As 2018 comes to a close, DualShockers and our staff are reflecting on this year’s batch of games and what were their personal highlights within the last year. Unlike theofficial Game of the Year 2018 awards for DualShockers, there are little-to-no-rules on our individual Top 10 posts. For instance, any game – not just 2018 releases – can be considered.
I consider 2018 to be a slump year compared tothe powerhouse year that was 2017, but that isn’t to say that there weren’t some amazing releases in 2018. I spent so much of this year reviewing and catching up on older titles I missed in previous years (some of which make the list!).
However, there are some games I’m upset I didn’t get to try yet. I never got too much time into eitherMonster Hunter: World,Return of the Obra Dinn,Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, orValkyria Chronicles 4. In other words, some of the longer and most prestigious games of the year.
Even still, everything I got a moment to play really showed growth year-over-year – though the pick of games may be worse overall, I’m positive that next year will be able to grow from a lot of the titles in a substantial way. Without further ado, here is my Top 10 list of 2018:
10. Far Cry 5
At the risk of getting some grief over this choice,Far Cry 5is a really great game for what it is: a game. I’ve got qualms with how the game ends, but I do think the game underneath it is solid. Tight shooting mechanics, great use of an open-world environment, and a soundtrack that brings it all home gaveFar Cry 5a spot on my list. I teeter on whether I am more a fan ofFar Cry 3orFar Cry 5, but I spent well over 50 hours getting lost in Hope County (and you should too).
Check outtheDualShockersreview ofFar Cry 5.
9. The Messenger
Another game that really only had hype if you were following enthusiast sites,The Messengeris truly something special for developer Sabatoge’s freshman project. I’m not going to go too far into what makes the game special…that is for you to discover. But I wouldn’t let this one slip by you.
Make sure you check outtheDualShockersreview ofThe Messenger.
8. Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
You know what was a vastly under-appreciated JRPG this year?Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom. Sure, I still haven’t gotten time to invest inDragon Quest XI, but this was a solid sequel to one of PlayStation 3’s best RPGs. Despite major asset losses like Studio Ghibli no longer partaking in the animation,Ni no Kuni IIwas able to tell an engrossing story in a fleshed out world far better than most competitors.
Check out theDualShockersreview ofNi no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom.
7. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
I fully expectSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateto have a higher spot in next year’s Top 10 list given how late it released this year, but I can already tell (unlikeSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U) this is an iteration of the series that will last for a while. I’m digging the story mode, even if it is cheeseable at times, and gameplay on the Nintendo Switch is buttery smooth. While many of the games above and below it will come and go,Super Smash Bros. Ultimatewill be sticking around for some time.
Check outtheDualShockersreview ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Yeah… this is a weird one for me to qualify too. Hi-Rez’sSMITEon the surface just seems like a cooler re-skin of more popular MOBAs likeLeague of LegendsorDota 2, but I’ve grown to really appreciate the console-native approach to MOBAs that Hi-Rez brings to the table. Through the course of the year,SMITEbecame my bread and butter – even if I eventually got jaded from being an AMC main.
Each year, the bar-raising in the ever-popular Metroidvania genre seems to shock me. And while I still thinkOri and the Blind Forestis topping my all-time list,Dead Cellssqueaks in at a close second. Thanks to the rogue-lite elements and pick-up-and-play nature of the game, this became one of the best (if notthebest) titles for Nintendo Switch this year, and Metroidvanias at large. If you need to grab one indie game this year,Dead Cellsshould be the one.
Check out my(original)Dead Cellsreview.
4. SoulCalibur VI
I was expecting to have a great time withSoulCalibur VI– I’ve been obsessed with the series since the GameCube iteration of the game, and the deep systems that Project Soul adds to their projects brings fighting games to the next level. However, thanks to a robust character creation tool, I ended up having more fun than ever playing asThe Fairly Odd Parents’Doug Dimmidome or Bowsette (above).
Check outtheDualShockersreview ofSoulCalibur VI.
While it isn’t my personal game of the year,Red Dead Redemption 2is the technical achievement piece of 2018. While it is easy enough to point to graphics, its open-world, and sound design,Red Dead Redemption 2is otherwise a showpiece of creating a living movie as a video game. The game elevates the medium to something arguably better, even if there is definite room for improvement when it comes to controls.
Check outtheDualShockersreview ofRed Dead Redemption 2.
2. God of War
While I personally argued forRed Dead Redemption 2taking homethe official Game of the Year title for theDualShockersawards, based solely on personal preference I enjoyed Sony Santa Monica Studios’God of Warfar better. I’m simply a sucker for narrative-driven games built around action-adventure and puzzle platforming. I may go as far as to make two bold claims: this is the best SIE published game ever created, and this is the bestZelda-style game (includingofficialThe Legend of Zeldagames) ever made.
Check outtheDualShockersreview ofGod of War.
1. Persona 5
Hey, remember last year whenPersona 5came inmy fourth place slot for top games of 2017? I was only just past Madarame’s Palace. Once things slowed down for me again in 2018, I picked up right where I left off and this game cannot be praised enough. I don’t care that it came out last year. I don’t care it already wonDualShockers' 2017 Game of the Yearfrom both the staff and readers. This is a game meant to be revisited every year and thoroughly appreciated for everything it is.
Check outtheDualShockersreview ofPersona 5.
Check out the otherDualShockers’ staff Top 10 lists and our official Game of the Year Awards:
December 17:DualShockersGame of the Year Awards 2018
December 18: Lou Contaldi, Editor in Chief//Logan Moore, Reviews Editor
December 19:Ryan Meitzler, Features Editor//Tomas Franzese, News Editor
December 20:Reinhold Hoffmann, Community Manager
December 21:Scott Meaney, Community Director//Ben Bayliss, Staff Writer
December 22:Ben Walker, Staff Writer//Chris Compendio, Staff Writer
December 23:Grant Huff, Staff Writer
December 26:Jordan Boyd, Staff Writer
December 27:Max Roberts, Staff Writer//Michael Ruiz, Staff Writer
December 28:Rachael Fiddis, Staff Writer
December 29:Steven Santana, Staff Writer//Tanner Pierce, Staff Writer
December 30:IyaneAgossah,Staff Writer//Travis Verbil, Staff Writer//Zack Potter, Staff Writer
