2018 vs 2019: Which Year Was Better for Games?

As 2019 wraps up, plenty of questions arise regarding the best games of the year, as well as how they compare to 2018’s standouts titles.

Does 2019’s influx of innovative new games match up against the sequel heavy, pre-established franchise releases gamers loved in 2018? Which year had the biggest impact on the industry in general?

These questions and many more will be answered below, as we discuss which year was better for games: 2018 or 2019?

2018

Reflection and time always test the true nature of things, and that is no different for video games. It is for precisely that reason that even almost two years since its beginning, 2018 still manages to be so impressive for just how good it was for video games.

Whether it was established franchises birthing sequels like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a modern take on a treasured series like Marvel’s Spider-Man, or even an innovative indie like Celeste, the variety of 2018 was just insane.

Releasing late in the year, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey pleased fans as well, as Ubisoft continued to right the series’ ship off the backs of the positive changes they made to many aspects in Assassin’s Creed Origins.

All of that and we haven’t even mentioned the two titles that will have an impact on the industry for years to come: God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2.

For the former, it’s an accomplishment in and of itself that the God of War series was able to rebound even a little after seemingly losing its direction with previous installments.

Developer, Santa Monica Studio, and creative director Cory Barlog did far more than simply rebound, though. Instead, they created a game that has reinvigorated the franchise’s story, characters, and gameplay to become one of the best games of the last decade, even managing to make Kratos feel relatable in the process.

In regards to Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar Games delivered one of the most gripping video game experiences of all time. Through the eyes of Arthur Morgan, gamers live a life on the run, watching a tragic tale play out for a group of dastardly, yet empathetic characters throughout the game.

While the gameplay might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, there is no denying that the story and its world will live on as one of the best of all time… especially considering it was a prequel.

Do keep in mind though that 2018 wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine. Titles like Fallout 76, Metal Gear Survive, and even Sea Of Thieves disappointed a lot of people, especially considering the prestige of their developers.

2019

On paper, it looks like an impossible task to follow up 2018, as industry-defining games like God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 raised the bar for what the standard should be.

Despite this, 2019 was, just like the year before it, a hell of an amazing year for video games. From chaotic shooting in Apex Legends to force fun in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to magical space adventures in the Outer Wilds, just about every release made an impact this year.

On top of that, only two months into the year, the Resident Evil 2 remake blew expectations out of the water, as new and old players alike raved about the title’s puzzles, gameplay, and terrifying antagonist, Mr. X.

Summer was just as hot for 2019, seeing the release of the gothic Metroidvania, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and the Nintendo Switch tactical RPG, Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

When it comes down to the stand out titles for the most recent year though, it’s two brand new IPs that stole the spotlight: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Death Stranding.

Acclaimed for its Souls-bourne combat, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice managed to entice many that had no interest in the genre when it released in mid-2019.

Its captivating world and the unique creatures that coincide with its challenging gameplay are sure to thank for that, as I for one enjoyed a game in the genre for the first time while playing it.

Last but not least is Death Stranding. This is a game that has garnered so much hype, that it didn’t seem possible that it could live up to the expectations set for it.

Yet, for many, not only did it reach those goals, it exceeded them.

Ever-evolving landscapes, supreme voice acting, and overall gameplay innovation are just a few of the things that managed to make Death Stranding one of the most bizarre and fascinating experiences ever created.

As we stated for 2018 though, there was still a surprising amount of “what were they thinking” released in 2019 as well. Among those disappointments are Left Alive, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, and Anthem, another list of games that with reputable names behind their development that just didn’t turn out well.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, both 2018 and 2019 are responsible for some of the best video games in recent memory.

With that said, due to just how many distinct and impactful games that released during its time, the winner of this gaming head to head belongs to 2018.

While the innovation of games like Death Stranding is indeed impressive, 2019 doesn’t have the same variety in comparison to 2018, especially when you consider just about every genre had multiple acclaimed releases each.

No matter what genre is for you, from Metroidvania to RPGs, 2018 had both quantity and quality throughout. It’s that consistency that gives it the slightest edge in this yearly comparison.

Regardless of opinion, there is one thing that is clear: it is an amazing time to be a video game fan.

Winner: 2018