The Best Video Games for 2014 & 2015 and Other Awards

It is still quite early in the year but I have finally got around to doing my awards for the best games of 2014 & 2015 (I missed doing 2014). I have put together a list of the best PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS for 2014 & 2015. As these are my choices you will likely be surprised by the results.

To qualify for an award I must have played the game in the last 24 months (2014 & 2015) but the game doesn’t have to been released in 2014 or 2015. Also if I haven’t played a game yet it can’t be up for an award as I wont know whether its good or not.

Games Played in 2014 & 2015

PC:
Company of Heroes 2, Payday 2, Crusader Kings II, Europa Universalis IV, Arma 3, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Battle Brothers, Aliens vs Predator Marines, Blitzkrieg 3, Rome: Total War, Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition, Nuclear Throne, Black Mirror, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition, Grand Theft Auto V, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Rising Storm/Red Orchestra 2 Multiplayer, Card Hunter, Serpent in the Staglands, L.A. Noire, The Walking Dead: 400 Days, The Walking Dead: Season Two, Killing Floor 2, Deponia: The Complete Journey, Hero Siege, Velvet Assassin, Diablo III, Heroes of the Storm, Frozen Synapse, Empire: Total War, Killing Floor, Fez, Monanco: What Yours is Mine, Bit.Trip Runner, DayZ, Gnomoria, Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition, Arma 2, Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, DayZ (Mod), DayZ, Rift, Serena, No More Room in Hell, Loadout, Chivarly: Medieval Warfare, The Elder Scrolls Online (Beta), WildStar (Beta), Alien Swarm, Catlateral Damage, Candy Box, The Unorganised Thief, Dota 2, Syberia, Men of War Vietnam, Men of War Assault Squad 2, Omerta: City of Gangsters, Unturned, World of Warcraft, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, The Blackwell Legacy, and The Binding of Isaac.

Xbox 360:
Grand Theft Auto V, Max Payne 3, Dishonored, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Destiny, Battleblock Theater, Hexic HD, Boom Boom Rocket, BioShock Infinite, Pac-Man CE DX+, and Duke Nukem 3D.

Xbox One:
Fallout 4, D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die, and Valiant Hearts: The Great War.

Nintendo 3DS:
Mii Plaza Games (Puzzle Swap, StreetPass Quest, StreetPass Squad, StreetPass Battle, StreetPass Mansion, and StreetPass Garden), Pokémon Link: Battle!, Pokémon Shuffle, Pokemon X, Fullblox, Bravely Default (demo), Sub Wars: Steel Submarine, Nintendo Pocket Football Club, Pokemon Puzzle, and Fantasy Life.

Overall 2014 & 2015 Game Awards:

• Overall Game of the Year: World of Warcraft.
• Most Played Game: World of Warcraft.
• Biggest Waste of Time/Money: Dota 2.
• Biggest Disappointment: Fantasy Life.
• Best New Game: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Best Old Game: Syberia.
• Best Demo: Bravely Default (demo).
• Best Character Design: World of Warcraft (new Models).
• Best NPC Character: Adéwalé (Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag).
• Best Main Theme Song: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Biggest Over Hype: BioShock Infinite.
• Best Sound Effect in a Game: Pac-Man CE DX+ (clearing a board).
• Most Original Concept: Valiant Hearts: The Great War (being a fun World War I game).
• Most Positive or Progressive Game/Feature: Valiant Hearts: The Great War (conveying the horrors of war).
• Best Strategy Game: Crusader Kings II.
• Best DLC: Diablo III: The Reaper of Souls.
• Best Gameplay Mechanics: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (seamless naval and land combat).
• Best Visuals: L.A. Noire.
• Best Art Design: Syberia.
• Best Weather Design: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Best Sound Design: Payday 2.
• Best Music: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Best Original Soundtrack: Sunless Sea.
• Best RPG: Diablo III.
• Best MMORPG: World of Warcraft.
• Best Night Sky: World of Warcraft.
• Best Free-to-play game: Team Fortress 2.
• Best City Building Game: Rome: Total War.
• Best Action Game: Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition.
• Best Adventure Game: Syberia.
• Best Platformer: Super Mario 3D Land.
• Best Story: Syberia.
• Best Indie Game: Card Hunter.
• Best Zombie Game: The Walking Dead: Season Two.
• Best First Person Game: Dishonored.
• Best First Person Shooter: Payday 2.
• Best Side Shooter: StreetPass Squad.
• Best Sport Game: Nintendo Pocket Football Club.
• Best Hack n Slash Game: Diablo III.
• Best Horror Game: DayZ.
• Best World War II Game: Company of Heroes 2.
• Best War Game: Crusader Kings II.
• Best Co-op Game: Payday 2.
• Best Multiplayer Game: World of Warcraft.
• Best Developer: Paradox Development Studio.
• Best Dialogue: Grand Theft Auto V.

