Best-Games-2018-Header.jpg

As the year comes to a close, it's time to look back at the best video games of 2018. This year has seen some of the biggest game releases of the console generation, including God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2. It was a good year to be a gamer, but it was also an excellent year to be a game reviewer: most of the big titles did not disappoint.

Although there is often a disconnect between fans and critics, this year saw both groups agreeing on titles more often than not. Sure, there were some games that critics hated and fans loved, and vice versa, but all in all (especially when it comes to the bigger AAA titles), these two often disparate groups saw eye to eye.

So, which 2018 video games did critics love the most? The results might surprise you, based on their Metacritic review scores. Here are the top 20 video games of 2018, as chosen by critics throughout the year.

20. TETRIS EFFECT

2Tetris-Effect.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: November 16
• PLATFORMS: PS4
• DEVELOPER: Monstars Inc., Resonair
• PUBLISHER: Enhance, Inc.
• METACRITIC SCORE: 89

Here is an example of how classic games really never go out of style. Tetris got an update in 2018 for the PS4 with Tetris Effect, allowing players to spend their time fitting differently-shaped blocks into a pattern, with stunning visuals and music. It's just another form of Tetris, but it was so good that critics did nothing but praise its backdrops, music, and animation. What set this version apart, though, is that it was PlayStation VR compatible, meaning that players could experience the familiar Tetris game in an entirely new and magical way. Reviewers referred to Tetris Effect as the best version of Tetris yet.

19. OWLBOY

3owlboy.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: April 10
• PLATFORMS: PS4
• DEVELOPER: D-Pad Studio
• PUBLISHER: D-Pad Studio
• METACRITIC SCORE: 89

Sometimes a simple platform game is all a player really needs. It's also sometimes what impresses reviewers the most, as is the case with Owlboy, which released this year on the PS4, as well as PC, Xbox One, and Switch. But it was the PS4 version that made critics sing. Reviewers found the game to be utterly captivating while providing a beautiful adventure in a dream-like world. Many suggested that PS4 was the best platform for the game, with the console allowing for smooth gameplay that looked incredible on the console. Other critics called the story both beautiful and emotional.

18. RETURN OF THE OBRA DINN

4Return-of-the-Obra-Dinn.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: October 18
• PLATFORMS: PC
• DEVELOPER: 3909 LLC
• PUBLISHER: 3909 LLC
• METACRITIC SCORE: 89

Return of the Obra Dinn is a puzzle game by an indie developer that had all the critics talking about it. The unique graphics, along with the way that players have to use deductive reasoning and a special stopwatch to solve a mystery, had reviewers loving everything about it. Some critics called it one of the best murder mystery games of all time, while others praised the game's narrative. They also loved the game's atmosphere and music, along with its art style, which garnered it a nomination for The Game Awards 2018 for Best Art Direction and Best Independent Game.

17. OKAMI HD

5Okami-HD.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: August 9
• PLATFORMS: Switch
• DEVELOPER: Clover Studio
• PUBLISHER: Capcom
• METACRITIC SCORE: 89

What's old is new again, at least when it comes to Okami HD. The original game, known merely as Okami, first released way back in 2006 on PS2 and the Wii. It got a remaster on other platforms, although it didn't arrive in Nintendo Switch until 2018. That port, however, went over extremely well with critics. In a game that allows players to take on the role of a sun goddess who is in the form of a wolf, critics loved the way it ported to Switch, praising its graphics on the console, as well as its fluid controls.

16. INTO THE BREACH

6Into-The-Breach.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: August 28
• PLATFORMS: Switch
• DEVELOPER: Subset Games
• PUBLISHER: Subset Games
• METACRITIC SCORE: 89

It's not every day that one hears about turn-based strategy games on the Nintendo Switch, but one such title that got critics' attention this year was Into The Breach, which takes place in the far future where humanity is at war with monsters called the Vek. Humans use mechs to fight these creatures, tactically deciding the best way to take them down. Critics called this indie game on the Switch rewarding and potentially one of the best strategy games in the past decade. Although it also saw a release on PC, it was the Switch version that ultimately won reviewers over.

15. ASTRO BOT: RESCUE MISSION

7Astro-Bot-Rescue-Mission.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: October 2
• PLATFORMS: PS4
• DEVELOPER: SIE Japan Studio
• PUBLISHER: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• METACRITIC SCORE: 90

Now that VR has become a little more mainstream, critics are starting to find games that use virtual reality to the best of their ability. Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is one of those titles, a platform game that stars a series of robot characters, who get assigned to various rescue missions. Some critics think that the game is one of the best VR titles to date, but many believed that even without considering VR, the game is an excellent platformer. Many praised the animation, as well as the art direction and special effects. Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is undoubtedly the most highly lauded VR game of the year.

