Best of 2014 - Number 1

Sunset Overdrive

Insomniac Games
Xbox One

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If you read my review, you would know that I absolutely loved Insomniac Games' post-apocalyptic shoot-em-up Sunset Overdrive. It's a game that doesn't apologize for what it is, nor does it pretend like it's anything less than a big, dumb action game where stuff blows up a lot. And that's exactly what you'll spend 90% or so of your time doing in Sunset Overdrive: going from Point A to Point B blowing stuff up. With cool guns, no less! But it's how you get from Point A to Point B that makes Sunset Overdrive so special. Remember as a kid when you'd jump around the living room furniture pretending that the floor was lava? Well, that's what Sunset Overdrive evokes those memories as you grind, zip-line, and wall run your way across the expansive Sunset City, blasting every last mutant, human scavenger, and robot in sight. Oh, and it also has a killer soundtrack. But what I love most about Sunset Overdrive is the fact that it's just plain fun. And it never, ever stops being fun, even after the credits roll.

There was never any doubt in my mind that Sunset Overdrive would land on the top of my "Best Of" list for 2014. It's the kind of experience that represents everything I love about video games. Sure, its in your face humor could definitely be a turn-off for some people, but it's unapologetic attitude and punk rock aesthetic were right up my ally. In a gaming year that felt empty and broken, Sunset Overdrive kicked down the door and reminded everyone why we play video games: to have fun. There was never a single second during the nearly 15 hours I spent saving Sunset City from disaster that I wasn't having fun. I wore a big, dumb smile the entire time. And for that, I can proudly and confidently name Sunset Overdrive the best game I played in 2014.