YvoCaro Plays: my favourite 2018 games

Usually on Thursdays I write another YvoCaro plays: my unedited thoughts on playing video games. This week, with the end of the year only a few days away, it’s time to share my Top 3 Handheld Games of 2018 with you. I just now added my vote to the Poll that is up on the site.

Have you made your choice already? And have you voted as well? If you are still making up your mind, it these entries might remind you! Anyway, the link to the Poll for Handheld Game of 2018 is here.

3. Yonder: the Cloud Catcher Chronicles

An island that is beautifully detailed and colorful, but plagued by a mysterious dark purple fog known as the Murk, which is causing distress to the island’s residents and is effectively polluting the environment. No surprise then that it’s your mission to gather sprites. They are the only ones that are capable of dispelling the Murk. Yonder is the kind of casual game the Switch could use more of in its library.

In this game, there are no enemies or monsters to fight. There is some farming and tending to animals, but not in the hands on way of Harvest Moon games. The game is about exploring, about farming for materials, about fishing and crafting and mostly about collecting. Just for the fun of it, and to help the fellow inhabitants of this beautiful land. Even though there are main quests to further the story of activating the Cloud Catcher and ridding Gemea of the murk, the storyline isn’t what it’s about. It’s all about questing and collecting! (The review I wrote can be found here)

2. Little Dragon’s Café

The story begins with a twin brother and sister learning to cook and manage a small café under their mother’s tutelage. All was peaceful and routine until one morning when the twins discover that their mother has fallen into a deep sleep and won’t wake up. Suddenly, a strange old man appears to inform them that they must raise a dragon in order to save her life. Working together with three quirky café employees, the two siblings must figure out how to a wrangle a dragon and manage the family business while finding a way to save their mother.

Little Dragons Café can’t be compared to Harvest Moon, Animal Crossing, Yonder or any of the fan favourites. You can’t farm, you can’t design patterns or even decorate a house. There is no dating and no marriage either. But then that’s not what the developers were going for. There is a strong emphasis on exploration like in Yonder but there’s a clear goal too: to find out what each character’s personal story is and help him or her reach their goals. (My review of the game is here)

So the game is about the stories behind each guest. A bit over the top here and there, but it all combines into good gameplay for me. It can get a bit repetitive and at times it’s difficult to find the trigger to further the story, but still: my second choice!

1. Civilization VI

Raise your hand if you are surprised! (No hands raised, I’m sure). The only game I gave a Two Thumbs Up this year, our highest praise. If I’d have to go to a deserted island and I could take only a few game, this would be one of them.

Choose which world leader you want to be and lead your people from an early settlement through many millennia. Try to survive the many other civilisations you’ll share the world with by learning new technologies, adopting a religion, and delving into new ways to govern your land. Found as many cities as you like, build improvements, send out scouts and be sure your armies are up to specs. Engage in trade and diplomatic relations with other leaders.

If you like strategy games or like city builder/management games, Civilization VI is a game that is a must to add to your collection on your Switch. And even if you never tried a strategy game before, this might be the one that shows how it’s done best. (My review for the game is here) The game is so huge, it’ll never get boring! So, deserted island, here I come (I do hope there’s electricity! )

So there you have it. I want to mention another game here that would have even given Civilization VI a run for its money if I had played it on the Switch. Dragon Quest Builders came out on the Switch this February, but I’d already played it on the Vita prior to that. In fact, it was my handheld game of the year 2016!