NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

RETURN TO MONKEY ISLAND

It had been a long time since LucasArts’ beloved adventure series Monkey Island had been in the spotlight- so long, in fact, that almost everyone had given up hope that it would ever return. With Return to Monkey Island, however, not only did it come screaming back, and not only did it bring the likes of Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman back to the franchise, it also proved beyond any doubt that there is still plenty of steam left in this iconic series. Return to Monkey Island captures the bizarre, magical humour and style of its predecessors, tells a captivating tale populated by brilliant characters, crafts some truly incredible brain-teasing puzzles, and does it all while also modernizing the series in smart and meaningful ways. All the pieces fit together effortlessly, ensuring that Return to Monkey Island is well worth the wait.

SPLATOON 3

Splatoon has grown into one of Nintendo’s biggest and most successful franchises in recent years, despite the fact that it’s also one of the company’s newest IPs, so there was never any doubt in anyone’s mind that Splatoon 3 would be anything short of excellent. Yet again, the series’ fresh spin on the typical multiplayer shooter formula shows just how fun and addictive it can be at its core, and how perfectly it can balance accessibility with competitiveness- which is a fine line to walk, and far from easy. Of course, Splatoon 3 also has a meaty single player campaign, which in and of itself is good enough to make the game easy to recommend to most Switch owners. This is definitely a case of evolution over revolution, but when the fundamental mechanics are this much fun, there’s really no reason to tinker with them too much.

HARVESTELLA

At this point, farming sim games are a dime a dozen on the Nintendo Switch, but if you are looking for something to play in that genre, Square Enix’s Harvestella should be high on the list of games you look into. It combines action RPG combat and dungeon crawling with the leisurely gameplay loop of tending to and expanding your farm while also getting to know your neighbours better, with all of it bundled together in a sufficiently interesting fantasy world. No, it’s not likely to set your world on fire, but especially for fans of the genre, there’s plenty to appreciate here.

TRIANGLE STRATEGY

You can’t help but love old-school fantasy turn-based strategy RPGs, and you can’t help but love the gorgeous aesthetic of Square Enix’s unique HD-2D style. As a game that pulls both those elements together into a single package, Triangle Strategy is doubly irresistible- and when you get down to play it, it does more than enough to keep you hooked. The actual tactics and combat remain enjoyable from beginning to end, even if they never reach the heights of some of the genre’s most prominent giants. What really makes Triangle Strategy shine, however, is its surprisingly captivating story, and a world that’s dense with rich lore and intrigue, almost like a PG-13 version of Game of Thrones. Add to that a healthy smattering of genuinely difficult story choices, and what you have is a game that turns out to be far better than most would expect going in.

BAYONETTA 3

We were waiting for Bayonetta 3 a long time, but everyone’s favourite gun-toting witch finally returned to the big stage this year, and it’s fair to say that it was well worth the wait. The Bayonetta franchise has solidified itself as one of the best character action experiences out there, and Bayonetta 3 lives up to that billing. It builds upon its predecessors’ foundation with a number of improvements and refinements and delivers a sense of scale that is frankly ridiculous to witness (in the best way possible), all of which comes together wonderfully in a gleefully bonkers game. Whether or not it reaches the heights of Bayonetta 2 is up for debate (many would argue that it doesn’t), but there’s no denying that in and of itself, it’s a worthy entry in PlatinumGames’ beloved franchise.

POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS

Pokemon Legends: Arceus represented the most radical ever shift in formula for a new mainline Pokemon game, but boy are we glad that it took that risk, because it’s a risk that paid off in spades. The simple act of catching Pokemon and building up your Pokedex hasn’t been this much fun in ages, not only because of how well the game works that premise into its core gameplay structure, but also because of how quick, snappy, and consistently enjoyable the moment-to-moment gameplay feels. There is obviously still plenty of room for improvement in this formula, but Pokemon Legends: Arceus has paved the way for an exciting future for the franchise.

POKEMON SCARLET AND VIOLET

It’s a little surprising (to say the very least) that The Pokemon Company and Nintendo felt the need to release two mainline Pokemon games in the space of a single year, and given the rough technical state that Scarlet and Violet have launched in, many would argue (and not without merit) that perhaps they should have been given another year of development. In spite of their many technical issues, however, the new Pokemon games are easily among the best new mainline generation instalments in years. Finally, it feels like the series has grasped how to properly implement an open world formula that blends well with Pokemon’s familiar trappings, while also encouraging plenty of freedom. On top of that, a number of smart improvements and quality-of-life changes also help the traditional Pokemon gameplay feel more enjoyable than it has in recent entries. If only the technical side of things wasn’t an absolute mess- because at their core, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are exactly what this series has been in need of for years.

PERSONA 5 ROYAL

How long have Switch owners been waiting for Persona 5 Royal to come to their platform of choice? After years of begging for a port, we finally got to see Atlus’ beloved franchise gracing the Switch with a mainline title in Persona 5 Royal, and of course, it was a perfect fit. This right here is one of the greatest RPGs ever made- we’ve known that since 2017, when the vanilla Persona 5 launched, and Persona 5 Royal’s original 2020 release solidified that beyond doubt. To no one’s surprise, playing through this masterpiece on the Switch is an absolute blast, and it serves as a fitting jewel in the crown that is the console’s RPG library.

XENOBLADE CHRONICLES 3

An absolute behemoth of a game- in more ways than one. A dense and intricate combat system that layers system upon system to craft something wholly unique and utterly engrossing; a massive, gorgeous world that is a constant joy to explore, and never fails to take your breath away with its gorgeous vistas- these are just some of Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s many highlights. For anyone with even a passing interest in the genre, this is an unmissable game.

KIRBY AND THE FORGOTTEN LAND

It’s strange to think that it took Kirby this long to finally make its jump into 3D platforming, but now that it’s finally here, it’s safe to say that it’s an absolute delight. Kirby and the Forgotten Land may even be one of the best games this long-running series has ever produced. It’s overflowing with charm, somehow striking the perfect balance between the series’ trademark childlike wonder and its desolate and post-apocalyptic setting (which somehow manages to feel whimsical in spite of itself). On the gameplay front, it’s a constant rollercoaster, boasting a surprising amount of variety in Kirby’s moveset, abilities, the level design, and more. There’s no shortage of incredible 3D platformers to play on the Switch, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land is right up there with the best of the best.

