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Serra

BG Staff Picks - 2014

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It is nearly the end of the year. Whereas some people take the end of December to reminisce about the good times, reflect on the bad, and remember all the things that have happened over the course of the past three hundred sixty-five days, we’re gamers, so of course the end of the year means it’s time to look back on the gaming year that was, and pick out the best game of 2014. Undoubtedly, everyone will have their favorites, but I asked the BG staff members to share their games of the year, so without further ado, let's look back at the games that stood out this year.

Mina: Fantasy Life (3DS)
I always wondered what it would be like to have a game like Rune Factory but with capabilities of some co-op play. Fantasy Life comes close to it. If you wanted a game with a MMO feel brought down to your handheld, look no further. This game stands out for me because in this year of remakes, remasters, and sequels something original came out. And it did a pretty damn good job for its first try. Oh and for those of you who enjoyed Fantasy Life, you can actually look further--try Rune Factory 4.

Honorable Mentions: Bravely Default, Persona Q, Dragon Age Inquisition


Sonomaa: Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn (PC, PS3, PS4)
What game did I play more of than FFXIV? Not a single one. Yes I installed a lot of games, even bought several of them that might be considered games of the year by others, but XIV, it stole all my time. Every day was a login adventure, I might have even burned myself out a tiny bit with excitement, but I regret nothing, not a single moment spent with dear friends, people I care about. Together we've fought mighty beasts and felled many bosses and I cherish every memory of it. I'm hoping I can find a better balance between my time, or steal some of the time that Mina steals from wherever she gets it. Until then Ill be logged in, looking pretty.

Honorable Mentions: Bravely Default, the only other game to suck up my time this year. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, the best CoD game in a while, too bad it was such a short SP experience. Metro Last Light Redux, while not a new release, the updated graphics look spectacular, it took a few 3 weeks of my time after XIV, 3 weeks, that's almost forever in gamer.


6souls: Destiny (PS3, PS4, X360 XB1)
I haven't put this much time and thought into playing a game since I partook in XI endgame years ago. It's addictive, mostly because I have RL friends and even family members who play the game which keeps me logging into the game almost every day. Although I regret buying the expansion pass, there isn't really much else I'd see myself playing right now.

Honorable Mentions: Rise of Nations: Extended Edition, Far Cry 4, Ultra Street Fighter 4, Strike Suit Zero: Director's Cut, SWTOR: Shadow of Revan


Bregor: Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster (PS3, Vita)
If you don't play a game for a while, you remember the things that are either really good or really easy to make fun of. So for a game originally released before 9/11, you may have only a few tidbits floating around in your memory banks. The Laughing Scene. Brother really wants to fuck his cousin, but is also an amazing dancer. RIDESS ZE SHOOPUF? Jecht is the worst father. But also the Sphere Grid. X-2's excellent battle system. The Monster Arena. Auron (and Matt McKenzie). For me, that's X and X-2 boiled down to their biggest impressions. But in replaying the games in beautiful high definition, you remember just how rich and detailed these games were. The setting isn't as sprawling as the PS1 Final Fantasy games, but each location is given just as much tender loving care. The plots make sense, and more importantly they flow very well. Secondary and tertiary NPCs were given some thought and serve a purpose. Maybe these things are novel for me after Lightning's Cut-scene Extravaganza Final Fantasy XIII. But if you've never played X or X-2, or if you're like me and haven't re-visited them since you "grew up," I highly recommend it.

One last thing—this game also gives hope for future HD remasters. While VII, VIII, or IX seem unlikely due to lost assets, I would think XII: International Zodiac Job System would be a big draw for about the same amount of work. Time will tell, but the success of X/X-2 HD might be the best thing to happen to Square Enix in recent memory (other than A Realm Reborn of course).


BaneTheBrawler: Super Smash Bros for Wii U (Wii U)
Smash Bros Wii U, of course. Already spent lots of time on that, even though I don't have it yet. While I still think Melee is the best Smash over-all, the new one is way better than Brawl.

or

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (PC, PS3, X360)
I'm not very far in, but it feels a LOT like Borderlands 2... with a few more interesting mechanics and new characters. Hard to go wrong with that.


Brill Weave: Dragon Age: Inquisition (PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XB1)
It's not every day I buy a game that I immediately sink 90 hours into before beating it.


Serra: Destiny (PS3, PS4, X360 XB1)
If you’ve looked at the massive wall-o-text that was my Destiny review, it should come as no surprise that Bungie’s MMO-FPS game is my unequivocal game of 2014. Destiny is a science fiction shooter that offers players a blending of traditional FPS with MMO inspired elements in both PvP and PvE. Of course, there’s no denying that Destiny has its flaws -- some which have arisen with the release of Destiny’s first DLC expansion earlier this month. While my faith in Destiny’s longevity is not as sturdy as it once was, Bungie’s undeniable polish of the FPS elements has kept me coming back day after day. I’ve already invested an obscene amount of time in this game, and while Destiny isn’t perfect, it is the game that I have enjoyed the most this year.

Honorable Mentions: Super Smash Bros Wii U, Bravely Default, Mario Kart 8


So, there you have it, the BG staff’s games of 2014. But what was your favorite game of this year? Was it one of the games we mentioned, or did your favorite game slip by us? Feel free to let us know in the comments below -- or the thread in the gaming section that will inevitably pop up sometime soon.

Comments

  1. Charismatic -
    Charismatic's Avatar
    [SIZE="5"][CENTER][B]Toukiden: The Age of Demons[/B][/CENTER][/SIZE]
    [CENTER][video=youtube;Ah8eN2sb8Kc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah8eN2sb8Kc[/video][/CENTER]


    For this one, I'll let the gameplay speak for itself. Definitely my favorite game of the year. Sunk hundreds of hours into it and I'm awaiting Toukiden Kiwami next year.
    2015 is going to be absolutely crazy for games.
  2. Charismatic -
    Charismatic's Avatar
    Toukiden didn't actually come out this year btw, but I played it a lot more this year than last year!
  3. Abandon -
    Abandon's Avatar
    ^
  4. Xno Kappa -
    Xno Kappa's Avatar
    Smashfags will never let go of Melee.
  5. SephYuyX -
    SephYuyX's Avatar
    Which is sad, because I think WiiU is hella more fun.
  6. Serra -
    Serra's Avatar
    To be fair, Smash 4 has only had a little over a month to dethrone a game that has been the pinnacle of Smash for thirteen years.
  7. Zetanio -
    Zetanio's Avatar
    No one voted for FFVII. This website sucks.
  8. Kaslo -
    Kaslo's Avatar
    I love how everyone bashes Destiny, but then we get 2 people giving it game of the year here. Just think if Destiny delivered on the "cinematic storytelling" it would be making people's head's explode.
  9. Delirium -
    Delirium's Avatar
    Echoing Sonomaa about FFXIV. Since I got it in 2013 though, I would probably pick Bayonetta 2 with runners up being Bravely Default and Shadow of Mordor. I just started playing Dragon Age: Inquisition, it seems really good so far though and might supplant the other games.
  10. 6souls -
    6souls's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Kaslo
    I love how everyone bashes Destiny, but then we get 2 people giving it game of the year here. Just think if Destiny delivered on the "cinematic storytelling" it would be making people's head's explode.
    I still have my XI state-of-mind towards the game. I'm addicted to it, but I hate how buggy the gameplay is and clueless the devs come off as. I would love to see the sales numbers for the DLC to see how much of a drop-off it is compared to units sold at launch.