As always, when it comes to critical acclaim and “Game of the Year” material, 2018 was a mixed bag. Many of us can likely go back and remember some of our favorite titles that rocked the gaming world, but many of us can also probably recollect the duds that we should never speak of again. The cool part is that a game didn’t have to be “the most groundbreaking thing ever,” to be a fun time for 2018. While we know Rockstar and Santa Monica Studio had two of the most critically acclaimed games of the year, outings like Monster Hunter, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and many others were just as fun even if they didn’t break the 90 percent mark (according to Metacritic).
What we think of as a “good game” can be incredibly subjective. While one gamer may think a game is terrible, another may think of it as “so bad its good,” which is something that can be argued for some of the more lackluster titles on this list. However, I think we can all agree that a good game has an engaging story or series of events, decent character development, witty dialogue, and gameplay that immerses you into the story. So, let’s take a walk down memory lane and see which the titles the gaming community loved, and the ones that they chose to skip. Check out our list of ten best and ten worst console games of 2018 (according to Metacritic). Scores are listed in the title.
20 Best: Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4, Xbox One) – 97/100
Considering how excited the entire gaming community was for this game (and the fact that it didn’t disappoint), it is no secret as to why Red Dead Redemption 2 is this year’s breakout hit and the highest rated game of 2018 by Metacritic. The game received a score of 97 out of 100, over 300 positive critic ratings, and 33 positive user reviews.
Critics cite the games organic gameplay, gorgeous graphics, memorable characters, and overall authenticity to the western period it is portraying as key reasons why this game wins out. IGN had this to say, “Red Dead Redemption 2 stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Grand Theft Auto V as one of the greatest games of the modern age. It’s a gorgeous depiction of an ugly period that’s patient, polished, and a huge amount of fun to play, and it’s combined with Rockstar’s best storytelling to date.”
19 Worst: The Quiet Man (PS4) – 29/100
With the trailer looking as if it is promoting a live action and low-budget neo-noir film rather than a game of mystery and intrigue, it is not easy to see why The Quiet Man did not spur any excitement in the gaming community. It is a daring experiment by Square Enix, as it allows the player to view the world in the eyes of a deaf man who is involved in an intense mystery.
Honestly, this game could have really been something special with some imagination.
It mixes computer-generated visuals with in-game graphics and full-motion video. It sounds like it should have been a slam dunk, however, the execution left gamers feeling flat. The player's “sensing” is not functional, the story is lackluster, and tutorials are almost nonexistent. With an overall score of 29 out of 100, Square Enix missed the mark.
18 Best: God Of War (PS4) – 94/100
The best category is starting to look like a PS4 greatest hits compilation, and that is surely not by accident. The God of War franchise has always had a special place in the hearts of gamers everywhere. A compelling story and hack-and-slash play style are what hooked many players into the world of Kratos. However, a risky revisit to the franchise had many worried, but in the end, the experiment paid off. This God of War sees Kratos taking on the gods of Norse mythology while striving to become “father of the year,” for his young son Atreus. Breathtaking visuals, open exploration, a simple yet effective combat system, and nuanced story lifted this game to a ranking of 94 by Metacritic.
17 Worst: Gene Rain (Xbox One) – 32/100
What do you get when you mix a 3D third person shooter with a shallow story, lackluster dialogue, and terrible controls? Well, you get one of the worst games of the year in Gene Rain. This game set out to tell the story of “New Humans” settling in a futuristic world, but it really comes off a bit like a Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Gears of War knock-off.
Like we really need another one of those.
With a score of one of the worst scores on this list, it is probably best to steer clear of this one, or free up some storage space by getting rid of it if felt curious enough to try it out.
16 Best: Celeste (Xbox One) – 94/100
Probably one of the best indie games of the year, Celeste shows that a smaller offering can compete with any triple AAA title and hold its own. The game is a brilliant callback to the 2D pixel art of days past. The premise is simple as it requires you to get Madeline to the top of Celeste mountain, but the tight level design, surprisingly emotional story, and complex mechanics make the game satisfyingly challenging. Metacritic was right to rate this one 94 out of 100. If you are looking for a platformer experience that will knock your socks off, look no further than Celeste.
