2018 is shaping up to be a fantastic year in video games. I feel like I have said that for the past couple of years but each year has brought with it a myriad of fantastic video games. 2018 looks chock-a-block with AAA games, indies and even one or two of those ‘they’ll never release’ games.

Lost Sphear

There’s nothing quite like playing a 90’s inspired JRPG. Lost Sphear looks absolutely stunning and the perfect JRPG to play on my Switch. I’ve slowly moved on from wanting to purchase everything bar exclusives on my PS4 to choosing certain games to buy on the Switch regardless if they release on the PS4 or not. I’ve mentioned it before but it’s SO convenient to be able to pick up and put down a game when you have a very active eight month old daughter to take care of. Big AAA games will always have a home on the PS4 to me but games like Lost Sphear seem to fit perfectly and I’ll probably actually beat them this way.

Plus, fishing on the go! what could be better than that!

Catherine: Full Body

I really enjoyed Catherine when it first came out. I bought the collector’s edition on both the PS3 and 360 so I could have both of the shirts; which I actually still own and wear as pyjamas. Catherine is a game I always wanted to get the platinum for but some of the puzzles are just so incredibly hard. I was happy enough just to beat it at the time. Now that I’ve played a lot of different video games since then; I’m hoping that I will find Catherine: Full Body somewhat easier to master. I’m also intrigued as to how they are adding the third woman (Rin) into the story. I’ll be going for her and I have no doubt a lot of people will so it will be interesting to see how she alters the story.

Ni No Kuni II

I have the collector’s edition for this preordered. I have been incredibly good as I haven’t bought a collector’s edition in a long time. I’m not into clutter and most of the items you receive end up just being that – expensive clutter. The European collectors edition is just SO cool though and I couldn’t say no. I am still in two minds about keeping it though as it’s rather expensive and I’m not flush with cash. I never finished the first game in the series but the trailers have sold me on the second. It’s absolutely beautiful and I just hope it has fixed all of the issues that I had with the previous entry.

Kirby Star Allies

Kirby has always been my favourite Nintendo IP. How could you not love that adorable pink blob? So it’s no surprise that I have been after a Kirby entry on the Nintendo Switch. Star Allies looks like a lot of fun. I’m not sure if it will live up to my favourite Kirby game of all time which is Kirby’s Epic Yarn but I am sure it will be an enjoyable experience nonetheless.

God of War

I admit it. I really dig the whole ‘Daddy Kratos’ thing that this game has going on. I’m really interested to see how Kratos who has no issue barbarically murdering people interacts with his son. It seems like if done right it could open up a lot of interesting character development and I am down to experience that for myself.

Spider-Man

I have always loved Spider-Man games. Some of my fondest memories from my PS1 gaming days were of playing Spider-Man. I can even remember quotes from the game years later as an adult. I can picture Black Cat telling Spider-Man about a bank robbery with hostages and how trying to escape from the final boss through the air vents got my heart pumping. I really want to just swing through the city when all is said and done. Give me that done well and nothing else matters.

Monster Hunter World

Deep Down is buried somewhere in vaporware town. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a figment of my imagination. So I have to cling to anything I can get and that happens to be Monster Hunter World. I’ve never played a Monster Hunter game before but there’s something about World that just captivates me and makes me really want to play it. In a way it does have that Dragon’s Dogma vibe that I have been missing. I just want to take down oversized monsters and that’s what Monster Hunter is all about.

Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings

I do love the Atelier games but whilst I own the last few releases I haven’t gotten around to playing them. Lydie and Suelle is still third on my release because it’s the first one that is releasing on the Switch and I am rather excited about that. The collector’s edition looks quite nice too but I haven’t ordered it because I am trying to be better and it’s also super expensive from the NIS Store.

Detective Pikachu

YES. THIS IS THE GAME OF THE GENERATION RIGHT HERE. For so long I was hoping for a localisation and it is finally, finally happening. I never heard much about the Japanese release so I couldn’t even tell you how good it is meant to be but I don’t care. I want it. I want the movie. I want the Amiibo. I want the Pikachu 2DS XL too but eh, I can’t see that one happening sadly. Pikachu looks so badass and I want to see him solve crimes. I keep imagining him solving murders but I guess that will probably be above his pay grade. Missing Pokemon is still just as exciting, right?

Shadow of The Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus is one of my favourite games of all time. I beat it on the PS2. I beat it on the PS3. I can’t wait to do the same on the PS4. It looks absolutely stunning and I am honestly so hyped for it. I recognised the music and bridge instantly when it was announced and I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited. I can’t wait to see what people who will be experiencing it for the first time think. It could be cool if ICO got similar treatment but I suppose it makes sense why it doesn’t. Shadow of The Colossus is definitely the best in the series. I can not wait to play it again!

I’d like to give a shout out to Liar Princess and The Blind Prince. This game looks really nice. I like the art style and I think it’s lovely that it was a female web designer who thought of the concept. I didn’t include it in my list as it doesn’t have a release date yet.

Of course honourable mentions go to Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Kingdom Hearts III has a release window of 2018 and I want to believe that it will. I am tentatively excited for it as it’s been forever since we have had a numbered game in the series. I miss Roxas. Sora be damned. Final Fantasy 7 on the other hand. You’d hope that the first part would release this year as it is episodic after all. I would wait even longer if it meant we got the complete game in one package but sadly that’s not the case. Fingers crossed it being episodic won’t ruin the experience.

2018 is still young. There is plenty of time for companies to do a Nintendo and announce big games that release not only the same year as they are announced but not long after. I wonder if my above list will match up with my favourite games of the year. Only time will tell!