14 DAY TRIAL // Picking the best of the best is not an easy task because people’s tastes and preferences vary wildly, but some games are so good that it’s difficult to say no to them.
2018 was a strange year for gaming in many respects, with its share of controversies, failures, and stories of success. To be fair, if we were to cast our memories back, 2018 was probably no different than most years, with a possible exception.
While I was compiling lists with the best and the worst games of 2018 I came upon an interesting realization. It was much easier to find the worst games of 2018 than to find the best ones, and that can only mean one thing. There were a lot better or excellent games this year, although it might not seem like it.
We had a couple of major events that made an impression upon the community, like the release of the broken Fallout 76 and the Diablo Immortal announcement from Blizzard. But for the most part, we have a ton of good games to play, and we can only hope that the trend is going to hold for 2019 as well.
10. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Shadow of the Tomb Raider marked the end of a trilogy that had its ups and downs. Marked by some bizarre (and most likely profitable) decisions to release the first two titles in the series on consoles first, the franchise managed to stay afloat.
Not everyone was happy on how Lara Croft switched from mostly solving puzzles and killing dinosaurs, to becoming a deadly fighter, but now it’s done. The trilogy brings forth a new origins story for Lara and moves the franchise forward. Shadow of the Tomb Raider was not a perfect game, but it was really well executed.
9. Far Cry 5
Ubisoft’s decision to move the franchise to the United States and give it a more familiar setting was a bold one. A lot of people didn’t like switching from fictitious countries to Montana, United States. And the fact that Far Cry 5 dealt had nut jobs that could be might as well be a real one real one hit a little too close to home.
The result was an almost perfect FPS, with a solid story, incredible world, and excellent character development. And Ubisoft knows that they had a great game because their next one, New Dawn, takes place in the same area, sort off.
8. Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight might seem like just another platformer, Metroidvania style, but the game managed to win the hearts of all players with its style, design, and gameplay. Players get to explore the world of Hallownest, with its quirks and secrets. It feels familiar and friendly, but it also punishes players that don’t have enough respect for it.
All in all, Hollow Knight is one of the best platformers to see the light of day in the past decade, and I expect to see some sequels making our lives better in the coming years.
7. Forza Horizon 4
Each year we get at least a couple of high-profile racing games, and 2018 was no exception. One of the high-profile titles was Forza Horizon 4, on Xbox One and PC, and it looks like the series is finally homing in on the perfect recipe.
We already knew that the Forza series looks fantastic, and Forza Horizon 4 did not disappoint. With a great roster of cars, gorgeous settings, and well-designed races, the game managed to capture the attention of everyone. It’s not a perfect simulation, but it’s not a full arcade title. It sits somewhere in the sweet spot, and we loved every minute of it.
6. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fighting game that brings together characters from various Nintendo titles and other franchises. You’ll soon learn that having Mario fighting Metroid’s Dark Samus in a Final Fantasy arena is something that you didn’t know you wanted.
The game is incredibly well-balanced, and the multiplayer is off the charts. It’s almost close to perfect, and the is only one regret. The game is available only on Nintendo Switch, so if you have any other platform, you’re just going to have to stick to Youtube or Twitch.
5. Assassin's Creed Odyssey
The latest title in the Assassin's Creed franchise, Odyssey, could have been a flop or it could have just cloned the last year's Assassin's Creed Origins. But Ubisoft made sure that the new game is not only better, but it also expanded on the new type of gameplay put forth by the franchise.
Following two assassins through ancient Greece sounds just as amazing as you can imagine, and the reintroduction of naval warfare put the cherry on top. If you haven’t played Assassin's Creed Odyssey, you really should.
4. Monster Hunter World
Capcom took a big chance with Monster Hunter World. A franchise built mostly for Japan, Monster Hunter World took the rest of the world by storm. It brought monster hunting to the masses, and people love it.
Coupled with a bunch of great DLCs, the game remained a fan favorite despite being launch in the first days of 2018. Content is still being planned for it, so playing it right now would be a good idea.
3. Marvel's Spider-Man
We have to be honest and say that most of the Spider-Man games in the past couple of decades were somewhat terrible. The franchise is in the hands of Sony, and they don’t seem to be willing to part with it. They are also required to use rights to make something, and that usually means filler games.
But with Marvel's Spider-Man, things are very, very different. If not for the somewhat predictable story, this latest iteration of Spider-Man could have been the game of the year. It had a lot of competition, but even so, it’s one of the best games of the year. It’s also available only on PlayStation 4, and that doesn’t help.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 could have easily been the best game of the year if not for the enormous expectations of the community. Simply out, Rockstar waited too long to make a sequel, and people imagined a lot more than it was delivered.
Even so, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an experience that you’re not going to forget it any time soon. Explore the wilderness, follow the story or just rob trains; it’s your choice.
1. God of War
You know that things are serious when developers ignore the numbers from previous titles in the series and start from scratch. In many respect, God of War is a new game that tries (and succeeds) to stand on its own feet.
It’s an action game, yes, but most of all it’s an emotional journey that will leave you wanting more. The new direction the game is taking will only produce better ones, and there is no doubt that God of War was the best in 2018.
