The 2022 GOTY top 10 list of 2022!

I can’t believe it’s pretty much been a whole heckin’ gosh darn year since I’ve used this blog? Perhaps I’ve been a lot busier than I’ve wanted? More mentally drained? I think I’ve had no time for a lot of things, what the hell was I even DOOIINNGGGG streaming as much as I did this year. I did manage to fulfill a goal for myself and film a 3 minute short it’s still in post production limbo, but a lot of what I had going on this year involved a lot of waiting around and then the eventual disappointment. One thing is for sure, I’ve definitely played a lot more games than expected and that’s no small feat, I am a very poor man.

SO, here we go from one to ten, a list of video games! (which let’s be honest, every other game could be in any order except the big boy #1 worldwide champion that is the Game of the Year.)

10) Overwatch 2

It’s almost like I’m getting it out of the way, putting it at number 10 on the list. But I think the ‘early access’ version of OW2 is enough to say, “Yes, clearly I am still enjoying the game. Hell I exclusively stream it. What is there to say about a game that I’ve been playing for the past 6 years?” 

I think the perception has changed about OW2 in the sense that it makes me feel as though the bubbles that all the Content Creators/Streamers live in are more obvious. In a way, it’s probably one of many reasons why I stick with it. I don’t want to be that guy that declares my opinion about the game to be the right one, because I often find myself wanting to be the counter argument. 5v5 has made it more interesting to me in figuring out ways to engage in fights. There’s always going to be new possibilities, new strategies with each new map/character. And Metas come and go all the time. Even things that the community has convinced themselves is the right meta is never going to work in the right composition. A good team will constantly adapt to the situation instead of continuing to hit a wall until you can break through. Despite having moments where I can get completely fed up with teams, I still want to come back to it. So I gotta have it at least at number 10.

9)Project Zomboid

What feels like a persistent genre of game, zombie survival can be fun under the right circumstances. I don’t think I would remotely enjoy this game if I didn’t have other people to play with. But I guess you can say that about every survival game. But you know, the meticulous nature of its gameplay is interesting. To do anything outside of just eating and killing takes some engagement, that I think, again, wouldn’t be as interesting if I didn’t have other people to play with. So by that virtue alone, Project Zomboid is a fun game if you’re playing with the right crowd.

(The first time I’ve ever felt that creating Lark in a game was the most accurate.)

8)Knockout City

I don’t think I ever would have given this game a chance if it wasn’t for the time it became free on PS+. Something that felt as though it had ‘Free to Play’ game written all over it. Luckily that did happen later this year, and I managed to convince my friends to join in on some ball throwing mayhem.

The gameplay is solid. Dodges, dashes, slams and catches in such a tactical way that it feels like a fighting game. It’s fast paced and fun and having teams mostly stay to 3v3 the chaos is small and manageable, making call outs easier and more exciting to turn the tables.

Will I play more? I think so, But I hesitate when the game is now part of Epic’s online infrastructure. I hate having to support something that I like knowing that Epic is benefiting from it. But what’s the alternative? Will They eventually go the way of Spellbreak? An interesting game that’s just shutting down for whatever reason. I do want more success for the game, it’s incredibly fun. But my own moral compass is getting in the way of continuing to feel like I can enjoy it.

I mean, I’m sorry to stand on a soapbox here, but I really enjoyed a lot of my time with Knockout City.

7) Front Mission Remake

I’M DOING MY PART! A tactical RPG with Mechs that was memorable in my days as a youth. I’ve always wanted to see this franchise continue, but after the Japan-only release of Front Mission 5, Square Enix only ever decided to do obscure things with the franchise that don’t quite work. Essentially killing it’s momentum. Even 2019’s ‘Left Alive’ could have been promising if it wasn’t for the development team not really understanding what made Metal Gear Solid great.

Square is just in a weird direction right now. The idea that a Front Mission Remake being made and released has been given no fanfare to the demographic that would EAT THIS SHIT UP. I am one of those people. After it was announced on that one Nintendo Direct earlier this year, I had to keep checking in to see if there was any new information. Yet they didn’t even reveal the release date until they quietly released the game. I will eternally love Front Mission cause I love mech fights, (and I guarantee you we will talk about this once the next Armored Core gets released.) Please, do yourself a favor. If you enjoy Tactical RPGs, give this one a try. If any continued remakes find success there might be hope for the future of FRONT MISSION.

