more approachable than EU III. Bad news - that's not saying much. I love it though. Paradox never compromises on detail, and it makes for a remarkably deep game. It is more accessible this time, thank god, although I do think there could be a little more guidance in this direction. Nevertheless, this is unique and incredibly satisfying, once you've got the hang of this. Just give it 10-15 hours to sink in, would you? 4/5
This is cheating a bit, since technically I started back at this right at the end of last year. Either way, I've finally found a character or two that I can really play well with, and consequently am having a ball with this. The game has amazing tactical depth, and an enormous cast of heroes all with unique abilities, strengths and strategies. Best of all, it's all free. This really is free-to-play in its purest form - you can't pay to win even if you wanted to. The community isn't as bad as people say, arrogant pricks aside. 5/5
*Free with PS Plus* Haven't spent a lot of time with it yet, but it looks like a very interesting take on the twin-stick shooter model. (Edit: 17 January) Spent some more time with it. It's definitely one that has grown on me, pretty quickly too. The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, with enough little twists from the standard twin-stick formula to offer something different, and the graphics are incredible. The way the environments tear apart is just amazing. In my opinion, the visuals are in a way more impressive than Shadow Fall as a technical show-piece for the system. Dare I say this is this gen's Geometry Wars? 4/5
*Free with PS Plus* [Played on PS4] Again, only a short way into this one. I really like the general concept, and the visual style is very well done. However, the controls are too loose for me, and I find the deserted city to be more lifeless than intriguing. (Edit: 3 February) - Played most of the game now. Not much here to change my previous opinion. It has potential as an idea, but the execution is below where it should be. More than anything, I think it was clearly rushed out to meet the PS4 launch window. Not a bad game, and worth the short time it takes to play through, but I wouldn't have bought it. 2/5 (Edit: 1 October) - Just to say I did finish this. Not much to add/change on the above.
Again, I'd class this as cheating a bit, since I have almost 300 hours put into this on both the 360 and PC. I've recently picked it up again after only a few cursory rounds in the last three years or so, and have subsequently got to grips with a few new modes and items, mainly the Mann vs Machine update, which is a lot of fun. I still think the amount of weapons is a little overwhelming, especially compared to the 2007-2010 period, but there's no doubt that it remains one of the finest multiplayer experiences ever. 5/5, even if it wasn't free!
Oh, WoT. After being bugged endlessly to try it, I've finally taken the plunge. Compared to my brother I have a long way to go yet, but it's been quite entertaining so far. Oh, and again, it's free. So far I've paid for one of the six games on this list. There's something about this trend that I like! On the flipside, however, the time it takes to unlock the higher tier tanks is insane and might well put off a lot of new players. 4/5
*Free with PS Plus* [Played on PS4] Just started it. Intriguing, but not convinced it will be my type of game. (Edit: 18 March) Yeah, this isn't for me. I just can't get engaged enough to continue.
An intriguing city builder/survival sim from a one-man dev studio. Building a thriving town and trying to survive is tough, but pretty damn rewarding. There's a lot to think about, but Banished in general has pretty well designed systems that make managing your town relatively easy - the decision to make all unassigned citizens labourers is an excellent one. The endgame could use a bit more work, and I guess once you've got the hang of it and are able to make a thriving town every time, it does lose its appeal somewhat, but even in its current state it's more than worth the money. 3/5
[Played on PC] The systems are really RPG-lite and it's incredibly easy, but you play this for the setting and the humour. If you're a South Park fan, it's an easy decision. If not, then you're probably better served elsewhere. 4/5
[Played on PC] Just started this. Fun, but will want to play more to really form an opinion. (Edit: 22 March) - Played a few hours. The game is just fantastic fun. The movement is just sublime, being easy to learn yet leaving plenty of scope for you to improve and start chaining together ridiculous parkour elements. The general play, whether on foot or in a Titan, is extremely polished, and overall the game does do a good job of freshening up the FPS experience, something that COD is long overdue. The problems really come from the package itself. The multiplayer campaign is interesting, but ultimately falls short of creating an experience that attaches any significant meaning to the standard multiplayer modes, as was the goal. And aside from that mode, there's nothing here aside from good old standard multiplayer. Whilst that's not a terrible thing, since it was advertised as such, I do miss the value that COD's triple play of singleplayer, multiplayer and Spec Ops/Zombies brought to the table. Not to mention the number of modes and customisation options in the multiplayer mode itself is pretty sparse. Still, it's enormous fun. It's invigorated the genre, albeit not to the same magnitude as COD4 did. 4/5 (Edit: 3 April) The last sentence of the above really rings true. Whilst it does feel fresher than COD, it's not nearly the same level of fun as COD4 was. I think in a more crowded market I'd have looked on this a bit less favourably.