2014 looks like it’s going to be a big year for video gaming and it’ll definitely be interesting to see how the PS4 and Xbox One develop in their first full year on the market. The PS3 and Xbox 360 still have a few top titles set for release in 2014 and there are a lot of games due for release that will be available on last gen as well as the new wave of video games consoles, there are also some fantastic looking PS4/Xbox one exclusives set to drop in 2014 though, and if you’re a big fan of video games then there’ll definitely be plenty due for release this year that you’ll very much be looking forward to playing.
There may be a lot of top titles due for release in 2014, here’s a look at some of the most anticipated titles due to drop this year though, and regardless of your gaming platform of choice there’s bound to be something in this list that piques your interest and gets you excited about the year or gaming that we have ahead of us.
Dark Souls II (PC / Xbox 360 / PS3)
Whilst many people still await a major price drop before taking the plunge on an Xbox One or a PS4, Dark Souls II is due for release on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC later this year, giving even those that have already succumbed to the temptation of the new consoles a fantastic reason not to tidy away their last gen hardware just yet.
A sequel to 2011s critically acclaimed Dark Souls, fans of the original title will no doubt be incredibly excited to get their hands on the new game, and big sales can be expected for this new Namco game when it receives its worldwide release in March.
DriveClub (PS4)
Having originally been intended for release at launch, DriveClub is one of several delayed titles that made the next gen launch so underwhelming. PS Plus subscribers were meant to receive this game at launch as a part of their subscription (and still will when the game is released later this year), the game was ultimately delayed though, and it’ll now be a delayed response before we discover how the game compare’s to the Xbox One’s Forza Motorsport 5.
Even for PS4 owners that aren’t necessarily huge fans of racing games, DriveClub will no doubt still be a game that’s eagerly anticipated for all those with a PS Plus subscription, a game that could win around its fair share of racing game doubters and end up being a very enjoyable title for a lot of people that never expected it to be.
Dying Light (PC / PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox One)
If zombie films are your thing and you love The Walking Dead TV series/comic, Dying Light will probably be a pretty big video game release for you in 2014. Dead Rising 3 was available at the launch of the Xbox One, not everyone owns an Xbox One just yet though and Dying Light is a far more inclusive title which is going to be released on both PS3 and Xbox 360 as well as the PS4 and Xbox One, and will also receive a release on PC as well. Many people will have been disappointed that Dead Rising 3 was an Xbox One exclusive, Dying Light should help you forget about the pain of not being able to play that one though, and this game should surely provide a good amount of shocks and scares for many.
Dying Light will probably not drop for a good while yet so there’s going to be quite a wait on this one, it is due for release at some point in 2014 though and there will definitely be many waiting with bated breath for news of exactly when this fantastic looking survival horror game is officially due for release.
Infamous: Second Son (PS4)
Probably the most exciting PS4 exclusive of 2014, Infamous: Second Son is an upcoming open world adventure game that really does look absolutely incredible. If super powers are your thing and you’ve enjoyed previous games in the series, Infamous: Second Son is no doubt a video game that you’ll very much be looking forward to playing.
Infamous: Second Son is the third game in the Infamous video game series so far, a first chance to try the series out on the PS4 and find out the extra boost that the new console provides over the games that were released for the PS3. If previous games in the series are anything to go by then Infamous: Second Son will definitely be a game well worth playing, a title that PS4 early adapters will surely be wanting to test out at the earliest possible opportunity.
Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
With every Nintendo console since the SNES, Mario Kart has been a massive unit shifter and Mario Kart 8 will no doubt be no different. It is no secret that sales for Nintendo’s Wii U console haven’t been the best, all those that own the console would no doubt agree that it already has a stellar selection of titles, however, and Mario Kart 8 will provide another absolutely cracking reason to invest in a Wii U.
There are few games out there as fun for multiplayer as the Wii U; it’s just one of those games that absolutely demands to be played with friends, and Mario Kart 8 very much looks as though it’s going to be another incredibly impressive title in the series.
Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes (PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox One)
Although it’s only a prequel, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes is a game that has the MGS tag attached to it and is therefore a title that’s hugely hotly anticipated.
It’s a taster more than it is a full title, with a reduced price tag there are bound to be many MGS addicts that invest in this one though, and the game will no doubt sell well regardless of how much actual gameplay is offered here. The game is said to provide a large change of direction for the series, so it’ll be interesting to discover all that is new here and how the game compares to previous titles in the MGS franchise.
South Park: The Stick of Truth (PC / PS3 / Xbox 360)
Even for those that may not watch the show quite so religiously as they once did or who may not have already acquainted themselves with the series (you’re missing out), South Park: The Stick of Truth is an upcoming role-playing game that looks to be absolutely jam packed full of potential.
Another of the titles in this list previously planned for release but ultimately delayed, South Park: The Stick of Truth can potentially be a great game, and given that they’ve taken extra time to make sure they get it right, all being well it will be well worth the extra wait and in 2014 we will once again be treated to another classic South Park video game title. The game is bound to come with its fair share of humour, and if you’re a fan of both RPG games and South Park then this may well be a game of the year in the waiting.
Super Smash Bros. (3DS / Wii U)
Super Smash Bros. was a huge hit when it first released on the N64, was the highest selling video game on the Gamecube, and also enjoyed a good deal of success on the Wii. Along with Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros. will definitely help sell a few more Wii U systems when it’s released later this year, and for all those still not willing to part with their hard earned cash for the console, there is always the 3DS version of the game to consider.
Both the 3DS and Wii U Super Smash Bros. games will feature the same set of playable characters, the Wii U version of the game will no doubt be a fascinating spectacle to experience, however, and it’ll be interesting to discover how well they utilise the Wii U GamePad in order to get the best possible experience out of the console release. Disappointingly there will be no cross-platform play between the Wii U and 3DS versions of the game, it’ll still be interesting to discover how the game plays out on the 3DS though, and the prospect of an HD Super Smash Bros. experience for the Wii U is definitely a very exciting one.
Titanfall (PC / Xbox 360 / Xbox One)
For all those that have already invested in an Xbox One, Titanfall will probably be one of the must own titles of 2014. Titanfall is sure to do a great job of demonstrating what the Xbox One is capable of in 2014, for all those that are yet to upgrade to the Xbox One, however, you’ll be pleased to hear that the game will also be available for both Xbox 360 and PC.
Due for release in March, Titanfall is a very interesting looking first-person shooter title that should provide for many happy hours of impressive multiplayer gameplay. EA has already dominated the next gen market since the consoles were released at the end of 2013, and Titanfall is another title that should ensure that EA enjoys a large level of next gen success stretching into 2014.
Watch Dogs (PC / PS3 / PS4 / Wii U / Xbox 360 / Xbox One)
Another game that was originally due for release at the launch of the PS4/Xbox One but ultimately delayed, Watch Dogs will still be hotly anticipated in 2014, even if they did make us wait an extra 6 months for it.
An impressive looking open world title, if they get Watch Dogs right then this game could potentially be absolutely huge. There’s certainly a lot of hype that surrounds the title and it looks to be a very impressive video game, time will only tell though as to whether or not the game lives up to the hype and expectation that surrounds it (fingers crossed that it does as Watch Dogs has the potential to be one of the most impressive titles of 2014).
What games are you most looking forward to in 2014? Leave your thoughts below.
UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.
