With 2018 having only just begun, we decided to make a list of top five games that we are most excited about in this year, not necessarily in any order - except for the last one. That's the one we want the most.
Red Dead Redemption 2
So, let’s get the big one out of the way. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the game we have been salivating for since this generation began. It’s strange to realise that GTA 5 is not an exclusive game for this generation having previously started life on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
One of the main reasons we are so excited for the game is because it’s a new game from Rockstar. GTA 5 was released five years ago, and the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018 is the longest drought we have had for a Rockstar game by far. They had previously published a new game every year since 1997.
Rockstar Games
However, a lot has changed since then, with the establishment of lootboxes and in-game currency becoming a mainstay of AAA titles. We would rather Rockstar put a high price tag on the game and not have these cash grab shenanigans in it.
But let’s stay positive. Red Dead Redemption 2 is looking to be a prequel to Red Dead Redemption and focus on John Marsden and the Dutch Gang. The original game was quite simply astounding, with a beautiful natural world that stood against the drab world of grey and concrete that consumed the early games of that generation. Adding in a great story with depth, pathos and humour, Red Dead Redemption is going to be a hard act to follow, but with Rockstar holding the reigns, we are confident this is going to be a game changer for the sandbox genre.
Rockstar Games
The screenshots and trailer footage looks luscious and vibrant and if the gameplay is just an extension of the first game - we have no problem with this. However, if we don’t get a PC release in 2018, we may add this to the biggest disappointment list at the end of the year.
Spider-Man
This one could be a bit of a wild card, but we are looking forward to the new Spider-Man game. The reason why we are excited is that from what we have seen, Spider-Man reminds us faintly of Spider-Man 2 on PS2, Xbox and Gamecube.
Developed by Treyarch, the game loosely followed the film's plot with a few added baddies on the way. Regardless of the groundbreaking physics engine of the time giving us swinging like we have never seen before, the sandbox environment of New York was actually fun and doing side quests and missions felt rewarding as opposed to a checklist for trophies like modern games.
Activision
Unfortunately, Spidey never got better with future games. Sure the graphics and physics got better but it just never had that je ne sais quoi. The game's development backstory feels like this could have been a launch title, and is looking to be a traditional killer app in the console wars.
The new Spider-Man is exclusively for PS4, published by Sony and developed by PlayStation’s darling Insomniac games, best known for Spyro and Ratchet and Clank. If anyone knows how to make a third person game - it's them.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Finally, the main antagonist is going to be Mister Negative, who is a very complex character, and it might be best not to read up on his backstory. Let’s just say that if the game executes the plot well, this could be a game changer for narratively focused games.
Super Meat Boy Forever
It's funny how the synonym for difficult games has changed over the years from Silver Surfer to Dark Souls. These games have broken many a controller. But one of the last generation kings is aiming to take back its mantle from the usurper that is Cuphead - Super Meat Boy Forever.
Originally starting as a mobile port, the game has expanded to become a full fleshed out sequel featuring roguelike levels based on the player’s skill level. We are doubtful that this means the game is going to be easier in the world of stiff competition to be the hardest game, it’s probably going to be a house burner.
Team Meat
From what we are seeing, it could be decried as merely extra levels as the aesthetics and core gameplay don’t seem to be changing but, really, do you care? Mario did it for his first two Japanese games and no one complained about that.
God of War
Santa Monica Studio is coming back with a new God of War game, simply called God Of War. The series is moving from Greek Mythology to Norse Mythology - or Spartans to Vikings. From statements by the devs and published material, the game is looking to be a completely new type of God Of War. However, based on details from the plot, it is a sequel to the original games and will follow a more mature Kratos learning to deal with the rage and teaching his son.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
The narrative and changes to the gameplay appear to be working in harmony together. Just as Kratos has learned to control his rage, there will be less of a focus on the hack-and-slash kill everything approach.
Gone are Kratos’ iconic double chained blades, with the weapon of choice now being a battle axe. No more fixed camera angles, with a third person over the shoulder throughout, and, most interestingly, RPG elements with points to improve skills.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Santa Monica made a big change to the industry with the violently cinematic God of War. We are relatively confident that they can take the franchise to a more mature tone but still be fun.
Call of Cthulhu
It’s been over 17 years since the last true HP Lovecraft game, cult favourite Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth based on the Escape From Innsmouth module from the Call of Cthulhu RPG game.
Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game is the game we are most excited for in 2018. Like most fans of horror, we are massive Lovecraft fans. The psychological dread that is weaved into At The Mountains of Madness, Shadow over Innsmouth and The Dunwich horror has influenced creatives across films, musics and books for decades now.
Focus Home Interactive
This new game is going to be a slight adaptation of the famous short story The Call of Cthulhu, but more importantly based on the Call of Cthulhu RPG, which we absolutely love. Unlike traditional pen and paper RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, it’s not about winning or being a hero in this game - it’s about surviving.
Developers Cyanide may seem like an odd pick if you just judge them on the pro cycling games, but they have had moments of brilliance with adapting Blood Bowl and slight disappointment in Game of Thrones.
Focus Home Interactive
From the screenshots and trailers, it’s clear that they have a full understanding of how to effectively adapt the source material with the game being a detective/stealth/psychological horror. We are hoping this is going to be the game that contributes to the rising horror genre in video games.