6)Monster Hunter Rise

If you’ve been catching the streams, you know I’ve played a fair amount of Monster Hunter: World with friends. It’s a franchise that thrives on co-op hacking and slashing against big bad monsties. I like what Rise does with some of the things it’s learned from World, even though it’s taking away some of my favorite gameplay elements in favor of just giving it a twist.

I think using a staggered monster to beat another one to a pulp is absolutely exhilarating, and the inclusion of a pup companion to give you more mobility is super cool. This franchise has come a long way and with each new iteration and it never feels boring. There’s definitely the part of me that thinks World is a solid and more definitive MonHun experience. But I like what Rise does a lot. 

May we continue to play Rise into the new year and hopefully get around to Sunbreak.

5)Vampire Survivors/20 minutes till dawn.

I included these two together cause they’re essentially the same kind of game, though one is a more passive experience than the other. Vampire Survivors grabbed me in the hype about being a game where you were essentially a bullet hell, but then 20 minutes grabbed me for when I want to play Vampire Survivors but still want to feel like I’m playing something.

Both are equally fantastic experiences doing completely different things, but somehow give me the same feeling. So I don’t think it would have made sense to put them in separate spots. In my mind they’re a packaged deal, and cheap. See which kind of experience you like more for yourself. OR HECK, GET EM BOTH! The hype for this style of game is real so let’s just enjoy it’s moment under the sun.

4)Pentiment

I was completely enraptured by this game when it was first announced at an E3. A murder mystery that takes place in the 16th century, with all the research of the time and a visual style to boot. After every play session, I had that feeling in my gut that I wanted to see it through. It’s one of the few video games I’ve played in recent years that focus on individual character interactions that feel like it understands the human condition of that era. The decisions you make are a small set piece in the character that is the town itself. All while you have to deal with the constant Christian-like elephant in the room.

I adore this game. I love that Obsidian got the chance to make this. it’s short enough to stick with you for the right amount of time. It’s an easy recommendation, especially if one were to have a Gamepass subscription.

3)Across the Obelisk

A turn based card RPG that you can co-op with up to 3 other people. I admit that I hate card based games. I’m not good at thinking about moves in such a way that is “If I play this card it’s beneficial in this way and helps with the next turn.” NOR, do I understand how to build a good deck. But look, I’ve definitely let other people make the decision for me of what I should play.

It’s again one of those experiences that is amplified by playing with other people. I don’t think I could ever enjoy this thing on my own. I think I’m running into a theme this year that a lot of the games I’ve enjoyed are with other people.

That’s going to say a lot about the next one on the list. 

2)The critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV

By virtue of Endwalker being out, and not really touching it since Stormblood I really took it upon myself to get back into it. It was the perfect time, when Overwatch 1 was feeling stale, I just needed something else for a while. Since one of my favorite people was playing an awful lot of it again, it got me interested. Because I DO not like playing MMOs by myself at all. 

Endwalker is a turning point for a 10 year long story and tease of what’s to come and I’m glad I got back into it. I had to dedicate an awful lot of time to push through, but the evolution of the game's characters and their relationship with you is a big reason why FFXIV is still an amazing game after all these years. 

I’m still subbed, we’re still gonna play some shit! Hopefully get back into more FFXIV streams for 2023.

1) Elden Ring

This one is probably ‘game of the year’ all over the place, so I don’t think I need to say anything about it. It’s been articulated many different ways why it’s a fantastic experience. Just know for the types of people that love playing these games, it does everything right and still finds a way to wow you. The best game I’ve played all year and it came out early.

I can only hope that a lot of open world games not necessarily mimic what it has done, but have learned how to do open world in an exciting way. (I’m not hoping for a new generation of souls-likes though)

That’s my list, thank you very much for reading. See you next year when I’m sure the next time I use this blog is making another one of these goty things!