Best of 2014 - Number 7

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

UbiSoft Montpellier

Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, PC, iOS

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Mesmerizing in its art style and heart-wrenching in its storytelling, Valiant Hearts is a beautiful tale of World War I told by those who lived it. At first glance, you may mistake Valiant Hearts for a light-hearted, fun romp through war-torn Europe, and the game's art style sure backs up those assumptions. However, the gorgeous hand drawn visuals actually emphasize the horror and darkness of war that much more. Valiant Hearts is an adventure game filled with inventive puzzles and tons of collectibles (many of which serve as history lessons, giving the player a deeper look into WWI). To say that it's a fun game would be a stretch, but even with the heaviness of its subject matter, Valiant Hearts is a very moving and enjoyable experience.

Valiant Hearts is a very special game, one that doesn't come around very often. In a gaming landscape filed to the brim with shooters, it's nice to see a video game about war where you don't even fire a single bullet. Valiant Hearts is all about characters and the events that shaped them. It shows how war tears families and loved ones apart, and reminds us of the power of bravery and camaraderie. I've given UbiSoft a ton of criticism this year (looking straight at you, Assassin's Creed Unity) but I applaud them and their Montpellier studio for taking a chance on Valiant Hearts. It's a beautiful experience that shouldn't be missed.