'Red Dead Redemption 2' is unrivaled in design, gameplay, and storytelling.
Apex Legends is squad-based battle royale done right, complete with cool heroes, a superb communication system, and polished mechanics.
Layers of Fear 2 is a stirring horror adventure with incredible writing that consistently subverts expectations.
Astral Chain is every bit as awesome as it looks in motion, which is to say it's downright incredible.
Unpacking is a relaxing puzzle game that encourages you to reflect and move forward.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the biggest and most inventive entry in the long-running franchise.
Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course is a remarkable addition to an already superb game.
Cursed To Golf is a brilliant golf game that plays like a wildly experimental precision-platformer.
A faithful enhancement of one of the best RPGs of its era, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is once again one of the best RPGs of its (new) era.
Kingdom Hearts 3 oozes Disney charm and magic both in and outside of combat.
The most expansive solo experience we've seen in a fighting game, Injustice 2 compels you to master its fast-paced, combo driven combat.
'Madden NFL 18' is really two great games in one stellar package.
Pokémon: Let's Go is a streamlined, marvelous reimagining of Pokémon Yellow with mostly welcome improvements.
Highly engaging whether you want to create levels or not, Super Mario Maker 2 is utterly fantastic.
Link's Awakening is the best top-down Zelda to date.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is one of the best games of the year, expansion or not.
Overcooked 2 serves up a great balance of hilarious chaos and strategy alongside meaningful improvements over its predecessor. The kitchens have more moving parts, the recipes are more varied, and the ability to throw ingredients fundamentally changes the arcade cooking formula. It's still ideal when played on the couch with friends, but solo play is much improved, and online support adds versatility.
Ashen's handful of new ideas make it a stellar Souls-like with solid combat, a great art style, and an interesting world.
A riveting take on an all-time classic, Tetris 99 is wondrous pandemonium in a (battle royale) bottle.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate brings the majority of the series' monsters into one package for a lengthy and exciting hunting extravaganza. While it feels dated in some ways post-Monster Hunter: World, it's a great farewell tour for the old style of the franchise. If you can stomach the pacing problems and obtuse menu systems, it's a worthwhile and challenging trek through the history of Monster Hunter.