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We review loads of games every year, but only the best receive our special Game Informer awards. Some earn a Silver (a score of 8.5 to 8.75), some Gold (9.0 to 9.5), and an elite few make it all the way to Platinum (9.75 to 10). The most outstanding reviewed game featured in Game Informer Magazine also receives our coveted Game of the Month award. We've compiled every awarded game that released in 2014 so that you can easily browse and keep track of the top scoring games. If a particular game catches your eye, you can click on the title to read the full review. The 2014 list is now complete so see if your favorites make the cut. Be sure to check back for our 2015 list once more games have released.
Nav: SILVER | GOLD | PLATINUM
The Banner SagaPC | 8.5
“Despite a few minor issues with enemy variety and the tedium of recurring encounters, Banner Saga stands out as an excellent tactical RPG with considerable depth.” —Daniel Tack
BioShock Infinite - Burial at Sea Episode 2PS3, 360, PC | 8.5
“Finishing Episode 2 is bittersweet, since it’s the last piece of content created by Irrational Games as we know it. However, Burial at Sea also ties together the landmark creations of the talented team in a satisfying way, making it an appropriate curtain call for this amazing studio.” —Joe Juba
Broken Age: Act IPC | 8.5
“With imaginative puzzles and wondrous settings, Broken Age: Act I is a delightful game for fans of adventure.” —Jeff Cork
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy HavocVita | 8.5
“I was surprised, captivated, and challenged by the culprit in every case.” —Kimberley Wallace
Game of Thrones: Episode One - Iron from IceXbox One | 8.5(Also on PS4, PS3, 360, PC)
"Duplicating its success from The Walking Dead, Telltale has created an excellent new way for fans to enter Westeros – one that has a unique vibe that sets it apart from the books and show. The Forresters' story boils with intrigue in this first episode, and with Telltale's scribes mimicking George R. R. Martin's cruel pen, concludes with a cliffhanger and chaos." —Andrew Reiner
Infamous Second SonPS4 | 8.5
“For the third time, Sucker Punch has crafted a game that is worth playing through twice.” —Andrew Reiner
Kingdom Rush: OriginsiOS | 8.5
"Even if Origins doesn’t dramatically advance the series gameplay, I had a great time once again holding off the monstrous hordes. I’m hopeful to see Ironhide stretch its talented creative muscles a little more within the bounds of its tower defense expertise, but for the time being, Origins continues a successful structure without any stumbles." —Matt Miller
Kirby: Triple DeluxeGame of the Month: June 20143DS | 8.5
"The difficulty level in Kirby’s outings remains consistently low, creating a relaxed breed of enjoyable (but predictable) action. Triple Deluxe doesn’t change the Kirby formula drastically, but it improves the difficulty curve and adds several fun mechanics." —Kyle Hilliard
LittleBigPlanet 3PS4 | 8.5(Also on PS3)
"LittleBigPlanet 3 is a strong showing for Sackboy and company, but one that points to the fact that – unlike Nintendo’s Mario, who’s been reinvented many times over the years – this series’ future is likely to follow the arc of another Sony platformer, Ratchet & Clank, by settling into a comfortable groove. As a fan of the genre, I’m fine with that – though this one doesn’t make as many waves as the original did back in 2008." —Matt Helgeson
Lords of the FallenPC | 8.5(Also on PS4, Xbox One)
"Lords of the Fallen is a surprisingly solid title that wasn’t even on my radar. While it borrows heavily from the Souls franchise, it’s done well and with its own signature flair. I highly recommend this game to anyone that enjoys that series, and if you haven’t gone down that road before, it might be a more forgiving entry point into the action RPG." —Daniel Tack
LuftrausersPS3, PC, Vita | 8.5
“Luftrausers is one of the most satisfying, enthralling arcade shooters to hit the market in recent memory.” —Tim Turi
Metro ReduxPS4, Xbox One, PC | 8.5
"Metro Redux may not offer much to entice players who have already played and enjoyed these games, but this remastered bundle is the best way for newcomers to experience the thrills and scares of this under-appreciated series." —Matt Bertz
MLB 14: The Show PS4, PS3 | 8.5
“New features dramatically cut down the time it takes to complete a game, allowing players to get deeper into seasons.” —Andrew Reiner
Persona 4 Arena UltimaxPS3, 360 | 8.5
"Ultimax makes small tweaks to the fighting system, but it also keeps things fresh with new characters, an intriguing story mode that Persona fans will adore, and plenty of modes to keep you busy. None of Persona's essence is sacrificed to make a fighting game." —Kimberley Wallace
Pro Evolution Soccer 2015PS4 | 8.5(Also on Xbox One, 360, PS3, PC)
"This is a great PES with which to kick off the new systems – it retains its heart while staking out vital new directions. It's not the largest of milestones and it has its stumbles, but it already puts the franchise on more firm footing than last generation." —Matthew Kato
South Park: The Stick Of TruthPS3, 360, PC | 8.5
“It’s one of the most faithful adaptations of a license I’ve seen, and it ranks among the best comedic games ever released.” —Dan Ryckert
Super Time ForceXbox One, 360 | 8.5"Super Time Force is a fascinating design experiment, and deserves your attention if only for its innovative twist on the classic shooter experience." -Matt Miller
Tropico 5PC | 8.5"If you’ve played the series before, you should feel right at home. If you haven’t, it’s a great place to start – this is the most fun and accessible installment yet." -Daniel Tack
