The beginning of November is upon us and that means it’s time to start thinking about filling our stomachs with turkey, our hearts with holiday cheer, and our imaginations with the onslaught of games that get released in time for the Holiday shopping season.
Nerd Bacon is ready to help guide you through the storm of gaming goodness. We have highlighted ten games that we feel will have the largest impact in the final months of 2014.
Please keep in mind that this is not meant to be a definitive list, nor are we trying to rank these games. With all deluge of releases that come out each holiday season there is bound to be a hidden gem that we overlooked. So please feel free to give us a heads up in the comments section.
Without further ado, here is the list of Ten Big Games for Holiday 2014!
Bayonetta 2
Platform: Wii U
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: 10/24/2014
This one might be considered cheating a little bit because as I write this (Friday, October 24th) the game is being released, but it’s still a big enough and important enough game to include on this list. Bayonetta 2 is a balls-to-the-wall, over the top action game in the same spirit as the classic Devil May Cry that is exclusive to the Wii U. Bayonetta 2’s level of violence and overt sexuality is a surprising choice as an exclusive to Wii U , however all the initial reviews have been extremely positive. In fact, as of this moment, Bayonetta 2 is the highest rated game of 2014 for the Wii U, currently topping all other releases with a 91 on Metacritic. A brief demo is currently available on the Wii U E-Shop, so be sure to check it out!
Sunset Overdrive
Platform: Xbox One
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Microsoft
Release Date: 10/28/2014
Insomniac Games returns with this irreverent open world, action/shooter hybrid, that is exclusive to Xbox One. Sunset Overdrive is set in the year 2027 where humans are being transformed into monsters after drinking too much of a tainted energy drink. You play the part of an employee of FizCo, the manufacturer’s of the beverage, as you fight your way through the city. You will have to rely on a number of delightfully unique weapons, as well as your agility to survive. You will be able to run up walls, zip line, and even skate along the rails of a roller coaster at an abandoned theme park. Sunset Overdrive is aiming for a much more lighthearted experience, and frankly it looks funny as heck! Reviews so far have been very positive. Wired Magazine even declared that Sunset Overdrive was “finally a reason to own an Xbox One“. Be sure to check out the video below so you can see the game in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ9FXIloYb8
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Platform(s): PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Publisher: Activision
Release Date: 11/04/2014
The biggest gaming franchise in the world returns this November with Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Set in the year 2054, Private Military Corporations (PMC’s) are now the dominant military force on the planet. You are part of a group called Atlas, which is the largest, most well armed of these groups. Playing the part of a former U.S. Marine who has joined Atlas, you are tasked with taking down a terrorist group that has launched the first global attack. Actor Kevin Spacey has lent his likeness and voice to play the role of Johnathan Irons, the CEO of Atlas corporation. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare’s not too distant future setting will allow the developers to be a little more imaginative with the weapons and scenarios in the game, and could perhaps give us an eerie glimpse into future possibilities of real world conflicts and weaponry.
Assassins Creed: Unity
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: 11/11/2014
The silent killers return in the latest installment in Ubisoft’s flagship series. Assassins Creed: Unity immerses players in Paris, against the backdrop of a percolating French Revolution. Assassins Creed: Unity’s most notable new feature will be the ability for up to four players to unite together to complete missions. (Four assassins unite. Unity. Get it? Oh those clever Ubisoftonians) Ubisoft is aiming for a wider variety in the core mission structure as well as side-quests, and the city of Paris will play a key role in the adventure. Paris itself will be larger than any other city featured in the Assassins Creed series, approaching nearly a 1:1 scale with the real thing (From that time in history.) Each section of the city will have its own unique feel and character behavior.
Ubisoft is developing Assassins Creed: Unity from the ground up for next-gen systems, with a completely separate game, Assassins Creed: Rouge being developed for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 which will be released on 11/11/2014.
Halo: Master Chief Collection
Platform: Xbox One
Developer: 343 Industries
Publisher: Microsoft
Release Date: 11/11/2014
Halo 1, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4, plus access to the Halo 5 multi-player beta come together in the ultimate Halo package. Halo: Master Chief Collection also features complete remastered versions of all of Master Chief’s adventures already sound good, but then add in every multi-player map from those games, including 5 classic maps from Halo 2 rebuilt for Xbox One, and you have an awesome value for new and old Halo fans alike.
