The Past Is Prime For PC Game Thrills; Which Of These Did You Overlook?
People say that dwelling on the past won’t bring you happiness. Well, games released last year could be considered the past, right? Chances are you can find plenty of happiness dwelling on those for a while.
Perhaps you planned on playing these titles and they slipped into the past. No sweat. You are currently reading a list of the 10 best PC games of 2014. Let’s dwell on the past for a while, shall we?
1. Shadowrun: Dragonfall
Trailer for the Director's Cut edition of Shadowrun: Dragonfall.
Assuming leadership over a group of individuals is never easy. Especially when conflicts of interest arise. In Shadowrun: Dragonfall, this is your dilemma. Not to mention rumors of a not so dead dragon that is hot on your trail. Nothing you can’t handle, right?
The year is 2054, and all magic aside, you find yourself in a forseeable future. Man and machine have melded. Magic is commonplace. Despite technological and arcane advancements, times are rough. As a shadow runner you know this and are willing to take on extra risk for a decent payout.
Rundown neighborhoods and gang skirmishes are common sights.
Tabletop fans, this title stays true to the source. You pick an archetype foundation, but after that the classless system cuts the leash. Take your skill points and run any direction you choose. Frontline Shaman brawler anyone?
A variety of stats can be picked for specialization.
Because combat is turn based and tactical, team positioning is just as important as using the right skills. The 20+ hour campaign gives you time to get comfortable with the flow. Grab your favorite beverage, munchies, and enjoy one of the best story driven experiences from 2014.
2. Divinity: Original Sin
Divinity: Original Sin's launch trailer.
Welcome to Rivellon, a land teeming with hidden objects and strange encounters. A world full of interesting characters ready to serve up rich narratives. If you’re seeking spontaneity that is the hallmark of tabletop RPG’s, Divinity: Original Sin won’t let you down.
Giant spiders. Ahhhhh!
Combat is turn based and once again, rigid classes are nowhere to be found. So go forth, drink unhealthy amounts of wine and amount to nothing more than a hollering hooligan if that be your roleplay desire.
An effective roll system adds personality to the game.
Mystery. It’s all about the mystery. The plot is not served to you on a silver platter. Divinity: Original Sin will reward you for your effort and then turn around and give you a boot to the face.
3. The Talos Principle
Launch trailer for The Talos Principle.
Dilemmas abound in The Talos Principle. The first is you find yourself spawned and hearing the voice of the creator, Elohim. According to him, your salvation is close at hand. All you have to do is solve a series of puzzles and collect sigils. Already off to a crazy start. The second arises when you see an ominous spire impaling the clouds. Do you go against the wishes of Elohim and explore its mysteries?
Anyone else think Tetris?
The developers have created an immersive experience. The music is peaceful. The puzzles are challenging yet fun. And the voice of Elohim booms in your eardrums as you progress through the world. Portal fans, prepare for flashbacks because you will be using lasers and cubes to complete puzzles.
Makes you want to come back at night for the lightshow.
If you’re a puzzle fan, The Talos Principle is worth a trip back to 2014. Even if puzzlers aren’t your thing, the compelling plot and stunning visuals are reason enough to check this one out.
4. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth's launch trailer.
In The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, an overbearing mother has forced Isaac to retreat to the basement. The basement of his mind. Naked and depressed, you will launch tears of despair at Isaac’s deepest fears.
Fling those tears, naked boy.
Randomly generated levels give Rebirth a high replay value. Pickups are plentiful and will grant you new abilities or augment what you already have. Monster variety, including plenty of boss encounters, add novelty as you navigate the darkness.
Shoot that poop, masked man.
Will your wits hold out against what lurks in the dark recesses of your own mind?
5. Legend of Grimrock II
Launch trailer for Legend of Grimrock II.
First person dungeon crawler. If the previous sentence excites you, Legend of Grimrock II is for you.
Shipwrecked on a peculiar island, you find yourself in charge of four prisoners. The island, known as Nex, is beautiful. But the traps are not and Nex is littered with them. What are these traps protecting and who set them up?
Only step on the blue ones. Or was it the orange ones?
Navigation takes place on a grid which gives the game a tactical feel. And customization options are all that you’d expect from an RPG that stays true to the roots of its genre. The lush world and its varied inhabitants look splendid in first-person. Enemies appear to lunge out of your screen to land their attacks.