MARIO + RABBIDS SPARKS OF HOPE

Nobody would have blamed Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope for taking the safe approach and delivering an experience that largely stuck to its predecessor’s excellent formula. Credit to Ubisoft, then, for not only making the decision to develop a sequel that feels entirely different, but also for doing it this well. Everything feels expanded and blown up in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope- its combat flourishes thanks to the drastic changes in movement, making for much more dynamic battles, while the significantly larger levels make exploration a significantly more rewarding and prominent part of the game. Sparks of Hope comfortably a better game than Kingdom Battle, which is saying a lot, because Kingdom Battle was amazing.

WINNER:

POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS

To the millions of Pokemon fans who had been begging for the series to show a little more ambition after years of stagnancy, Pokemon Legends: Arceus was like an oasis in the desert. Set in the distant past in the region of Sinnoh before it was even called Sinnoh, it throws players into a completely unfamiliar world, where rather than being faithful companions of humans, Pokemon are looked at by the region’s sparse population as mysterious and terrifying creatures that are best left alone. Against this fascinating historical setting, Pokemon Legends: Arceus delivers a terrific gameplay loop where exploring the open world maps, finding new Pokemon, and building up your Pokedex never, ever loses its addictive wonder. We can only hope that there will be more Legends games in the future, because this is the best that Pokemon has been in a long, long time.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

THE LAST OF US PART 1

The Last of Us remains a veritable masterpiece even in its original form to this day, and while that very fact may have led many to question why a remake was even needed (especially at its eye-watering price), it’s undeniable that The Last of Us Part 1 on the PS5 has instantly become the best way to play Naughty Dog’s seminal game. In terms of both gameplay and story, Part 1 is a very conservative upgrade, but though the experience remains largely unchanged, it does tweak the occasional thing to add yet another layer of polish to the game. On the visuals front, meanwhile, the remake represents a massive jump, bringing The Last of Us up to the level of modern-day releases. While it may not be an essential purchase for many, for those who’re desperate to dive back into its post-apocalyptic world, it’s easy to recommend.

LEGO STAR WARS: THE SKYWALKER SAGA

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga changes up the long-running series’ gameplay formula in several key ways, but at the same time, it ensures to keep the simplicity and straightforward enjoyment of that formula intact- and it strikes the perfect balance in doing that. Whether you’re engaging in combat, exploring the game’s many massive maps, blowing up ships, or tacking the multitude of puzzles you’ll run into, The Skywalker Saga manages to perfectly toe the line between being approachable and being genuinely engaging. Add to that a healthy dose of Star Wars fan service and charming humour, and what you get is a meaty package that’s guaranteed to keep you entertained no matter how much time you spend with it.

A PLAGUE TALE: REQUIEM

A Plague Tale: Requiem is a wonderful example of how much games can benefit from choosing to be focused rather than sprawling, even more so than its predecessor was. From the game’s first moment until it last, it keeps things moving forward at an excellent pace, weaving together its well-told story with solidly built and engaging gameplay mechanics in perfect harmony. One moment you’re witnessing a touching moment between Amicia and Hugo, the next you’re stealthily creeping through bushes while avoiding murderous, armed soldiers, and the next, you’re running for your life as a massive horde of plague rats chases you. A Plague Tale: Requiem maintains its excellent pacing with admirable consistency, to the extent where you almost begin taking it for granted. That, above all else, is the mark of an excellent game.

GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK

The God of War franchise never has never failed to up the ante for all action-adventure games as a whole with its new instalments, even going back to its Greek era, and true to tradition, God of War Ragnarok sets a new benchmark for the entire industry. It’s a masterpiece in more ways than one. Players who’re looking for a deep, thrilling combat system will find it here. Those who want a vast and sprawling adventure with rewarding exploration and excellent side quests won’t be disappointed either. If story and storytelling are the main things that drive you to games, God of War Ragnarok knocks the ball out of the park on that front as well, more often than not. From top to bottom, this game is an astounding achievement, and one that we’ll be talking about for many years to come.

SOULSTICE

Of the many games we’re speaking about here, Soulstice might perhaps be the one that has the most rough edges, and there are certainly issues with the game that do bring down the experience in noticeable ways (like its occasionally frustrating camera, for instance). Where the game really makes its mark is with its combat, which emulates character action games of the 2000s in some truly impressive ways. That fast, slick action is always a blast on a very fundamental level, while special praise also has to go to how surprisingly meaty the game is. For fans of the genre, Soulstice is well worth a look.

GHOSTWIRE: TOKYO

Tango Gameworks has been a big name in the horror genre for quite some time now, but having established itself as such with the two Evil Within games, the developer delivered something different this year with Ghostwire: Tokyo. The first person action-adventure title certainly has a spooky vibe, but it’s not really about the scares. Front and center here is the combat, which takes the bones of a first person shooter and applies a layer of explosive magic on top of that framework. That combat and other aspects of the game – like the open world, for instance – aren’t game-breaking by any means, but once you dive into its eerie rendition of Tokyo, it’s hard to pull yourself back out.

BAYONETTA 3

PlatinumGames is the kind of studio that can miss the mark pretty significantly with some of its games- this very year, we got a prime example of that in Babylon’s Fall. With Bayonetta, however, the studio always sticks the landing. Bayonetta 3 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors and delivers an astounding action game, boasting incredible mechanical depth that rewards players for really getting to grips with the stylish combat. Obliterating hordes of enemies in typically ridiculous and over-the-top action doesn’t ever lose any of its luster either, and even if you’re unimpressed with the story (which you probably will be), you’re compelled to keep on playing- because it’s just that much fun. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait as long for Bayonetta 4 as we had to for this one, because this is a series that just never fails to impress.

EVIL WEST

Old-school action titles like the older God of War games have become something of a rarity in today’s day and age, with the genre having evolved beyond that style of gameplay, but Evil West proves that there’s still plenty of experience left in that sort of an experience. A straightforward, focused, stylish action game- above all else, that’s what Evil West is. It combines punchy melee combat and satisfying shooting mechanics with excellent enemy design and thrilling boss fights, all set against the backdrop of a dark fantasy wild west setting that does more than enough to pull you into the world. Games often find it easy to balance their old-school sensibilities with modern design, but Evil West deserves a lot of praise for how well it does that.

