Looking back at all of the games we at PSLS reviewed for 2018, it appears to have been a fantastic year for games. It’s either that or we really liked practically everything that came our way, because we gave out 30—count them—30 Editor’s Choice awards. Although considering, at the time of writing this, we’ve reviewed 279 games, I guess 30 isn’t so high in the grand scheme of things.
So what does Editor’s Choice mean here at PSLS? We don’t automatically award Editor’s Choice Awards to games with a review score of 9 and above. Most likely, any reviews with a 10 will certainly have an Editor’s Choice, but it doesn’t have to be that way. An Editor’s Choice Award is given strictly under the discretion of the particular reviewer. They typically award them to games that they feel very passionately about, even if it is an 8, and/or a game they believe should be everyone’s must-play list for that year. It’s that game they won’t shut up about on social media, the game they’re constantly yammering at everyone to play. It’s the game they’re willing die on to defend it.
Without further ado, here are all of our Editor’s Choice awards for 2018, in order of publication date.
Our official Games of the Year Awards will go up next week, but this list should whet your appetite as to what is to come.
Any games you think should have made our list? Let us know in the comments below!
Essential Reading:
- The Best Games of 2018
- What Made the God of War Valkyries So Good
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy: The Difference Between a Remaster and a Remake
Editor's Choice 2018
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Innerspace
Innerspace - 9.0
Reviewer: Blake Grundman
"In case you couldn’t tell, InnerSpace is a game that you should be playing. The well-realized worlds, exceptional aesthetic and compelling exploration mechanics complement each other tremendously well. If you can get past the occasional bout of unnecessary complex exposition, the evolution of each environment tells a compelling enough story to keep you enthralled from start to finish."
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Monster Hunter: World
Monster Hunter: World - 9.5
Reviewer: Tyler Treese
"This is the modernization that Monster Hunter definitely needed. Not only is it the most dynamic title in the series to date, it's just a fantastic action role-playing game. Even if you've bounced off the series in the past, I highly recommend giving Monster Hunter: World a try. It's where the series finally truly clicked for me, and that is very much by design. Capcom has updated their formula for a new generation, and it's a real treat for all."
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Shadow of the Colossus Remake
Shadow of the Colossus Remake - 10
Reviewer: Chandler Wood
"Shadow of the Colossus is even more amazing today than it was when it first released, and earns itself a spot as a must-own for anyone with a PS4. I've never been as enamored with this game as I am in 2018. Bluepoint Games has successfully honored the original while completely making it their own, a balancing act that only the most devoted of fans could pull off. It's awe inspiring. It's colossal. It's the perfect remake."
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Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom - 9.5
Reviewer: Chandler Wood
"Ni no Kuni II is pure magic. It consistently surpassed my expectations, being bigger than I could have imagined. New pieces were constantly fitting themselves into place, and just when I thought the puzzle was complete, the border would expand. More than 40 hours later, the edges were still unfolding, both in narrative revelations and expanding gameplay capabilities. It's easy to get lost in every face of this perfectly-paced multifaceted gem. I felt welcomed into Evan's kingdom of Evermore, and I made it my new home as I took part in the unfolding adventure. Ni no Kuni II is a near-perfect RPG and deserves every bit of the attention that it demands."
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A Way Out
A Way Out - 10
Reviewer: Tyler Treese
"A Way Out is a true achievement in game design. Not only does it manage to take players on a true journey of emotion, it does so in a way that is only possible through the medium of video games. It manages to do something truly special by making two players to cooperate for an extended amount of time, and the discussions that happen on the couch or over voice chat can be just as revealing as the game itself. Josef Fares and Hazelight have undoubtedly raised the bar for co-op gaming."
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Minit
Minit - 9
Reviewer: Dylan Bishop
"Minit is fantastic at multitasking which genre is wants to be. Sometimes it feels like an energetic top-down adventure, before it morphs to take on the thrill of speedrunning. It even delves into the mystery of puzzle games and point-and-clicks, too. Juggling concepts usually spells doom for indie titles, but Minit pulls it off with finesse. It’s not great because it borrows ideas from multiple genres. It’s great because of the way it uses genuinely interesting mechanics to try something new. I found myself wanting to die time after time, if only to keep myself in the adventure longer. Minit is pure fun from beginning to end, and it’s too short for its own good. When length is the only complaint against a game, I think that’s saying something."
