It wasn't a terrible year, don't get me wrong but it felt like the year for mostly overhyped titles that most of them didn't really reach up to what I was hoping for. Bioshock Infinite and The Last of Us are fine examples of that, one that I believe was a step back for the franchise and the other while still solid, felt too familiar with it's tone. While I appreciate the hard work that the developers have done to make them solid, they just didn't do it for me for various reasons.
So I don't know how to feel about this year to be completely honest. I "might" talk about it another time but for now, let's focus on what to expect in the new year!
With all of the new systems released this year with the Xbox One and Playstation 4 and the Wii U getting a head start. The new generation is now set in stone and ready (and this includes PC and handheld gaming too). So what exactly are the big ones to look forward to?
That is someone that you have to decide for yourself but for me? Here's my list of the Most Anticipated game of 2014 and let's start off with a few no-brainers.
Watch_Dogs
The anticipation for this game may have died down a bit due to the surprise delay that happened a month before it's intended release but at least it shows that Ubisoft is willing to add extra polish to a game that shows promise from it's unveiling at the Press Conference at E3 back in 2012.
The details on the story and the characters including the protagonist Aiden Pearce may be scarce but the gameplay, visuals and features shows a lot to keep the players attention with a city having surveillance 24/7, the ability to hack to accomplish goals and the combat and driving looking smooth and functional as any good game should be.
Looking forward to seeing more as well as an official date (Sadly, my Wii U version of the Dedsec edition had to be changed to PS4 due to the said edition on the Wii U being cancelled).
Infamous: Second Son
My most anticipated game for the PS4 ever since it was announced and all I hope is that the wait is worth it as coming from a fan of the series after playing through both games as well as the Halloween-esque downloadable title Festival of Blood. I can only hope that Second Son can surpass if at least match the greatness of it's predecessors.
With a more different tone, different character, different powers and an impressive visual look. This is one of the finer examples of what the PS4 can do and I hope it does it justice. I pray for you, Sucker Punch!
Child of Light
Stepping out of the action genre for a moment as we enter into RPGs and it's another Ubisoft title to our surprise. Child of Light is their tribute to the classic Japanese, turn-based RPGs under the same director of Far Cry 3 (a complete change in tone there!) and using the UbiArts engine which was used in the excellent Rayman Origins and Legends.
The story is shown in a beautiful 2D watercolour painting look, dialogue told in rhyme as if we're listening to a story book and the mechanics has a level of exploration in a 2D plane with battle mechanics that are tried and true to the genre.
As long as the story keeps our attention without any bizarre turn overs or screws up the formula, this is one game to look out on every RPG-gamers radar.
Mario Kart 8
Moving to Nintendo, I've been a Mario Kart player since the very beginning on the SNES, so this is a must. I don't think I've ever played a Mario Kart game that I didn't like (with minor exception of Double Dash on the Gamecube as I couldn't get into it) so I expect to be just as great if not better than the last.
I don't think there's much I can say about it as it speaks for itself as it'll be fun to play solo and multiplayer (local and online) and some of the new additions like the new anti-gravity sections are more than welcome but I can say that it's visually one of the most impressive I've seen on the Wii U hands-down and it was from my impression of the debut trailer!
If a trailer like that can impress me, then surely it's something to look forward to! Speaking of the Wii U...
Bayonetta 2
One of the more surprising announcements that happened a long while ago is when the sequel to Platinum Games cult favourite is a Nintendo exclusive. I have a strange history with the first one as I was kind of hyped and then it died down for me when I got into it and didn't get around to finishing it until 3 years later after I got it for my birthday and while I regret that I didn't play more of it back then, I can say it's one of the best action games on the previous generation.
The information about this game is small but they have detailed about the different control methods (including using the touchpad), a 2-player mode, the story not only involves fighting angels but also demons. I expect nothing more but the same awesome action that was featured from the first game but tweaked to make it more exciting and to be honest here, that new haircut looks really awesome even if it does seem a bit jarring since here attacks and clothes are made of hair.
