Best Video Games of 2014

Video Games

Another year has passed, which means it’s time to present the best video games of 2014. Taking in consideration solid and precise numbers, VgamerZ presents an accurate top 10 list containing the very best and most successful video games of the year.

Note: This is not an opinion piece. The annual global sales numbers were retrieved from vgchartz.com on 15/01/2015 and ratings come from the respective video game sites.

 10. Assassin’s Creed: Unity (PC, PS4, XOne)

The return of Assassin’s Creed, now featuring the French Revolution, brought a new set of new elements, such as new parkour movements, skill trees, crowd interactions, customization and a cooperative multiplayer mode. Innovation was certainly one the main key elements in Unity’s development but apparently, it wasn’t enough to avoid a huge controversy regarding gameplay, gender options, high minimum system requirements and performance problems. Despite all that, Unity still managed to be among the best games of the year.

Developer: Ubisoft     Publisher: Ubisoft

Release Date: November 11, 2014     Genre(s): Action-Adventure, Stealth

Global Sales: ~4,030,000     Average Rating: 6.8/10

Eurogamer: 7/10 + Game Informer: 8/10 + Gamespot: 6/10 + GamesRadar: 8/10 + GameTrailers: 8/10 + Giant Bomb: 4/10 + IGN: 7.8/10 + Joystiq: 5/10 + Metacritic: 7.7 + Polygon: 6.5/10

9. Destiny (PS3, PS4, X360, XOne)

Bungie’s attempt to create a true hybrid video game came out surprisingly well. It actually impressed reviewers and it was remarkably well accepted by console players. This “shared world shooter”, as the creators called it, combines role-playing, first-person shooter and massively multiplayer elements creating a competitive, dynamic and unique experience. The general criticism surrounding Destiny’s lack of story content and plot cohesion didn’t seem relevant enough to shake this title’s great success.

Developer: Bungie Software     Publisher: Activision

Release Date: September 9, 2014   Genre(s): First-Person Shooter, Action, MMO

Global Sales: ~8,760,000     Average Rating: 7.565/10

Eurogamer: 8/10 + Game Informer: 8.75/10 + Gamespot: 7/10 + GamesRadar: 9/10 + GameTrailers: 8/10 + Giant Bomb: 6/10 + IGN: 7.8/10 + Joystiq: 8/10 + Metacritic: 7.1 + Polygon: 6/10 

8. Watch Dogs (PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XOne, WiiU)

Hacking has revealed to be a very powerful and reliable weapon in Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs. Protagonist Aiden Pearce’s thirst for vengeance leads the dramatic and more or less expected storyline but that’s not quite what impressed the gaming community. The numerous and diverse called “revolutionary” hacking elements were the main attraction of this title. However, the customization options, as well as the mission variety and the online multiplayer mode have greatly contributed for Watch Dogs’ success.

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal     Publisher: Ubisoft

Release Date: May 27, 2014     Genre(s): Action-Adventure

Global Sales: ~7,690,000     Average Rating: 7.85/10

Eurogamer: 7/10 + Game Informer: 8.5/10 + Gamespot: 8/10 + GamesRadar: 8/10 + GameTrailers: 8.9/10 + Giant Bomb: 6/10 + IGN: 8.4/10 + Joystiq: 8/10 + Metacritic: 7.7 + Polygon: 8/10

7. FIFA 15 (3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, PSV, X360, XOne, Wii)

The renowned FIFA series released 2014’s game and this time it received an extraordinary amount of positive feedback across all platforms, including iOS. EA doesn’t stop impressing players every year with better-quality graphics and a remarkable degree of realism. But FIFA 15 went even further by incorporating an advanced IA system, enhanced weather, dynamic crowd systems and a more accurate and realistic player movement. Regardless all that, strategy, tactic and raw skills are still the main success keys towards supremacy and glory.

Developer: EA Canada     Publisher: Electronic Arts

Release Date: September 23, 2014     Genre(s): Sports

Global Sales: ~13,140,000     Average Rating: 7.975

Eurogamer: 8/10 + Game Informer: 8.25/10 + Gamespot: 8/10 + GamesRadar: 7/10 + GameTrailers: 8/10 + Giant Bomb: 8/10 + IGN: 8.3/10 + Joystiq: 8/10 + Metacritic: 8.2 + Polygon: 8/10

6. Far Cry 4 (PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XOne)

Far Cry 4 came to impress, as typical of the series, and it has impressed both video game players and reviewers. This time the story follows Kirati-American Ajay Ghale and his accidental involvement with the Kyrat’s civil war. The amount of gameplay freedom and alternative actions towards a single objective seems to be one of the main attractions of the game. However, there are many other features that make this title one of the best of 2014, such as the new weapons, vehicles and tools, co-operative mode, map editor band dynamic world/weather.

