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NeoGAF Games of the Year 2014 Awards

Awesome. That Nintendo seal of quality... They definitely brought their game last year. This year is going to be INSANE with the big three all looking to unleash everything they got. I predict Nintendo will again be the most consistent, but no way will they dominate the top 10. I'm guessing only Zelda will make the top five along with Uncharted, MGS, and Bloodborne.
 

Cream

Banned
Not even that, considering that the top games also are all the worthwhile Nintendo games last year to begin with. Which means, droughts up to 5 months between these titles happened (and god forbid you actually don't like one or two of these games) and 3DS dropped the ball significantly compared to 2013. Not a very good year all around. Thankfully this one seems better, I might have to get two new machines (New3DS, and maybe whatever PS4 bundle comes in)

Legitimate question, but can someone draw up a chart of the number of posts where Spieler has said the word "drought"?

Nevermind, I did it. 40-56 times., between drought and droughts. Fascinating.
 

Zia

Member
I'm really surprised by the low placement of Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, which along with Ultra Street Fighter IV was one of my two (unpublished) honorable mentions.

It was exclusive to Sony platforms, the best thing Arc has done and the best game on the PlayStation 4, which had little else going for it in 2014. Seems like it should've garnered a lot more attention here but I guess Anime combined with it launching so late in the year means that it was largely overlooked.
 
One of the best action games of all time and one of the best 2d platformers of all time, alongside WRPG revival and flourishing indie scene.

It's the best year we've had in a while.

Great year for fans of fighting games too. Guilty Gear Xrd, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Ultra Street Fighter IV, BlazBlue CP, Under Night In-Birth (JP), Arcana Heart 3 LOVE MAX!!!!, Gundam Extreme VS Full Boost, and Smash Bros.

Excellent year.
 

Silky

Banned
I'm really surprised by the low placement of Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, which along with Ultra Street Fighter IV was one of my two (unpublished) honorable mentions.

Smash came out this year. Any of those games placing high on the fighting game chart is incredibly unlikely.

Could be worse. You could be a Killer Instinct fan.

Haha....ha....ha..

:(
 
So much data! Based Cheese and time!

Ninty delivered in spades.

xkN4nYu.jpg
 

GamerJM

Banned
Legitimate question, but can someone draw up a chart of the number of posts where Spieler has said the word "drought"?

Nevermind, I did it. 40-56 times., between drought and droughts. Fascinating.

I mean....he's not wrong. Wii U dominated my top 10 as well but I play a lot more than 10 games a year.
 

10k

Banned
My rankings:

1. Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
2. Bayonetta 2
3. Infamous: Second Son
4. Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
5. Halo: The Masterchief Collection
6. South Park: The Stick of Truth
7. Hyrule Warriors
8. Mario Kart 8
9. Captain Toad Treasure Tracker
10. Middle Earth: Shadows of Mordor

GAF's rankings

3. Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
1. Bayonetta 2
13. Infamous: Second Son
6. Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
76. Halo: The Masterchief Collection
8. South Park: The Stick of Truth
42. Hyrule Warriors
2. Mario Kart 8
33. Captain Toad Treasure Tracker
9. Middle Earth: Shadows of Mordor

6 of my top 10 made it into GAF's top 10.
 
No, because as Silky stated above, despite quality, it appeals to such a small audience that there's no way it has a chance to win what is a popularity contest. A GAF popularity contest, but a popularity contest nontheless. Divinity, despite being hailed by WRPG enthusiasts as totally hot shit, had no exposure and was exclusive to one console. This poll doesn't really account for things like that.

To be fair, Bayo 2 was talked about a lot here but hell, I'd be surprised if it even sold more than Divinity. So yea
 
I'm really surprised by the low placement of Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, which along with Ultra Street Fighter IV was one of my two (unpublished) honorable mentions.

It was exclusive to Sony platforms, the best thing Arc has done and the best game on the PlayStation 4, which had little else going for it in 2014. Seems like it should've garnered a lot more attention here but I guess Anime combined with it launching so late in the year means that it was largely overlooked.

The best game on PS4 is Transistor. Maybe you've never heard of it.
 

Sendou

Member
No, because as Silky stated above, despite quality, it appeals to such a small audience that there's no way it has a chance to win what is a popularity contest. A GAF popularity contest, but a popularity contest nontheless. Divinity, despite being hailed by WRPG enthusiasts as totally hot shit, had no exposure and was exclusive to one console. This poll doesn't really account for things like that.

