We’re in the proverbial dog days of summer as we wind down yet another solid year with plenty of big games still slated to release. With God of War, Celeste, and Monster Hunter World, 2018 started off with a bang and if the trend continues, it may even outperform last year’s spectacular lineup. It’s a great time to be a gamer and an even better time to start saving money because once the Fall hits, all bets are off. These are the games I’m most excited for in the 2nd half of 2018:
5. Battlefield 5
Battlefield 5 looks to be the most ambitious Battlefield yet, and as a fan of the series, I’m looking forward to how they could improve the already excellent Battlefield 1. One of the bigger additions to Battlefield 5 is a new mode called Grand Operations which is a beefed up, broader Operations mode from the previous game.
In Grand Operations, the battle is fought over four total days with each crucial day a significant step in turning the tide. Another big feature I’m excited for is the customizable feature set where players can personalize their soldiers, tanks, and planes with several war paint and skins to really stand out in the battlefield. I just hope people don’t get too carried away with this. The last thing I want is coming across a tank decked out in lewd illustrations while I’m trying to capture a base, that would surely break immersion.
4. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Although Brawlhalla has done a good job of quenching my thirst for another Smash Bros., there’s nothing like the real thing. During Nintendo’s E3 Direct, we were treated to a massive info dump on all things Smash Ultimate so while the mystery is gone, the hype continues. It was a wise choice for Nintendo to make the roster so expansive and also drill home the idea that “Everyone is here.” It’s the news fans want to hear and for newcomers an enticing invitation to try a seemingly endless buffet of characters to choose from.
3. Spider-Man
Spider-Man jumped up from number 5 to number 3 after that incredible E3 2018 showing. That demo had me speechless and I was again reminded why Insomniac Games is one of the best developers working today. The traversal, the funny Spidey quips, the action, and of course the reveal of a potential Sinister Six showdown had me in shambles by the end.
Sunset Overdrive is one of the best games I’ve played this generation and it looks like Insomniac is borrowing a lot from that frenetic freestyle pace that made that game so enjoyable in the first place. This is one of those games where I truly do not have to see anymore of it, I just need it in my hands like right now.
2. Fallout 76
It was time for Bethesda to try something new with the Fallout franchise and Fallout 76 looks to not only reinvent the series but perhaps pave the way for their next big titles. Introducing online play to the Fallout universe is a dream many of us Fallout fans have been clamoring for and while the idea was always just a fleeting one, it looks like Bethesda has finally found a way to make it work.
Running into raiders in Fallout after a few hours of playtime really just turns into an exercise to flex your VATS or try new things but with Fallout 76, these raiders will be actual player encounters. This changes the game, folks. I can’t wait to see how this plays out as every moment will matter and for the first time ever, Fallout will actually feel like a truly dangerous wasteland
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
If there’s a game that can go toe-to-toe with God of War’s excellence, its Red Dead Redemption 2, the sequel to one of the greatest games released last generation by Rockstar Games. Although we’ve only gotten a handful of trailers and only recently some real gameplay, there’s an undeniable, unshakable confidence that exudes from Rockstar not showing much.
They don’t have to. In fact, the lack of footage is preferable for me because I don’t want to know too much about the story. If it’s anything like the previous games but refined with better tech, there’s no reason to believe it won’t be spectacular. Red Dead Redemption is still a looker today, especially on Xbox One, so trust in Rockstar. Their quietness speaks volumes.
What are you looking forward to the most in the 2nd half of 2018? Do you agree with our list? Share your thoughts down below.
