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We’re coming to the end of 2022, and like every year’s end, we all begin to reflect on how it went for us individually. Whether it was who we dated, that cringey thing we said that one time, that one concert we went to, or that time you caught your roommate opening your mail and they blamed it on a ghost (true story). However, for gamers it’s a great time to look back and debate over the best game of the year. I’d like to personally thank TimelessGamer.net for letting me do my five picks for GotY, as gaming is something I’m very passionate about. Without it, my life would be an anxiety ridden marathon of adulting and uncontrollable self-contempt, but that’s for my therapist to know. I base my picks every year on three things: The looks, the feel, and the fun. It’s quite simple. So without further ado, I present (in no particular order) my top 5 picks for Game of the Year 2022, plus some honorable mentions.
God of War: Ragnarök
Coming in at the tail end of 2022, God of War: Ragnarök was a shoo-in for every publication’s and writer’s GotY list before it even hit the shelves. Why not? The first one was nominated in 2018 and the sequel was developed by the same studio with the same team. It’s a no-brainer. I still had my worries because a lot of times the sequel just isn’t as good as the original. That is not the case with God of War: Ragnarök. It’s even more visually stunning than its predecessor with realms that will make you spend a couple minutes just standing still and panning the camera just to look at every detail. The cinematics will have you on the edge of your seat, whether it’s during a boss fight or just opening the next chapter. The story continues from the first – a father and his son (now in his teens) try to prevent the literal end (Ragnarök) by defeating Odin, with all the twists, turns, and spectacular character introduction and development along the way. The immaculate third-person combat of the 2018 game remains in Ragnarök, along with new abilities to unlock that keep the player satisfied as they upgrade armor, weapons, runics, and relics. The creators also did a terrific job of displaying the main story quest for the player while providing all the optional side quests one would expect (in-story or post-story). God of War: Ragnarök lived up to all its hype, and any GotY list without it on there is likely not one worth reading.
Elden Ring
There seems to be a new standard in the modern era of gaming: if FromSoftware makes it, its going to be nominated for Game of The Year. The company has a track record of creating award winning games, and Elden Ring is no exception – another title that should be on every GotY list. The open world action adventure game is a masterpiece visually with arguably more detail than any open world game on the market. As far as Gameplay, Elden Ring challenges gamers with extremely tough third-person combat. Stuck on a boss? Get good. Players are forced to strategize pretty much every move in a fight, and the victory rewards make you feel like the greatest warrior there is! For me, it’s most fun in co-op mode. I’ll admit I’m not the best at playing FromSoftware games, so its nice having someone else to face hardships and celebrate victories. As far as story goes, its nothing too complicated – repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord. And while the story is great, it’s actually the least appealing part in the game. With so many side missions, quests, and secrets, there’s enough content to keep you busy hundreds of hours while still finding something new. If this game isn’t in your library, then you are missing out on of the biggest accomplishments in the modern gaming era.
Stray
You can see a more detailed write-up of this game, as I’ve written about it before right here on TGn. This game is already making some GotY lists and considered the underdog when it comes to The Game Awards and The Golden Joystick. For BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive, however, I’m sure just being nominated is victory enough. The game is a unique instant classic playing out a post-apocalyptic narrative through the eyes of a cat. The graphics are stellar, gameplay is simple, and the fun of exploring as a cat is so great that you’ll struggle with whether to put the controller down to get some sleep for work or just pull an all-nighter and power through the next day. In my opinion, Stray belongs on every GotY list because it’s the “little game that could”. It did more than what was expected as it became a surprise hit and actually had pet felines watching their owner’s play (there are videos I’m serious). It may not take the ultimate prize of Game of the Year, but I do expect some publications to give it their Best Indie Game awards.
