When it comes to video games, 2018 was tremendous. It was filled with huge releases like God of War, Tetris Effect, Red Dead Redemption 2, Marvel's Spider-Man, Hitman 2, Monster Hunter World, and plenty of other bangers.
Amidst the hype of those big games, lots of other great games got lost in the shuffle. That's why we're here to honor those underrated games that you might have missed from 2018.
1. Onrush
Onrush is a completely novel concept in the world of car combat. In some ways, it's a racing game where your actual position in the race doesn't matter. It's not about being the first car to cross the finish line at all. Instead, it's all about boosting and taking out the other cars, which is quite fun and unique.
From the start, this game seemed destined to become a smash hit like Rocket League, but unfortunately, it didn't catch on quite as well. People who played it generally loved it, but it didn't get the number of players it deserved. If you're looking for a driving game that breaks the mold, Onrush is perfect for you.
2. A Way Out
A Way Out is certainly not perfect, but the premise alone makes it stand out—it's a cooperative game that can only be played with two players. Perhaps that's part of what held it back, as a lot of players want to play a game solo. But if you can find someone to play with, A Way Out is worth a shot.
The game comes from Hazelight Studios, the company responsible for Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. It's sad to see a followup to such a beloved game fly under the radar, but that's just what happened here. After all, who doesn't enjoy a nice prison break?
3. Kirby Star Allies
It's weird to think that a game from one of Nintendo's beloved mascots was underrated, but that's the case with Kirby Star Allies. Is this a perfect Kirby game? No, but it's a really good one!
Like most games in the Kirby series, this one shakes things up a bit in terms of gameplay, but it still maintains the adorable charm for which Kirby is known. It even puts a focus on cooperative gameplay, which adds a new layer of fun. If you're looking for something a little more lighthearted than a lot of the hardcore games that came out this year, Kirby Star Allies is for you!
4. Vampyr
Vampyr is a flawed game, but none of its issues are serious enough to prevent it from being worth playing. It has plenty of bugs and performance issues, but it's one of those games where overlooking its problems is more than worthwhile. Between the interesting Dark Souls-like combat and deep, interesting characters, the game is actually a lot of fun.
Shockingly, there aren't many games out there where you actually play as a vampire, but that's exactly what happens in this one. It's interesting to experience the world through the eyes of a character that would be a villain in most games. Give it a try, and you might just realize that Vampyr is the perfect game for you.
5. Yakuza 6
The Yakuza series is a hidden gem in and of itself, and the most recent game is even better than the rest. It features the best graphics, beat-em-up mechanics, and story of any of the games in the franchise, and like all the Yakuza games, it didn't get the love it deserved.
The games aren't as criminally underrated as they used to be with the Kawami releases helping to give them a boost in the west, but not enough people have experienced the special kind of insanity offered in Yakuza 6.
Looking for a Video Game to Play?
So you've blasted your way through your back catalog of games and you need something new to keep you entertained? These games all came out last year and you might not have even noticed! Get ready, because these games are just as good as the ones that got all the attention!