Words by: Ewan Moore, Imogen Donovan, Catherine Lewis, Kate Harrold, James Daly, Will McCue
Christmas. What's it really about? Some will tell you it's about peace and goodwill and all that junk, but here at GAMINGbible we know it's about one thing above all else: ranking our favourite video games into an arbitrary list in the name of Content.
2022 has been an incredible year for video games. From AAA hits like Elden Ring and God Of War Ragnarök to smaller indies like Tunic and Immortality, there's been something for everyone. The GAMINGbible team attempted to whittle down its 10 favourite games (plus five honorable mentions) using the power of democracy. That immediately led to several heated arguments and at least one fist fight, so please enjoy the fruits of our labour below.
10: Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
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In our review of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, I called it the finest collaboration between developer Omega Force and video game giant Nintendo yet. This game takes all the hack and slash action of the Dynasty Warriors series - which we see in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - and adds the life sim elements of Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
The result is a title full of battles and moments of companionship, with a plethora of side characters to befriend and fight as/with/against. After a 30-hour playthrough, I dived straight back in to experience another path, and I had just as much fun. It’s one of the finest games on Nintendo Switch ever, never mind just in 2022. - JD
9: Immortality
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I've spent about seven minutes trying to ascertain how to start this small summary about Immortality. Superficially, it's the story of a once-in-a-generation actress whose projects fell foul of misfortune and these films find a home in unloved archives. The game encourages you to sift through these scenes like panning for gold. Capitalising on your human curiosity to pick at a thread til the whole thing is in shreds.
Manon Gage's performance as actress Marissa Marcel is so magnetic that you end up believing these were real films, with real crew, and real egos. In the interest of maintaining the immaculate mystery, there's not much else I can say about Immortality, but for cinephiles and Black Mirror mavens, it's a must-play. - ID
8: Tunic
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When the year began, Tunic wasn’t on my radar and yet it ended up being one of my absolute favourite titles. There’s a certain kind of magic in games that fit that bill. Created by indie developer Andrew Shouldice, Tunic is a whimsical mash-up of Zelda and Dark Souls. Players assume the role of a sword-wielding fox who arrives on the shore of a mystical island. It’s up to you to figure out what your purpose is as the player.
I can’t say I’ve ever played a game that didn’t spoon feed me instructions. I’m warning you, Tunic requires patience, but as you do eventually locate and piece together the game’s virtual manual, you’ll feel a real sense of discovery - and because which order you find those pages in is down to you, each player is likely to embark on their own unique journey. Tunic has the power to transport you to another world, and that’s always welcomed. - KH
7: Horizon Forbidden West
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Horizon Forbidden West released under less than ideal circumstances. It was overshadowed by the cultural behemoth that is Elden Ring, but it is no less deserving of your attention. In fact, I’d even go as far as saying that Guerrilla’s latest title features the best open world released this year. Prepare to spend hours in photo mode, but Forbidden West isn’t just a good looking game - it improves upon the first game in every conceivable way.
Forbidden West takes all the ingredients that made Zero Dawn an instant PlayStation classic and irons out the creases. Side quests and NPCs enrich your understanding of the world. Forbidden West tells a sweeping tale - one that may even cause you to shed a tear. I hope that those who overlooked the title finally give it the attention it deserves. I personally can’t wait to see where Aloy is heading next. - KH
6: Xenoblade Chronicles 3
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Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a game which is incredibly hard to sum up in a short pair of paragraphs, mainly because it’s so big - not just in actual game time, but in its scope and depth. It’s a JRPG that will have anyone who touches it contemplating the meaning of life, death, and the impact that each person can have on the world and others, complete with an emotional story that I for one couldn’t stop thinking about for weeks after watching the credits roll.
The well-rounded cast of characters, superb soundtrack, stunning environments and engaging real-time battle system all make for a phenomenal package which has easily cemented itself as one of my favourite Switch games of all time. It’s so easy to get lost in the world of Aionios, discovering secret locations and uncovering the mysteries entwined within. - CL
5: Stray
It’d be far too easy to dismiss Stray as a game that cat lovers only like for the memes. Certainly, I won’t pretend that being able to play as a cat and run around with a paper bag on my head screaming and knocking things off shelves doesn’t have appeal. But Stray’s strengths go much deeper than just “funny cat game”.
BlueTwelve Studio’s debut game is a mightily impressive technical achievement, one that builds its central mystery on top of a richly detailed world that’s a joy to simply sit and look at. Sure, the game’s central story might not be bursting with originality on the face of it, but simply swapping out humans for a tale of cats and robots throws everything into a fascinating new light. This is, at its core, a story all about the relationship between pets and their owners, and why, at the end of the day, we’ll always need them more than they need us. - EM
4: The Quarry
The Quarry serves up scares and slapstick scenes in a slasher that is one of the most entertaining and horrifying in recent memory. Eight camp counsellors choose to throw a party on the final night of summer against the advice of their boss. You never know what's waiting in the woods - and seriously, I was sweating when I saw Supermassive's latest creature that it conjured to capitalise on my shoddy reaction times.
When done well, horror is nerve-shredding enough, and the developer has refined the experience of this title to reward those who prefer games to movies and vice versa so everyone has an unforgettable time. And, we can’t forget that incredible SOS message from Dylan. - ID
3: Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Earlier this year, Pokémon Legends: Arceus reminded many of us of the true pleasure that can be found in catching them all. The historic setting is charming enough to lure players in but the true majesty of Arceus - as discussed in our review - is the way it lets trainers catch Pokémon without battling. You traverse the open zones of Hisui, see a critter going about their day, hurl a retro-style Poké Ball, and recruit the creature just like that. Well… assuming it doesn’t burst back out.
