Game Informer's Top Scoring Reviews Of 2018

Each year, the Game Informer staff reviews a ton of games. Despite hundreds of games coming across our desks each year, only a select few are able to obtain special commendations reserved for the highest scoring titles. Games that earn an 8.5 or 8.75 obtain a Game Informer Silver award, while a score ranging from 9 to 9.5 earns that game a Game Informer Gold award. While most of the best games of the year fall into that range, the most elite titles ascend to the next level to earn a Game Informer Platinum award (9.75 or 10 score).

To help you keep track of the best of the best, we've compiled all of the top scoring games of 2018 here. Check out the games we've thought are the best of the year so far, and if you want to learn more, you can read the full review with a simple click-through.

Be sure to click on the blue game titles to jump to the full review text.

Batman: The Enemy Within

PS4, Xbox One, PC, iOS, Android
March 27

“The Enemy Within is uneven, but its highs make for a superb adventure where you are held accountable for your choices.” – Javy Gwaltney

 

Yoku’s Island Express

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
May 29

“To think, Sonic Spinball was onto something all of those years ago. Yoku’s Island Express is delightful and fun from start to finish.” – Andrew Reiner

 

Prey: Mooncrash

PS4, Xbox One, PC
June 10

“Mooncrash is Prey at its best, featuring enough challenges and gadgets in a well-designed playground to keep you coming back for more.” – Javy Gwaltney

 

Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion

Switch
June 13

“Fans of Splatoon’s single-player content should look no further than the exceptional Octo Expansion.” – Brian Shea

 

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

PS4, Xbox One, PC
June 26

“This inventive tale can be uplifting one minute and disheartening the next, but it strikes a consistent and compelling tone.” – Joe Juba

 

Pro Evolution Soccer 2019

PS4, Xbox One, PC
August 28

“The gameplay is as engrossing as ever, but it and the marquee Master League mode are still looking for a few changes to take the series to the next level.” – Matthew Kato

 

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate

Switch
August 28

“Hunting dangerous quarry is a thrill thanks to a preparation-focused loop and fun crafting, though the lack of substantial additional content makes the value of a return trip questionable.” – Javy Gwaltney

 

NHL 19

PS4, Xbox One
September 14

"Welcome improvements to the general gameplay and franchise mode make this the best NHL in years, but the team still has a lot of work to do with modernizing its career mode and cleaning up legacy issues." – Matt Bertz

 

Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk

PS4, Switch, PC
September 18

"While the title can be grindy at times and includes some frustrating maps and encounters, the core systems underneath are a joy to tinker with for hours." – Daniel Tack

 

Lego DC Super-Villains

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
October 16

"If you hate Lego games, this isn’t going to change your mind. For everyone else, this is a delightful return to form which hopefully serves as a reference for TT Games’ future projects." – Jeff Cork

 

Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

PS4, Xbox One, PC
October 23

"After years of iteration as a minigame and in beta, Gwent has come into its own as a great card game. It emphasizes keen decision-making over chance, and a great back-and-forth buildup ratchets up the tension across multiple rounds." – Suriel Vazquez

 

Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

PS4, Xbox One, PC
October 23

"Thronebreaker effortlessly infuses Gwent with the geopolitical underpinnings, fantasy tales, and difficult choices of The Witcher series." – Suriel Vazquez

 

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

PS4, Xbox One
November 13

"If you’ve never played these games before, I can’t recommend them enough. From a historical standpoint, you can clearly see the foundation for Insomnaic’s Ratchet & Clank series in each level." – Andrew Reiner

 

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu & Eevee

Switch
November 16

"The feeling of amassing a giant collection of monsters and customizing your team never gets old, and the timeless turn-based combat is still fun to this day. Shoddy motion controls aside, Let's Go is a great time whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the series." – Brian Shea

 

Artifact

PC
November 28

"Artifact is absolutely not for everyone, but it excels at creating a crazy strategy cocktail pulling from every bottle on the shelf. For card game fans, Artifact is not to be missed." – Daniel Tack

 

Subnautica

Xbox One, PC
January 23

”With a robust crafting system and several amazing secrets to find, Subnautica never ceases to entertain.” – Elise Favis

 

UFC 3

PS4, Xbox One
February 2

“With an exceptional career mode and improved gameplay on top of its predecessor’s already-strong offerings, UFC 3 is the best MMA game ever released.” – Brian Shea