So how does top three have three Wii U games (install base less than 10 million) then?

I played Divinity and it didn't make it to my list. It's not objectively something that deserves a spot there or anything.
 

Kolgar

Member
Great list. Wow at the Nintendo love. Really interesting that the top game maker is struggling so in the marketplace.

All quality choices. I'd have swapped out Driveclub in favor of Forza Horizon 2, and moved it further up the list, but otherwise, it's hard to find fault.

Good job, GAF.
 
Hexcells got screwed by having multiple releases in one year. The franchise did score enough points to place higher than Hohokum in the puzzle category.
 

Busaiku

Member
Legitimate question, but can someone draw up a chart of the number of posts where Spieler has said the word "drought"?

Nevermind, I did it. 40-56 times., between drought and droughts. Fascinating.

It had some of the best games this year, no doubt, but those were basically the only games this year.
Not only that, but they're typically shorter games (not like RPGs, and besides Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros for Wii U, single player focused).

If you play 8 games a year, that's great.
But if you play 30+ games a year, that's definitely a drought.
 

Anth0ny

Member
GAF's rankings x my rankings

6. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
1. Bayonetta 2
5. Dark Souls II
3. Super Smash Bros for Wii U
10. Shovel Knight
30. Captain Toad
39. Hyrule Warriors
2. Mario Kart 8
43. Pokemon Omega Ruby

Not bad at all.

My affinity:


I recognize some of those names! You guys know your stuff.

hi by2k


Recommendations:

Anth0ny
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=147715604&postcount=1698
1. [360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] The Evil Within (Horror) = 3 points, 1 honorable mention
2. [360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (Action) = 3 points, 1 honorable mention
3. [3DS] Kirby: Triple Deluxe (Platform) = 3 points, 1 honorable mention
4. [NDS] Ace Attorney Investigations 2 (Adventure) = 3 points
5. [3DS] Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Puzzle) = 3 points
6. [NWU] Mario Kart 8: DLC Pack 1 (Racing) = 2 points
7. [360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] Wolfenstein: The New Order (FPS) = 2 points
8. [360][PS3][PC] South Park: The Stick of Truth (RPG) = 2 points
9. [3DS] Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call (Rhythm) = 2 points
10. [360][XB1][PC] Titanfall (FPS) = 1 point, 1 honorable mention
11. [3DS] Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (RPG) = 1 point
12. [XB1][PS4] Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition (RPG) = 1 point
13. [360][XB1][PS3][PS4] Destiny (FPS) = 1 point
14. [360][XB1][PS3][PSV][PS4][NWU][PC] Child of Light (RPG) = 1 point
15. [360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare (Strategy) = 1 point
16. [PS4][PC] TowerFall Ascension (Action) = 1 point
17. [PS3][PSV] Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F 2nd (Rhythm) = 1 point
18. [360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (FPS) = 1 point
19. [NWU] Pushmo World (Puzzle) = 1 point
20. [3DS] Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (Puzzle) = 0 points, 1 honorable mention
21. [PS4] P.T. (Horror) = 0 points, 1 honorable mention
22. [3DS] Azure Striker Gunvolt (Action) = 0 points, 1 honorable mention
22. [PS4] Infamous: Second Son (Action) = 0 points, 1 honorable mention
24. [3DS] Bravely Default (RPG) = 0 points, 1 honorable mention
25. [360][XB1][PS3][PSV][PS4][PC][IOS][AND] The Wolf Among Us: Episodes 2-5 (Adventure) = 0 points, 1 honorable mention
26. [XB1][PS4][PC] Assassin's Creed Unity (Adventure) = 0 points, 1 honorable mention
27. [360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] The Legend of Korra (Action) = 0 points, 1 honorable mention

Already played those first two, didn't deem either of them GOTY worthy. I guess I need to check out Kirby and some Ace Attorney games!
 

hitmon

Member
Thanks for putting all this together and compiling the data guys. Interesting, Drive Club and Far Cry 4 were the two highest recommended games for me.
 
GAF's rankings x my rankings

6. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
1. Bayonetta 2
5. Dark Souls II
3. Super Smash Bros for Wii U
10. Shovel Knight
30. Captain Toad
39. Hyrule Warriors
2. Mario Kart 8
43. Pokemon Omega Ruby

Not bad at all.

