December’s Biggest Video Games, Ranked By Metacritic Score

December rounded out a phenomenal year in gaming, saving one of the most highly-anticipated titles of 2018 for the last month of the year. While there weren’t too many big name releases in December, there were still plenty of titles that were worth checking out.

In our ongoing monthly feature, we take a look at some of last month’s biggest games as ranked by Metacritic score.

5. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden

Metacritic Score: 77 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 8.0 (Averaged across platforms)

From former developers of Hitman and Payday, comes Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden - a top-down tactical adventure game with turn-based combat, providing plenty of story, exploration, stealth, and strategy. Players control a team of Mutants as they navigate throughout a post-human world. The tactical RPG style of gameplay might turn some gamers off, but the turn-based mechanics are executed well enough for veterans and new players alike. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

4. Ashen

Metacritic Score: 82 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 7.3 (Averaged across platforms)

Ashen takes place in a land buried in darkness, as players wander in search of light and other survivors while encountering plenty of terrors along the way. Mesmerizing graphics encompass players as they journey throughout the sunless land, with no light other than the lantern by their side. Ashen is compared as Dark Souls-like, which should provide players with enough challenge amidst the beautiful game design. Ashen is out now for the Xbox One and PC

3. Gris

Metacritic Score: 84 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 8.8 (Averaged across platforms)

From its trailer, it is hard to tell what Gris is actually about. However, one thing is clear: the game revolves around the themes of sorrow, depression, and inner anguish. The roughly five-hour adventure takes players through haunting worlds - along with an equally as haunting musical score - as they encounter puzzles in visually stunning environments that make the game seem more like a work of art than a video game. Gris available for PC and the Nintendo Switch.

2. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

Metacritic Score: 85 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 8.4 (Averaged across platforms)

Monster Boy makes his triumphant return to consoles, having originally got his start in the arcade as Wonder Boy in 1986. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom updates the classic character in a new platformer with fun visuals and light-hearted audio design. Don’t be fooled though. The bosses that players will face should not be taken lightly. Surely one of the six different creature forms that players can use will be up to the task. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is out now for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and is a perfect companion for the Nintendo Switch.

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Metacritic Score: 93 / User Score: 8.6

They saved the best for last. December’s top-ranked title is of little surprise, considering how excited gamers were when Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was announced. With the largest Smash roster to date, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate provides nostalgic gameplay that Smash fans have come to know and love, while introducing the light-hearted fighting series to a new generation. With 2018 essentially being the year of the battle royale genre, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - the original battle royale game - is the perfect way to close out the year. You can pick up Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch