Features// Games of the Year: Titanfall

It's now nearly a year since the end of last year, which means that for many whose phone operating systems use the Gregorian calendar, it's a time for reflection. Or, you know, to talk about our favourite games of 2014. Here's Dave Turner, Joypod host and SPOnG regular...


I've had to think long and hard about my Game of The Year this year. There are so many that I could chose from and after a lot of consideration, it came down to four.

Forza Horizon 2 was up there. It looked gorgeous, played spectacularly and was non-stop fun. It got me back into racing games and reminded me of why I once loved the genre. I fell in love with the cars I owned, tweaking them, changing the paint and learning how hard I could push them at certain corners. It's a masterpiece and managed to sell a fair few systems for Microsoft.

Then there's Mario Kart 8. Another racer, but so departed from the world of Forza it can barely be compared. This was a late entry into my thoughts as I've only just picked up a Wii U. At first I hated it. I was getting beaten online constantly and felt that everything was still completely random, in spite of what all those gaming hipsters led me to believe.

I was wrong. I completely misunderstood what I was supposed to do and when it clicked it went from being disappointing to one of my favourite games of the year. The tracks are expertly designed and a delight to drive around, while the new power-ups balance things out perfectly. There's still an element of random there, but when you let the game just do what it wants, you'll find yourself coming back for more and more.

The final of my runner-ups is Destiny. God, I can't tell you how much I love Destiny. Building a character is just a sweetener for me. When you and your friends enter a battle together and everything kicks off around you, you move to the edge of your seat and remain there. Co-op fun that I've been missing from my life for a long time.

As good as all those games are, they haven't quite knocked off the game that's sat at the top of my list for most of the year.

Titanfall.

It's hard to get across to you how much I love Titanfall in a short GOTY piece. Titanfall should have been a run-of-the-mill online shooter, joining the long list of online shooters that we've all played before. But this was something special.

The running, jumping, wall-sprinting. It's exhilarating. That's before you chuck mechs in. Giant robots falling from the sky grabbing you and shoving you in the cockpit before you mow down every last enemy that has the bad fortune of being within a few yards of you.

But what makes Titanfall so special is the balance. It's perfect. Every weapon has an anti-weapon, every approach to a battle can be countered. Even perks can help or hinder depending on the situation.

What is left is a game where anyone can compete. Even when you're being chased by a massive killing machine, you have a chance. Dash behind a wall, using satchel charges and distracting the thing while you jump on top of it.

Non-stop action, non-stop gaming genius. Titanfall may have had some competition this year but for me it's the stand out title of 2014.