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We Got This Covered’s 12 Most Surprising Games Of 2014

So while we've long heard of Far Cry 4's greatness, the fact that Destiny is, for all intents and purposes, a flawed masterpiece, along with Mario Kart 8's excellence, it's time now to usher some of 2014's more unassuming and, perhaps, lesser-played releases into the limelight for your consideration. Those pleasant surprises that stole our free time and, ultimately, deserved more attention that they got in the first place.

6) Velocity 2X

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Before it was even released, developer Futurlab billed Velocity 2X — the sequel to 2013’s PlayStation Mini — as two games in one. Mixing space-faring arcade gameplay with platforming action, the studio’s follow-up iterated on all of the core ideas of its predecessor with aplomb.

Offering up silky-smooth gameplay within a gorgeous, far-future setting, Velocity 2X tasks players with ploughing through a selection of missions collecting as many of the elusive Rekenium shards as they go. As far as set-ups go, it’s about as by-the-numbers as they come, but levels are so expertly designed — allowing you to flit between your Quarp jet and foot travel intermittently — that it becomes difficult to deny the game’s inherent appeal.

In fact, playing on the Vita takes this to a whole new level, considering how you can blaze through numerous levels in a small period of time (skill dependent), making Futurlab’s sequel the perfect commuting companion. It won’t be remembered for its story nor its world-building, but Velocity 2X offers up a slice of platforming that is near-perfect. Now excuse us while we circle back to try and perfect all of our level scores.