Best Entertainment of 2018: Video Games
“Spider-Man” for PS4 comes out the gate in the midst of the superhero craze, and it makes for an incredible experience. Being the first “Spider-Man” console game in nearly five years, there were high expectations for the web-slinger’s latest entry. Thankfully, I’m happy to say that many expectations were met and then shattered over the course of this game. An effective way to see the quality of the title is through its narrative. I’ve never been as engaged with a story in gaming as much as this one, as it felt like I was actually playing through a Marvel movie — action and all. As for gameplay, the leveling system encourages exploration, which is thankfully a joy to do. Simply swinging from building to building, doing tricks and exploring New York City is addictive, and it’s exactly what Spider-Man is all about, putting the player into the hero’s shoes even further. Combat — being another important system of the game — is done creatively and effectively, giving a wide array of options and freedom in how to tackle the bad guys. Different suits and gadgets allow for hundreds of combinations and strategies, making for the most customizable “Spider-Man” game ever. If I was able to choose sequels for games from this year, “Spider-Man” effortlessly makes the list: It’s a must-have from 2018. -Kyle Engels