For best Game of the Year 2018, look no further than God of War

Sony's sublime God of War reboot has snatched the top prize for games at the Trusted Reviews Awards 2018 – and it's a worthy winner.

[ArchangelMike]

God of War is definitely up there as THE GOTY contender to beat. RDR2 comes a very close second as R* have without a doubt crafted a masterpiece; but it's just not as revolutionary for the franchise as God of War is.

[wwinterj]

Other way around for me RDR 2 and then GOW. Also I would call neither game "revolutionary".

[Skull521]

I think the author means if you look further than God of War you end up in October and Red Dead is released and beats it.

[nucky64]

give me an example of what you consider "revolutionary"?

[MoshA]

No loading screens with massive snake the size of an island. No camera cuts. Sorry but that alone destroys cowboys and horses lmao.

[ArchangelMike]

@Wwinterj
If you're going to quote me, quote me correctly please. I said "revolutionary for the franchise". NOT revolutionary for the genre. Do you know the difference? Each game was trying to be revolutionary within it's own franchise, but God of War God did more to revolutionise the God of War franchise, than Red Dead 2 did to revolutionise the Red Dead franchise.

I'm not talking about genres or games in general, nor am I directly comparing God of War to Red Dead 2. I'm actually comparing God of War to previous God of War titles, and comparing Red Dead 2 to Red Dead 1.

[King_Noctis]

God of War is great, but there is nothing revolutionary about the game that other game hasn’t done before you know.

“No loading screens with massive snake the size of an island. No camera cuts. ”

Those are great. But how is that revolutionary?

[UCForce]

Those are very refreshing to be honest. We don’t see many video games and movies done it. Few of people use this technique, but God Of War is going to inspire a lot of people doing it. I really love that cinematic technique because it’s more grounded and more personal and always stay in action. God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 are two my favorite games.

[ArchangelMike]

@King_Noctis

Please see my reply above.

When you look within each franchise, God of War makes a bigger "revolutionary" jump than Red Dead 2. I'm not talking about within the genre or within gaming in general; but specifically within their respective franchises. That was my initial quote - which is now being misquoted and misconstrued.

All I meant is that God of War is a more significant innovative leap over it's predecessors than Red Dead 2 is over Red Dead 1. Red Dead 2 is very much a masterpiece, I'm not hating on the game - but it didn't really innovate as much as God of War did. If you say God of War hasn't done anything revolutionary, than what exactly does Red Dead 2 do that is revolutionary over Red Dead 1; or that is revolutionary in general?

FYI - No camera cuts, with a single camera shot throughout the game IS revolutionary; especially by virtue of the fact that it had never been done before in a video game. The fact that it was implemented so successfully that it reinvented the God of War franchise - is the very definition of revolutionary!

[nyu1]

@MoshA

Going to be funny seeing the comments here when some people give RDR2 goty over GOW.

[TGGJustin]

What will really be funny is when God of War ends up with more overall GOTY's over RDR2 just like TLOU did over GTA5.

[DrumBeat]

Agreed. The game breaking bugs also hold RDR2 back, immensely. Shame. God of War, though. It's a masterpiece both technically and in terms of game play.

[wwinterj]

@nucky64 oh that's a easy one. From the top of my head GTA 3. Not only was it revolutionary for the franchise but it changed the gaming industry as a whole.

@ArchangelMike I'm well aware what you said thanks and again neither of the games are revolutionary period so you can stop the condescending attitude.

[ArchangelMike]

Like I said to King_Noctis above...

"No camera cuts, with a single camera shot throughout the game IS revolutionary; especially by virtue of the fact that it had never been done before in a video game. The fact that it was implemented so successfully that it reinvented the God of War franchise - is the very definition of revolutionary!"

Period.

[yay111]

What exactly about god of war is revolutionary?

[Imalwaysright]

People talk about the no cut camera. Having played the game I don't see what's so special and game changing about it.

[wwinterj]

@ ArchangelMike and like I said above I don't agree with your statement. You clearly think otherwise and that's fine but I simply don't. No cut camera is great just as the cinematic cam in RDR 2 but those things are not game changes and I also doubt we will see other devs climbing over themselves to implement that into their games thus being revolutionary. As I've said before something like GTA 3 is revolutionary not only for the series itself but for the whole game industry. God of War 2018 isn't on that level thus I wouldn't call it revolutionary.

[fluxmulder]

Seeing as Take Two recently sued them and forced them to donate £1M to charity, they weren't ever going to give it to RDR2.

[UCForce]

Yeah, I did hear about that and I dislike their attitude.

[CarlDechance]

That doesn't make them wrong.

[ArchangelMike]

They didn't even nominate Red Dead 2 for any category. That should tell you that there's something amiss. When Take Two send their lawyers after you for $1million, there's bound to be so much red tape that you won't be able say anything about their product anymore - weather good or bad.

[ArchangelMike]

I did find it odd that they did not include Red Dead 2 as a nominee in any category. I guess they're not allowed to cover Red Dead 2 much, as there really isn't any real Red Dead 2 news or reviews on the site.

[Monkeysmoke]

There is no doubt about it.

GOW

[robtion]

GOW is definitely up there along with Spiderman, RDR2, and surprisingly AC Odyssey(only let down by the despicable microtransactions and grind to encourage them).

[NotanotherReboot]

Agreed. Gow was inspirational to me

[RememberThe357]

Yeah, this story hit me personally. I don't think I've played a game I enjoyed more or got more from than GoW.

[blm504]

Inspiration to you brother do you have a significant other

[monkey602]

I found Red Dead and Spiderman absolutely amazing ! But I think God of War might have been my favourite all year

[victorMaje]

I’m loving RDR2 but I felt more into it while playing God of War.

[ShinRon]

its between rdr2 and mhw for me.

[CarlDechance]

No doubt in my mind. God of War is game of the year if not game of the generation.

[blm504]

Don't get carried away my friend

[CarlDechance]

I don't know how my own opinion of a game surpassing all others is getting "carried away", my friend. I think what you mean to say is "I disagree, my friend". So what is the best game this gen to you?

[Why o why]

Between persona and God of war for me

[dRanzer]

You keep trying dont you?

[blm504]

Ranzer I'ma grown man dog

[blm504]

Horizon Zero Dawn is my favorite game this generation

[LoveSpuds]

God of War is certainly my favourite game of 2018, I am about 2/3 of the way through RDR2 and I am starting to fall off a little due to the amount of riding to distant mission markers, only to have to ride all the way back.

For me though, Bloodborne is still my favourite game on PS4, nothing else got it hooks into me quite like this game did.

[DrumBeat]

I would agree if not for Bloodborne. Every time a new contender pops up, I think back to Bloodborne, nod to myself and say, yeah, Bloodborne beats this. Very special game. Thrill to play and conquer.

[CarlDechance]

I get that. I'm just not a Dark Souls/Bloodborne fan. I really enjoy a good story in a game and God of War's was incredible.

To each their own.

[Garrett_the_GOD]

God of War is amazing but I gotta go with Red Dead Redemption.IMO Red Dead Redemption 2 is the only game we have got this gen that is on the same level as Witcher 3 of course God of War isn't far behind..my top 3 games this gen are 1)Witcher 3. 2)Red Dead Redemption 2. 3)God of War

[RememberThe357]

And they say gaming is dead...

[Why o why]

Some will use any metric against sp greatness. . Like there somehow can't be sp and mp greatness. Luckily most of us have both flavours to savour.

[TheGoodestBoi]

100% agree👍

[ArchangelMike]

I completely agree, Witcher 3 was amazing, and could be a contender to beat Red Dead 2 in the open world category. Pound for pound, there are a few thing that Red Dead does better, but overall I don't know who would come out on top. My Break down would look something like this:

Story telling - Witcher 3
Graphics - Red Dead
Side Quests - Witcher 3
Gameplay - Witcher 3
World building - Witcher 3
Side Characters - Red Dead 2
Sound Track - Red Dead 2
RPG elements - Witcher 3
Replayability - Witcher 3
Multiplayer ? - Red Dead 2

So personally I guess I would give the award to The Witcher 3.

[DrumBeat]

Witcher 3 and Bloodborne are neck and neck for me. I can't pick one over the other, as they were both a blast to play and an absolute joy as far as game worlds go.

[william_cade]

My top 3: Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3 and Witcher 3

Bloodborne and DS3 are pieces of art. They ooze style and functionality that appeals to the old and new gamer in me.

I will be playing Read Dead 2 in a few weeks so this could change for me.

[Obelisk92]

I'm sorry, Monster Hunter World is my winner hands down.

[SegaGamer]

Finally, somebody who prefers something different. It's becoming dull seeing everybody like the same games every year.

[AspiringProGenji]

you mean eveyone likes good games...

[Obelisk92]

@AspiringProGenji I don't think the response to God of War would have been so consistent without metacritic and online reviews.

People nowadays have a lot of influences.

And anyway, one can like every kind of game. Not necessarily AAA super duper good ultra budget games.

[Obelisk92]

I loved God of War but the repetitive and stupid mid bosses ruined my experience.

If the sequel will feature more unique bosses it will be a total masterpiece.

[AspiringProGenji]

It is a pretty good game with or without reviews. Obviously reviews put games in the spotlight as well just like all of them

I would say that more sbout MHW since it is a niche series. GoW is already a known series. Speaking of repetitive bosses then how is MHW? You are fighting the same monsters over and over

[Obelisk92]

The way you play one game is totally different than the other.

God of War is a linear, story-driven action game, so the experience has to be varied and dynamic. Those trolls were really a letdown for me.

Instead, Monster Hunter is an RPG based on its combat. Yes, you fight the same enemies over and over (which are, to be honest, better designed than gow bosses) but you can fight them with 14 kinds of different weapons, with almost infinite variants. You may fight the same enemy, but every fight turns out to be different and enjoyable.

Anyway I didn't mean to say God of War is not a good game. It's great. Just not my GOTY. And maybe a little bit overrated.

[neutralgamer1992]

As a long time God of war fan this God of war was amazing I just wish there were more boss battles

I have yet to play RDR2 but many gamers are pointing out issues with actual game design but I absolutely loved original rdr so my expectations are high

[Greg2801]

Dont let other gamers change your view on rdr2, play it for yourself because it is amazing! I really dont get those gameplay "complaints" at all.

I got my platinum trophy for GOW and loved everything about it. Im a big GOW fan.

But if i had to choose i would go with Rdrd2 as GOTY. Its a true piece of art. It starts of amazing and it only gets better with every chapter. Got probably around 80 hours in it and it never felt repetitive.

And that is my only problem that i have with GOW, sometimes it felt repetitive, especially those mini troll bosses.

But in the end 2 amazing titles that both deserve GOTY.

[RememberThe357]

Maybe help yourself by expecting a world more than a game. This is R* so game is of course core to it, but the world they made is just a little deeper than anything else out there and if you let yourself fall in it you'll have a blast. This game will not hold your hand though.

[neutralgamer1992]

Original RDR is one of my favorite games so i will like it if it's more of the same with improvements

[wraith9999]

first game i've truly gotten lost in since the days of my childhood

reminded me of OoT, unreal game that is simply an unreal adventure and you know after something like this the landscape of the gaming world will simply never be the same

[jznrpg]

So many great games this year but it’s hard to argue against God of War.

[paintedgamer1984]

For best Sony Exclusive Game of the Year 2018, look no further than God of War... there i fixed the title

[blm504]

Right

[CarlDechance]

No you changed the title to reflect your own opinion

[paintedgamer1984]

Actually im a sony guy, but this is an opinion stated as a fact

[PoopsMcGee]

It's their Game Of The Year selection lol.

It is a fact. The fact is that their site has declared it GOTY.

[Persian_Immortal]

Trusted Reviews Awards 2018

God of War – Game of the Year
Dead Cells – Indie Game of the Year
Monster Hunter World – Cross-platform Game of the Year
God of War – PS4 Game of the Year <----- Read the article next time lad, it mentions the awards section click on it and you see these results it already won best PS4 game of the year LMAO.
Super Mario Odyssey – Nintendo Switch Game of the Year
Forza Horizon 4 – Xbox One Game of the Year
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire – PC Game of the Year
Florence – Mobile Game of the Year

[Imalwaysright]

?? Super Mario Odyssey was released last year.

[Dragonscale]

At least Sony actually has contenders, MS not so much lol.

[jagermaster619]

I haven't personally played Gow but all the people I know who have played it along side Spiderman and RDR2 all say RDR2 is the better game.

[blm504]

Not sure about Spiderman but between GOW and RDR2 for best game your friends are absolutely right

[paintedgamer1984]

Ehh its tough. There really is no better game... they are both amazing. Its like asking which amazing movie is better? When they are so close its almost impossible.

[SublimeStylee2]

Two completely different genres, no similarities in gameplay whatsoever. Two completely different stories that also have no similarities. 2 absolutely different experiences. How can one be better when they deliver completely separate goals and stories. They have no buisiness even being compared imo, both masterpieces. It's that simple.

[CarlDechance]

Then play GOW and decide for yourself.

[PhantomS42]

Definitely not. RDR2 has a lot of brown spots on what should be a great piece of fruit which detract from the overall experience. GOW on the other hand while it has some issues none of them detract from the overall experience.

[jagermaster619]

Well honestly guys at the end of the day it's all opinions, no one is wrong and no one is right...game on!

[obidanshinobi]

Spiderman's the better game too IMO.

[SublimeStylee2]

Spiderman is amazing @being a spiderman game, God of war is amazing @being a God of war game and surprise! red dead 2 is amazing @being red dead 2. How can one even state one is better then the other. All I know is, it's amazing being a gamer!

[AK91]

Agreed

[Eldyraen]

I think GOW was the best made and presented game of the year overall, but RDR2 is my “GOTY” still somehow. Not just favorite but it brings more to the table that I’d like to see in other games.

If I wasn’t as huge of a fan of open world games, exploration, and make my own adventure style games then GoW would probably have won out (I just love doing my own thing in games and this is great for that).

I already want a new GoW more than a new RDR however—then gain, I’m not done with RDR2 yet. Both are probably top 2 for a lot of people and winner is just based on your preferred type of game.

[ArchangelMike]

Dude did you play The Witcher 3? As a fan of open world games, which do you consider to be the Best Open World Game of the Generation? Some are calling it between GOW, Spiderman, Monster Hunter World, Horizon Zero Dawn, Assassins creed Odysee, GTAV(?) (although sales of GTAV have already put it in the record books, it's more GTAOnline that sells).

I've not played all those games but only played a few of them, but for me it's definitely a very close call between Witcher 3 and Red Dead 2 for the Best Open World Game for this gen.

[Eldyraen]

Definitely. W3 and RDR2 are my tops for sure though, and I loved all the others as well actually.

Very possible it will come down to one of these 2 as overall game of the generation for me actually. But we’re not even done yet with games like TLOU2, Tsushima, and even Cyberpunk not out yet. Might need to revisit a few others when that time comes around as well. Some great $20 games this gen I’ve loved as much, if for different reasons (Ori being one of those for sure).

[UNCHARTED2FANATIC]

Personally enjoyed spiderman more and I'm a huge god of war fan than a spiderman fan but as a game spiderman is better imo

[Smokehouse]

I don’t agree but I can definitely see where you are coming from. I enjoyed and platinumed both.

[Jinger]

I'd put Spider-Man above GoW personally. Just not a big fan of the design changes to GoW. RDR2 and Spider-Man... damn that's a tough decision.

[RememberThe357]

It's been a pretty good year for big games by any measure. It's hard to have an argument over quality because the top tier games are all diamonds and it just comes down taste. Would you like the porter house or the filet mignon? Both? Yeah I'll have it all...

[Livecustoms]

It may be because I literally have now just finished RDR2, but the 'feels' I got from the main story ending makes that game GOTY for me. It's not for everyone, its (extremely) slow paced especially up to like chapter 4/5 and the gameplay/combat can be clunky at times. But god damn what a masterpiece Rockstar have created.

[sampsonon]

yip

[chiefJohn117]

But if you look a lil further you'll see RDR2

[Chexs1990]

Dragon Quest XI is my GoTY. God damn radiant game :D
God of War second I think.

[81BX]

RD2 is GOTY! It's that simple

[BehindTheRows]

If it were that simple, we wouldn’t have topics that say otherwise.

[81BX]

Excellent point.... R-D-2 I-S G-O-T-Y-! Sometimes you gotta spell it out for people. Thanks fam!

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Not really because I’m loving my rdr 2 playthrough I’m up to chapter 4 but I still say gow is goty and it wasn’t simple for me to choose. The one thing that was simple and made my choice a little easier was comparing their gameplay which is THE most important thing in a game and when I did that it was fairly easy to go with gow because rdr 2 gameplay is so mediocre and only saved from being absolutely terrible by dead eye

[Legatus]

G-O-W 2-0-1-8 I-S G-O-T-Y !
Sometimes you gotta spell it out for the green boys. Thanks fam!

[BehindTheRows]

The only thing you’ve spelled out is your issue with crediting a Sony game with GOTY. This source gave it to God of War. Time to accept that, ‘fam’.

[CarlDechance]

" It's that simple "

It really isn't.

[Sm00thNinja]

Hard to decide on for me it's God of War but RDR2 IS A CLOSE SECOND and when I beat it that could easily change.

[Persian_Immortal]

Hmmm next Game Of The Year to go out is likely the Pocket Lint Gadget Awards on the 13th of this month, followed by the JoySiq Game Awards on the 18th then Next month its the Kojima Awards.

[Smokehouse]

It’s mine. I don’t really care who ign picks or whatever.

[microgenius]

Agreed

[EmperorDalek]

Well this year sucked then

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Awww it’s ok friend

[thepetedog]

Did you see? They also nominated you for edgiest comment of 2018. Congrats!

[Silly gameAr]

Are far as I'm concerned, God of War is my goty.

[bluefox755]

Agree 100%. Even though I know most journalists will go with another.

[obidanshinobi]

I prefered RDR2, Spiderman, Forza Horizon 4, Dragon Quest 11 and Detroit personally.

[Platformgamer]

god of war is the best game of this year indeed, followed by spiderman and dragon quest XI.
RDR2 deserve the 4th spot i guess

[OpenGL]

Currently in chapter 6 of Red Dead and so far I prefer God of War. Red Dead is a really impressive technical achievement with a great world and visuals but many of the mechanics are very clunky for such a highly rated game. I still really like it but feel like Rockstar could have improved things by sacrificing "realism" for shorter more convenient animations.

[theshredded]

Celeste> Everything this year but seriously that game deserves more praise.

[xRacer74x]

Not going to happen with RDR2 in same year. Look at sales alone 15 million sold in one week. thats 3x the sales of GOW in just one week.

[Imalwaysright]

People said the same about TloU vs GTA 5 and TloU became at the time the game with the most GOTY awards.

[DarXyde]

Sounds like there's a lot of debate between God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 (more accurately, people are just saying so without any real justification).

Either way, it sounds like PS4 is console of the year since that's an agreeable point.

[coretone]

Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth. GOTY for me . Book 3 released this year, so it's this year title.

[MasterCornholio]

I haven’t played RDR2 yet but GOW was a very special experience for me.

[spicelicka]

God of war was just such an incredible experience all the way through. I think more games are going to go for that closer camera visceral hack and slash combat.

[Imalwaysright]

Oh but I do and not just for GoW but also RDR2. These 2 aren't the only great games that were released this year. I very much enjoyed Monster Hunter, Dragon Quest, Two point hospital, Spider man, Octopath Traveller, Valkyria Chronicles and I'm currently enjoying Pathfinder Kingmaker. With so many great games it seems reductive to just talk about 2 of them.

[ninsigma]

I would give the new god of war goty as well. Such a fantastic change into the new generation. Character development was wonderful, the gameplay super polished, deep and most importantly fun. A gripping story from start to finish and a really interesting world has been built here that makes you want to know more. This game is one of the best games of the generation, maybe THE game of the generation so far. The devs should be so proud of what they accomplished with God of War.

[Realms]

Don't care who wins GOTY all I know is which game I had the most fun playing this year and that game has been God of War. They will both win many awards but IMO RDR2 isn't the clear cut winner at least not to me they aren't, I love Rockstar games but RDR2 had too many annoyances IMO to be GOTY.

[BlackDoomAx]

Monster Hunter world for me.