20 Console Games From 2018 That Are Way Better Than The Critics Say (And 10 Are Actually Lame)
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Sometimes video game critics and reviews get things wrong — these 2018 console games are way better than the average.
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At one point or another, every consumer is going to disagree with a reviewer. Regardless of a critic’s honest endeavors to remain objective, it is impossible to thoroughly eliminate subjectivity from a personal review. Despite being a concept understood by all, fun is equally dependent on the recipient as it is on the supplier. While a game might garner nothing but gold stars from critics, there is no guarantee a customer will agree with the general consensus. Obviously, the reverse also holds true.
Review scores are best ignored, especially since AAA games are seldom rewarded anything less than a 70%. Does this mean reviewers are worthless? Of course not; however, rather than merely glancing over the prescribed arbitrary number, their evaluations should actually be read. We live in a time when an “85” Metacritic average is barely enough to warrant a spot in the top 50 highest rated games of the year. With each month featuring numerous noteworthy releases, gamers are spoiled for choice; for example, September 2018 coincides with the publication of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Valkyria Chronicles 4. Who has the time to bother with a title that divided or was outright dismissed by critics?
Occasionally, a good game fails to strike a chord with critics, and an underwhelming initial impression tends to stick. Just to be clear, Metacritic’s averages are usually an accurate reflection of a project’s overall quality, but every system comes with a couple of holes! Here are 20 console games from 2018 that are way better than the critics say (and 10 are actually lame)!
30 Better: N. Sane Trilogy (Nintendo Switch)
Metacritic: 78
Who could have predicted a day would come when Naughty Dog’s Crash Bandicoot trilogy could be played on a Nintendo console? Garnering a slightly lower aggregate score than the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 alternatives, the Nintendo Switch’s port lagged behind due to a lower resolution; however, Crash Bandicoot was designed for a portable system! When contrasted with its contemporaries, this feels like the definitive version of the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. For any Nintendo fans who never tried Sony’s classic series, we wholeheartedly recommend picking up this remaster
29 Lame: Dynasty Warriors 9
Metacritic: 65
Dynasty Warriors 9 is trash. If anything, its Metacritic average score is somewhat flattering. Omega Force and Koei’s series has never been particularly beloved by reviewers, but the fast-paced action resonated with players. Following one of the best entries in the franchise, Dynasty Warriors 9 opted to shake things up by ditching the mission-based structure for an open-world design. Devoid of interesting sights or side-quests, Omega Force’s massive map felt like unnecessary padding and failed to complement the franchise’s core hack and slash combat. Adding insult to injury, Koei removed quite a few unique weapons from the base game and sold them as DLC.
28 Better: Pokémon: Detective Pikachu
Metacritic: 70
Before proceeding any further, we should clarify that a mean score in the 70s is far from a terrible result and is typically an accurate reflection of a title’s overall quality. Unfortunately, these type of games are astonishingly easy to miss, so this list seeks to highlight some releases which may have slipped by unnoticed. Centering around an intelligent yellow rat who fancies himself to be a bit of a Sherlock, Detective Pikachu is a peculiar Pokémon spin-off. With the Switch hogging most of the limelight, the Nintendo 3DS’s lifespan is gradually crawling to an end. Detective Pikachu is not a masterpiece, but the adventure game offers an engaging diversion for children.
27 Lame: The Crew 2
Metacritic: 64
Ubisoft just could not help itself. The original game had more than a couple of problems, but The Crew set the foundations for its sequel to shine. An always online racing game which pivots around forming a team, The Crew 2 launched WITHOUT PVP. Who thought this was fine? Considering the console market is overflowing with new games, a publisher would be an idiot to risk leaving a negative first impression. Delays might be greeted with some complaints, but it is better to release a complete game than one which promises to eventually cross the finishing line.
26 Better: State Of Decay 2
Metacritic: 67
Due to the Xbox One’s pathetic exclusive line-up, State of Decay 2 was pushed into the spotlight way more than it should have been. In a subgenre overrepresented by zombie shooters, Undead Labs constructed a unique survival game which centers around forming a community rather than mowing down waves of enemies. By all accounts, State of Decay 2 is designed for a niche crowd, and expecting anything more is unreasonable. We are not going easy on Undead Labs, as the sequel could have benefitted from some fine-tuning, but State of Decay 2 preserved its predecessor’s identity.
