Ten Games to Clear from your 2018 Backlog

Can you believe we’re already over three months into the new year? It’s crazy! Though, that being said, there’s no shortage of solid games coming to keep us all entertained until the same time next year. However, if you’re anything like me, you’ll have quite a backlog of games that seem to constantly build up. Hell, I have several from 2018 alone that need revisiting. With that in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to list our top ten picks from last year, that you simply must clear from your backlog. Without further ado, here they are.

Red Dead Redemption 2 – Trailer

Red Dead Redemption 2 was an easy choice. Rockstar’s care and attention to detail, not only when it comes to their outstanding storytelling and their amazing characters, but their world building and their sheer diversity, is second to none. If there’s one game that you need to hit up, be sure to pay a visit to the wild west. It’s never been so well realized.

Monster Hunter World – Trailer

Monster Hunter World took the world by storm. Not only did this game serve as the series’ first step into the home console arena, but it went on to smash expectations and stands as one of Capcom’s fastest selling (and highest selling) games to date. With the game’s first major expansion set to arrive in the near future, now is as good a time as any to dive in.

Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition – Trailer

Hollow Knight, what a game. This is easily one of the best metroidvania games available on Xbox One. It’s punishing, but fair, robust, but accessible, challenging, but exciting. What makes it particularly special is that it never wears thin, thanks largely to its deep, fluid play and its wonderfully dark, intriguing world. If you’re a fan of the concept, pay this a trip.

Dragon Ball FighterZ – Trailer

Dragon Ball FighterZ is an outstanding fighting game, and for fans, it doesn’t really get much better than this. The excellent and highly detailed visuals sit perfectly with the diverse combo-heavy gameplay mechanics, with cleverly implemented nods to the show throughout play. There’s more than enough content to keep you going for hours on end.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy – Trailer

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy stays faithful to the originals in every way, warts and all. Vicarious Visions has implemented subtle tweaks here and there, which ultimately goes on to bolster the overall experience. There’s a vast amount of stunning, vibrant, challenging and diverse content to work through, with heaps of replay value waiting beyond that.

NieR: Automata – Trailer

NieR: Automata is nothing short of outstanding. Its storytelling is deep and engaging, its gameplay is in-depth and remarkably fluid, its design remains innovative throughout and its pacing is second to none. Rarely do we see such a high level of attention to detail in games of this type. Simply put, this is a near masterpiece that more than deserves your time.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Trailer

If anything, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey showcases Ubisoft’s commitment to strengthen the franchise and keep it relevant. Not only does Odyssey successfully expand and build on the systems and foundations that made Origins so compelling, but it also relays more character, depth and world engagement throughout. This, is easily the finest entry in the series so far.

Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden – Trailer

Mutant Year Zero’s robust gameplay elements blend together magnificently well, collectively sitting on a story backdrop that’s intriguingly desperate, yet oddly comedic at just the right times. The game’s openness encourages experimentation and daring, with no shortage of lore and rewards dished out to keep its pace at a steady flow. Well. Worth. It.

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom – Trailer

Monster Boy is classic adventure platforming action, but done with such style and panache that it outshines many recent examples of the genre. There’s a brilliantly paced difficulty curve, with new powers, characters and items dispensed at just the right moments. Combat is standard, but intelligent use of the aforementioned aspects means it never gets tiresome.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 – Trailer

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the complete multiplayer package. Some design choices lack originality, but Blackout has all the tools to be as big a multiplayer shooter as Modern Warfare was eleven years ago. Everything that made CoD such a cultural powerhouse – the movement, shooting, accessibility and the unlocks – are all present and accounted for.

That’s that. Our list of ten top games that you should totally clear from your backlog. There’s plenty of other top hitters that released last year too. Honorable mentions go to the likes of the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Forza Horizon 4, Destiny 2’s latest largest expansion, Forsaken, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the cool and over-the-top Strange Brigade, Dead Cells, and Shenmue I and II HD. I could go on and on and list many more, but I find these to be the best of the bunch. Do you agree? Is there any you would have swapped out? Hit the comments.