STRAY

An ordinary cat stuck in an extraordinary situation, caught in the middle of a dystopian cyberpunk post-apocalyptic society where androids fear for their lives and hide from face-sucking parasites. With a premise like that, it’s impossible not to get your head instantly turned by Stray, and it’s even more gratifying to see that premise done justice as well as it is here. And it does that not just through its storytelling, but from a gameplay perspective as well- Stray’s gameplay is always simple and straightforward, but it’s also always a lot of fun, not least because of how dedicated the game is to encouraging players to do things that a cat would do, and how it would do them. The fact that those almost always bring a smile to your face is, of course, a huge bonus as well.

TUNIC

There’s no telling how long it’ll be before Nintendo decides to make another Zelda game following the series’ older design philosophies, but at least indies have stepped up to the plate to fill that void with their own takes on the formula. Last year, we got Death’s Door, and this year, it was Tunic’s turn- and what a game it is. Tunic boasts incredible level design that combines rewarding exploration with an excellent blend of combat and puzzles, while its visual style never fail to dazzle either. What makes it really stand out, however, it the unique way it tells the story of its world, and how central that feels to the mechanics of the game. Tunic may not be a AAA heavy-hitter, but in more ways than one, it stands toe-to-toe with some of the year’s best offerings.

WINNER:

GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK

SIE Santa Monica Studio’s reinvention of God of War in 2018 has already gone down in history as a legendary game. Not many developers would have had quality to follow-up on something like that with a game that not only equals its predecessor, but even improves upon it. That, of course, is exactly what God of War Ragnarok does. It’s much more of an evolution than a revolution, for obvious purposes, but having that foundation greatly benefits the game, because the quality of everything from the combat to the exploration to the side quests and so much more takes such a significant leap forward from what was already an impressive starting point. This is a series that has delivered generation-defining action-adventure games time and time again over the years, and God of War Ragnarok still manages to rank as one of its best outings ever. That should tell you everything you need to know about how good the game is.

NOTE: All entries and rankings were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

#25. REDOUT 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: 34BigThings | Read Our Review

In 2016, Redout emerged as a fan-favourite for those who’ve been begging for new WipeOut and F-Zero games, and this year, its sequel upped the ante even further. Redout 2 is almost a dream come true for fans of the genre, showing off high-speed, adrenaline-fueled, futuristic racing at its very best through a combination of tight and responsive mechanics and stunning graphics and visual effects. This is a genre that still has the potential to flourish, and Redout 2 is a brilliant example of that.

#24. TUNIC

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Tunic Team | Read Our Review

Just like Death’s Door was last year, for fans of the older Zelda games, Tunic is one of this year’s brightest spots. Representing indie craftwork at its best in more ways than one, it’s a charming, vibrant game with a striking visual aesthetic that never ceases to amaze with its compelling combination of dungeon crawling, exploration, combat, and puzzles- and given the unique way in which it reveals more about its world to its players as you get deeper into it, Tunic is also a game that becomes increasingly more rewarding the more time you invest into it.

#23. TINY TINA’S WONDERLANDS

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Gearbox Software | Read Our Review

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands doesn’t shake up the Borderlands formula as much as an elevator pitch of the game might indicate, but it’s still a solid looter shooter in its own right. It retains the series’ addictive core gameplay loot, driving you on to play more and more with its rewarding loot and combat mechanics, while it also throws in some unique elements of its own, thanks to its fantasy-based Dungeons and Dragons-inspired setting. Meanwhile, if you like Borderlands’ humour, there’s plenty of that here as well.

#22. SONIC FRONTIERS

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Sonic Team | Read Our Review

Sonic Frontiers had massive responsibilities on its shoulders, expected as it was not only to bring the stumbling franchise back into form, but to also lay down the foundations for the series’ next decade, if not more. Now, it wouldn’t be Sonic if it didn’t have at least a few frustratingly baffling issues – and Frontiers does have plenty of those – but it’s still the best a mainline 3D Sonic game has been in a long, long time. The open world formula fits Sonic like a glove, and though there’s still may improvements it can make, even as it exists right now, it’s quite compelling.

#21. NEED FOR SPEED UNBOUND

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Criterion Games | Read Our Review

2019’s Need for Speed Heat was a something of a reprieve in the series’ uncontrolled downward slide, but this year’s Unbound feels so much more significant. And that’s not just because it also represents the return of Criterion as a major AAA studio (though that’s obviously a big deal as well). Even on its own terms, NFS Unbound is an excellent racer. The sense of speed and the arcadey racing action the series has been known for when it’s at its best are present and accounted for here, while Unbound also brings plenty of its own unique flourishes to the table, from an open world that’s always a blast to drive through to a vibrant visual and aesthetic style that gives the game a very distinct look.

#20. THE QUARRY

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Supermassive Games | Read Our Review

Supermassive Games has established itself as an expert when it comes to interactive choice-based horror adventure titles, but the studio has arguably never touched the heights that it scaled with Until Dawn back in 2014. The Quarry tried to recapture that magic in 2022, and while it may not be quite on the same level, it’s still a hell of a lot of fun. It looks amazing, it is full of pulpy and corny horror, it constantly throws engaging choices (and their disastrous consequences) at you, and it’s especially a blast to play as a multiplayer experience.

#19. WEIRD WEST

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: WolfEye Studios | Read Our Review

Developed by former Arkane veteran Raphaël Colantonio and his small indie team at WolfEye Studios, Weird West is pretty much an unmissable game for fans of immersive sims. The dark fantasy and wild west mashup here is captivating in and of itself, but of course, Weird West really shines in the gameplay department above all else, thanks to a complex and elaborate web of gameplay systems that emphasize player choice and agency like very few other games do. Whether you’re studiously following the story or just messing about in the game’s world and creating your own fun, Weird West delivers on every front.

#18. OLLIOLLI WORLD

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Roll7 | Read Our Review

OlliOlli World was something of a risk for Roll7, with the studio taking the series’ established and acclaimed framework and expanding it in significant ways, but it was one that definitely paid off. “Skateboarding platformers” aren’t exactly a very populated sub-category of games, but OlliOlli World proves all over again that, when done right, this is the kind of experience that can sink its claws right into you. Slick movement, endearing characters, gorgeous art design, solid level design- there’s no shortage of things to praise in OlliOlli World.

