DualShockers’ Game of the Year 2018 Awards

patapon · Dec 17, 2018

https://www.dualshockers.com/dualshockers-game-year-2018-awards-god-of-war/

Welcome back, everyone, to DualShockers' annual Game of the Year awards selection! We are all one year wiser, and one year more excited than we were in 2017. Thankfully, 2018 has been a rather contentious year with mega-hits like God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2and Monster Hunter: World having a strong showing — we are in no shortage of amazing hits to choose from.

GOTY: God of War

Most Anticipated Game of 2019: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Most Anticipated Game of 2019 (Readers' Choice): Kingdom Hearts III

Hardware of the Year: Xbox Adaptive Controller

Indie Game of the Year: Celeste

Best Online Game: Monster Hunter: World

Best Developer: Santa Monica Studios

Best Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Best PlayStation 4 Game: God of War

Best Xbox One Game: Forza Horizon 4

Best Switch Game: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Best PC Game: Hitman 2

Best PlayStation Vita Game: Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight // Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight

Best Nintendo 3DS Game: WarioWare Gold

Best Mobile Game: Donut County

Best Action-Adventure Game: God of War

Best Battle Royale of 2018: Fortnite

Best DLC or Expansion: Destiny 2: Forsaken

Best Family Game: Pokémon: Let's Go

Best Fighting Game: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Best Horror Game: State of Decay 2

Best Interactive Story Game: Detroit: Become Human

Best Metroidvania: Dead Cells

Best Platformer: Celeste

Best Puzzle Game: Tetris Effect

Best Racing Game: Forza Horizon 4

Best Remake or Remaster: Shadow of the Colossus

Best Role-Playing Game: Octopath Traveler

BestShooter: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Best Sports Game: Mario Tennis Aces

Best Strategy Game: Valkyria Chronicles 4

Best Virtual Reality Game: Tetris Effect

Best Art Direction: Return of the Obra Dinn

Best Audio Design: Red Dead Redemption 2

Best Character: Kratos (God of War)

Best Graphics: Red Dead Redemption 2

Best Narrative: God of War

Best Open World: Red Dead Redemption 2

Best Ongoing Game: Fortnite

Best Performance: Christopher Judge

Best Soundtrack: God of War

Biggest Shocker of 2018: Sony is Skipping E3?

Worst Game of 2018: Fallout 76

Ben Walker · Dec 17, 2018

I rallied so hard for Red Dead Redemption 2 but we have some uncultured swines on our staff.

(EDIT: This is a joke, I loved God of War too :D)

Majiebeast · Dec 17, 2018

Ben Walker said:
I rallied so hard for Red Dead Redemption 2 but we have some uncultured swines on our staff.

Nah probably just people that like games that control well.

higemaru · Dec 17, 2018

Go go Donut County

N.Domixis · Dec 17, 2018

Ben Walker said:
I rallied so hard for Red Dead Redemption 2 but we have some uncultured swines on our staff.

Absolutely disgusting, congrats to Cory

Ben Walker · Dec 17, 2018

Majiebeast said:
Nah probably just people that like games that control well.

You'll have to listen to our two hour debate to see what everyone thought. :)

Mitsurugi · Dec 17, 2018

Yup, God of War. Even though RDR2 deserves it too! Makes me sad that best ongoing game nobody picked Siege. Ignorant twats😤

Tyaren · Dec 17, 2018

Yay for Shadow of the Colossus being mentioned! :D This game is so criminally overlooked in 99% of all these GOTY lists. Has everyone forgotten how awesome that game was?

Becks' · Dec 17, 2018

Best 3DS but no Best Switch game? DansGame

Wandu · Dec 17, 2018

Nice roundup patapon ! Keep that hustle!

Majiebeast · Dec 17, 2018

Ben Walker said:
You'll have to listen to our two hour debate to see what everyone thought. :)

No video? So no chance of somebody flipping a table?

Ben Walker · Dec 17, 2018

Becks' said:
Best 3DS but no Best Switch game? DansGame

There was Best Switch Game. Smash Bros Ultimate won.

AndyVirus · Dec 17, 2018

"we've coincidentally shared a tradition of agreeing with our readers on what Game of the Year is, with 2016 going to Final Fantasy XV "

I don't remember this but wow.

Sanctuary · Dec 17, 2018

Ben Walker said:
I rallied so hard for Red Dead Redemption 2 but we have some uncultured swines on our staff.

Nah, it's a pretty good list. I wouldn't have voted for RDR2 either, but then I haven't played it, and likely won't until it gets a super deep discount for PC. Not because I'm cheap, but because I just don't care much for Rockstar's games.

Saint-14 · Dec 17, 2018

Ben Walker said:
I rallied so hard for Red Dead Redemption 2 but we have some uncultured swines on our staff.