My affinity:



I recognize some of those names! You guys know your stuff.

hi by2k

You were tied for my highest affinity at 75. Weird.
 

mr stroke

Member
So much Nintendo love wow

While some of those top games are good, they don't deserve top spots(smash and mk8) IMO, as they feel like retreads of previous games.
 

spekkeh

Banned
To be fair, Bayo 2 was talked about a lot here but hell, I'd be surprised if it even sold more than Divinity. So yea
Good point, Bayo's sales were atrocious. I guess every last Nintendo fan left in the world is on GAF after all.
So much Nintendo love wow

While some of those top games are good, they don't deserve top spots(smash and mk8) IMO, as they feel like retreads of previous games.
I thought MK8 felt incredibly fresh, eighth in the series and all. The gravity mechanic, music, online all together make it feel like its own game. Didn't buy Smash though because yes that did look like simply an iteration.
 

LegendX48

Member
Bayonetta 2 #1? No, I don't quite like this list. Nice to see The Evil Within and Transistor at least managed to make top 20 I guess.
 
I'm not just whining or dramatizing here either, I'm honestly flabbergasted at how terrible it is. At the very least, I absolutely expected a Dragonfall top 10 RPG (top 5 really) placement. It's not a particularly hardcore or challenging game (unlike Wasteland 2 and M&MX), and should have broad appeal. For it not to show up in the top 10 at all is shocking. I knew that the polling methodology used inherently results in a popularity contest, but I didn't expect it to be that bad.
Personally I didn't play Dragonfall because I had no desire to play Shadowrun returns ever again after I finished The Dead Man's Switch in 2013. I had no idea that Dragonfall was even any good even when I got it as part of the kickstarter campaign.
 

DevilFox

Member
So how does top three have three Wii U games (install base less than 10 million) then?

I played Divinity and it didn't make it to my list. It's not objectively something that deserves a spot there or anything.

The audience is GAF, not the world. And on GAF, now more than ever, Wii U is extremely popular.
But even if I agree to some extent with this "popularity contest" thing, I always found GAF'S GOTY awards pretty reasonable. There will always be more odds for unknown games but at least the high number of users here help to balance, you've no idea what I've seen elsewhere.

Great year for fans of fighting games too. Guilty Gear Xrd, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Ultra Street Fighter IV, BlazBlue CP, Under Night In-Birth (JP), Arcana Heart 3 LOVE MAX!!!!, Gundam Extreme VS Full Boost, and Smash Bros.

Excellent year.

Now that you mention it, Guilty Gear deserved a lot more if what I heard is true. Still waiting for the EU release..
 

Sinatar

Official GAF Bottom Feeder
----- GENRE AWARDS -----

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RPG Game of the Year: Dragon Age: Inquisition = 803 points, 22 honorable mentions
2. Dark Souls II = 721 points, 10 honorable mentions
3. South Park: The Stick of Truth = 564 points, 12 honorable mentions
4. Divinity: Original Sin = 339 points, 7 honorable mentions
5. Transistor = 279 points, 16 honorable mentions
6. Diablo III: Reaper of Souls = 187 points, 9 honorable mentions
7. Bravely Default = 135 points, 12 honorable mentions
8. Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition = 130 points, 6 honorable mentions
9. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth = 128 points, 7 honorable mentions
10. Child of Light = 113 points, 12 honorable mentions

15654363413_a55f92ddcf_o.png
 

Neiteio

Member
I like how some people are trying to minimize this as "Nintendo rallying" or whatever. If anything, the so-called "Nintendo vote" (which mind you, doesn't actually exist) was at risk of being split every which way, since there were so many Nintendo titles from which to choose.

My No. 1 title wasn't even on a Nintendo system, but the next four titles were.
 
Really surprised at the top 3. I thought DA:I was a lock for second place, underestimating Mario Kart and Smash immensely. Only wish that Divinity had ranked a bit higher, but it's indeed a solid list. Nintendo really brought the quality games this year.

Also, kudos to great taste affinity members:
 

Vire

Member
Incredible job by the folks who put this together as always. Happy to see I got quoted for Shovel Knight. :)
 
I am on a surprising number of affinity lists this year.

I wonder if I suddenly became more mainstream this time around.

Wanna play some CoD and crunch some Doritos, bro? I got this new Macklemore shit to listen to, and I wanna own some motherfucking noobs to get me in the zone. Gotta be now though, my mom gets home in an hour.
 

Koh

Member
I'm less excited about what made the top 10 or 20 than i am excited at what didn't... i guess that makes me a hater.
 

majik13

Member
congrats Nintendo, well deserved. I need to stop playing Destiny and play Bayo 2.

Also thanks for the extensive voting and awards process.
 
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