#17. SIFU

Available on: PS5, PS4, PC | Developer: Sloclap | Read Our Review

Even though expectations were high from Sifu in the lead-up to its launch, it still managed to turn out better than most people expected. Sloclap’s kung fu brawler may even be among the very best the genre has to offer. It’s crunching and incredibly slick kung fu combat never loses its luster throughout the experience, and the game’s tough but fair (and amazingly satisfying) approach to difficulty makes that combat even better. Sifu is brimming with style and mechanical perfection, and is definitely going to live long in the memory.

#16. ROGUE LEGACY 2

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Cellar Door Games | Read Our Review

For many, the original Rogue Legacy is the king of roguelikes, so to say that Rogue Legacy 2 had quite a bit to live up to would be a big understatement. That it manages to live up to those expectations is a major accomplishment in and of itself- that it often actually exceeds them is almost beyond belief. Rogue Legacy 2 is an immaculately designed game, and concocts a stellar blend of challenging combat, excellent boss fights, pixel-perfect platform, addictive progression mechanics, and a startling amount of build variety. And really, that’s just scratching the surface.

#15. STRAY

Available on: PS5, PS4, PC | Developer: BlueTwelve Studio | Read Our Review

In Stray, you play as a cat in a post-apocalyptic world populated by human-like androids and face-sucking parasites. If that central premise isn’t enough to turn your head, it might be because your head is incapable of turning. But Stray doesn’t rely exclusively on its fascinating premise- it’s also a very enjoyable game. Moving around and scaling environments as a lithe, feline creature is always fun on at least a fundamental level, and the game combines that with smartly designed puzzles that consistently keep things interesting. There’s a lot of flash here, yes, but there’s also plenty of substance.

#14. SHOVEL KNIGHT DIG

Available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS | Developer: Nitrome, Yacht Club Games | Read Our Review

There’s something very elegant about Shovel Knight Dig’s premise- just take that iconic shovel, and make it do what shovels do. Rather than using it as a pogo stick, Shovel Knight Dig sees you going ever downward, and it makes incredible use of that setup. Honestly, no amount of praise is enough for the way it takes the bones of the original Shovel Knight and manages to twist and turn them so they fit into a roguelike experience while still remaining true to their core. It’s perhaps on the shorter side, especially for a roguelike experience, but Shovel Knight Dig makes a strong impression even in its relatively brief runtime.

#13. RETURN TO MONKEY ISLAND

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Terribly Toybox | Read Our Review

Monkey Island is the poster boy of cult classic gaming franchises, but often you can’t help but wonder if that’s simply a case of absence making the heart grow fonder. Return to Monkey Island came along this year (much to the surprise of pretty much everyone) and thoroughly refuted that notion. With series veterans Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman returning to the helm, Return to Monkey Island feels like meeting a dear old friend who’s somehow even more riotously fun than your memories would have you believe. From the sharp writing and endearing characters to the incredible humour and smart puzzles, it delivers in every way that you’d expect a Monkey Island game to deliver, while also ensuring that it modernizes the series in meaningful ways. The wait for Return to Monkey Island may have felt like an interminable one at times, but impossibly enough, the reward at the end was well worth it.

#12. SPLATOON 3

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: Nintendo | Read Our Review

Splatoon 3 is a perfect example of how sequels with the “evolution over revolution” mindset can still deliver an amazing experience. The series’ core gameplay formula is very much a known quantity at this point, and rather than trying to fix something that isn’t broke, Splatoon 3 takes that formula and hones it to near-perfection. Yes, Nintendo’s persistent incompetence when it comes to having good online has been a bit of a hurdle for the game, but at the end of the day, it’s still an absolute blast to play. It’s also worth mentioning that Splatoon 3 has a genuinely good single player campaign, so even if you’re not looking for a multiplayer experience, this is a game that’s still worth your attention.

#11. OVERWATCH 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Blizzard Entertainment | Read Our Review

There was absolutely no way that Overwatch 2 was going to capture lightning in a bottle the way its predecessor did when it first launched, but the long-awaited sequel does serve as an excellent reminder of what made Blizzard’s hero shooter formula resonate so strongly with so many people in the first place. Grindy progression mechanics and a questionable Battle Pass structure are some of the game’s several issues at launch, but when you actually get down to playing the game, it’s impossible not to have fun with Overwatch 2. The new 5v5 format in particular revitalizes the gameplay in significant ways, while several other refinements also come together to make for noticeable improvements.

#10. MARIO + RABBIDS SPARKS OF HOPE

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: Ubisoft | Read Our Review

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle took pretty much everybody by surprise in more ways than one when it launched in 2017, so it’s only fitting that its sequel, Sparks of Hope, did the same this year (if not to the same degree). Even though it could easily have been an iterative sequel that played it safe, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope takes a number of risks that almost all pay off. From its new and improved combat mechanics to its vast and varied cast of playable heroes, from its expanded focus on RPG progression to the significantly greater emphasis that it places on exploration, Sparks of Hope not only feels like a bigger and better sequel, but also one that isn’t too bothered about sticking to the script, and instead does its own thing. And without a doubt, it’s a better game for it.

#9. A PLAGUE TALE: REQUIEM

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Asobo Studio | Read Our Review

A great many people were taken by surprise by just how good A Plague Tale: Innocence was, and this year, Asobo Studio one-upped itself with the sequel. A Plague Tale: Requiem is almost the perfect sequel, because though it doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any stretch of the imagination, it significantly improves upon its predecessor in every aspect. This is a textbook example of bigger and better- the stealth is more refined and feels more tense, the levels are larger and offer more room for exploration, the visuals are even more gorgeous, and yes, the rat hordes are much more massive, almost ridiculously so at times. This is also a game with a lot of heart, telling a captivating story that revolves round endearing characters who share very real and well-written relationships with each other, with the central pair of Amicia and Hugo in particular once again stealing the show. Just like its predecessor, even without the backing of a blockbuster AAA budget or a massive development team, A Plague Tale: Requiem can stand toe-to-toe with some of the best games out there.

