Six incredible games you may have missed because of FIFA 18

IF YOU’RE a keen gamer, EA Sports’ FIFA 18 game isn’t the only thing that should’ve been on your radar lately.

With all the talk about FIFA 18 it’s easy to forget there were loads of other brilliant games released in the last few weeks.

Thankfully, we’ve picked out the best of the best so you know exactly where to focus your attention next.

Racing fans will be spoiled for choice ... there are three brilliant racers on the market right now.

PROJECT CARS 2

You no doubt enjoyed 2015’s Project Cars, but the sequel ramps it up a notch.

There are now more tracks — 46 in total, a majority of which have been laser scanned for pinpoint accuracy.

Not only that, but cars are almost photorealistic thanks to the brilliant Madness engine — which, amazingly, powered 2009’s Need for Speed: Shift.

There’s even a brilliant photo mode allowing you to capture every little detail.

The real ace in Project Cars’ sleeve, though, is dynamic weather. In fact, Bandai Namco’s masterpiece could well boast the most realistic weather system ever created in a game.

Project Cars 2 screen shots.

Project Cars 2 looks stunning in motion and will look best on Ps4 Pro, Xbox One X and PC

Such is the complexity of the coding, you’ll see storm clouds gather in the distance before rain starts falling on the track.

Puddles form in the dips of the terrain and water streams off the saturated grass on to the asphalt providing an ever-evolving track.

The simulation even includes time and seasons, meaning that sunrise and sunset changes depending on what track you’re at and what the season is.

Multiplayer wise, online mode has been refined to better cater for esports. This includes an online ranking system, online championships, and better functionality in matchmaking.

Add to the mix full VR support, not to mention triple-monitor displays (for hardcore PC gamers) and you’ve got an incredible racing package.

Just make sure you’ve got a steering wheel and race seat you can get the full simulation experience.

CUPHEAD

After years of delays Cuphead is finally here ... and it’s a work of art, quite literally.

That’s because the creators, StudioMDHR Entertainment, painstakingly drew each background and animation by hand.

The result is a game that’s as pretty as a picture, with charming 1930s style cartoon graphics harking back to the golden age of animation.

Cuphead’s hand-drawn visuals contrast with the run and gun gameplay.

Plot follows the lovable Cuphead and his brother Mugman, who — after making a deal with the Devil, are tasked with travelling around Inkwell Isle to collect their souls.

But don’t let its childish looks fool you. Cuphead’s a pretty violent game — with an emphasis on running and gunning.

Along the way, you’ll bump into bosses, which take a phenomenal amount of damage.

Build up enough points and you’ll be able to pull off a special move to help deal that killer blow.

Should things get too tough, you can team up with a friend and play cooperatively.

Oh, and there’s infinite lives, too ... just in case.

WRC 7

It’s hard to top the brilliant Dirt 4 when it comes to rally games, but WRC certainly tries its best.

It’ll take you to the 13 official countries of WRC — which means you’ll race in Monaco, Sweden, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, Finland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Portugal, France, Italy and Poland.

The visuals are on the whole very impressive, but the cars steal the show.

There’s a huge amount of variation — from racing through the villages of Poland to driving through ice in Sweden.

The handling isn’t quite on the same level as Dirt, meaning it’s more accessible for those after a lighter challenge.

The real star of the show are the car themselves though, which are meticulously recreated inside and out.

Mud splatters over the windows, snow sticks to tyre treads — the level of detail really is extraordinary.

There’s a decent number of modes to get stuck into as well — from timed mini-challenges to online multiplayer.

A must-have for rally fans.

NBA2K18

WITH all the hype surrounding the release of FIFA 18, you might just have missed the launch of NBA 2K18 ... which was a mistake.

Why? Because the basketball game is the greatest sports simulation game ever released.

In terms of graphics, gameplay, attention to detail and the variety of game modes, NBA 2K18 is quite simply years ahead.

Having announced everything would be improved visually, from sneakers to jerseys to player likenesses and movement, 2K also revealed the game-changer ... “The Neighbourhood”.

Think “The Journey”, but bigger, better and all the more rewarding.

Kyrie Irving mean mugging in 2K18.

Starting off as an undrafted rookie — rated just 60 — travel the “Road to 99”, playing through the NBA, online street games, training sessions and much, much more to became the GOAT.

It’s days, weeks, months of gripping, story-driven gaming, with the choices you make hugely affecting your journey in the NBA.

By earning VC from games, as well as endorsements, you can customise anything and everything, from the sneakers you wear to the style of your hair.

All of which can be done in “The Neighbourhood”, which is a free-world map system, much like GTA V, and far more interesting that sporting games’ usual menu-based system.

Get far enough in and you’ll find yourself designing your very own sneakers from scratch.

However, there is so much more to NBA 2K18 than just the career mode.

If you fancy a change or are less into the “single player” style, there’s MyLeague, MyTeam and MyGM.

Just like in Grand Theft Auto — you’re able to pick outfits and customise your appearance.

MyLeague sees you take over a team and play — much like season mode in other sports games — while MyTeam is a hugely popular card-collecting game, a la FIFA’s Ultimate Team.

Then there’s MyGM — Football Manager for the basketball world — as you take over the role of general manager and deal with everything from player salaries and trades to a potential relocation.

2K has weaved in a new storyline to MyGM to add another level to an already incredible game mode.

Simply put, NBA 2K18 is the sports gamer’s game ... and if you missed the initial launch, make sure you get to it now.

Madden NFL 18

OK, Madden may not have The Neighbourhood but it’s still got a decent story mode in its own right, called Longshot.

It follows, Texas-born quarterback Devin Wade, as he tries to reach the NFL, and includes high school and college football games.

Madden uses the Frostbite engine to great effect — although player models look stiff when compared with FIFA 18.

Just like in The Journey, your decisions and performances in the game affect Devin’s career path.

Just like in other EA flagship games, Madden is powered by Frostbite. Although player models look a bit stuff compared with the free-flowing FIFA players, stadium and uniform detail is spot on.

Gameplay wise, there’s a new Target Passing mechanic, which allows you to lead your pass catcher.

Plus, the new Play Now Live, sees you follow the real-life NFL season with in-game challenges to rewrite history, or imagine it before it happens.

All in all, it’s a pretty impressive package.

FORZA MOTORSPORT 7

The last racer on our list, but by no means least.

Forza Motorsport 7 is a sunning looking game — and has been developed to show off the shiny Xbox One X.

There are more than 700 cars and more than 200 different configurations to race on across 32 locations at launch.

A fictional street circuit in Dubai is one of the standout new tracks — which sees you weave through empty streets while sand obscures your vision.

Forza Motorsport 7 is a sunning looking game — and has been developed to show off the shiny Xbox One X.

Gameplay wise, be sure to check out the Forza Driver’s Cup, which sees you take part in a wide array of competitions spread across six championship series.

Rather than annoying CPU cars,’ friends-as-AI Drivatars’ return, which allows for more realistic races.

To encourage competition, mods are unlocked as part of Forza 7’s blind car system.

The packs mix everything from cosmetic goods to driver outfits (you can customise your driver for the first time this year).

Add to the mix silky smooth, 4K 60 FPS gameplay and dynamic weather, and you’ve got a serious contender.

This article originally appeared on The Sun.