E3 Microsoft E3 Nintendo E3 Sony E3 Third Party Editorials Nintendo PC PlayStation Xbox

The Koalition’s Best Video Games of E3 2018 Awards

by Koalition Staff0

Last month, we had an opportunity to attend E3 2018 in Los Angeles, California and walked away impressed by the insane amount of high-quality video games shown at this year’s show. With incredible titles such as Marvel’s Spider-Man, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Resident Evil 2 Remake and more on the floor, it’s clear that this was one of the better E3 shows we’ve been to in quite awhile.

With so many noteworthy titles from this year’s show, we decided to put together a list of our best video games from E3 2018. The following awards have been granted to various games with one winner chosen in each category and a few honorable mentions were applicable in certain cases.

Best Xbox Game: Forza Horizon 4

Playground Games have mastered the art of creating impressive open-world racing games as proven with their phenomenal work on Forza Horizon 3. With a fictionized United Kingdom setting and a dynamic weather system that accounts for different seasons, Forza Horizon 4 is already on track to be the best racing game of 2018.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Ori and the Will of the Wisps
  • Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course

Best PlayStation Game: Marvel’s Spider-Man

When Marvel Entertainment decided to team up with Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games to create a brand new Spider-Man game, we all knew that we were in for a special treat. During E3 2018, we finally had an opportunity to play a short demo of the game and unanimously came to the conclusion that it was the best PS4 game at the show.

Check out our E3 2018 hands-on preview of Marvel’s Spider-Man

Honorable Mentions:

  • The Last of Us Part II
  • Ghost of Tsushima

Best Nintendo Game: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

When Nintendo teased Super Smash Bros. Ultimate during a Nintendo Direct presentation earlier this year, many diehard fans of the franchise became overwhelmed with excitement and grew eager to learn more about the upcoming title. After witnessing the game during both E3 2018 tournaments and separate play sessions, we were left impressed and crowned the fighting game the best Nintendo title at the show.

Check out our E3 2018 hands-on preview of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Best Multiplatform Game: Cyberpunk 2077

Since 2007, CD Projekt Red has become a household name within the video game industry thanks largely in part to all of blood, sweat, and tears that they have put into creating The Witcher series. Based on what we saw at a behind closed doors appointment at E3 2018, Cyberpunk 2077 is already looking like another franchise destined for success.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
  • Kingdom Hearts 3
  • Dragon Quest XI

Best Multiplayer Game: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Several great multiplayer games were on display during E3 2018 including World War Z, Firewall: Zero Hour, Call of Duty: Blacks Ops 4 and more. With all that said, the game that captured our attention the most was Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch. We all had a fun time during our play sessions and are definitely looking forward to spending more time with the game later this year.

Honorable Mentions:

  • World War Z
  • Firewall: Zero Hour
  • Fallout 76

Best Indie Game: Tunic

There were several spectacular and thought-provoking indie games at E3 2018 including The Spectrum Retreat, Treachery in Beatdown City, My Memory of Us and more. One game that stood out us the most is an isometric action-adventure game starring a Fox and titled Tunic. This game carries a Legend of Zelda type vibe and will certainly garner even more attention when it launches later this year on PC and Xbox One.

Honorable Mentions:

  • The Spectrum Retreat
  • Treachery in Beatdown City
  • My Memory of Us

Best Gameplay Reveal: The Last of Us Part II

The Last of Us Part II opened the PlayStation E3 2018 Media Briefing and instantly reminded us all why Naughty Dog is one of if not the best Sony Interactive Entertainment first-party development studio currently in existence. While we still don’t have a firm release date for this highly anticipated sequel, we did see enough to leave us impressed and we’re now looking forward to seeing more before or after PlayStation Experience 2018 later this year.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Resident Evil 2 Remake
  • Ghost of Tsushima
  • Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Best Conference: Xbox

Prior to the Xbox E3 2018 briefing, Microsoft released two exclusives in Sea of Thieves and State of Decay 2 but still needed to answer several important questions regarding the future of the Xbox platform. With Xbox Head Phil Spencer leading the charge, Microsoft not only delivered a memorable E3 conference but they also reassured Xbox fans everywhere that they are fully invested in developing more exclusives for both this and the next generation Xbox console.

Honorable Mentions:

  • PlayStation
  • Bethesda
  • Ubisoft

Best Surprise: Microsoft Purchasing Ninja Theory

One of the reasons why Xbox had the best conference is because they gave fans a glimpse into the future of the brand when they announced the acquisition of five studios. Ninja Theory was one surprise that absolutely no one saw coming. They did a phenomenal job on Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and we personally can’t wait to see what they create next.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Cyberpunk 2077
  • Resident Evil 2 Remake
  • Ghost of Tsushima

Best VR Game: Defector

VR games were out in full force during PlayStation Experience 2017 and this trend continued strong during E3 2018. While we enjoyed titles like Arca’s Path VR and Creed: Rise to Glory, the key highlight was an upcoming action-packed spy thriller called Defector. Twisted Pixel has outdone themselves with the game and we are all looking forward to seeing more of it later this year.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Arca’s Path VR
  • Creed: Rise to Glory
  • Firewall: Zero Hour

Best Action Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

There were several great action-adventure titles on display at this year’s show. While Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Just Cause 4 and Control were all remarkable, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey just feels like it belongs in a class all its own. With new dialogue option choices that can alter the storyline and a greater emphasis on role-playing features, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey seems like the perfect title to elevate the series in a new exciting direction.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider
  • Just Cause 4
  • Control

Best Sports Game: NBA Live 19

Sports game are typically the most fun when developers make noticeable improvements to their games to keep competition fierce and interesting. While Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 was fun to play, NBA Live 19 and the focus on acquiring new teammates in The One was without a doubt the key highlight from EA Play 2018. This streetball vibe is very reminiscent of NBA Street and this will definitely be a mode that may entice basketball fans to give this game a try later this year.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2019
  • Madden NFL 19

Best Survival Horror Game: Resident Evil 2 Remake

Many of us are diehard survival horror fans and E3 2018 had quite a few surprises for those who appreciate the genre. While Dying Light 2 looked absolutely phenomenal, Resident Evil 2 Remake was the game that stayed on our mind the longest after playing it. Capcom has been on a row with their releases as of late and the remake is guaranteed to be another heavy hitter when it launches early next year.

Check out our E3 2018 hands-on preview of Resident Evil 2 Remake

Honorable Mention:

  • Dying Light 2

Best First-Person Shooter Game: Metro Exodus

First-person shooters are still some of the most popular titles in the industry today. While Call of Duty: Blacks Ops 4 and Battlefield V don’t feel too significantly different from other previous entries in the series, Metro Exodus and Rage 2 felt more innovative and fresh. For this particular award, we gave the edge to Metro Exodus as 4A Games are evolving the series in an overwhelming impressive fashion, making this one title you definitely do want to miss out on early next year.

Check out our E3 2018 hands-on preview of Metro Exodus

Honorable Mentions:

  • Rage 2
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
  • Battlefield V

Most Anticipated Game: Cyberpunk 2077

Virtually every video game that we saw during E3 2018 was nothing short of impressive in some way, shape or form. However, there were a select few that left a strong lasting impression and have now been added to our most anticipated list. Cyberpunk 2077 is at the very top of all our list followed closely by The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima. There aren’t any firm release dates for any of these titles yet but they should all be on your radar as they will definitely be the most talked about games once they finally hit the market.

Honorable Mentions:

  • The Last of Us Part II
  • Ghost of Tsushima

This concludes our picks on the best video games during E3 2018. Which games excited you the most from this year’s show? Please feel free to let us know in the comments section below.