No Monster Hunter: World?
I understand that a lot of people here are really more looking for an Adventure game with an interactive story than a console action game that requires twitch reflexes… I didn't expect it to win.
But, for me, who spent more time in NWN2 designing character builds than playing, who loves min/maxing and RPG theorycraft, MHW gave me by far the most RPG stuff to think about.
I'll promise you my sorc(28) monk(1) paladin(1) roll in NWN will, with time to prebuff, destroy any PC or creature the game has. I'll bigbys fist an ancient red dragon into the ground as though it were a mere hobgoblin! You can't get past my saving throws! Anyway…
I haven't found this classic RPG interaction in any other recent game. There's nothing to think about. Even if you make me a new D&D game I already know what I'm going.
MHW is a fresh RPG system which starts off very, very simple but ends up being a balancing act where you're never satisfied. When you find a new skill gem it changes everything. It also doesn't require you to start a new character that you cannot be bothered leveling up only to realise you left off a point of STR or something so you don't have the prerequisite score for Power Attack, etc. Because all progression is done through gear you can theory craft your build then test it.
Plus, there's no industry bullshit. No locked content or DLC, season passes, etc. There are events and crossovers from other games, the new content is always free, there's no subscription fees, there's no game store, no store currency. You buy the game, you get everything and more.
And the combat is better than any RPG. I've played all the 3rd person RPGs. MHW controls better than the gothics or witchers or even dark souls.
I mean, I'm a jaded gamer who is constantly complaining about modern gaming industry bullshit and I have nothing but praise for this game. They really designed a fantastic game and it's not just the best RPG of 2018 but one of the best games ever made in general! It's an extremely well thought out system that I can't think of any way to improve. Which is rare. Because most games are terrible.
ALSO, you know, they're making it into a movie? That should be funny.
PS. We can chuck a few screenshots in this and call it a review, if you want.