My Top Games from 2022

Introduction

It’s the start of a new year, which means I get to reflect back on the best of gaming from the previous one! While I’ve played many games released across several years, I’d like to keep this list focused on games that 1) I’ve beaten and 2) have actually released within 2022. With that out of the way, let’s dive right in to my favorite games of 2022!

5. Final Fantasy Origin: Strangers of Paradise

CHAOS reigns in at number five! I remember seeing a trailer for Strangers of Paradise years back, and the game looked simply incomprehensible. A gritty, over-the-top Final Fantasy 1 remake with Dark Souls gameplay and a fashion style from the 2000s, all of which lead to months of CHAOS memes? There’s no way it wasn’t going to be an utter disaster (seriously, just try watching the trailer to see what I mean).

But leave it to Team Ninja to absolutely nail the amazing action combat mechanics. This game was simply a joy to play that I had so much trouble putting it down. Tying together action gameplay from Nioh with Final Fantasy enemies and Job mechanics, you end with an epic game fighting some fantastic bosses. And shockingly, the story was, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, actually….pretty solid? Pretty on brand for a game about CHAOS, I guess.

4. Vampire Survivors

I don’t always play popular PC games, but when I do, it’s Vampire Survivors. At number four, this game really threw me for a loop. I saw posts after posts about this game when I was seeing how other gamers were using their Steam Decks after I finally obtained one, and almost everyone was on Vampire Survivors! This game topped the Steam Deck most played charts for such a long time that when it hit mobile, I had to give it a go.

And WOW, this game is like freaking crack. It’s got everything you could want : bullets, bibles, vampires, lighting, bird lasers, Castlevania references, and garlic. Nothing feels more satisfying than mowing down tens of thousands of enemies per second and literally seeing a wave a numbers across the screen as your phone runs hot enough from rendering to fry an egg.

3. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

I’m a big Kirby fan. It’s the ultimate comfort game, one that makes you want to grab a cup of hot chocolate on a pleasant afternoon. They are almost always fun, but occasionally, some releases end up being extraordinary adventures . Kirby and the Forgotten Land is now one of my favorites from the series due to its charm, story, music, and gameplay, and it’s number three on this list.

Like Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild, this game serves as that breathtaking Switch entry for this series. Kirby and the Forgotten Land keeps the core Kirby formula but implements its levels in full 3D with upgradable copy powers and mouthful mode, a new gimmick that lets Kirby eat and become a car. Yes, Kirby can cruise faster than a Tesla in this game. And all those mechanics get overlaid on top of a post-apocalyptic land that makes you wonder what’s coming next throughout your grand adventure. It’s a game for the whole family to enjoy, so give it a whirl!

2. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

JRPG fans truly ate well this year, with games like Tactics Ogre, Triangle Strategy, and Trails from Zero. But one game stood above the rest to nail the number 2 spot, and it was Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The Xenoblade series is, in my opinion, one of the most exciting modern JRPG franchises out there. They are known for their amazing open-world design, phenomenal combat, and inspiring soundtrack (check out the game awards medley to see what I mean!), and this game is the pinnacle of the series.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 takes the best from its predecessor and shows a masterfully executed game. Fans of the series will have so much to love in this one, especially its wonderful cast of characters. At its core, the game is really a story about life and what we choose to do with it, and it’s a tearjerker folks! If you are a fan of JRPGs, there’s simply no reason to pass up on what has become another of Nintendo’s flagship series.

1. God of War: Ragnarök

I was a fan of God of War in 2006, before it got so mainstream. I’ve enjoyed following Kratos’ journey over the years, and I was very pleased with how his personal arc ended with the original trilogy. As a result, I approached God of War (2018) with such trepidation. But to my surprise, Santa Monica Studio took his journey to new heights and brought along a worthwhile successor to the original series. So of course, I had to play the sequel!

Now, I could write a novel on the multitude of reasons why God of War: Ragnarök deserves the number one spot this year, but I’ll hone in on one reason in particular. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game this well-executed since…ever. Ragnarök is the perfect combination of story, gameplay design, sound design, and character interactions, and every design choice felt like it was made with pure intention. I’ve seen many AAA games throw money to fix and round out their product, often investing in the wrong additions (eyes on you, Forbidden West). But Santa Monica Studio and their director, Eric Williams, put those resources into perfect use, so that a single dime wasn’t wasted. This game is a cohesive vision through and through, immersive at every step. Any fan of gaming or game development owes it to themselves to join Kratos and Atreus on their epic journey and witness the new bar for AAA games.

Closing Thoughts

All in all, 2022 was quite an interesting year for gaming. We are still seeing the effects and ramifications of the pandemic and the continued increase of game development time on what actually can launch within a given year. As a result, this year was for the most part dominated by a solid lineup from Nintendo and some major, long-awaited AAA games from Sony. Microsoft, while nailing the Game Pass experience, has really not kept a solid first-party lineup, which I hope they can address in 2023. Despite all of that, 2022 has probably released some of the most well-executed games I’ve seen in a long time. I just hope I don’t have to wait another five or so years to feel that way!