Most Anticipated Games of 2018
2017 was a great year for video games, and particularly Nintendo who launched the succesful Nintedo Switch and a handful of great exclusives along with it. Sony continued to offer its support for the PS4 Pro, as Microsoft launched their repsonce with the powerful Xbox One X. As the battlefield lines are now drawn for the year ahead, the staff of NGN voted for their most intriguing selections of 2018, and our top 12 are listed below in alphabetical order.
A Way Out
A Way Out is a co-op only game uniquely tailored for two players to work together no matter the situation. Through a compelling narrative, Leo and Vincent will embark on an emotional adventure, where they will live some memorable action moments that they will face together including car chases, stealth passages, melee fights, shootouts and many more.
When: March 23, 2018
Where: 
Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human is a neo-noir existential thriller, set in a near future where androids look, speak, and move like human beings, and operate in society at every level from manufacturers to teachers. Shape an ambitious branching narrative, making choices that will not only determine your own fate, but that of the entire city. Players will discover what it means to be human from the perspective of an outsider – see the world of man though the eyes of a machine.
When: TBD 2018
Where:
Far Cry 5
As the new junior deputy of fictional Hope County, Montana, players will find that their arrival accelerates a years-long silent coup by a fanatical doomsday cult, the Project at Eden’s Gate, igniting a violent takeover of the county. Caught off guard and drawn into a power struggle, players must disrupt the carefully laid plans of the Project at Eden’s Gate and fan the fires of resistance to help liberate the Hope County community and themselves.
When: March 27, 2018
Where:
God of War
His vengeance against the gods of Olympus far behind him, Kratos now lives as a man in the lands of Norse Gods and monsters. It is in this harsh, unforgiving world that he must fight to survive, and teach his son to do the same. As mentor and protector to Atreus, a son determined to earn his respect, he is forced to deal with and control the rage that has long defined him while out in a very dangerous world with his son.
When: April 20, 2018
Where:
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a story-driven open-world RPG that immerses you in an adventure in the Holy Roman Empire. Avenge your parents’ death as you battle invading forces, go on game-changing quests, and make influential choices. Explore castles, deep forests, villages and other realistic settings in medieval Bohemia.
When: February 13, 2018
Where:
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby is back — and he’s on the Nintendo Switch console in HD. But this time, he’s not alone. Recruit enemies by hitting them with hearts and gather helpers for a party of up to four characters. On top of that, you can join with up to three friends for a different kind of team-up action.
When: February 13, 2018
Where: 
Metro Exodus
A quarter-century after nuclear war devastated the earth, a few thousand survivors still cling to existence beneath the ruins of Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro. They have struggled against the poisoned elements, fought mutated beasts and paranormal horrors, and suffered the flames of civil war. But now, as Artyom, you must flee the Metro and lead a band of Spartan Rangers on an incredible, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia in search of a new life in the East.
When: TBD 2018
Where:
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
In Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, players control Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, a young king who was usurped from his castle and sets out to reclaim his kingdom. While players can freely navigate Evan throughout the game’s open world, other characters can be controlled during battles against enemies. During these battles, players use magical abilities and elemental creatures known as “Higgledies”, which are used to cast spells.
When: March 23, 2018
Where:
Red Dead Redemption 2
Developed by the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland. The game’s vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience.
