2018 in gaming so far....

[Abomination]

Subnautica, Monster Hunter World, Kingdom Come Deliverance, Vermintide 2, Sea of Thieves, Far Cry 5, God of War, Battletech, Frost Punk, Pillars of Eternity II, Detroit Become Human are probably the major or good releases we have seen so far this year.

Some are ambitious and trying something new, some are refinements on older games. That said it hasn't been a great year but it has not been terrible either. I have been quite satisfied with playing games from the previous years and catching up.

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Yeah, 2018 hasn't been all that great for me so far. Only got two '18 releases: DKC Tropical Freeze and Octopath Traveller, the former I ended not really liking and the latter is ok enough, but no GOTY material.

It's cool though. There's several potentials in the next few months though. Also, I've got a sizeable backlog so even the number of interesting games is rather low, I'm having a good time nonetheless.

 

[Mcgeezaks]

It's been decent, of course, it pales in comparison to 2017 but it's still pretty decent so far with Far Cry 5, A Way Out, God of War and Vermintide 2.

 

[CritialGaming]

Gah...didn?t even think of that! I must?ve pushed it far enough out of mind after a particularly tedious side quest.

But yeah, overall when you allow yourself time to be immersed in it the game is actually more fun than The Witcher to me, in nearly every way besides the narrative, which isn?t terrible in itself either. Everything about it is soaked in detail, from the combat to the glossary to the mini games that have you brewing potions from scratch; recipes and all. As much as a game can do so it makes the illusion of being a part of the time period well-realized. Traversing the Bohemian countryside on an armored horse feels as authentic as a game can, right down to the inertia felt when you jump a fence. It?s fun to just go exploring in this one as well, because you discover the map naturally as you go.

What made me take a break though is getting to a point where a certain quest had me literally picking dozens of weeds out of some dude?s garden, and the way you do that involves watching the same ?picking? animation over and over, complete with its own camera angle. I basically said time to take a break and went back to God of War lol. But someday I?ll return to finish picking those weeds and hopefully that?ll be the most tedious quest encountered. The rest of the game progression has felt pretty natural and pleasant though, and it?s just a very authentic feeling world to get lost in.lections. Also really looking forward to Yakuza Kiwami 2. Another remaster of an old game but atleast one I never played.

Atleast next year will start with a bang with RE2 Remake releasing in january *drool*.

Yeah, those who love the game and those who hate it also seem pretty evenly divided. Looks interesting for sure but I'm not really that big into deep and complex RPG's and this seem to be as deep and complex as RPG's can get. I do really like RPG mechanics like for example in Souls games or RPG's that can be played by everybody like Witcher 3 but RPG's with a steep learning curve and too much minutiae I tend to not really enjoy.

It?s not really the kind of depth that requires homework or anything like that though. Moreso it?s just really detailed in terms of how it presents things. The combat for example is really nuanced but the in-game tutorials are woven organically into the gameplay via sparring sessions, or archery practice. The bigger thing is keeping an eye on your gear condition and making sure to eat something now and then.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

The Last Guardian? Seriously? I've heard nothing but crap from that game.

The Last Guardian? Seriously? I've heard nothing but crap from that game.

It's alright if you play it like a game they forgot to release 10 years ago. Camera and controls are somehow worse than the original Shadow of the Colossus released in 2005. Some beautiful atmosphere and art direction though. Game is very unique and one of a kind though I can't say I enjoyed playing it that much.

We rarely get games like The Last Guardian, you truly form a bond with characters through gameplay instead of cutscenes. The puzzle design rarely feels game-y in Team ICO games, it usually feels completely organic. There's a night and day difference between The Last Guardian and say Rime in game design and structure so its not just a AAA looking environmental puzzler that you can get the same experience from a $10-$20 indie game.

I never understood the control issues people have with Team ICO games. In ICO and TLG, you're just running around and jumping occasionally, the controls are more than functional. Sure, if TLG was a character action game or shooter, I'd say the controls aren't up to par. I re-played Shadow of the Colossus on the PS3 remaster somewhat recently, and I never had issue with the game's controls at all; there was never a time where it took longer to do something or where the controls just plain failed and I couldn't do what I wanted. Also, Team ICO games have real platforming, something most games don't actually have anymore like Uncharted or God of War. God of War has more control issues that a Team ICO game IMO, there were several times when Kratos didn't sprint when I pressed sprint.

 

[Saelune]

Dynasty Warriors 9 sucked so bad it actually demoralized me

I cant get it to work on my computer, so I haven't even gotten to play it yet...but them firing most of the English VA's was really upsetting.


Im hoping that like DW6, they follow it up with a game meant to 'fix' most of the issues, like DW7 tried to do and DW8 finished doing. It sucks cause they finally added Yuan Shu, something I wanted since 6.