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Owlboy
Owlboy - 9
Reviewer: Cody Gravelle
"Owlboy is a must-play platformer for fans of the genre and of gaming's history in general. It's also a truly wonderful revelation on the PS4, feeling right at home on the console in a way that made me briefly forget at times that the game was a port. Come for the charming art or the offer of some quick hits of nostalgia, but stay for the sublime storytelling and fluid gameplay."
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God of War
God of War - 10
Reviewer: PMC
"God of War is an epic reboot of an epic franchise. The evolution of Kratos could have gone horribly wrong. Instead, Santa Monica Studio has given the franchise the treatment it deserves. This new narrative tone has heart, and serves to make Kratos much more relatable in his new role as protector, while remaining as brutal as past installments. Reworked and improved combat options make for an enjoyable and customizable experience, and phenomenal audiovisual performance ensures that each trip to the mythical lands before the Vikings is a wonderfully grisly experience."
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Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human - 8.5
Reviewer: Chandler Wood
"Some games allow us to escape reality, and some force us to take a long hard look at it. Detroit: Become Human is one of those games that straddles the border between entertainment and reality. The themes it covers are very real, and it allows us to get a unique perspective on societal problems we may have never given much thought to before. No matter who you are, no matter your race, gender, political affiliation, age, or economic standing, you can find something in Detroit that will resonate with you. Detroit was never an easy game to play. Many of the choices were hard ones to make, and there's no real right answer. It's a game that cautions us not to repeat mistakes of the past. My choices shaped the story and personalized it, allowing me to see those decisions play out in myriad unique ways, plot holes, clumsy controls, and all. "
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Moonlighter
Moonlighter - 9
Reviewer: Bradley Russell
"Moonlighter is going to be a game you’ll pick up, play, and instantly want to tell your friends all about. It encourages discussion—how much a certain item costs, how to navigate the metagame of the increasingly tricky Resident Evil 4-style inventory system with its cursed items requiring a shuffle of your bag—and feels like, honestly, the endgame of all rogue-likes. After that, there isn’t much more the genre can hope to accomplish. It’s all here in one gloriously gratifying package that will have you coming back for more, more, and more again."
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Sonic Mania Plus
Sonic Mania Plus - 9.5
Reviewer: PMC
"The genuinely challenging stages are chock-full of secrets, and will require multiple playthroughs to find everything they have to offer. The lengthy campaign may not have as stellar pacing as Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but it provides both nostalgia and fresh experiences. The limited lives make each death significant, though the bonus stages can easily be exploited to gain enough continues to render the threat of a true game over moot. These are small issues, to be sure—Sonic Mania Plus is the best Sonic game you can buy today."
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Tempest 4000
Tempest 4000 - 9
Reviewer: Lucas White
"It was tragic to see something as great as Tempest fall into obscurity, only to have the spiritual successor taken away before it could really make its mark. As weird and whiplash-y as it is, it’s just as great to see the same developer get to make a comeback and do an officially branded sequel. It feels like a dream come true, and I can’t imagine how exciting this is for the folks at Llamasoft. Sure, it could have benefited from some more bells and whistles, but Tempest 4000 is the real deal, a new version of a remarkable arcade classic that isn’t spoken of nearly as much as it deserves today. It doesn’t feel cheap or old; it’s pure game design boosted by badass music and a distinct visual style that settles comfortably into high definition. If we continue to get stuff like this from the new Atari, then sign me up."
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The Banner Saga 3
Reviewer: Cody Gravelle
"It's not often that games are made with the kind of style and substance that The Banner Saga 3 has been, and, much like a good book, it's nearly impossible to put down until it all comes to a close, where, inevitably, you'll feel like a small piece of you was left with it in exchange for something new, the way all great stories make us feel."
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Guacamelee! 2
Guacamelee! 2 - 9.5
Reviewer: PMC
"Guacamelee! 2 is the sequel the original deserves. Fast, fun, funny, challenging, and chicken-filled, Juan Aguacate shows us he’s still got a few tricks up his mangas (sleeves), especially when he takes on his chicken form. Buying Guacamelee! 2 for $19.99 at launch is a no-brainer for fans of the original, as well as fans of platformers, beat-em-ups, co-op games, and anyone who wants to let their inner Luchador soar."
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Yakuza Kiwami 2
Yakuza Kiwami 2 - 9
Reviewer: PMC
"Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a faithful return to a PS2 classic. Whether it’s taking in the town, interacting with the people, or running into random restaurants, there’s always plenty of things to stay busy doing when not playing the main campaign. Combat still feels a bit stiff, but this should be manageable and overcome with ample inventory room for health items at any rate. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an easy purchase for anyone who has even a passing interest in the Yakuza series."
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Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age - 9
Reviewer: Lucas White
"I found myself engrossed in the usual grind I've come to love over the years, the silly and fantastical creatures from my favorite artist, and the storytelling that met and even rattled my expectations. There's even a neat little crafting system I didn't have room to mention, secrets to find, and of course hours and hours of post-game content. If you want to go on an adventure, and I mean a real adventure that tugs on your heartstrings, makes you smile, and yells puns at you constantly, do not sleep on Dragon Quest XI."
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Planet Alpha
Planet Alpha - 9
Reviewer: Cian Maher
"It's a game that lovers of puzzle games and platformers alike need to play. As I mentioned above, I've not been this impressed with a game within these genres since The Witness, and prior to that, I think of Blow's other game, Braid. For me, those two games are the pinnacle of puzzle games, but Planet Alpha announces what it wants to do, and does it, so it's difficult for me to fault it. Slip away into the world of Planet Alpha for a while, filled with puzzles and color. It's a real charmer."
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Marvel's Spider-Man
Reviewer: Chandler Wood
"Marvel's Spider-Man doesn't innovate on the open-world genre, but Insomniac doubled down on creating a spectacular Spider-Man fantasy. It simply feels good to travel through Peter Parker's New York as the webslinger, even if whatever Spidey-suit you choose is covering a competent and entirely expected open-world formula. Filled with more emotion, heart, and humanity than we've seen in superhero adventures before, Insomniac doesn't need to reinvent the open-world wheel. Marvel's Spider-Man embraces the man behind the mask and gives us the best interactive Spider-Man experience to date."
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Valkyria Chronicles 4
Reviewer: Cody Gravelle
"Valkyria Chronicles 4 is an excellent game, compelling in both its character roster and its gameplay. While it runs adjacent to the original Valkyria Chronicles, its contrasting of the Second Europan War with multiple coming of age stories makes it powerful in its own right. These types of games aren't necessarily for everyone, but if you've ever had a passing interest in tactical games, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a wonderful entry into the genre and the closest thing we've ever had to a true successor to Valkyria Chronicles."
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Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Reviewer: Keri Honea
"Shadow of the Tomb Raider may not innovate the Tomb Raider formula, but you know how the saying goes—if ain't broke, don't fix it. Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal created an incredible gameplay foundation in Tomb Raider, expanded upon it in Rise of the Tomb Raider, and polished (most of) it in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. In many ways, it's comfort food for seasoned Tomb Raider fans, and yet it will still be appetizing to newcomers. I wish it didn't follow its usual recipe for the story, but at least it had enough unpredictable twists and turns to keep it fresh."
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NHL 19
NHL 19 - 9
Reviewer: Blake Grundman
"Virtually everything about NHL 19 is a genuine step forward in quality. While some modes received the lion’s share of the attention, it feels like damn near everything received SOME love. If you have been on the fence, now is the time to lace up and hit the ice. We’ll see you between the pipes."
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FIFA 19
FIFA 19 - 9
Reviewer: Cody Gravelle
"At the end of the day, FIFA 19 is yet another crisp, clean, and innovative offering from EA. I’d say that this game is a lot more like FIFA 17 than 18 when it comes to shaking things up, however, which is definitely a good thing. Pushing The Journey even further—perhaps to have entirely different branching storylines based on an initial decision to increase replayability—should be next on the docket for those designing the single player campaign. In the meantime, this is the best soccer offering you’re likely to find and, nitpicking the commitment to flashy goals and attacking formations aside, there’s no reason this can’t be the go-to title for soccer fans for the next year."
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Destiny 2: Forsaken
Destiny 2: Forsaken - 9.5
Reviewer: Chandler Wood (who else?)
