Entering July, we’re officially half way through 2014. We’ve seen great games from all the consoles ranging in genre and scope, but chances are you’ve missed a few of them. Games aren’t cheap these days, after all.
We know what we’re most excited about. However, it’s Summer right now and it’ll be a couple more months before the blockbusters start rolling in again. Now’s a great time to catch up on 2014’s best releases.
We’ve selected our top 10 highest rated games of the year so far and compiled them into a single list, with only one winner. Check them out below.
Top 10 Best Games During First Half of 2014
10. Wolfenstein
Review Excerpt: “This isn’t the second coming of Wolfenstein 3D, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s a simple and fun single-player shooter that has arrived to show that Wolfenstein is still relevant.“
CraveOnline Rating: 8.0/10
Metacritic Rating: 82/100
9. Bravely Default
Review Excerpt: “If you love oldschool RPG mechanics or you have even a minor interest in the aging genre, Bravely Default demands your attention.”
CraveOnline Rating: 8.5/10
Metacritic Rating: 85/100
8. Dark Souls 2
Review Excerpt: "Dark Souls 2 is a worthy sequel that successfully lessens its forebear’s brutality without compromising the bragging rights that those who triumph its fair but unforgiving design earn the right to.”
CraveOnline Rating: 8.5/10 (PS3/X360) , 8.5/10 (PC)
Metacritic Rating: 92/100 (PS3/X360) , 90/100 (PC)
7. Yoshi's New Island
Review Excerpt: “If you’ve experienced Yoshi’s Island before, New Island is a wonderfully outstanding sequel. And if you’re trying the series for the first time, well, you’re really going to like what you play.”
CraveOnline Rating: 9.0/10
Metacritic Rating: 64/100
6. Mario Kart 8
Review Excerpt: “Despite the famous plumber’s anxious screech at the game’s title screen, Mario Kart 8 is the most refined series entry to date, and in my mind elevates Mario Kart from something I take for granted to a genuine triple-A encounter. “
CraveOnline Rating: 9.0/10
Metacritic Rating: 88/100
5. WildStar
Review Excerpt: “WildStar marks a new era for MMORPGs. It proves that action-oriented gameplay is the future, and combines that with an incredible amount of content for casual and hardcore players.”
CraveOnline Rating: 9.0/10
Metacritic Rating: 84/100
4. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (PS4)
Review Excerpt: “This is the PS4′s first killer app. FFXIV: A Realm Reborn on PC is a fantastic game, and it has graced the PS4 in glorious fashion.”
CraveOnline Rating: 9.0/10
Metacritic Rating: 86/100
3. Watch Dogs
Review Excerpt: “Watch Dogs is an example of how a publisher can score big in the new generation by taking a risk. As far as I’m concerned, Ubisoft’s investment has paid off handsomely with a new franchise that I can honestly call one of my favorites.”
CraveOnline Rating: 9.0/10
Metacritic Rating: 81/100
2. Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls (Expansion)
Review Excerpt: “Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls is an expansion done right. It introduces appetizing new content without rendering old material obsolete.”
CraveOnline Rating: 9.0/10
Metacritic Rating: 87/100
1. Titanfall (WINNER)
Review Excerpt: “If luck doesn’t go my way, I still walk out of the match feeling like a hero. If I’m on my game, Titans are no match for my agility, and the opposing team will have difficulty tracking my Pilot as I weave my way around buildings at blazingly fast speed.”
CraveOnline Rating: 9.0/10
Metacritic Rating: 86/100