#8. LEGO STAR WARS: THE SKYWALKER SAGA

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Traveller’s Tales | Read Our Review

LEGO games, almost by definition, have never really been the kind that will blow you away in any real way, but that’s precisely why LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga came as such a massive surprise. Sure, saying that it’ll blow you away is still a bit of an understatement, but this is the best that Traveller’s Tales LEGO series has ever been. The fact that it condenses and combines all numbered Star Wars films in a single package is enough to entice people in and of itself, but even beyond that, this is just a legitimately well-made game. Obviously, it retains the simplicity and straightforwardness that characterizes LEGO games above all else, but it also refines and improves the series’ gameplay formula in a number of key ways. No matter what you’re doing in this game – whether that’s flying the Millennium Falcon and blowing up TIE Fighters, or exploring lovingly recreated open world Star Wars locations and discovering a plethora of engaging side content, or laughing at it trademark silly LEGO humour – you’re guaranteed to have a blast with The Skywalker Saga the whole way through.

#7. KIRBY AND THE FORGOTTEN LAND

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: HAL Laboratory | Read Our Review

The Kirby franchise may have taken its sweet time finally making the jump into the 3D platforming space, but there’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that it’s made a resounding debut. Kirby and the Forgotten Land may, in fact, very well be one of the best outings in this long-running series to date. It’s brimming with the sort of charm that you’d expect to see in any Kirby game (or hell, any Nintendo platformer), but it’s what the game does as a 3D platformer that makes it truly stand out. Inhaling things whole and taking on their properties is a conceit that obviously suits a Kirby game very well, and it also makes for an excellent platformer by essentially providing the game a platform for constant creativity with its abilities and level design until the very end. The Nintendo Switch has a bevy of excellent platformers, but even in that exalted library, Kirby and the Forgotten Land ranks as one of the genre’s best offerings on the platform. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait as long for the pink puff’s next 3D platforming adventure.

=#5. GRAN TURISMO 7

Available on: PS5, PS4 | Developer: Polyphony Digital | Read Our Review

The Gran Turismo franchise wasn’t exactly in the best shape of its life in the PS4 years, and the long-running series’ sizeable fanbase was desperate for it to go back to its roots and deliver a more traditional racing sim experience. With Gran Turismo 7, it does exactly that, and above all else, it has reminded us just why Gran Turismo has the sort of legacy and cache it does. For automobile enthusiasts and fans of racing sims, GT7 is nirvana. It combines incredible driving mechanics with a frankly staggering customization framework, and on top of that foundation, it piles on oodles and oodles of content, from a large roster of cars to a wide selection of tracks, from a healthy selection of modes to a meaty and addictive campaign. We would, of course, be remiss not to mention the noticeable issues GT7 had at launch with its monetization and grindy progression, but Polyphony Digital deserves credit for having addressed most of the game’s biggest issues with routine post-launch updates and patches. By its very nature, Gran Turismo 7 isn’t for everyone, but it undoubtedly represents the series at its highest point in a long, long time.

=#5. XENOBLADE CHRONICLES 3

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: Monolith Soft | Read Our Review

Featuring an unbelievable sense of scale, Xenoblade 3 goes all out on crafting a massive, gorgeous world with some of the best art and visual design you’ll ever see in a game. And it’s just as successful in other areas as well, if not even more so. The combat system is the absolute best it’s ever been, and somehow manages to combine its bevy of systems in perfect harmony, so that each fight – whether it’s against a run-of-the-mill trash mob or a terrifyingly large enemy – feels equally engaging. The exploration never fails to feel rewarding, because around every corner is either a great new side quest or a breathtaking new vista to behold. The Switch has a hell of a lot of excellent games, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 sits at the top of that pile alongside the best of the best in the system’s library.

#4. POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: Game Freak | Read Our Review

Pokemon was in dire need of a refresh until not that long ago, and had been for quite some time. Given how terribly the franchise had stagnated, only an immaculately radical execution would have been enough to bring about a change in the series’ critical perception- and thankfully, that’s exactly what Pokemon Legends: Arceus turned out to be. The game boils the series’ formula down to its bare essentials- catching Pokemon and filling up your Pokedex is front and center in Pokemon Legends the way it almost never has been before, and the game brings that conceit to life with an incredibly addictive gameplay loop. Exploring the open world maps and chancing upon unique Pokemon to survey never loses its luster throughout the game’s lengthy runtime, and that addictive loop is helped greatly by the many quality-of-life changes found throughout the experience. From battling Pokemon to traversing the maps, from progression mechanics to so much more, Pokemon Legends: Arceus makes countless smart changes and improvements in a number of key areas that all come together to make for a significantly snappier and more enjoyable experience than anything this series has delivered in a long, long time.

#3. HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST

Available on: PS5, PS4 | Developer: Guerrilla Games | Read Our Review

2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn is not an easy game to follow-up on, given its impressive critical and commercial success and its sizeable fan following, but Guerrilla Games was more than up to the task with Horizon Forbidden West. It’s all too easy for developers to promise sequels that are bigger and better, but very rarely do they make good on that promise as thoroughly as Guerrilla did with Forbidden West. The core concept of taking on mechanical monstrosities in a fascinating post-post-apocalyptic setting remains as inherently strong as ever, but it manages to flourish even more here thanks to a number of key improvements. Traversal is much more fun thanks to additions like the Shieldwing, the new machines are excellently designed and an absolute joy to take on in combat, the open world is not only much larger, but also much more varied and, as a result, more enjoyable to explore, and the side content also makes a significant leap forward in terms of both quality and quantity. Horizon Forbidden West is a large, long game with a bevy of content, and the fact that it manages to be an excellent, gorgeous experience throughout that lengthy runtime is an achievement that cannot be praised enough.

#2. ELDEN RING

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: FromSoftware | Read Our Review

In the end, the battle for our Game of the Year was always going to be between Elden Ring and the game that eventually did win our top honors. And you know what? Elden Ring put up a hell of a fight- better than any other game could have. Which, of course, makes sense- it is a magnificently designed game, with some of the best open world design we have seen this side of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Of course, it helps that it lifts a lot of the same design principles that guided Nintendo’s masterpiece. That open world mastery is paired with FromSoftware’s penchant for amazing world design and combat, as well as unforgettable boss fights, while unlike the likes of Sekiro and Bloodborne, it also returns to the Souls’ franchise’s focus on incredibly deep combat variety. While Elden Ring comes with its share of flaws and shortcomings of its own – most notable, the unfortunate technical issues the game continues to suffer from to this day, several months on from launch, not to mention a final third where the quality isn’t quite on the same level as the rest of the game – it is still an incredible experience, and truly unlike anything else. Elden Ring is a masterpiece, and such a great game that honestly, any other year, it could easily have taken the top spot. This year, of course, it didn’t. It was almost the best game we played all year, yes. But only almost.

GAMINGBOLT’S 2022 GAME OF THE YEAR – GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK

Available on: PS5, PS4 | Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio | Read Our Review

The God of War franchise’s stock skyrocketed in 2018, with a series reboot (or soft reboot, at least) that was so successful at what it set out to do that it instantly embedded itself in gaming history as one of the best games of its kind. How do you follow up on that? How do you even begin to make something that can hope to live up to those lofty standards? Most developers would have folded under that kind of pressure, but Sony Santa Monica has proven time and again that if there’s one thing the studio has always been capable of doing, it’s improving on greatness. That is exactly what God of War Ragnarok does.

Take the story. You’d think the franchise had hit heights it would never again be able to hit with how perfectly it characterized and developed the characters of Kratos and Atreus (the former in particular), but Ragnarok manages to dwarf even its predecessor, to the extent where Kratos has indisputably become one of the greatest gaming protagonists of all time (while the supporting cast surrounding him isn’t anything to scoff at either). And while we can’t go into too much detail about how Ragnarok ends things without spoiling them, we can confidently say that in addition to everything else it does, it also sets up a pretty exciting future for the franchise, which may be headed in directions none of us would have seen coming until not too long ago.

On the gameplay front, God of War Ragnarok takes a much more iterative approach- and it’s better for it. It takes the bones of its 2018 predecessor, and puts a heathy amount of meat on them. Combat is improved in meaningful ways, not only with a significantly expanded arsenal of moves and tools and abilities that are always fun to use in combat, but also with impressive enemy variety that forces you to use that expanded arsenal to its fullest. With plenty of excellent boss fights and high-octane set piece moments, the game also comes much closer to delivering the kind of scale that this series has always been known for.

And that’s barely scratching the surface. We could go on and on about how God of War Ragnarok is one of the most polished games we’ve played in quite some time, how much more enjoyable its exploration is, how many incredible side quests it has, how drop-dead gorgeous the game looks. We could praise this game all day long and still have plenty of things left to talk about. That’s the hallmark of a true masterpiece- and that’s exactly what God of War Ragnarok is. Even though it’s following up on one of the most highly regarded games of all time, it manages to escape the imposing shadow of its predecessor, and establishes it as one of the series’ best outings yet- one that improves upon the 2018 game in nearly every way possible.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS

2022 was an incredibly important year for Pokemon, because this was the year that the series finally broke free of the shackles of tradition and tried something new and different. Pokemon Legends: Arceus was the first step in that journey, and what an incredible step it was. Its period setting, the unique atmosphere of its world, the open world maps, the quickness of the gameplay, the addictiveness of exploring and catching Pokemon- all of it came together and collectively made for one hell of a game.

POKEMON SCARLET AND VIOLET

Less than a year after Legends’ launch, Pokemon struck again with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and though the RPG duo’s launch was certainly marred by widespread technical issues, when it comes to the core gameplay, there’s no denying that these newest adventures got a lot of things right. The seamless open world map offered a level of freedom that we have rarely ever seen in Pokemon games, and that went hand-in-hand with a top-to-bottom modernization of almost all of the series’ core mechanics. Not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination, but an incredible building block for what’s hopefully going to be a brighter future.

DYING LIGHT 2 STAY HUMAN

Zombie apocalypse settings are a dime a dozen in pretty much all entertainment media, but Dying Light 2 owns that premise in a way very few other games have ever done. The open world action RPG populates its massive map not only with a litany of activities, but also with swarms of the undead that genuinely feel like a constant threat, even as you continue to get more powerful and capable. Of course, the parkour mechanics shine bright once again, and continue to uplift every second of the experience in meaningful ways.

CITIZEN SLEEPER

Easily the most unique game on this entire list, Citizen Sleeper is the textbook definition of, well, a sleeper hit. It might not be the biggest, shiniest game out there, but when you get down to playing it, it doesn’t take long for it to sink its claws deep into you. That’s down to its unique setting, its incredibly writing and storytelling, and its genuinely engaging gameplay loop, which keeps finding new ways to take players by surprise- and that’s really just scratching the surface.

ELDEN RING

Since 2009, FromSoftware has been widely recognized as one of the best RPG developers in the industry, and though we’re way, way past the point where that notion needed proving, if you were somehow still a doubter, Elden Ring probably turned you into a believer. The massive action RPG takes the core formula of the Souls games – which in and of itself is incredibly compelling – and applies it to a gargantuan open world that’s as gorgeous and deadly as it is a joy to explore. Spend hundreds of hours galloping through The Lands Between, and you’ll still keep chancing upon new discoveries that will make you fall in love with the game all over again.

HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST

If there was one area where 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn left a little something to be desired, it was its RPG mechanics, thanks to how straightforward they often felt. Suffice to say, Forbidden West remedies most of those issues- and quite convincingly at that. Progression feels much more nuanced and layered, crafting and upgrades feel much more integral to the experience, while the game also boasts genuine build diversity, especially compared to its predecessor. Add to that an enormous and stunning open world, a bevy of excellent side content, incredible combat, and some of the best visuals you’ll ever see in a game, and what you get is one of the best experiences of the year.

TINY TINA’S WONDERLANDS

Borderlands fans who’re beginning to get antsy about the arrival of the series’ next mainline outing are going to have to wait who knows how long to get their hands on what they want, but at the very least, 2022 brought a more than sufficient stopgap in the form of Tiny’s Tina’s Wonderlands. With its D&D-inspired premise and the unique new mechanics that brings with it, the game puts a fresh new coat of paint on the series’ formula- but that core formula is, of course, still intact, which means the looting and shooting is as fun as ever. It might not boast the sheer breadth of content of a mainline Borderlands game, but it’s a meaty enough adventure in its own right nonetheless.

XENOBLADE CHRONICLES 3

Xenoblade Chronicles games’ denseness and complexity can be intimidating to many, but for hardcore fans of RPGs, that’s exactly what makes them so alluring. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the prime example of that. It combines a complex and layered combat system with a web of progression mechanics that, put together, offer a staggering level of options to players. Propping all of that up is a massive and beautiful open world that’ll constantly have you on the edge of your seat.

THYMESIA

Every year brings at least a handful of new Soulslike games from developers big and small alike, and though not all of them do justice to that formula, some end up taking people by surprise. Thymesia is one such game. With its gothic aesthetic and its central premise, it heavily evokes Bloodborne, while its fast, challenging, frantic combat has heavy shades of Sekiro. Of course, the game isn’t without its rough edges, but on the whole, this is a game that genre fans definitely shouldn’t be skipping.

WEIRD WEST

What do you get when you combine the design philosophies of an immersive sim with the structure and progression loop of an action RPG? You get a game that never fails to present its players with a bucketload of options in pretty much everything you set out to do. Weird West is a game that prides itself on the strength of its systems and their interactions, and those systems are so much richer thanks to the game’s RPG bent. Combine the abilities of your tailor-made build with the emergent interactions that characterize the gameplay, and you get a level of freedom to tackle situations how you want that very few other games can offer.

THE LEGEND OF HEROES: TRAILS FROM ZERO

At long last, The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero finally came West this year, and it seems fair to say that the game turned out to be worth the wait (unless, of course, you played an imported copy long ago). Given the fact that this isn’t exactly a recent game at this point, some parts of Trails from Zero do feel a bit aged- but the game’s core strengths in the storytelling, character building, and combat departments never lose their luster. It was one of the best entries in the long-running franchise when it first launched, and with all of its improvements with this re-release, Trails from Zero has solidified that conclusively.

WINNER:

ELDEN RING

It’s never easy to pick a winner in features such as this one, and while it wasn’t exactly easy here either, we knew that it just doesn’t make sense to look past Elden Ring here. FromSoftware’s crown has been adorned by the best and brightest jewels over the past decade or so, but the developer’s newest offering somehow manages to shine so bright, it makes those past accomplishments almost seem tame in comparison. From the world design to its deep combat and progression mechanics, from the gorgeous art design to the typically amazing lore, Elden Ring is a game that knocks the ball out of the park with pretty much every single thing it tries to do.

There’s a vast contingent of people out there who prefer to play their games on PC, and there’s a long, long list of reasons for that. Of course, it helps that the flow of excellent releases on the platform just never, ever stops. 2022 was no different in that regard. From long-awaited new releases to PC ports of beloved older titles, the platform saw a steady stream of great new games over the course of the last 12 months. Here, we’re going to recognize what we felt were the very best, before crowning one of them as our favourite of the lot. 

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

OVERWATCH 2

The slow death of the original Overwatch, the degrading reputation of Blizzard Entertainment, and the prolonged development of Overwatch 2 had combined in the exact opposite of a perfect storm in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel’s launch, but in the end, Overwatch 2 manages to clear most of those hurdles. Blizzard’s newest hero shooter has launched with some issues, and for obvious reasons, it hasn’t had the kind of impact its predecessor did, but there’s still a great deal to love here. The core gameplay remains excellent, several smart improvements have refined it further, and with Blizzard’s full attention on the game once again, it has an active and thriving player base.

THE LEGEND OF HEROES: TRAILS FROM ZERO

Western fans of Nihon Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes series are finally getting to play official localizations of older instalments in the series. This year saw the launch of Trails from Zero, 12 years on from its original launch in Japan for the PSP, and while there are some rough edges here, for fans of the series, this game is unequivocally unmissable. Combining an excellent story, a wonderfully written cast of characters, addictive combat, and a stagger amount of engaging things to do, Trails from the Zero delivers a meaty, unforgettable experience. It takes a little while to get going, but with several quality-of-life improvements (like high-speed mode), it’s easier to get into this game than ever before, even for series newcomers.

SIFU

Sifu has seen plenty of success on both critical and commercial fronts, but one could easily argue that it’s still perhaps a little underrated- because that’s how good Sloclap’s kung fu brawler is. If you’re the kind of person who wants their games to be challenging, demanding, but incredibly satisfying, you can’t go wrong with Sifu. It boasts incredible combat, which feels even better to engage in than it does to look at- and that’s saying a lot, because it’s a joy to look at, thanks not only to the game’s excellent animations, but also its gorgeous art design. Since launch, Sifu has also added excellent new gameplay features, from gameplay modifiers to difficulty levels and much more, which makes it that much more of an irresistible prospect.

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2023

Football Manager 2023 is the sort of game most people think of think of when they call something “niche”, but ask it’s massive, dedicated, and hopelessly addictive community, and they’ll tell you it’s one of very few annual franchises that keep getting better year-on-year. This year’s game represents perhaps the smallest upgrade Sports Interactive’s sim series has made over the previous year’s entry in quite some time, but even so, this is the best Football Manager has ever been (which isn’t small praise by any means). Yes, it’s a pretty granular upgrade, but when the core experience is this good, even a small improvement can be quite enough.

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES

Sony has accelerated its plans to bring PlayStation titles to PC. It brought a great many of those in 2022, and without a doubt, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is one of the very best games in that group. It’s  shorter, relatively more truncated experience as compared to the original, yes, but in many ways, that’s it’s biggest strength. It also feels denser, more packed, its side activities more meaningful. Meanwhile, thanks to Miles’ bioelectricity powers and invisibility, combat, stealth, and traversal are also elevated (not that they weren’t great to begin with), while of course, the game also tells an excellent story. Nixxes Software has also done an incredible job optimizing the game for PC and providing a host of options, which is also worth special praise.

STRAY

Stray could have easily used its unique premise as a clutch to deliver a bland gameplay experience, but this is a game that not only pulls you in with that unique premise, but also gets you to stay until the end because it’s genuinely enjoyable to play. Its post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world is fascinating to traverse, and made even better by all the incredible and charming visual flourishes it tucks in around every corner. Gameplay is simple and straightforward, but it keeps delivering enjoyable, well-made puzzles and challenges at a regular pace. And, of course, you play as a cat. What’s not to like?

ELDEN RING

Of course Elden Ring is nominated for best PC game. We can save you the trouble- it’ll be nominated for most things, and deservedly so. FromSoftware’s excellent open world transition of their celebrated Souls formula hit the gaming world with the force of a thousand suns, and with good reason. Incredible open world design, more ways to tackle the game’s bevy of challenges, and rewards and content upon rewards and content, all on top of incredible boss fights and pitch perfect combat… yeah, obviously it’s nominated. Admittedly, the PC version had a fair few issues at launch- it still has a lot of them, actually. But that, more than anything, should tell you just how good the game really is, that even with a suboptimal port, it manages to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the other great games the platform got this year.