Ghostwire: Tokyo
These next two games in the list are subjective – feel free to argue, but I feel they are extremely underrated. The first is Ghostwire: Tokyo, a first-person action-adventure thriller game taking place in the streets of Tokyo, Japan that deals with the spirit world colliding with the real-world in the streets of Tokyo, Japan. Players star as Akito walking through the city as he tries to put an end to the hauntings and return everything back to normal. One of the first things you’ll notice is the accurate portrayal of Tokyo; this game will have you buying plane tickets to Japan just to see the city for yourself. Gameplay reminds me of the Bioshock franchise whereas instead of a gun in one hand and ability in the other, players use psychic and paranormal abilities. There are collectibles, ability upgrades, secrets, etc., just like every recent AAA title within its genre. It’s another “little game that could”, but the difference between Ghostwire and Stray is a lot of people slept on this game. I highly recommend it for its gameplay, visual representation of Tokyo, and an original narrative you won’t find in any other game. Seriously, go play it!
Bayonetta 3
Hey! Let’s give some love to Nintendo and the Switch, shall we? While Bayonetta 3 is on some lists for Best Action Game. I believe it should make GotY lists as well. Sure, there are better games, but this year was rough one for the team at PlatinumGames. Hellena Taylor, who played titular character in the first two games publicly revealed her pay rate offer in Bayonetta 3, where she was not the lead role anymore. Long story short, it was revealed Taylor didn’t paint the full picture making the controversy moot but still leaving a black eye on the franchise before release. Turns out what PlatinumGames and Nintendo released is the best in the series. It’s about as good as good can get visually when it comes to the Nintendo Switch, the bread and butter of Bayonetta 3 is the gameplay and the story. I wasn’t a Bayonetta fan at all before I picked this up, but when I did, I found myself picking up the first two games to have more familiarity with the franchise. That’s what you want out of a third installment or any new installment for that matter, to grab new fans. Gameplay is addictive – you’ll be sitting on your couch ferociously pressing buttons as you face man-made bioweapons and the Singularity to save the multiverse. It’s an action-adventure hack and slash worth the price of entry, and dare I say, maybe the best Switch release this year. We live in a social media age where movies, TV, music, and even games don’t recover well from Tweeted controversies. But not only did Bayonetta 3 survive, it thrived and brought new life into a slept-on franchise and brought new fans into what had been a cult-like following.
Honorable Mentions:
Horizon Forbidden West
I wanted to include this title in the main list, but I had my issues with it. Visually it isn’t the best – it’s good but the visuals in Ragnarök and Elden Ring surpass Horizon Forbidden West‘s colorful environments. The fun gameplay is definitely there, but its narrative becomes convoluted, and the open world map is overly cluttered with side missions to the point of exhaustion. I simply found myself tired and wanting to move onto another game. It certainly deserves its nominations on other lists, but I don’t think it’s quite the Game of the Year nom that its predecessor was. I sat down for a week and beat Horizon Zero Dawn, while I ended up putting Forbidden West back on the shelf for a later date.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2
I’m giving this a mention because the remake of the PS3 era classic brought me back into the Call of Duty franchise. The campaign has amazing graphics, and the multiplayer mode is intense and fun. Its first person shooter gunplay is excellent, and executing a killstreak is rewarding and really gets your blood going! What keeps it from being on the list? It launched with bugs that crashed consoles and PCs in its first three weeks, and there are still remnants of the toxic COD fandom that will come out of your headset from time to time.
Sonic Frontiers
I’ll give Sonic Frontiers an honorable mention. It’s fun modern addition to one of the greatest video game franchises. While it’s in the GotY lists on other publications, it doesn’t quite make the list for me because I simply believe “this ain’t the one.” I think the next Sonic installment with this game’s formula minus its small flaws will not only deserve a nomination but will most likely win. I feel as though this game is on so many GotY lists more because of the name recognition than the game itself.
Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with my list or honorable mentions, I want it noted that all the games mentioned are worth picking up and playing. No matter who wins or who was left out, this was one of the best years in the modern video game era. I raise my glass to you the reader and toast, “here’s to the years to come!”
