The force is strong with the PC Master Race. There are always excellent games available on the platform ranging from indies to AAA releases. However, it’s really the games that only come to a specific platform that can make us truly jealous. This year, PC gamers had a real winner that was made for them alone.
And the winner is… Civilization: Beyond Earth!
Combining excellent strategy with a whole host of new obstacles, Civilization: Beyond Earth wasn’t just a rinse and repeat of previous Civilization games. Going into the future, it’s up to us to save humanity as we align with the aliens, or destroy them all. Take over new planets, destroy other civilizations and generationally just rule the (new) world.
With beautiful designs and an impressive tech tree, Civilziation: Beyond Earth promised to steal hours of our lives – exactly what we expect from a spectacular PC game.
Honourable mention:
The Sims
Last Updated: December 19, 2014
Spaffy
December 19, 2014 at 08:04
Oh. Was Civ and Sims the only options?
Admiral Chief on leave
December 19, 2014 at 08:04
Heh, lesser of two evils?
Spaffy
December 19, 2014 at 08:07
Well, in all honesty I haven’t played Civ yet, but Sims, well…
So, last day today, or are you already on leave?
Admiral Chief on leave
December 19, 2014 at 08:08
Last day, finishing up a few things
Spaffy
December 19, 2014 at 08:09
Ditto. Unless something major happens
Admiral Chief on leave
December 19, 2014 at 08:10
SHUSH YOU!
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:13
Nah, Zoe was the only one choosing for this one because the rest of them don’t look at their PC’s anymore other than to write articles.
ToshZA
December 19, 2014 at 08:21
Zoe? PC? Same sentence? O_O
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:26
Sorry I meant MAC… though she’s probably using Dean’s PC either way
Spy Master Tokashi
December 19, 2014 at 08:26
There is actually better games out there on Steam but since when does an Indie game beat an AAA on awards 😉
Brady miaau
December 19, 2014 at 13:50
I would say original sin I better, but camera angles and movements count a lot for me
RustedFaith
December 19, 2014 at 10:14
Yeh its amazing that the new half finished CIV wins over games like Divine Divinity: Original Sin and Wasteland ….
Who compiled this list so that we can put his head on a spike (Stands ready with Pitchfork)
RustedFaith
December 19, 2014 at 10:24
Well the one who compiled this list doesn’t know anything about pc gaming. I would love to know how LZ rates this.
So CIV: Beyond Earth Metracitic of 81 meta score and 5.6 user score.
Divine Divinity: Metacritic of 87 meta score and 8.8 user score.
The Sims 4: Metacritic of 70 meta score and 5.6 user score.
So please tell me how CIV and Sims ended up ontop ? Or is this your personal PC games of the year list? Or more like a half assed article at the end of the year. I always hold you in high regard LZ but this was half assed.
Brady miaau
December 19, 2014 at 13:49
Yeah, civ was good, but a flawed game. A few patches, a dlc and all good
Admiral Chief Octacore
December 19, 2014 at 08:04
The sims? Really?
Dutch Matrix
December 19, 2014 at 08:10
Yes. Really. Deal with it! 😛
Hammersteyn
December 19, 2014 at 08:14
MASTER RACE has the best games
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 19, 2014 at 08:08
Maaaaaaan. I still want to play this game. Anyone want to gift it to me? *hint hint nudge nudge shove*
Admiral Chief on leave
December 19, 2014 at 08:09
I’ll buy it for you….if it hits $7…
Spaffy
December 19, 2014 at 08:10
Hehe, never gets old 😀
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 19, 2014 at 08:24
Just putting this here as proof of your promise….
Admiral Chief on leave
December 19, 2014 at 08:29
Deal, Mr7
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:24
I’ll gift you CIV: BE if you gift me a pre-order of Witcher 3. How’s that? 😉
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 19, 2014 at 08:25
Lol. Tis ok. Shall pass on that 🙂
Hammersteyn
December 19, 2014 at 08:14
Ok then, so it starts 😛
ToshZA
December 19, 2014 at 08:20
Civ:BE? Really? Even with Endless Legend being released this year, same genre, and being better?
Spy Master Tokashi
December 19, 2014 at 08:41
Divinity Original Sin … and yeah Endless Legend is another one… BUT it is not AAA or mainstream 🙂
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:42
That’s a good enough reason for me to look into getting it. Not so-called “AAA”.
ToshZA
December 19, 2014 at 08:54
Neither of those are AAA, and both of those are better than pretty much every AAA game released this year. XD
Spy Master Tokashi
December 19, 2014 at 08:57
Jip, I have lost 40 hours in Divinity Original Sin and I am still far from the end … eish. I have Endless Legend and I do not dare starting with that until I am done with some of my games….
