Games That I Played / Completed in 2018
Keeping track of everything I played in 2018...
I got a PS4 Pro over the holiday break, so I can finally catch up on everything I missed!
Wow, the GoTY deliberations are going to be BRUTAL this year.
List items
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January - December 2018
Played on PC / PS4 Pro
I am still coming back to FFXIV almost everyday to run dungeons with some friends online. Patch 4.2 is coming at the end of January, so I'm trying to finish gearing up my Warrior and complete my anima weapon before then.
Update: I'm continuing to log in every day to play with my friends, and I'm working through Patch 4.3 right now. I'm still really enjoying it.
Update: Still playing this almost every day. I am patiently awaiting the next expansion (probably coming next summer).
Update: Taking a break from this game while I play RDR2. I might wait until the next major patch before I return...
Update: Back in the swing of things, getting ready for patch 4.5 and the new expansion this summer!
(This game is a 5/5 if you couldn't tell already)
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January - December 2018
Playing on Galaxy Tab
I had no idea that there were ESports tournaments for Clash Royale, but the game has a surprising level of strategy and depth. I'm just a beginner, but I'm having a lot of fun playing for 15 - 30 minutes a day vs. other random opponents.
EDIT: I'm really not into the pay-to-win nature of this game, as it is getting more difficult to compete with people who put money into leveling their cards. I'm still having a good time, but it is starting to wear on me. 3/5
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January 2018
Completed on PC
This is a strange yet charming tale of a college dropout coming back to her (Midwestern?) hometown and trying to reconnect with friends from high school that she left behind. There's also a supernatural aspect to the story that I'm interested in seeing more of. Also, the soundtrack is pretty great.
EDIT: Great art style, great soundtrack, and some interesting themes of post-adolescent malaise and being trapped in a small town. There's some great writing here too. I really liked my time with this game, but the ending is BONKERS. 4/5
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January - February 2018
Played on PS4 Pro
My initial impressions of this game were of a serious crime drama, but now that I've started doing side missions, this game is goofy AF. I just finished teaching some posers how to be real punks, and helping a dominatrix refine her craft. This is a very charming game with fun beat-em-up combat. I'm having a great time so far. 4/5
EDIT: I'm planning on returning to this soon.
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February 2018
Played on PS4 Pro
This remake is BEAUTIFUL. The gameplay is still a bit wonky, but the visuals really make up for it. This is a great excuse to revisit a classic. One of the best games ever made. 5/5
EDIT: I'm hoping to get back to this soon and finish it.
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April 2018
Played on XBOX-ONE
I played this on my friend's XBOX ONE, and we joined a 4 man pirated crew. This is surprisingly relaxing to play while just sailing around, manning the sails, and playing the accordion. Combat is pretty intense, vs skeletons or other players in ship-to-ship battles. I had a lot of fun for the short time I played, and I would recommend this game to anyone with an XBOX ONE. 4/5
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April 2018
Completed on PS4 Pro
I kickstarted this a few years ago, and I'm pleased with the results. This is a turn based RPG, mixed with a node-style overworld map to explore, and a Torchlight-esque dungeon exploration. It has a very nice art style, and the combat is very fun (most of the characters are a little OP, especially Garrison and Monika). I enjoyed my time with the game, and ended up maxing my main party's levels and crafting their ultimate weapons. 4/5
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April 2018
Completed on PS4 Pro
This is an amazingly well crafted experience, very reminiscent of The Last of Us in its cinematic presentation, parent/child dynamic, and intense combat scenarios. This is God of War though, so it brings all of the epic sized battles and mythology of the previous entries (with none of the cringy sex minigames). This time Kratos is exploring the world of Norse mythology, which is a nice change from the played out Greek myths from the other games. The world is beautiful, especially the Lake of Nine hub, and exploring it by boat is a nice change from the linear level design of the previous games. I enjoyed my time with this game IMMENSELY, and this is a GoTY contender for sure (my current fav). Highly recommended. 5/5
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April - May 2018
Completed Remastered Version on PS4 Pro
This is an interesting combo of AC3 and AC4 Black Flag, with a Templar Assassin Hunter as the main protagonist / anti-hero. We have the setting from AC3 (Pre Revolution NA Colonies) and the ship-to-ship battles from AC4, with lots of little improvements and additions. The sailing sections of the game are the real standout here. I'm having fun revisiting this PS3 title with remastered graphics. 4/5
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May 2018
Completed Definitive Edition on PS4 Pro.
A remastered version of the TR reboot. Still the same fun experience but with prettier graphics. Long story short, they transplanted Lara Croft into an Uncharted game, and it really works well. I had a good time playing through it again. 4/5
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May - June 2018
Completed on PS4 Pro.
They really expanded on the ideas from the TR reboot. More tombs, more optional challenges, larger and more open levels, more collectibles, more weapons and upgrades, etc. It works really well for the most part. The graphics are beautiful, the combat is fun and challenging, and the exploration is satisfying. I'm having a good time, but playing this and the TR reboot back-to-back kind of burned me out on the series for now. I will finish this game, but probably not to 100% (not a knock on the game, just a comment on my gaming habits - time to switch it up). 4/5
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June 2018
Completed the Remastered Version on PS4 Pro.
