5 Best Video Games of 2014

5 Best Video Games of 2014

[pixel77_quote type=”2″ quote=”The video game culture was an important thing to keep alive in the film because we’re in a new era right now. The idea that kids can play video games like Grand Theft Auto or any video game is amazing. The video games are one step before a whole other virtual universe.” author=”Vin Diesel”]
Video games are art, no matter what anyone says. I would be tempted even go to as far as saying that it is probably the ultimate form of art that there is, but that would be ignorant seeing as there are non-video games that can pull off the marvellous blend of narrative, entertainment and interaction that we have grown accustomed to.

But, however, video games are big right now, and that is because this, our generation, is the first that can tie feelings and emotions to them. We understand them at a much more visceral level, and the people creating video games now. More and more of them, are approaching building them as other artists would approach writing a novel or painting a masterpiece, and it is about time.

The earliest gaming consoles go all the way back to 1948, but the very first commercially sold video game was released in 1971.

Called Computer Space, it was created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, used a black and white television screen for the display, and was coin operated. The whole concept was so science fiction, that the game even got featured in the 1973 classic, Soylent Green.

What truly jump-started the market for video games was Atari’s home version of Pong!, released in 1975. It sparked a slew of Pong! clones made by other companies, which crashed the market in 1977, before it had proper time to blossom. However, 1978 saw the release of Space Invaders, which not only revitalized the market, but began the golden age of arcade video games.

Atari soon licensed the game for their new Atari 2600 console, which helped them recover from the previous Pong! crash, and also brought new life to the home console market.

The market would collapse again in 1983 (many blame the dreadful E.T. Atari game), but was once again brought back to life, thanks to the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES as it is better known.

The 90’s saw PC gaming become more and more important, as the hardware that went into personal computers allowed for better graphics and multimedia capabilities, like glorious, beautiful sound, as well as internet connectivity, which allowed gamers to play games while not being in the same room and, indeed, sharing a screen.

PC gaming also allowed for new game mechanics, which meant entirely new kinds of games, like real-time strategy games or city builders or even first person shooters. Really, I would say, a lot of what we see as gaming today has its roots in PC gaming, and since that is how I got familiar with games, that is why I am in team PC in any console vs. computer argument.

2014, I feel, was a pretty good year for gaming. I laughed, swore, and cried my way through a few amazing games, either by playing them or watching playthroughs. So I decided to make a list of the best video games I have experienced throughout the last year, to make sure that I do my part in getting them the exposure I think they deserve.

In no particular order, we have:

1. Valient Hearts: The Great War

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There are not many World War I video games out there, much to my disliking, as I am utterly fascinated by the Great War. Most World War games focus on the Second World War, which, from a technical point of view, makes a whole lot of sense.

World War I was all about trench warfare and being bogged down for years on end, but Valiant Hearts manages to create a superb side-scroller that focuses on story and history, while also getting the point across with a few subtle game mechanics. It also does a fantastic job of making you actually feel for the protagonists, and the end would have gotten it an Oscar if it were a movie, and not a game.

2. Dark Souls II

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Dark Souls 2 was the sequel to From Software’s critically and commercially acclaimed Dark Souls, and it brilliantly follows up the game. I admit, I have not played either of them, since the I am not a patient person, not by a long shot.

But I have seen playthroughs of both, and found them tremendously entertaining, and I was enthralled enough by the games’ lore that I even checked out the Wikia page, as well as watching some pretty incredible story and lore videos by VaatiVidya… and it seems he has quite a few new videos up, so I know what I will be doing once I’m done writing this article.

3. The Walking Dead Season Two

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I know, I know. Season Two technically came out in 2013 because that’s when Episode 1 came out. But the rest of it was released throughout 2014, and that makes it a 2014 game in my book.

Season Two follows Clementine, all alone after the events in Season One. You have to make really tough decisions from the very get-go, and I spent the whole game on the edge of my seat, hoping that the next puzzle or quick time event wasn’t the last. Clementine is a fantastic character, and there is no question in my mind that she is definitely the child character ever in video games and one of the all-time greatest child characters in any narrative medium.

4. Game of Thrones (Episode 1, to be fair)

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I could try and makes excuses why I am calling this a 2014 game, rather than a 2015 game, but I won’t. Since just one episode has come out, it is that episode that is getting a spot on this list, with the whole season probably landing a spot next year’s list.

I had my doubts about this one, and I have to admit. When I heard that it was coming out, I was still sulking that Telltale did not answer my mail about an episodic game based on Twin Peaks. But there is a new season coming out, so, fingers crossed.

Oh yeah! The game. Virtually the same mechanics as in The Walking Dead, but an entirely different story, and a whole different way of telling the story. The difference between the two are like the differences between an omniscient narrator and a character narrator… kind of.

5. Dreamfall Chapters

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You are beginning to see a pattern here, and so am I. I love point-and-click adventure games, and this has got to be my favorite one. A sequel to the Dreamfall series, Dreamfall Chapters is an absolutely amazing follow-up to what is one of the best examples of video games as art. A sprawling world, an amazing story, terrific script, impeccable voice acting, all making you want to delve deeper into the universe it creates, and lead your characters to a conclusion.

A sprawling world, an amazing story, terrific script, impeccable voice acting, all making you want to delve deeper into the universe it creates, and lead your characters to a conclusion.

And that just about concludes my list. I hope I made want to check them out, if yo haven’t already, because I really feel like I would have definitely missed out if I wouldn’t have. If you keep scrolling down, there is going to be an additional list with my honourable mentions for this year, as well as a comments sections where I invite you to tell me what you favorite games of 2014 were.

6. Metro: Last Light

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7. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

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8. This War of Mine

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9. Wolfenstein: The New Order

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10. Civilizations: Beyond Earth

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1 Comment on “5 Best Video Games of 2014

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