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal   Publisher: Ubisoft

Release Date: November 18, 2014     Genre(s): Action-Adventure

Global Sales: ~3,730,000     Average Rating: 8,225/10

Eurogamer: 8/10 + Game Informer: 8.75/10 + Gamespot: 7/10 + GamesRadar: 8/10 + GameTrailers: 8.6/10 + Giant Bomb: 8/10 + IGN: 8.5/10 + Joystiq: 8/10 + Metacritic: 8.4 + Polygon: 9/10

5. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XOne)

The Call of Duty series gained a true new face with this year’s Advanced Warfare. With a series of new mobility options, in-depth specializations, a holographic-based interface, alternative modes and a brand new multiplayer system, Call of Duty has surely lived up to the expectations of the fans. But that’s not all, the game has also received astonishing scores from the majority of reviewers from both indie and mainstream gaming sites. Indeed, a FPS pearl that many won’t forget in the years to come.

Developer: Sledgehammer Games     Publisher: Activision

Release Date: November 4, 2014   Genre(s): First-Person Shooter

Global Sales: ~13,810,000     Average Rating: 8.31/10

Eurogamer: 7/10 + Game Informer: 9/10 + Gamespot: 8/10 + GamesRadar: 8/10 + GameTrailers: 8.7/10 + Giant Bomb: 8/10 + IGN: 9.1/10 + Joystiq: 8/10 + Metacritic: 8.3 + Polygon: 9/10

4. Titanfall (PC, X360, XOne)

The titan revolution invaded the hearts of FPS players at the very beginning of 2014 with a surprising and revolutionary gameplay, which seized over 60 awards. Titanfall combines man and machine in an endless battle for supremacy. With innovative parkour moves, original classes and numerous skills, the game offers a very singular and refreshing experience in the genre. Titanfall’s reception couldn’t be better, apart from the immense positive feedback, the game also conquered a record-breaking of six E3 Critics Awards.

Developer: Respawn Entertainment     Publisher: Electronic Arts

Release Date: March 11, 2014     Genre(s): First-Person Shooter

Global Sales: ~3,950,000     Average Rating: 8.705/10

Eurogamer: 8/10 + Game Informer: 9.25/10 + Gamespot: 9/10 + GamesRadar: 8/10 + GameTrailers: 9.3/10 + Giant Bomb: 8/10 + IGN: 8.9/10 + Joystiq: 9/10 + Metacritic: 8.6 + Polygon: 9/10

3. Dragon Age: Inquisition (PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XOne)

After severely disappointing fans with Dragon Age II, BioWare decided to prove what the company is really capable of by presenting one of the best video games of the year. Featuring a dynamic and immersive open world, Dragon Age Inquisition offers everything that the previous two video games were not able to – realistic graphics, extensive customization and crafting systems, complex choice-based system, additional romance options, among others. Inquisition achieved more than 30 RPG awards and is already considered one of the best RPGs ever made.

Developer: BioWare     Publisher: Electronic Arts

Release Date: November 18, 2014     Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing

Global Sales: ~3,040,000   Average Rating: 8.78/10

Eurogamer: 8/10 + Game Informer: 9.5/10 + Gamespot: 9/10 + GamesRadar: 8/10 + GameTrailers: 8.8/10 + Giant Bomb: 8/10 + IGN: 8.5/10 + Joystiq: 10/10 + Metacritic: 8.5 + Polygon: 9.5/10

2. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XOne)

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor was certainly the revelation of the year in terms of quality and distinction. It has inclusive, being considered the greatest Lord of the Rings game to date. With an innovative and customizable interaction called the “Nemesis System”, the game offers endless and complex paths, as well as unique responses from allies and enemies depending on players’ choices. The extensive gameplay and mission design has been critically acclaimed by most game reviewers, turning this game into a seemingly complete masterpiece.

Developer: Monolith Productions     Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive

Release Date: September 30, 2014   Genre(s): Action, RPG

Global Sales: ~3,150,000     Average Rating: 8.915

Eurogamer: 8/10 + Game Informer: 8.25/10 + Gamespot: 8/10 + GamesRadar: 9/10 + GameTrailers: 8.7/10 + Giant Bomb: 10/10 + IGN: 9.3/10 + Joystiq: 10/10 + Metacritic: 8.4 + Polygon: 9.5/10

1. Dark Souls II (PC, PS3, X360)

The hardcore RPG series Dark Souls returned with the second game in March of 2014, bringing another fierce and challenging adventure. Keeping all the realistic aspects of fighting, Dark Souls II did not disappoint in any way. It brought yet another merciless and unforgiving journey, where mistakes are severely punished. The improvements featured in this title included a vast increase of difficulty, visuals and IA, as well as a more complex multiplayer mode and a long gameplay filled with adrenaline and agony. The best game of 2014 is also the hardest and bloodiest.

Developer: FromSoftware     Publisher: Bandai Namco Video Games

Release Date: March 11, 2014   Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing

Global Sales: ~1,700,000     Average Rating: 9,065/10

Eurogamer: 9/10 + Game Informer: 9.5/10 + Gamespot: 9.75/10 + GamesRadar: 9/10 + GameTrailers: 8.8/10 + Giant Bomb: 9.5/10 + IGN: 9/10 + Joystiq: 8/10 + Metacritic: 9.1 + Polygon: 9/10

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Truth be said, these are the best of the best of 2014 and if you’re a true passionate gamer, you surely don’t want to miss any of them.