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As we reach the business end of 2018, we look back on the best games of a year that has provided players with another formidable line-up, packed with, earnest indie love stories,. That is if you can tear yourself away from, of course. Here are our picks for the 50 best games released across the year. But you can tell us your favourite games of the year by, letting us know which titles impressed you most in 2018 and why, for the chance to be featured in the Telegraph's reader's rundown. And in the lead up to Christmas, we will be counting down the Telegraph’s top ten games of the year in a series of articles, culminating in our 2018 game of the year.
Dota 2 – Addictive PC games Dota 2 is the second most popular MOBA title in the world and it has sat on the top played Steam chart for years. It’s popular for many of the same reasons why League of Legends is popular. So without any further ado, here’s our list of 10 best and most addicting iPhone games to play in 2018. INSIDE is a beautiful iPhone game that lets you play as a child who is trying to escape his captors. Play through the thrilling gameplay and enjoy the amazing story of the game.
Best games of December Ashen. Platforms Xbox One, PC Developer A44 What is it? A stylish, Dark Souls-inspired independent action-RPG. Why we love it There is a whole debate to be had about the prevalence of the tough, ‘Souls-like’ games that are following in From Software’s wake. It seem the Japanese developer has borne an entire sub-genre of the action-RPG; one of challenge and perseverance. Ashen is one of the good ones; building a dreamy world of faceless heroes, autumnal beauty and haunting foes. Plenty of Souls tropes make it in; campfires, recovered XP and all, but as well as strong sense of place, challenge and robust combat, Ashen sets itself apart with its inspired Journey-esque approach to co-op multiplayer.
Platform Switch Developer Sora What is it? The latest in Nintendo’s bonkers brawler. Why we love it The kitchen-sink approach to this version of Super Smash Bros. Brings an overwhelming amount of brilliant stuff and nonsense. Up to eight fighters picked from across Nintendo’s history and beyond batter each other in punchy, colourful brawls. Solid Snake shoeing Kirby, Princess Zelda smacking Pikachu with a baseball bat.
The core crossover appeal remains, but this is the best the technicalities of Smash’s suprisingly deep fighting has ever been. Throw in a sprawling solo campaign and a vast amount of characters, stages and items and you have a game that is as big on substance as on its wacky style. Best games of November Beat Saber. The perfect stepping stone for new Pokemon trainers drawn in by the phenomenal success of Pokemon Go, this full-fledged RPG has you travelling the colourful world of Kanto. Catch ‘em all, or battle to be the Pokemon champion. Why we love it Let’s Go is accessible and fun, drawing on the catch mechanics of Go and streamlining some of Pokemon’s more idiosyncratic traits.
But it is a pleasure for veterans aswell, the reimagining of Pokemon Yellow making for a breezy nostalgia trip with enough challenge in the end-game to keep you busy. Platform PS4 Developer Monstars Inc/Resonair What is it? Tetsuya Mizuguchi's synaesthetic spin on the classic puzzle game. Why we love it The timeless, block clearing core of the game remains fully intact, but Tetris Effect somehow builds gorgeous landscapes around those falling blocks; whizzing between space, sandswept dunes, swimming with dolphins and beyond. Despite the beauty of the surroundings, Tetris Effects keeps you in the zone with stunning soundscapes that react to your moves, with the speed of the falling blocks dictated by the tempo of the track. On the TV, it's brilliant.
In virtual reality, it is utterly transporting. And, yes, all this from a 35 year old puzzler. 11-11 Memories Retold. PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC Developer DigiXart/Aardman What is it?
Not your usual bombastic war game, but a delicately told tale of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances on both sides of the war effort. Elijah Wood's Canadian photographer Harry naively joins the war effort to impress his love, while Sebastian Koch's more grizzled German engineer Kurt is searching for the fate of his son. Why we love it It is an intriguing melancholic tale, underpinned by gentle puzzling and action sequences, similar to Life is Strange or the erstwhile Telltale's line of narrative adventures. But perhaps most arresting, certainly at first glance, is that gorgeous painterly art style; a dreamy, melancholic tableau of smudged paint and ink. PlatformsPS4, Xbox One Developer Rockstar Games What is it?