This streamlined approach made catching Pokémon more enticing than ever, from the Shinx that roam the land, to the Gyarados that fly through the air. Sure the game has some technical issues (not quite as much as Scarlet/Violet), but overall it’s a tremendous experience for Nintendo Switch owners, and arguably the best Pokémon title of all time. - JD
2: Elden Ring
There are definitely certain members of the GAMINGbible team who are physically pained to see Elden Ring fall to second place. I should know, I’m one of them. The fact is, of course, that FromSoftware’s open-world RPG simply isn’t for everyone. And that’s fine! But those that do have the time and energy to get to grips with it will discover a truly inimitable experience - one that paradoxically marries the nervous claustrophobia and brutal challenge of Dark Souls with an incredible sense of freedom and thrilling discovery.
Elden Ring is an exquisitely crafted video game that holds exploration and mystery above all else. Its cryptic world and fearsome bosses may not appeal to all, but those who feel the pull of The Lands Between will never quite be able to resist the odd return trip. - EM
1: God Of War Ragnarök
God Of War Ragnarök is the perfect sequel. It manages to take the already impressive foundations put in place by 2018’s God Of War and build out in fascinating new directions, taking both gameplay and story to places I rarely saw coming. If you’d told me even a few years ago that Kratos would be the video game character who reduced me to a blubbering mess, I’d have told you you were a damn fool.
Santa Monica Studio’s long-awaited sequel is, simply put, godlike. It boasts powerhouse performances, top-tier writing, and some of the best sidequests I’ve played this side of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It’s an unbelievably good-looking game, making all nine realms a joy to explore, and is equally successful in both its explosive, eye-popping set pieces, and its quieter moments that really allow its tremendous cast and writing to shine. An absolutely essential game, and GAMINGbible’s best of 2022. - EM
And now for some honorable mentions! These are five video games that just missed the top 10, but were a huge part of the GAMINGbible team's year.
The Last Of Us Part 1 - Kate
The Last of Us Part I is the best PlayStation 5 exclusive I’ve ever played - and what I mean by that is you’ll find no other game that utilises the PS5’s capabilities in the way that Naughty Dog’s remake does. Partly, that’s because developers were already working with one of the best video games of all time. The focus was purely on how to elevate that experience.
Infected have never been scarier. Hearing a stalker scurrying behind you via 3D audio is terrifying. The vibrations of the DualSense controller can be eerily haunting. As Joel stealthily strangles another victim to death, the DualSense will remind you of just how cutthroat and bleak the circumstances are in this world. It’s this darkness though that makes the light all the more sweeter. The Last of Us’ moments of levity shine through because of it. I could feel the tap, tap, tap of rain in my hands - a beautiful relief after venturing through a horrifying basement. This is the definitive way to experience The Last of Us. An emotional journey, but one you’ll never forget. - KH
Vampire Survivors
After almost a year in Steam Early Access, Vampire Survivors officially released on PC and Xbox to critical acclaim. This intoxicating roguelite title sees you face wave after wave of enemies, all while only being able to control the direction you move in. It starts slow but becomes more menacing as different types of foes spawn, often in vast quantities, as you try to survive for 30 minutes.
While this may sound like a short experience, it’s anything but, although you won’t find me complaining. The 8-bit-esque aesthetic oozes retro charm while the soundtrack goes way harder than it has any right to do. Finding gaps through swarms of undead monsters, picking and choosing the perks and weapons from lists you get whenever you level up, and keeping one eye on the timer as the music booms, as if amplifying the blows your chosen character is dealing, all combines into one perfect video game experience. - JD
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
Yes, I know. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are buggy beyond belief, and easily the glitchiest pair of Pokémon games that have ever been released. This is undeniable. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re not fun, and the Paldea region is still packed with features and creatures that made my Pokémon-loving heart very happy.
When things are running smoothly, the open world of Paldea is a joy to explore - with lively Pokémon hiding around every corner, at its best it feels like you’re stepping into the anime series. Without getting into spoilers, the plot also goes above and beyond anything we’ve ever seen a mainline Pokémon game pull off. It’s hard to talk about these games without acknowledging their very obvious flaws, but underneath the rough surface, I can’t pretend that Violet wasn’t one of my favourite games to release this year. - CL
Live A Live
Another all-timer came to Switch in 2022, in the form of Live A Live, which we scored 9/10 in our review. This epic tale unfolds over several adventures, starring protagonists from different eras in time, from the prehistoric past to the far-flung future, and everywhere in between.
Despite being a remaster of a 90s RPG that never saw a release outside of Japan, Live A Live is a must-play game for any fan of the genre. Its vibrant worlds, grid-based combat and array of characters form a beautiful harmony, transcending the screen to get under your skin in a way only truly remarkable pieces of art can. - JD
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
All nine Star Wars films in stud-form create the ultimate LEGO game. The Skywalker Saga includes all the silly gags of the originals spread across the entire galaxy, which is free to explore at your own pace. The trilogies can be played in any order, allowing you to jump into your favourite straight away. Environments are rich with activities and look delightful - like really, really pretty.
I spent countless magical hours playing LEGO Star Wars with my brother when I was younger and The Skywalker Saga allowed me to relive those precious moments. Proper gaming comfort food. - WM
Topics: God Of War, Elden Ring, PlayStation, Xbox, Bandai Namco, Fromsoftware, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo