Top 10 Video Games of 2022
With a GOAT on Top
Game delays and production woes became commonplace in 2022, but we still got an incredible group of game releases.
One rises to the top that is undeniable in its scale and design.
Onto the list.
Honorable Mentions: Neon White, Bayonetta 3
10 — The Quarry
Vibey summer camp horror game that immerses you in the tone of an 80’s slasher set in the modern day. The gameplay is a tad clunky and often frustrating, but the performances and storytelling are top notch.
9 — Sifu
Combat in Sifu is so silky smooth that The Game Awards categorized it as a fighting game. The art direction from Sifu is absolutely stunning with its cartoony and heightened lighting. The game design is built around repeatedly dying and replaying. It’s an interesting but ultimately infuriating system that kept it low on my list.
8 — Call of Duty: MW2
Is it the tight shooting mechanics? The addicting progression system? Or just having a load of friends who also play that makes COD games so fun? These games are becoming copy/paste game design with reskinned worlds, but when the formula is so good, it’s hard to complain.
7 — Cult of the Lamb
A perfect marriage of village sim and rogue-like. Each of the two parts of the game help power up the other. It’s a winning formula that keeps you always engaged. Pair this with cutesy art style built on top of a demonic story and you have a winner.
6 — MultiVersus
This Smash-like is free and uses 2v2 as its main game mode. With quick matches and a cool upgrade system, MultiVersus encourages you to experiment with characters and play-styles. The game integrates the diverse IP of Warner Bros into its fun art style to great effect and is very creative with the powers and move-sets.
5 — Horizon Forbidden West
The game is bigger in every way from its predecessor. This is both a thing of beauty with its insane vistas, stunning graphics, and impressive weapon selections. But it’s also a curse that can be felt in the rough pacing and needless content padding. Horizon Forbidden West’s graphics are among the best I’ve seen.
4 — Stray
A dystopian cyberpunk future told through the eyes of a stray feline making his way through a robot inhabited city underbelly. Playing from such a unique POV made Stray incredibly refreshing. The animations and art design have the quality of a AAA game packed in a tiny package.
3 — Gran Turismo 7
This entry wears its car obsession on its sleeve and can’t help but bring players along for the ride. The campaign is a weird but excellent system that educates you on the history of cars, manufacturers, and driving. GT7 is relentless and if you aren’t completely focused you will lose many races. This focus creates a flow-state that is intoxicating. GT7 is a thing of beauty and it’s a shame it’s not more widely available with a larger online component.
2 — God of War Ragnarök
Ragnarök has the best melee combat of any game. It is smooth and makes you feel insanely overpowered, while throwing massive foes at you to constantly keep you on your guard. The level design is incredibly satisfying which makes it difficult to put down. It’s awesome seeing the gritty and unique take on norse mythology throughout the enthralling story.
1 — Elden Ring
Undeniable in its execution, Elden Ring is a watershed moment in gaming. Developer From Software expands their tried-and-true formula to an open-world and it’s astonishing. If the map was half as big it would still blow me away. The diversity of biomes, enemy types, and weapons is a scale we’ve never seen. Elden Ring still manages to funnel players into dungeons which include FromSofts iconic level and boss design. Pair all of this with next level art design and a color palette, and you have the year’s best game.
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Thanks for reading :)
