We’re heading toward the final weeks of 2014 where things will begin to slow down a bit for the video game industry, allowing everyone to finish their recent purchases and begin tapping into their backlog.This is a great time to look back at everything that has happened this year in gaming, in addition to acknowledging the games that surprised us.
To kick off our Best of 2014 coverage we’re going to look at the games that went above and beyond their promises. These are 10 games that we found to be more enjoyable than they alluded to. They might even be games that you missed that you should consider playing.
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Below you’ll find our selection of the 10 most surprising video games of 2014.
Best of 2014: Top 10 Most Surprising Games of 2014
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10. Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare
WATCH US PLAY: Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare stands out as a game that focused on fun and excitement during a year where many games took themselves too seriously. It had a positive vibe with its upbeat audio and vibrant visuals, backed by surprisingly cohesive gameplay controls. Many doubted that Plants vs Zombies could make a smooth transition into the third-person shooter genre, but it did so with confidence, becoming one of the most memorable co-operative and competitive games of the year.
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9. Wolfenstein: The New Order
REVIEW: Wolfenstein: The New Order
When it comes to video games, there aren't many left standing from the 1980's like Wolfenstein. Given its age, and a sequence of not-so-bold releases from the franchise, there wasn't much hype rolling into Wolfenstein: The New Order's release. So when gamers were treated to its well-balanced narrative journey it came as a big surprise. It was arguably the best single-player first-person shooter of 2014, and nobody was expecting that.
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8. Dragon Age: Inquisition
REVIEW: Dragon Age: Inquisition
After the fumble that was Dragon Age 2, and some not-so-positive fallback from Mass Effect 3's ending, many gamers began to doubt BioWare, a studio that previously was known as one of the best at crafting RPGs. It would show gamers that it hasn't gone anywhere by putting itself back on the map with Dragon Age: Inquisition's stellar release.
Dragon Age: Inquisition had over 100 hours of content out of the box, supported by the most thoughtful interactive dialog in the business. It will be remembered as the best RPG of early current-gen consoles.
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7. Divinity: Original Sin
REVIEW: Divinity: Original Sin
Most games these days go out of their way to hold the player's hand. Dininity: Original Sin recognized that exploration and risk have been lost over the years as a result of the shift toward guided experiences. So, it did away with that. The result was a game that brought back the immersion of classic cRPGs, as well as the reward for overcoming its challenges. Those who put up with its overbearing nature were treated to a truly captivating experience unlike anything else in the modern age.
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6. Alien: Isolation
REVIEW: Alien: Isolation
With so many Alien games released over the years (over two dozen of them, in-fact) you'd be surprised to hear that virtually none of them are considered great. Well, until this year's Alien: Isolation, that is. It is the first game from the IP to encapsulate what made the first Alien film captivating. It was authentic, horrifying, and exactly what Alien fans have been craving for years.
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5. Bravely Default
REVIEW: Bravely Default
The many who say that Final Fantasy is dead are both right and wrong. They are right because Final Fantasy hasn't been much more than just a "good" RPG franchise for the past decade. They are wrong because Bravely Default is absolutely fantastic, and it's essentially Final Fantasy under a new moniker.
Bravely Default was 50+ hours of classic Final Fantasy. It had familiar music, a world that is reminiscent of Final Fantasy 9, but new characters and a great battle system. It was only held back by a mediocre final chapter. But if you pretend that the final chapter didn't exist, Bravely Default stands as one of the best RPGs since Final Fantasy X.
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4. Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition
REVIEW: Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition
Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition was surprising because of how well it translated its PC-born experience to the living room. It arrived at a time when Diablo 3 had finally become a must-play game, and with controller input that felt even better than the keyboard & mouse controls of its lead platform counterpart. Console gamers finally had a great reason to see what all the fuss was about, and quickly found out that it was a must-have local multiplayer game.
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3. South Park: The Stick of Truth
South Park: The Stick of Truth was surprising in a way similar to that of Alien: Isolation, only it was an even better game. The South Park series has been immensely popular over the years, and prior to 2014 had never been treated to a proper video game installment. South Park; The Stick of Truth changed that forever with a memorable RPG experience backed by the crude satire that South Park has become known for. South Park fans finally had something to immerse themselves in.
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2. Sunset Overdrive
REVIEW: Sunset Overdrive
After Fuse and Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, it seemed as though Insomniac Games was no longer the top-tier developer it once was. So when it announced Sunset Overdrive, an exclusive for the Xbox One, many gamers didn't take it very seriously. They should have.
Sunset Overdrive was one of the best games of 2014, delivering rewarding gameplay that came in the form of using a huge arsenal of Insomniac-style weapons and crazy traversal mechanics. Its blend of Jet Set Radio's locomotion, Ratchet & Clank's combat, and self-aware humor brought smiles to many faces. It instantly became a must-have for the Xbox One. More importantly, it became a successful new IP in an age where most blockbusters are from established franchises.
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[WINNER] 1. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
REVIEW: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Few were talking about Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor before it released. Those who did were alerting others to its significance. They were right.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor featured the Nemesis system, a system that forged true rivalries between the player and the Orc leaders that inhabited its world. These relationships are something that video games have needed for a long time, and it was shocking that a game so seldom talked about before release would become the one to deliver on the potential. It wasn't Assassin's Creed, Batman, or one of other recognizable action games, it was Shadow of Mordor.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor quickly became the most talked about game of early Fall, finding its way all over social media, and for good reason. It was bold, and a refreshing change of pace.