14. NIER: AUTOMATA - BECOME AS GODS EDITION

8Nier-Automata-Fight.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: June 26
• PLATFORMS: Xbox One
• DEVELOPER: PlatinumGames
• PUBLISHER: Square Enix
• METACRITIC SCORE: 90

Originally released on PC and PS4 in 2017, NieR: Automata was a sequel to 2010's NieR, which released on the PS3 and Xbox 360, and it continued the story that left off with the previous game. Set in the same post-apocalyptic world as NieR, NieR: Automata wowed players and critics alike, but Xbox One owners weren't able to get their hands on the game until this past summer, when it was ported over to the console (with some additional content) under the name, NieR: Automata: Become as Gods Edition - and the Xbox version was equally as impressive. Critics hailed it as a must-play and cited its story and world as the defining points of the game.

13. MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD

9Monster-Hunter-World.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: January 26 (PS4, Xbox One)/PC (August 9)
• PLATFORMS: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• DEVELOPER: Capcom
• PUBLISHER: Capcom
• METACRITIC SCORE: 90

In Monster Hunter: World, players take on the role of a hunter, with a mission to either trap or hunt that roam in the game's massive world. The fantasy game takes players from the Old World to settle in the New World, where mysterious creatures roam free. Critics quickly cited that this game was the best in the franchise, praising it for its ambition, upgraded combat and smooth animations. They also loved that it stayed true to the franchise, but still provided something new for fans. Although the game is available on PC, critics generally suggest that players should consider playing it on consoles. There's a reason this became one of Capcom's best-selling games.

12. HOLLOW KNIGHT

10Hollow-Knight.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: June 12 (Switch), September 25 (PS4, Xbox One)
• PLATFORMS: Switch, PS4, Xbox One
• DEVELOPER: Team Cherry
• PUBLISHER: Team Cherry
• METACRITIC SCORE: 90

Although Hollow Knight released on PC in 2017, it didn't make it to consoles until 2018. The game follows a knight on a quest as he tries to learn more about the mystery behind the abandoned kingdom of Hallownest, once swarming with insects. The 2D action adventure was a hit with critics when it released on consoles. Critics loved the lore of the kingdoms involved in the game, along with its combat system and its art and sound design. They called it beautiful, as well as praised its amount of content for a low price point: the game only cost $15.

11. SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS

11Shadow-of-the-Colossus.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: February 6
• PLATFORMS: PS4
• DEVELOPER: Bluepoint Games
• PUBLISHER: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• METACRITIC SCORE: 91

In 2005, Shadow of the Colossus originally released on the PlayStation 2. In 2018, though, the game got a remake, in the form of a PS4 version. The story follows a young man named Wander who finds himself in a forbidden world. His mission is to journey across that world and defeat the giant Colossi creatures to restore life to a girl. Critics loved the remake, mainly how it stayed true to the original game. They agreed that the update only enhanced the beauty of the original game, as well as enhanced the details in a way that works wonderfully on the PS4.

10. DEAD CELLS

12Dead-Cells.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: August 7
• PLATFORMS: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
• DEVELOPER: Motion Twin
• PUBLISHER: Motion Twin
• METACRITIC SCORE: 91

In Dead Cells, a stealth metroidvania game, players take on a group of cells that reanimate a corpse so they can fight their way out of a dungeon. Each level of the game is procedurally-generated, meaning that no two levels, or playthroughs, are alike — this impressed critics who loved the game's mechanics, as well as how responsive the controls are. They also enjoyed the combat against challenging enemies that the player meets along the way. Dead Cells also features a broad variety of weapons, including swords and bows, but also whips and grenades. Spells allow players to customize their gameplay experience in a unique way.

9. SONIC MANIA PLUS

13Sonic-Mania-Plus.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: July 17
• PLATFORMS: Switch
• DEVELOPER: PagodaWest Games, Headcannon
• PUBLISHER: Sega
• METACRITIC SCORE: 91

When Sonic Mania Plus arrived on the Switch, fans of the original Sonic Mania game got to indulge in one of their favorite experiences all over again. Plus, it offered something new: an enhanced version of the game with additional content. It wasn't just Sonic fans that were happy; critics loved playing the game on Switch, too. Some called it the best Sonic game of all time, while others loved that it still felt like a classic Sonic game. There is, obviously, a nostalgia factor at play, too, but most critics agreed that this worked in the title's favor.

8. INSIDE

14INSIDE.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: June 28
• PLATFORMS: Switch
• DEVELOPER: Playdead
• PUBLISHER: Playdead
• METACRITIC SCORE: 91

INSIDE was first introduced on the PC in 2016, but it eventually made its way onto Switch in 2018. INSIDE takes place in a dystopic world and follows a boy as he solves puzzles to get through his environment while preventing his death. Critics found the game as beautiful on the Switch as on the PC and loved the game's minimalism. They praised the puzzles for being challenging, but not mind-breaking, by using physics to figure out how to proceed through each level. They also liked the animation, as well as the art and sound design, along with the game's haunting story.

