So I thought I should get in on the action of doing a yearly list type thing. I won’t be doing a top ten or whatever. No, no, no. I’ve decided to state games that have stuck with me this year. They aren’t in any order and this isn’t a list of games that have come out this year. Some of these games are new this year and some were released years ago.
So that being said on with the show!
The Legend of Grimrock 2
Legend of Grimrock 2 improved on its predecessor in more than just mere graphics (though the graphical upgrade is great). The puzzles are harder more difficult, the combat has been made to feel more tight and the levels are more imaginative. Months after playing it I still think back to how I completed certain parts and how long others stumped me.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Never before have I come across a game that successfully manages to weave the control scheme, mechanics and narrative together so seamlessly. If it hadn’t have been for that duel control system this game would simply be a short but beautiful game.
The Dig
I am of the belief that every game designer, especially ones working on point and click style games, should use this game as a case study. Excellent writing with an engaging and emotional story. Sound design that leaves you thinking of the game long after you’ve finished and finally there’s the art work. Considering the technological restrictions of its time this game is still stunning.
Foul Play
Great humour, solid gameplay and an interesting (if very silly) story. These are the three major reasons I love this game. There wasn’t a single moment I didn’t have a idiot grin on my face while playing this.
TellTale’s The Walking Dead Season 2
Forgive the crassness of this statement but this game started by kicking me in the emotional nuts and then continued unrelentingly to the very end. Never before has a game made me feel so conflicted about the choices presented to me… and the ones I made in the last game.
Thief 2: The Metal Age
Replaying this game reaffirmed its status in my mind as the greatest stealth game to exist (so far as I have played anyway). It comes to something when I can look on its descendants and point out exactly why the old game was just better. If only I could somehow transplant the graphical detail of Thief’s 2014 incarnation onto Thief 2.
Transistor
I’m sure I’ll be burnt at the stake for this but I actually preferred Transistor to Bastion. I liked the way you could customise your playing style to suit you by installing different functions in different ways and combinations. The semi-turn based combat system is also something I particularly enjoyed using as it allowed a degree of planning rather than simply hacking and slashing.
Throw into that the art style and the music and I was enchanted the moment I set eyes on it.
Max: The Curse of Brotherhood
I’ll be honest, I can’t pinpoint any one reason why this particular game is included here, The puzzles are fairly simple and the platforming is rudimentary… but this game is a lot of fun. As simple as the puzzles are its the act of watching your handy work come together that makes it all worthwhile.
Its also not exactly a bad looker, I said it in the review and I’ll say it again, this looks like something Dreamworks have made.
So there you have it, my best of 2014 list-type-thing. I’m sure many will disagree with me and they are totally right but that’s the thing, its MY list. Of course that doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear from you lovely people.
Before I ask my question to you I thought I’d throw open the gates, if you have any suggestions for games to play feel free to let me know, please keep them to PC games (don’t own any consoles currently, and even if I did I have no idea how I’d do a screen grab of those yet). If you’re feeling extra generous and want me to review a certain game you know of, feel free to send it my way, I may have too many games but I’m a hoarder. 😛
So, what do you think? Of all the games I’ve played this year (yes, ones I’ve played) what games do you think deserved to appear in this list?
