Before I dive into my selected Game of the Year 2018, I’d like to acknowledge the obvious – this game was not released in 2018. In fact, this particular franchise has been around since 1991, and this installment came out in 2010. Sometimes, the games of old find their way into our laps and manage to sweep us off our feet, leading us into endless hours of gameplay. And perhaps that’s the very reason why eight years from now, this game still captivates any player with wonder. Forget God of War or Red Dead Redemption 2 — this was my standout pick. And so without further ado, I give you my personal Game of the Year. Drumroll, please!

Sid Meier’s Civilization V

Believe me, I’m just as shocked as you are that it has taken me this long to find this absolute gem. Thanks to the Black Friday sale that passed last month, I was able to grab the entire Sid Meier’s Civilization V bundle for dirt cheap – the base game, two expansions (Gods and Kings and Brave New World), and a dozen more map packs, scenario packs and “civ” packs. Safe to say, it is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Civilization V is a 4X turn-based strategy game, where you play as a ruler of a civilization, leading your people from the dawn of man into the space age. Wage war, conduct diplomacy, discover new technologies, go head-to-head with some of history’s greatest leaders and build the most powerful empire the world has ever known.

I’ll admit, I was overwhelmed with the number of civilizations and world leaders to choose from, but this wide variety is welcomed with much excitement. From the Mayans, the Germans, the Aztecs, Egyptians, and more–I still haven’t met all of the leaders, but every encounter is a thrill, especially when you recognize famous names. It’s almost like meeting a celebrity, to be honest; it’s that cool. Because of the sheer amount of civilizations to choose from, every game mode I’ve played has a random civilization selected because I just want to meet and play all of them. Not only do you select which civilization you want to conquer the world with, but you can also select from a number of map types. From Pangea to Archipelago, the choice is yours for what type of lands you want to explore. You can also select how many other civilizations and city-states you play with, going from one-on-one to twelve civilizations racing to the number one spot. The level of customization available to players is appreciated, as each playthrough can be unique and a whole new discovery. With such availability, this encourages your playthrough to last hours upon hours, making it quite possible for you to lose track of time, look at the clock, realize it’s 2 AM, and have no regrets.

Civilization V offers rich historical events and units, allowing it to also become a learning experience into the world before us. I’m an absolute nerd in that I love learning new things, especially history. Reading up on leaders’ backgrounds and seeing the progression of different eras over time gives me such awe for the development of mankind and our tenacity to survive. Watching my units upgrade over time, from humble archers to men armed with machine guns–the possibilities are endless and it’s amazing to see that its progression into further refinement is a vivid testimony of mankind’s capabilities. Not only can Civilization V teach you about its leaders and their successes, but it also opens your eyes into geography, science, culture, and agriculture. Should I found a city near a river bank or forest? What luxuries matter to me the most, wheat, cotton, cocoa? Every detail is intricately included in your playthrough, allowing you to immerse yourself in an imaginative world waiting for you to explore.

If the number of options, customization and styles means anything, it’s that Civilization V offers double the number of play styles, strategies, and advantages. Do you want to dominate the world and burn countries to the ground? Maybe the warmongering Mongolia is your best pick, or watch Alexander lead Greece with his impressive army. Do you want to see how well you can fare with culture? Poland is a well-rounded civilization that can take you there. With plenty of victory types to choose from and pursue, there really are no limits to your Civilization experience. There are also plenty of built-in scenarios for you to uncover, each offering new challenges to overcome. With the sheer amount of civilizations to play as, no victory is ever the same and you just never know what the opposing civilizations will do next. You may find yourself outlasting everyone fairly quickly, or find that both Indonesia and Greece want to declare war on you at the same time, just because. Anything and everything is possible!

For a franchise that’s been around since the late 90s, Civilization V still passes as a visually wonderful game in 2018. Its user interface is clean, straightforward, and sleek, making it both welcoming for new players and satisfyingly in-depth for veterans. The cutscenes for leaders looks fantastic, and watching your units upgrade over time is smooth and great to watch. It’s a strategy game that still stands the test of time and is hands-down the best game I have played in 2018.

Honorable Mention

Battle Chef Brigade

Battle Chef Brigade is a bizarre, fun and quirky fusion of various game genres, and attempts to execute unique experiences. Its recipes are the icing of the cake, leaving you wanting to cook more and more dishes to see what else the game’s pantry has to offer. Its visually aesthetic world and compelling storytelling is a satisfying and memorable journey with plenty of homages and parodies to laugh at. Although its cookware items and mini-training games never feel quite as meaningful as the broader world, Battle Chef Brigade certainly turns up the heat. If you’re a fan of RPG or cooking games, Battle Chef Brigade is a foodie festival you’ll want to visit and taste.

It’s safe to say that 2018 has been a fantastic year for gaming, and despite my choice not being the AAA titles we all love and adore, there’s no denying the quality games that have tugged our heartstrings for the last twelve months. Which game takes the prize as your Game of the Year? Are there any titles that deserve honorable mentions? What games are you most looking forward to in 2019? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to Nerd Bacon for more game tasty content!