Rockstar's hugely anticipated Wild West sequel that casts you as Arthur Morgan, an outlaw on the run with a notorious gang. Why we love it Red Dead Redemption 2's reactive late 19th century world is quite extraordinary; a vast, peerless construction of snow-capped mountains, open plains, swampland and cities filled with characters and distraction. With its uncompromising attempts to ground you in its world, few games give such a sense of 'being there', to the extent you can feel the baking heat or smell a storm in the air.
Its story, meanwhile, is a vast, slow-burn but often thrilling account of a band of outlaws on the run. A triumph, even with multiplayer Red Dead Online still to arrive. PlatformPC Developer Lucas Pope What is it?
Fascinating 19th century detective game from Papers, Please creator Lucas Pope. As a shipping company investigator, you must figure out what happened to the vanished crew of an East India Company ship. Why we love it Return of the Obra Dinn is a devilish and brilliant puzzler, with you needing to use a magical watch to replay the final memories of any cadaver you find on board. From there you must piece together events in a scrambled timeline, figuring out what happened to each of the crew. With only a few corpses left on board to use the watch on, you must then find bodies in the memories of others, creating brilliant Inception-esque memories within memories. There is little hand-holding here and successfully piecing together the story and the fate of each crew member you come across is incredibly gratifying. PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC Developer Treyarch What is it?
The latest in the world's biggest FPS series. No campaign, but Battle Royale joins breakneck multiplayer and zombies. Why we love it While the lack of single-player may make you hanker for the breakneck bombast and ooh-ra melodrama of a Call of Duty campaign, Black Ops 4 allows its three-pronged multiplayer package to breathe. Competitive multiplayer is a blast, retaining much of Black Ops 3’s searing pace, stripping back its excess and adding its own ideas.
Zombies is as camp, meaty and messy as ever, while Fortnite-challenging Battle Royale mode Blackout is the headline for good reason. Tense, tactical and given the expensive triple-A sheen its rivals can not compete with. Despite it following the trends somewhat, this is the freshest Call of Duty in years.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Platforms PS4, Xbox One, PC Developer Ubisoft What is it? Ubisoft's historical action series heads to ancient Greece as you play a mercenary travelling the seas during the Peloponessian War. Why we love it? Assassin's Creed Odyssey leans hard into the RPG style set by previous game Origins, expanding its loot, skill trees and improving on its kinetic combat in a vast and generous game. But it is its character that shines brightest.
You are able to choose between siblings Kassandra and Alexios and Kassandra, in particular, is sharp company throughout. You can influence your character with dialogue choices, with the best writing of the series investing you in its epically lengthy yarn. PlatformsXbox One, PC Developer Playground Games What is it? The fourth of Playground Games' brilliantly boisterous open-world racing series, this time set in the gorgeous British countryside. Why we love it? Forza Horizon has always been about the sheer pleasure of driving fast cars through beautiful scenery. Forza Horizon 4 is no different, distilling Playground Games' formula to its purest yet.
The UK setting is absolutely gorgeous and stuffed with varied distraction. While changing seasons offer both stunning visual diversity and a tangible change in racing conditions. With regular updates over the coming months, Forza Horizon 4 could be the last racing game you will ever need. Best games of September FIFA 19. Platforms PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch Developer EA What is it? The latest in EA's hugely popular football series.
Why we love it Come for the newly added Champions League license, stay for the improved tactics and on-pitch action. A raft of small tweaks on the pitch, including improved contorl and fiercer 50-50s, FIFA has never played better. And its smorgasboard of modes and distractions remains as fulsome as ever. The secret weapon this year is the riotous new Kick-Off modes, which allow you to set House Rules like No Fouls and Headers & Volleys. Perfect for that post-pub kickabout.
PlatformsPS4 Developer Insomniac What is it? A colourful spin on Spidey from the developers behind Ratchet & Clank and Sunset Overdrive.