Curious if it was any close between GoW and RDR2.

mrfusticle · Dec 17, 2018

Two best PS4 games but no switch..? get your console warring outta here! ;P

Lou Contaldi · Dec 17, 2018

patapon said:
https://www.dualshockers.com/dualshockers-game-year-2018-awards-god-of-war/

GOTY: God of War

Most Anticipated Game of 2019: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Thanks Patapon! Just missing Best Switch game (which is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) -- unfortunately no table-flipping on the podcast going live later, but we do get heated.

Deleted member 7753 · Dec 17, 2018

AndyVirus said:
"we've coincidentally shared a tradition of agreeing with our readers on what Game of the Year is, with 2016 going to Final Fantasy XV "

I don't remember this but wow.

Imagine liking a game like FFXV

Saint-14 · Dec 17, 2018

As for the Readers' Choice award, turnout heavily favored God of War with it nabbing over 50% of the votes — the largest win we've had in a Readers' Choice award ever. Coming in second was Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption 2 with over 10% of the readers' vote.

This is crazy.

Lou Contaldi · Dec 17, 2018

AndyVirus said:
"we've coincidentally shared a tradition of agreeing with our readers on what Game of the Year is, with 2016 going to Final Fantasy XV "

I don't remember this but wow.

Lol -- we intentionally changed up the voting process so we had run off elections this year. Last I remember, FFXV (no matter how much I have personally enjoyed it) won because it received a plurality.

Abu · Dec 17, 2018

FFXV won GotY in 2016? Dayum, must have been an empty year for games

Also, no awards for Spidey? Smh

Tyaren · Dec 17, 2018

Lou Contald said:
unfortunately no table-flipping on the podcast going live later, but we do get heated.

Where will it be uploaded? :)

patapon · Dec 17, 2018

Wandu said:
Nice roundup patapon ! Keep that hustle!

(^_^)

Lou Contald said:
Thanks Patapon! Just missing Best Switch game (which is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) -- unfortunately no table-flipping on the podcast going live later, but we do get heated.

Added :D

Femto0 · Dec 17, 2018

Congrats to Cory and SSM.would it be better to have one thread with all the winners?

Deleted member 249 · Dec 17, 2018

If there was one place I was pulling for MHW to win, it was this one ;__;

MazeHaze · Dec 17, 2018

Why does Hitman 2 get best PC game? That seems really random.

Sanctuary · Dec 17, 2018

JammerLammy said:
Imagine liking a game like FFXV

I mean, if you really want to go there: imagine liking most Ubisoft or COD games for that matter. "Hardcore" gamers have been in the vast minority since 2005.

Lou Contaldi · Dec 17, 2018

Phantom Thief said:
If there was one place I was pulling for MHW to win, it was this one ;__;

Best Online Game though!

Abu · Dec 17, 2018

Sanctuary said:
I mean, if you really want to go there: imagine liking most Ubisoft or COD games for that matter. "Hardcore" gamers have been in the vast minority since 2005.

At least Ubi titles and CoD are somewhat good

can't say the same for FFXV

Bold One · Dec 17, 2018

Best Expansion - Nice

Lou Contaldi · Dec 17, 2018

Tyaren said:
Where will it be uploaded? :)

We have that publishing a bit later today. You can find Drop In/Drop Out (the current DS podcast) on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify, in addition to listening natively on Podbean.

Deleted member 864 · Dec 17, 2018

Not too surprised at their GOTY, and nice that KH3 got the readers choice for most anticipated game next year.

Crankafoo · Dec 17, 2018

patapon said:
Best Role-Playing Game: Octopath Traveler

Octopath was great but I'm feeling the pain for Dragon Quest XI not winning any of these Best RPG awards.

Deleted member 249 · Dec 17, 2018

Lou Contald said:
Best Online Game though!

Yeah, I just wanted a GotY win for it ;__;

Also, Octopath over DQ11 physically hurts me

Philly Cheesesteak · Dec 17, 2018

Best Soundtrack: God of War

Finally! Someone recognizes greatness.

No Depth · Dec 17, 2018

patapon said:
Best Soundtrack: God of War

I'm about 6 or more hours in(just reached Alfheim) and if you put a gun to my head I couldn't even feign recalling a single track from the game so far. The sort of thing that fits well in the cinematic bombast, but gets tucked into the background as your attention barely recognizes it. (And I'm even playing with the Plat headsets with the official GoW sound profile)

Violence Jack · Dec 17, 2018

Spider-Man shut out again. Dang.

