I don't know about everyone else out there, but 2022 ended up being a bit of a flat year for me, especially when gaming. Whenever I try to sum it all up, I keep coming back to a big sigh and a "meh", without anything all that exciting standing out to grab my attention. Not that there weren't good things happening in 2022, as I played a lot of cool games and the year in general felt less tumultuous than recent times, and we all know how much we could do with a little stability in the world right now.
Not to ignore the real concerns that are happening on a global scale, as war still rages on, and people are suffering unnecessarily in so many ways. As I write this mini retrospective of the year that was, I can't help feeling that a part of me will always be a little sad about the state of the world, rendering any attempt to assess something as inconsequential as video games fairly pointless. Don't get me wrong though, as I appreciate the value of entertainment and escapism during times of hardship, but I can't help at least mentioning the stuff that really matters in a lame attempt to provide a little context.
Having said that, my gaming life in 2022 was also lacking any kind of massive spark to blow the roof off. I played a whole lot of great games that fuelled my creativity and truly delivered some inspiring stories, but I did miss a few blockbusters along the way. I'm still not the kind of person who buys the big name games on their day of release, so I always miss some of the big hitters of the year. In 2022 it was Elden Ring, God of War: Ragnarök, and Horizon Forbidden West that really stood out as the big holes in my line-up. I'll play them one day, but as I write this they still cost over a hundred bucks each, so I'll be waiting on the inevitable discount that will come in the future.
Instead, I played a lot of subscription service games and smaller games without an obnoxious price tag. It's probably clear from the titles I've picked below, but 2022 was really a year of Game Pass and Playstation Plus for me. I've really been enjoying the amount of quality titles that are included in these subscriptions, so I've been holding off on purchasing individual games in general. Thus, my GOTY list for 2022 happens to include quite a few games from those subscription services, as well as a couple of titles I just had to get my hands on.
FAR: Changing Tides
I doubt this would top many people's GOTY list when they look at 2022; especially if they've played the big blockbusters I've missed out on, but for me this was the best game I played that was released last year. Sure it's small and quirky with a simple premise and a shorter-than-most run time, but when I think about the quality of games I played in 2022, this is the only one that can be considered practically perfect in just about every way.
Now, these things are certainly subjective, but I defy anyone to find me something that's fundamentally wrong with FAR: Changing Tides, beyond a simple question of taste and scope. Perhaps you could mark it down for being a small indie game, but that's precisely why I loved it more than everything else I played. After all, one of my favourite kinds of games to experience these days are the short indie titles that ooze with creativity and polish. I'd rather be blown away and delighted for a few hours, than zone out and grind my way through weeks of a bland blockbuster.
To that end, this game is pure joy and wonder for someone like me and it deserves its place at the top of the list. The gameplay is satisfying, the puzzles are just challenging enough to make you stop and think here and there, and the overall concept and world building is executed brilliantly. This was the kind of game where I frequently found myself pausing, mouth agape, as my surprise and excitement reached peak levels. There were so many little moments of wonder throughout the shorter run time of this game that it felt like I was discovering new fascinations every other minute. I absolutely adored this game and loved every second I spent playing it, which is why it has no competition for the title of my 2022 game of the year.
Ghostwire Tokyo
From a small impeccable indie game to a hotly anticipated big shiny open world game. For the longest time I thought this would be my game of the year, even before I had played it. I was incredibly hyped to get my hands on Ghostwire Tokyo that it was the first game I ever purchased for Playstation 5, and I am so glad that I did. As far as big budget open world games go, this is one of the most unique and interesting one I've played in a long time.
While short indie titles are among my favourite kinds of games to play, an equal first is a big polished open world game that really shows off its budget and the talents of its team. Of course I understand why so many gamers are sick of the open world formula and the term has even become a bit of a dirty word these days, I'll still carry the water for them, as I really enjoy having a big beautiful playground to get lost in.
The only reason Ghostwire Tokyo fell short of the top spot was because I haven't finished playing it yet (as I'm savouring every moment), and I know I've forgiven a few open world traps that the game falls into. Thus, even though I'm enjoying myself in the game, I can see clearly why it was largely criticised on release, and I can't deny that those shortcomings exist. However, I still love the hell out of this highly creative and unique game that I have to give it the silver spot on the list, as it was definitely one of my favourite games of 2022.
Beacon Pines
I didn't know a lot about this game when I first started playing it at the end of the year, but it looked kind of interesting and it came out on Game Pass, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Well. I'm happy to say that I was completely won over by the mysterious and intriguing story that plays out with a fun time-travel mechanic of making different choices and finding alternate outcomes.
