My Top 5 Games I Played In 2022

I was meaning to write this post earlier in 2023, but I was dealing with a tailbone injury so I could not sit for long periods of time. I feel well enough now to talk about my five best games I have played in 2022. As mentioned in previous lists, this is not my best games that were released in 2022, but rather the games I played for the first time in 2022. Before I get into the list, I have one honorable mention:

Pokémon Legends: Arceus (review)

If I had one word to describe Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the word would be "potential". This game was a re-definition on the gameplay experience of Pokémon games, with a centered focus on exploration and catching all different kinds of Pokémon (which was continued somewhat in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet). Legends: Arceus still had the same issues as other Pokémon games on the Nintendo Switch, such as terrible graphics, an uninteresting story, and no voice-acting. At least Game Freak could make a Pokémon game that did not have to follow the cookie-cutter gym challenge format (at the time) and was relatively fun to play.

Now, the list:

5: Xenoblade Chronicles 2

I played Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition some time ago, and that game was a very good RPG for the Nintendo Switch. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a similarly very good Nintendo Switch RPG, but there are some things the second game does better (and worse) than the first game. There have been many quality-of-life improvements on the gameplay in XC2 that make this game less of a chore to play than XC:DE. However, I find that the characters and overall story in XC:DE is better than XC2. XC2's story takes a while to get interesting and engaging. Thankfully, XC2 still has an excellent soundtrack, and the graphics/visuals are somewhat acceptable on the Switch.

4: Horizon: Forbidden West (review)

Horizon: Forbidden West is the best-looking game on this list, and it is the best-looking game out of all the video games released up to this point. The graphics and visual atmosphere are top-notch, and the combat is extremely satisfying as well. The problems with this game include clunky storytelling (at times), tedious dialogue, and expressionless facial expressions in the character model acting (especially in more significant moments of the game). Regardless, I still consider Horizon: Forbidden West the centerpiece game for the PlayStation 5 that should be on every PS5 owner's library.

3: Cyberpunk 2077 (review)

Please note that I played this game before the major patch was released that should have fixed the major bugs and glitches with this game. Even though the bugs and glitches significantly harmed my experience with this game, Cyberpunk 2077 was still a very good game to play. The setting of Night City is outstanding, and there were many interesting things to note in terms of the created history and lore of Night City. You add in a solid story with great characters and great voice-acting (with Keanu Reeves for crying out loud) and you have an experience of a video game worth remembering.

The next two games are what I would consider to be the two truly excellent games on this list.

2: Elden Ring

There is no surprise that Elden Ring would be on this list. Elden Ring is an outstanding open-world RPG with an incredibly crafted world with a seemingly endless number of things to explore. The minimalist soundtrack complements the visuals of the world and the atmosphere beautifully. The gameplay is excellent, with many ways to defeat enemies, and there is a healthy variety of enemies to boot. The only significant negative about Elden Ring is that the damage scaling/balancing is completely unfair. Most bosses will two-shot you no matter how high your level is, and you can barely do damage in return. Many deaths in Elden Ring feel cheap and unearned due to the difficulty of the game. Elden Ring will win "Game of the Year" awards (and deservedly so) but this game is far too difficult and unforgiving for most gamers to enjoy to the fullest.

1: Kirby and the Forgotten Land (review)

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is genuinely one of the best video games to be released on the Nintendo Switch because this game oozes charm and personality. This game completely nailed the Kirby atmosphere and what makes a Kirby game a Kirby game, which is now a full 3D adventure. There is an excellent attention to detail and many call-backs to previous Kirby games in this new game. You add in incredible music and surprisingly good graphics for a Switch title and you have one of the best games of 2022. The only problem with Kirby and the Forgotten Land is that it could be considered too easy to complete, but I will take too easy over too difficult (such as Elden Ring) any day of the week.