Re: Top 10 Games of 2014
Games that I would still like to play from 2014: Persona Q, Alien: Isolation, and Far Cry 4.
1. Bayonetta 2 - A sequel that didn't look like it would happen, until Nintendo stepped up. A sequel to my favorite character action game ever. My expectations were high, but Bayonetta 2 managed to meet and exceed them by improving on its predecessor in almost every way; boss fights are more one-on-one affairs and remove awkward platforming parts, cheap instant-death QTEs are gone, the world more vibrant, the combat is somehow even tighter, weapons and enemies even more varied, and it's just so polished. The combat is a master class in design in the way it gives proper aural and visual feedback to the player and not only has the depth and complexity for those willing to learn and dig deeper, but still remains highly accessible. Tons of replay value, packed with unlockables, extra content, and awesome Easter Eggs. Bayonetta 2 hearkens back to a time where it wasn't uncommon for a game to be filled with deep mechanics that you could unpack for dozens of hours; a time where a lot of games didn't feel padded or plodding.
2. Transistor - The art, music, and cryptic setting immediately hooked me, but it was the interesting mix of realtime and turn-based combat, and the amount of creativity afforded to you through mixing and matching the game's various Functions that ended up being the star for me, especially on a subsequent playthrough on a harder difficulty.
3. Wolfenstein: The New Order - A shooter with a big ol' heart. It doesn't reinvent the genre, but its decidedly old-school design approach mixed with modern sensibilities, endearing characters, solid length, and some of the best gunplay since the original F.E.A.R, certainly made it a breath of fresh air in a sea of cookie cutter shooters where multiplayer is now the main attraction.
4. The Last of Us: Left Behind - This is a fantastic piece of DLC that adds a lot to the backstory, features some interesting twists on the gameplay, and the interactions and dialogue between Ellie and Riley are so believable, natural, and charming.
5. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - David Wise absolutely killed it with the soundtrack. Elsewhere, stages feel alive with how dynamic the background assets are and the way each stage takes you on a short journey with a great sense of cohesion is impressive. The platforming is tight and there's a certain rhythm and momentum to it that is really satisfying, especially the roll-jump mechanic. Doing time trials and watching replays of others brings into realization just how great the level design is, as no enemy or obstacle looks like it was randomly placed.
6. Shovel Knight - Hey look, it's yet another retro indie platformer. The difference is, this one is actually good and not just a nostalgia bait. It pays homage to 8-bit classics while managing to feel fresh at the same time, and in some ways, improves upon those classics.
7. Mario Kart 8 - While somewhat barebones and the Battle Mode is terrible, racing people online is a ton of fun. I don't know what kind of magical netcode this game had written for it, but I wish all games were as smooth as it online.
8. Child of Light - Forced rhyming aside, the beautiful art, music, and fun Grandia-esque battle system made this a treat to play.
9. Dragon Age III: Inquisition - This is a big RPG with great world building, the best set of companions in a BioWare game since Mass Effect 2, and lots of diverse and beautiful environments to explore. It would be higher if I didn't find the combat to be lacking. I wouldn't necessarily say its bad, just messy. Some of my problems would have been helped if the game offered the same kind of depth to slotting AI tactical routines as the previous games.
10. The Fall - Controls could be more polished for the action bits, but the story and atmosphere made it worth it in this Sci-Fi adventure game.
Games that I would still like to play from 2014: Persona Q, Alien: Isolation, and Far Cry 4.
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