It's been another very good year for the video game industry. In fact, there were so many cool titles released across all the platforms that it's hard to keep track of what exactly is what at the end of the day.
Regardless, these are the 10 games (along with some honorable mentions) that I enjoyed the most in 2014, in no particular order. If you haven't played any of these titles, you definitely should try to fit them into your gaming schedule before the year officially ends.
"The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo"
A cool, little PC horror game created by just two people: Michael Lutz and Kimberly Parker. The game requires some understanding of the joke behind the title, which refers to the mythos behind the Nintendo offices; growing up, many kids had a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend's-relative who supposedly worked there and could reveal dastardly secrets about upcoming Pokemon and Mario delights. This Twine game posits that perhaps the inner workings of Nintendo are far more sinister than anyone ever believed. Some have hypothesized that this game is about videogame addiction...which I don't agree with. I think it's more about friendship and how sharing your wealth is always more fun than reveling in the power of your own privileged secrets. The game's chilling and memorable either way, and it freaked me out like no other this past year.
"Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes"
Overall, "Ground Zeroes" is a very cool experience; the FOX Engine looks fantastic, but the gameplay itself is basically a straightforward rescue mission. "Ground Zeroes" definitely whets the appetite for "The Phantom Pain"...which cannot get here soon enough, in my humble opinion.
I finished the main mission in a little over two hours, which seems to be about the average. After the main mission is completed, a ton of other content is unlocked, so there is definitely reason to go back to the game. This seems to be where most of the complaints about "Ground Zeroes" came into play, and I understand it...to a point. Is it worth $20 (digital download) to $30 (physical copy, although I think it can be found for a bit cheaper now) to play this "extended demo?" To me, it's a no brainer...I was buying it, regardless, because I'm a huge fan of the series. A casual "Metal Gear" fan may want to wait to pick up a used or rental copy though.
I will say this; as a consumer, and not a raging MGS Nerd, what Konami is starting here with "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes" (i.e., essentially paying for a demo/prologue of a much larger game) disturbs me, and I sincerely hope it does NOT continue in any way. Remember when the demo for "Metal Gear Solid 2: The Sons of Liberty" came as a free pack-in with "Zone of Enders?" Yeah. That was straight-up awesome. That's the way it should be done. Just goes to show you how much video gaming, and the overall economics of the industry, has changed (and not for the better) since 2001.
And, oh yeah, forget this "Kiefer Sutherland as Snake" noise... bring back David Hayter already. He is Solid Snake. Period.
"Mario Kart 8"
I can sum up why this title makes this list rather succinctly: I don't really like racing games...but I do like "Mario Kart 8" a great deal. Whether you are playing the game alone or against some friends it is always a damn good time. On top of that, Nintendo has really upped the ante in terms of content in this version as they already have a ton of tracks and vehicles available as DLC with many more in the pipeline.
"Far Cry 4"
I've played each of the four games in the series and unlike most of today's video game franchises I have to say that each "Fay Cry" installment has gotten progressively better.
I'm digging every minute of this game. The forest and mountainous settings are fantastic, as is the overall variety in missions and gameplay choices as you get embroiled in the Kyrati civil war. There's just so much to see and do in Kyrat it's a bit mind-boggling. Also, I've been very impressed with the writing/characterization of the main bad guy, Pagan Min. He has the quality of a great James Bond villain, without being cartoony or over the top. He's definitely a guy you don't want to cross and look forward to taking down ultimately.
Honestly, "Far Cry 4" is the game I've put the most time (100+ hours) into this year... and that's saying something because I can usually put down a lot of today's "AAA" games after a few hours and never have any desire to go back.
"Super Smash Bros for Wii U"
Fighting games just don't get much better, or more fun, than "Super Smash Bros." Nintendo always knocks it out of the park with their first-party titles and SSB is no exception.