"Forsaken won't change your mind if you don't like Destiny. It wasn't made to. It was designed with the people who love Destiny in mind, giving them more of exactly what they want. If you've been curious what Bungie's MMO shooter is all about (or you fell away after Destiny 2 launched), now's the time to jump on board. Forsaken breathes life into Destiny 2, safely bolstering the descriptor of 'living world game' again. Cayde's death set the stage, but that was just the opening act, and I can't wait to see how the scenes change throughout Year 2."
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Life is Strange 2, Episode 1 "Roads"
Life is Strange 2, Episode 1 "Roads" - 9.5
Reviewer: Andrew King
"And, let’s be clear, so far at least, this is an excellent game. Life is Strange 2 is bold, ballsy, and wildly ambitious, promising an epic and personal odyssey across America circa October 2016. Dontnod is capturing the mood of a powerful country in the midst of a crisis of identity. If they can stick the landing, Life is Strange 2 has the potential to be a masterpiece."
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Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey - 9.5
Reviewer: Keri Honea
"Ubisoft set out to create an Assassin's Creed game worthy of Odysseus' name, and bravo, the developer has done it. It's certainly as long as one of Homer's poems, but every minute of it is entertaining and, well, fun. It never gets old Sparta-kicking an enemy off a cliff. Clearing out Locations is always satisfying, especially when they require setting things on fire. Talking to Sokrates will make you question everything about your life and the game itself. Some of the choices you make will have a similar effect. You can't come away from Odyssey without feeling like you were actively part of that great journey, from the highs to the lows and all of the incredible twists and turns in between. This is a voyage you don't want to miss."
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Red Dead Redemption 2
Reviewer: Chandler Wood
"Red Dead Redemption 2 redefines the open world genre. Arthur Morgan's journey through the late 1800s American frontier never reveals the stitches at its seams. Whether you're engaging in a massive shootout in a saloon or quietly enjoying a moment of reflection while fishing on a lake, it all feels like a part of Morgan's life. The level of detail is unsurpassed, and it's a game that wants you to take it slow and enjoy those small details. Rockstar took some risks in eliminating traditional gaming conveniences, but everything pays off in service of the greater experience. Red Dead Redemption 2 sets a new benchmark in detail, immersion, and cohesion that will be heralded for years to come. It's just about as perfect as a game can get."
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Soulcalibur VI
Soulcalibur VI - 8.5
Reviewer: PMC
"Soulcalibur VI is a solid entry in the long-running fighting franchise. The new Reversal Edge mechanic gives everyone a chance at a comeback, with a balanced risk that their move may backfire on the player who invoked the move. A decent campaign is paired with a beefier custom story mode, to provide for dozens of hours of gameplay, even if most of the cutscenes are more visual novel than actual cutscene. Barebones online options may leave some players wanting more, but getting to the action is as quick as ever because of a sharp focus. Time will tell if these improvements can translate to better sales, but Soulcalibur VI is one game all fighting fans should pick up."
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GRIP: Combat Racing
Reviewer: PMC
"GRIP: Combat Racing is an impressive arcade racer, one that harkens back to the glory days of racers such as WipEout, while adding its own innovations. Jumping from floor to ceiling to wall and back sounds like it might be too hectic, but GRIP’s excellent camera handling ensures that players won’t lose track of what they are doing very easily. Four-player split screen, which is an absolute rarity these days, is a much-appreciated inclusion, and ensures that GRIP: Combat Racing will be played by groups for a while to come."
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Hitman 2
Hitman 2 - 9
Reviewer: PMC
"Hitman 2 continues the fun assassination sandbox gameplay that was in the reboot, with scant few details changed in the single-player campaign. The levels on offer are some of the largest, and certainly the most detailed for the Hitman franchise. Cutscenes may disappoint, but Agent 47 hasn’t been slacking at the job. He now has more options at his disposal than ever before. Meanwhile, multiple multiplayer options provide for some unique ways to cooperate, and compete, with players, which will no doubt extend the replayability of Hitman 2 for quite some time. IO Interactive has taken what worked well last time around, and produced an even more impressive and robust assassin’s playground."
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Subnautica
Subnautica - 9
Reviewer: Blake Grundman
"What initially appeared to be a knee-high kiddie pool worth of depth, suddenly gives way to a literal ocean of gameplay opportunities. And while it has certain technical limitations, these are certainly not going to discourage the non-critic audience from at least dipping a toe in. It’s easily one of the coolest, engaging, and most gratifying experiences I’ve had with a game in 2018. Come on in! The water’s fine."
