Really surprised by the volume of WiiU games on my list this year but Nintendo really has stepped up this year and produced some of the best titles around. I'm sad to see nothing but remakes and remastered games on PS4 and X1 with only really the cross platform games being good. My hopes for next year, Nintendo continues to knock out hit after hit and we see Sony and MS step up their game a bit.
I knew this was going to be a great game just from playing the original but i did not expect it to be so mind blogglingly insane! This is the most gamey game you will ever play, but I'll be damned if that is not part of its charm. It may be seen as a sexist game or not very PC, but it is a hell of a lot of fun and easily took my number 1 spot.
Mario Kart is always a great game and one of the titles people buying Nintendo consoles point out as an example of an all ages game that really works. I am not exagerating when i say that this is the best looking game released on any format this year, it runs smoothly, every character handles in a unique way and the tracks, both old and new are a pleasure to play on. The soundtrack is just perfect on every level and online play is almost completely free of lag. If Bayonetta hadn't came out this year this would have been number 1, no question.
I literally play this game every day, say what you will about Final Fantasy but there is no denying that it has some of the greatest music in video game history. Virtually every single piece of music of note and every character from accross the vast array of tiles has made it onto this cartidge along with a wealth of multiplayer options. If you like Final Fantasy then you would be a fool not to pick this up, if you are a mega fan then this is probably your number 1 game.
I have seen this described as Arkham meets Assassins Creed and i think that about sums the game up perfectly. The irony is that it does both sets of mechanics better than either of the most recent entries to the AC or Akrham games. The story is pretty good and fits right into the LOTR lore and the voice work is pretty great. The much touted Nemesis system really is the stand out thing here and if you are not playing this on PS4/X1 you are only playing half the game.
Basically this game is just Dynasty Warriors with a Legend of Zelda Skin but, it has some excellent Nintendo specific things added to the mix. First off, all of the boss battles can be handled the way you did them in the games they original showed up in. Second, this is a really pretty game, colours are sharp and vibrant and everything looks very Hyrule. Last but not least, the soundtrack is incredible, every Legend of Zelda theme played by a heavy rock band. It wont be to everyones tastes but it is a fine example of Nintendo putting their stamp on a series that would have been less interesting without it.
It still rubs me up the wrong way that Konami decided to get rid of David Hayter and hire B list Hollywood tallent but, there is no denying that this is so far the best Metal Gear Solid game at a mechanical level. The game is super short but it looks and plays amazingly well and bodes well that Phantom Pain will play the same way.
I love the telltale point and click games and Game of Thrones takes one of my favourite TV shows and makes it into a playble adventure. It is not really a game in the truest sense but it is a well told story that you feel that you are effecting the outcome of. Can't wait for the remaining episodes.
The PS4 version for me easily beats the PC version just by allowing you to play the whole game on a control pad. Other than that, this is an enhanced port of the PC game that came out last year with the dlc bundled in and local co-op play. Had a lot of fun dropping in and out of this game with friends, looking forward to playing it on higher difficulties.
This game had no business being as good as it is and originally i only planned on picking up some of the marvel figures because they looked so damn awesome. Turns out, the game is pretty good, especially in multiplayer and has a smilar tone to the Lego Marvel/Batman games. All ages game that is fun for everyone but is maybe just a little bit on the short side.
This is totally a new smash brothers game with a new roster and sharper graphics. Still a lot of fun to play in local matches, fun to play online but i really do feel that the lack of a story mode does hurt it a little. As it stands i only play this when i have people over, its great at that point but not so much when you are alone. The Amiibo integration is a nice touch and i hope Nintendo will a dlc characters at a late date to keep the game fresh.
I put this at number 11 as an honorable mention due to the fact that i play this nearly every day. The game has been getting updates on a monthly basis and some of the bigger patches have really changed how the game plays. Patch 3.0, the big expansion is due out in Spring and is bringing a whole new Continent, jobs, races and more so i fully expect this to be back on my list properly for 2015.
Another game i spend a lot of time on that didnt quite make it to my top 10 but still deserves a mention. The new expansion Delta Rising hs brought in nearly every member of the Voyager crew along with their actors so it continues to be the only real series taking place in the Star Trek Prime universe. Along with the expansion tier 6 ships arrived as well as a totally redone UI and starting missions so it is really a great time to start playing.
