For the ever-expanding gaming community, 2018 was another fantastic year. The reason being, there were a plethora of amazing triple-A titles released including, but definitely not limited to, Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, Spider-Man, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. That said, there were certainly many more marvelous games that may have slipped under your radar. So, with that in mind, I present to you the best games of 2018 that you might have missed.
1. Celeste
Initial Release Date: January 25, 2018
For many people, this was indeed one of the best games of 2018, but there is still a high probability that you might have missed it. Celeste is a platforming video game by Canadian developers Matt Thorson and Noel Berry. It entails the story of a young woman named Madeline who decides upon herself to climb Celeste Mountain, bringing numerous near-death experiences along with her. That said, not only is the gameplay addicting but so is the music!
Available on Windows, macOS, Linux (yes, really), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, you have no reason NOT to check it out. Moreover, Polygon listed Celeste as their fifth-best game of the year. Happy platforming!
2. Moonlighter
Initial Release Date: May 29, 2018
Fans of simulation games will be in pixel heaven. Moonlighter is an indie action RPG developed by Spanish studio Digital Sun and also released for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One so, again, no excuses!
Briefly, Moonlighter has the player manage a shop during the day and dungeon crawl during the night in order to provide supplies for the aforementioned shop. It’s an addicting and pleasant addition to any gamer’s library. As well, fans of Stardew Valley will feel right at home.
3. Into The Breach
Initial Release Date: February 27, 2018
This is another one of the best games of 2018 that, unfortunately, many of us might have missed. Fans of turn-based strategy games will absolutely fall in love with Into The Breach due to the fact that the combat system allows players to strategize and coordinate their attacks in response to the enemy’s actions.
The second game to be developed and published by Subset Games, this is a story set in the not-so-distant future where humanity must battle against an army of giant monsters collectively named “Vek”. Terminator, anyone?
4. The Messenger
Initial Release Date: August 30, 2018
At this point, you may be realizing that some of the best games of 2018 were actually of the platformer genre, and The Messenger is no different! Immensely inspired by the classic Ninja Gaiden franchise, this is an action-platform game developed by Québec’s very own indie Sabotage Studio and published by Devolver Digital for Windows and Nintendo Switch. If nothing else, the game’s mesmerizing music and accessible gameplay will keep you hooked the entire way through!
5. Return Of The Obra Dinn
Initial Release Date: October 18, 2018
Probably the most unique of the best games of 2018 you most likely skipped, Return of the Obra Dinn (can the name be any more tedious?) is a puzzle game developed and published by 3909 LLC, a Japan-based studio led by American developer Lucas Pope.
The game has been vastly praised for its art style, gameplay design, enticing narrative, and has been classified as of one the best games of 2018. Moreover, it has been nominated for various awards.
6. A Way Out
Initial Release Date: March 23, 2018
Now, I know what you may be thinking, “this is definitely NOT one of the best games of 2018”, but I say to you, “how would you know if you completely skipped it without actually giving it a chance?”
A rather unusual game right from the beginning, A Way Out is a two-player action-adventure game developed by Hazelight Studios and published by everyone’s not-so-favorite Electronic Arts (EA). That is to say, there is literally no single-player option, only playable in either online or local split screen. That might have been the only reason as to why so many gamers decided to ignore it, but you would be doing yourself a considerable disservice considering the unique concept.
7. Iconoclasts
Initial Release Date: January 23, 2018
Considering how early within the year that Iconoclasts was released, there is no doubt in my mind that this is one of the best games of 2018 that you probably overlooked.
Iconoclasts is an action platformer (yes, another) with metroidvania elements created by Swedish developer Joakim Sandberg and subsequently published by Bifrost Entertainment. Gameplay encompasses a diverse mixture of exploring, battling enemies, and mind-bending environment puzzles, while also placing great emphasis on the more than twenty boss battles scattered throughout. Much luck to you warrior!
8. Gris
Initial Release Date: December 13, 2018
I can’t actually blame gamers for missing out on this game considering how late within the year it was released, especially because it was just a few short days after the release of hugely anticipated Super Smash Bros.
Nevertheless, there are no more excuses! Gris is yet another indie platform-adventure game by Spanish developer Normada Studio and published by Devolver Digital for Nintendo Switch, macOS, and Windows.
In short, the game tells the story of a girl named, you’ve guessed it, Gris, who wakes up in the palm of a decrepit statue of a woman (confusing, I know) only to have disaster ensue (no spoilers here). If all else fails to inspire you, the art style definitely will. Put simply, it’s gorgeous!
As mentioned, 2018 was a great year to be gamer. Still, with so many titles released, it’s quite possible that you missed some of the best games of 2018 but now is your chance to redeem yourself. Game on!
Featured Image Source:https://unsplash.com/photos/WiLqkXbP1do