Awards for Each Platform

PC:

• Best PC Game: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Most Played Game: World of Warcraft.
• Biggest Waste of Time/Money: Dota 2.
• Biggest Disappointment: The Walking Dead: Season Two.
• Best New Game: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Best Old Game: Syberia.
• Best Demo: N/A.
• Best Character Design: World of Warcraft (new models).
• Best NPC Character: The Blackwell Legacy (Joey Mallone).
• Best Main Theme Song: Europa Universalis IV.
• Biggest Over Hype: Binding of Isaac.
• Best Sound Effect in a Game: Frozen Synapse.
• Most Original Concept: Fez (Level design).
• Most Positive or Progressive Game/Feature: Frozen Synapse (buy one game and get one extra).
• Best Strategy Game: Crusader Kings II.
• Best DLC: Diablo III: The Reaper of Souls.
• Best Gameplay Mechanics: Card Hunter (deck building combat).
• Best Visuals: L.A. Noire.
• Best Art Design: Syberia.
• Best Weather Design: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Best Sound Design: Payday 2.
• Best Music: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Best Original Soundtrack: Sunless Sea.
• Best RPG: Diablo III.
• Best MMORPG: World of Warcraft.
• Best Sky: World of Warcraft.
• Best Free-to-play game: Team Fortress 2.
• Best City Building Game: Rome: Total War.
• Best Action Game: Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition.
• Best Adventure Game: Syberia.
• Best Platformer: BattleBlock Theater.
• Best Story: Syberia.
• Best Indie Game: Card Hunter.
• Best Zombie Game: The Walking Dead: Season Two.
• Best First Person Game: Serena.
• Best First Person Shooter: Payday 2.
• Best Side Shooter: N/A.
• Best Sport Game: N/A.
• Best Hack n Slash: Diablo III.
• Best Horror Game: DayZ.
• Best World War II Game: Company of Heroes 2.
• Best War Game: Crusader Kings II.
• Best Co-op Game: Payday 2.
• Best Multiplayer Game: World of Warcraft.
• Best Developer: Paradox Development Studio.
• Best Dialogue: Grand Theft Auto V.

Xbox One:

• Best Xbox One Game: Fallout 4.
• Most Played Game: Fallout 4.
• Biggest Waste of Time/Money: N/A.
• Biggest Disappointment: N/A.
• Best New Game: Fallout 4.
• Best Old Game: D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die.
• Best Demo: N/A.
• Best Character Design: Valiant Hearts: The Great War.
• Best NPC Character: Valiant Hearts: The Great War (Walt).
• Best Main Theme Song: Fallout 4.
• Biggest Over Hype: Fallout 4.
• Best Sound Effect in a Game: Fallout 4 (EXP sound).
• Most Original Concept: Valiant Hearts: The Great War (Being a fun World War I game).
• Most Positive or Progressive Game/Feature: Valiant Hearts: The Great War (conveying the horrors of war).
• Best Strategy Game: N/A.
• Best DLC: N/A.
• Best Gameplay Mechanics: Valiant Hearts: The Great War (puzzle levels).
• Best Visuals: Fallout 4.
• Best Art Design: Valiant Hearts: The Great War.
• Best Weather Design: Fallout 4.
• Best Sound Design: Fallout 4.
• Best Music: Valiant Hearts: The Great War.
• Best Original Soundtrack: Valiant Hearts: The Great War.
• Best RPG: Fallout 4.
• Best MMORPG: N/A.
• Best Sky: Fallout 4.
• Best Free-to-play game: N/A.
• Best City Building Game: N/A.
• Best Action Game: Fallout 4.
• Best Adventure Game: N/A.
• Best Platformer: N/A.
• Best Story: D4 Dark Dreams Don’t Die.
• Best Indie Game: N/A.
• Best Zombie Game: Fallout 4.
• Best First Person Game: Fallout 4.
• Best First Person Shooter: Fallout 4.
• Best Side Shooter: N/A.
• Best Sport Game: N/A.
• Best Hack n Slash Game: N/A.
• Best Horror Game: Fallout 4.
• Best World War II Game: N/A.
• Best War Game: Valiant Hearts: The Great War.
• Best Co-op Game: N/A.
• Best Multiplayer Game: N/A.
• Best Developer: Bethesda Game Studios.
• Best Dialogue: D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die.

