The nine best video games of 2022

Last December 8, at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles, the ninth edition of The Game Awards took place, the closest thing to the Oscar in the North American video game industry (because the British case is different ). As usual, its creator Geoff Keighley was the presenter of the event, seen by more than 100 million people and which, rather than rewarding the best of the year, rather served as a showcase to announce the games to come. over the next few months.

There were winners, sure, but the mentions were rather fleeting in a parade of videos and trailers of what could be expected from 2023. Because 2022 has been a tough season for the industry.

After a few years of pandemic, with an unexpected boom in sales and popularity, in 2022 the video game industry experienced a contraction in profits for the first time. Nothing special, a small drop if you look at the big numbers -184.4 billion dollars were earned, “barely” eight billion less than in 2021-, but a drop nonetheless. The good news is that more people are playing games than ever: according to data from consultancy NewZoo, there are 3.2 billion gamers worldwide today. Now we have to make them pay.

The interesting thing is that access to video games is easier than ever today. The list of titles available on any platform becomes overwhelming, especially when you add in the subscription services now offered by Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo. There are so many great games out there, more than we could ever play, and this year had its own lights. These are the most outstanding titles that have appeared during this 2022.

More than ten years have passed since this title, a classic first-person war shooter, took the world by storm delivering not only a great game, but also one of the most controversial chapters in the history of the video game: this famous sequence in which the player was “forced” to massacre innocent people in a Russian airport.

It was not just any call of Duty. The game made an impression as much for its shooting mechanisms and its multiplayer as for its story and endearing characters. Along the way, he consolidated the genre of First person shooter as one of the most popular and profitable in the industry, which still continues.

This new version is not an adaptation. It is rather a reinterpretation with a new story but the same title and the same characters. There are several novelties in the mechanics, although the essence is always the same: kill enemy soldiers. It also includes co-op and battle royale modes. And among the 19 titles in the saga, it is the one that has crossed the billion dollar mark the fastest in sales. (Available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and X/S).

This highly anticipated game is a new medieval gothic fantasy of knights and monsters, which had the distinction of not only being the new game from Hidetaka Miyazaki — the famous creator of the games like soulscharacterized by their refreshing art of difficulty—but also the story has the signature of the no less popular George RR Martin, the acclaimed author of the literary saga game of thrones.

A heavenly duo that ensured success. And although he contribution by Martin was ultimately not so relevant, the game delighted audiences and critics alike, and immediately became a favorite for best game of the year. And at The Game Awards, it did: it won the highest honor.

The game featured, as usual in Miyazaki’s creations, a detailed and intricate gothic fantasy open world. The protagonist, from a third-person point of view and role-playing elements, must go through catacombs, dungeons and labyrinths, in addition to facing difficult creatures that require greater concentration and technique than usually. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but it’s certainly an engrossing, fascinating and delightfully constructed adventure. With more than 18 million copies sold, this is the title that marked the season. (Available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and X/S).

One of the most relevant innovations of this year was the arrival of exclusive PlayStation games in PC format. It’s something that’s happening for the first time and shows Sony’s spirit and openness to expanding its audience to an audience that previously could never officially test these titles, and now has the ability to Download directly from Steam or Internet Epic Games Store. Good sign.

are currently available Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection which brings together the Uncharted 4the latest chapter in the saga of action, adventure and lost treasures, featuring Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Also motorcycle and zombie survival game, days gone by the Spider Man remastered and its very good sequel, Spider-Man: Miles Morales; and of course, the acclaimed remake of the God of the war .

Just the sequel to this franchise, the God of War: Ragnarok released in 2022, was the big contender for Ring of Elden, and won several awards at the aforementioned Game Awards. And for good reason: both technically and in its emotional story, music and combat, this latest installment has pushed the technical limits to which an interactive adventure can go. The game remains exclusively for PlayStation 5 for now, but it will surely be available soon for PC.

But maybe my favorite in this section is Sackboy: A Big Adventure a new chapter in the playful and creative saga little big planet. Colourful, creative and aimed at a family audience – ideal for cooperative play – the game is a great example of how an adventure of exploration, platforming, music and teamwork should be conducted. Adorable as always, it’s pure fun for adults and children.

It has proven to be one of the most beloved and endearing action games of 2022. The title is set in the popular sci-fi saga universe. borders (whose movie is imminent), and following tradition, it’s a hilarious adventure for one or more players. It draws inspiration from the original classic RPGs to deliver a fun and electrifying first-person shooter experience. (Available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and X/S).

Developed by the French studio Asobo Studio, the sequel to the 2019 title surprised. With an unusual story – two brothers who must seek a cure for one of their illnesses in 14th-century medieval France – the game became a critical darling and best-seller, selling over a million dollars. copies sold. Why so many feelings? Its quirky adventure premise, graphics, setting, and combat and stealth mechanics have given it that well-deserved fame. Please note: it is not suitable for people with rat phobia. (Available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S).

It is true that it is terrifying and very blood The sci-fi horror adventure owes more than inspiration to the legendary Dead Space saga. It is no coincidence that the creator of the latter, Glen Schofield, is the director of The Callisto Protocol. But that doesn’t mean it’s still one of the best titles for achieving scares that have appeared this year. Starring actor Josh Duhamel, the game impresses with its graphics, lights, and deep space prison setting. For gamers with nerves and bellies of steel. (Available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and X/S).

In the same vein, The career It becomes a sort of spiritual continuation of until dawnthe acclaimed interactive horror and survival game, the closest thing to the old books of Choose your own adventure this can be found, but in a dread key. Here again we have a group of teenagers at a summer camp, who have to deal with gruesome and violent werewolves. But it’s the player who decides which path to follow for the characters, in a story that rescues the best of the horror films of the eighties. Be very careful with the cast, full of familiar faces for fans. (Available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and X/S).

game inspired arcadian From 1987, and the console titles that followed, this new game in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe is an endless delight, ideal for collaborative play. Based on the classic mechanics of the beat them 90s, has hypnotic pixel art. The voices of the characters are none other than the original actors of the animated series. Very fun and nostalgic. (Available for PC, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S).

*Prices for products in this item are updated as of December 20, 2022. Values ​​and availability may change.