It’s time for our annual recap of the year in gaming, and we’re going to do it the only way we know how – with a bunch of awards!
Today’s list includes the categories of Best Looking, Most Disappointing, and Best “Old” Game, so without any more meandering, let’s get on with it!
BEST LOOKING GAME
A couple of contenders for this crown, with Gari saying about God of War: God of War is not only the best looking game of 2018 but one of the best looking games we’ve ever seen in gaming. The art that has been created for the world you dive into with Kratos and Atreus is simply stunning in every way. Everything in the game has been crafted with such love that it shines through in the game. Detailed environments, incredible animations and an overall crafted world that we’ve never seen in a video game before. Breathtaking. However, there was really only one winner to come from this, with an unbelievable open world being created with the type of intricate detail normally reserved for small, linear games, and that game is…
WINNER: RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2
Jonny: Almost unnecessarily detailed, and a world as real as there’s ever been in video games., and it’s hard to disagree. A world that has been polished to within an inch of its life, it’s a game that demands that you pay attention to it, while also allowing you to soak in the atmosphere and take it steady.
Kieran: Red Dead Redemption 2 offers an open-world that’s seldom seen in games these days. The attention to detail in this game is next to none and it all equates to a world that genuinely feels alive. From its sprawling vistas to its lived-in towns, RDR2 showcases one of the most realistic open-worlds that I’ve ever seen in a game. It truly is stunning.
Deb: Playing Red Dead Redemption 2 is without a doubt one of the best cinematic experiences from this years game releases. From the very start, the world is one of the most realistic I have seen so far, from the snowy opening to the vast landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see, it is a stunning and beautiful visual masterpiece. The attention to detail that is found in every nook and cranny is amazing, and all I have found myself doing is pitching up in perfect spots and staring out at the landscapes before me in awe, taking in that moment of tranquility, the story itself can always wait a bit more!
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
This one was a runaway category really, it breached both “Worst Game” and “Biggest Disappointment” all in one. But let’s take a look at the other nominations:
Andy: The constant push for games as a service and the additional post launch monetisation.
I get it, game development is expensive and I’m getting old with less expendable time but, good lord – there is literally no time in a calendar year to dedicate oneself to games like Destiny 2, RDR Online, Fortnite and others and get maximum enjoyment, and the constant push to monetise these games post launch makes players feel like they’re missing out. Hell, even Splatoon 2 had post launch content added FOR FREE and I STILL feel like playing that properly is a second job! Games should be fun, but the constant nickel and diming and “games as a service” threatens to turn players into workers rather than thrill seekers…
Robin: Starlink
For a title that was meant to revive the dying toys-to-life genre, Starlink has been an abject failure. The most disappointing aspect of the title though, seems to be that it isn’t an awful game – it has just been saddled with an awful set of toys. Most people I know who have played it think the game is decent, but don’t want the high price tag and don’t want to collect another series of toys, just to play the title. If released as a low-pricepoint, standalone game, this could have been ok.
