The most anticipated games of 2014

Developer: Bungie

The original team that started the Halo franchise, Bungie is now putting the finishing touches on Destiny, an action RPG shooter set in a science fiction open world. The team has described Destiny as an "always-on" experience or a "shared-world shooter."

Target release: September 9 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3)

Developer: Retro Studios

This side-scrolling platformer is the sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns, the retro-inspired hit on the Wii and 3DS.

Target release: February 21 (Wii U exclusive)

Developer: Techland

From the team that brought us Dead Island (and its dead-on-arrival sequel) comes Dying Light, a next-generation zombie action game set in an urban open world. In Dying Light, zombies' aggressiveness escalates at night.

Target release: TBA 2014 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Ubisoft Massive

The Division made a huge first impression at E3 2013, promising a disturbingly real online multiplayer simulation of what happens when a disease breaks out on Black Friday in a New York City of the near future.

Target release: Q4 (XBO, PS4, PC--likely after console release)

Developer: Tango Gameworks

The next generation of survival horror comes in the form of The Evil Within, led by director Shinji Mikami, who's primarily responsible for Resident Evil 4, regarded by many as one of the best games ever made. A preview of the game at E3 2013 proved terrifying, so here's hoping the gameplay comes together.

Target release: TBA 2014 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)

Developer: ZeniMax Online Studios

Continuing the stories set forth in the Elder Scrolls games, this massively multiplayer online role-playing game will let players choose one of three factions.

Target release: April 4 (PC, Mac), June (XBO, PS4)

Developer: 343 Industries

The next generation of what's easily the most iconic Xbox franchise is set for debut sometime in 2014.

Target release: TBA 2014 (XBO exclusive)

Developer: Sucker Punch

The third inFamous game in the series will hit the PS4 exclusively and will take place seven years after the events that occurred in inFamous 2. The game focuses on characters who become "real-life superheroes" that develop powers that allow them to manipulate certain elements.

Target release: March 21 (PS4 exclusive)

Developer: Avalanche Studios

Based on the film series of the same name, Mad Max puts players in the role of Max, an outlaw who roams the wasteland in a combat vehicle.

Target release: TBA 2014 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)

Developer: MercurySteam

The sequel to the surprising 2010 hit, this action-adventure game puts players in the role of a modern-day Dracula who possess many destructive powers.

Target release: February 25 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Kojima Productions

The first half of the two-part Metal Gear Solid V, Ground Zeroes will take place in 1975, right after the events of Peacewalker. Phantom Pain, the second half of the Metal Gear Solid V story, will be released at a later date.

Target release: March 18 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3)

Developer: Nintendo

Finally, Nintendo's iconic kart racer speeds its way onto the Wii U. The new feature this time around is antigravity tracks, while motorbikes, hang-gliding, and 12-player racing all return.

Target release: spring 2014 (Wii U exclusive)

Developer: Remedy Entertainment

This dimension-bending third-person-shooter comes to us from Remedy Entertainment, the team behind Max Payne and Alan Wake. In Quantum Break, players possess the ability to manipulate time.

Target release: TBA 2014/wishful thinking (XBO exclusive)

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

Another familiar face on an anticipated gaming list, South Park: The Stick of Truth looks to bring all of the hilarious and over-the-top antics from the cartoon into this fully realized, turn-based RPG.

Target release: March 4 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Namco Bandai Games

Choose your favorite Nintendo character and battle it out in this quintessential arcade fighter.

Target release: TBA 2014 (Wii U, 3DS)

Developer: Telltale Games

In what better hands can an episodic adapted game be than those belonging to Telltale Games? This brand new franchise hopes to see five installments in 2014.

Target release: TBA 2014 (360, PS3, Vita, PC, iOS, Mac)

Developer: Insomniac Games

The Xbox One's irreverent first-person open-world shooter has a bizarre sense of humor and unique art style to boot.

