So, I think I need to explain some things, since we’ve come to a point where it seems like I’ve got a feeling where the cutoff for the Game of the Year vote will be. In order for a game to qualify, based on results from the 9 months voted on so far, it will take at least 3 votes to qualify for the GOTY Preliminary Vote.

Basically, it takes one person to nominate followed by more people supporting said nomination.

Why do I bring this up? Well, for a little clarity on why results are happening a certain way for this round of voting. Confused? Let me enlighten you with some results from the make-up months.

And I apologize if I come off a bit antagonistic in this post. I’m not angry at you guys, I promise.

GAME OF THE MONTH JANUARY 2014

Game of the Month January 2014

Before I get to what won, let me show you what didn’t qualify (with some help from Metacritic).

  • OlliOlli: Rating: 79 (PS Vita), 77 (PC); User Scores Between 6.8 and 8.1; 1 vote.
  • Chibi-Robo: Photo Finder!: User Score: 7.6; 1 vote.
  • Octodad: Dadliest Catch: Rating: 69 (PC and PS4); User Scores Between 7.2 and 7.7; 2 votes.
  • Might & Magic X: Legacy: Rating: 71; User Score: 7.2; 1 vote.
  • Our Darker Purpose: Rating: 74; User Score: 7.1; 0 votes.
  • 3089 — Futuristic Action RPG: User Score: 7.3; 2 votes.
  • Secrets of Raetikon: User Score: 7.3; 0 votes.
  • Kingdom Rush: User Score: 8.1; 1 vote.

As for the winner, the Game of the Month for January 2014 is…

Chronicles of a Dark Lord - Episode II War of the Abyss | Game of the Month - January 2014

Chronicles of a Dark Lord – Episode II War of the Abyss

It wasn’t even close, especially since Kisareth Studios was able to rally their supporters to give their game an easy win. And for a while, I wasn’t sure if any other game would join it in the GOTY Prelims. But, as luck would have it, some games did get saved in the last 24 hours.

  • The Banner Saga, 5 votes
  • Nidhogg, 4 votes
  • Saturday Morning RPG, 3 votes

GAME OF THE MONTH – FEBRUARY 2014

Game of the Month February 2014

A bit better for qualifications. Here’s who is moving on.

  • Earth Defense Force 2025
  • Skullgirls: Encore
  • Weapon Shop de Omasse
  • Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
  • Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XII
  • Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
  • Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
  • Tales of Symphonia Chronicles

And the Game of the Month for February 2014 is…

Bravely Default | Game of the Month - February 2014

Bravely Default

An incredibly close vote. The Square Enix 3DS RPG just narrowly beat out Tales of Symphonia Chronicles by 1 vote. Another notch in the belt for this charming game.

GAME OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER 2014

Game of the Month November 2014

Here we are, the main event of this post. Voting was a lot healthier for this poll as you guys sent 14 games to the GOTY Prelims.

  • LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
  • Alphadia Genesis
  • LittleBigPlanet 3
  • Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
  • A Bird Story
  • Far Cry 4
  • The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
  • Senran Kagura: Bon Appetit
  • Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F 2nd
  • Dragon Age: Inquisition
  • Tales of Hearts R
  • Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
  • Persona Q: Shadow  of the Labyrinth

And the Game of the Month for November 2014 is…

Super Smash Bros for Wii U | Game of the Month - November 2014

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

While the 3DS version came up just short last month, the Wii U version left no doubt and blew past the competition. Also worth mentioning: this is the third straight GOTM win for Wii U games, with Hyrule Warriors and Bayonetta 2 winning for September and October respectively. As a matter of fact, games that appear on the Wii U have won 6 out of 9 Game of the Month polls.


One final round of voting coming up. December will be the featured month while we also catch up with March and April, starting New Years’ Day.

Jeff Neuenschwander
Jeff has been a supporter of the website and campaign since the beginning. Joining in for E3 2012, he worked his way up the ranks quickly, making it to the Editing Manager post at the beginning of 2013. Jeff has a wide variety of tastes when it comes to gaming and pretty much likes anything that is quirky, although his favorite genres are Action, Platforming, and RPG. Outside of gaming, Jeff is a musician, being trained as a trombonist for Jazz and Classical music, and holds a degree in Sound Recording.