Case in point, my 22-year-old son is home for the holidays. He grew up with the SSB series, and is quite skilled at the game. He had several of his friends over last night, and we had a massive SSB throwdown (that included me and my 9-year-old daughter) which lasted for a couple hours. That goes to show you the appeal and the overall playability of this excellent game.
"Shovel Knight"
Nuevo-retro games don't get much better than "Shovel Knight." At its core, this title is essentially a hybrid of the 8-bit, side-scrolling-platformer classics of old, "Mega Man" and "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link." You take control of the eponymous hero to take down the evil Enchantress and the Order of No Quarter all in an effort to rescue your beloved, Shield Knight.
Each stage plays out like a stage from the "Mega Man" series. There's a distinct theme to each level, and a complimentary boss for that level, so players will be taking on the likes of King Knight, Tinker Knight, and Specter Knight. The only major difference is that there is a (somewhat) specific order you must take on the rogue knights in. There are also light RPG elements that are similar to those found in "Zelda II" and even "Castlevania" (i.e., upgradable health and magic, artifacts and items to collect, etc.).
"Shovel Knight" is a fast, furious, super-nostalgic romp through your childhood that has great music and controls like a dream. Stop reading this and go play it...NOW!
"Wolfenstein: The New Order"
I must start this with something of an anecdote. While I was playing the game the first weekend I had it, I was staying at my in-laws house in rural Maryland. At one point while I was playing, we were awaiting dinner guests to arrive. I got so caught up in the game that I forgot what time it was and missed the arrival of our guests. My mother-in-law had to come and collect me like I was a sullen teenager hiding way in my room. Sure, that's kind of embarrassing for a 43- year-old man to admit...but that kind of immersion is also the sign of a damn good game.
Ultimately, "Wolfenstein: The New Order" is a well-crafted piece of interactive entertainment with very few, if any, glaring flaws. If first person Nazi slaying is your bag, you should definitely check this one out...because killing Nazi's never, ever gets old.
"Alien: Isolation"
"Alien: Isolation" is on this list because it does its level best to keep you within the walls of terror and fear. Outrunning the alien is nigh-impossible. Attacking it head on will lead to death. In that sense, Creative Assembly nailed it. That's what a true survival-horror game is all about. The ambience is very much like in Ridley Scott's "Alien" as well it should be. The whole experience is slightly marred by the fact that the game cheats by cornering you unfairly and rendering you helpless (this happens only in certain areas, but is frustrating nonetheless).
Players will get frustrated, scared, and upset, and it all feels very convincing because to get outsmarted by an almost "real" thinking AI is terrifying...and there are few games that can make such a claim these days. Creative Assembly gets a huge plus for enhancing the fear factor in this one. Forget mindless shooting or tossing grenades randomly to save your butt as the alien is bearing down on you. It just won't work here.
"Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor"
"Shadow of Mordor" is a well-crafted experience with superb graphics, and it truly capturing the essence of world that both Tolkien and director Peter Jackson have painstakingly established both on the page and on film. In terms of gameplay, it is a mishmash of Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed" and WB Interactive's own "Batman: Arkham City" with a dash of Square Enix's "Hitman" games thrown in for good measure as you can target specific orc/uruk captains to slay with the brilliantly implement Nemesis system...which I'm sure will be copied is many titles to come.
In addition, there are many upgrades to collect...as well as evil beasties to kill in fun and inventive ways. This just may be the best "Lord of the Rings" game that I've ever played, and I've played lots over the years.
"South Park: The Stick of Truth"
Hands down the best "South Park" game ever made. It's an excellent, well-crafted role playing experience that's actually laugh-out-loud funny to boot. How many video games can you say that about? Not too many, I'm afraid.
"Stick of Truth" is easily the best RPG I played this year, and may be the best since "Skyrim," in my opinion. Kudos to Obsidian Entertainment and South Park Digital Studios for have the guts to make this game as authentically "South Park" as it should be.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: "Never Alone," "Octodad: Dadliest Catch," "Dark Souls II," "Fist of Jesus," "Wasteland 2," "Among the Sleep"
