Top 10 Played in 2018
Description
Out of everything I've played in 2018, past or present formats, these are my favorites.
Note: New games out this year will get bumped ahead of older games in this list....If I do it the other way around, games that I try to play once a year will likely always be at or near the top if I do this annually.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
I wanted another game like Dragon Quest VIII...then Square Enix put out the updated Dragon Quest VIII for 3DS and I was content. Afterall, with Final Fantasy seemingly going further and further away from its roots with each game, I expected Square Enix to do the same with the Dragon Quest series. Thankfully, that's not the case. Dragon Quest XI is exactly like what Dragon Quest VIII was when it released a decade ago - a classic-style RPG, true to its roots, but with mild updates so that it doesn't feel outdated and behind the times. This is not a game that will convert people who dislike turn-based RPGs into people who will like them....but if you're already a fan, you'll likely fall in love like I did.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
I did everything there was to do in this game when it first came out....Over a decade later now, and with trophy support, I attempted to do much of it all over again. Took a few playthroughs, but I got it done, with a nice, fancy platinum trophy to boot.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux
The original Strange Journey is probably my favorite original handheld RPG that I've ever played. Redux is basically the same game, but with plenty of new stuff to keep fans like me coming back for more. After beating it for the third time this year, I took a break from it to play other things...but I'd be lying if I said that I don't think about going back to it every now and then.
Lollipop Chainsaw
I didn't remember a ton from Lollipop Chainsaw. I just remembered that I loved how bizarre it was, and I had my sights set on picking up any missing trophies I had and aiming for a platinum trophy. So, I went through and beat the game all over again, picked a few missing trophies up from that. Then played through the time trials for the rest of my time to mop up the final few trophies to get myself a wonderful platinum. As someone who loves horrible, cheesy, straight-to-DVD horror films, this is one of my favorite games of the last console generation.
Octopath Traveler
I hesitantly played Octopath Traveler. When I found out it was turn-based, I bought it to show support for the seemingly disappearing genre...Then on a whim (and seeing it set as a bounty on here) I decided to give it a try....80 hours in and I have completed absolutely everything there is to do in the game.....except beat the secret final boss....but I'll get there in time.
Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood
I try to find an excuse to play Symphony of the Night every year or so. This year, getting trophies were my excuse. Throw Rondo of Blood in with it, and you've got a pretty nice combo. I plan on returning to Symphony of the Night next year to play through as Richter (last time I did that was when Symphony of the Night was released on Xbox Live)...so this may be here next year as well.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
After playing it on and off for nearly 20 years, this is the year that I finally beat Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. I plan on going back and playing it a second time to get through the second branching point, and hopefully it won't take me 2 decades to get it done this time.
Katamari Forever
Another PS3 platinum for the year. I've always loved the Katamari games (REROLL just came out as I type this...and I've already beaten it. You could probably place it in place of Katamari Forever on this list if you want more 2018 games on here, but I honestly prefer Forever) and the platinum on Katamari Forever was a very long, but mostly fun, road. The platinum was nice...being called Mr. Katamari in-game for rolling up every single item in the game was an even prouder moment.
Red Dead Redemption II
I feel the same about Red Dead Redemption II as I did about the original Red Dead Redemption - it's very good, but not the be-all, end-all that a lot of folks claim. I'm currently playing it as I type this, just started chapter 4, and while I am enjoying myself, I'm just not enjoying it as much as I was hoping that I would. That said, I AM still finding enough enjoyment to continue playing....I just think that this may be a game where when I'm done, I likely won't be going back to it.
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star II, like Persona 2, is a game that I've played on and off for years, and 2018 is the year that I finally worked my way through it.