2018 offered a variety of gameplay experiences with a decided focus on marrying strong narratives with engaging gameplay, but only 10 games could make our list.
As gamers prepare for the next generation of consoles, 2018 put a greater focus on storytelling than in years past. There were still plenty of technical marvels, but many of the best games of the year highlighted how interactive experiences can be moving, exciting, and engaging all at once.
Some might even argue that these last years before a new console generation deliver some of the best games, and 2018 is no exception. These are Game Rant’s top 10 games of 2018.
What we said: “By focusing on characters and story over cliche open world tropes, Far Cry 5 manages to be completely and utterly engrossing from start to finish. It’s one of the finest takes on the open world genre that we’ve seen, and while it may not deliver much in the way of revolutionary new ideas, it still stands as the best Far Cry game since Far Cry 3.”
Why you should play it: Far Cry 5 shakes up the series by taking players to a small town in the rural United States. It makes things a little more real from a story perspective, but still delivers a ton of bombast through its gameplay. Far Cry 5 is a reminder of how engaging the series can be, packed with a ton of memorable characters and big moments
Available on: PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Why you should play it: Dead Cells offers that addictive, “just one more run” formula that has made for so many indie successes. Every run has the potential to bring players to the finish line, or crumble after one mistake. Players can go at their own pace with Dead Cells, but few will come away not wanting to go back again and again.
Available on: PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Why you should play it: It might seem odd to include a Tetris game on a top 10 in 2018, but Tetris Effect takes the series’ simple formula and gives it plenty of flash. Visually, this is one of the best VR games available, and mechanically, it’s a sublime experience that is easy to pick up and play. Don’t sleep on this one just because it’s Tetris.
Why you should play it: A tough but fair platformer, Celeste is unassuming at first but show layers upon closer inspection. Its story connects with players in a way that few games of this genre typically do, and its varied gameplay only makes things more remarkable. Celeste marries storytelling and mechanics in a way that few games this small do.
Available on: PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
