E3 2018 had many fantastic games to announce or to show games we already knew. Microsoft, Bethesda, and Sony, in particular, had the best conferences to me. Everyone had something interesting to show. Sure, there were bumps in the road. Some conferences had technical issues. Sony had some problems regarding their pacing which was awkward and boring at times. When they got to the games, it was terrific. In this list of the twenty best game of E3 2018, keep in mind this is my list. Nothing is in particular order, and these are games I am looking forward to. You may not see games that you are looking forward to, and that is okay. So, let’s not lift up pitchforks and civilly enjoy some amazing games.
#1: Anthem (Release date: 2019)
Bioware’s new game looks quite impressive. Players have these different suits that seem like you are Iron Man to fight off monsters. You can switch between suits for different tactical reasons. The game is supposed to be online in the same way that games like Destiny are set up. I am worried because of that. Games similar to Destiny and The Division I did not like. I felt that the online world did not work that well and overall, I did not have fun. Despite my worries, the game’s world looks interesting, beautiful, and dangerous. The gameplay shown looks tight with various ways to go about any scenario. The ambitious title could lean either way to greatness or a complete embarrassment. I hope for the best since Bioware’s last endeavor with the latest Mass Effect was not great, to say the least.
#2: Battlefield V (Release date: October 19, 2018)
The new Battlefield is taking place during World War 2. That should not be a surprise after the massive success of Battlefield 1. The game is taking destruction to a whole new level, which I feel like every game in the franchise says. I hope they are right about that since it has been a while for the games to show off the destruction in an exciting way. The gameplay was shown looks just as to expect from a Battlefield game. The visuals are stunning, and the gunplay is some of the best in modern FPSs. The storytelling from the last entry is making a return along with other modes for online. They say there are no loot boxes, microtransactions, or a season pass. People are skeptical because of these airlifts so we will see. It is hard for gamers to trust EA, especially after Battlefront II. I have high hopes, but I will try to keep them tempered in case something disappoints me.
#3: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (Release date: 2019)
FromSoftware has announced what the mysterious trailer that had the infamous words “Shadows Die Twice” means. It is Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. From the trailer, it appears to be their similar formula that fans of Dark Souls are familiar with. The spin on the formula is how much maneuverability is in the game, and the thematics are set in a samurai world styled world. The trailer was full of stunning visuals and ferocious gameplay. The fresh take with the formula that they have placed in some of their games is one of the best surprises to come out of E3. I am blown away by the game. I had guessed they would announce a new game in my predictions, but I did not see this coming. I cannot wait to dive into this new world and die a million times due to the extreme difficulty.
#4: Metro: Exodus (Release date: February 22, 2019)
Why is every game release in February, more specifically the 22nd? Either way, it adds onto a day full of fantastic games. The third installment of the Metro franchise has me excited. The first game was a solid effort. The sequel Metro: Last Light being a masterpiece. This next game continues the adventure in a new way. One of the prominent features is how open areas are. Not that the game is an open world, but each level is bigger with more freedom for the player to explore. The little bit of gameplay and the trailers we have seen so far shows how beautiful the game looks. The gameplay expands from what we already know. New weapons and creatures are demonstrated fashionably. I feel confident that this will be the best game in the series yet.
#5: Days Gone (Release date: February 22, 2018)
I told you, a lot is coming on this day. There are more games than Days Gone and Metro, which is insane. Anyways, this open world, survival, zombie, biker game looks fantastic. I know the developers call them “freakers,” but let’s be honest that they are their version of a zombie. The game looks unique from all of the hundreds of other zombie games. The fresh take gives survival a whole new meaning. Weather, hostile humans, and freakers are all a threat to you. The huge hordes of enemies remind me of that terrible World War Z movie, but in a good way. If the open world has enough activities and variety along with a good story, then this will be another addition to PlayStation’s already massive catalog of incredible single player experiences.
#6: Dying Light 2 (Release date: TBA)
What a surprise this is. I liked the first Dying Light. A lot of improvements from Dead Island along with a fun parkour system. The game fell flat in many areas, but the gameplay was excellent. Crafting to make a machete into a fierce blade that will light zombies on fire or making a baseball bat with nails coming through. The open world gameplay was a ton of fun, but the story was a mess. The new game opens the doors to a big open world where consequences matter. Choices are made that will change up the world around you in either positive or negative ways. I love being given options in games; it is one of my favorite mechanics. Sadly, too many games give an illusion of choice. In reality, a lot of games are too set up where choices will not make a difference. I hope that is not the case here. Also, I hope cooperative play stays. Playing with friends in the first game was a ton of fun. I hope improvements from the first game are made to make this a great experience.