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:23
Woohoo! CIV!
*returns to Steam*
ToshZA
December 19, 2014 at 08:24
http://store.steampowered.com/app/289130/
Do yourself a favour. Buy it.
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:25
Steam is blocked at work, I have to use my phone. Is it CIV: BE?
ToshZA
December 19, 2014 at 08:25
No. Endless Legend XD
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:27
Oh….checking it out now
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:30
I’ll wait and see if that discount falls a bit more. 🙂
ToshZA
December 19, 2014 at 08:53
I paid full price on release. Don’t regret it 😉
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:55
I would, I’m just keeping my budget in check 🙂
ToshZA
December 19, 2014 at 08:56
Good call XD
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:27
I just remote my pc at home XD
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:27
That’s very smart. I’ll tell my fiancé (still getting used to saying that) to switch on my teamviewer quickly. 🙂
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:39
You’ll get used to it soon enough, and then you’ll have to get used to saying “my wife”.
I have 2 ways of getting onto my machine… remote through dynamic dns, or Teamviewer setup in “unattended” mode.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 19, 2014 at 08:38
Metal Gear Revengeance is only $6 for the next day & a half. I can finally play a metal gear game lol.
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:41
Haha. I played it back on PS1 I think. I wonder if they’ve changed the graphics?
Spy Master Tokashi
December 19, 2014 at 08:42
Stigg Master of Shadows is now on discount. Great great stealth game. Buying it today! 🙂
Spy Master Tokashi
December 19, 2014 at 08:25
and the trolling begins!
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:26
It makes it a bit more difficult when it’s something that only runs on one platform.
In the case of Ubisoft games it’s easy though, since they don’t run on any of the platforms.
Spaffy
December 19, 2014 at 08:35
Nice 😀
Spy Master Tokashi
December 19, 2014 at 08:28
Civilization: Beyond Earth is not a game, it is a DLC 😉
Matewis Jubilai
December 19, 2014 at 08:32
Southpark: Stick of Truth!!! Haven’t played it though – waiting for a steam sale 😛
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:45
It’s on sale now, 40% off… $23.99… so this might not be the sale you’re waiting for 🙂
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:45
I imagine you waving your Jedi-hand when saying that.
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:47
hahahaha
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 19, 2014 at 08:52
And he said it while using a South Park avatar. What does it mean?
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:54
O_o
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 09:01
Dun dun duuuuuuuuuun!
Matewis Jubilai
December 19, 2014 at 10:37
O.O This is not the sale I’ve been waiting for….
Reid
December 19, 2014 at 08:56
I enjoyed that game a lot. I didn’t buy it however. Just used Steam Family Sharing. I might get it when it’s on a very good sale.
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 19, 2014 at 08:41
Well thinking back on the year there aren’t a heck of a lot of PC games that stood out.
The only ones that come to mind are:
Alien:Isolation
Civ: BE
Dragon Age Inquisition
FarCry4
Out of those I personally would have chosen between A:Isolation or DA:Inquisition.
But it’s kind of sad to see so few games that stood out on PC
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 19, 2014 at 08:43
It’s difficult to stand out when the average bar is set so high 😉
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:44
I’ve actually had quite a good year of games this year, but 90% of them were indie. Story and style just trumps shiny and pretty.
Interesting that you didn’t mention Batman: Shadow of Mordor. ;P
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 19, 2014 at 08:44
Oh oops. Yeah, sorry, Shadow of Mordor had me very interested. Added.
Still, it’s such a small AAA list of titles
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:48
Batman: Assassin of Mordor* XD
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:49
Spot on! 😀
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 19, 2014 at 08:53
Batman: Assassin of Mordor: Remastered
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:53
You go too far! XD
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 19, 2014 at 08:55
Batman: Assassin of Mordor: Remastered Redux
Reid
December 19, 2014 at 09:01
Actually some of the indie games I played this year had a good story, but were also shiny and pretty. Just in a different style.
Her Highness the Hipster
December 19, 2014 at 08:48
we restricted our list to PC exclusives. don’t worry – those games are considered for other categories 😛
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:49
Hopefully not limited to AAA
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 19, 2014 at 08:58
That makes it even worse actually. How many PC exclusives then stood out? Civ:BE…. Urmmm.. Nice… One… One exclusive truly stood out. Wonderful. This makes me sad
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 19, 2014 at 09:03
I don’t really mind. Most PC exclusives are indie or smaller titles, very few big-budget AAA titles. There’s plenty of those cross-platform. I’ve found many of the smaller titles to be just as rewarding.
