In the final show for 2014, we are counting down our picks for The Short Game game of the year:

3 – Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight is an incredible throwback to the NES, but with a modern indie game energy. Arguably the best platformer of the last decade. Available for PC, Mac, Linux, Wii U, and 3DS, and coming soon to PS3, PS4, and PS Vita.

2 – A tie between Threes and A Dark Room

These two simple iOS games really captured us, but for very different reasons. Threes is the most perfect, simple puzzle game since Tetris, and A Dark Room begins as a simple text-driven adventure but iterates its way out into a deep emotional journey. Both games are definitive mobile game experiences you shouldn’t miss.

1 – Game of the Year: Transistor

Transistor by Super Giant Games blew us away with its beautiful art and deep, fun action-RPG combat. It’s a nearly perfect game that shows you a lot in your first 6-7 hour play through, but rewards dedicated players with a new-game-plus mode that expands on the combat system in really compelling ways. This game is destined to be a classic. Pick it up on PC, Mac, or Linux (Steam) or PS4.

Personal Picks

We each also wanted to mention a game that we thought deserved special attention, even though it didn’t place in our rankings.

Laura – Lords of Waterdeep for iOS

This iOS adaptation of the Wizards of the Coast board game shines as a great pass-and-play experience.

Nate – FTL: Advanced Edition

This free expansion to the incredible FTL: Faster than Light reinvigorated Nate’s unhealthy obsession with this short but infinitely re-playable rogue-like.

Shane – Nidhogg

Nominally a fencing game, Nidhogg is actually a tool designed to destroy relationships. An accessible one-on-one fighting game like no other.

Raygan – Freedom Planet

Freedom Planet came seemingly out of nowhere and destroyed my life for a weekend. It’s a pitch-perfect homage to the classic 16-bit Sonic the Hedgehog games, but expanded into new territory. It’s fiendishly difficult too. Don’t let the off-putting anime-styled cartoon animal characters put you off this incredible platformer. (You can turn off the dialogue and cutscenes if you wish.)

Also discussed – Crypt of the Necrodancer

It’s a rogue-like you can play on a DDR-style dance pad. What’s not to love?

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Your hosts this week were: