We are in September now. I had every intention to spend September and October playing spooky games but my playthrough of one game did bleed into September a little bit. This half of the list is definitely the lightest in terms of games that have pieces written about them, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy playing them. It’s just with my full time job, it can be hard to keep up with it all. Also, the spooky playthrough did add a bit of pressure as I wanted to play so many this year. I just dove into them one after the other.
Saints Row
Always considered a bit of a Grand Theft Auto knock-off, the Saints Row franchise has always amused me. It was always just a little bit wackier than Grand Theft Auto and other open world games but that was its appeal. While the new reboot game here does have some of that magic in it, it kind of fell short for me. Although I enjoyed this entry, I felt like previous games embodied the Saints Row energy better.
The Last Of Us Part I
The Last of Us Part I, though rebuilt for PlayStation 5, was another replay this year. Because the game is the exact same experience as previous versions of the game, I definitely considered it a replay. However, I enjoyed it all the same. Every improvement they made was amazing, down to the little details and it is by far the best way to play this game. Due to my great love for this game I still haven’t mustered up the strength to write a piece about it. I feel like no matter what I say, it wouldn’t do it justice. We’ve all heard about this game by now.
Sally Face
I loved every single second of Sally Face. This was my first indie horror game and it definitely will not be my last. This game had me on my toes from start to finish and really kept me guessing on what would happen next. Sally Face was originally released in chapters, but the folks over at Super Rare Games compiled them all onto a Switch cartridge and I was lucky enough to snag a copy. Explore Sal’s new home, make new friends both dead and alive and uncover the mystery that transpires between him and his friends.
Dead Space
Dead Space was by far the scariest experience I had this year. Jump scares were everywhere but they weren’t overdone. Instead, they were tasteful and left you always anticipating them even when they didn’t end up happening. Every vent induced fear for me. I was genuinely terrified during parts of this game and that’s exactly what I wanted from this game. If I had to pick a favorite horror game from this year, it just might be this one. It really delivered in every category a horror game should.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
This game was a serious emotional rollercoaster. Hugo and his sister Amicia find themselves in the middle of a fight for survival that had some really crazy moments in it. The game’s mechanics stood out to me because unlike in games like The Last of Us, Hugo’s AI doesn’t play on its own. As you play through the game, you’ll need to direct Hugo where to go and what to do. At times, this can put the both of you in quite a bind but it adds to the ambiance of the whole game. I adored this game and can’t wait to play the next one.
Alan Wake Remastered
I definitely wanted to hit this title after falling in love with Remedy’s Control. Considering these games take place in the same universe, I was especially curious. This game kept getting weirder and weirder as I played it, but I enjoyed all of it. This is definitely a title that I feel like I may need to play again to fully appreciate but I enjoyed my time with it.
Blasphemous
Blasphemous is easily one of the best metroidvanias I have played. It is structured a bit like Dark Souls and Hollow Knight in that progress is very much attached to death and resting. It is just as punishing as well, which I have grown to appreciate from games within this genre. I spent quite a lot of time on this game and really did everything I could in it. I enjoyed discovering new areas, new shortcuts and unlocking new abilities to ultimately make things easier. If you like metroidvania games, I definitely recommend this game.
Bendy And The Ink Machine
In terms up straight up horror, this game is right behind Dead Space this year. Bendy and the Ink Machine was absolutely terrifying and only got creepier as the game went on. It actually tells quite a compelling story, too which I appreciated. I definitely regret not writing about this game because it was one of my favorites from this year for sure. The first person perspective mixed with the unique art style makes for quite the combination and the game is riddled with small little scares so you never really feel safe anywhere. It was absolute excellence.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
The only thing scary about this title is how long it took me to finish it. I originally started this game back in 2019 but other games took over and I believe it was around the holidays then which gets crazy with work. Whatever the case, I finally finished it this year with all the hype surrounding the sequel, Sparks of Hope. It is a fantastic strategy game with all the charms of both the Rabbids and Mario. I actually started the game over because there was no way I could remember how each character played or where I left off.
Bayonetta
Bayonetta marked my last replay this year, except this time I played it on the Switch instead of the PlayStation 4. She just belongs on the Switch and ahead of the release of Bayonetta 3, they finally released a physical copy of the first game on Switch. I will always be a fan of this series and I have loved watching it evolve and change with the time. Bayonetta still holds its own though, and its actually quite challenging. I enjoy the combat in these games and of course, Bayonetta herself.
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 was easily one of my most anticipated games this year even with how many new titles came out. It didn’t disappoint one bit. I can’t really explain it, but I vibed with this entry more than the other two and I am very excited to see where the series goes from here. This game marked the end of my spooky playthrough but man did it end with a bang. This one is one of my favorites from this year as well. Another fun fact; Bayonetta 3 is the first game I beat on my new Pokémon Switch OLED model.
Pokémon Violet
I was tempted to write a piece on this and I still am, though I haven’t gotten the courage yet. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are probably the most divisive entries in the franchise to date, but that isn’t too surprising considering Game Freak’s recent history. While they are solid entries and finally open up the franchise to new possibilities, they fall short in performance and graphics. Even though I have over 200 hours in Violet and counting, I find myself missing even Pokémon Shield for certain things. I do not like the changes they made to breeding, but thankfully I have other ways to shiny hunt in this game.
God of War: Ragnarök
I fell in love with this game. Many gamers did and rightfully so. God of War: Ragnarök delivered on every expectation I had and honestly even exceeded them. I couldn’t have hoped for a better direction for this game and for the characters in this game. I was very pleased with everything they did in this sequel and the subtle improvements they made created a new experience within a familiar space.
Iconoclasts
Iconoclasts is another title I can thank Limited Run Games for for the physical version I have. I picked this game up a while ago but I felt that Blasphemous didn’t quite scratch my metroidvania itch enough this year so I tossed it in. I love jumping into an indie title after AAA titles because they always feel like palate cleansers to me. While I enjoy the big titles every year, there’s nothing better than curling up with a good indie title. Iconoclasts certainly fit the bill here, even though the themes present in this game are rather heavy. It was absolutely lovely to get one more 2D game in before the year ended.
Psychonauts
There was honestly no better way to end 2022 then with a game about mental health. This year has been the best yet for me and Psychonauts was incredible as well. It somehow took me down a road of nostalgia even though this was the first time I had played this game. It screams PlayStation 2 and that was one of my favorite eras of gaming to date.
Another Year In The Bag
I had the pleasure of enjoying a whopping 30 games this year and loved every single one of them. I also added another console to the family, the Switch OLED. Luckily, I snagged a Pokémon Scarlet and Violet limited edition and that has become my main Switch. It was time to give the old one a rest. It definitely earned its retirement getting me through some rough times.
Although 2022 was quite a good year for me, I am looking forward to the future and how 2023 can beat it. I am already off to a great start, having beat Psychonauts 2 and currently playing Trials of Mana. I have a little list of must-plays for the year and I’ll let inspiration sprinkle in the rest. Here’s to another fantastic year.
