We may be in the quiet summer release season, but narrowing down our 'Best Of' shortlist from the past six months proved to be a difficult task.

From puzzle to shooter, racing to role-playing releases, we've been spoilt for choice on both last-gen and next. Here are Digital Spy's top ten games of 2014 so far, and be sure to vote for your favourite in our poll below.

10. Threes!

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"For a game about matching numbered tiles, it is ridiculously charming. Each number is a character with its own voice, and offers happy encouragement as you continue to slide the puzzle and combine pairs.

"Don't let the appearance of maths fool you. Threes is a deceptively addictive game of sliding, matching and growing the puzzle with every move."

9. Watch Dogs

"As more characters are introduced, more hacks unlocked and new missions opened up, Watch Dogs really starts to come into its own.

"Watch Dogs removes the shackles, takes some chances and begins to live up to its own hype. Despite pacing issues, it manages to tell a worthwhile story that's backed up by some novel new ideas in both single and multiplayer."

8. Child of Light

"Child of Light isn't just an adventure game. Despite its aesthetics resembling a bedtime story, it also has deeply strategic combat inspired by classic Japanese role-playing games that you wouldn't want to play while half-asleep in bed.

"It is a blending of genre and style that is an unexpected treat, and already one of the year's role-playing game highlights."

7. Trials Fusion

"The level editor in Trials Fusion builds on what RedLynx accomplished with Trials Evolution, giving players the tools they need to create everything from their own motocross obstacle courses to a first-person dungeon maze or the inevitable Flappy Bird clone.

"The track designs are excellent, holding up even under that close level of scrutiny while riding at low speeds to explore, allowing you to appreciate the craft that went into every ramp, gap and bump in the road."

6. Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes

"While the story isn't expansive, the environment most certainly is. The new open-ended, open-world approach shows enormous promise, and really sets Ground Zeroes apart from its forebears.

"For the most part, all of the missions can be tackled in different ways, which gives an otherwise bite-size game bags of replayability."

5. South Park: The Stick of Truth

"So frequent are the laughs, so plentiful are the in-jokes, cameos and show references, that even without a lick of gameplay, The Stick of Truth would still be entertaining.

"Not only does The Stick of Truth capture the show's wicked sense of politically incorrect humour, but it wraps it up in what is actually a pretty fun turn-based role-playing game, making it a must for fans of the series and the fantasy genre."

4. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

"The quick pace also makes Hearthstone more accessible, with rules that are easy to pick up for new players. However, there are also several layers of depth beyond the basics with various creature abilities, spells, trap cards and each class's unique skill, offering a robust range of strategies for those who invest the time into it."

3. Titanfall

"Titanfall's thrills are completely spontaneous and natural, occurring exclusively within its multiplayer arenas and born from the imagination.

"The failure to implement a strong narrative is ultimately inconsequential. Players will tell their own stories simply by jumping and jetting through the vertical environments, experimenting with parkour and, of course, causing destruction in the seat of those towering Titans."

2. Mario Kart 8

"By sticking drivers to the tarmac as tracks suddenly twist up walls and flip upside down, it makes familiar haunts such as Mario Circuit, the Boo Mansion and Bowser's Castle feel like dazzling rollercoasters rather than racing tracks.

"Its selection of retro courses are possibly the most well-rounded to date, and multiplayer is still tireless fun, both online and off."

1. Dark Souls 2

"It's a game that doesn't necessarily fall into the horror genre, but has the same effect as a good Stephen King novel or a genuinely terrifying movie. It can take over your bodily functions and leave you a trembling, sweaty mess.

"It's a hardcore, heart-pounding adventure that's more accessible to newcomers, without sacrificing the series' sense of mystery, awe and wonder."

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