I’m a gamer. I love the style, story, gameplay, and overall charm they bring. Now that there are only two more months left of this year, I’d like to introduce my Top 5 Favorite Games of the Year. The rules I have set for this list are only one per video game franchise or series, and it has to be released in 2014. Also, each game will have its own disclaimer, sharing its genre, just in case it’s one of those violent games. I don’t want any of you buying a game that you’re unhappy with. Also, some of the honorable mentions are violent, so that’s why. Now let’s get on with it, shall we?
- Genre: ACTION PLATFORMER (i.e. Super Mario Bros. & Sonic the Hedgehog)
Sometimes, there’s that one thing that brings back your nostalgia. In the case of video games, there’s Shovel Knight. As far as the story goes, it’s a bit generic but promising. Shovel Knight and his love, Shield Knight, are treasure hunters. One day, they explore the Tower of Fate, and Shovel Knight is knocked out. When he wakes up, Shield Knight is missing and there’s no way out of the Tower. While he is sealed in, an evil wizard called “The Enchantress” becomes the ruler of the land. She then unseals the Tower and Shovel Knight is free to leave. He then decides to find Shield Knight and spread goodness across the land by defeating the Enchantress. This 2D-side scroller offers 8-bit inspired graphics and smooth gameplay. Speaking of which, the gameplay is very similar to the original Mega Man games and DuckTales combined with some sweet music. The bosses in this game are good as well, especially the members of “The Order of No Quarter,” because they’re a huge throwback to Mega Man and are unique in their own way. One of the best parts of the game are the cheat codes. They range from making you giant, to super fast, to even changing most of the dialogue nouns into the word “butt.” How juvenile is that?! My only problem with the gameplay is how the screen works. Imagine this, you’re just walking then you have to make a jump. When you jump, the camera scrolls down and you land in spikes. That’s just lame! To wrap things up, Shovel Knight is a fun game. Even though the story and dialogue may be cliche and cheesy, the nostalgic gameplay is what puts it on the list.
- Genre: ACTION PLATFORMER (i.e. Super Mario Bros. & Sonic the Hedgehog)
I’ve got to be honest here, the Kirby games are one of my all time favorite Nintendo franchises. They have unique power ups, nice plots and plot holes, and some neat characters. Now that Kirby: Triple Deluxe is out, I have a newfound respect for the Nintendo 3DS! The story takes a turn and brings in a beansta-err… Dreamstalk and bugs who want to take over Popstar. Their evil queen, Sectonia, captures King Dedede, thinking he’s Dreamland’s hero, and it’s up to Kirby to save him! This game can only be described as fun. The new power ups are a main highlight of the game. They are: Beetle, which is very unique and enjoyable; Bell, where you attack with sound waves and shield yourself; Archer, which is self explanatory; Circus, where Kirby uses attacks with props you’d see in a circus; and, of course, Supernova. Supernova is the strongest and most iconic power up in the game that really speaks for Kirby’s hunger. The bosses in the game are decent as well, especially the final boss… But I won’t spoil it. This may have been the best Nintendo game of 2014, but there’s one more I’ll get to later…
- Genre: POINT & CLICK SURVIVAL HORROR (i.e. Fran Bow & Outlast)
This one has to be the most controversial on the list but, then again, it’s just my opinion. So, without further ado… Five Nights At Freddy’s. I agree, this game is scary and hard to play. At first, I didn’t understand how to play, but I got used to the strange controls. Finding a genuinely scary horror game is very hard, and this is one of them. The story takes place in a kids’ pizza/arcade parlor called Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, but with a twist. You play as a security guard who’s new on the job. During the night shift, the animatronic characters in the parlor get “glitchy” and tend to wander around. If they see you, they’ll think you’re an exoskeleton and stuff you into their suits…killing you. Out of all the games on this list, this one’s the most unique because of the gameplay mechanics. To survive, you must look at security cameras and spot the robots. Catching the robots on camera will stop some of them from moving. You also have doors to protect you from the robots from reaching you. Despite all the cool gadgets you have, you technology has a power limit and can be drained very fast. If you lose all power, Freddy Fazbear, the parlor’s mascot, does a terrifying jump scare and you lose. Even though this game is very short (with 5 levels and 2 secret levels), the ending is laughable, and the gameplay is FILLED WITH JUMP SCARES, it’s an interesting and scary game.
