You know, looking back at 2022, considering everything that was going on with the world, and the way that the video game industry in particular had been affected by the events of the past coupe of years, us gamers were treated to some real bangers when it came to video games released last year. Oh, sure, there were not as many releases in 2022 as had been in previous years unaffected by global pandemics and the near shut down of most of the global workforce, and we saw quite a number a delays to some releases that many of us were anticipating – but really, are gaming delays that out of the norm – but given all that, the fact that we got as many good games released throughout the year is a major win for the gaming industry.
I, myself, was very impressed with quite a number of games released throughout the year. And not just by games that I played myself (though for this list I had to have played the games in some capacity), but by games that I saw friends play on Twitch and YouTube, or by family members in my household with whom I share my passion for gaming. Indeed, with the variety of games I experienced and witnessed throughout 2022, you would be hard pressed to believe that the industry was affected by the events of the world. That is not to make light of the pandemic or the millions of lives lost these past couple of years, I’m just making the observation of the immense dedication and passion of these gaming creators to continue forward with their projects.
That all being said, I wanted to recognize the ten new video games released in 2022 that I believe were the most entertaining games I played last year. These may not be the most critically acclaimed games of the year by most accounts, rather this list is subjective to my personal taste and passions. Also, note that this list is a list of new video games released in 2022 because, if I am being perfectly honest here, my favorite video games of the year were Fortnite, Minecraft, and Madden 22; so to recognize a wider variety of games, I am only considering new games released, even, as in the case of one game in particular on this list, it was released in an Early Access state, with it receiving a full, free-to-play release in 2023. So, now that we have all that covered, let’s move on to the list.
Bayonetta 3
Developed by: PlatinumGames
Published by: Nintendo
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Release date: October 28, 2022
I have been an unabashed fan of the Bayonetta series since the first game in the series released back in 2009. And with the release of Bayonetta 3, even though the story was bat-shit crazy like you have no idea, the gameplay delivered in every way that I thought a Bayonetta game should. It was fast-paced, it was hard but not extreme, and it was a visually stunning game to look at. Was it gonna wow the majority of gamers and critics? No, I don’t think that was the game’s intent; but I believe that it did right by its fans and that is about as much as I can ask from a series that I enjoy.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Developed by: Gameloft
Published by: Gameloft
Platform(s): macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: September 6, 2022
Admittedly, I haven’t spent a lot of time playing Disney Dreamlight Valley as much as I should have wanted to, but I have spent countless hours watching my wife, daughter, and youngest son play the game, and from just watching them play, I enjoyed what I saw on screen. Don’t get me wrong, I did like the game from what I played, but playing Dreamlight seems like such a time investment, as one would expect from a game that plays likes a mix of Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, and I just didn’t want to invest my time into another game. But I do have a good time watching my family play the game. And I do get a good chuckle every time I hear Donald Duck trip and fall and throw another temper tantrum.
Elden Ring
Developed by: FromSoftware
Published by: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: February 25, 2022
This is another game that I wish I could have spent more time playing, but considering my time investments in past FromSoftware games like Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, I knew that this was another investment of my time that I was not prepared to make. But from the number of hours that I did spend in the world of the Lands Between, I could tell that FromSoftware definitely should Elden Ring their crowning achievement. First off, what I love the most of Elden Ring, was the lore that the story presented players. I am a sucker for a good story, and from what I played myself and what I saw from some of my favorite Twitch streamers, like Twoootles and Zoveria, I may revisit this game again soon to finish experiencing the story for myself.
God of War Ragnarok
Developed by: Santa Monica Studios
Published by: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Release date: November 9, 2022
Admittedly, I went into God of War Ragnarok with a preconceived notion that I was gonna love the game before I even played it. The 2018 God of War game presented players with so much video game perfection, I had a feeling that Sony could only improve upon what they had presented when the sequel dropped. And thankfully Ragnarok did not let me down. Improving on the few quirks that the 2018 game had and presenting players with more top-notch storytelling, gameplay, and action, Ragnarok may just have set the bar for what sequels are expected to deliver for fans of the previous works. Well, at least in my humble opinion.
