Critical Hit
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Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is Lord of the Rings turned up to 11. Improving on nearly every idea from the original Shadow of Mordor game, it's a gargantuan sequel in both size and scope.
There are still some core narrative issues with the main characters and the game can be a bit too easy at times, but the new job system alone made this journey back to Ivalice so much more enjoyable. Whether you're returning or playing this game for the first time, Final Fantasy XII is a JRPG that deserves to be played.
Pyre is a fun, deep and strategic game with a gorgeous aesthetic. But it's the way the music and themes stick with you long after the credits roll that really makes it a worthwhile experience.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a rock ‘n roll rebellion that manages to blend thrilling shoot ‘em up action with heavy subject matter and a narrative that begs players to rage against the machine with as many bullets as possible.
It shouldn't work, but Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle coalesces into something that shows a reverence to Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom, but isn't afraid to challenge its ideas. It's a wonderful game in its own right, and a bit of magic for Nintendo's Switch that's far better than it has any right to be.
Assassin's Creed Origins is a pharaoh's tomb chock-full of shiny treasures for gamers, especially those fascinated with Ancient Egypt. The side quests may feel a little repetitive, but the credible, nuanced characters and diversity of the main plot make up for it. And with so much to explore and do in its jaw-dropping setting, Origins is exceptional.
The Evil Within 2 is a shining example of how to expand your game world while still having it remain a focused experience. Minor bugs cannot hinder what is ultimately a bloody (pun intended) good time.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 suffers from some technical issues and takes a really long time to kick it into high gear, but when it does, it manages to become a sublime RPG, standing toe to toe with the behemoths of the genre.
The definitive Dragon Ball fighting game, bar none. Arc System Works have created a game which walks across many a fine line, blending style with substance and accessibility with reverence for the source material. It's wild, it rocks my dragon and it sets a benchmark for the series that proudly enters the domain of fight game gods.
Aegis Defenders comes highly recommended. The level design is inspired, challenging players to adapt their playstyle on the fly, and the gameplay is riveting and enjoyable. And it's all just so charming, with vibrant characters, witty dialogue, and a story that unfolds at a natural pace.
If you enjoyed the first Pillars of Eternity, then there's a damn good chance you'll mine even more enjoyment out of the sequel. Quite a few of the smaller niggling issues that hampered the first game have been addressed, and you're certainly not as burdened to remember nearly as much history to understand character motivations. If you're new to the franchise, you'll be a bit under pressure to read up on characters and events from the first game, but it caters to new players (or those who have simply forgotten everything from the first game) well enough, is one of the best story-telling experiences I've had in recent memory, and is otherwise bloody fantastic isometric RPG.
Detroit: Become Human manages to dial back Quantic Dream's usual style of storytelling and instead focus more on the characters and their personal journey resulting in one the most compelling adventure games in recent memory.
Telltale's second Batman season goes out with a bang, as it boldly reinvents the familiar in grand fashion while ensuring that players have an emotional and personal investment in the crazy twists dealt to them when the Joker runs wild.
If you were ever hesitant about jumping into Injustice 2 due to the fragmented nature of fighting games in the new age of content delivery, then rest assured: Injustice 2 is 2017's best fighting game made even better in 2018.
Frostpunk is an ingenious blend of city building systems and morally ambiguous decision making. Its mechanics are streamlined enough to be easy to grasp, but it's tension and demanding nature make it an apocalyptic experience you shouldn't skip.
Marvel's Spider-Man is charming and energetic, action-packed and surprisingly capable of tugging on your heart strings to deliver a one-two punch to the emotional gut. If you had to sum up Marvel's Spider-Man in one word, nothing would be more apt than…amazing.
Some fans of the Call of Duty franchise may have left, but Black Ops 4 is arguably the best time to come back. This may be the best instalment of the franchise yet.
NBA 2K19 is another impressive outing from Visual Concepts and 2K with just about everything you can think of included. It's a real shame that there is still a heavy reliance on purchasing VC in the modes that matter, but it's plausible to play without giving in to the temptation. Aside from the microtransactions and occasionally tedious load times NBA 2K19 has all the modes, polish, challenges and value you've come to expect from the franchise. It's the annual release that truly lasts a year and if you're a fan, there should be no doubt as to whether or not you should get this year's game.
F1 2018 doesn't skimp on technically deep and rigorous racing, but its approach to appease both hardcore F1 fans and curious racing fans alike make it a title that has a much broader appeal than just the sport itself. It's a gorgeous package with smartly designed content to keep you entertaining on and off the track, and just a darn fine racing experience around every corner.
Hitman 2 feels like a macabre collection of dominos falling and eventually toppling one final piece in a gloriously “accidental” death that can best be summed up as an act of god when the dust has settled. A game that's more about the journey than the destination, Hitman 2 is lengthy, gruesomely charming and still hiding plenty of secrets up its immaculately dressed sleeves.