It feels like every year is getting better and better for gamers around the world. Each year we’ve seen the release of technical and storytelling marvels, and 2018 featured some of the best examples of what Gaming can offer. So here are 10 games from 2018 that should really be on your radar if they aren’t already.
10. Deltarune
Indie darling Toby Fox delighted gamers around the world when he released the first episode of Deltarune this Halloween. As a followup to his 2015 hit Undertale, Deltarune puts players in the shoes of Kris, living in a world inspired by the ending of Undertale. While I haven’t gotten the time to sit down and play through the three-hour prototype, the first 20 minutes had me hooked, and I’ve heard nothing but good things. So if you’re a fan of Undertale, give Deltarune a chance, it’s totally free on Fox’s site.
9. Hollow Knight
Okay, 2018 was a great year to not be a PC Gamer, as plenty of amazing PC indie games got ported to home consoles. My most anticipated of these was Hollow Knight, a Metroidvania game by developer Team Cherry. The game’s bug themed aesthetic helps to hide one of the best Metroidvanias we’ve had in years. With great sound design, amazing combat, and an ongoing suite of free content, Hollow Knight has something for new and old fans of the genre.
8. Astro Bot Rescue Mission
What a time to own the PSVR! This year brought some Computer VR Staples to the PlayStation, including Beat Saber, Superhot VR, and Virtual Rickality. However, the PSVR got a nice suite of exclusives to boot. The best of these games (at least until Borderlands 2 VR comes out) is JapanStudio’s Astro Bot Rescue Mission. One of the best cases of understanding the technology, Astro Bot makes you the camera in a 3D platformer. Behind the adorable presentation of the game lies some really awesome ideas about how you as a player can interact with a virtual world, making this game a must buy for PSVR owners.
Not to mention, I spent the first five minutes in the main menu just doing this… I may be a bad person.
7. Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
Game of the Year… #PS4sharehttps://t.co/EImcOgMQLu pic.twitter.com/oUqX2bDhAv
— CODY! (@CodyWuzHere) December 13, 2018
Smash Bros Ultimate has been amazing. Featuring every character, stage, song, and more from Smash Bros history, the game has even more in terms of gameplay tweaks. It’s a great point for fans young and old to jump in, and the hefty single player mode, World of Light, has kept me entertained for far longer than any other attempt at a Story Mode. If you have a Switch and some friends, Smash Bros is a must have (and some spare Gamecube controllers are always nice as well!)
Oh, and bonus points for Persona 5’s Joker being the first bit of DLC.
6. Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Speaking of Remakes, Spyro Reignited Trilogy is an incredible trip down memory lane. Bringing the first three Spyro games from the PlayStation One into the modern era, Reignited makes the games look exactly like what my 6-year-old self remembers. While I haven’t sat down and played through each game in the collection, going back to Spyro the Dragon’s Artisans Homeland put a giant smile on my face for the rest of the night.
5. Sea of Thieves
One of the first major titles to launch with Xbox’s Game Pass service, Sea of Thieves is a no brainer to try. While this game is (probably) best experienced with a crew of your friends, I actually spent most of my time on the Sea of Thieves solo. The thrill of trying to captain, navigate, and defend your ship as a one man team gave me some of the most chaotic, hilariously entertaining experiences that I’ve had for a long time. Throw in the regular slew of content updates that developer Rare has been releasing, and Sea of Thieves helped to fill the treasure chest-shaped void I’ve had since popping the Platinum in Assassin’s Creed IV.
4. Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee
Let’s face it, Pokemon’s first generation is never going to die. While divisive, Pokemon’s first outing on the Switch is a fresh take on 1998’s Pokemon Yellow that has players returning back to the region of Kanto to catch all of the Vulpix, Abra, and Dratini their hearts desire. The spin on this entry, however, is the integration of Pokemon Go’s catch mechanics, shifting the focus less on random battles, and more on literally catching ‘em all. While it doesn’t quite scratch my itch for a new adventure, it does whet my appetite for what’s to come in 2019.
3. God of War
Those who know me, know that I have a bit of a problem with collector’s editions of games. However, I decided to break this nasty habit by canceling my pre-order of the God of War collector’s edition for the standard on launch day. That is until I played it. God of War is a master of Storytelling, finally making me care about the character of Kratos. Sony Santa Monica has created one of the greatest experiences of the generation as Kratos and his son Atreus go on seemingly simple missions through Norse Mythology.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Let’s be honest, you know this game. It made $725 Million in its opening weekend and went on to ship 17 million copies in its first two weeks. So, chances are you already own it. However, for those of you who don’t, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an amazing feat of what video games can accomplish. While it does an amazing job of building the world of Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption 2 is even more impressive in all of the small details the teams at Rockstar have put into their world. Trees sway in the wind, bar keepers become a little more reluctant to have you around if you’ve started one too many fights, your horse will poop, A LOT. It’s the little things in this game that take me by surprise, and make me want to return back to the world.
1. Marvel’s Spider-Man
Insomniac Games is finally getting some of the recognition they deserve. After their Xbox One exclusive Sunset Overdrive offered an open world that featured parkour traversail, it only made sense for the team to tackle Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. The game, which features a unique take on the hero’s lore, puts you in the suit of a more seasoned Spidey, not wasting time on radioactive spiders and great responsibilities. Instead, this game makes you experience the life of Peter Parker. With an interesting story, and gameplay mechanics that made me completely neglect the game’s entire fast travel mechanics, Spider-Man was by far one of my favorite experiences on the PlayStation 4 and my game of the year for 2018.
So there are my top 10 games from 2018, and I didn’t even get close to playing some of this year’s greatest. What were some of your favorite games from the year? Let me know in the comments below!