Target release: TBA 2014 (XBO exclusive)

Developer: Ready at Dawn

It's tough to get too excited about a game that no one has really seen or played, but you can't deny the splash the game's teaser trailer made back at Sony's E3 2013 press conference. The Order: 1886 is based on a fictional history where humans began taking on monster-like qualities, while an order of knights is responsible for protecting the rest of the world from them.

Target release: Q3 (PS4 exclusive)

Developer: Eidos Montreal

The classic franchise gets a reboot where players must use stealth to maneuver through the game, stealing from the rich. Like the rest of the games in the series, the use of violence is only considered as a very last resort.

Target release: February 25 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Respawn Entertainment

From developer Respawn Entertainment comes Titanfall, a futuristic combat action game that combines first-person-shooting and mech piloting into one fierce online battlefield. It's being touted as the true next-generation first-person-shooter, but it'll be available only on Microsoft platforms.

Target release: March 11 (XBO, 360, PC)

Developer: Supergiant Games

From the studio that brought us the indie hit Bastion comes Transistor, which combines action and turn-based strategy mechanics.

Target release: TBA 2014 (PS4, PC, Mac)

Developer: Telltale Games

Coming off one of the best games of 2012, the second season of Telltale Games' point-and-click instant classic has a lot to live up to.

Target release: TBA 2014 (360, PS3, Vita, PC, iOS, Mac)

Developer: CD Projekt RED

The Witcher 3 plans to end the narrative of the game's lead character, Geralt of Rivia, in what the developer is calling "a living open world larger than any other in modern RPG history."

Target release: TBA 2014 (XBO, PS4, PC)

Developer: Ubisoft

OK, so this isn't Watch Dogs' first appearance on a most-anticipated list. In fact, it's probably the third time. Despite Ubisoft's decision to delay the game nearly a half year, Watch Dogs remains one of the most anticipated games in recent memory. Fingers crossed for summer 2014.

Target release: Q2 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, Wii U, PC)

Developer: Machine Games

Wolfenstein is being rebooted again for what feels like the 87th the ninth time in an intriguing alternate history storyline. Interestingly enough, there won't be a multiplayer component in The New Order as the developer has said the focus on this title resides in the campaign.

Target release: TBA 2014 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Jonathan Blow

From the mind behind the breakout indie hit, Braid, Jonathan Blow's newest adventure is a puzzle game set in various island locations.

Target release: Q1 (PS4, PC, iOS; coming to other platforms later)

Developer: Telltale Games

The Wolf Among Us made a great impression with episode 1, so we're very anxious to finish up the season with episodes 2 through 5.

Target release: TBA 2014 (360, PS3, Vita, PC, iOS, Mac)

Developer: Arzest

Just announced at the last Nintendo Direct of 2013, Yoshi's New Island is the direct sequel to the 1995 game Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. The game will feature similar characters and an art style akin to past Yoshi titles.

Target release: spring 2014 (3DS exclusive)

Developer: Nintendo

The Wii U is slowly starting to amass some respectable entries from iconic Nintendo franchises, but until a new Legend of Zelda game hits the platform, it'll be missing a key component. Nintendo has teased a new Zelda game for Wii U, but there hasn't been much in the way of actual previews. E3 2014 should change all that.

Target release: TBA 2014/wishful thinking (Wii U exclusive)

Developer: Platinum Games

Easily the most notable third-party exclusive available on Wii U, Bayonetta's signature over-the-top action and larger-than-life environments and bosses will have player's heads spinning.

Target release: TBA 2014 (Wii U exclusive)

Developer: From Software

The notoriously difficult franchise has grown a massive following thanks to its dedicated (or perhaps masochistic) fanbase, and Dark Souls II looks to continue the relentlessness.

Target release: March 11 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Capybara Games

The team that brought us the iOS hit Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is behind Below, a surprise indie announcement made at Microsoft's E3 2013 press conference.

Target release: TBA 2014 (Xbox One timed exclusive)

Developer: Double Fine Productions

From the mind of celebrity developer Tim Schafer and his team at Double Fine Products comes Broken Age, a game crowd-funded through the use of Kickstarter.

Target release: January 28, Part 1 (PC, Mac, Linux, Ouya), Part 2 TBA