2018 was a landmark year for video games with heavy hitting AAA and indie releases alike. Most every month saw something memorable release, but as a result, several games were quickly forgotten by most.
As such, we’re here to refresh your memory with 10 games you (probably) forgot released in 2018.
*Author’s Note: This list applies to North American releases only. While some titles may have been released earlier in Japan, they will be included if they weren’t made available until 2018 in the west. Likewise, if a game saw a widespread release on multiple platforms, it was considered viable for an entry.*
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
Lost Sphear
Prior to its release, there was a decent amount of excitement and hype around Lost Sphear.
Developed by The RPG Factory as a spiritual successor to the studio’s prior title I Am Setsuna, it looked to be a pleasant return to JRPG conventions of old from its storytelling to its world and character design.
Not only that, but it carried over and improved upon the strengths of I am Setsuna.
The music and art style were a perfect transition of classic JRPG aesthetics to the modern day, and its colorful world looked much livelier than I am Setsuna’s bleak winter world.
Since its release in January however, little has been said about the title. Part of this may be due to the fact that it was received with average reviews from critics and fans alike, but the fact that it released the same month as the AAA RPG title Monster Hunter World couldn’t have helped.
Whatever the case may be, Lost Sphear isn’t likely to be a title people talk about for years to come, but it still has plenty to offer to any classic JRPG fans who give it a try.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
The Inpatient
To be fair, this entry probably wasn’t on the radar of anyone who doesn’t own a PlayStation VR headset. All the same, it was a title that, on paper, should have been a lot more memorable than it was and is.
Made by the same team behind the surprise hit Until Dawn, Supermassive Games’ The Inpatient sought to take players on a VR journey into insanity.
As a patient at a mental asylum, they’re tasked with uncovering their lost memories and identity, digging ever deeper into the asylum’s secrets as they do.
It was a novel premise ripe with chances to tell a memorable story, but in practice, it didn’t quite stick the landing gameplay-wise. Players were severely limited in how they could interact with the world around them, instead strapped in for a cinematic narrative told through VR.
Still, it served as an interesting experiment for what VR could accomplish and left many hungry for more of Supermassive’s brand of writing.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
Metal Gear Survive
If someone had said even a few years ago that a Metal Gear game on consoles would be forgettable, they’d have been considered insane. Flash forward to 2018 though, and that’s exactly what happened with Metal Gear Survive, a spin-off title from the original series.
As a member of Big Boss’ army from Metal Gear Solid V, players are tasked with surviving in a parallel world inhabited by zombie-like creatures.
They must scavenge for supplies to craft weapons and fortifications for their base, all while exploring a strange new dimension they’ve been transported to.
It’s admittedly a neat concept, but one that wasn’t executed very well. Gameplay could be repetitive while the plot was thin and convoluted even by Metal Gear standards.
Throw in the fact that it was the first entry in the series released since Hideo Kojima’s departure from Konami and you’ve got a title nobody could be blamed for forgetting, intentionally or otherwise.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
Yakuza 6
The final entry in the story of Kazuma Kiryu, Yakuza 6 had plenty to offer to fans new and old of the action-adventure series.
Players were given full reign of the Dragon of Dojima one last time, tasked with uncovering the reason Kiryu’s adopted daughter Haruka and her newborn son were nearly killed.
The game also marked the first use of the Yakuza Team’s new Dragon Engine, providing gameplay and graphics optimized for use on the PlayStation 4 to maximize players’ immersion into the series’ world.
Unfortunately, the game was released mere weeks before God of War, a title that has and continues to prove itself one of the best games of the year. As a result, it didn’t have nearly as much staying power as it could, leaving only the series’ fans to sing the praises of Kiryu’s dramatic swan song.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT
When the original Dissidia: Final Fantasy released on PSP back in 2009, it was met with general praise for its inventive attempt at crafting a Final Fantasy fighting game.
As such, there was a fair bit of hype behind Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT’s release almost a decade later, complete with characters from more recent installments like Lightning and Noctis.
Unfortunately, the title proved to be less than perfect upon arrival. The combat system could be obtuse and difficult to learn, and the design structure of the story could be confusing or even irritating.
It also didn’t help that the game was released in the same month as Dragon Ball FighterZ, a smash hit inside and out of the fighting game community that continues to grow in popularity.
