The best new games of 2018: everything you should play this year
Introduction
[Update: One of our hotly anticipated games, Battlefield 5, now has a release date!]
2018 is here and though your to-play list of 2017 is still towering at a terrifying height above you, you can’t help but search for the next best game.
Look, we’re not here to judge – we do exactly the same thing. It’s a problem but we’re not dealing with it. Yes, there’s a lot of great stuff right now, some of it years old, but there are also so many great games still to come and we can’t just let them pass by.
In light of that, we’ve put together this little guide that will point out the most unmissable titles coming this year. Whether you’re playing on PC, PS4, Xbox One or Nintendo Switch, you’ll find something in this list.
Release dates are an increasingly difficult thing to pin down so not all of these games have a solid release date just yet. All we know is they’re slotted in for some point in 2018.
Monster Hunter: World
When’s it out? Now!
What can I play it on? PS4, Xbox One and PC
Monster Hunter is a franchise that’s been going for a long time but for the first time in seven years we’re seeing it released on consoles. A global release that unties its fanbases in all markets, this is a game that will appeal to newcomers and veteran players alike.
In our Monster Hunter World review, we called the game a “bold and confident new chapter” for the franchise and it’s our first “must-have” game of 2018. We also have a tips and tricks guide that will help you to make your mark on the New World.
Far Cry 5
What can I play it on? PS4, Xbox One, PC
When can I play it? Now!
Far Cry 5 has caused some controversy before it’s even been released thanks to its close-to-home setting of Montana, America. When the small town of Hope County is taken over by a violent doomsday cult known as Project at Eden’s Gate, it’ll be up to you the player to become the new Deputy Sheriff and take them out. Expect violence, chaos and a whole lot of fun from this one.
- Want more info? Here’s our full review of Far Cry 5
Sea of Thieves
What can I play it on? Xbox One and PC
When can I play it? Now!
The Xbox One doesn’t have a large number of exclusives lined up for 2018 but this is one of the big ones. It’s been a while since we’ve seen something big and new from development studio Rare and we really can’t wait to dive back into a charming world with a distinct sense of humor.
This is an online co-op extravaganza that will see you create your very own pirate, form a crew with your friends and go on wild adventures across a wide open world.
God of War
What can I play it on? PS4
When can I play it? Now!
The PlayStation exclusive God of War franchise is returning and this time it’s moving away from the Greek myths to the Norse and turning the legendary lone wolf Kratos into something of a father figure. When it’s released, this revamped God of War will have more of a focus on narrative than anything we’ve seen from the series but the hack and slash god fighting will still remain.
Nintendo Labo
What can I play it on? Nintendo Switch
When can I play it? now!
It’s a concept that’s so utterly Nintendo, we’re pretty sure no other company could pull it off. Nintendo Labo was first announced in early 2018 and it’s captured the imagination of kids and grown-up kids alike. Nintendo Labo is a collection of DIY cardboard kits which can be used with the Nintendo Switch to create an entirely new kind of play.
Players will be able to play cardboard pianos, use cardboard handles to control an on-screen motorbike, and step into the cardboard shoes of a giant robot. The potential seems endless and if the idea works it could make the Switch the most individual console on the market and a must-have for families.
Don’t miss our full Nintendo Labo review!
Detroit: Become Human
What can I play it on? PS4
When can I play it? May 25 2018
The latest PS4 exclusive game from writer David Cage, this is a game that looks set to court some controversy with its themes. The script took two years to write and hundreds of actors have lent their faces for motion capture so we’re interested to see how this multi-choice narrative adventure plays out.
Crackdown 3
What can I play it on? Xbox One and PC
When can I play it? Spring 2018
It was supposed to be one of the key launch titles for the Xbox One X in November 2017 but Crackdown 3 will now be a big 2018 exclusive for the console. The main selling point of the Crackdown franchise is destruction and in this game’s online multiplayer mode every part of the game’s city is open to destruction thanks to a cloud-based physics calculations system.
- Want more info? Here’s everything we know about Crackdown 3
Red Dead Redemption 2
What can I play it on? PS4 and Xbox One
When can I play it? Spring 2018
Voted TechRadar’s most highly-anticipated game of 2018, Rockstar’s latest outing looks set to be one of the biggest releases of the year. Jumping back into the Wild West, this is the third Red Dead game but the first Rockstar game created from the ground up for the latest generation of consoles.
