This year is the year I actually play everything on my most anticipated games list, I swear.
After all the huge game releases of 2017, it was actually kind of hard to pick ten games for 2018. Most of the big titles of the year are either sequels to games I’ve never played, or titles I’m just not all that interested in. While some of these games are must-buys for me, I’m holding out hope that 2018 will surprise me with something great out of no-where, just like 2017’s Hellblade.
Here are the games I’m looking out for this year:
The Inpatient
The first game on my list for 2018 is actually a PSVR title. I don’t think I’ve played VR in at least six months, but I’m willing to dig it out again for The Inpatient, for one major reason: it’s an Until Dawn prequel.
I’m a huge fan of Until Dawn, and while I’d rather have a straight-up sequel, I’ll settle for spin-off titles too.
Release Date: 24 January
Shadow Of The Colossus Remake
Confession time: I’ve never actually played the original Shadow Of The Colossus. I wanted to, but it’s also… so dated. This remake is made for me. Bring it on.
Release Date: February 6
Fe
Fe is one of those games that flicks past during indie montages at E3 but still sticks with you for its striking visuals and interesting concept. I’m all about cute indie games with adorable critters and blissed-out soundscapes, and Fe looks to hit that very specific beat.
You play as a little fox-like creature, exploring the forest, interacting with other creatures and helping to defend against the enemies that threaten the eco-system, called the Silent Ones. Music and sound is a big part of the game play — you ‘sing’ with other creatures to complete certain puzzles and unlock new areas.
Fe looks like exactly the kind of game I want to escape into on a rainy autumn weekend.
Release Date: February 16
Sea Of Thieves
I want to be a pirate. I want to be a drunken pirate. I want to sing sea shanties and sail around blue seas with my good mates. I can do all of these things in Sea of Thieves.
Rare’s pirate game is, notably, both the first online-only game and the first Xbox exclusive I’ve ever included on this list. I played the demo twice at PAX, dragging friends back with me to show them all the cool things I’d discovered the first time. Did you know that if you get drunk enough, then equip a bucket, you can throw up into the bucket and then throw it at people?
Sea Of Thieves is the kind of game that gives you a bunch of abilities and features and then just dumps you in the game to see what you can do with it. Honestly I’m anticipating giving up on it very quickly when playing with real life people online (please don’t attack my ship, I just want to party) but I hope that before that I’ll get some good time in with a couple of friends in my crew.
Release Date: March 20
Far Cry 5
Honestly this is probably the biggest stretch in this list. I’ve never played a Far Cry game in the main series, though I did put a decent number of hours into Primal (mainly for the cute saber-tooth tiger pets). I’m willing to give Far Cry 5 a chance, though. It looks interesting, and I’m a fan of the basic Far Cry formula. Even if Horizon did it better.
Release Date: March 27
Agony
Agony was in my list last year, and it’s back again — this time with a release date. I’m always on the lookout for interesting survival horror games, and Agony looks both interesting and suitably fucked up. I need to be scared. My body is ready.
Release Date: March 30
Detroit: Become Human
Oh, David Cage. I never really expect his games to be good, but they’re always entertaining – especially if you bring a friend, some alcohol and try to mess things up as much as you can.
I’m still not sure if I expect Detroit to be on the ‘good but flawed’ side of the spectrum with Heavy Rain or the ‘terrible but hilarious’ end with his most recent effort, Beyond Two Souls. Either way it’s going to be a wild ride.
Release Date: TBA
Lost Ember
Lost Ember reminds me a lot of Fe, actually – you play as a wolf, exploring an expansive and beautiful wilderness. This time, instead of communing with the local wildlife you become them, however, slipping into a bird or a fish or a mountain goat to explore new areas. The game is set in the ruins of an ancient civilisation and throughout the game you unravel the story of what happened to them. But also I’m happy to just run around pretty environments as a wolf, honestly.
Release Date: TBA
Monster Prom
Monster Prom is a COMPETITIVE DATING SIM. Or at least a multiplayer one. Let’s be honest, with me it’ll probably be competitive anyway.
Why has no one ever made something like this before? I’m so excited by the prospect of stealing my friend’s love interests right from under their noses. Plus, the monsters are pretty cute.
Release Date: TBA
Dreams
I honestly don’t know too much about Dreams, the new game from LittleBigPlanet creators MediaMolecule. It’s that mystery that has me intrigued, however. It seems impossible to really define what Dreams is, and I’m always going to check out something that seems a little different or new. Plus it got the stamp of approval from my co-worker, Gizmodo’s Rae Johnston, who always has impeccable taste in these things.
Release Date: TBA
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