I'm tempted to play Celeste, but the difficulty I've been hearing about Dead Cells makes me weary to play it.

chandoog · Dec 17, 2018

patapon said:
https://www.dualshockers.com/dualshockers-game-year-2018-awards-god-of-war/

GOTY: God of War
Best PlayStation 4 Game: God of War
Best Action-Adventure Game: God of War
Best Character: Kratos (God of War)
Best Narrative: God of War
Best Soundtrack: God of War

Ben Walker · Dec 17, 2018

Our podcast debating who would win the Game of the Year 2018 award is now published if y'all wanna listen to grown adults argue over video games.

eXistor · Dec 17, 2018

Yet again, no DQXI. It's so much better than Octopath in every way except music. Even as a retro throwback DQXI had so much more going on. Octopath would probably win "most disappointing" for me, what a waste that game was.

Unknownlight · Dec 17, 2018

Ben Walker said:
You'll have to listen to our two hour debate to see what everyone thought. :)

Where do I listen to it? I don't see it linked anywhere obvious in the article.

Edit:

Ben Walker said:
Our podcast debating who would win the Game of the Year 2018 award is now published if y'all wanna listen to grown adults argue over video games.

Oh.

Deleted member 37233 · Dec 17, 2018

patapon said:
Best Role-Playing Game: Octopath Traveler

Finally a bit recognition for this great game!

Saint-14 · Dec 17, 2018

Ben Walker said:
Our podcast debating who would win the Game of the Year 2018 award is now published if y'all wanna listen to grown adults argue over video games.

Cheers, listening.

Spider-Man · Dec 17, 2018

Spider-Man continues to be robbed. What a joke.

Triggerhappytel · Dec 17, 2018

Seems like a solid list overall. I haven't played all the games but I broadly agree with those which I have played.

Tyaren said:
Yay for Shadow of the Colossus being mentioned! :D This game is so criminally overlooked in 99% of all these GOTY lists. Has everyone forgotten how awesome that game was?

No, it was an amazing remaster and I adored it. But I did only play it a few weeks ago so that's maybe cheating a bit!

Thrill_house · Dec 17, 2018

Well I'm only 3/4 of the way through chapter 3 and I have to say red dead beats out god of war for me. Not a bad list though

Ichi · Dec 17, 2018

Spider-Man said:
Spider-Man continues to be robbed. What a joke.

robbed of? it was a good game but it isn't the best there is. insomniac can improve upon it so much more.

Couscous · Dec 17, 2018

Dead Cells seems to be really good. I think I'm going to buy it and Celeste after my last exam om friday. God of War also seems to be winning te last couple of awards.

Sillegamer · Dec 17, 2018

patapon said:
https://www.dualshockers.com/dualshockers-game-year-2018-awards-god-of-war/

GOTY: God of War

Most Anticipated Game of 2019: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Most Anticipated Game of 2019 (Readers' Choice): Kingdom Hearts III

Hardware of the Year: Xbox Adaptive Controller

Indie Game of the Year: Celeste

Best Online Game: Monster Hunter: World

Best Developer: Santa Monica Studios

Best Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Best PlayStation 4 Game: God of War

Best Xbox One Game: Forza Horizon 4

Best Switch Game: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Best PC Game: Hitman 2

Best PlayStation Vita Game: Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight // Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight

Best Nintendo 3DS Game: WarioWare Gold

Best Mobile Game: Donut County

Best Action-Adventure Game: God of War

Best Battle Royale of 2018: Fortnite

Best DLC or Expansion: Destiny 2: Forsaken

Best Family Game: Pokémon: Let's Go

Best Fighting Game: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Best Horror Game: State of Decay 2

Best Interactive Story Game: Detroit: Become Human

Best Metroidvania: Dead Cells

Best Platformer: Celeste

Best Puzzle Game: Tetris Effect

Best Racing Game: Forza Horizon 4

Best Remake or Remaster: Shadow of the Colossus

Best Role-Playing Game: Octopath Traveler

BestShooter: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Best Sports Game: Mario Tennis Aces

Best Strategy Game: Valkyria Chronicles 4

Best Virtual Reality Game: Tetris Effect

Best Art Direction: Return of the Obra Dinn

Best Audio Design: Red Dead Redemption 2

Best Character: Kratos (God of War)

Best Graphics: Red Dead Redemption 2

Best Narrative: God of War

Best Open World: Red Dead Redemption 2

Best Ongoing Game: Fortnite

Best Performance: Christopher Judge

Best Soundtrack: God of War

Biggest Shocker of 2018: Sony is Skipping E3?

Worst Game of 2018: Fallout 76

Nice list.

JustinH · Dec 17, 2018

patapon said:
https://www.dualshockers.com/dualshockers-game-year-2018-awards-god-of-war/

Hardware of the Year: Xbox Adaptive Controller

I just wanted to say... I always like it when I see this thing get praise.

DualShockers’ Game of the Year 2018 Awards

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