 

[Yoshi178]

Octopath Traveller, Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion DLC, Crash N sane Trilogy ad Mario Tennis Aces are the 2018 games that stand out to me the most in 2018 so far. i've spent most of my time this year playing Xenoblade 2 and the base Splatoon 2 game though.

on the Horizon this year i'm most excited for Smash Bros Ultimate and TWEWY.

Nintendo says they still have other 2018 games they haven't announced yet so i'm hoping that one of those games is Pikmin 4 as they've been developing that game for ages now.

 

[Hades]

So far the year has been pretty underwhelming but that's pretty understandable. Last year was already one of the best years in gaming history so it makes sense that the industry blew its load to such extend that they wouldn't have much of interest for the following year.

 

[CaitSeith]

Octopath Traveller, Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion DLC, Crash N sane Trilogy ad Mario Tennis Aces are the 2018 games that stand out to me the most in 2018 so far. i've spent most of my time this year playing Xenoblade 2 and the base Splatoon 2 game though.

on the Horizon this year i'm most excited for Smash Bros Ultimate and TWEWY.

Nintendo says they still have other 2018 games they haven't announced yet so i'm hoping that one of those games is Pikmin 4 as they've been developing that game for ages now.

Wait... TWEWY!? Now that's something I'd like to get ASAP! This year I have been SO in the mood for old JRPGs I have not played, that this release seems serendipitous.

 

[RaikuFA]

Only new games I played were MHW, Yakuza 6, Hollow Knights Switch release, Hyrule Warriors Complete, Red Faction Remarstered, Dark Souls, Octopath, Mario Tennis and DKTF.

Only things I'm looking forward to is Dragon Quest 11 and SPYRO.

Certainly a lot less from last year.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Yeah, this year so far is considerably more bare than last year. The biggest release I love so far this year was Octopath.

Then again, you can't have stellar years full of amazing games every year. Amazing things take time to make.

I'm still having fun though, as I discovered Subnautica, Warframe, and a few first-year switch games this year, to say nothing of Monster Hunter World FINALLY about to drop on PC real soon.

As for Farcry 5, it was pretty good, but not incredible. Riiight up until then ending and then it basically shat itself.

Spoiler: Farcry 5 ending rant because why not

I don't mind downer endings. In fact, I think that they can be amazingly memorable and awesome when done right.

But Farcry 5 had you choose between a "Give up on everyone and leave, and then get murderswitched on the way out" ending, or an "Everyone is dead and the villain has you at his mercy and gets to monologue at you about how perfect and right he is and how eeeeverything is all your fault and you're actually the evil one, and you have no way to rebut his garbage" ending.

That just rubbed me the wrong way. If it was just "welp, everything you did didn't matter, the bad guy was right about the collapse, enjoy living in a bunker alone with just the mission control guy for company!" I'd have been ok with it. The gratuitous sermonizing by the bad guy with no way to point out his BS was just too goddamn much, and it made me check out completely from the DLC or playing it again.

 

[Captain Marvelous_v1legacy]

Spoiler: List of 2018 games Ive played or Im looking forward to

Played and loved:
Monster Hunter World
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth - Hackers Memory
Dragon Ball FighterZ
God of War
Kirby Star Allies

Looking to Get:
Frostpunk
Octopath Traveler
No Man's Sky (Finally coming out of that 2 year beta)

To Come:
Spider-Man
Warriors Orochi 4
Red Dead Redemption II
Darksiders III
OVerride: Mech City Brawl

2018 has been fine to me so far. Monster Hunter World was a fun experience and surprisingly new-comer friendly considering what I've heard of past games. FighterZ didn't keep me for long, since I'm not much of a fighting guy, but it is one of the best DBZ games I've ever played. God of War was an amazing experience and most likely my GOTY. Digimon and Kirby are more niche picks, I guess? Digimon isn't a good game, and Star Allies isn't even close to the best Kirby game, but they've both got me by the nostalgia and I'm fine with that. Frostpunk and Octopath Traveler are both games that I'm incredibly interested in and are on my "Buy ASAP" list. No Man's Sky has finally left it's 2 year Beta, so I'm looking to give it another shot.

As for games to come, Spider-Man looks like my one of my favorite games was remade for current gen and I'm down for that. Warriors Orochi 4 will be a theraputic experience after the disappointment of DW9. Red Dead Redemption II is on my list, I've been wanting to get back into RDR but I don't have any of the last gen consoles, but since it wont be getting a PC release I may not be getting it. Override: Mech City Brawl gives me more mechs, so I'm amped up for that.

The only real disappointments I've had this year are Dynasty Warriors 9 and New Gundam Breaker, both games drastically changed their formula in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. DW9 went open world, but didn't put in the effort to make that change good, even though it's change I've been wanting for a few years now, and New Gundam Breaker is a shitty dating sims with mech fights on the side, which is trash when compared to past Breaker games.

TL;DR: Aside from 2 huge disappointments, this year has been pretty great.

