One of the best qualities you can find in a game is longevity. When a game has longevity, it gives you great value for your money, keeping you invested for more than just a week or two.
In this day and age, addictive games are harder to come by than ever before. Many of the best-selling games are those that last 10 to 20 hours, and offer you little incentive to come back for more.
Also See: 10 Console Games with the Best Graphics in 2014
In this CraveOnline Best of 2014 list, you’ll find the most addictive games of the year. These games are often played and are a cause for long-term distraction. In other words, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in a single game for a while, these are the titles to look at.
Check out the gallery below for our top 10 most addictive games of 2014.
The 10 Most Addictive Video Games of 2014
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10. Grand Theft Auto V (PS4 and Xbox One)
My Hours Played So Far: 19
Verdict: Grand Theft Auto Review
While Grand Theft Auto V is a re-release, it has been improved enough to surface on this list. With much improved graphics and an all-new first-person perspective I've found myself spending much more time in the world than I ever thought I would. The additions and improvements have made it difficult to stop running missions and messing around with NPCs in the game world.
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9. Super Smash Bros for Wii U
My Hours Played So Far: 21
Verdict: Super Smash Bros Wii U Review
What the Smash series does better than any other is delivering the depth and competitive nature of a top tier fighting game and making it more easily consumable. Super Smash Bros for Wii U is a game that just about anyone can pick up and get used to within 30 minutes of playing. Once someone has gotten used to it, trying out each of several dozen characters to find favorites is a quest in its own right. It's also a game that provides a myriad of play options, giving local and online multiplayer the legs needed to sustain themselves for a very long time.
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8. Forza Horizon 2
My Hours Played So Far: 82
Verdict: Forza Horizon 2 Review
I can't think of another racing game in history that is as heavy on content while also being polished around every edge. Forza Horizon 2 has over 220 highly detailed cars, all of which can be upgraded in many ways, and customized with paint jobs and decals. It has a massive world inspired by real-world France and Italy, making joy rides pleasurable. It also has the most well-delivered online component of any racing game in history, inspiring those who love racing to hone their skills and use them to battle others.
Forza Horizon 2 is a game I find myself logging into at least five times a week, and that's usually only something I can say about RPGs.
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7. Dark Souls 2
My Hours Played So Far: 54
Verdict: Dark Souls 2 Review
After Dark Souls I thought I was done with From Software's games; these titles are notoriously difficult, making investment deeply exhausting. Nonetheless, I braved the challenge and found myself facing some of the greatest dungeons and bosses in action RPG history. After 54 hours of fighting and clawing my way to the end, I can proudly safe I defeated Dark Souls 2. That number would be even higher if I had the guts to try out its 15+ hours of DLC.
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6. Destiny
My Hours Played So Far: 20
Verdict: Destiny Review
I'll admit that I didn't click with Destiny, but many of those who enjoy its style haven't stopped playing it since its release in early September. This is a game that console-izes some of the greatest things about MMOs. As such, players have found themselves investing hundreds of hours in the endless search for gear upgrades and weapons. There's also a brand-new expansion that has arrived to keep the addiction going.
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5. Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition
My Hours Played So Far: 300+
Verdict: Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition Review
There's no way around it: I absolutely love Diablo 3. While I've spent most of my time on the PC version, the PS4 and Xbox One version is better in some ways.
Ultimate Evil Edition is the kind of game that you invite a few friends over to play, and find yourself playing through the night. Slaying enemies, trying out new builds, and earning new loot is addictive by nature and Diablo 3 does is as good as any.
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4. Dragon Age: Inquisition
My Hours Played So Far: 58
Verdict: Dragon Age: Inquisition Review
If you've heard that Dragon Age: Inquisition has over 100 hours in content, you heard right. It's quite extraordinary that a game available on PS4 and Xbox One just a year into the new generation is this large. It isn't just large, though. It's dense with quests, and makes you feel like a vital part of the game world. Consequently, it's eaten up dozens of hours of my time.
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3. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (PS4)
My Hours Played So Far: 300+
Verdict: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Review
Last year I was so captivated by Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn that I leveled up both Black Mage and Paladin to 50. Although I would eventually stop playing, the PS4 iteration got me back into the thick of things. Playing with a controller works surprisingly well, and it's a huge perk to be able to play what is unarguably one of the best MMOs on the market today from a couch.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has a lot of end-game content that isn't only well designed, but a lot of it is derived from previous Final Fantasy lore. Being able to battle iconic foes such as Odin and Ultima makes it that much harder to vanquish the addiction.
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2. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
My Hours Played So Far: 130+
Verdict: Hearthstone: Curse of Naxxramas Review
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is the first card game addiction for many of us. Our entrance into Blizzard's latest title was paved by its free-to-play nature. While its theme is set in Warcraft, one of my favorite IPs, it has its own flavor, one that is tasteful enough to be one of the most popular games on the entire planet.
Hearthstone shot into stardom at release and has remained one of the most popular titles throughout 2014, which is extraordinary given that it's completely free to play. This is a game that is very rewarding to play, and doesn't require long play sessions like most other addictive titles. It's also one of the top competitive games in the world, with tournaments to be found on stages both large and small. This competitive eSport side of the game has made the game particularly addictive for competitive types who not only invest dozens of hours playing each week, but watch others play on live streaming sites like Twitch where it usually holds a top three spot.
There have already been two expansions released for Hearthstone, further expanding the card pool and keeping players coming back for more.
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1. World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor
My Hours Played So Far: 154 in Warlords of Draenor alone
Verdict: World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor Review
I've given up on thinking that I'll ever permanently quit World of Warcraft. At this point, it's the game I've played far more than any other, and if I didn't say it's my favorite game of all-time I'd be lying.
Warlords of Draenor is so good many of us are already comparing it to Wrath of the Lich King, an expansion regarded as the best of World of Warcraft's 10 year legacy. With its interesting theme and great new features, such as Garrisons, addiction has surfaced.
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is check my Follower Missions, and send them on new ones. I actually care about the story in this expansion, driving me to participate in all the expansion's content. And frankly, I can't put it down.
Put in a nutshell, World of Warcraft has done it again.