#7: Cyberpunk 2077 (Release date: TBA)
CD Projekt Red’s new game is quite ambitious. Nobody knows how so, but with their work in games such as The Witcher, we know it will be huge. They have been working on the game for years. Previously our only look was a teaser to show they were working on something. Now we got a fantastic trailer that shows snippets of gameplay. We see the world that they have built, and it looks unbelievable. The trailer might be the greatest trailer I have ever seen. The level of detail along with the stunning visuals is breathtaking. All that is needed to sell me on this game is to see gameplay. I am partially sold based on what we see of the world, but I need an in-depth look at the game. If CD Projekt Red nail their vision, then we might have one of the biggest and most innovative games that the world has ever seen.
#8: Doom Eternal (Release date: TBA)
I called it in my predictions. We are getting a sequel to 2016’s DOOM. The trailer is a short teaser that is everything to expect from the franchise. Nobody knows that much about the game, but it appears the story is set on Earth. Buildings are in ruins, and hell has taken over. If they can evolve some of their mechanics and introduce new ones, then it should be just as great as the first in their reboot. Give me graphic violence, heavy metal, and awesome weapons for my killing then I will be happy. More will be announced in August during Quake Con.
#9: Fallout 76 (Release date: November 14, 2018)
If I had to make a list of games I am most excited for that consisted of three games, then it would be The Last of Us Part 2, Spider-Man, and Fallout 76. Out of major franchises, Fallout is my favorite. I love the world with all of its lore. The games are full of heart with its horror, sci-fi, and comedy. My dream was to have an online game set in this world. Now that dream has come true. All I have ever wanted is to play in the world of Fallout with my friends. Now we get to set up a home and kill other players set in West Virginia. I could not be more excited to play this game. Bethesda always knocks it out of the park with their games and this will be just like everything else they have done on a grander scale. Four times bigger than the already colossal Fallout 4 will give you and friends so many hours to explore this vast world. With a release date set this close, I could not be happier.
#10: Rage 2 (Release date: TBC Spring 2019)
I have never played the original Rage. After I saw the first trailer, and now the gameplay from E3, I am sold on this game. If you have not seen it, then imagine Mad Max, DOOM, and Borderlands coming together into one glorious game. The first game did okay with critics by getting 79% on Metacritic. What is surprising is that the game was so long ago, back in 2010. The big gap seems like this will be partially a sequel, but half of a reboot to let newcomers in. The gameplay is all about maneuverability, crazy weapons, and a lot of killing in this massive open world. It is unclear as of writing as to what you will be able to do in this open world besides kill and destroy. Either way, the gameplay looks fluid and satisfying with some gorgeous graphics. Id Software brought us games like DOOM, so I have high hopes for this one.
#11: Wolfenstein Youngblood (Release date: TBA 2019)
Wolfenstein Youngblood is a standalone taking place in 80’s after the events of the last Wolfenstein game. I have never been a fan of the series until these latest games. They are brutal with fluid gameplay. Also, how could I not play a game that is about brutally killing Nazis to take back America? The new standalone has you play as one of BJ’s twin daughters. A first to not be being as BJ in a Wolfenstein title. The game will be cooperative with each player playing as one of the daughters. I already knew I would play, but now I get to kill Nazis with a friend makes me want this game even more. With some added features along with the fluid gameplay and excellent gunplay then this will be a highlight in FPSs for 2019.
#12: Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Release date: September 14, 2018)
I love the latest trilogy of Tomb Raider games. Now that we get to complete the trilogy this September has me ecstatic. The brutal take on Lara Croft’s adventures is fantastic. She is a brutal warrior who is quite sympathetic. Each game has insane obstacles that are satisfying to conquer. Along with upgrades that make you feel more powerful to take on new enemies gives the games a great sense of progression. The new game is expected to give bigger areas to explore and more tombs that will be deadlier. September is a stacked month already and with this release date for Lara, the month looks even better.
#13: Just Cause 4 (Release date: December 4, 2018)
The latest entry in the ridiculous sandbox that feels like Michael Bay’s dream game, Just Cause, is back for more explosions. The game is one of many on this list that was leaked by Walmart Canada. Then Steam leaked the game a few days ago which made it all seem true. The game follows our protagonist Rico on a new adventure. Just like all of the games, the story is fairly similar. A powerful group has taken over a country or region and you must stop them. This time Rico is facing a female antagonist who runs a militia group. The two new features shown at E3 were the new grappling hook and weather system. The grappling hook has new features to give the player more freedom to play around. They also made it so the grappling hook is more intuitive for new players. The weather is deadly from sandstorms to giant tornados. From what we can see in the video presentation, the game looks just as absurd as ever in the best possible way. If you are a fan of open world sandboxes then this is the game just for you. I hope the game does not suffer from the same issues as Just Cause 3.