 

[Avnger]

I played the only game I was interested in, Far Cry 5, and I'm soured on it. Loved the gameplay and story, but the ending is such bullshit and there's not post-ending playground I've lost all enthusiasm for the it.

This was evidently a bug and has been fixed.

Wait the ending was a bug? That makes sense since it was god awful, but how did they fix it?

Sorry, I should have been more clear. The lack of a post-ending playground was a bug. You were supposed to be dumped right back into the map after the ending, but it was messed up on release. You must have finished it prior to the patch that fixed it getting out.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

SNIP

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Isn't every year always the worst year until we're on the next year and suddenly last year was great?

 

[Lufia Erim]

As far as games that came out this year that ive played. MH:World was fantastic and Dragon ball fighterz was an above average party game.

So i went back and played some older titles.

The nonary games and Zero Time dilemma was the Bees knees. and Digimon cyber Sleuth is more fun than it has any right to be.

 

[Yoshi178]

Octopath Traveller, Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion DLC, Crash N sane Trilogy ad Mario Tennis Aces are the 2018 games that stand out to me the most in 2018 so far. i've spent most of my time this year playing Xenoblade 2 and the base Splatoon 2 game though.

on the Horizon this year i'm most excited for Smash Bros Ultimate and TWEWY.

Nintendo says they still have other 2018 games they haven't announced yet so i'm hoping that one of those games is Pikmin 4 as they've been developing that game for ages now.

Wait... TWEWY!? Now that's something I'd like to get ASAP! This year I have been SO in the mood for old JRPGs I have not played, that this release seems serendipitous.

yeah. TWEWY was literally the first thing they announced in the January 11 Nintendo Direct Mini

 

[CritialGaming]

The Last Guardian? Seriously? I've heard nothing but crap from that game.

The Last Guardian? Seriously? I've heard nothing but crap from that game.

It's alright if you play it like a game they forgot to release 10 years ago. Camera and controls are somehow worse than the original Shadow of the Colossus released in 2005. Some beautiful atmosphere and art direction though. Game is very unique and one of a kind though I can't say I enjoyed playing it that much.

We rarely get games like The Last Guardian, you truly form a bond with characters through gameplay instead of cutscenes. The puzzle design rarely feels game-y in Team ICO games, it usually feels completely organic. There's a night and day difference between The Last Guardian and say Rime in game design and structure so its not just a AAA looking environmental puzzler that you can get the same experience from a $10-$20 indie game.

I never understood the control issues people have with Team ICO games. In ICO and TLG, you're just running around and jumping occasionally, the controls are more than functional. Sure, if TLG was a character action game or shooter, I'd say the controls aren't up to par. I re-played Shadow of the Colossus on the PS3 remaster somewhat recently, and I never had issue with the game's controls at all; there was never a time where it took longer to do something or where the controls just plain failed and I couldn't do what I wanted. Also, Team ICO games have real platforming, something most games don't actually have anymore like Uncharted or God of War. God of War has more control issues that a Team ICO game IMO, there were several times when Kratos didn't sprint when I pressed sprint.

It requires an adjustment to get used to TICO controls, and these days most people would rather just ***** about it than making that adjustment, therefore missing out on some great games in the process.

As for GoW control issues, for me that was another adjustment period. It?s quite a bit different from the *legacy* games which were more arcade-like. I really haven?t had any problems with unresponsiveness in general combat once I got used to the timing.

What are you using to sprint? I have mine set to holding O like Souls, since it already starts with a dash and keeping it held continues that with a sprint. Platforming is contextual anyways and won?t require some crazy jump timing like the shortcut in DSII?s Valley of the Fallen Giants. I only ever use the sticks for lock on as anything more strenuous puts too much strain on those buttons for comfort.

 

[Addendum_Forthcoming]

I love Monster Hunter, and Monster Hunter World is kind of .... shit.

It feels too easy, and Monster Hunter to mehas always beenbest portable and effortless co-op in person or online.

I know people getting a Switch simply for the upcoming localization of the new MH game ... And damn straight we're going to have pre-board game night bouts with at least three of us of that. And we'll all benefit from the transferable data from our 3DSs.

 

[Casual Shinji]

It requires an adjustment to get used to TICO controls, and these days most people would rather just ***** about it than making that adjustment, therefore missing out on some great games in the process.

As much as I love The Last Guardian there are major problems with it, and I don't blame people for ditching it. Trico's A.I. is fine once you realize how it functions, but climbing Trico feels like shit. It doesn't have the same organic feeling climbing a colossus in SotC does. If it had just transported the Shadow climbing mechanic to Guardian it would've been great, but since you're magnetized to him instead of having a 'hold' button you're constantly struggling with the stickiness of the kid ontop of the funky camera angles. This translates to the regular platforming as well, where the only tension comes from whether or not the kid is going to grab onto a ledge, since you're depended on the game to auto-grab.

Also, that fucking awfull narraration that ruins every scene it's in. God, I wish they could patch that out.