RPGWatch names the best 3 RPGs of 2014

Posted by Rampant Coyote on January 15, 2015

If you are a fan of classic western style computer RPGs – the kind that seemed to be in an unending supply from companies like Origin, SSI, Sir-Tech, Mindcraft, Westwood Studios, and Interplay – then for a while, it may have seemed like the golden age of computer RPGs was far behind us. Through the late 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s, we were fortunately drip-fed some nice role-playing experiences. Some of them were even pretty awesome. But it was nothing like the heyday of the late 80s and early 90s.

Except… arguably, now it is. 2014 saw dozens upon dozens of indie releases (which I talked about last week in my 2014 Indie RPG Round-up Part 1 and Part 2). Between those and the mainstream releases, and some of my personal favorites like Dead State, and some off-beat but interesting titles like Steam Marines, The Banner Saga, Heroes of a Broken Land, and NEO Scavenger … I’d have to say that 2014 was a banner year for RPG fans.

Although it did seem to me that the mainstream RPGs for the PC were somewhat… diminished… compared to past years. Not by much, but at least the indies (and “big indies” – straddling the gulf between the big publishers and the little homebrew shops) picked up the slack.

RPGWatch held votes for the best RPG of the 2014. The audience and the editors actually agreed for once:

Game of the Year Awards – 2014 (RPGWatch)

Now, bear in mind that RPG Watch is for PC role-playing games, which is why you won’t find any console exclusives, and more of a classic / western RPG bias. Hey, when the rest of the gaming world seems to think that Square Enix invented the role-playing genre, someone’s got to take that stand.

Considering the audience, the only mild surprise was in whether Divinity: Original Sin or Wasteland 2 would come in first place. Third place was a little more interesting, with Dragon Age: Inquisition taking third place, and followed by Shadowrun: Dragonfall Director’s Cut and then by Might & Magic X: Legacy.

A year where something like Might & Magic X: Legacy won’t even place in the top three? Where Dragon Age: Inquisition only takes third? You can argue for exact positioning all you want (I know many of you reading don’t get the attraction of Divinity: Original Sin), but to me this speaks to it being a year of stellar quality as well as amazing quantity of titles.

RPGWatch has also published the votes for the most promising PC RPGs of 2015. Sadly, Frayed Knights 2 wasn’t on the list to be voted on, but given the circumstances and delays, I can’t blame them.

Most Promising RPGs of 2014  (RPGWatch)

With Pillars of Eternity, The Witcher 3, the just-released Avernum 2: Crystal Souls, the full release of Shroud of the Avatar, possibly (? Can I hope?) Torment: Tides of Numenera, hopefully Frayed Knights 2 and Age of Decadence, I’m hoping for just as great a year this year as an RPG fan…

HAH! As if I’ll have time to play. I’ll still be playing catch-up on 2014’s games, I’ll bet.

Filed Under: News - Comments: 5 Comments to Read



top