When: TBD 2018
Where:
Sea of Thieves
Set sail upon a vast, open ocean, venturing into new regions and discovering the secrets of unspoiled islands and sunken ships. Hunt for treasure by following maps and untangling riddles, and learn to expect the unexpected. Engage in ship-to-ship crew battles with cannon, pistol and cutlass, pursuing rival ships through raging storms. Sail in pursuit of deadly bounties or ferry cargo through hostile waters. Clash with the skeletal remains of cursed former pirates and beware undersea menaces that lurk beneath the waves
When: March 20, 2018
Where:
State of Decay 2
Set sail upon a vast, open ocean, venturing into new regions and discovering the secrets of unspoiled islands and sunken ships. Hunt for treasure by following maps and untangling riddles, and learn to expect the unexpected. Engage in ship-to-ship crew battles with cannon, pistol and cutlass, pursuing rival ships through raging storms. Sail in pursuit of deadly bounties or ferry cargo through hostile waters. Clash with the skeletal remains of cursed former pirates and beware undersea menaces that lurk beneath the waves
When: TBD 2018
Where:
Vampyr
London, 1918. You are newly-turned Vampyr Dr. Jonathan Reid. As a doctor, you must find a cure to save the city’s flu-ravaged citizens. As a Vampyr, you are cursed to feed on those you vowed to heal. Will you embrace the monster within? Survive and fight against Vampyr hunters, undead skals, and other supernatural creatures. Use your unholy powers to manipulate and delve into the lives of those around you, to decide who will be your next victim.
When: TBD 2018
Where:
On this final page, we like to look back at how well our hopes played out over the last year. Let’s take a look at our most anticipated games for 2017 and how they turned out!
Ghost Recon Wildlands
76/100: “Despite its very inconsistent tone, lack of polish and finicky vehicles, the solid core gameplay and gorgeous open world make Ghost Recon Wildlands a highly enjoyable co-op multiplayer tactical experience.”
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
85/100: “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is every bit as vicious, epic and dramatic as its predecessors in the Ninja Theory library, but interweaving a delicate storyline through simple, yet ruthless mechanics makes it one of the most visceral portrayals of psychological turmoil in recent video gaming.”
Horizon Zero Dawn
80/100: “Horizon Zero Dawn offers an entirely unique world and a thrilling experience as an action game, complete with a great story and likeable characters. It doesn’t reach its grand RPG aspirations, but the highs are so memorable and entertaining that it’s easy to forgive the shortcomings.”
Mass Effect: Andromeda
78/100: “If you can come to terms with Mass Effect: Andromeda’s rough edges and embrace its focus on exploring interesting planets and sub-plots above a single epic storyline, there is a substantial and captivating interstellar adventure to be found within.”
Outlast 2
83/100: “Outlast 2 puts together all of its nightmares with amazing clarity and execution. It takes the best parts of the original and adds more variety through natural hiding spots, fantastic interludes, razor-sharp jump scares, intense chases, and more horrific foes. Not many horror games get everything to work this well together.”
Persona 5
83/100: “Persona 5 is a fantastic journey to embark on, full of well-realized characters, serviceable if a little archaic level design, and more than enough activities and distractions to keep you pushing through until its conclusion.”
Prey
81/100: “Prey’s dynamic gameplay adapts beautifully to players as they explore an interesting space station crawling with bizarre alien life forms. Its involving action proves entertaining when combined with a solid base of resource management. Despite a few presentation problems and minor issues, Prey is one mind-altering trip that should be played by fans of the genre.”
Red Dead Redemption 2
The game was pushed to 2018, and is once again on our Most Anticipated list.
Rising Storm 2: Vietnam
82/100: “Rough edges and thin map selection aside, Rising Storm 2 offers up an intense and immersive recreation of the Vietnam War that will thrill, terrify and occasionally infuriate anyone brave or patient enough to get past its initially steep learning curve.”
South Park: The Fractured but Whole
70/100: “Though mechanically The Fractured but Whole can feel rather flat, it remains a genuine South Park production with all of the humor, farting and ridiculousness you would expect, and that should be enough to satisfy fans – even if it doesn’t wow them.”
State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 once again makes our list, for the second time. But it is planned for release in 2018, so we’ll hopefully see if the wait was worth it.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
84/100: “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild really is a joy to play. It’s a Zelda game that is sure to satisfy those who’ve had it circled in their calendars all these years, but even if you’ve never been a fan of the franchise, this is an excellent place to start.” Zelda went on to win our 2017 Game of the Year award.
Thanks for reading!