25 Better: Vampyr
Metacritic: 70
Hailing from the studio who blessed the industry with Life is Strange and Remember Me, Vampyr attempts to bridge the gap between these two worlds. An action-adventure game with branching paths and well-written characters, Dontnod Entertainment crafted an uneven but engaging experience. Allowing for gamers to approach the story with their own preferred play style, Vampyr is a must for RPG fans. Sadly, the clunky combat never really improves, but everything else is of a respectable standard. While we would not recommend paying full price, Vampyr is worth picking up on sale.
24 Lame: Metal Gear Survive
Metacritic: 60
As more of a personal challenge than an outright commitment to objectivity, a couple of positives will be mentioned for each entry on this list. Metal Gear Survive is almost beyond saving, but the campaign’s boring gameplay loop comes to life after multiplayer missions are unlocked. While the survival elements are uninspired and the story lacks depth, Konami’s incompetence did little to ruin the Fox Engine’s gorgeous visuals. Despite the name on the tin, Metal Gear Survive is more likely to be enjoyed by those who cannot spot the difference between Solid and Liquid Snake; however, there are much better games out there.
23 Better: Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Metacritic: 68
Nowadays, it is not uncommon for developers to update their games after the fact. An interesting concept marred by technical difficulties, Kingdom Come: Deliverance earned its mediocre score and initial reception. As a consequence, we would not blame anyone who dropped Warhorse Studios’ action-RPG; nevertheless, the updated version is an entirely different beast to the one which originally hit the scene. Here we have a rare case were reviewers got it absolutely right, but certain aspects of their critiques are no longer relevant.
22 Better: Omensight
Metacritic: 74
Every year, the indie scene boasts a couple of standout releases which gain mainstream traction. Unless something truly special hits the scene in the following couple of months, Motion Twin’s Dead Cells appears set to serve as 2018’s indie representative. While the roguelike-Metroidvania game earned every ounce of praise flung its way, this year has hardly been short of fantastic non-AAA projects. Unless an indie game garners a Metacritic score in the mid-80s, they tend to be dropped by the wayside. Omensight is an interesting action-adventure game with a unique mystery mechanic and deserves more recognition.
21 Lame: We Happy Few
Metacritic: 69
Compulsion Games crept excruciatingly close to generating a minor masterpiece, but We Happy Few falls short in too many departments to be worth recommending. Set in a retro-futuristic city in England, the core premise is fascinating and allows for the implementation of a couple of interesting mechanics. While the main storyline is pleasant, the side-quests are also worth exploring. Unfortunately, We Happy Few is an unpolished indie project trying to pass for an AAA property. The technical problems are too common to completely ignore, while the combat and A.I. leave a lot to be desired.
20 Better: Fallen Legion: Rise To Glory
Metacritic: 66
Previously published as Fallen Legion: Sins of an Empire and Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion on the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita, Fallen Legion: Rise to Glory combines the two campaigns to form one meaty JRPG package. After countless Final Fantasy spin-offs and rip-offs, turn-based combat seems to have explored every available avenue. If nothing else, Rise to Glory benefits from an exciting battle system which skates the line between real-time and turn-based. While the narrative is nothing more than average, Rise to Glory still ranks among the better JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch.
19 Better: Titan Quest
Metacritic: 65
Should THQ Nordic’s quick port really be rewarded with a mention? Titan Quest was a fun game for its time, but there is no point pretending the industry has not moved on. The Nintendo Switch’s handheld mode presents an enticing new viewpoint from which to experience this classic, but a number of technical issues dampen this particular selling point. Unless someone breathes Greek mythology, Titan Quest should only be picked up at a reduced price; nevertheless, there is fun to be had here. Nintendo’s console is not exactly stuffed with action-RPGs, so Titan Quest fills that void.
18 Lame: One Piece: Grand Cruise
Metacritic: 35
One Piece is awesome and Eiichiro Oda’s world building is masterful. When it comes to positives, that is all she wrote for One Piece: Grand Cruise. With the exception of a couple of horror titles, the PS VR’s catalog chiefly consists of short mini-adventures which barely qualify as games. Grand Cruise encapsulates the worst elements of virtual reality and is not even worth its $10 entry fee. Rather than enjoying a filler adventure with the Straw Hat Pirates, players are asked to occasionally press a button while fighting off a Kraken or a handful of Navi ships. Short and disappointing, who knew life on the open sea could be so dull?
