What are the best games of 2018 that you absolutely need to play before 2019 comes? There’ a long list of games that we have to go through, so here’s part one.
Red Dead Redemption 2
If you only have time and money for just the one game this year end, make it Red Dead Redemption 2. Developed by the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland. The game’s vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience. The hype that’s been surrounding this game is entirely justified. The open world gameplay has been improved and added upon from the first title, and the story is tantalizing from start to finish. Simply put, Rockstar has done it again. You will lose enormous amounts of hours in this game, but it will be worth it.
BATTLETECH
For turn-based strategy game lovers, look no further than BATTLETECH for this year’s GOTY in the genre. The year is 3025 and the galaxy is trapped in a cycle of perpetual war, fought by noble houses with enormous, mechanized combat vehicles called BattleMechs. Take command of your own mercenary outfit of ‘Mechs and the MechWarriors that pilot them, struggling to stay afloat as you find yourself drawn into a brutal interstellar civil war. Upgrade your star-faring base of operations, negotiate mercenary contracts with feudal lords, repair and maintain your stable of aging BattleMechs, and execute devastating combat tactics to defeat your enemies on the battlefield. There’s a ton of replay value, nail-biting strategic decision making and coffee going cold sessions to be had here. We’ve not had this much fun since XCOM 2.
Darksiders III
THQ Nordic is on a roll, and it’s latest release Darksiders III proves it. Released for all platforms including the Nintendo Switch, this RPG hack and slash adventure will engross you from start to end. You return to an apocalyptic Earth in Darksiders III, where players assume the role of FURY in her quest to hunt down and dispose of the Seven Deadly Sins. The most unpredictable and enigmatic of the Four Horsemen, FURY must succeed where many have failed – to bring balance to the forces that now ravage Earth. Darksiders III is the long-anticipated, third chapter in the critically-acclaimed Darksiders franchise. While there are issues at launch such as combat balance and dull map areas, the game is incredibly fun with the exploration and character growth in between.
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Evee
Don’t lie, you were excited for this release in 2018. Pokemon has been our childhood growing up, and Pokemon Let’s Go is an amazing re-incarnation in full 3D of the Kanto world and the Pokemon that we’ve come to love over the years. The gameplay while simplified, is incredibly addictive thanks to Nintendo borrowing a few features from Niantic’s Pokemon Go, like the motion controls to catch Pokemon out in the wild. Besides that, the graphics are nice, and being able to play with a friend or family member in a couch co-op session is a big bonus. Also, players can transfer their Pokemon from Go over to the Nintendo Switch, which makes all that work in 2016 worth it eh. Hands down one of the best games of 2018 for casual adventure gamers.
Battlefield V
For the record, Call of Duty could have easily replaced BFV on this best games of 2018 list, that’s how close the two games are in terms of what they offered their own fan base. But we’re giving the nod to Battlefield V for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they’ve learned their lesson from Star Wars Battlefront II and the entire micro-transaction drama. No such nonsense exist in Battlefield V. Credit is given where it is due, and secondly, their bold decision to feature an unorthodox profile of untold War Stories featuring women and people of color in the game paid off. There was so much whining going on before release and people don’t even know what they’re talking about. In World War II, courage came from everyone, and the game’s short single player story-driven missions highlights that. The 64 player Conquest mode is a beauty to behold, with squad play still performing well and the fact that it is World War II makes it even sweeter – from the sounds of MP40’s firing, to driving your own Tiger Tank, and hearing Germans yell – it’s pretty damn authentic, and that’s important.
