Predicting The Game Of The Year Shortlist For 2018

Its taken a long time for Marvel to get a foothold in video games, but with Spider-Man PS4, they made making an impact look easy. The free-roam superhero extravaganza was a remarkably fun, fluid and striking comeback for the web-head on a console, receiving universal acclaim from fans and critics alike.

Unlike many other failed Spider-Man games to come before it, this new iteration felt like it understood everything that made the superhero so iconic. It nailed the swinging mechanics, improvisational combat sections and, crucially, a remarkable Spider-Man story. As cliche as it sounds, it made you feel like Spider-Man, a feat that could only be achieved due to Insomniac's passion for the character.

Of course, it also smashed a tonne of records and topped charts everywhere (it even became the fastest selling game of 2018 in the UK). With the outstanding reception and incredible sales, it's hard to see Spidey's latest video game adventure not make it to the game of the year shortlist.

It's serving as something of a renaissance for superhero video games right now, filling the void Rocksteady left with the Arkham franchise, and it's hard to see how all the talk swelling around Insomniac's work won't result in a shot for the trophy at the end of the year.