GameGrin Ultimate Buyer's Guide 2018
The temperature is falling, the wind is howling and the shops are getting increasingly (and intolerably) crowded, which means one thing: the festive season is well and truly underway. If you’re anything like myself, the aforementioned conditions are giving you all the more reason to shun the outside world and settle in with a good videogame. Or perhaps you’re on the lookout for last-minute Christmas presents and are stuck for ideas?
Whether you’re purchasing a gift for a friend or loved one for Christmas or holding out until the January sales to treat yourself to a little something, the games below represent the pinnacle of gaming in 2018; the titles that, over the past 12 months, GameGrin has recommended that you absolutely must check out.
Owlboy
"Owlboy is a solid title that's filled with a vast, beautiful world and characters you'll come to love. Make no mistake, this game is worth your time." - Ethan Butterfield
Check out Owlboy
Cars 3: Driven to Win
"It’s a fun loving game that is colourful and a great way to get the kiddies involved with racing their favourite characters." - Anna Duncan
Check out Cars 3: Driven to Win
FAR: Lone Sails
"A puzzle platformer about a journey through an atmospheric wasteland, this game is a pinnacle of design brilliance." - Adam Wilkin
Check out FAR: Lone Sails
Death Road to Canada
"Death Road to Canada is a joyful return to the simpler things in gaming. While it may not have the power of a AAA developer behind it, it certainly does have what AAA developers lack nowadays, a sense of fun." - Ethan Butterfield
Check out Death Road to Canada
BattleTech
"An unmissable strategy gem that will unquestionably keep you playing one more contract. If you like mechs or tactical strategy games you’ll have a great time here whether you are a newcomer to the universe or not. BattleTech gets my full recommendation." - Simon Brown
Check out BATTLETECH
Pizza Titan Ultra
"Pizza Titan Ultra is perfectly balanced, looks great, runs well and is hilarious. I’d love it even it it wasn’t a giant robot with a built-in pizza shop that I could make look vaguely like a Transformer." - Andrew Duncan
Check out Pizza Titan Ultra
Moss
"While Moss is a short adventure, it's one filled with awe and wonder. The storytelling is superb with brilliant writing and a great atmosphere. The gameplay while basic is so much fun that you will never want to stop playing this game. If you have a PlayStation VR you need to pick up this game, Moss is a masterpiece that is going to go down in the history books for the first game of this genre to work and play well in VR." - Blake Hawthorn
Check out Moss
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
"I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed Ni no Kuni II. It’s one of the best JRPGs in years and it’s a must-buy for fans of the genre. It’s cute, thoroughly addictive and has more tweaks and statistics than you can shake a sword at. If you enjoyed the first game, you will love this." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
"FatShark has done a fantastic job of taking their first game and improving on every single aspect. The recurring theme of offering players a variety of tools, characters and enemies to face leads to a crescendo of unique moments that are all entirely player driven. While the difficulty spikes can be frustrating, part of the fun in Vermintide 2 is being against the odds and prevailing." - Kayla Hill
Check out Warhammer: Vermintide 2
A Way Out
"A game that takes what came before and redefines what is possible in co-operative storytelling, with a level of detail and polish far beyond what could be expected of a small team." - Adam Wilkin
Check out A Way Out
Kerbal Space Program: Enhanced Edition
"While the original release of KSP for consoles was a buggy mess, the new enhanced edition is a full blown masterpiece of a game. If you have ever wanted to become a rocket scientist then this is the game for you. With a huge variety of options, whatever spaceship you can imagine, you can build. The new control scheme is perfect for every kind of player." - Blake Hawthorn
Check out Kerbal Space Program
GRIP: Combat Racing
"There’s a huge amount of fun to be had here, but it’s not a game that will appeal to those in the market for a realistic depiction of the joys of the internal combustion engine. Realism has been traded for pure insanity, so if you prefer something more like Forza or Gran Turismo then this won’t be the game for you. If you were a fan of Rollcage, then you’ll love this." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out GRIP
CrossCode
"CrossCode is an outstanding title that is completely worth your time investment. It is beautiful, compelling and a ton of fun." - Nikholai Koolonavich
Check out CrossCode
The Corridor: On Behalf of the Dead
"While frustrating, it’s a solid horror game which has a lot of potential." - Benedict Daniels
Check out The Corridor: On Behalf Of The Dead
Two Point Hospital
"Categorically the best “spiritual successor” to anything I’ve seen in quite a while. Takes a beloved franchise and brings it smack up to date with features and gameplay elements that fit in the modern landscape of gaming. It isn’t diagnosed with a case of microtransaction-itis either. Just clean, sterilised fun." - Steven John Dawson
Check out Two Point Hospital
Freedom Planet
"This is clearly a game that takes its inspiration seriously, and is a lovingly-crafted tribute to a genre of games that a lot of people, are really fond of. No new additions compared to previous releases, but if you haven’t already played this then don’t hesitate to pick it up on the eStore." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out Freedom Planet
Strange Brigade
"I wasn’t expecting a huge amount from Strange Brigade, but what I got was a really enjoyable experience both offline and online. This was a pleasant surprise, as generally I’m not someone who would usually play online if I can avoid it. The fact that even I preferred playing online speaks volumes about Rebellion’s efforts in making a game that’s best played in co-op. There are a few things that could have been done better, but nothing that can’t be overlooked. This is one of my favourite multiplayer games in a very long time." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out Strange Brigade