We can’t wait to meet the brand new protagonist Arthur Morgan and rob and pillage our way across the wide open American heartland.
Spider-Man
What can I play it on? PS4
When can I play it? September 7 2018
Yet another enticing PS4 exclusive for 2018 is Spider-Man, created by the studio behind Spyro and Ratchet and Clank. Don’t worry if you’re not invested in the latest movie reboot yet – this game stands completely seperate to that with an older more experienced Peter Parker and its very own story.
There are few things more enjoyable than getting to swing around New York City as Spider-Man and we really can’t wait to do it on the latest generation of consoles.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
What can I play it on? PS4, Xbox One and PC
When can I play it? September 14 2018
We all kind of knew that there was going to be another Tomb Raider coming in 2018 after a host of leaks. But now Square Enix has confirmed that the game will be called Shadow of the Tomb Raider and that it’s going to be released on September 14 2018.
At the moment on what the game will be about but the tagline’s statement that this will be the “climactic finale” in Lara’s origin story suggests something dramatic. We also saw glimpses of what looked like Mayan pyramids in the short teaser trailer released in March 2018 so we could be in for a trip to South America.
Make sure you check out our first hands-on impressions of the game.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
What can I play it on? Xbox One, PS4 and PC
When can I play it? October 12 2018
It’s not massively surprising given the success of Call of Duty WW2, but Activision has now confirmed that we’ll see a new Call of Duty game in 2018. This time it’s being developed by Treyarch and, as you’d expect, it’s another addition to the Black Ops series.
We now know that Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will be released on October 12 2018 and a community event held in May 2018 revealed that it’ll be dropping its single-player campaign and adding a brand new battle royale mode called Blackout.
Battlefield 5
What can I play it on? Xbox, PS4, PC
When can I play it? October 19 2018
After taking a year out in 2017, Battlefield is making a return in 2018 with Battlefield V (or 5), set in World War 2.
The game will see the return of War Stories, with some brand new multiplayer modes and the introduction of a live service element which will keep the game fresh long beyond its release. We know we’re going to see and hear more about the game during EA Play which takes place just before E3 in June 2018.
Skull and Bones
What can I play it on? PS4, Xbox One and PC
When can I play it? 2019 or 2020
Revealed at E3 2017, this game was basically pitched as Assassin’s Creed Black Flag with the assassin bits removed. That leaves the naval warfare and in Skull and Bones you’ll find yourself engaging in single-player and online multiplayer seafaring adventures. Think Sea of Thieves but a bit more geared towards gritty realism.
Though it was originally slated for a 2018 release, it was pushed back in May 2018 to Ubisoft’s next financial year which means it could be launched anytime between April 2019 and March 2020.
Super Smash Bros
What can I play it on? Nintendo Switch
When can I play it? 2018
During its March Direct, Nintendo confirmed that a Super Smash Bros game will be coming to the Switch in 2018. We got a pretty thrilling announcement trailer which showed that the Inklings from Splatoon 2 and Breath of the Wild Link will make an appearance but we still can’t be entirely sure if this is going to be a Deluxe version of the Wii U release or whether it’ll be an entirely new game.
Kingdom Hearts 3
What can I play it on? PS4 and Xbox One
When can I play it? 2018
Given it’s been 12 years since Kingdom Hearts 2 was released, it’s safe to say Kingdom Hearts 3 is one of the more highly anticipated titles for 2018. Once more players will take up the role of Sora as he travels with his closest friends Donald and Goofy across a variety of world themed around and populated by a host of famous Disney and Final Fantasy characters.
There’s going to be plenty of familiar sights and faces but we’re really excited to see the brand new Toy Story world.
The Last of Us Part 2
What can I play it on? PS4
When can I play it? Late 2018
Considering the first game has been continually hailed as a masterpiece thanks to its excellent, emotional story and engaging life-like characters, the decision to develop The Last of Us Part 2 isn’t actually all that surprising. This time around Ellie takes up the starring role and we’re being promised a much darker game with an even bigger story.
No release date confirmed but we can’t wait to hear more
There are some games to which no solid release date has been tied but we know we’re going to hear more about them this year, whether that’s at E3 2018 or Gamescom or just through another avenue. These are the titles we’re can’t wait to find out more about. Namely, a release date.
http://www.techradar.com/news/new-games-of-2018