15 Worst: Ark Survival Evolved (Nintendo Switch) – 33/100
The premise sounds promising: you are a human that is stranded on an island called ARK that must hunt, craft items, grow food, and harvest resources to survive. Unfortunately, that is where the excitement for this game ends. The game was given “average and mixed reviews” when it premiered on the PS4 and Xbox One, but it saw its lowest reception yet on the Nintendo Switch.
When Nintendo wins it really shines, but when it loses…the result is games like this.
Reviewers cited “poor visual execution,” “framerate and performance,” and “a lack of optimization,” as reasons to skip this game. Metacritic followed up with a low 33 out of 100.
14 Best: Undertale (Nintendo Switch) – 93/100
Okay, so Ark Survival Evolved didn’t work out so well, but that doesn’t mean that the Nintendo Switch doesn’t have some excellent third-party titles to work with. Metacritic heralded the system's inclusion of Undertale and rewarded with an excellent score that is up there with some of the greats of the year. By this point, most of you have likely heard of this famous RPG that is probably considered to be one of the best indie games of all time. What makes this version of Undertale so special is that you can finally take it on the go and experience this pixelated adventure in a way it likely would have been consumed a couple of decades ago.
13 Worst: Fantasy Hero: Unsigned Legacy (Nintendo Switch) – 34/100
Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch is on this list again, and not for the right reasons. Fantasy Hero is Nintendo’s journey into the RPG world, but it leaves more than to be desired. You can choose from four players to regain “something” you lost from the enemies known as the Decoders.
If that premise sounds dull and unimaginative, that is because it absolutely is.
Critic FNintendo felt the game was “repetitive and dull too quickly early on with the game’s visuals betraying its age.” With a listing toward the bottom of this year’s list, it's best to look elsewhere for your Switch RPG fix.
12 Best: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Nintendo Switch) – 93/100
The Switch has been a bit of a mixed bag on this list, but you had to know that this one was coming. With each promise of a new Nintendo console, gamers know that they can look forward to a polished “blast from the past” that allows everyone to indulge in his or her nostalgia, gaming fandom, and love for light-hearted combat. This iteration of Super Smash Bros. delivers this and then some. For the first time, players can take Smash anywhere which enhances the game’s offering. With tons of new content, over 60 playable characters to unlock, and an excellent multiplayer experience helps this title captures a 93 out of 100 rating.
11 Worst: Agony (Xbox One) – 34 Out Of 100
Agony is a model of what happens when anticipation is met with mediocrity and repetition. The trailer of this game brought gamers into a world of first-person survival horror that sees a tortured soul trying to escape the lairs of hell. Players thought they would be getting a story with a little stealth and graphic horror mixed in.
Clearly, the joke was on us as horror turned to confusion.
Unfortunately, players actually received an average experience that included glitches, monotony, horrible AI, and a confusing story. Metacritic’s poor score reveals that this game was an “agony,” to play.
10 Best: Divinity Original Sin II Definitive Edition (Xbox One) – 92/100
Well, Agony may not have been an excellent outing for the Xbox, but it looks like Microsoft turned this around by porting Divinity Original Sin II. The original game saw the main character searching for forbidden magic, while this title allows you to now take up the role as a sorcerer. A critic details the aspects that make this game better than just a simple port: “Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition is more than just a port. Within, Larian has rewritten and reworked massive pieces to address players concerns and make it the best version yet of an already excellent turn-based RPG.” So, if you were a fan of the original, you can expect some new and refreshing takes that improve upon the game.
9 Worst: Past Cure (PS4) – 37/100
Past Cure is an example of what happens when lofty ambitions meet poor execution. The game is set to tell the story of a man who is dealing with psychological effects of experiments he went through during his time in the military. It then seems to take the turn of a revenge tale.
Sounds interesting, right? The studio clearly didn’t get the memo.
Sadly, game’s incoherent story, lousy dialogue, repetitive tasks, and clunky mechanics sunk this one toward the bottom of this year’s list. If you have played Deadly Premonition, the chances are high that you have seen all of this before.
8 Best: Forza Horizon 4 (Xbox One) – 92/100
Sometimes, you don’t want to go on an elaborate mission, solve puzzles, or carjack someone. There are times where you just want to sit back, relax, and race a fancy car down the beautiful street of a foreign country. Simple and to the point. Forza Horizon brings that scene to reality in its latest installment. Impressive visuals, numerous modes of play, and excellent content brings the fun of racing in Forza Horizon to life. The developers have done a fantastic job of putting you in the driver’s seat to truly enjoy this game. Whether you are a car lover or just want a racing game experience, Forza Horizon 4 is for you.