17 Better: Sea Of Thieves
Metacritic: 69
Yes, this pirate game has avoided walking the plank! Is Rare’s multiplayer romp a hidden gem? Well, the answer is somewhat complicated. Microsoft’s exclusive launched with far too little content to serve as anything more than a mild distraction, but things have steadily improved. Each new expansion adds further wind to Sea of Thieves’ sails, and Rare’s post-launch support seems set to continue for a number of years. Available on the Xbox Game Pass, the life of a pirate is always an affordable monthly fee away. For those seeking a diversion, put together a crew and hunt some treasure!
16 Better: Pokémon Quest
Metacritic: 64
Published on the Nintendo Switch before earning a mobile port, Pokémon Quest is a free-to-play RPG with an adorable art style. Released to little fanfare and designed for short sessions, Game Freak clearly wanted to tap the mobile market with this strange spin-off. Hoping to entice customers into reaching for their digital wallets, Pokémon Quest’s gameplay is limited by a timer, but the content is too simplistic to warrant anything more than a handful of battles. In other words, Pokémon Quest is the ideal game to play alongside other bigger properties.
15 Lame: Devil May Cry HD Collection
Metacritic: 60
We are not angry, just disappointed. Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening belong among a select few action games which altered the genre for the better. Regardless of their age, these titles continue to thrill and frustrate gamers. Essentially a port of the PlayStation 3 version, Devil May Cry HD Collection finds Capcom at the height of its laziness. Besides a resolution bump and a handful of minor changes, this collection offers nothing new and did little to fix the issues that plagued the initial port. Lame and Dante should never be mentioned in the same paragraph, but this remaster is only worthy of Devil May Cry 2.
14 Better: Naruto To Boruto: Shinobi Striker
Metacritic: 65
Another year, another Naruto game. Despite the anime’s conclusion, Boruto presents a readily available excuse to continue dishing out new fighting games. If Dragon Ball Z warrants a thousand video game adaptations, Masashi Kishimoto’s manga probably deserves several dozens. Boasting an extensive hub world ala Dragon Ball: Xenoverse, Naruto To Boruto: Shinobi Striker took a different approach to the Ultimate Ninja Storm franchise. Rather than going through the story for the billionth time, CyberConnect2 and Soleil allocated more resources to the multiplayer component. Even though there are single-player missions, Shinobi Striker should not be picked up just for this element.
13 Better: Super Bomberman R
Metacritic: 63
Bolstered by a cute chibi art style and featuring numerous cameos from other series, Super Bomberman R garnered a mixed reception due to launching with unresponsive controls and barely any content. Thankfully, a number of updates solved most of these issues, turning this modernized classic into a package worthy of the Bomberman name. All the patches in the world will not transform Super Bomberman R into Saturn Bomberman, but Konami did not completely drop the ball. Overall, we would advise picking up the Nintendo Switch version.
12 Lame: Rick And Morty: Virtual Rick-ality
Metacritic: 70
An underwhelming port of the PC version, Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality should have been an obvious recommendation for fans of Dan Harmon’s wacky cartoon. Unfortunately, the PS VR’s tracking system appears to be a poor fit for Owlchemy Labs’s licensed game. These are the same developers who put together the brilliant Job Simulator, so a solid virtual reality project is within their wheelhouse. While there are a couple of tricks which improve the experience, they do not excuse Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality’s shortcomings.
11 Better: Space Hulk: Deathwing
Metacritic: 55
The enhanced edition of 2016’s first-person shooter set in Warhammer 40,000’s universe, at long last, Space Hulk: Deathwing has reached a passable state. Oozing atmosphere and occasionally visually stunning, Streum On Studio’s updated version runs at more tolerable framerate than its PC equivalent, while a new progression system adds some much-needed replayability. Far from the best video game based on the board game, Space Hulk: Deathwing falls short of the relatively lofty standard set by Warhammer: Vermintide 2, but the single-player campaign is arguably superior to Fatshark’s solo missions.
Mark Sammut grew up on the PlayStation 1 and has been playing games ever since, although he is no longer limited to just Sony consoles. Be it RPGs, shooters, platformers, or racing games, Mark’s area of expertise covers a wide range of genres and topics. That goes beyond video games as well, extending to mediums like anime and western cinema.
Link Source : https://www.thegamer.com/console-games-2018-better-critics-say/