 

Frostpunk

PC
April 24

“Don’t come to Frostpunk if you want sunshine, unicorns, and happy outcomes. This is a bleak game about making difficult decisions to survive inhospitable conditions.” – Matt Bertz

 

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

PC
May 8

“A richly imagined seafaring setting lends novelty to what is ultimately an evolved iteration of very traditional isometric RPG fun.” – Matt Miller

 

Laser League

PS4, Xbox One, PC
May 10

“The arena and its deadly lasers may be hectic, but the rapid-fire fun is constant.” – Matthew Kato

 

Dark Souls Remastered

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
May 25

“A rock-solid framerate makes this the definitive choice for playing Dark Souls on console today.” – Daniel Tack

 

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Switch
June 29

“Wolfenstein II on Switch is the real deal, offering an only slightly degraded version of the bloody and memorable adventure.” – Javy Gwaltney

 

World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth

PC
August 14

“It may not break new ground in comparison to the preceding expansion, but Battle for Azeroth provides a wealth of activities for players to enjoy and experience.” – Daniel Tack

 

Guacamelee 2

PS4, PC
August 21

“Guacamelee 2 nails the Metroid formula while including its own style of combat and a great sense of humor.” – Kyle Hilliard

 

F1 2018

PS4, Xbox One, PC
August 24

“Saying that you can have just as much fun in the shop as behind the wheel seems weird, but in the case of F1 2018’s career mode, it’s true.” – Matthew Kato

 

Mega Man 11

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
October 2

"The new gear system is a cool mechanic, and Capcom’s level design feels classic in all the right ways. Mega Man 11 taps into the series’ past, but also serves as a solid foundation for the Blue Bomber’s next 30 years." – Ben Reeves

 

Return of the Obra Dinn

PC
October 18

"Return Of Obra Dinn is a surprisingly hardcore detective title with a surreal bite, and one that shouldn’t be missed by anyone who loves a great challenge." – Javy Gwaltney

 

Soulcalibur VI

PS4, Xbox One
October 19

"Whether you’re a newcomer or a dedicated fan, the latest retelling of the story of souls and swords is a captivating one." – Suriel Vazquez

 

Dusk

Switch, PC
December 10

"Dusk might look and feel like a Quake mod, but it's so polished it feels modern. Anyone with even a hint of nostalgia in their bones for classic shooters should dive headfirst into Dusk." – Ben Reeves

 

Iconoclasts

PS4, Switch, PC, Vita
January 23

“Iconoclasts plays well, looks great, and has some strong level design, but the unexpected highlight is a narrative that examines topics like religion and environmentalism in a well-realized world with real consequences.” – Kyle Hilliard

 

Celeste

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
January 25

“A solid story and rewarding platforming sequences makes for a highly gratifying climb.” – Ben Reeves

 

Shadow of the Colossus

PS4
February 6

“Shadow of the Colossus is a masterpiece, and developer Bluepoint has done a fantastic job bringing it to a new generation.” – Kyle Hilliard

 

Crossing Souls

PS4, Switch, PC
February 13

“Thanks to its robust battle system, intriguing character-switching puzzles, and beautiful storytelling, Crossing Souls is a fantastic adventure that goes beyond its nostalgic trappings.” – Javy Gwaltney

 

Where The Water Tastes Like Wine

PC
February 28

“Where The Water Tastes Like Wine shines with its incredible voice work, well-told stories that take on lives of their own, and many profound moments.” – Elise Favis

 

The Forest

PC
April 30

“Whether you’re building a camp on the island or searching for clues to your son’s whereabouts in dark and dangerous caverns, The Forest is a fantastic horror thrill ride.” – Javy Gwaltney

 

Dead Cells

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
August 7

“The reward loops are addictive and continually open up new things for the player to explore.” – Andrew Reiner

 

Yakuza Kiwami 2

PS4
August 28

“Kiwami 2 is more than a great remake: it’s the best this strange, wonderful series has to offer and it shouldn’t be missed by fans of action or RPG titles.” – Javy Gwaltney

 

NBA 2K19

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
September 7

“The most well-rounded sports game on the market once again.” – Matt Bertz

 