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Why we love it The swinging is sensational as whooshes through the beautifully crafted urban canyons of New York City. Its myriad distractions follow a familiar template at times, but Insomniac give them a fresh twist with its clear understanding of their leading man.
It's enormous fun and has a considerable amount of heart, with a surprisingly effective narrative seeing you through to the end. Planet Alpha. Why we love itWhile we had high hopes for Two Point bringing the quirky hospital management sim back to life, we didn't realise it would be quite this good. It teems with character and charm, as you open your medical center, build rooms, clear up all the puke and have the janitors taking care of ghosts. There are a brilliant array of ailnesses to cure, including the bulb-noggined Lightheadedness and a psychiatry issue where everyone thinks they are Freddie Mercury. It is fast-paced, stressful and challenging but full of delight. Strange Brigade.
PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC Developer What is it? Spiffing co-op shooter that follows the titular Brigade as the mow down zombies and mummies in the sun-baked stone of Egyptian ruins. Why we love it is a game of simple pleasures, really. It focusses on crunchy shooting against a mythical horde, complete with lashings of 30s adventure serial camp and a clipped British narrator teasing the fourth wall. It is a lot of fun, if hardly mentally taxing, with you able to delve into solo, co-op or take on the compelling score attack or horde modes. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate.
PlatformsPS4, PC Developer Sega What is it? HD reissue of Yu Suzuki's famous Japanese adventure that follows young Ryo Hazuki on his quest to avenge his father's murder. Why we love it Normally we would avoid a reissue on a list like this, but this being the first time you can play Shenmue on any other platform other than Sega's Dreamcast feels like a momentous event. In some ways Shenmue hasn't aged well, with its at-the-time state of the art visuals now looking rather dated.
But it is a curious game of extraordinary heart. The sense of place in the small town of 1980s Dobuita as Ryo explores remains alluring, while the more bustling Hong Kong expands in the sequel.
And the game's adherence to time that mixes the mundane with the extraordinary is still unique to games. PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch Developer Ghost Town Games What is it? A second helping of Ghost Town's culinary chaos, as you and up to three pals tear around increasingly fantastical kitchens trying to get the dumplings out on time. Why we love it In some ways Overcooked 2 feels more like an expansion of the first game than a full blown sequel, with a few new recipes and new dynamic kitchens to make a mess in. But it retains that brilliant, febrile tension as you and your friends desperately try to work together to get meals to the pass. It may bring tears and tantrums as your partner drops the pizza into an acid pool once again, but there is little as satisfying as running a well-oiled kitchen.
PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch Developer Motion Twin What is it? A fast and febrile rogue-like set on a gruesome prison island. Why we love it has often been described as a 2D Dark Souls. And while Motion Twin's brilliant side-scroller tkaes a few cues from Hidetaka Miyazaki's seminal work, it is a game that excels on its own terms. The combat is crunchy, varied and lightning quick.
While its fast-paced attempts, where you try and progress through the island's bestiary a little further each time, make it perfect for quick goes or lengthy sessions. Platforms3DS/2DS Developer Intelligent Systems/Nintendo EPD What is it?
The latest WarioWare entry that brings together a variety of the series’ past styles. Why we love it WarioWare Gold is somewhat of a ‘best of’ of the series, bringing together the classic ‘mash’ (button-based) minigames, Tilt and Touch. Story mode is divided into three leagues, with a few surprises towards the end. There are 300 microgames, some new, some returning favourites. It’s the pinnacle of an always-excellent series, providing hours of WarioWare’s signature fast, frenetic fun. There’s bonus content galore, including a fascinating Museum of Nintendo, and a bunch of minigames inspired by some of the WarioWare classics. A must-have for anyone who’s enjoyed the series in the past, or a great opportunity to check it out as a newcomer.
Best games of July. PlatformNintendo Switch Developer Square Enix/Acquire What is it?
