Owlboy
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
Owlboy is another of 2018’s amazing old school platformers. The stunning pixel-art design, the tight and challenging gameplay, and the fascinating story make it an all-around great throwback. As it’s set in the skies, a lot of Owlboy’s platforming is vertical in nature, with the game’s owl/human hybrid protagonist, Otus, deploying his wings to fly from ledge to ledge both upward and across beautifully drawn levels. When Otus’ village is attacked, he sets out for vengeance, coming across fearsome bosses along the way. The story is more poignant than you might expect, and it’ll stay with you after you beat the game. Thankfully, the gameplay is so accomplished that you won’t ever be bored waiting for the next story-beat to unfold.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
The Yakuza series is more popular right now than it has ever been before. After Yakuza 0 and Kiwami introduced so many people to the series last year, the excitement for the Western release of six was sky-high. Just as in those games, don’t worry if you haven’t played every entry in the series before six —it’s super accessible. The narrative once again follows Kazuma Kiryu, featuring the same story-driven design as is traditional in the series. There’s some brutal combat, of course, but the melodramatic tone and cutscenes are still prominent. The characters are fun to spend time with, the locations are detailed, and the story is compelling. Even if you’re new to the series, The Song of Life is a great experience.
God of War
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
God of War is the standout PS4 game of Q2 2018, and it’ll likely still be one of the year’s standouts come December. It’s a huge departure from the hack-and-slash games of previous generations, adding heart to Kratos’ story. The titular God evolves emotionally throughout his adventure with his son, with the two characters learning from each other as they go.
The series’ signature over-the-top action wasn’t lost, however. Throwing the new Leviathan Axe is one of the most satisfying combat moments on PS4, and the combat is generally deep, tactical, and fun. God of War is also beautiful graphically, and in terms of presentation. The sweeping camera movements, that do not cut from start to finish, add a real cinematic look to the game and keep you immersed in both the story and the action. The quality of the game came as a surprise to many, and it’ll probably be in ‘Best of’ lists for the rest of the year.
Detroit: Become Human
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
We’ve slowly been shown more and more of Quantic Dream’s Detroit: Become Human over the last few years, looking at each of the three main characters, but the overarching story wasn’t as clear. Upon its release back in June, though, we finally got to see Detroit as the package it was intended, and it all came together superbly well.
It’s undeniably one of the best looking games of all time, and the story it tells is compelling. Connor is probably the standout character, with his relationship with Hank being a constant point of interest. Markus’ story takes some leaps in logic, but he still fits well in terms of the overall plot. Also, the branching narrative options are incredible, offering so many different paths to experience. If you’ve played Heavy Rain or Beyond: Two Souls, you’ll know what to expect, and if you enjoy that style of game, you’ll likely love Detroit: Become Human.
Onrush
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
Arcade racing titles have been pretty rare since the PS4’s launch. Disney’s Pure, Blur, and Motorstorm were just a few of the highlights from the previous console generation, but Onrush is unique and fun enough to stand out against even the competition of old.
It’s not a racing game in the traditional sense, with there being no finish line, and no focus on being the fastest. Instead, there are four different modes, each of which has a specific objective that you and your team need to work towards. Whether it be capturing a zone or driving through small gates, the action is chaotic and full of Burnout-style takedowns. Onrush is brutally fast, beautiful, unique, and the most fun we’ve had with an arcade racer in years.
Yoku’s Island Express
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
Yoku’s Island Express is about as unique of a game as you’re likely to find. It’s a melding of two very different genres —open-world Metroidvania and pinball— and it’s tied together by a charming world. Yoku is a beetle who is given the role of the island’s Post Master, and he meets many characters along his journey, most of whom give him a task to do.
The world is full of lush forests and caves, and you traverse them by flinging Yoku and his ball around using pinball paddles. Each area acts as a small pinball table, complete with items to collect and doors to unlock, and you backtrack to discover new areas and find collectibles. It’s lighthearted and colorful, and the gameplay is something we’ve never seen before.
Far Cry 3: Classic Edition
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
Yes, Far Cry 3 isn’t exactly a new game, and Far Cry 5 was one of our favorites from Q1 2018, but we’ve been given the perfect chance to face off against Vaas once again. It was initially available in May to anyone who purchased the Season Pass for the new game, but it recently became purchasable for everyone.
As it’s essentially a port of the PC version of Far Cry 3, the Classic Edition may not be as beautiful as the recent Montana set game, but the lush forests and blue waters certainly do their part. The action is simpler than we’re now used to from the series, but running around the islands, hunting for exotic animals and taking out bad guys is great, mindless fun. Also, Vaas is still one of the best villains of the past decade.
The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
Many were expecting the reveal of Life is Strange 2 at or just before E3, so The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, which essentially acts as a demo to the now announced second game, was quite a surprise. It’s quite similar to DontNod’s other game, in terms of style and gameplay, but this time you follow a young boy named Chris, rather than Max. He creates an alter ego, Captain Spirit and projects his imagination into reality. The game is as emotional as you’d expect, telling a fascinating contained story. It’s also free for everyone and is the perfect taster for this Fall’s second season of Life is Strange.
Unravel Two
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
Unravel Two was the biggest shadow drop surprise of E3 last month. EA’s showcase was mostly the usual parade of blockbuster shooters and annual sports titles, but Yarny’s return was a welcome change of pace. It’s as charming as the first game, with added co-op elements. Another player can jump in and take control of the blue creature, with much of the game designed to be played with a friend, and you need to work together to traverse the beautiful levels.
It may not be particularly different to the original game, aside from the multiplayer options, but its announcement and release were a great surprise. It’s definitely worth playing if you’re a platforming fan, or if you loved the first game.
Dark Souls Remastered
Best PS4 Games of Q2 2018
It wasn’t the first ‘Souls’ game, but it’s one of the titles, alongside Demon Souls, that spawned the ‘Souls-like’ genre that has become so popular in recent years. It’s a solid remaster, making the most of the deep and fascinating world, especially if you’re playing in 4K and 60 FPS on Xbox One X. If you’re wanting to return to test yourself with the combat, or you’re jumping into the series for the first time, it’s the best version of the game that’s currently available. For more a detailed analysis of the remaster and how the game holds up, you can check out our full review.
