2014 was a year that brought some real gems to the video game world. There were plenty of cookie-cutter shoot-’em-ups, but for every 20 or so of them, a truly spectacular game appeared. Therefore, in no particular order, I present my top games of 2014.

The first breaks free of the typical shooter formula by focusing entirely on a single-player campaign, rather than include some lackluster multi-player mode to enthrall the younger shooter fan base.

“Wolfenstein: The New Order” is a wonderful adventure in an alternate timeline where the Nazis win World War II and you’re forced to fight a rebellion against their robotically enhanced government. Nazi enemies have lost their edge in recent years, but the game really makes you fear them in a video game for the first time in years. While harkening back to previous Wolfenstein titles by using over-the-top weapons and ridiculous action set pieces like fighting building sized population control robots, the game grounds itself with a truly superb story.

Next comes “Hearthstone,” Blizzard’s take on the online card game genre. While originally an internal side project for Blizzard’s own employees, the game has transformed into a money-making powerhouse, and for good reason. The gameplay feels fun and rewarding, as most Blizzard games do, but its simplicity is what keeps me playing. No online match is ever truly intimidating, and every victory feels well earned. They recently released a Goblins vs Gnomes expansion set that introduces more randomness and luck to the equation, which brings about another layer of fun into the game.

Nintendo’s fantastic MarioKart 8 takes the next spot. Nintendo has gotten quite good at making games that are both nostalgic and cutting edge. The kart racing genre has never been so much fun to play and is easily the best in an already fantastic franchise. And with the recent DLC release allowing the use of famous “Legend of Zelda” character Link, “MarioKart 8” is my favorite party game of the year.

Lastly comes Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s “South Park: The Stick of Truth.” The game brings your own created character into the world of “South Park,” and it feels and looks exactly like a standard episode of the television show with all the vulgarity and fart jokes we’ve come to expect. The RPG elements are incorporated well into the story and, frankly, surprised me with their depth. For a video game based on “South Park, I’m floored by how well thought out it was. Definitely check this one out, if you haven’t already.

All in all 2014 brought not only a new console generation, but a new generation of innovative and fun games and franchises. With the new year upon us, the potential of video games has never been so optimistic.