Turn-based, pixel-art JRPG from the makers of the cult classic Bravely Default. Why we love it As is often the wont of smaller-scale JRPGs, Octopath Traveler evokes a sense of nostalgia for games like Chrono Trigger and early Final Fantasy entries. However, the game has plenty of compelling and modern twists of its own. It has a fascinating art style, with those 2D sprites mixing with more photo-realistic environments, while its ragtag collection of eight uniquely skilled adventurers each has their own tale to tell. Its battle system is exceuted with flourish, too, offering tactical flexibility that stands up to the game’s lengthy running time. PlatformsNintendo Switch Developer Nintendo What is it? The latest version of Nintendo’s bubbly tennis ‘sim’ in which Mario and pals engage in an arcadey approximation of everyone’s.
favourite summer sport. Why we love it Mario Tennis Aces uses the backbone of the sport to build a compelling, thrilling and tricksy competitive game.
It owes as much to fighters such as Nintendo’s own Super Smash Bros as it does to actual tennis, with devastating special shots, spectacular counters and to-and-fro tactics. Sport purists may want to look elsewhere, but with its decent story mode to teach you the ropes and a fiercely competitive online element, it is a smashing multiplayer fracas. PlatformsPC Developer Bugbear Entertainment What is it? Spiritual successor to Destruction Derby from the develoeprs of muscular racer Flatout. Why we love it Wreckfest, as the name might suggest, is a game of simple pleasures. Throwing squat old bangers or hulking trucks around a track while smashing into your competitors rarely fails to be entertaining. But Bugbear execute it with real aplomb, with a delightful selection of cars to hurl around and a crunchy, convincing and endlessly satsfiying damage model.
Cars crashing, smashing and crumpling as they jostle for first place with a healthy amount of vehicular violence. Platforms PS4, Xbox One, PC Developer Codemasters What is it? Boisterous arcade racer that actually isn’t about racing at all Why we love it This manic competitive driving game isn’t about finishing first, but causing as much carnage as possible within a stampede of roaring bangers that zoom across endless tracks. It’s a racer that takes more inspiration from Call of Duty and Overwatch as it does Gran Turismo, throwing you different objectives, be it simple destruction of your opponents or controlling fast-moving zones as the pack scrambles for position. It is an odd game and perhaps best enjoyed in small doses, but is a quirky blast of adrenaline well worth strapping in for. Best games of May. PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch Developer Villa Gorilla What is it?
A pinballing platformer that casts you as a beetle postman on a lush and colourful island. Why we love it Yoku’s Island Express takes the physicality of pinball and joins it with the thrill and adventure of a Metroidvania. As Yoku you ping yourself and your ubiquitous ball around the island’s beautiful landscapes, flippers and paddles built into the soil. It is a continuously clever game, extracting variety out of its core mechanics by adding extra skills that open up new areas. And when it goes ‘full pinball’, dropping you into areas which you must carefully pelt Yoku into gaps or against bumpers, it captures the satisfaction of nailing a precise shot on your favourite table. PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC Developer roll7 What is it?
Competitive Tron-esque multiplayer game which has teams battling out in an arena, casting spinning, coloured walls of light that down the opposition on touch. Why we love it Laser League’s arcade purity makes for a brilliantly simple game on the surface, but its many layers and tactics elevate it to a multiplayer classic. Different classes offer different skills to influence the battlefield, while scattered power-ups can swing a game at a moment’s notice. And there’s nothing quite like threading yourself through the intricately patterned laser-fields to keeep yourself in the game, or wiping an entire opposition team with the perfect chain of activated walls. Best games of April.
PlatformsPC Developer 11 Bit Studios What is it? Gritty survival sim from the creators of This War of Mine in which you are in charge of building the last city of a frozen Earth in an alternative 1886. Why we love it Frostpunk is a thrilling view of dystopia at the end of the world. You must constuct your city around one of the few remaining generators, stoking it for warmth and gathering resources from the surrounding tundra. From there, your city must expand to survive and you find yourself making some harrowing decisions for your populace; putting them to work, passing oppressive laws.