Horizon Forbidden West
Developed by: Guerilla Games
Published by: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Release date: February 18, 2022
This is another game that I wish I would have spent more time playing, but from what I did play, I enjoyed every minute of it. And I think had Horizon Forbidden West had released in a different year it would have been more well-regarded and widely played by a larger player base than in did, because this game certainly did everything that it needed to right. And that goes for me as well. But I did enjoy my time watching one of my favorite streamers, Zoveria, play through the game on her Twitch channel. Hopefully, time permitting, I’ll definitely spend some more time with Forbidden West this year, but that doesn’t take away from how incredible the game was in 2022.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Developed by: Traveller’s Tales
Published by: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: April 5, 2022
I mean, come on, this is a LEGO game here. It’s very rare that these types of LEGO games don’t deliver. And seeing as how past LEGO Star Wars games have been amongst my favorites in this genre, it’s no wonder why I believe that LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga was one of my favorite new games of 2022. Hands down, it is just one of the most fun games in terms of simple and pure enjoyment. And to see the joy on the faces of my teen kids playing this game, especially on the face of my youngest son, how can you not give a game like The Skywalker Saga it dues. Not every great game needs to reinvent or redefine the industry. A game that does everything right, hits all the right notes, and is a pleasure to just sit down and waste some time having fun is more than deserving of being one of my favorites of the year.
MLB The Show 22
Developed by: San Diego Studio
Published by: Sony Interactive Entertainment, MLB Advanced Media, Cokem International
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: April 5, 2022
To be fair, and it is considering that this is my list and it is purely subjective as it is, I had a ton of fun playing MLB The Show 22 this year. San Diego Studio has proven that know what it takes to deliver when it comes to the MLB franchise, and all they really did this year was improve upon a great game from previous iterations. These are the small kinds of improvements that I wish other sports games like Madden, 2K, and FIFA would make; nothing major but rather just tweak what they need to in minor improvements that make a big difference in the overall gaming experience. As a sports fan, it is games like this that are a great blend of sim vs arcade style gaming that make them fun to play.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Developed by: Game Freak
Published by: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Release date: January 28, 2022
Admittedly, this was not the kind of Pokémon experience I was expecting when I first started playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but damn if this didn’t feel like the Pokémon game we all have been waiting for. From the vast open world to the agency to play as you see fit to the improvements in gameplay and graphics, Pokémon Legends is a simple joy to play through. As a long time Pokémon fan, having played almost every game from its initial release back in 1998 when I first picked up Pokémon Red and also started collecting the TCG, this was the kind of Pokémon experience I have long waited for, and I had a blast playing through. On the side though, I would generally knock a Pokémon game for not allowing me to complete the entire national Pokédex, but seeing how this game is very much a prequel type game, I’m willing to give this one a pass on that front.
Stray
Developed by: BlueTwelve Studio
Published by: Annapurna Interactive
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
Release date: July 19, 2022
Now here is a game that I am definitely looking forward to playing more of this year and I barely spend a few hours playing last year, bit from what I did play of Stray, there is no doubt that it is an incredible game, and a stellar outing from a young studio like BlueTwelve. However, this was another game, due to time restraints, that I was able to enjoy vicariously by watching gamers like Zoveria, Ellen Rose, and Jess McDonell play while I worked on other things. But Stray is a game that I definitely plan to revisit and finish this year because I want to finish my adventure of helping this amazingly rendered kitty find its way home. Not bad, BlueTwelve; I’m not a cat fan but I have been enthralled by a game about a cat.
Vampire Survivors
Developed by: Luca Galante
Published by: Luca Galante
Platform(s): Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: November 18, 2022
I’m not gonna lie: Vampire Survivors was a game that I totally sat on after I downloaded the game back in November. It wasn’t until this year, the first week of 2023 to be exact, that I started playing the game, and I am kicking myself in the ass for waiting so long to play this game. I mean, what the actual hell? This simple roguelike shoot ‘em up has no right being this good. I mean, you don’t really do anything in this game other than maneuver your character around the map, but it is some damn fun, and some damn addicting, I can hardly wait to play the game again even after just having put it down. And the fact that you can play it in quick burst or for long stretches makes it even more enjoyable. Simple to get into, decently mild to master, but delivers in every way from easy to challenging, Vampire Survivors in one hell of a rush that I simply love.
