Predicting The Game Of The Year Shortlist For 2018
8. Ni No Kuni 2
One of the biggest tragedies of this year was that so few people got their hands on Ni No Kuni 2. The gorgeous JRPG sequel was something of a cult hit outside of Japan, but where it did find success, it was seen as one of the best RPGs of the year.
While initially what you may notice are the delightful visuals, below is a weird, wonderful story and deep RPG mechanics. Whether it's as a fantastic management sim, an intense action game or just a whimsical journey through a stunning fantasy world, Ni No Kuni 2 is juggling so many different concepts but somehow manages to keep them all in the air.
Its found significant critical success along the way as well. Pulling in its share of 10s and other high scores, Ni No Kuni 2 was praised heavily by critics and definitely deserves a nod when considering the best games of 2018.
It's clear that despite the niche audience, Ni No Kuni 2 has merely reignited the fans of the series' passion, appeasing players of the first game greatly and carrying on the franchise in spectacular fashion. It might not reach the same audiences as other games on the shortlist, but Ni No Kuni's cult fandom is strong enough to make it a worthy contender for the top prize.