After all, what is the life of one overworked, underfed child when compared to the greater good? PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC Developer Throughline Games What is it? Gorgeous hand-drawn anime adventure taking place in the universe where all of the world’s lost possessions vanish to.
Why we love it The aesthetic recalls Studio Ghibli films or, with its anthropomorphic household knick-knacks, something like Disney’s Brave Little Toaster. But despite its striking exterior, there is something darker at work here. As the titular Anne you play an Enforcer of the realm, able to banish ‘Forgotlings’ for good should they step out of line. Cue some tough choices as you make your way through this apparently unassuming 2D-platform puzzler, punctuated with smart narrative tricks and plenty of moral quandary. PlatformsNintendo Switch Developer Nintendo What is it? Less a game than a selection of techologically-enhanced cardboard toys, has you constructing a variety of gadgets such as RC cars, fully-working pianos and even a robot jetpack. Why we love it Much like Lego, much of the joy of Labo comes in the building.
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You fold, snap and slot together different bits of cardboard, seeing how each contraption comes together. The spark of joy at building a resitant motorbike throttle with just card and rubber bands is irresistible for kids of all ages. With enjoyable software and the opportunity to create your own toys with a simple development suite makes Labo a fascinating (and educational) piece of kit. PlatformsPS4 Developer Sony Santa Monica What is it? Fatherly reinvention of gaming's angriest man as Kratos moves to the Norse mountains in an attempt to escape his past and raise his young son, Atreus. Ends up smacking trolls with a bloody great axe, obviously. Why we love it Salvation for the seemingly irredeemable Kratos isn't an easy task, nor is breathing fresh life into an action series that had begun to lose its lustre.
God of War achieves both in sensational fashion. The furious combat and gorgeous exploration is the best it has ever been, opening up the land of Midgard for the biggest God of War yet. But in tandem with that is an effecting and deftly-told story, with the relationship between Kratos and Atreus forming its beating heart. Its greatest achievement is humanising Kratos without shying away from his violent past. And also that you can lob your magic axe at an ogre and have it return like a boomerang with a hardy thump and explosion of ice. PlatformsPS4, Xbox One, PC Developer JW, Kitty, Jukio, and Dom What is it? Peculiarly charming lo-fi adventure that has you exploring a fantasy land to uncover a series of mysteries.
You will die every 60 seconds. Why we love it Inspired by the more elaborate time-loops of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Minit is a clever and intriguing little adventure. You will explore the world, 60 seconds at a time, learning the environment and trying to uncover items that will further your quest. Following your inevitable death, you will keep any items, opening up the world a minute at a time. Best games of March. PlatformPC, Xbox One Developer Fatshark What is it?
First-person-action game based in the Warhammer fantasy universe in which a team of four hunters must co-operate to fight off waves of ratmen from the Chaos Army. Why we love it Vermintide is not shy of taking its inspiration from Left 4 Dead, swapping out zombies for the ratty Skaven. But this sequel understands how to leverage that compelling loop of breathless survival and combine it with the medieval fantasy of the Warhammer universe. Fifteen 'careers' across five different classes offer up a plethora of choice in weapons and powers, while the combat is meaty, violent and endlessly satisfying. Best games of February.
Brilliant virtual reality storybook puzzler in which you guide young mouse Quill from on high, interacting with the environment to help her on her way through a dreamy fantasy land. Why we love it Virtual reality is yet to truly find its rhythm for outstanding gaming experiences, but Moss is one of the best reasons to believe it can. Developer Polyarc understands how to use VR's qualities to transport you into Moss's storybook dioramas, providing involving challenges and a charming, effecting story that has you genuinely caring for your tiny mouse charge.
Platform iOS, Android Developer Mountains What is it? Wonderful interactive comic book about modern love from the creator of Monument Valley. Why we love it This sweet and fleeting tale of millennial life brilliantly tells of the thrill, exploration and sacrifice of a burgeoning relationship.