Valkyria Chronicles 4

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
September 25

“This is a fantastic return for a series that has been struggling with its identity. Large maps and interesting abilities give you the freedom to explore different strategic opportunities, and your ingenuity pays off with enticing rewards.” – Joe Juba

 

Astro Bot Rescue Mission

PSVR
October 2

"Astro Bot is an excellent platformer with great motion controls, and its execution in virtual reality creates something fresh in a well-worn genre." – Kyle Hilliard

 

Diablo III Eternal Collection

Switch
November 2

"The long and short of it is that this is simply Diablo III on Switch. It’s the same great game, featuring frenzied action, alluring gameplay loops, and few technical compromises." – Jeff Cork

 

Tetris Effect

PSVR, PS4
November 9

"The presentation is such a natural fit for the gameplay, and it adds an unexpected layer of emotion. Monstars Inc. and Resonair should be commended for taking a calculated risk and delivering its own unique take on a gaming standard." – Jeff Cork

 

Beat Saber

PSVR, Rift, Vive
November 20

"Beat Saber is a must-play for anyone interested in virtual reality, but not for the reasons we typically associate with the platform. It won’t make you crane your neck to take in the majesty of your surroundings, but Beat Saber uses VR to place you into the music and taps into your carnal desire to hit things with swords." – Kyle Hilliard

 

Dragon Ball FighterZ

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
January 26

“Dragon Ball fans have plenty to enjoy in single-player, while fighting enthusiasts get a fast, dense game full of options.” – Suriel Vazquez

 

Into the Breach

Switch, PC
February 27

“The simple presentation belies a deep and engaging gameplay loop that unfolds over multiple playthroughs, as new unlocks completely change required tactics.” – Matt Miller

 

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

PS4
April 17

“Yakuza 6 delivers both quality and quantity, so saying goodbye to Kiryu doesn’t feel rushed.” – Jeff Cork

 

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Switch
May 4

“Tropical Freeze stands among the best platformers of the last decade. Playing as Funky Kong is great for alleviating frustration or allowing skilled players to breeze through the game at high speed.” – Kyle Hilliard

 

Hollow Knight

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
June 12

“Hollow Knight has some frustrations, but the urge to see what’s in the next room is a constantly compelling imperative moving you forward.” – Imran Khan

 

Monster Hunter: World

PC
August 9

“Monster Hunter’s attempt to reach the PC audience performs beautifully and plays well.” – Suriel Vazquez

 

Destiny 2: Forsaken

PS4, Xbox One, PC
September 4

"Forsaken is deep, mysterious, and vast, three words that echo what players most want from this growing universe." – Matt Miller

 

Forza Horizon 4

Xbox One, PC
October 2

"Forza Horizon has long been my favorite racing series, and this installment shows that there’s plenty of gas left in the tank." – Andrew Reiner

 

Monster Hunter: World

PS4, Xbox One
January 26

“Intense battles, rewarding progression loops, and excellent multiplayer experiences make this the best Monster Hunter game to date.” – Daniel Tack

 

Fortnite

PS4, Xbox One, PC, iOS, Android
July 25, 2017 (Early Access)

“Playable, watchable, understandable, and enjoyable by just about anyone with a pulse, Fortnite is an absolute blast.” – Daniel Tack

 

Spider-Man

PS4
September 7

“The story shines as brightly as the gameplay – both deliver heart-pounding excitement.” – Andrew Reiner

 

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

PS4, Xbox One, PC
October 12

"Blackout is the best battle-royale experience available today, zombies offers crazy customizable co-op, and multiplayer keeps things grounded for those looking for the classic core." – Daniel Tack

 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Switch
December 7

"A wealth of tweaks and new additions like the World of Light campaign help to keep Ultimate from feeling like a greatest-hits retread." – Jeff Cork

 

God of War

PS4
April 20

“An enthralling experience from beginning to end, with a mixture of great narrative moments and engaging encounters. God of War is a well-paced adventure that knows when to let the action simmer and when to make it boil over.” – Joe Juba

 

Red Dead Redemption 2

October 26
PS4, Xbox One

"Rockstar has once again created a game that redefines the open-world experience. Red Dead Redemption II is a triumph that every gamer should experience for themselves." – Matt Bertz

 

For more of our favorite games from recent years, head to the links below.

• Top Scoring Games of 2017
• Top Scoring Games of 2016
• Top Scoring Games of 2015
• Top Scoring Games of 2014