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Our highest review scores of 2014

By Tyler Wilde
published 1 January 2015

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The best games of 2014

The best games of 2014

Review scores are the source of much internet rabblerousery, but they do serve a purpose beyond firestarting. They are, to us, an abstraction of a reviewer's feelings about a game—not a scientific measurement of success, but a convenient utility.

They're especially useful for cataloging, as we have here with our top rated games of 2014, a collection of all the games we scored 85% and up (with one 84% on account of its Editor's Choice distinction). No subjective numerating from multiple people will produce a flawlessly consistent scale, but what we chose to celebrate the most this year still represents our values and the games we most heartily recommend. Consider all of these excellent ways to spend your time.

Page 1 of 36
Page 1 of 36
The Talos Principle

The Talos Principle

84% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review

An adept and satisfying puzzle game with a narrative that requires a bit of player investment to yield its biggest rewards.

Page 2 of 36
Page 2 of 36
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

85% | Read the review | Andy's 2014 Personal Pick

The tech specs are demanding, but this is the Middle-Earth game to rule them all.

Page 3 of 36
Page 3 of 36
Never Alone

Never Alone

85% | Read the review

A beautiful, fascinating exploration of a world that may soon be nothing more than fantasy.

Page 4 of 36
Page 4 of 36
Dark Souls 2

Dark Souls 2

85% | Read the review

A whole new challenge for diehards, and a lot of content for your money.

Page 5 of 36
Page 5 of 36
Xenonauts

Xenonauts

85% | Read the review | Phil's 2014 Personal Pick

With deep strategic systems, omnipresent dread, and clean turn-based combat, Xenonauts is a triumph of rebooted game design.

Page 6 of 36
Page 6 of 36
Blade Symphony

Blade Symphony

85% | Read the review | Chris T's 2014 Personal Pick

Blade Symphony's duels are electrifying and intimate, more than making up for a lack of content.

Page 7 of 36
Page 7 of 36
Smite

Smite

85% | Read the review

Smite makes the MOBA more approachable with smart tweaks to the formula and action RPG-inspired combat.

Page 8 of 36
Page 8 of 36
Titanfall

Titanfall

85% | Read the review | Shaun's 2014 Personal Pick

The most exciting multiplayer shooter in recent years, held back from greatness by its questionable staying power.

Page 9 of 36
Page 9 of 36
Trials Fusion

Trials Fusion

85% | Read the review

Fusion's thrill isn't in leaping a yawning chasm as a jet screams below, but in simply clearing an overhanging ledge.

Page 10 of 36
Page 10 of 36
The Castle Doctrine

The Castle Doctrine

85% | Read the review

A merciless and thoughtfully-designed online strategy game whose clever systems enable a unique and troubling experience.

Page 11 of 36
Page 11 of 36
Resident Evil 4 HD

Resident Evil 4 HD

85% | Read the review

Resident Evil 4 is still a masterful shooter nine years later. Occasional slowdown caused by the locked 60 fps framerate hampers an otherwise great port.

Page 12 of 36
Page 12 of 36
Legend of Grimrock 2

Legend of Grimrock 2

85% | Read the review | Tyler's 2014 Personal Pick

A sublime blend of fighting, puzzling and exploration, but the unforgiving difficulty may be too much for some.

Page 13 of 36
Page 13 of 36
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions

86% | Read the review

Difficulty spikes aside, this is a great PC edition of a fantastic arcade shooter.

Page 14 of 36
Page 14 of 36
Grid Autosport

Grid Autosport

86% | Read the review

No flashy new features or buzzwords, just magnificent racing stemming from a refinement of Grid 1’s greatness.

Page 15 of 36
Page 15 of 36
Broken Age: Act 1

Broken Age: Act 1

86% | Read the review

A great start for an adventure proud to have graduated from one of gaming's finest old schools.

Page 16 of 36
Page 16 of 36
Ultra Street Fighter IV

Ultra Street Fighter IV

86% | Read the review

The definitive version of Street Fighter IV, but not the best until its technical problems are solved.

Page 17 of 36
Page 17 of 36
Battleblock Theater

Battleblock Theater

86% | Read the review

Charming, clever and funny, this is one of the best new platformers on the PC at the moment. Recommended.

Page 18 of 36
Page 18 of 36
Elite: Dangerous

Elite: Dangerous

86% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review

A great game and, with time, potentially a classic. Much rests on Frontier's ability to build on these broad but somewhat shallow foundations.