While your interaction is relatively limited as its wordless yarn unfolds, your gentle swipes abstractly capture thoughts and feeling. It’s beautifully presented, smart and wonderfully uplifting without being saccharine. Into the Breach. Why we love it Into the Breach’s terrific, chess-like gameplay pits you against the monstrous Vek in a series of procedurally generated skirmishes. The base mechanics of the game, as you tackle the Vek in your upgradeable mechs, are good enough on their own.
But Into the Breach becomes exceptional with its variety and aptitude for storytelling. When you fail, you are sent back in time to the beginning of your run, retaining skills, abilities and knowledge to keep you improving every turn. Deliciously smart and moreish. Platform PC Developer RageSquid What is it? Blistering downhill mountain-biking that takes its cues from games like Skate and SSX. Why we love it Its breakneck biking, flips and chicanery might recall something like Trials, but Descenders earns its stripes with its gorgeous procedurally generated courses. Each descent is different, throwing up ramps and turns that rely on twitch reaction and mastery of mechanics rather than learning each level.
It does mean it can be punishing and frustrating, too, but that challenge can add to the satisfaction of nailing a run. Best games of January. Platform Developer Sony/Bluepoint Games What is it?
Beautiful remaster of Team Ico’s seminal 2005 adventure that has you roaming a forbidden land in order to slay 13 enormous colossi. Why we love it Shadow of the Colossus remains one of the finest games ever made; the haunting melancholy that tinges the thrilling battles against impossibly huge creatures remaining as potent as it did more than a decade ago. It’s a fabulous game with a fierce challenge, but asks crushing questions about love, motivation, sacrifice and cruelty.
And the PS4 upgrade is simply stunning, with improved camera, controls and technical oomph bringing the game’s artistic vision to life. Platform PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC Developer Matt Makes Games What is it?
Terrifically tough twitch platformer from the creator of Towerfall that has you guiding young Madeline up a hostile mountain and through her own inner turmoil. Why we love it Its pixel-perfect platforming is deeply satisfying and fiercely challenging, scratching a similar itch to Super Meat Boy and their ilk. And the collectible strawberries scattered throughout will become your new obsession.
Celeste also ties this to an effective and compelling tale of Madeline’s struggle as she faces depression and panic attacks during her ascent. Platforms, Developer Capcom What is it? The spectacular return of Capcom’s giant beast slaying RPG. Why we love it Much has been made of Monster Hunter World’s play for the mainstream; with its thrilling action and giant weaponry opened up beyond its sizable cult following. But while this is a notably more accessible expedition for new hunters, you will still find a complex, wonderfully eccentric and endlessly entertaining adventure.
Finally downing a towering beast after an epic battle across World’s gorgeous environments is one of gaming’s most satisfying feats. Platform PC Developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment What is it? Tense and challenging survival game that has you staving off hunger, thirst and man-eating aquatic beasts on a mysterious ocean planet. Why we love it Subnautica takes many of the Minecraft-inspired survival traits and makes it its own. Its ocean planet is a gorgeous, terrifying environment to explore; the twisted, creature-infested caves tempting you with fresh resources to take back to base. It is underwater adventuring done right, asking you to balance your safety and oxygen level with your own curiosity. And if that kind of thing sounds a bit stressful, Subnautica also provides more relaxed creative modes to allow you to splash around at your own pace.
Platforms PS4, PC, Vita Developer Konjak What is it? Retro-themed 2D puzzle-platformer that has you travelling a religiously-ruled technological dystopia as young mechanic Robin.
Why we love it Pretty as its Mega Drive styling is, Iconoclasts proves itself as more than simply another cartoonish retro retread with its smart balance between twitch shooting and cerebral puzzling. While the teasers scattered throughout are smart enough in their own right, the battles against screen-filling robotic menaces have their own quirks as you locate, and exploit, each enemy’s weakness. The Telegraph's best games of 2018. And now it's time to have your say What has been the standout game for you this year and why? We want to hear what your top picks are from 2018 and why it made your year. Fill in for a chance to feature in our readers' rundown. We will tally up the votes and run a Telegraph reader’s list alongside our 50 best games and our critic’s pick of the top ten games of the year.
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