Best of 2018 - Video Games

So due to financial trouble, I have missed out on a lot of big games that came out this year. However, I did manage to play a fair few of them to help me with this list and I got to say, this year's lineup of games has been the best it has been for a long time. I mean sure there will always be those gaming controversies and those technical problems at launch for many of these titles. But with the exception of a handful of them, the majority have been pretty good. No new consoles came out (unless you count the PlayStation Classic which itself is just a mini PS1 with pre loaded games and that's it), but we had plenty of great games in its place. So this list is all the games that made their official overall debut this year that I have played and consider the best of the year. There is no ranking involved as the list will mainly focus on what I think are the best games of the year and you should go out and play them. I will not be counting any games that are ports, compilations or remakes of older games unless there is something significant about them that cannot be ignored or I haven't played the original game(s). I'm also only focused on games that came out on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, PC and Android as those are the only gaming devices that I have. So let's game on and get right to it minus the day one updates and long loading screens:


God of War (2018)

We've been waiting a long time for a new God of War game and this year we got one. The gameplay has changed drastically as its now played out from a third person perspective over a game controlled camera which is good. We still get Kratos as a playable character and get to meet his son too. While there are a few call backs to earlier games (all of which were set in Greek mythology), this game introduces the god of war to the Norse mythology and its very good. With an immersive world, lots to do and other things, this game once again makes us feel like playing as a god and we love SIE Santa Monica Studio for it. They really upped the game this time and it is fantastic.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

So although the last game was a prequel to the series, this game is even more of a prequel and a good one at that. Odyssey brings back everything we loved about Origins along with a much bigger expansion on the naval combat to make it feel more like Black Flag. Of all the Assassin's Creed games I have played, this one really is the biggest and most interactive one of the lot. Big because there's a huge open world with plenty to do and interactive because it lets the players decide how the story should go which is quite a popular thing happening in video games these days. Its a great entry that may have only just topped Black Flag for being the biggest, most interactive and fun of the games so far which means that the developers will have a hard time deciding what to do about their next game. Also being able to play as only a male or female character as well as going with relationships of all shapes and sizes gives the game more diversity which is great.

LEGO The Incredibles

In our first LEGO game of the year, we got a game that not only is based on the two Incredibles films, but it also manages to squeeze in as many Pixar references as they can. This includes a LEGO variation of the opening film logos, an appearance from at least one character per Pixar film alongside a LEGO creation based on their respective films, the star ball is there, John Ratzenberger makes an appearance and even the Pizza Planet truck is there too. Now TT Games are no strangers to superhero games having made countless games based on DC and Marvel properties and yet somehow they make this game very fresh and also very different to the films given the dark and mature nature of those films and LEGO's policy on family friendly stuff. Its great fun and definitely one not to be missed.

Spider-Man (2018)

In a year where the legend that is Stan Lee passed away, we got plenty of Marvel things. Lots of shows on Netflix before their cancellation, three major films from the MCU and a Deadpool film too. But its not often that we get many Marvel video games nowadays and for once, we got one that just like with the Batman Arkham games, proves to the world that when given to the right people, a superhero game can be done right. So here we are with Spider-Man which for everyone is the ultimate experience and best ever game of its kind. All or most of his rogue gallery are here, the web mechanics are fun and we get a fully explore-able New York. It also gives us some puzzles to put Peter Parker's smartness to the test and it just really is the best Spider-Man game that one could ever ask for. Its just great.

LEGO DC Super-Villains

So with the villains now getting the spotlight, TT Games took advantage of the situation and gave us a game featuring a number of DC super villains all teaming up to take down a threat that terrorises their Earth while the Justice League are banished to some other universe. Although it uses all the usual mechanics from previous LEGO games, its the first one to have a soundtrack that's almost like listening to a third Awesome Mix. It also takes advantage of the selfie craze and has an all star cast of people who are largely reprising their roles from other media such as cartoons, TV shows, video games and films. Its the ultimate super villain game of its kind and one not to be missed especially if you are a DC fan.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

So with the third and presumably final entry in the reboot Tomb Raider series, we get a game that finishes where the very first game of the overall franchise started. With a big open world to explore and brave the elements within as well as side quests, shops and disasters around every corner, this Tomb Raider game may not be as innovative as the last couple of entries, but its still a very intense experience with lots of things to do as well a tomb raiding of course. And it shows Lara Croft developing into the brave explorer that we would later come to see despite the arrogance shown towards various things. Another great game in the series even though its more of the same.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Well Masahiro Sakurai wasn't kidding when he said he was making the ultimate Smash Bros. game. All veteran fighters are back along with eleven plus newcomers along with all the modes we are used to playing and a new adventure mode that this time around is just all largely battle arenas. Most of the returning characters have features that are either fan favourites or based on their most recent games. I do question why some characters like the Piranha Plant and Isabelle are in this game when they are not really fan favourites and are just there because of the need for Diversity. Still though, we got some DLC characters on the way so it may not all be bad. And much like with earlier games its the ultimate encyclopedia for Nintendo fans. Plus the inclusion of more third party characters means that this game is no longer just Nintendo with limited non-Nintendo characters. And there are even some franchises that are represented in other ways such as spirits which replace trophies. Its pretty much the best game of the series so far. Now we just need Waluigi to be playable and then we will all be happy. 9/10

So those are my top picks for the year. Let me know down in the comments of your favourite games of the year and let's hope we get an even greater set next year.

Also in case anyone is wondering, there were some big games out this year that I may have missed or did play but not enough to put it on this list or I just felt there were too many problems with it (technical faults in Just Cause 4 was the reason why that isn't on the list and I felt that although Jurassic World Evolution is a good game its just too complicated for one to understand especially if you are not used to playing games like that).