\u00ab\u00a0Fortnite\u00a0\u00bb and the trend of \u00ab\u00a0battle royale\u00a0\u00bb may have commanded much of the attention paid to video games in 2018, but plenty of other\u2026<\/b>
\n\u00ab\u00a0Fortnite\u00a0\u00bb and the trend of \u00ab\u00a0battle royale\u00a0\u00bb may have commanded much of the attention paid to video games in 2018, but plenty of other releases arrived to occupy lovers of the interactive medium.
From multiplayer fighters to single-player role-playing games, 2018 had games for everyone and every type of player. We even saw a few popular franchises release some long-awaited new titles.
With the calendar turning toward 2019 and the game industry getting ready for its next generation of consoles for the next decade, USA TODAY’s Eli Blumenthal, Brett Molina, Marc Saltzman and Mike Snider offer a look at a few of their favorite video games of the year that was.
(Free to play with in-game purchases, rated T for teen ages 13-up, for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile devices)
Technically, it launched more than a year ago, but 2018 has undeniably been the year of \u00ab\u00a0Fortnite.\u00a0\u00bb It introduced the masses to the \u00ab\u00a0battle royale\u00a0\u00bb \u2013 a competitive match where the last person standing wins \u2013 combining it with \u00ab\u00a0Minecraft\u00a0\u00bb-like building to reach a mainstream audience few video games achieve. And it kept reeling in new players and veterans alike with fun events including the May meteor striking the game\u2019s island landscape in Season 4. \u00ab\u00a0Fortnite\u00a0\u00bb also sneakily taught a generation how to dance. See those kids at a wedding doing \u00ab\u00a0the floss\u00a0\u00bb? Thank \u00ab\u00a0Fortnite.\u00a0\u00bb
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($39.99, rated Mature for ages 17-up, for Sony PlayStation 4).
Fighting deity Kratos has a new look, new weaponry and a new addition to the family, son Atreus, in the latest in this action-adventure series. The game’s new camera angle frames a larger-scale Kratos, who wields a magic ax that returns when flung, as Thor’s hammer does. The scale itself is massive, too, and longtime fans will need to learn new fighting tactics to conquer some massive enemies. Luckily, Atreus wields a bow and arrow and is a helpful sidekick. And the story between him and Kratos brings another dramatic element to a dazzling game.
$30 and up, rated T for ages 13-up, for PS4, Xbox One and PC).
While a much bigger deal in the East \u2013 until now \u2013 the \u00ab\u00a0Monster Hunter\u00a0\u00bb franchise has finally received the commercial and critical acclaim it deserves in the West, thanks to the latest in the series, \u00ab\u00a0Monster Hunter: World.\u00a0\u00bb The action-heavy role-playing game doesn\u2019t shy away from what made its predecessors so buzzworthy \u2014 banding with others to take down giant monsters, by utilizing different tactics depending on the task at hand \u2013 but this latest game adds a compelling narrative, better weapon crafting and looting opportunities, smooth online multiplayer support and great graphics.
($40 and up, \u00ab\u00a0FIFA 19,\u00a0\u00bb \u00ab\u00a0Madden 19,\u00a0\u00bb \u00ab\u00a0NBA 2K19\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0NHL 19\u00a0\u00bb; \u00ab\u00a0MLB The Show 18,\u00a0\u00bb $20 and up; rated E for various consoles, except \u00ab\u00a0NHL 19,\u00a0\u00bb rated E 10+ for 10-up).
Every year, sports games see roster updates to add a layer of freshness to their predecessors, perhaps with a graphical refinement or new game mode as well. In 2018, however, all five of the major sports titles produced some of their best work to date, particularly in the area of gameplay to make each seem like its most realistic and refined version yet.
($59.99, rated E10+ for the Nintendo Switch).
Nintendo always has a high bar to beat when it comes to new additions of its most popular franchises such as \u00ab\u00a0Zelda,\u00a0\u00bb \u00ab\u00a0Super Mario\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0Mario Kart.\u00a0\u00bb In December, it added the long-awaited next title to its \u00ab\u00a0Super Smash Bros.\u00a0\u00bb line, and \u00ab\u00a0Ultimate\u00a0\u00bb not only lives up to that bar but exceeds it. \u00ab\u00a0Ultimate\u00a0\u00bb brings together characters from the fighting game’s nearly 20-year history. From the iconic characters to the HD cartoon battles, \u00ab\u00a0Ultimate\u00a0\u00bb is one of the best Switch games yet and a great reminder that not every multiplayer game needs to be a \u00ab\u00a0Fortnite\u00a0\u00bb-like \u00ab\u00a0battle royale\u00a0\u00bb to be fun.
More: ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ review: The most fun fighting game is a Switch must-have
($60 and up, rated Mature for ages 17-up, for PS4 and Xbox One).
This open-world explorable game from the makers of the \u00ab\u00a0Grand Theft Auto\u00a0\u00bb games lets you rob, cheat and steal your way through the turn-of-the-century Wild West as part of an outlaw gang. You can also hunt, fish and play poker, in addition to bounty hunting. And once you finish the massive game, there’s a \u00ab\u00a0Red Dead Online\u00a0\u00bb game that owning this gives you free access to.
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($40 and up, rated Teen for 13-up, for PS4).
Not since the Batman \u00ab\u00a0Arkham\u00a0\u00bb series has a video game better depicted life in superhero tights. The latest endeavor from Insomniac Games (\u00ab\u00a0Ratchet and Clank,\u00a0\u00bb \u00ab\u00a0Sunset Overdrive\u00a0\u00bb) features an experienced Peter Parker balancing his personal life with his responsibility as New York\u2019s friendly neighborhood hero. You\u2019ll encounter foes such as Doctor Octopus and Kingpin, break up local crimes and joyfully swing all over downtown New York City. But the surprise feature is a photo mode where players can capture their adventures in stunning detail. He really does whatever a spider can.
($20 and up, all ages, for PS4 and PlayStation VR).
It\u2019s a new spin on an old game, but, boy, is it fun. And at less than $20, it\u2019s a steal. Published by Sony Computer Entertainment America, \u00ab\u00a0Tetris Effect\u00a0\u00bb is playable in 4K on PlayStation 4 \u2013 or better yet, in virtual reality via a PSVR headset \u2013 and adds a new level of immersion to the classic puzzle formula. You know the drill: Rotate the tetrominoes so that they create (and then destroy) a solid line, so you don\u2019t rise the pile up too high. Between its accessible, easy-to-pick-up-but-hard-to-put-down gameplay and mesmerizing visuals to its pulse-pounding music and multiple modes, \u00ab\u00a0Tetris Effect\u00a0\u00bb may be the best game of 2018 (you never played).
Follow our reporters on Twitter: @eliblumenthal, @brettmolina23, @marc_saltzman and @mikesnider<\/p>\n