State of Decay 2
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
Even though it was (is still?) a bit rough around the edges at launch, it didn’t really matter since the game has gone on to surpass 3 million total players in a relatively short amount of time. Plus our gripes weren’t so much that it wasn’t good game or it wasn’t fun, instead they were mostly related to repetitive gameplay and annoying glitches.
That said, as long as you know what State of Decay 2 is before going into it, and know it’s your type of game, you should enjoy yourself and be able to overlook some of the issues we experienced during our review. There’s just as much to like about the game, including a very satisfying gameplay loop of scavenging and building up a lively home base and community, that will keep you safe from the zombies outside.
NieR: Automata – Become as Gods Edition
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
There’s not much left to say about NieR: Automata that we haven’t said already. It was one of our GOTY finalists for 2017, it has one of the best soundtracks this generation, if not of all-time, earned a 5 out of 5 score from us, and now it’s available on Xbox One for the first time.
As long as you’re at least a casual fan of RPGs, just go and play it. It’s an action-heavy RPG combat that features intense boss fights, a story that follows two androids that have way more character depth and evolution than you would think, and will keep you guessing.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
PlayStation 4 owners got a head start on Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, but as of late June, it’s out on Xbox One now as well. If you’re playing on an Xbox One X, take in the most optimized, and best looking version of the classic PS1 games.
If you’re somehow not familiar, the N. Sane trilogy includes all three of the PS1 platforming Crash Bandicoot games (sorry CTR fans), with the visuals completely overhauled but the gameplay and physics intact just like you remembered it with some very small tweaks.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
What’s kind of funny about Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is despite temporarily being a PS4 exclusive, not only is it now out on Xbox One but also going forward, future Ninja Theory games will likely be Xbox One exclusives as Microsoft revealed that they acquired the developers at E3 2018.
What’s kind of not funny is everything else about Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. It’s a dark game with dark subject material including mental illness, traversing through a Nodric/Celtic inspired version of Hell, rife with horror elements. It’s not a perfect game, gameplay wise, as it features some dull puzzle segments, but if you’re looking for something unique and well-written from a story perspective, Hellblade is your game.
Wizard of Legend
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
Wizard of Legend exploded in popularity earlier this year and for good reason. It’s a very well put together rogue-lite that is not only fun to play, but also gives you just enough of a feeling of progression even when you die. It doesn’t give you so much that it abandons its rogue-like gameplay, but it does give just enough to not feel too punishing to more casual fans of the genre. There’s two currencies, one you keep when you die, and one you don’t. You can use that currency you keep to make small improvements over time that will hopefully allow you progress further in the game.
That said, Wizard of Legend is still a very difficult game that is true to the genre it reps. It also features a really awesome soundtrack. If you like interviews, we recently spoke to the man behind said soundtrack!
Onrush
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
Arcade and combat racers are becoming rarer with each passing gaming generation. Fans have started to stick with the franchises they have grown comfortable with, and it’s hard to be a new racing IP these days. Onrush took the challenge head on and it was a very nice effort indeed! Our resident racing game fan, assistant editor Tom Hopkins, gave Onrush a 4.5 out of 5, saying:
“Since the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One released in 2013, the gaming world has been pretty devoid of arcade racers, instead opting for open-world or simulation experiences. The likes of Motorstorm, Disney’s Pure, and the criminally underplayed Blur have disappeared recently, but Onrush’s blend of classic arcade racing, stunning visuals, and online team-based shooter ideas make it unique enough to stand out even against the competition of old. It’s an unconventional idea, but it’s the most fun you’re likely to have with a racing game this generation.”
Laser League
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
Laser League is one of those games that are very simple to figure out and learn, but through competition, nuance and complex strategy gets uncovered. Laser League is best enjoyed online, with other human players facing another human controlled team. At its core, you’re just dodging lasers together, but there are multiple classes, and power-ups that dramatically change the pace of play, and how you approach trying to eliminate the other team. As an added bonus, if you have Game Pass, it’s free!
Forgotton Anne
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
Forgotton Anne is yet another game produced from the Square Enix Collectivie, AKA SE’s indie publishing label, that turned out to be excellent. You play as Anne, a human that has the responsibility of keeping the peace in a world where forgotten items each have their own personalities and desires. Because this is a game, some of these forgotten items, known as forgotlings, don’t always play by the rules.
The game has a heavy focus on its narrative, and features player choice that can affect how certain points in the story can play out. If you enjoy games where your choice impacts the character and the story, and want to experience something very off the beaten path, Forgotton Anne is worth a look.
Dark Souls Remastered
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
It’s Dark Souls, need we say more? It’s the game (alongside the oft-forgotten but still equally good Demon’s Souls), that kicked off a whole genre of games that are collectively known as Souls-likes. If you somehow missed it last generation, Dark Souls Remastered is the best version of one of the most critically celebrated games of all-time. If you have the Xbox One X, you can experience it in 60 FPS and 4K visuals.
Check out our full review (note: for PS4) to get a full breakdown from Twinfinite’s resident Dark Souls expert, Zhiqing Wan.
Yoku’s Island Express
Best Xbox One Games of Q2 2018
Yoku’s Island Express is one of the most unique games to come out this year so far. It’s a puzzle, platforming, pinball game. Yes, you read that right… and it actually works really well!
You control Yoku, a Dung Beetle, that you can fling around the world of Mokumana through the use of pinball flippers. Not only that, but there’s even a little bit of Metroidvania-style gameplay mixed in as well, as you’ll need to backtrack to get back to previously unattainable areas. The story follows Yoku as he tries start a new life a postman, but eventually joins in to help keep the locals of Mukumana safe from danger and calamity.
If you want a light-hearted, colorful, and unique game for your Xbox One, Yoku’s Island Express is definitely a solid game worth looking into!
Published: Jul 6, 2018 01:54 am