Xbox 360:

• Best Xbox 360 Game: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Most Played Game: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Biggest Waste of Time/Money: Destiny.
• Biggest Disappointment: N/A.
• Best New Game: Destiny.
• Best Old Game: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Best Demo: N/A.
• Best Character Design: Dishonored.
• Best NPC Character: Adéwalé (Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag).
• Best Main Theme Song: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Biggest Over Hype: BioShock Infinite.
• Best Sound Effect in a Game: Pac-Man CE DX+ (clearing a board).
• Most Original Concept: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (ship combat).
• Most Positive or Progressive Game/Feature: Duke Nukem 3D (rewind Feature).
• Best Strategy Game: Pac-Man CE DX+.
• Best DLC: N/A.
• Best Gameplay Mechanics: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (seamless naval and land combat).
• Best Visuals: Max Payne 3.
• Best Art Design: Dishonored.
• Best Weather Design: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Best Sound Design: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Best Music: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Best Original Soundtrack: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Best RPG: Dishonored.
• Best MMORPG: Destiny.
• Best Sky: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Best Free-to-play game: N/A.
• Best City Building Game: N/A.
• Best Action Game: Max Payne 3.
• Best Adventure Game: N/A.
• Best Platformer: Battleblock Theater.
• Best Story: Dishonored.
• Best Indie Game: Battleblock Theater.
• Best Zombie Game: N/A.
• Best First Person Game: Dishonored.
• Best First Person Shooter: Destiny.
• Best Side Shooter: N/A.
• Best Sport Game: N/A.
• Best Hack n Slash Game: N/A.
• Best Horror Game: N/A.
• Best World War II Game: N/A.
• Best War Game: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
• Best Co-op Game: Grand Theft Auto V.
• Best Multiplayer Game: Destiny.
• Best Developer: Rockstar Games.
• Best Dialogue: Grand Theft Auto V.

Nintendo 3DS:

• Best Nintendo 3DS Game: Pokémon X.
• Most Played Game: Nintendo Pocket Football Club.
• Biggest Waste of Time/Money: Fantasy Life.
• Biggest Disappointment: Fantasy Life.
• Best New Game: Nintendo Pocket Football Club.
• Best Old Game: Pokémon X.
• Best Demo: Bravely Default (demo).
• Best Character Design: Fantasy Life.
• Best NPC Character: Mii Plaza Games (the shop Rabbit).
• Best Main Theme Song: Bravely Default (demo).
• Biggest Over Hype: Fantasy Life.
• Best Sound Effect in a Game: Nintendo Pocket Football Club (ball sounds).
• Most Original Concept: Fantasy Life (Bravely or Default).
• Most Positive or Progressive Game/Feature: First few levels for free (Fullblox).
• Best Strategy Game: Nintendo Pocket Football Club.
• Best DLC: Mii Plaza Games.
• Best Gameplay Mechanics: Super Mario 3D Land.
• Best Visuals: Super Mario 3D Land.
• Best Art Design: Bravely Default.
• Best Weather Design: Pokémon X.
• Best Sound Design: Pokémon X.
• Best Music: Super Mario 3D Land.
• Best Original Soundtrack: Bravely Default (demo).
• Best RPG: Pokémon X.
• Best MMORPG: N/A.
• Best Sky: Pokémon X.
• Best Free-to-play game: Pokémon Shuffle.
• Best City Building Game: N/A.
• Best Action Game: Super Mario 3D Land.
• Best Adventure Game: N/A.
• Best Platformer: Super Mario 3D Land
• Best Story: Bravely Default (demo).
• Best Indie Game: N/A.
• Best Zombie Game: N/A.
• Best First Person Game: N/A.
• Best First Person Shooter: N/A.
• Best Side Shooter: StreetPass Squad.
• Best Sport Game: Nintendo Pocket Football Club.
• Best Hack n Slash Game: N/A.
• Best Horror Game: N/A.
• Best World War II Game: N/A.
• Best War Game: N/A.
• Best Co-op Game: Pokémon X.
• Best Multiplayer Game: Pokémon X.
• Best Developer: Nintendo.
• Best Dialogue: Bravely Default (demo).

This took a long time to put together but it was worth it in the end. I will go over some of the best games in more detail and why I chose them soon.

Join me again soon for My Top Twenty Games for 2014 & 2015 and next year (or end of the 2016) for The Best Video Games for 2016 and Other Awards and My Top Ten Games for 2016.