Most Anticipated Games of 2014
While 2014 might be off to a slow start for game releases, we assure you, they are coming. To prove it, the minds at NGN put their heads together and through a variety of advanced mathematical operations have produced a list of what we believe to be the twelve most exciting, promising and intriguing games that look to be coming out this year. The list itself is in alphabetical order to make it fair!
Dark Souls II
Dark Souls II will continue a legacy of presenting its passionate fans with the kind of unrelenting challenges that have become a hallmark of the series, while presenting devilish new obstacles for players to overcome. “Fingers crossed that this’ll be ‘the sequel’. You know, the sequel that learns from the original, irons out its faults and expands on the winning formula,” David hopes.
When: March 11, 2014 (Consoles) – Q2 2014 (PC)
Where: 
Destiny
Destiny is a game designed to be better when you play it with your friends. It’s built around community. Create your character, forge your legend by defeating powerful foes, and earn unique and customizable weapons, gear, and vehicles. In Destiny, you are a Guardian of the last safe city on Earth. You must defend the City. Defeat the enemies. And reclaim all that you have lost. Mark comments, “This looks like Borderlands the MMO. I approve.”
When: September 9, 2014
Where: 
Dragon Age: Inquisition
A cataclysmic event has plunged the land of Thedas into turmoil. Dragons now darken the sky, casting a shadow of terror over a once-peaceful kingdom. Mages have broken into an all-out war against the oppressive Templars. Nations rise against one another. It falls to you to restore order as you lead the Inquisition and hunt down the agents of chaos – your choices will forever change the Dragon Age. “I know, I know, Dragon Age 2 wasn’t very good. But to see BioWare attempting to get back to their strong fantasy formula with more races and a less-linear experience is promising,” Josh theorizes.
When: Q4, 2014
Where:
Dying Light
Dying Light, a first-person, action survival horror video game with a portentous day-night cycle set in a vast open world. During the day, players will traverse an expansive urban environment overrun by a vicious outbreak, scavenging the world for supplies and crafting weapons to defend against the growing infected population. At night, the hunter becomes the hunted, as the infected become aggressive and more dangerous. Tim articulates, “By combining parkour movement with a zombie sandbox, you have a fresh formula for memorable fast paced bloody violence.”
When: Q2-Q3, 2014
Where:
Infamous: Second Son
Infamous Second Son brings players an action adventure game where surrounded by a society that fears them, superhumans are ruthlessly hunted down and caged by the Department of Unified Protection. Step into a locked-down Seattle as Delsin Rowe, who has recently discovered his superhuman power and is now capable of fighting back against the oppressive DUP. “The franchise started off strong, and has only gotten better with the sequel. It will be thrilling to see where the series can go on a next generation platform,” Alex says.
When: March 21, 2014
Where:
Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes will serve as a prologue to the events leading into Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The game features new advances made possible by Kojima Productions’ FOX Engine, such as new game design, day and night cycles, and weather conditions that will all dynamically affect gameplay. Alex asserts, “The newest entry in this huge franchise carries significant expectations. Ground Zeroes is a taste of what is to come, and we hope it leaves us wanting more.”
When: March 18, 2014
Where:
The list continues on page 2….
Thief
Garrett, the Master Thief, steps out of the shadows into the City. In this treacherous place, where the Baron’s Watch spreads a rising tide of fear and oppression, his skills are the only things he can trust. Even the most cautious citizens and their best-guarded possessions are not safe from his reach. “Tainted by the inevitable pudginess of a reboot or not, it’s still a Thief game. I think I’ll be able to look past everything it gets wrong as long as the levels are big and the sneaking is sneaky,” David hopes.
When: February 25, 2014
Where:
Titanfall
Crafted by one of the co-creators of Call of Duty and other key developers behind the Call of Duty franchise, Titanfall is an all-new universe juxtaposing small vs. giant, natural vs. industrial and man vs. machine. Respawn have drawn inspiration from their proven experiences in first-person action and with Titanfall are focused on bringing something exciting the next generation of multiplayer gaming. “I seriously think this could be the game to dethrone Call of Duty from the FPS Multiplayer throne. It’s nice to see there’s no frills wasted on a single-player campaign. Titanfall knows the market it wants and it is not thinking about compromising on quality,” exclaims Josh.
