2022 felt like a global restart. Things we starting to get back to a semblance of normal, the fundamental shifts that the pandemic brought about now settled into place and the previous norms that survived starting to trickle back. Of course we’re far from done with with the ramifications of the pandemic, if indeed we’re even fully out of it. This was definitely reflected in the overall tone of the games and how I went about playing them last year: a casting off of many of the rules I’d previously set myself and breaking through my anxiety about playing certain kinds of games. The results are interesting to say the least, mostly due to how comfortable I feel with what I’ve achieved compared to what past me would think of it.

In setting yet another record for the blog I got through a humble 37 titles last year, my lowest ever I believe. There were times I’d kick myself relentlessly for this, completely forgetting a week had zipped right by me without even a thought given to putting fingers to keys to write something for the blog. Over time though I realised just how constraining the 1 game per week rule was becoming, forcing me to put other titles to the side whilst I built up a backlog of ready-to-review games so I could feel justified in doing so. Instead now I simply play the games I want, for as long as I want and the writing comes when it comes. To be sure I still go on the hunt for new things every week, you never know what you might find, but I’ve now freed myself from the anxiety of not having something new to play every week.

I’ve also extended this to playing older games as well, ones that may have slipped by me in years gone by that really should demand my attention. Stay tuned!

In the name of tradition here’s all the games I played last year, in chronological order, and with their respective scores:

Oh Spiders, when will you learn. Managing to take out the wooden spoon award this year (after winning it previously in 2016, whilst being nominated for it in 2014) I am honestly astonished at how they manage to keep getting funding to build the games they do. To be sure, I enjoy the absolute bollocks out of them, but for all the wrong reasons. I’m not sure if the rest of their fans are like I, but it seems there’s enough of us to keep this development house going. Truly though I do hope that, one day, they build something truly worthy of their aspirations, but if the last 8 years of playing their games is any indication I’m not exactly hopeful.

This year’s honourable mention list is a rather eclectic mix, but is also somewhat short given I had a tie in the top 3 (which I’ll dive into more detail later).

  • Lake: Showing me that the experience you have around the game means just as much as the game itself this short and charming homecoming story managed to cement itself in my head for a good long while. The soundtrack still gets the occasional play every now and then when I want some good vibes and a reminder of the good time I had playing this game while chatting to friends. Truly, it is just something nice which coming out of 2021 was sorely needed.
  • NORCO: A true surprise to me, again demonstrating that avoiding a game simply because it’s in a particular genre is a great to ensure you miss out on the truly great experiences that it has to offer. Perhaps more reflective of zeitgeist of the past couple years than it meant to be when it was first thought of NORCO shows that adventure games are at their best when combined with a truly great narrative.
  • Warhammer 40k: Darktide: Finally a recent game in the Warhammer 40k universe that’s actually fun. Playing this with mates is an absolute blast, and the streamlined progression systems makes it all easier to enjoy. After playing so many other 40k titles that just simply weren’t enjoyable (although I am extremely hyped for the next Space Marine) I was glad to be able to soak myself in the grimdark world Warhammer once again.

I almost had a tie for this year’s game of the year and, like many years, this isn’t the game most will expect to win, but after a long deliberation my Game of the Year for 2022 is:

I’m not kidding when I said I almost tied Horizon: Forbidden West with Elden Ring as honestly, sitting down and thinking about them right now, both of them could have easily taken it out. After thinking about it for a good long while I had to starting thinking about things outside the game experience, I.E. what else about these games could set them apart from each other? In the end it came down to what the future holds for both of these: whilst I wouldn’t mind going back for a romp through some Elden Ring DLC I am very, very much looking forward to the next Horizon DLC and future instalments in the series. In all other aspects they trade blows evenly, Horizon being the visual spectacular that I always love, Elden Ring having the depth of combat, Horizon having the better narrative, Elden Ring with its replayability and so on. If it weren’t for the total cop out that having a tie for GOTY would be I’d surely be putting them up there.

Tying for third place though are 2 extremely well deserving titles and honestly, between the both of them, I can’t decide which one shouldn’t be shown on the banner above. A Plague Tale: Requiem managed the herculean task of improving on its predecessor, amplifying everything that was good with the game whilst streamlining the rest. We are OFK was just incredibly well constructed interactive fiction, having all the trimmings and trappings that I’ve come to expect from development houses with many more years under their belts. Both of these games are well worth your attention.

2023 looks to be a smattering of numerous titles from varying genres, some of which I haven’t touched in a good long while. I’m hopeful of getting around to all the big ones I’ve got in my queue, whilst always quietly hoping I get a stellar, out of left field title coming at me that manages to unseat the potential GOTY contenders that I’m looking at. There’s also the hope that the new normal we find ourselves in starts to truly settle in and that the world can start to really heal from the collective trauma that we’ve all gone through. I have hope for all these things and, just maybe, you can too.

Games, Review

Tagged in:

, , , , , , , ,

About the Author

David Klemke

David is an avid gamer and technology enthusiast in Australia. He got his first taste for both of those passions when his father, a radio engineer from the University of Melbourne, gave him an old DOS box to play games on.

View All Articles