All the winners, in no particular order
PAX is always a wonderful show because of the way that it melds the presence of both the industry’s largest games and the smallest developers. Into giant triple-A titles? Yup, PAX has plenty of that for you to get your hands on. Indie or experimental stuff more your speed? Fret not, there are tons of hidden gems at every turn to keep you constantly busy.
Unsurprisingly, we found some amazing stuff from both categories. In no particular order, these were Destructoid’s top ten games from PAX Prime 2014.
Titan Souls
Most often described asShadow of the ColossusmeetsDark Soulswith a healthy dose ofThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, it’s kind of a no-brainer as to why people are intoTitan Souls. Unrelentingly tough, yet supremely rewarding,Titan Soulstakes you from the lowest lows of defeat to the highest highs of victory, all with just a tiny hero and a single arrow. Regardless of the results of any particular attempt, it’s almost impossible to not want to have just one more go at it. One more time, over and over again.
Bloodborne
It’s no secret that we’re in love with From Software’s games. We’re not alone; it’s a common sentiment among anyone that’s deeply familiar with videogames. We gave it agame of the show at gamescom, and now it’s getting one at PAX Prime. Taking systems fromDark Soulsand injecting a new setting with more blood and gore? Yeah, we’re sold.
Game 4
The Behemoth’s next game may not have a name, but it has a solid premise. Turn-based cooperative adventuring sounds grand, and it seems to have all that charm and style that always defines the studio’s titles. Yes, it just got announced as PAX opened, but it already looks good enough that we can’t wait to learn more — title included.
Super Smash Bros.
As we draw nearer to the release ofSuper Smash Bros.the anticipation is palpable. Nintendo’s floor space has been constantly packed with people trying to get any glimpse of the game that they can. It’s a big draw and there’s a good reason behind that — because it’s shaping up to be a damn fine game.
Rocketsrocketsrockets
Radial Games’Rocketsrocketsrocketsmay not be a game that a lot have heard of, but it should be on everyone’s radar. It’s a bunch of rocket versus rocket combat as the screen fills with soothing, colorful streaks. Fighting may technically be the premise here, but it’s almost like a ballet instead of warfare. That’s beautiful, man.
Dreadnought
Yager’sDreadnoughtmay seem like a slow space battle game at first, but that just means that you don’t understand how it plays. Designed for those that aim to learn its more advanced tactics,Dreadnoughteventually rewards those that adhere to the old “slow and steady” adage. Once you get that down, you’ll be laughing at the fools who attempt to zoom around as quickly as they can.
Far Cry 4
At almost every show we go to, we find something to be excited about inFar Cry 4. We can’t wait to jump into the Himalayan landscape and start exploring and blowing everything up. There’s not a good chance that those murderous psychopaths are going to just stop, so we’ll take matters into our own hands. All while riding an elephant.
Alien: Isolation
We’ve known for a long time now thatAlien: Isolationhas looked solid. It’s always interesting to watch other convention-goers get immediately excited about it after playing. There’s definitely a buzz around it and its difficult demo at PAX. Still, we don’t recommend anyone go inside thatgross alien egg.
Close Castles
Some people built their castles too close together, and that’s what drivesClose Castles. Simple premise, addictive gameplay. A combination of real-time strategy and tower defense,Close Castlesis a competitive city builder that will have you feeling just as unable to put it down as developer Sirvo’s last game:Threes!
Never Alone
Never Aloneis a gorgeous platformer that tells an Inuit folktale about a city ravaged by blizzard. Following a girl and her fox,Never Aloneis described by the developers as “moreLimbothanMeat Boy,” and looks to be an amazing adventure that tells the stories of an underrepresented culture.
