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Top 10 Video Games of 2018 (So Far)

Top 10 Video Games of 2018 (So Far)

It’s almost E3 time, which also means the year is about halfway through, especially in terms of game releases. 2018 has big a big year for re-releases and remasters, but has also had plenty of great, first-run titles as well. Obviously all the blockbusters haven’t landed yet, but there’s still been plenty of majorly successful releases, both in terms of reviews and community response. What I like to do at this point is take a look at everything that has come out so far, and point out what I think are the best. This won’t really have a bearing on our whole Game of the Year shebang later on, but let’s have some fun anyway. So here’s the ten best games this year (so far).

Celeste

Celeste

Celeste just sort of came out of nowhere, and took the gaming community by storm right away in January. It was the first game release of 2018 that was well-recieved, coming out just before Dragon Ball FighterZ and even earning its fair share of tens! Celeste is an incredibly polished puzzle-platformer that’s very much inspired by Super Meat Boy but way more interested in telling a character-driven story instead of being wacky and video game-y. Its super modular difficulty settings, excellent music, and awesome core play keep Celeste standing out above similar titles, and it will continue to do so.

Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus

Sure, this isn’t 100 percent a brand new game, but it’s a remake to the fullest extent of the definition, and a game that really put Bluepoint on the map in terms of its capacity for quality. Sure, the Uncharted collection was great, but Shadow of the Colossus is home to a lot of artistic license that may at times be at odds with the original, but still presents a strong, new take on the idea that stands firm on its own. Not only is this an exemplary release on its own, but it is a key release in the history of video game remakes, showing us what’s possible with proper resources and time.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ

I couldn’t believe how Dragon Ball FighterZ looked and felt when I first got my hands on it. It cannot be understated how amazing Arc System Works’ new approach to 2.5D fighting game visuals is. The bar is now raised to impossible new heights for anime games, and we’ll likely be seeing Dragon Ball FighterZ continue in some capacity for years ahead. This is especially true considering how EVO 2018 is shaping up.

Detective Pikachu

Detective Pikachu

This might be my only chance to give Detective Pikachu a shout out this year. Despite releasing to a pretty quiet response, Detective Pikachu has been a real joy to play through. It’s a very kid-friendly take on a “point and click” style game, but with a swagger and logic element that reminds me of the Ace Attorney series. Pikachu himself is hilarious, and just hearing his smug, creepy uncle voice is a riot. Don’t sleep on this if you’re a big Pokemon fan!

Digimon: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory

Digimon: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory

I’m not really into Digimon that much as a thing, but when I played Digimon: Cyber Sleuth a few years ago, I was blown away. From its cyberpunk trappings to its well-developed cast of characters and engrossing Digimon breeding system, I was hooked! I dumped nearly 100 hours into that sucker and was stoked to learn about the sequel. Turns out, Hacker’s Memory is less of a sequel and more of a parallel side story that takes place during the same events, in the same world. It’s more of the same stuff I loved, but from a different angle and with a whole, new cast – plus some returning favorites. Give it a chance!

God of War

God of War

I’m kind of sick of writing about God of War at this point, but I’m sure this is far from the last time. God of War is the success story of 2018, and that will likely continue through the remainder of the year. While the critical discourse has expanded since the glowing mouth-watering that exploded on release, there’s still no denying that God of War made an enormous impat, arguably bigger than any previous entry in the series. I certainly liked it, although more for its intricate combat systems than its storytelling.

Kirby: Star Allies

Kirby: Star Allies

A new Kirby game can always be trusted to be a blast to play, especially with friends. That’s true to the fullest extent with Star Allies , which is all about taking a team of four players (or CPUs) and experimenting with the various powers and special abilities you can get out of smashing things together. Combine that with a whole bunch of fun, returning special characters and you’ll have a blast even if you aren’t trying to sniff out all the secrets.

Monster Hunter: World

Monster Hunter: World

With one game, Monster Hunter went from being a “popular in Japan, but niche in the states” series to literally being Capcom’s top property. Monster Hunter: World is so good, it became Capcom’s top-selling game of all time in a matter of months. With several mechanical and structural changes that streamlined the more awkward, unfriendly parts of the earlier games, the natural appeal of banding together with friends and magic kitties to smash giant dinosaurs was able to shine through and take the entire world by storm.

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves

Microsoft spent a long time pushing Sea of Thieves , and while it initially seemed like a bit of desperation on the company’s part, it ended up being because Rare finally had another solid game under its belt. While it suffered from the usual stuff a new, online IP suffers from in server issues and an arguable lack of content, the core idea of Sea of Thieves hit its target and then some. It has been consistently popular, thanks to its charm and sandbox appeal, and Rare and Microsoft have already proven intent and ability to support it long term.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

JRPGs are cool again, but Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is more than cool. It’s a magnificent game, that makes up for its lack of Studio Ghibli animated cutscenes with its own in-engine visuals being a treat to the senses in and of themselves. This game is gorgeous in motion, and the combat is just as fluid and engaging. The world and characters have that distinct appeal that can only be brought to the table by Ghibli alumni, and the story delivers on that level as well. It’s worth the multi-dozen-hour plunge, for sure.

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