We review loads of games every year, but only the best receive our special Game Informer awards. Some earn a Silver (a score of 8.5 to 8.75), some Gold (9.0 to 9.5), and an elite few make it all the way to Platinum (9.75 to 10). The most outstanding reviewed game featured in Game Informer Magazine also receives our coveted Game of the Month award. We've compiled every awarded game that released in 2014 so that you can easily browse and keep track of the top scoring games. If a particular game catches your eye, you can click on the title to read the full review. This list will be updated monthly so be sure to check back regularly to stay on top of all the finest games and see if your favorites make the cut.
The Banner Saga
PC | 8.5
“Despite a few minor issues with enemy variety and the tedium of recurring encounters, Banner Saga stands out as an excellent tactical RPG with considerable depth.” —Daniel Tack
BioShock Infinite - Burial at Sea Episode 2
PS3, 360, PC | 8.5
“Finishing Episode 2 is bittersweet, since it’s the last piece of content created by Irrational Games as we know it. However, Burial at Sea also ties together the landmark creations of the talented team in a satisfying way, making it an appropriate curtain call for this amazing studio.” —Joe Juba
Broken Age: Act I
PC | 8.5
“With imaginative puzzles and wondrous settings, Broken Age: Act I is a delightful game for fans of adventure.” —Jeff Cork
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Vita | 8.5
“I was surprised, captivated, and challenged by the culprit in every case.” —Kimberley Wallace
Infamous Second Son
PS4 | 8.5
“For the third time, Sucker Punch has crafted a game that is worth playing through twice.” —Andrew Reiner
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Game of the Month: June 2014
3DS | 8.5
"The difficulty level in Kirby’s outings remains consistently low, creating a relaxed breed of enjoyable (but predictable) action. Triple Deluxe doesn’t change the Kirby formula drastically, but it improves the difficulty curve and adds several fun mechanics." —Kyle Hilliard
Luftrausers
PS3, PC, Vita | 8.5
“Luftrausers is one of the most satisfying, enthralling arcade shooters to hit the market in recent memory.” —Tim Turi
MLB 14: The Show
PS4, PS3 | 8.5
“New features dramatically cut down the time it takes to complete a game, allowing players to get deeper into seasons.” —Andrew Reiner
South Park: The Stick Of Truth
PS3, 360, PC | 8.5
“It’s one of the most faithful adaptations of a license I’ve seen, and it ranks among the best comedic games ever released.” —Dan Ryckert
Super Time Force
Xbox One, 360 | 8.5
"Super Time Force is a fascinating design experiment, and deserves your attention if only for its innovative twist on the classic shooter experience." -Matt Miller
Tropico 5
PC | 8.5
"If you’ve played the series before, you should feel right at home. If you haven’t, it’s a great place to start – this is the most fun and accessible installment yet." -Daniel Tack
The Walking Dead Season Two – Episode 3: In Harm's Way
PS3, 360, PC | 8.5
"I felt emotionally drained and dejected after finishing this episode– but what’s so fascinating is never once did I want to stop playing. I want to see Clementine win." -Kimberley Wallace
Watch Dogs
PS4, Xbox One, PC | 8.5
(The PS3 and 360 editions did not earn our Silver award)
"The main draw of any open-world game is the gameplay, and while not perfect, Watch Dog's hacking abilities add an engaging and unique twist to the third-person action. Ubisoft has another deserved hit on its hands, and I look forward to seeing where the new series goes next." -Jeff Marchiafava
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 3 - A Crooked Mile
PS3, 360, PC | 8.5
"A Crooked Mile is a much more balanced episode than its predecessor. The excellent pacing, the varied choices, and how the writers still make me guess their next move keeps this episode riveting." —Kimberley Wallace
The Last of Us: Left Behind
PS3 | 8.75
“Instead of blunting the impact as I feared, Riley and Ellie's story adds resonance to the original game's ending. For The Last of Us fans, this is a ride well worth taking.” —Matt Helgeson
Our Darker Purpose
PC | 8.75
“This Tim Burton-esque romp through the nightmare dreamscapes of the Edgewood Home for Lost Children is almost everything a player looking for a modern ‘roguelite’ could desire.”—Daniel Tack
Shadowrun: Dragonfall
PC | 8.75
“Dragonfall is an expansion in name, but its characters, story, and approach to gameplay feel more like a sequel.” —Matt Miller
Shovel Knight
Wii U, PC, 3DS | 8.75
Game of the Month: August 2014
"Yacht Club Games’ Shovel Knight not only looks and feels like a lost gem from gaming’s past, it hybridizes classic gameplay mechanics from Capcom hits while injecting a modern risk/reward system. The polished core is topped off with a familiar yet authentic visual style that drives the whole experience home."—Tim Turi
Strider
Game of the Month: April 2014
PS4, Xbox One, PS3, 360, PC | 8.75
“Strider is a great reboot for old-school arcade junkies and at the same time a fresh action experience for newcomers to the franchise.” —Bryan Vore
The Walking Dead Season Two - Episode 2: A House Divided
PS3, 360, PC, iOS | 8.75
“It has everything that made season one so gripping, like important relationship development, tragedy, and stunning revelations.” —Kimberley Wallace
Be sure to click on the blue game titles to jump to the full review text.