- Genre: FIGHTING GAME (i.e. PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale & DreamMix TV World Fighters)
You really should’ve seen this coming. The fourth Super Smash Bros. game is pure hype in a nutshell. The Smash Bros. series is one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises, since it consists of famous video game characters fighting to the death. Now, there are new fighters like Rosalina & Luma from Mario, Greninja from the Gen 6 Pokemon, PAC-MAN FROM PAC-MAN, MEGA MAN FROM MEGA MAN, SHULK FROM XENOBLADE CHRONICLES. SHULK IS AMAZING!!! Even though I don’t have a 3DS, I have a Wii U, so I can play it on November 21st. It even has new game modes like Smash Run and they brought the trophy lottery back! There’s even a new boss introduced, and it is very challenging with five phases. Despite being so awesome, the game has its flaws. Some being how some games are only on the 3DS version, and the fan-favorite characters people wanted in the game are not included. They should’ve added Krystal from Star Fox, Travis Touchdown from No More Heroes, and Ridley from Metroid! Either way, Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS and Wii U is an awesome game that I’m so hyped for… But what can beat this?
Before I reveal the top game of 2014, I’d like to list some honorable mentions…
- Genre: ACTION HACK & SLASH (i.e. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance & Dynasty Warriors) – Bayonetta 2: It may be a fun and well anticipated sequel, but the story can get confusing and it’s full of fan-service and religious symbolism I don’t get.
- Genre: ACTION HACK & SLASH (i.e. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance & Dynasty Warriors) – Hyrule Warriors: The game may be fun and hyped, but it didn’t really make the cut for the Top 5.
- Genre: FPS (i.e. Battlefield & Call of Duty) – Sniper Elite 3: The game may be very realistic and unique with great graphics, but it’s too bloody for my taste.
- Genre: TOWER DEFENSE TPS (i.e. Bloons & The Last of Us) – Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare: It’s fun and unique, but it constantly updates.
- Genre: ACTION ADVENTURE STEALTH (i.e. Metal Gear Solid & Batman: Arkham Asylum) – Murdered: Soul Suspect: This was the closest game to be in the top 5, but I’m not that good in stealth games.
- Genre: FPS (i.e. Battlefield & Call of Duty) – Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!: Although the game is hilarious and fun, the gameplay can be bland at times, since most FPS games suck… But not this one!
- Genre: PLATFORMER RPG (i.e. Final Fantasy & Dust: An Elysian Tail) – Child of Light: A RPG with Final Fantasy gameplay and beautiful graphics? Yes, please!
Finally…
- Genre: ACTION PLATFORMER (i.e. Super Mario Bros. & Sonic the Hedgehog)
I bet none of you guys expected this game, plus I don’t think that many people know about it. Anywho, I’ll just get on with it. My favorite game of 2014 is… Freedom Planet! Alright, this one is pretty underrated, because it’s seen as a Sonic ripoff; in fact, it was originally going to be a fan-made Sonic game. Now, it became one of the best games I’ve ever played. The story is simple: an alien overlord steals a powerful stone called the Kingdom Stone. With that, he could destroy the planet. Now, Sash Lilac and her friends have to save the world! Now for the gameplay, I take back everything I said about Shovel Knight. The gameplay is the lovechild of Sonic and Gunstar Heroes. Meaning it has gameplay elements from Sonic, like items that keep you living combined with the sheer amount of insanity and difficulty of Gunstar Heroes. The music is cool as well, I’m not sure what genre it is, but I’d say it’s an orchestral/synthetic/cultural/j-pop/funk/rock mix. The characters are great as well, especially the main villain Lord Brevon, who’s also the best boss in the game. In the end, Freedom Planet is an awesome game. Sure, it’s corny at times in its dialogue, but I still think it’s an awesome game. See you guys next time!
Stay tuned for my review of the film Boyhood…