All the same, there’s something fun about pitting the best in a series against each other, and when it’s played as the developers intended, it looks like a climactic battle in motion. It can be rough training up to that level of skill, but its still oh so gratifying once it’s achieved.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
Vampyr
When people first heard that Dontnod was working on a gothic, story driven action RPG, many were understandably excited.
The developer had proven themselves capable of great character writing with the first season of Life is Strange, and the concept of juggling moral dilemmas as a vampire had potential.
Leading up to Vampyr’s release though, the game suffered a fairly large delay from late 2017 into spring of 2018.
It was a decision made in order to improve its quality, but that also meant it lost a bit of momentum, too. At the same time, trailers and screenshots showing what it would be like were few and far between.
This lack of visibility didn’t help Vampyr reach an audience beyond those who were already invested from its initial reveal, but it was likely the review scores and AA production that saw it totally drop from their radars at launch.
It’s a shame too because Vampyr showed potential for a new IP. What it lacks in production value it makes up with excellent storytelling and a unique premise, and most any action RPG fan could find plenty of entertainment from it.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
Hello Neighbor
A darling among YouTube personalities during its tenure in Early Access, Hello Neighbor enjoyed a huge marketing push prior to its full release.
Many a video was crafted around its lore and potential story beats, and its blend of horror and stealth gameplay had gamers excited to get their hands on a completed version.
The game finally released across most every intended console in late July, and when it did, the final product was disappointing.
The story was convoluted, the gameplay was counter-intuitive and a slew of bugs hampered any enjoyment players could have gotten out of it.
In the months since, the game has faded further and further into obscurity. YouTuber’s who once lauded it and players who looked forward to it alike have found new games to expect great things from, and without their continued praise, there’s been little to help it stand out in a good way.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
We Happy Few
A poster child for games that never seem to stop getting delayed, We Happy Few finally graced players’ with a release in August after five years of development. It had long been anticipated as a Bioshock-esque adventure in a dystopian London, its inhabitants driven insane by the constant use of negativity blocking drugs.
The title had likewise enjoyed several forays into Early Access as well, with the developers eager to make changes to elements that players had described as bothersome or unneeded.
Unfortunately, this pre-release exposure proved a double-edged sword. The game was delayed several times due to negative player feedback, with major revamps of the gameplay and mechanics undertaken each time.
It likewise jumped from being a Microsoft exclusive to being multiplatform, further extending its release window and letting down those who thought their console would host a killer indie game exclusively.
By release, most of the original hype had been lost. It was still a noteworthy experience that had improved considerably from its early access days, but most people had moved on to other titles and jumped on new hype trains since.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
Guacamelee! 2
The sequel to the indie hit from 2013, Guacamelee! 2 brings back all of the elements players loved from the original with a helping of new gameplay mechanics.
Once again in the role of the luchador Juan, players are sent into the Darkest Timeline in the Mexiverse to restore balance to the universe, lest all of creation fall to evil. To this end, they must use Juan’s abilities and techniques to traverse areas, overcome obstacles and defeat the evil forces behind the coming calamity.
A true to form Metroidvania experience, Guacamelee! 2 has been highly lauded by critics and fans since its release. And yet, among the deluge of high profile releases that have been seen this year, it hasn’t received as much attention as one would expect.
There’s still a chance for the title to enjoy some staying power in the indie scene, but for now, it remains a title sorely in need of more attention from the gaming community.
10 Games You (Probably) Forgot Released in 2018
Valkyria Chronicles 4
The first mainline entry in the Valkyria Chronicles series to head west since Valkyria Chronicles 2 in 2010, Valkyria Chronicles 4 was an exemplary entry in the series.
It brought new unit types and mechanics alongside the usual gameplay fans had come to know and love, all wrapped in an engaging story of struggle and loss on the battlefield.
Unfortunately, the game was released on the eve of the fall release season, with heavy hitters like Call of Duty and Red Dead Redemption 2 poised to take the gaming community’s full attention for months to come.
Sega put up a valiant effort to promote the game while it had the chance, but there was still little they could do in the face of this challenge. It’s made a decent enough push post-release though, with new scenarios and sorties available as DLC for those willing to go back to the standout strategy title.
What are some releases from 2018 that you feel have been forgotten before their time? Let us know in the comments section below, and while you’re there, consider entering Twinfinite’s free giveaway contest for the 2018 title Warriors Orochi 4.
Published: Dec 20, 2018 12:27 pm