#14: Marvel’s Spider-Man (Release date: September 7, 2018)
Like I said before, this is one of my top games. While The Last of Us 2 is my number one game I am waiting for in general, out of games coming in 2018, Spider-Man is my number one. The fact that Insomniac is making this game is perfect. The company is known for the animations, beautifully stylized graphics, fluid gameplay, and all of their crazy weapons. If you have played Ratchet and Clank or Sunset Overdrive, then you know that there is not a single company better than Insomniac to make a game based on one of the best superheroes around. The open world game will take you on both a Spider-Man and Peter Parker adventure. With the latest E3 presentation we got to see gameplay of the open world along with a story mission which reveals several villains. It appears that they are taking a Sinister Six approach, which beats the movies to it since Sony attempted this before. The game is stunning along with what we see in the gameplay, it looks like it has fluid movement all around. I have been waiting for a game like this to come along with Spider-Man 2. Now that it is almost here, I just have to wait a few more months.
#15: The Last of Us Part II (Release date: TBA)
After all this time, we finally got to see some gameplay at E3. Along with incredibly realistic animations, beautiful graphics, and gruesome gameplay, The Last of Us Part II looks like a technological achievement in gaming. Especially the animations, the work on that is to a quality never before seen in video games. A kiss looks like a real kiss. Kills look on a different level of brutality and realism. The game has some UI changes that make that game look better. The way you aim with a bow is more of a traditional cursor which is easier to aim and see. Crafting is back which looks about the same for the most part, just easier to navigate. The stealth is improved greatly when it was already excellent. We did not see any zombie killing action, but Ellie taking down cultists was good enough. I have high hopes that this will be better than the first game. The Last of Us is my favorite game, so if this is better than it will be a dream come true.
#16: Ghost of Tsushima (Release date: TBA)
Sucker Punch, the minds behind Infamous and Sly Cooper are coming out with an alternative take on the Mongolian era. This open world game looks beautiful and seems to have wonderful combat. We see various sword fights along with various ways to traverse the area such as horseback and climbing. Out of every surprise, there was in terms of gameplay demos, Ghost of Tsushima takes the cake. PlayStation’s big four games they are pushing are The Last of Us Part II, Spider-Man, Days Gone, and Ghost of Tsushima. Not much else is known about the game though. Sucker Punch has a great catalog of games so we can expect a certain level of quality. The company knows how to make an open world game with excellent maneuverability from Infamous, so their new title is in good hands.
#17: Resident Evil 2 (Release date: January 25, 2019)
Yes, I am putting a remake on this list. From the trailer, we can see the game looks stunning. This is not just a remaster, but a remake from the ground up. As someone who has never touched the older Resident Evil games, I am quite excited. The trailer shows off zombies tearing people apart, Raccoon City is in ruins, and Leon looks young in beautiful new animations. Some more zombie killing might be too much more most people since all I hear are complaints about the abundance of zombie games. I am excited and will take all of the zombie games in the world if they are good. Starting off the year with Resident Evil will be perfect.
#18: Jump Force (Release date: TBA 2019)
Bandai Namco’s new fighting game looks like an anime epic. Having characters from Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball Z and more fighting one another. The cinematic trailer looks chaotic and beautiful with these iconic anime characters fighting. Not much is known about the game yet since all we have seen is an announcement trailer to show off an explosive cinematic. Hopefully, we see more soon.
#19: Death Stranding (Release date: TBA)
Kojima’s new collaboration with Mads Mikkelsen, Norman Reedus, and Guillermo Del Toro looks weird, to say the least. The latest trailer shows some gameplay, that is almost all walking around. The cinematics is beautiful and give no hint as to what the game is about. Mads has even said that the story has been explained to him many times and he is still confused. This is to be expected from Kojima, but we can expect that the game will be to a certain standard of quality. Elements of the game have been described, but those are also cryptic to a degree. We won’t know what we are getting until we play the game somewhere in the future.
#20: Beyond Good and Evil 2 (Release date: TBA)
I have never played the first game, so I am worried. It appears the that Beyond Good and Evil 2 will heavily follow the first game to a degree. Despite not understanding anything I am seeing, I am blown away by the trailers that we keep seeing. The latest trailer at E3 is phenomenal. Alongside the cinematic trailer for Cyberpunk, Beyond Good and Evil 2 showed off the next best trailer. These two games might have the best trailers in video game history. My big worry is that the game will have too much involved with the first game that will make the story too confusing for me. I might have to find where I can play the first…
That is my list of my favorite games that we got to see at E3 2018. I know there are some major games missing, but there are some that I am not looking forward to. That is okay because you might be. Be sure to comment below what you liked the most at this E3!
Header Image via CD Projekt Red
Tristan Zelden 