The New Year is upon us and now is a time of reflection. A time to look back on our previous year with rose-tinted eyes and see how far we’ve come.
Okay, maybe not. But, it is great time to look back at 2018 and think about what a cracking year it was for gaming. Last year saw an absolute plethora of grade-A titles released for consoles across all platforms and genres. From stunning new FPS games to puzzle-solvers and platformers, there was so much on offer in 2018.
Yet time really does fly, and we’re almost certain you probably missed at least one or two of the best the year produced. To help ensure you don’t miss the unmissable, we’ve put together a list of some of the best games to go back and pick up from 2018:
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Completing the trilogy after two well-received and critically acclaimed installations of the rebooted franchise, the insane and tough-as-nails adventurer, Lara Croft, is back in Shadow of the Tomb Raider for one final and blood-thirsty whack at religious cult Trinity. Another epic outing, this time set primarily in the vicious and untamed wilds of South America, the game features everything we’ve come to expect from the latest evolution in the Lara saga. From dynamic combat and stealth gameplay to intuitive exploring, tomb raiding and problem-solving, Shadow of the Tomb Raider keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
Fifa 19
What can be said about FIFA 19? Sure, it doesn’t feature the in-depth stories of Red Dead or God of War, or the dynamic gameplay of Tomb Raider or Spider-Man, but there is a reason that. There is often a beauty in sheer simplicity. Year after year, the FIFA games feature near the top spot of most played titles on all consoles. FIFA 19 is yet another wheel in the FIFA cog, and we’re all the better for it. Featuring enhanced gameplay and development of the classic modes like Ultimate Team that have made the series so popular, this game is another easy, pick-up-and-play classic that brings you closer to friends, fans of the sports genre and just lets you dig in for some good old-fashioned football fun.
Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee
Get ready for some serious nostalgia with Pokemon: Let’s Go. Or, get ready to experience the best Pokemon has to offer for the first time; it all depends on when you were born, really! Pokemon: Let’s Go is an enhanced remake of the classic title that started it all, Pokemon Yellow. It takes the old game and brings it into the 21st century, with updated graphics, gameplay and new features. For those who played the original, this loving tribute is utterly unmissable. Everything about the old game you loved is here. Just sharper, leaner and better looking. And, for those who never got to play the original game, this is your chance to turn back the clock and jump into a real piece of gaming history.
Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption 2 may be one of the most highly anticipated games of the entire decade. Rock Star’s legendary take on the Old West has been in development for years and finally made its way to our homes in 2018. Picking up Game of the Year awards left, right and centre, it’s fair to say RDR2 isn’t a title you can just sweep under the rug. A deep and immersive gaming experience that allows you to dive into the world for hours at a time without ever running out of things to do, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a must-play game of 2018. This is one that really requires time and effort to get something out of, which is why it’s good to start early in the year. Maybe you’ll find it by 2020!
God of War (2018)
PS4 is known for some truly high-quality exclusives and perhaps none have been finer this year than God of War. A return to Kratos’ epic world steeped in Greek Mythology, this reimagining of the classic Hack and Slash genre sees players indulge themselves in both incredible stories worthy of cinematic development and high-octane action to get the pulse pumping. God of War 2018 really is an unmissable title. It’s so rare these days to see single player experiences get this sort of love and attention from big developers. While Red Dead Redemption 2 is getting all the attention for Game of the Year from critics, primarily because of the hype factor, if you strip back what’s really on offer, for us there is no doubt that God of War is the best game of 2018 and a must-play.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the Ying to Red Dead Redemption 2’s Yang. If RDR2 is an in-depth story-telling masterclass that takes hours to really get into, then Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a surface-level multiplayer romp that can be soaked up in bite-sized chunks. But that doesn’t make it any less of a title. Black Ops 4 is what some are calling a return to form for the Call of Duty franchise. Featuring new twists on old online gameplay, the return of classic Call of Duty Zombies and their own take on the Battle Royale game modes of Fortnight and PUBG that are sweeping the globe, Black Ops 4 is a rich and enjoyable gameplay experience.
Marvels’ Spider-Man
Everyone’s favourite web-slinging hero is back, and this time it isn’t on the big screen. Spidey takes to the streets of New York in the latest in a long line of gaming adventures. Previous iterations of Spider-Man on consoles have been well-received, but as the years went by, the quality started to dip, and fans wondered if they’d ever get another good Spider-Man game. This latest title, however, proved a massive hit, with gamers praising everything from the story to the fluid gameplay and, of course, the web-swinging action that takes you from building to building. A one-of-a-kind game, Marvel’s Spider-Man has got to be on your list this year.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
There is no game quite like Super Smash Bros. Without trying to offend, this game is an absolute clusterf*** of pure insanity. Featuring iconic characters like Mario, Link, Kirby and Pikachu, all tearing around randomly outlaid battlefields as they attempt to annihilate each other with combat moves that range from standard sword swinging to swallowing your opponent, this Switch exclusive is some of the most fun you’ll ever have on a console. Super Smash Bros Ultimate is the ultimate get-together game. It’s suitable for everyone. It’s a great multiplayer, family experience. It’s an easy, pick-up-and-play title. It’s lighthearted. It’s just what you need to get everyone in a bouncy, New Year’s mood.
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