Although, I can admit that perhaps my favourite aspect of Beacon Pines is the art, which was a pleasure to take in on every screen as I uncovered more and more of the mystery. Add to that some excellent writing and you have a sure-fire recipe for success and a way to really keep my attention. This is one of those games that looks even better in motion, along with having a beautiful soundtrack to bolster the world and tie everything together.
I loved the story-book aesthetic and the literal branching paths of the story that were represented by different words applied to the same situations. The whole game just felt polished and well executed from start to finish, which was so much fun to play and a perfect title to take out the last runner-up spot.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
As per usual, these are the games from 2022 that I really enjoyed and considered for a spot at the top, but for one reason or another, they didn't quite make it. However, the following honourable mentions are excellent games in their own right and well worth mentioning.
In order of release:
STRANGE HORTICULTURE
One of the most surprising titles of the last year, this little game about finding and administering different plants in a fantastical setting really scratched an itch for me. While it might fall slightly on the short side when it comes to content, what's there is exceptionally well put together. The biggest disappointment was that I wanted more game when it was finally all over, as I found it super relaxing and enjoyable to spend my time identifying plants and determining what each of my clients required.
CITIZEN SLEEPER
Another game on the 'currently playing' pile, but one that I was hooked by as soon as I started playing. If you'd asked me whether I would be interested in a game that's part visual novel, part dice rolling RPG, I think I would have ignored you and played some more Ghostwire Tokyo. However, now that I've sunk my teeth into the game's central mechanics, I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised and really looking forward to seeing where the story will eventually take me. Combining an interesting tale with the uncertainty of dice rolls seems to make the whole thing even more enjoyable and without a doubt, a memorable experience.
TREK TO YOMI
This is one of those games that I enjoyed a lot more than everyone else I know who tried it, and I suppose it would be fair to say that it certainly has its limitations. Although, I would happily argue that this is one of the standout games from 2022 and every serious gamer should have at least given it a go and made up their own mind. Yes, a little more polish here and there would be appreciated, but the aesthetic and overall presentation makes up for any frustrating moments along the way. I think I spent every minute of gameplay, uncontrollably drooling over what was happening on screen.
STRAY
Top marks as best 'walking simulator' of the year, even though it has a little more to offer and there's a lot more to do in this game where you play as a cat. What I enjoyed about Stray was the world-building and how every nook and cranny seemed to be packed with detail. Despite finding a little bit of dissonance here and there related to the actions that a real cat would have taken in my place, this turned out to be a very satisfying adventure.
A PLAGUE TALE: REQUIEM
I actually don't have a lot to say about A Plague Tale: Requiem, as it pretty much follows straight on from the first game and continues in the same fashion. The graphics are still beautiful and the original story continues to be a pleasure to discover and play through. What's more, there's something about really getting lost in the muck of a plague-ridden medieval town that I enjoy… and all those rats… a feast for the eyes.
HIGH ON LIFE
For a game that I can realistically imagine annoying the hell out of many gamers, I had a lot of fun with this one. Comedy is a hard thing to really nail in games, and this one definitely leans on how much you enjoy that Rick & Morty sense of humour, as it's everything you think it will be. I have to admit that I find it a bit annoying at times, but overall I had a good time and a smile on face more than I didn't, and for better or worse, this is one game that will definitely stand out in my memory from 2022. What really sealed the deal was all the creativity that's gone into designing the game's world and everything going on therein. It's a wild ride.
THE LIST
It wouldn't be a GOTY post if it didn't finish off with a list of all the games released in 2022 that I actually played. There are some obvious omissions as I mentioned at the top, but I still managed to get through a whole heap of different titles that each provided something different. Overall, I'd say that 2022 was a pretty good year for gaming and of the ones I played, most were super enjoyable and worth the investment.
As usual, the following list contains the platform I played the game on, and if I've written a post about it on the blog, I'll add it as a link. Here's to a big year of gaming to come in 2023, and perhaps a few bigger blockbusters beaten along the way!
Far Cry 6: Pagan: Control (PS5)
Strange Horticulture (Win)
Lost Ark (Win)
WonderFlower (Win)
GRID Legends (XBSX)
Aperture Desk Job (Win)
FAR: Changing Tide (Win)
Tunic (Win)
NORCO (Win)
Ghostwire: Tokyo (PS5)
A Memoir Blue (Win)
Constricted (Win)
Dorfromantik (Win)
Citizen Sleeper (Win)
Trek To Yomi (Win)
Roller Champions (PS5)
Sniper Elite 5 (Win)
Elden Ring GB (Win)
VNonograms: Pico-8 Legends (Win)
The Looker (Win)
Resonance Of The Ocean (Win)
Escape Academy (Win)
Stray (PS5)
Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels (XBSX)
Immortality (Win)
As Dusk Falls (XBO)
Beacon Pines (Win)
A Plague Tale: Requiem (Win)
High On Life (XBSX)