The Lion's Song
"This is a charming little interactive story that warms the heart even if it doesn’t necessarily challenge the brain. If you like your games to be story driven with characters you’ll end up caring about, this is a must-have." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out The Lion's Song
Slime-san: Superslime Edition
"Slime-san: Superslime Edition is a fantastic title that should be in your gaming library. If you want to have a challenge and a laugh at the same time, then this is for you." - Nikholai Koolonavich
Check out Slime-san
Yakuza Kiwami 2
"The city of Kamurocho is packed with interesting characters, fun activities and a number of excellent diversions, all backed up by a solid narrative that throws up as many surprises as it does heartwarming moments." - Thomas Hughes
Check out Yakuza Kiwami 2
Tanglewood
"Overall, whilst Tanglewood has a few minor niggles, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a must-have title on either the Mega Drive or Steam. It's cute, colourful and great fun. It's also a great achievement and testament to the dedication Big Evil Corp have put into authenticity." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out TANGLEWOOD
Dead Cells
"A beautiful, challenging game that is supremely polished in every area. A fantastic blend of tactical combat mixed with metroidvania style progression. Combined with an interesting and very quirky setting makes it a compelling package overall." - Simon Brown
Check out Dead Cells
Framed Collection
"A great little pair of puzzle games here. Nothing new for owners of the iOS and Android versions, but if you don’t already have them, this is definitely worth a play." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out FRAMED Collection
20XX
"20XX is a fantasic title and shows that the classic formula of Mega Man games still works. Stop reading and go play it now!" - Nikholai Koolonavich
Check out 20XX
The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit
"A worthy (and free) successor to Life is Strange, and an intriguing teaser for the full sequel. Dontnod have improved on most accounts and look to draw in new fans with this prologue." - Adam Wilkin
Check out The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit
Who Am I: The Tale of Dorothy
"Simple mechanics leave room for a deep, emotional story and interesting characters." - Andrew Wowk
Check out Who Am I: The Tale of Dorothy
Monster Hunter: World
"Honestly, if the Low and High Rank portions wasn’t as polished and an incredible experience to go through. This score would be 7/8 margin just because compared to previous games, the rotating event quests, RNG investigations for RNG loot, reduced weapon and quest pool, and less challenging solo player end game. But, with the incredibly constructed world, incredible combat experience, and cohesive experience. The downpoints are more just demands for more content." - Owen Chan
Check out Monster Hunter World
House Flipper
"House Flipper is one of those titles that you just don't expect to be as good as it is. Seriously, play this videogame." - Nikholai Koolonavich
Check out House Flipper
Octahedron
"Intelligent puzzle design, striking visuals and a soundtrack straight out of late 90s raves make for one of the most interesting titles I’ve experienced so far this year, even if it is occasionally marred by difficult and frustrating puzzle design." - Thomas Hughes
Check out OCTAHEDRON
Subnautica
"A great game that took five years to make. Subnautica is an open sandbox sci-fi fantasy that can inch it's way into horror as you explore the depths of the ocean world. Just be ready to farm!" - ElisaDS
Check out Subnautica
Q.U.B.E. 2
"With an increase in scope and improvements in every area, Q.U.B.E. 2 shows that Toxic Games have learnt from their experience and are doing a great job. This is an excellent title that is even better than the great game that it follows on from." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out Q.U.B.E. 2
Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition
"Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition is one of the best ports of a videogame to date. If you have yet to experience this landmark title then do so now." - Nikholai Koolonavich
Check out Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
"Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is an extremely solid and polished remaster of the most unusual mainline entry. If you’ve never played FFXII this is the best way to give it a go and if you are a veteran, having the changes from the previously Japan only IZJS version give you another reason to revisit Ivalice." - Simon Brown
Check out FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE
Into the Breach
"A fun but challenging strategy game that blends a fun time-travel aesthetic with great turn-based mechanics. Interesting time pressure gameplay makes every battle rewarding. Heartily recommended." - Simon Brown
Check out Into the Breach
Bridge Constructor Portal
"They say that love can build a bridge, but love isn’t GlaDOS’ style, so you’ll have to make do with girders and cables instead. Frustratingly difficult in parts, but a game that you’ll keep coming back to until you master it." - Gary "Dominoid" Sheppard
Check out Bridge Constructor Portal
Sky Force Reloaded
"Delivers what a sequel should be, with more of... everything... on top of the solid foundations they had with the predecessor. Fans of shoot-em-ups that aren’t straight up bullet hell titles should be looking into the Sky Force franchise." - Steven John Dawson
Check out Sky Force Reloaded
So there you have it. We reviewed a lot of games this year, but rest assured that if you were on the fence about a certain title or were wondering what last-minute stocking fillers to purchase, GameGrin wholeheartedly recommends any title that appears above.
From all of us here at GameGrin, have yourself a fantastic holiday season.
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