Some games are about being handed a world-massive and well-defined-and just never wanting to leave.ĭragon Age: Inquisition is that sort of game. Some of the very best games aren't about perfecting your ability to play them or riding a roller coaster of predefined events. It's a compelling, enjoyable piece of world-building that will provide dozens of hours of entertainment, and for me it's easily the best game to be released in 2014.įurther Reading Dragon Age: Inquisition-Let’s spend some time together Developer: Bioware Underpinning this is an engaging pseudo-antagonist, a variety of colorful characters, and a story that's sufficient, if underdeveloped. It is an environment to get lost in, to casually stroll around, take a ride on an elephant, watch the wildlife, venture into long forgotten caves, soar through the air on a hang glider or in a wing suit, and fly around in an autogyro. The world it takes you to is, of course, beautiful, rich with exploration and adventure.
STORM ISLAND FORZA HORIZON 2 JUMP BUCKETLIST SERIES
Instead, it is the Far Cry series perfected.
Normally, it would be disappointing for a sequel to feel so similar to its predecessor that it hardly feels like a new game at all. Ubisoft has been building these exotic, open-world first person shooters for a number of years now, and Far Cry 4 does nothing to shake up the formula. Platforms: PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360įar Cry 4 is a remarkable thing. Anyone looking for a game that doesn't involve shooting things, or even interacting with human characters, should check it out.įurther Reading Far Cry 4 review: It’s déjà vu all over again, and I love it Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Threes! may be a little more imposing than those simple, swipey addictions, but it's also much more rewarding when you master its intricacies. The basic design and interface are so spare and simple that Threes! has inspired an entire genre of clones, such as the annoyingly popular 2048, that keep the veneer but remove all the strategy. That practice never feels like work, though, thanks to a simple interface and a design infused with just enough luck to push you into an endless "just one more game" loop of testing and learning. Arranging the numbered tiles so they line up to merge into larger and larger numbers requires the kind of lateral, "look-three-steps-ahead" thinking that only comes with practice. It's rare these days to see a new puzzle game that isn't just a modification of some previous puzzle genre, slapped with a new coat of paint or a slight gameplay tweak to make it feel "new." Threes! came out of nowhere early in the year, though, with a completely original tile-sliding concept that is graspable in minutes but difficult to master even with months of practice. Oh, and did we mention that the soundtrack is amazing? Because it is.įurther Reading Number the tiles: Why Threes is my latest iOS gaming obsession Developers: Asher Vollmer, Greg Wohlwend, Jimmy Hinson
If a better racing game came out in 2014 for any platform, we’re unaware. On top of all that, a new DLC expansion, Storm Island, arrived in the middle of December. A great online community has helped keep the game feeling fresh, as have regularly updated bucket list challenges in single player mode. Dynamic weather and day-to-night transitions-long requested by players-finally make an appearance, as have all the painting and tuning options of the circuit-focused Forza Motorsport 5.įans of the old Project Gotham Racing games will recognize that series’ spiritual successor in Horizon 2, and the gameplay is accessible and engaging. Playground Games has built on the underlying game engine created by Turn 10 to create an automotive open world with mass appeal. This was the second serving of top-tier racing fun for the Xbox One and the latest in an ever-growing franchise of racing games that now rival the legendary Gran Turismo games for breadth and depth. Further Reading Forza Horizon 2: massive multiplayer online, massive fun Developer: Turn 10 Studios