7. BAYONETTA 2

15Bayonetta-2.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: February 16
• PLATFORMS: Switch
• DEVELOPER: Platinum Games
• PUBLISHER: Nintendo
• METACRITIC SCORE: 91

It seems that the trend for 2018 involved porting old games to the Nintendo Switch. Bayonetta 2, a title first released in 2014, got its Switch debut this year. The adventure hack and slash game takes players to Fimbulventr, a fictional sacred mountain in the Middle East. From there, Bayonetta, the protagonist, must travel to the gates of hell to save her friend. The Switch port was a hit with critics, most loving that very little changed during the port to the new console. Some said it looked and played better than ever, while others praised some of the smaller details that improved the game from its original version.

6. FORZA HORIZON 4

16Forza-Horizon-4-Beach-Bums.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: September 28
• PLATFORMS: Xbox One
• DEVELOPER: Playground Games
• PUBLISHER: Microsoft Studios
• METACRITIC SCORE: 92

Although racing games don't always seem as popular as they may have once been, Forza Horizon 4 managed to please gamers and critics alike. The game takes players across the world for exciting racing action, with realistic weather effects and seasons that change dynamically, depending on the time of year and location. Critics called it a "must have" for Xbox One owners, stating that it was one of the best racers they had played in a long time. They loved the graphics and smooth physics, as well as the variety of content and racing activities. Most agreed that it was the best game in the franchise.

5. DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN II - DEFINITIVE EDITION

17Divinity-Original-Sin-2-Exploration.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: August 31
• PLATFORMS: PS4, Xbox One
• DEVELOPER: Larian Studios
• PUBLISHER: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• METACRITIC SCORE: 92

Although initially released on PC in 2017, Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition came out on consoles in 2018. The RPG, set in the fantasy world of Rivellon, features turn-based combat with a strong emphasis on story. It takes its inspiration from traditional pen-and-paper RPGs. Critics touted it as the best fantasy RPG game to ever hit consoles, citing its rich history, storytelling and complex combat as why they loved it so much. They also liked that it allowed the player to have a lot of freedom in an immersive world full of beautiful visuals and interesting characters.

4. UNDERTALE

18Undertale.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: September 18
• PLATFORMS: Switch
• DEVELOPER: Toby Fox
• PUBLISHER: Toby Fox
• METACRITIC SCORE: 93

Another Nintendo Switch port that went over well this year was Undertale, a game originally released in 2015. Undertale follows the exploits of a child lost in the Underground, a place deep underneath Earth separated by a magical barrier. The player meets monsters along the way and makes choices that affect the outcome of the game. The game's port to Switch made many critics veary happy, who all agree that the title stands up to modern standards of JRPGs. They call it a "masterpiece" with great mechanics, a wonderful atmosphere and a compelling story. A few even called it "perfect."

3. CELESTE

19Celeste.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: January 25
• PLATFORMS: PC, PS4 and Xbox One
• DEVELOPER: Matt Makes Games
• PUBLISHER: Matt Makes Games
• METACRITIC SCORE: 94

In Celeste, players control Madeline, a little girl who needs to climb a mountain while avoiding obstacles. This charming platform game came out of a game jam session in just four days, complete with 30 levels. And while that's impressive, so, too, are the reviews for the quickly-coded title. It's another title critics tout as a perfect example of its kind, calling it one of the year's best platformers. Critics also loved Celeste's gameplay mechanics, as well as how well gameplay blends in with the story it tells. Each level comes with its own challenges, including those that should please both casual and serious platform game fans alike.

2. GOD OF WAR

20Kratos-in-God-of-War-2018.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: April 20
• PLATFORMS: PS4
• DEVELOPER: SIE Santa Monica Studio
• PUBLISHER: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• METACRITIC SCORE: 94

If gaming fans and critics agree on anything this year, it's about how glorious God of War is. The action-adventure game completely reimagined the God of War franchise and received universal acclaim from everyone. Its stunning graphics, incredible gameplay mechanics, and world design wowed critics with some referring to as one of the best games of this generation. Others talked about how it will become one of the most epic titles in video game history. Others called it unique, epic, and a new beginning for the franchise. Not only did the new God of War title feel true to the franchise, but it made it better.

1. RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2

Red-Dead-Redemption-2-Screenshot.jpg

• RELEASE DATE: October 26
• PLATFORMS: PS4, Xbox One
• DEVELOPER: Rockstar Studios
• PUBLISHER: Rockstar Games
• METACRITIC SCORE: 97

There was one game that knocked all the others out of the water, at least when it came to critic reviews. Of course, it should come as no surprise that the most critically-acclaimed game of the year is Red Dead Redemption 2. A prequel to Red Dead Redemption, the new title follows Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, as he lives life as an outlaw in the Wild West. Critics told players that this was the title players should not miss this year, setting the bar so high for similar titles that nothing will probably ever surpass it.

my good buddy and true angel of TI @jimmy7

let me know if this post is worthy of being sticky..

love you bro..

Originally Posted by Rhialto

my good buddy and true angel of TI @jimmy7

let me know if this post is worthy of being sticky..

love you bro..

A glorious new entry to the stickies

Great post @Rhialto !!!

I don't know any of them besides Tetris and Shadow of the Colossus.

My favorite games (StarCraft, AoE, Worms, Medieval Total War, Europa Universalis and Call of Duty) didnt make it