Page 19 of 36
Page 19 of 36
Civilization: Beyond Earth

Civilization: Beyond Earth

87% | Read the review

Although its foundation in Civ 5 makes it familiar, Beyond Earth is full of interesting surprises that are pleasantly difficult to master.

Page 20 of 36
Page 20 of 36
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

87% | Read the review

A deep, entertaining stealth sandbox with endless scope for mastery. You kept us waiting, Kojima, but it was worth it.

Page 21 of 36
Page 21 of 36
Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls

Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls

87% | Read the review | Tom Senior's 2014 Personal Pick

The story is lacking, but great environments, a new class, and more freedom—partially from the free patch—make for a better Diablo III.

Page 22 of 36
Page 22 of 36
Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition

87% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review | 2014 GOTY Awards: Best Singleplayer

A fantastic campaign and massive open environments, soured only slightly by minor, persistent flaws.

Page 23 of 36
Page 23 of 36
Divinity: Original Sin

Divinity: Original Sin

87% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review | 2014 GOTY Awards: Spirit of the PC

A little obtuse in places, but otherwise this is the best new RPG in years. Demands your time and your brain, but it's worth it.

Page 24 of 36
Page 24 of 36
NBA 2K15

NBA 2K15

88% | Read the review

A stunning and packed basketball sim, with a PC version finally on a par with consoles.

Page 25 of 36
Page 25 of 36
Far Cry 4

Far Cry 4

89% | Read the review

An absurdly entertaining open world playground that’s at its best when it breaks away from script. Shame about those tailing missions.

Page 26 of 36
Page 26 of 36
Endless Legend

Endless Legend

89% | Read the review | 2014 GOTY Awards: Commendation for Design

An endless gasp of fresh air for a staid genre.

Page 27 of 36
Page 27 of 36
Wildstar

Wildstar

89% | Read the review

Clever questing and a stand-out combat system make for an entertaining MMO that's as large as it is full of character.

Page 28 of 36
Page 28 of 36
Metro 2033 Redux

Metro 2033 Redux

90% | Read the review

A valuable remake that makes the original Metro feel complete on PC.

Page 29 of 36
Page 29 of 36
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor

World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor

90% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review

A powerful reminder of why nobody has ever truly taken Warcraft’s rusty crown.

Page 30 of 36
Page 30 of 36
Towerfall: Ascension

Towerfall: Ascension

90% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review | 2014 GOTY Awards: Best Multiplayer

A single-screen platform brawler that’s about as good as the genre has ever been—in versus or wave-survival mode.

Page 31 of 36
Page 31 of 36
South Park: The Stick of Truth

South Park: The Stick of Truth

90% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review | Tim's 2014 Personal Pick

A fun, polished, handcrafted RPG attached to a genuinely funny 15-hour-long South Park episode.

Page 32 of 36
Page 32 of 36
Ikaruga

Ikaruga

92% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review

Infuriatingly difficult, but perfectly constructed. Ikaruga is the PC's best bullet-hell shooter.

Page 33 of 36
Page 33 of 36
Jazzpunk

Jazzpunk

92% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review | 2014 GOTY Awards: Most Original Game

Stylish, inventive and easily one of the funniest games in years. Jazzpunk just wants to make you laugh. Don't worry, it will.

Page 34 of 36
Page 34 of 36
Nidhogg

Nidhogg

93% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review

A brilliant marriage of mechanics, level design and music that will be played and talked about for years to come.

Page 35 of 36
Page 35 of 36
Alien Isolation

Alien Isolation

93% (Editor's Choice) | Read the review | Our 2014 Game of the Year

The game the Alien series has always deserved. A deep, fun stealth game set in an evocatively realised sci-fi world.

Page 36 of 36
Page 36 of 36
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Tyler Wilde
Tyler Wilde
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Executive Editor

Tyler grew up in Silicon Valley during the rise of personal computers, playing games like Zork and Arkanoid on the early PCs his parents brought home. He was later captivated by Myst, SimCity, Civilization, Command & Conquer, Bushido Blade (yeah, he had Bleem!), and all the shooters they call "boomer shooters" now. In 2006, Tyler wrote his first professional review of a videogame: Super Dragon Ball Z for the PS2. He thought it was OK. In 2011, he joined PC Gamer, and today he's focused on the site's news coverage. His hobbies include amateur boxing and adding to his 1,200-plus hours in Rocket League.

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