Predicting The Game Of The Year Shortlist For 2018
1. God Of War
There's no doubt that God Of War is the biggest surprise of 2018 so far. Creeping up without a slate of previews, gameplay trailers or any real press, Sony Santa Monica's dramatic retelling of the blood-soaked saga of Kratos was filled with a sense of nuance that the franchise had never seen before.
It was a dark, complex and mature tale that took a character known for decapitating anyone who got in his way and transforming him into a tortured and emotionally layered lead protagonist. Better yet, Santa Monic refined the gameplay that defined God Of War and gave it grounding, make a meaty hack and slash epic that reflected the older and more grizzled state of its central character.
Naturally, this dramatic reimagining of the PlayStation exclusive series was met with wide acclaim. It was a critical powerhouse, pulling 10's across the board, while it found popularity with mainstream audiences and became Sony's fastest selling exclusive of all time.
God Of War is not only being talked about in terms of the best games of this year but also in terms of the best games of the generation. It's gritty, powerful, emotionally explorative and a giant step in gaming's evolution as a pillar of culture. Surely its presence at the event is a given.