*I played many other games released in 2014, but didn't enjoy them enough to include them on my list.
Dungeon of the Endless
Dungeon of the Endless is not a typical roguelike. It incorporates many elements from the genre while adding features from other genres like tower defense and party management that makes this game one of a kind. Definitely the most surprising and unique game I played last year.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Shadow of Mordor is brutal in both its visual style and its challenges. I found myself outnumbered in every situation, and if I recall correctly there is not a single friendly NPC that can provide support. You are behind enemy lines, and the game creates a great sense of guerrilla warfare. I love the freeflow combat style of the Arkham games, but I found that the small number of enemies onscreen and the few different enemy types made the combat too easy. Shadow of Mordor fixes both of these problems by giving the player 20+ enemies to fight as a consequence for their failure at stealth, as well as many different enemy types that work in unison with each other.
Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight is the best retro platformer I have played. The games it takes inspiration from were made before my time, but I have done plenty of research on DuckTales, Mega Man, and the original Mario games. The wonderful pixel art, chiptune soundtrack, and challenging gameplay come together to create an atmosphere of adventure and wonder.
The Walking Dead: Season 2
Season 2 was a powerful story about the coming of age for Clementine in her new harsh world. This season stood on its own, something I was worried wouldn't be able to happen.
Watch Dogs
While I didn't like the driving and I felt the city was rather boring, I enjoyed my time avoiding the police on the streets of Chicago. The performance on PC leaves much to be desired.
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
I haven't played nearly as much of Hearthstone as I should, but it is definitely my favorite (and really only) digital card game I've played.
The Elder Scrolls Online
The scope of this MMO is beyond most other MMOs. The voice acting is consistently some of the best in gaming, and every NPC is voiced! The art style allows for much variation throughout the different zones, and most of the gear and weapons look epic. The combat is fast and fluid for an MMO, and when combined with the excellent soundtrack, killing mobs in the world of Tamriel is a thrilling experience. The PvP leaves much to be desired, however, as the massive zerg battles doesn't create any sense of accomplishment. The lengthy travel time to battles in PvP is also annoying after quick deaths.