The Walking Dead Season Two – Episode 3: In Harm's WayPS3, 360, PC | 8.5
"I felt emotionally drained and dejected after finishing this episode – but what’s so fascinating is never once did I want to stop playing. I want to see Clementine win." -Kimberley Wallace
The Walking Dead Season Two - Episode 5: No Going BackGame of the Month: October 2014 PS3, 360, PC, Vita, iOS | 8.5
"Telltale brings it all to a head in the season two finale, letting you decide how Clementine has grown. The decisions aren't easy, and they affect where she ends up; in a way, these choices say just as much about you as they do Clementine." —Kimberley Wallace
Watch DogsPS4, Xbox One, PC | 8.5(The PS3 and 360 editions did not earn our Silver award)"The main draw of any open-world game is the gameplay, and while not perfect, Watch Dog's hacking abilities add an engaging and unique twist to the third-person action. Ubisoft has another deserved hit on its hands, and I look forward to seeing where the new series goes next." -Jeff Marchiafava
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 3 - A Crooked MilePS3, 360, PC | 8.5"A Crooked Mile is a much more balanced episode than its predecessor. The excellent pacing, the varied choices, and how the writers still make me guess their next move keeps this episode riveting." —Kimberley Wallace
DestinyPS4, Xbox One, PS3, 360 | 8.75
"Even with its stumbles, the initial release of Destiny is a colossal achievement in interactive design, integrating a number of differing genre elements into a smart and unified whole. Bungie’s latest futuristic opus is one of the first true event games of this new generation, and while it still has room to grow, it’s worth your attention right out of the gate." —Matt Miller
Far Cry 4PS4 | 8.75(Also on Xbox One, PS3, 360, PC)
"The half-baked co-op is disappointing and the game sticks to the conventions of its direct predecessor almost to a fault, but the wondrous Himalayan setting packed with activities still makes Far Cry 4 a trip worth punching your passport. Come for the gunfights, and stay for the viscous honey badger hunts." —Matt Bertz
The Last of Us: Left BehindPS3 | 8.75
“Instead of blunting the impact as I feared, Riley and Ellie's story adds resonance to the original game's ending. For The Last of Us fans, this is a ride well worth taking.” —Matt Helgeson
Magic 2015 – Duels of the PlaneswalkersXbox One, 360, PC, iOS, Android | 8.75
"Magic 2015 – Duels of the Planeswalkers is possibly the best of the series, and an excellent option for gamers that might be interested in learning how to play Magic: The Gathering."—Daniel Tack
Our Darker Purpose PC | 8.75
“This Tim Burton-esque romp through the nightmare dreamscapes of the Edgewood Home for Lost Children is almost everything a player looking for a modern ‘roguelite’ could desire.”—Daniel Tack
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 3DS | 8.75
"The new PokéNav Plus elements are Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire’s biggest and best new additions. They change the way you participate in Pokémon’s most attractive mechanic – collecting Pokémon. It’s what separates Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire from X & Y, and ultimately makes them superior games. Having a better sense of which creatures I still need and where to get them is something I’ve been craving, and it makes this iteration in the series my personal favorite." —Kyle Hilliard
Shadowrun: Dragonfall PC | 8.75
“Dragonfall is an expansion in name, but its characters, story, and approach to gameplay feel more like a sequel.” —Matt Miller
Shovel KnightWii U, PC, 3DS | 8.75Game of the Month: August 2014
"Yacht Club Games’ Shovel Knight not only looks and feels like a lost gem from gaming’s past, it hybridizes classic gameplay mechanics from Capcom hits while injecting a modern risk/reward system. The polished core is topped off with a familiar yet authentic visual style that drives the whole experience home."—Tim Turi
Skylanders: Trap TeamPS4, Xbox One | 8.75(Also available on PS3, 360, Wii U, and 3DS)
"Giving Toys for Bob an extra year to work on this sequel paid off, not just with the concept of villains partnering with heroes, but the world they inhabit feeling more alive. Trap Team is an expensive proposition (see sidebar), but one that pounds out thrills and gives fans plenty of reason to visit Skylands for a fourth time." —Andrew Reiner
StriderGame of the Month: April 2014PS4, Xbox One, PS3, 360, PC | 8.75
“Strider is a great reboot for old-school arcade junkies and at the same time a fresh action experience for newcomers to the franchise.” —Bryan Vore
Velocity 2XPS4, Vita | 8.75
"Futurlab’s stellar game is challenging and unusual, and its complex controls are demanding. For that reason, Velocity 2X may not fascinate novice gamers, but experienced players will delight at its varied gameplay, spare design aesthetic, and daring speed." —Matt Miller
The Walking Dead Season Two - Episode 2: A House DividedPS3, 360, PC, iOS | 8.75
“It has everything that made season one so gripping, like important relationship development, tragedy, and stunning revelations.” —Kimberley Wallace
Wasteland 2PC | 8.75
"Wasteland 2 feels like a perfect execution of what inExile hoped to accomplish with this Kickstarter-fueled project, not only an excellent retro nod to the computer RPGs of decades ago, but a great RPG of today. After a 26-year hiatus, this long-awaited sequel is a worthy successor to the CRPG throne." —Daniel Tack
Be sure to click on the blue game titles to jump to the full review text.