7 Worst: One Piece: Grand Cruise (PS4) – 35/100
It’s sad that an anime staple has to appear on this list. One Piece is an iconic piece of pop culture that many love and enjoy. Unfortunately, this sentiment does not translate to this bore and cash-grab of a game.
Did we mention it is VR? What a way to experience true mediocrity.
One Piece: Grand Cruise promises to allow you to “come aboard and experience the pirate’s life.” Instead of sailing the high seas in search of enemies to fight, you instead visit various rooms on the ship that includes a lackluster battle with a Kraken.The content is severely lacking in this offering. So, if you are a One Piece fan…let this one walk the plank.
6 Best: Bayonetta 2 (Nintendo Switch) – 92/100
All right, so you love getting in on some family-friendly fun with Mario Kart, Super Mario Bros., and especially Super Smash Bros. It’s fun, not too complicated, and you can literally plan an evening with your family that won’t offend anyone. However, you don’t want to compromise your affinity for mature games, so what options do you have? Nintendo didn’t forget about that in their offering of Bayonetta 2 on the Switch. The port has produced some excellent graphics, awesome audio, and the experience to take this hack-and-slash adventure anywhere you want with the Switch’s portability. What is there not to love? Metacritic did well by putting this one high on the list.
5 Worst: Hollow (Nintendo Switch) – 36/100
Hollow really could have been great. While the “one space pilot left to fend off an unknown or alien threat on a spacecraft” has been done before, there is always room for innovation. The developers of Hollow did not get this memo and instead weighed down this sci-fi horror story with poor gameplay, technical issues, and a generic storyline.
Basically, everything that Soma is not.
It definitely gives off a “done before” vibe. If you need some space-based survival horror, this one is not going to cut it. You may want to revisit Dead Space or Alien Isolation.
4 Best: INSIDE (Nintendo Switch) – 91/100
Here we have another successful Switch port that is wowing critics and fans alike. When you think about the visual and gameplay style of Inside, it almost seems as if it was made for the portability and efficiency of the Nintendo Switch. Who didn’t imagine themselves having fun on an old-school Gameboy portable console while enjoying this innovative side-scrolling title? Inside is a nice break from the usual Nintendo offerings. Sometimes you need a critically acclaimed indie game to set off your gaming experience, and Nintendo’s port of Inside delivers.
3 Worst: Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn (PS4) – 36/100
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is when developers take the “love for nostalgia” a bit too far. Yes, many millennials likely enjoyed taking Shaq on a journey of campy combat back in the mid-90s, but it doesn’t mean we needed to revisit this. Critics blasted this title for simplistic combat, poor writing, and low-quality art style.
Honestly, did we really need another one of these?
There are times when something is so bad its good, in this case, Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is just wrong. What started as a funny joke turned into something dull and forgettable.
2 Best: Sonic Mania Plus (Nintendo Switch) – 91/100
Heralded as “the best Sonic game,” by Gamespot, and a favorite of critics, Sonic Media Plus is the sleeper hit of 2018. In light of the debacle that is Shaq Fu, it is nice to see a studio get an “appeal to nostalgia” correct. Sonic Mania Plus includes a collection of many of the previous Sonic games from the height of the Sega Genesis era in the early 90s. The package is a celebration of the legacy of Sonic while also adding in new game modes, additional information on characters, and a couple of physical goodies that will have retro gamers swooning. Mario isn’t the only guy who can put on a nice “party,” Sonic has a real return to form in this installment.
1 Worst: Heavy Fire Red Shadow (PS4) – 39/100
While there may be games that are outrageously bad like Ark Survival Evolved, Wild West, or The Quiet Man, nothing is worse than a game that is just plain boring and unremarkable. This fact is at the heart of what Heavy Fire Red Shadow is all about. It tries to bring back the time of arcade-style military games but falls incredibly short.
It should read more like Heavy Boredom Red Shallow
From the repetitive gameplay to a storyline that seems remarkably unrealistic, Heavy Fire Red Shadow looks like a “phoned-in” arcade-style military experience. It is only two hours long and does not give you any reason to want to slog through it again. There is virtually no reason to pick this game up unless you have some time to waste.