She just wants a hug.
Exploration typically isn’t a highlight in dungeon crawlers. Legend of Grimrock II turns that notion upside down. Venture forth — collect and craft your way to victory. Demystify the island.
6. Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Valiant Heart's launch trailer.
How does a history lesson in disguise sound to you? I haven’t had a single person tell me that sounds like a bad idea. Well, that is exactly what Valiant Hearts is.
These handrawn scenes are stunning.
World War I is in full swing. Families are torn apart by the call to serve. As you advance through the game by solving puzzles, you are rewarded with morsels of factual information pertaining to the war. Oh yes, and pieces of the fictional story. Good work soldier, now solve more puzzles.
Did you know that tanks got their name due to being disguised as water transports?
It’s a vicious, err, glorious cycle that capitalizes on your thirst for more facts. By the time you realize you’re hooked, the game is over. How about it? Why not play a video game and educate yourself simultaneously?
7. The Banner Saga
The Banner Saga's launch trailer.
Grab your axe and kiss your family goodbye. The Banner Saga is a story that unfurls in Viking country as an endless legion of dredge threaten the safety of citizens across the land. But are they the only threat?
Threats from within are just as problematic as threats from outside.
Gameplay is reminiscent of The Oregon Trail in that you travel caravan style and supplies decide the fate of your group. Although obstacles in The Banner Saga make The Oregon Trail look like a cake walk. Narrative intensive situations provide you with many options. Options that carry a variety of consequences.
Expend willpower to reach yellow tiles.
The combat system reminds me of Final Fantasy Tactics. If you enjoyed that fighting experience, you shouldn’t have any issues with combat in The Banner Saga. Boasting 25 playable characters, this gem will keep you entertained until the kids come home from school.
8. Alien: Isolation
Launch trailer for Alien: Isolation.
Do you enjoy suffer through horror games? Me too. I watch my friends’ Steam broadcasts and ALT + Tab out when I know something bad is around the corner. If you’re brave enough, Alien: Isolation is waiting for you.
Located on a remote space station, you take control of Amanda. A woman on a quest for answers regarding the death of her sister. The investigation quickly turns into a survial mission as an aggressive adversary makes it clear that you resemble a tasty bag of chips.
But you aren't snack food are you?
Where is my bag of chips?
The environment is crucial to your survival. So bury your face in a filing cabinet! Pretend you’re a statue! Or you can be more resourceful and craft items that will keep your heart pumping.
Scanner looks good. Tunnel looks iffy...
As we all know in horror games, intervals of homeostasis are short lived. You will once again be on the run from the answers you seek.
9. Wolfenstein: The New Order
The New Order's stealth and mayhem trailer.
Brought to you by a team of storytelling gurus, The New Order is an FPS that depicts the 1960 reality that would’ve been if the Nazi regime had prevailed. Thankfully there are always people like you, ready to join the resistance.
Do you prefer stealth?
To curb this threat you will have to infiltrate and upgrade. The Nazi regime has some wicked technology that you will delight in operating. But weaponry isn’t the only source of joy in The New Order. Dialogues are engaging and some of the villians are downright scary.
Or mayhem?
Wolfenstein is one of those names that led us into the golden age of FPS’s. You will find The New Order is every bit as golden as its predecessors.
10. Transistor
Transistor's reveal trailer.
Transistor mixes a futuristic atmosphere with a story of betrayal and vengeance.
You play as Red, a singer renowned for using her voice to sow seeds of dissent. Unexpectedly, the Camerata strike you with their ultimate weapon, Transistor. The strike was meant to take your life, but you end up losing two things. Your voice. And your friend who heroically took the brunt of the blow is trapped inside the blade.
Red, striking a pose as she contemplates her next move.
The quest to reclaim your voice and free your friend takes you across the city of Cloudbank. A city crawling with hostile entities known as the Process that will destroy you on sight. Courtesy of the Camerata.
Red, facing off against The Process.
Combat is versatile in that you can fight in real time or opt for a turn based approach. Think V.A.T.S. from Fallout. Spend your action points and unleash an onslaught of queued attacks. Transistor is a blank slate ready to be modified with a variety of attacks and abilities. Mod the blade until it’s yours and then show the Camerata what it can do.
You're welcome. And remember, the next time someone says you need to stop dwelling on the past, tell them that is exactly what you plan to do. Then play some PC games.
