The 20 video games I enjoyed the most that were released and played in 2014.
Played a lot of older games in the first half of the year, along with GTA V again, so this was tricky!
Games that don't quite make the cut:
Destiny, The Last of Us, Alien Isolation, Murasaki Baby, Disney Infinity 2, Wolfenstein, GRID Autosport.
Simply stunning. F-Zero merges with Mario Kart. Nothing in 2014 comes close for polish, precision and replay-ability. I would go as far as to say this is an exemplar of a 'perfect 10' game.
So good I bought it on two consoles. The best online shooter of the year for me: it combines the fun and accessibility of the source material with the depth of a Battlefield title.
Engrossing story, interesting characters, fascinating history, melancholic atmosphere, whimsical gameplay,...just brilliant.
Hilarious turn-based RPG. Anal probes optional. Not many games make me laugh, but this one did repeatedly.
One of my favourite games of the year. This is the best game in the series and benefits hugely from the short-stories structure (like the source material) and clever deduction mechanism that has you feeling like Holmes: quite brilliant.
Better in every way than its excellent predecessor. Beautiful locations, great handling model, and tonnes of content.
Clever twist on the tower defence formula: you are the attack wave! A good story, crisp graphics and intelligent strategy make this one of the year's best strategy games.
Specifically Eufloria HD released on Vita. Abstract and beautiful real-time strategy game. No space marines, zombies, or other cliches.
Assassins Creed without all the crap. Superhuman.
Okay, I am a big Mario Party fan, but still this 3DS outing is one of the best in the series.
Not the best in the series, but still an enjoyable Skylanders romp, with probably the best writing and humour to date.
Strangely cold compared to the previous outings, but just as compelling.
So good I own it on two consoles now.
Stylistic and engrossing.
It's Golf, with Mario, and Miis.
I don't feel it is as strong as 1 for characters, or 2 for story; and I also find the 'busy work' abhorrent. Despite this, it is one of the better AAA titles this year and at times can look stunning.
Along with Aqua Kitty DX two of my favourite retro-style titles this year.
Clever little puzzle game for Vita and Console.
More of the same, but not in a bad way. Second only to Ninja Town for the best tower defence game, where you actually build towers!
'lightweight' RPG that's great as a family co-op game.