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 09:04
My most enjoyed games of the year were all “smaller titles” though they had much bigger stories and heart than any of the hyped-up big name games.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 19, 2014 at 09:06
Yes, I played a few that kicked me right in the feels.
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:47
All this talk of Steam sales… makes me confused if I’m happy or sad that I’m broke.
Captain JJ the engaged
December 19, 2014 at 08:49
The sale is a bit of a disappointment this year. They’ve changed how flash sales work, the community votes are once every 24 hours. Everything seems a bit half-assed.
That said, I think the fact that GOG and HumbleStore is also having sales is getting to Steam. Few good titles on Humble Store though and it was nice when I received an email the other day telling everything the charity money has been going towards 🙂
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 08:51
Yeah, I’m checking all these sales out… I still can’t afford any of the games LOL
I saw Steam’s sale last year, was a lot quicker and rushed to get that new deal… this year… It’s slow as hell.
Spy Master Tokashi
December 19, 2014 at 08:55
To think about it…What about World of Warcraft’s expansion, World of Draenor. You know that Blizzard managed to get back to 10mil Sub mark and they have not released it in China yet.
That game should get an award like “Take that people who thought that Wildstar will be the WoW Killer” or “King of the MMORPG hill”
I am playing it now after saying “stuff you blizzard for your boring MMO”. It is really good … eish
😉
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 09:08
I jumped into WoD after getting a 10 day trial of the expansion (cos the copy I got went to my wife) aaaaaand I stand by what I said in my preview. Story’s good, stat changes suck, quests are all the same, and there’s not much to do after you hit lvl 100. Some of my friends are back in Pandaria trying to get rep and mounts, and finishing older raids.
But we’ll see how that 10mill sub mark holds up after people’s 60/90 day game time expires.
Spy Master Tokashi
December 19, 2014 at 10:41
I completely disagree with you on the stat changes, quests and content. The stat changes is far superior than what we had in the last 3 expansions. It is awesome 😉
The quests are interesting and it is a lot better than any of their previous expansions and even the vanilla WoW.
Not much to do at lvl 100? Are you serious?
So you are telling me that you have managed to get GOLD in Challenges modes for all the dungeons? At this moment it is SUPER fun and difficult …
There are a lot to do in WoD; Challenge Modes, Raids, Arena, World PvP, Battlegrounds, Garrison, Followers in Garrison and even doing all the quests and special events will take you a lot of time.
You have clearly a negative outlook on the game to not to see the amount of things that you can do.
The story is interesting, I am a Warcraft fan and love the lore and playing WoD is actually a dream come true.
This expansion managed to start people play WoW again that said they will never play it again. Now they are sucked in it for hours.
ReaperOfSquirrels
December 19, 2014 at 10:56
Each to their own I guess… I know a lot of people that are rather disappointed with the new expansion. I’ve been playing WoW on and off (money permitting) since just before WotLK patch 3.3 came out, and haven’t paid to play the game in 7 months. I put a lot of hours into the beta, and agree with some of my friends that they’ll need to release additional content soon.
But hey, if you’re enjoying it, then I’m happy you are. I personally don’t see WoW staying at 10 mill subscribers until the next expansion, or even close to it. The last drop in subscribers was the worst in its’ 10 year history, but I’m curious to see what Blizzard does with the game to keep the subscribers paying through to the next expansion, if there is one.
Ryanza
December 19, 2014 at 09:54
Let’s be real here. The best PC game is DRM.
Don’t Support DRM. The Witcher 3 is coming.
Kerrits
December 19, 2014 at 09:56
I haven’t played either the Sims or Civ, but Wasteland 2 was the best damn game I’ve played on PC the last couple of years. Hell, I would rank it up there with GTA5 and TLOU in terms of enjoyment.
Schalk Engelbrecht
December 19, 2014 at 10:45
Hope you get everything done before the turn limit is up. Otherwise try this –
http://steamcommunity.com/app/65980/discussions/0/619569341137914262/
Apparently there’s some beacon you need to activate and can play long after 400 moves if you haven’t. Hope it helps. I’ve just heard about it, not yet played this myself.
Kruger Zelda
December 26, 2014 at 18:10
Some of us just hate strategy games period.
There is lots more other PC games than strategy (that is where player preference comes in;
action-girl myself)
BUT
I do understand that to get the best of each category in each medium will be one
massive task. The matrix just expands exponentially.
Thanks for all the review