Editor’s Note: CraveOnline’s Best of 2014 is a collaborative effort from the entire Gaming staff. As such, instead of the list being based off a single opinion like our reviews are, each member of our team votes for their favorite games of the year and we average the lists to come up with the final results. Please note that only new games and expansions are eligible for a spot on our list. Remasters, collections, and ports are disqualified for the sake of ensuring that each year new works are prioritized.
Welcome to CraveOnline Gaming’s Best of 2014. For the past week our staff has reflected on the last 12 months of video game releases, and if there’s one thing we can agree on it’s that there’s a lot to say about this year in gaming. The year certainly had its share of disappointments, games that fell off the map, as well as unforgettable controversy. But it had great games, too, some of which are right up there with the best of their respective genre.
In the gallery below we have listed what we think were the best games of 2014. These are games that were polished, fun, and had something special about them. These are the games that will impacted gamers significantly, in addition to affecting game development heading into the future.
Also See: Top 10 Reader-Voted Best Games of 2014
With that said, below you will find our Top 10 video games of 2014.
Best of 2014: Top 10 Video Games of The Year
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10. Bayonetta 2
Platforms: Wii U
Genre: Action Hack and Slash
Review: Bayonetta 2 Review – Start Creating Miracles
When it comes to action hack and slash games, Bayonetta 2 was about as good as it gets. Its combat got the heart pumping with fast-paced action backed by a spectacular display of special effects and animations. Bayonetta earned her spot as one of the premier characters of the video game industry in her exemplary performance. This was the first game in a while where gamers felt encouraged to learn all the ins and outs of combat, and punish enemies for testing the legendary Bayonetta.
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9. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Platforms: PC
Genre: Adventure
Unlike every other game on this list, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter was an indie game. Though, you wouldn't be able to tell at first glance given how extraordinarily beautiful its presentation was. Venturing through its deep forest environment to unravel a mystery unlike any other stood out as one of the most intriguing experiences of 2014, and a commendable one given the small size of its development team.
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8. Titanfall
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Review: Titanfall Review
The FPS genre has become stagnant over the years as it has been bombarded with titles looking to earn the attention of gamers. At a time when the genre was most challenged, Titanfall emerged with fresh ideas to reinvigorate it. It not only rekindled the passion for competing online against others in an FPS for many, it showed that there's still room for innovation in the genre. Though, many would look at it at surface value where it was simply a highly enjoyable shooter that had a unique personality.
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7. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
Platforms: PC, Android, iPad
Genre: Digital Collectible Card Game
Review: Hearthstone: Curse of Naxxramas Review (Expansion)
What was once a project spearheaded by a small number of Blizzard employees quickly became one of the world's most popular games. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft took everything that makes CCGs addictive and presented it in such a way that it was welcoming, something the genre was previously incapable of. It thoughtfully integrated elements from the Warcraft franchise, while also delivering new ideas of its own. Blizzard fans were instantly won over.
Now, it's one of the world's flagship eSport titles, is played by millions, and has appropriately earned a spot as one of the best titles of 2014. Most surprising is the fact that it's free-to-play, making it an easy recommendation for friends.
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6. World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor
Platforms: PC
Genre: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game
Review: World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor Review – With Age Comes Experience
World of Warcraft celebrated its 10 year anniversary last month. For many, that was a reason to question its lengthy existence. However, doubts regarding its future were shattered with the arrival of Warlords of Draenor, an expansion that many already consider to be one of Blizzard's best works.
Warlords of Draenor brought to life one of Warcraft's most interesting periods of time where Orcs and Ogres battled for supremacy in the land of Draenor. Although it would re-create history, it brought new things along with it including Garrisons, one of the biggest additions any World of Warcraft expansions has ever included. It also made monumental changes to the game's foundation with adjustment of itemization, stats, skills, and more. Endgame has benefited greatly as a result, and more players are playing now than at any time in the past three years.
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5. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
Genre: Role-Playing Game
Review: Dragon Age: Inquisition Review – Saving the World
Dragon Age: Inquisition shocked many of us with its balance of size and attention to detail. Its epic campaign made player choice meaningful, and encouraged adventure in its vast environments. Many have already spent over 100 hours in Dragon Age: Inquisition, which is a figure rarely seen from an RPG available in the first year for new hardware.
Dragon Age: Inquisition's action/strategy combat system aided in making the journey enjoyable from start to finish, in addition to proving that combat doesn't have to be a sore spot in an RPG. All of these qualities put together made Dragon Age: Inquisition one of the greatest titles of 2014.
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4. Mario Kart 8
Platforms: Wii U
Genre: Racing
Review: Mario Kart 8 Review – High-Polish Hijinks
Nintendo demonstrated its commitment to fun with Mario Kart 8, a title that made no compromises. It retained the core qualities that have made the franchise a fan favorite, while also pushing it further with the introduction of antigravity and coins. It was also a beautiful game, which in tandem with a replay feature paved the way for entertaining GIFs and videos that went viral on social media.
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3. Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls/Ultimate Evil Edition
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
Genre: Action Role-Playing Game
Review: Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition Review – Excellence Reborn
With the arrival of several patches, and this year's Reaper of Souls expansion, Diablo 3 has evolved to become one of the world's greatest games. Reaper of Souls added the Crusader class, Act V, Adventure Mode, among several other major features. It quickly earned the attention of PC gamers, and would later allow console gamers of several platforms to jump in and see what all the commotion was about. Furthermore, millions of new Diablo fans have emerged due to its exciting gameplay and unquestionably addictive design.
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2. Forza Horizon 2
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox 360
Genre: Racing
Review: Forza Horizon 2 Review – Racing Paradise
Forza Horizon 2 is one of those racing games that does enough to not only warrant the attention of automotive fans, but anyone who likes going fast. It stood out in 2014 as a game that was consistently fun to play, and polished to a shine. Its graphics were absolutely beautiful, no matter if it was day, night, or raining. Its cast of over 220 vehicles were impressively modeled, allowing anyone to strap into the cockpit of man's most amazing machines. Tearing through the countryside of Italy and France alone or with friends in these machines brought a sense of joy that few games have ever been able to muster.
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1. Super Smash Bros for Wii U
Platforms: Wii U
Genre: Fighting
Review: Super Smash Bros. (Wii U) Review – Final Smash
Unlike the majority of AAA releases in 2014, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U lived up to the hype. This is a game that had been anticipated for more than two years, and earned the attention of many at every event it had attended. So, the stakes were high when it made its debut in November.
At release, it shook the world, bringing families and friends together in the living room to battle it out using one of more than three dozen characters. Equipped with a variety of game modes, items, levels, as well as the series' famously high skill ceiling, it is a game that has won of the attention of gamers. Many will remain committed to mastering its gameplay, using their skill to down any foes who challenge them. Meanwhile, others will regard it as the best go-to game for casual local multiplayer where Super Smash Bros. shines as bright as any game in history.
