Best Games of 2018 So Far

We are only 5 and a half months into 2018 and already some great releases have shaken the gaming community. As an avid player and fan of gaming since the 90's I have compiled a list of the top 5 games to release in 2018 so far, as well as what 2018 releases look to be very exciting as well.
 

5# Monster Hunter World

I will say it right off the bat, this game is not for everyone. It has a steep learning curve and some REAL tough bosses. However, if you are a fan of the series and know what to expect, then this is an excellent addition to the franchise. There are some who think that fighting a boss for 45 minutes plus is too much, but I personally think it gives you a sense of achievement that is only matched by the Souls Series.

4#: Owlboy

It has been a competitive year for low budget gaming. From the Kerbal Space Program remaster to Caesars Games' addictive work on social media. That being said, Owlboy is one that will go down in history as being one of the best looking small budget games ever. The art design is masterful. Couple that with genuinely fun gameplay and an inspiring score and it is everything we have come to expect from an indie platformer.

3# Far Cry 5

Far Cry releases have always been exceptionally exciting for me. I know they are essentially the same thing over and over, but that thing is fun (I am excluding of course Primal. That was a cruel joke.) Far Cry 5 absolutely delivers in my opinion. Its introduction of companions and airplanes along with the American heartlands setting makes for a great open world. Combine that with significantly stepped up graphics from 4 and you have a game that is as fun as it is beautiful to just stare at.

2# Shadow of the Colossus Remastered

What can I even say here? This game was perfect in '05 and is remains perfect today. The next gen graphics make it capable of giving younger gamers the same chills it gave me when I first played it on PS2. Phenomenal experience all around.

1# God of War

I can say I was genuinely surprised by this one. I have played the old God of War games but have been lukewarm on the series as a whole. The boss-battles and creative enemy design have always drawn me in, but clumsy mechanics and repetitive attack combos have kept me from being a true fan. The latest God of War changed all that in spades. I never thought you could give a one-dimensional character like Kratos a genuinely interesting personality, but I was completely wrong. Harkening to Uncharted and The Last of Us, this is what the linear, non-open world game needs to be now. This is what all story driven games should aspire to be.