Best Of 2014: ‘Video Games Edition’

Dark Souls II

Well, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 definitely aren’t dead yet. One of the most beautiful and enthralling worlds of the year came from Dark Souls II, the latest in a series that’s become known for its epic challenge.

The land of Drangleic is the centerpiece of a game filled with challenge and mystery, a game that had experiencing and living a story instead of ever listening to a narrative. Each and every battle against an enemy was tense, calculated, button-mashing held to a minimum, and a hearty helping of unique PvP actions added to the intensity.

Next-gen gamers can experience all of this in 2015, too: Namco will release Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin in March, which should make a great game even better.

Super Smash Bros. Wii U

The best fighting game of them all returned with a vengeance. Nintendo did everything right when it brought this fighter to the Wii U, choosing just the right characters (yes, the Wii Fit Trainer has some cool moves), bringing a hearty dose of power-ups, and innovating in new ways in every level.

There’s never been more movement and change and development in these tiny stages, and in every area, you found yourself fighting the average Smash Bros. mess, as well as constantly shifting environments. Battling for power-ups only added to the insanity.

It was as action-packed as any two-minute battle you’ve ever played.