There is no single, universal winner for “best games of 2014”: the answer depends on whether you mean a game released during 2014, a title honored at an award ceremony held that year, or an editorial year-end pick. Dragon Age: Inquisition won Game of the Year at The Game Awards’ 2014 ceremony; The Last of Us won Best Game at BAFTA’s 2014 ceremony and Game of the Year at the 17th D.I.C.E. Awards. TIME’s year-end list offers a broader set of recommendations, including several games from different genres.
Which games won the major 2014 awards?
Awards provide a useful starting point, but each result belongs to its own ceremony. In particular, an award ceremony’s year and a game’s release year are not interchangeable: The Last of Us was recognized at 2014 ceremonies, while that alone does not make it a 2014 release.
| Game | Recognition | What the result means |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Age: Inquisition | Game of the Year, The Game Awards’ 2014 retrospective | The Game Awards identifies it as its 2014 Game of the Year. The Game Awards’ 2014 retrospective |
| The Last of Us | Best Game, BAFTA Games Awards 2014; Game of the Year, 17th D.I.C.E. Awards | BAFTA reported five awards for the game at its ceremony; the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences reported 10 awards at D.I.C.E. These are separate ceremonies and counts, not a combined score. BAFTA’s winners announcement · D.I.C.E. Awards release |
BAFTA’s full 2014 results also recognize games in craft and specialist categories, not only the overall Best Game award. That makes the results useful if you are looking for a particular kind of achievement rather than one all-purpose ranking: see BAFTA’s 2014 Games Awards results.
What other games made a notable 2014 list?
TIME’s 23 December 2014 year-end selection is an editorial list rather than an awards verdict. Its 15 picks include games with markedly different approaches to play:
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- World Dance Floor: Dance with anyone anywhere in the world in Just Dance's first-ever online multiplayer mode! Players join a virtual crew--made up of real-life friends or other Just Dance fans--and compete based on different themes.
- On Stage Mode: Own the spotlight in this new mode where one player will dance, lead 2 back-up dancers, and even sing if they want! As the star of the show, the player can take it seriously and show off how talented they are, or just goof off with friends.
- Custom Sweat Mode: Players can personalize their Just Sweat workouts by creating custom playlists and tracking calories. There's also a new option to track calories in all gameplay modes, even outside of the dedicated Just Sweat mode.
- More Dances Per Track: Everyone loves variety! Find alternate choreography across all modes including Just Sweat, Extreme, Battle and Mash-Up.
| Game | Why it is included here | A useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| 80 Days | Selected for TIME’s 2014 year-end list | A narrative-led choice for readers interested in interactive storytelling. |
| Alien: Isolation | Selected for TIME’s 2014 year-end list | A survival-horror option, distinct from the list’s strategy and action picks. |
| This War of Mine | Selected for TIME’s 2014 year-end list | A grim survival experience rather than a conventional action adventure. |
| Sunset Overdrive | Selected for TIME’s 2014 year-end list | An energetic action choice among the selections. |
| Velocity 2X | Selected for TIME’s 2014 year-end list | A fast-paced pick for players seeking a more arcade-oriented experience. |
| Far Cry 4 | Selected for TIME’s 2014 year-end list | An open-world action option. |
These are examples from TIME’s 15-game selection, not a complete reproduction or a ranked order. Read TIME’s full list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose a “best of 2014” game
- Want the Game Awards’ top prize? Start with Dragon Age: Inquisition, the winner identified in The Game Awards’ 2014 retrospective.
- Want a game recognized across major ceremonies? The Last of Us received BAFTA’s Best Game award and D.I.C.E.’s Game of the Year award, with each organization reporting its own award count.
- Want variety beyond award winners? Use TIME’s picks to browse narrative, horror, survival, and action games rather than treating one award as the whole year’s canon.
- Want games originally released in calendar 2014? Check each title’s release date and the platform or territory you care about. The cited results include ceremony-year recognition and do not, by themselves, establish a shared release-year roster.
The awards and editorial list use different selection methods, and the sources do not supply a common scoring rubric that would make their picks directly rankable against one another. Treat them as complementary ways to find a game, not as parts of a single league table.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Level 12 unlocked awesome since 2014 is a 12th birthday video game top for boys, kids, girls or video game fans turning 12 years old. Features a video game controller and retro background this awesome 12th birthday gamer top is great for video gamers.
- Share your love of gaming with this level 12 unlocked awesome since 2014 video game top for video gamers. Great for any video game themed birthday party, makes a great video gamer 12th birthday party top for boys.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Rank #3
- Looking for a unique gifts Twelve year old gamer? Celebrate your gamer's 12th birthday with our Level 12 Unlocked awesome since 2014 shirt for boy girl kids! Features a video game controller and retro background this awesome 12th birthday gamer top.
- Makes a fun and vintage to any 12th birthday party. Share your love of gaming with this level 12 unlocked awesome since 2014 video game top for video gamers. Great for any video game themed birthday party, makes a great 12th birthday gamer top for boys.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Rank #2
- Level 12 unlocked and awesome since 2014! Cool 12th birthday gamer top for boys who love video games. Great outfit for a video game themed birthday party for a 12 years old boy, son or brother. Ideal gift for a gamer turning 12 and born in 2014.
- Celebrate his twelfth birthday in style with this fun video gamer design. Level 12 completed, time to level up! A perfect 12th birthday gaming gift for boys, kids and gamers who enjoy gamer gear. Great gaming fans choice for bday celebrations.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