Grand Theft Auto V
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One
Developer: Rockstar Games
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release Date: 11/18/2014
Grand Theft Auto V makes its way to next gen consoles in a remastered edition that looks absolutely stunning. Rockstar Games is using the additional next-gen horsepower to improve every visual aspect of the game. The PlayStation 4 version will be in full 1080p, and both versions will see improved draw distances, fantastic upgrades to lighting, a new traffic system, and so much more. Players wishing to migrate from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Grand Theft Auto V will be able to seamlessly transfer their character over to the updated version as well as receive extra in-game content such as classic vehicles from the Grand Theft Auto series, even more exclusive weapons and new activities. You can check out the differences from the current-gen and next-gen versions of Grand Theft Auto V in the video below.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Platform(s): Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, PC
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA Games
Release Date: 11/18/2014
The third entry in BioWare’s well received RPG series, Dragon Age: Origins will offer a mix of the best elements from the first two games, while making the overall adventure even bigger than the previous two. Combat is said to be more tactically based then Dragon Age 2. You will be able to issue commands to party members and make better use of their unique skill sets. The romance system will also return, and reward potential Romeo’s (or Juliet’s) with love based off of situation and context rather than random gift giving. Dragon Age: Inquisition looks to continue BioWare’s track record of excellent role-playing experiences.
Far Cry 4
Platform(s): PS4, PS3, X box One, Xbox 360, PC
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: 11/18/2014
The Far Cry series has been known for great graphics, great action, and great big open worlds to explore. Far Cry 4 looks to continue that tradition. The notable thing here is that PlayStation versions of the game will use the Share Play system. Share Play will allow you to invite an online friend to come join you in the game at any time, and that friend does not need to actually own a copy of the game. Far Cry 4’s story takes place in Kryat, a region in the Himalayas ruled by Pagan Min, a charismatic despot that will undoubtedly need a good whoopin’ before the game is complete. Far Cry 4 will also have multiple endings depending on choices made throughout the campaign.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Platform: Wii U
Developer: Namco Bandai, Sora ltd.
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: 11/21/2014
Super Smash Bros is set to finally explode onto the Wii U with brand new moves, modes and fighters. This edition sees new comers like Little Mac from the Punch Out series, and the blue bomber himself, Mega Man. Super Smash Bros for Wii U also lets players incorporate their Mii’s into the game. Mii’s will be able to choose from different move sets and then take on the classic Nintendo characters. New modes will allow up to 8 fighters in an arena at once. Super Smash Bros for Wii U will also integrate Nintendo’s new Amiibo figurines. Scan a figure into the Gamepad and then train your fighter and take on other challengers. Super Smash Bros for Wii U looks great and is probably on the Christmas list for just about every Wii U owner out there.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Platform: Wii U
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: 12/05/2014
Rounding out our list is the unlikeliest of heroes, however it looks like it could be a real gem this holiday. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a puzzle-solving spin off game from Super Mario 3D World. Captain Toad will have to navigate his way through a number of different courses in order to discover their hidden treasures, and ultimately collect a star. Captain Toad can’t jump or do any of Mario’s other nifty moves. He just has to rely on his cunning and your ability to manipulate the different courses using the game pad. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker looks like it will be a refreshing change of pace among the sea of shooters and other violent fare that will be out over this holiday. The videos and demos that I have seen ooze that certain Nintendo charm. Be sure to check out the E3 game play demonstration in the video below.
There you have it. Ten games that are coming out this Holiday that are going to have a big impact on the gaming scene. There are of course plenty more that I know that I missed for one reason or another, just didn’t make the cut.
So what do you think? Are you excited for any of these games? None at all? Or are there games coming out that didn’t make the list that you think should have? We want to hear from you! Let us know what Holiday games have you pumped up in the comments section below.
Written by The Watchman
He’s also an actor, a reporter, a pro wrestling connoisseur, and some say he’s a cat whisperer.
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