Each year, Game Informer reviews a ton of games to help guide our readers in choosing what they should play next. While you can easily browse our reviews section to see all our most recent verdicts, we wanted to put together a handy list for those looking for the best of the best this year has to offer.
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.
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Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2 paves a brilliant path for the future of the franchise. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: January 25
Kingdom Hearts III
The latest entry isn’t afraid to go big, but it also doesn’t forget what made fans fall in love in the first place. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release Date: January 29
Dreams
Dreams’ robust design and sharing tools offer endless possibilities to creators and a growing tidal wave of fun, hilarious, and moving gameplay experiences for players. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Release Date: April 16
Slay The Spire
Climb the deadly spire again and again. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Switch, PC
Release Date: January 23
Wargroove
Wargroove is a fantastic tactics game that builds and iterates on the genre in clever ways. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Release Date: February 1
The Division 2
Thrilling combat, a great loot loop, and a strong endgame elevate this Tom Clancy shooter to new heights. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC
Release Date: March 15
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
An intense, challenging realization of the ninja fantasy comes to life in From Software’s latest offering. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: March 22
Observation
Challenging puzzles and a fantastic plot make this horror adventure an unmissable game for fans of the genre. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC
Release Date: May 21
Sunless Skies
Sunless Skies is an awesome, immersive ride for lovers of imaginative fiction and horror-laden exploration. Read review
Platforms: PC
Release Date: January 31
Civilization VI: Gathering Storm
In Firaxis’ second expansion, players must endure mother nature’s temperamental streak. Read review
Platforms: PC
Release Date: February 14
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus mostly succeeds in its ambitions, making it easy to recommend to both newcomers and series fans alike. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC
Release Date: February 15
Dirt Rally 2.0
Codemasters delivers another captivating rally title that will have you swearing in fear and delight. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: February 26
F1 2019
Whether guiding your car, career, or league, F1 2019 has plenty of options to keep you covered and entertained. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: June 28
Super Mario Maker 2
Mario Maker 2 is not a radical reinvention of the original, but it earns the “2” in its title with a great story mode, worthwhile additions to the creation toolset, and co-op. Read review
Platforms: Switch
Release Date: June 28
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
This port doesn’t add a ton of new content, but it’s still the best way to play an already fun platformer. Read review
Platforms: Switch
Release Date: January 10
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey
The remake doesn’t drastically change or improve Bowser’s Inside Story, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was always a great game. Read review
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: January 11
Tetris 99
Tetris 99 is a pleasant surprise, and is my favorite content offered by the Nintendo Switch Online service to date. Read review
Platforms: Switch
Release Date: February 13
Devil May Cry 5
This entry has the series’ signature over-the-top style, but not all of the additions feel like steps forward. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: March 8
Hypnospace Outlaw
This offbeat adventure game cleverly captures the essence of the early internet. Read review
Platforms: PC
Release Date: March 12
MLB The Show 19
After a down year, Sony delivers exciting new content and a host of fixes. The series is back on track. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Release Date: March 26
Operencia: The Stolen Sun
Zen Studios updates a classic genre with clever puzzles and Hungarian folklore. Read review
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Release Date: March 29
BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!
BoxBoy returns with a couch co-op friendly adventure filled with some of the most creative and diverse puzzles in the series. Read review
Platforms: Switch
Release Date: April 26
Mordhau
Mordhau balances brutal realism and goofy battlefield antics to great effect. Read review
Platforms: PC
Release Date: April 29
Total War: Three Kingdoms
A captivating dive into warfare and political intrigue. Read review
Platforms: PC
Release Date: May 23
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is the ultimate tribute to the series’ last 13 years with Etrian Odyssey elements thrown in for good measure. Read review
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: June 4
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Koji Igarashi’s return to the Castlevania formula slowly but surely earns its place in a crowded genre. Read review
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Release Date: June 18
For more of our favorite games from recent years, head to the links below.
- Top Scoring Games of 2018
- Top Scoring Games of 2017
- Top Scoring Games of 2016
- Top Scoring Games of 2015
- Top Scoring Games of 2014
Source: Game Informer Game Informer's Top Scoring Reviews Of 2019