Completed the Left Behind DLC on PS4 Pro.
After watching the amazing E3 trailer for TLoU Part 2, I really had a urge to play through the first game again. It's a fucking masterpiece. Nuff said. I'm very excited to play Part 2. 5/5
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July 2018
Played on PSVita
A spin-off rhythm game starring the cast from Persona 4. There is a slow ramp up to the difficulty, with some of the free dances being frustratingly complex. 4/5
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July - September 2018
Completed MSQ on PC
Played Hearts of Stone DLC on PC
After replacing my Xbox controller for the PC, I decided to see how much better TW3 looks, and found out that my graphics card needs an upgrade! This game is a masterpiece. Nuff said. 5/5
EDIT: I'm going to put this on hold for now, and swing back around when there is a lull in the current gaming season.
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August 2018
Played on PS4 Pro
A samurai / yokai themed Dark Souls game that removes the open world for a mission based level design. The ki system (recovering stamina with well times button presses) is what really differentiates this game from DS. I'm having a good time so far, but just like Bloodborne, the second boss is a frustrating experience.
Update: I didn't end up liking this game enough to complete it. Maybe I am getting too old for Dark Souls games. I found this one especially difficult though, so I don't know. 3/5
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August 2018
Played on PSVita
This is one of the plethora of dungeon crawlers on the Vita. Too early to say, but I like the art design.
Update: I had to put this game down, but I had fun during my time with it. 3/5
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August 2018
Played on PSVita
I'm trying this out, along with SoSC, to try and find a decent dungeon crawler on the Vita (Severed being one of my best experiences on the system so far). Too early to say, but this seems like your standard anime fan service fare.
Update: I had to put this game down, but I had fun during my time with it. 3/5
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September 2018
Completed 100% on PS4 Pro
Wow, what a revelation. This game has beautiful graphics, fun combat, and an incredible Spider-Man story, but really, web-swinging around New York is the draw here. Insomniac really nailed it. It feels amazing to swing around the city - zipping through narrow gaps between buildings, point launching off of rooftops, or jumping at the apex of a swing - the entire experience is very well crafted. The combat is also very deep and varied, with air combos, and various gadgets and suit powers. I had such a great time playing this game, that I would recommend this to anyone with a PS4. A contender for GOTY for sure. 5/5
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September 2018
Played demo on PS4 Pro
More great VC gameplay with a new mortar unit to mix it up. The squad this time seems to be a bunch of Federation soldiers with all of the old anime tropes (reluctant hero, tsundere love interest, asshole perv, etc.) It's more VC, so I'm not complaining, but it's going to take a bit of time to get used to the new characters. 4/5
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September - December 2018
Playing on PS4 Pro
A throwback turn-based RPG, with beautiful art/graphics, fun characters, and (most importantly) LARGE EXPLORABLE CITIES/TOWNS!!!! I'm having a great time playing this in small 30-60 minute bits before bed. 4/5
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October - December 2018
Played on PS4 Pro
This is a mix of AC Origins and Black Flag's ship combat, set in Greece during the Peloponnesian War (Athens vs Sparta), with a descendant of Leonidas (of 300 fame) as the main character. I'm interested to see where the story goes, like how will they explain the existence of mythological monsters in this game world? Is the AC series heading to full blown (historical) fantasy? I'm having a lot of fun with it so far. Not my GOTY, but close. 5/5
Update: Continuing this game after a lengthy break. It's still quite good, with the new updates adding some nice QOL improvements.
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October - December 2018
Completed on PS4 Pro
Quick Hits:
Graphics: Amazing. This game is on another level. The lighting effects alone are a technical marvel.
Story: The major theme is similar to the first game (the death of the outlaw in the American West), but the characters are so well written that it feels like the definitive Rockstar take on the western. It's a vast improvement on the first game.
Gameplay: This is where I can see some people having an issue with the game. There is a big learning curve. There are a lot of different systems to learn, and they are not always intuitive.
Overall: Highly recommended. My personal GOTY 2018. 5/5
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December 2018
Played on Galaxy Tab
A fun, but shallow overhead multiplayer shooter. Some control issues on mobile make this a kind of frustrating experience. 3/5
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December 2018
Played on PS4 Pro
This is a single player Gwent game with an interesting story revolving around Meve, Queen of Rivia and the Nilfgaardian invasion of her lands. I love the gameplay (more Gwent! Puzzles! RPG style choices!) but the game appears to need more time in the oven. Over one afternoon, I experienced 3 separate bluescreen crashes and multiple frame rate hitches. The bugs really bring down my enjoyment of the game, but I would still recommend this after a few patches.
Update: The latest patch appears to have solved the crashing issue, so I can now recommend this game. 4/5
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December 2018
Played on PC
This is an incredible Castlevania: SOTN style rogue-like game. I lost 4 hours without even realizing it. Super difficult though - I have yet to beat the first boss. Recommended, 4/5.
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December 2018
Played on PC
I haven't spent much time with this game, but it is very atmospheric, and I'm a sucker for a good vampire story. I'm excited to play more.
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December 2018
Played on PC
This game is well designed and fun to play, but it can get VERY difficult quickly. I'm interested to see if it actually gets manageable vs something like X-COM that I can handle without getting frustrated.
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