When will the Umbran witch return is the big question?
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
One of my favourite indie games of 2012 is coming back with a vengeance. I don't know what to say about this one aside from the fact that it's a new story with not one but 4 characters to play around as, new mechanics added into the game, new music while retaining the tone and look of the original hard-as-balls gem that was released on PC then later on Sony's consoles.
No confirmed date as of this moment but only time can tell when players can don the mask and answer the question, "Do you like hurting people?" again.
Dying Light
Techland's Dead Island series isn't exactly a horror masterpiece nor is it a "great" series by any stretch of the imagination but is one of those guilty pleasures for me as it offers great fun even if it is a bit repetitive. Dying Light is a different kind of zombie game while still being familiar. Mixing in the open world, co-op fun of Dead Island mixed in with Mirror's Edge style parkour and a day/night cycle that changes the zombies aggression (hence the title) making it more of a challenge to get back to safety.
While I'm rather annoyed by the competitive multiplayer feature being a pre-order bonus (not surprised since WB games are publishing it) that doesn't put me off from trying out this interesting entry of a well-worn genre. I'm surprised that I ain't sick of zombies yet.
Murdered: Soul Suspect
I nearly forgot about this one as it was one of the more genuine reveals that happened during the start of the year to it's showcase at E3. Whenever Square-Enix publish a new IP from their Western division, it's something to be interested in like the excellent Sleeping Dogs for example.
I'm hoping Mudered: Soul Suspect does the same thing with as the premise of a detective in form of a ghost solving his own murder already has a lot of potential as well as some of the gameplay has been showing a lot of intrigue on how it's like LA Noire and Ghost Trick mixed together. Definitely something worth looking forward to and how the game unravels.
So that's pretty much it for the most anticipated games that I'm looking out for in 2014 but there are a few more honorable mentions that I would like to point out though...
- Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 (Haven't finished the previous ones but I love them)
- DanganRonpa: Happy Trigger Havoc (Not a fan of visual novels but I liked the anime based on this game)
- D4 (Swery65's next strange game and it's an Xbox One Exclusive of all things!)
- Quantum Break (Remedy has been light about this one but I'm still interested regardless)
- Mario Golf: World Tour (Been a long time for a new Mario Golf game to come)
- Jojo's Bizarre Adventure All-Star Battle (Enjoyed the new anime series, so this is worth looking at)
- Oddworld: New 'n Tasty (a remake of an old favourite on the PS1)
- Persona Q (Not sure if it'll come out this year or at all but have high hopes though!)
- The Evil Within (Can Mikami make horror games scary again, we'll see)
- Broken Age (Double Fine's Kickstarter project has a lot of promise)
- Shovel Knight (One kickstarter I backed and looking forward to it!)
- South Park: The Stick of Truth (The long delays has me worried but still keen for it as a fan)
- Kingdom Under Fire II (Five years and hopefully, it'll be out this time!)
- Transistor (Bastion was a solid game so hopefully SuperGiant Games can do it again!)
- Trials Frontier/Fusion (I love the Trials games so this is a no-brainer)
- Final Fantasy XV (Would put it on the list but there hasn't been any major update as of late)
- Valiant Hearts: The Great War (Another unique title coming from Ubisoft)
- Game of Thrones by Telltale (They're really on a role but haven't heard much yet)
Well, that's all of the honorable mentions, there are more games that I'm looking out for but not as excited as the ones I've listed. Please tell me what games are you excited for in 2014 and until then, Have a happy new year and I'll see you all later!
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Bonus: A list of games that I enjoyed in 2013...
DmC: Devil May Cry
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
Brothers: A tale of two sons
Tomb Raider
Grand Theft Auto V
Payday 2
Beyond: Two Souls
The Last of Us
Deadly Premonition: Director’s Cut (Special Mention)
Steamworld Dig
The Wonderful 101
Rayman Legends
Pokemon X
Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The Wolf Among Us (Special Mention)