When: March 11, 2014
Where:
Transistor
Transistor is a sci-fi themed action RPG that invites players to wield an extraordinary weapon of unknown origin as they fight through a stunning futuristic city. The game seamlessly integrates thoughtful strategic planning into a fast-paced action experience. Alex M remarks, “Bastion was my favourite game of 2011, and this one looks just as interesting, from the gorgeous art style and slick combat to the futuristic, fantasy setting. I’m pumped.”
When: Q4, 2014
Where:
Watch Dogs
In Watch Dogs, players enter the dangerous world of Aiden Pearce, a new class of antihero whose ability to hack into any connected system could be his most powerful weapon. Whether it’s triggering a 30-car pileup by manipulating traffic-lights to trap an enemy during a downtown shootout or tapping into the city’s omnipresent security cameras to access anyone’s personal information, Pearce is capable of coercing and controlling almost every element of the world around him. Ben states, “Ubisoft has been hitting home-runs with their open world games and Watch Dogs looks to be the most ambitious of all of them. It looks so good, we had it on our list last year!”
When: Q1-Q2, 2014
Where: 
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the final chapter in the legend of Geralt of Rivia, thrusting players into multi-region, open-world combat. The Witcher 3 will feature the new REDengine 3 game engine, developed by CD Projekt RED and designed specifically for nonlinear role-playing video games set in vast open world environments. “This RPG looks phenomenal, and I’m looking forward to seeing what a ‘next-gen’ open world game will really be like,” says Alex M.
When: Q3-Q4, 2014
Where:
Wolfenstein: The New Order
Wolfenstein has been widely credited for helping establish and popularize the first-person shooter genre, and Wolfenstein: The New Order is a re-imagining of this franchise – offering players a gripping and dramatic experience. Alex explains, “After seeing and playing the game at E3, New Order feels and looks like a throwback to the classic FPS action, but with modern gameplay mechanics.”
When: Q2, 2014
Where:
See how our predictions panned out for the year that was. Go to page 3….
Now, it is time to see how well our predictions played out a year ago. Let’s take a look at our most anticipated games for 2013 and how well they scored!
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
68/100: “It’s a pretty game, and occasionally even a scary game, but it’s almost never a horrifying game.”
Beyond: Two Souls
74/100: “I really enjoyed Beyond: Two Souls, much like I’d enjoy a good story in a TV series filled with actors on the form of their life. And that’s the game’s problem, it’s so passive, I just didn’t feel involved enough. Compared to Heavy Rain, it’s rarely clear as to how or when you’re affecting the plot or events.”
BioShock Infinite
77/100: “Infinite is a decent shooter that derives its action from the foundations of the series. The gameplay doesn’t always make great use of new mechanics. Elizabeth is not believable enough and the city of Columbia is wasted potential outside the brilliant introduction.”
Company of Heroes 2
84/100: “While not the revolution its predecessor was, Company of Heroes 2 offers up a huge helping of high quality RTS gameplay for both multiplayer and singleplayer.”
Gears Of War: Judgment
77/100: “This being potentially the last game in the franchise on the Xbox 360, Gears of War Judgment shows that the developers have mostly ran out of ideas. While it is still a competent shooter, we can only hope the series can return to its former glory with the dawn of next console generation.”
Grand Theft Auto V
87/100: “Grand Theft Auto V is a significant milestone in gaming. And even though it’s not perfect, this is a title that continues to prove one of the most popular franchises ever has still got it.”
The Last of Us
83/100: “The Last of Us is a worthwhile stealth survival experience with high production values and solid gameplay design, as Naughty Dog prove once again that they are very capable of creating great experiences on the PlayStation 3.”
Metro: Last Light
84/100: “Metro: Last Light improves on its predecessor in many key areas and provides a compelling, memorable first person shooter experience despite a few lingering issues.”
Tomb Raider
93/100: “Lara Croft has definitely returned, and fortunately, much like its protagonist, the Tomb Raider franchise hasn’t changed, it has simply evolved.”
Watch Dogs
Delayed to 2014! And is again on our list.
Thanks for reading! Let’s hope for a thrilling 2014 – the first full year of new generation consoles!