MONSTER HUNTER RISE

When Monster Hunter Rise came out last year for the Nintendo Switch, it was a great game. When it came to PC this year, it was, of course, still a great game- but even better, because it launched after a bunch of content and feature updates, and because PC as a platform is so well suited to the kind of game that Monster Hunter usually is. Bringing together the kinetic mobility and finely tuned combat that made Rise such a great addition to the series’ canon, and then adding some excellent icing on top of the delicious cake with the Sunbreak expansion, Monster Hunter Rise on PC represents the definitive way to play one of the best games in a very high-quality series. And sure enough, we were glad to see the PC community embrace it every bit as much as their Switch counterparts did last year.

GOD OF WAR

God of War has become the undisputed flag bearer for PlayStation Studios over the last few years, so of course, PC players were itching to get their hands on the game on their platform of choice. That God of War (2018) is an excellent game on PC is no surprise to anyone, but special praise also has to go to how good of a port it is. Developed in conjunction with Valkyrie Entertainment (call their name a happy coincidence), this is an excellent PC port, with incredible visuals and performance, a wide range of options, a significantly expanded array of accessibility features, and much more. We can only hope that when God of War Ragnarok inevitable follows in its predecessor’s footsteps, it’ll be just as good.

WINNER:

ELDEN RING

Most developers find it hard to deliver even one game that will be remembered as an all-time great, but FromSoftware has done it time and time and time again over the course of more than a decade. And even with that mighty pedigree, in 2022, the studio managed to deliver what may very well be it’s greatest game to date (though Bloodborne fans might beg to differ). The classic Souls formula has a timeless quality, especially when it’s FromSoftware that’s handling it, but Elden Ring elevates it to completely new heights, thanks in large part to a staggeringly massive open world that, despite its size, never seems to dilute the quality of the content on offer, and keeps finding ways to surprise players. In the end, it was hard to look past FromSoft’s latest masterpiece for this particular category’s winner.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

REDOUT 2

Fans of antigravity racers have been begging Sony and Nintendo to put out more WipEout and F-Zero games, but at the very least, until they do so (if they ever do), we do have some great alternatives to turn to- like Redout 2. Like its predecessor, it captures the high speed thrills and loops and turns of the genre impeccably, while making everything feel much more polished in the process- not to mention the fact that it looks incredible. There’s also a ton of content for players to feast on here, with the highlight undoubtedly being a meaty campaign. Its steep learning curve might turn some people away, but if you get the hang of it, you’re in for a great time.

SHREDDERS

Shredders is yet another example of an indie taking up the mantle of an absentee genre giant. EA refuses to make more SSX games, for whatever reasons, but FoamPunch’s Shredders serves as a decent substitute. To be clear, there’s plenty of room for improvement here, but you can’t help but appreciate the single-minded focus with which the game tries to recreate a fun and arcadey snowboarding experience. The tricks, the gorgeous white slopes, the semi-open world structure- it all comes together to make for a very enjoyable experience.

WRC GENERATIONS

The WRC license is changing developers as it moves to Codemasters in 2023, but this year’s WRC Generations served as a fitting sendoff to the series’ KT Racing era. Under the developer’s stewardship, WRC games had a bit of a rough start, but they made consistent and significant improvements year over year, and WRC Generations keeps that trajectory going. With solid audio and visual, a healthy selection of cars and modes, excellent driving mechanics, and the addition of hybrid cars, WRC Generations delivers an accomplished rally racing simulator and caps off KT Racing’s time with the license wonderfully.

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2023

Football Manager is one of very few annual franchises where every new game legitimately feels like a meaningful improvement over its predecessor, so it’s no surprise that this year’s game turned out to be as good as it is (even if the leap from FM 22 to FM 23 is smaller than it has been in quite some time). Long-suffering series fans have been well aware of the series’ knack for sucking players in for literally hundreds of hours of gameplay, and Football Manager 2023 delivers that in spades as well, to no one’s surprise. Micromanaging the operations of a football club and looking through an ocean of granular data may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you fancy yourself a wannabe football manager like so many others do, then this is the game for you. Well, until next year, at least.

F1 MANAGER 2022

The F1 brand has had a strong presence in gaming for a long time, thanks to Codemasters’ annual racing sim series, but we also got a very different taste of F1 in gaming this year. With F1 Manager 2022, Frontier Developers took the license and turned it into a management simulation sim, a genre that the developer is very familiar with. The results? Solid, in a word. We hadn’t had one of these in a very long time, so for fans of the sport in particular this is an easy game to recommend- because how can you not have fun while managing and expanding your very own F1 team, and anything and everything to do with it? Hopefully this is just the beginning of a long line of games that’ll made steady improvements with time, because the foundation laid down here is a promising one.

GRAN TURISMO 7

While Gran Turismo was once at the apex of racing sims, the last decade saw it get lapped by Forza Motorsport- the fact that the series’ last mainline numbered entry launched in 2013 (and was never available on the PS4) didn’t exactly help matters. With Gran Turismo 7, it’s safe to say that, at least on the gameplay front, Sony’s beloved series is back on track. The traditional single player GT experience that we’d all been desperate for is present and accounted for here, and it’s meatier and more filled with an exuberant love for automobiles than ever before, while the multiplayer suite, too, offers its own set of strengths. GT7’s monetization and progression issues let it down at launch, but with multiple post-launch fixes and tweaks, the game’s core strengths have been able to blossom much more.

NHL 23

The NHL series is probably on the lowest rung of EA Sports’ ladder of annual sports franchises, and the way it’s been treated in recent years has made no secret of that fact. This year, however, NHL 23 finally brought about a long-overdue upgrade for the series- in some respects, at least. When it comes to its visuals, audio design, and general presentation, NHL 23 represents the peak of the series, and is sure to appeal to fans of the sport. On a gameplay level, though there are, as always, a number of tweaks, things remain largely unchanged- and while that is a legitimate criticism levied at the game by many (and not without merit), there’s also no denying that the core gameplay when you’re on the ice remains as fun as ever.

GRID LEGENDS

Codemasters’ GRID franchise has seen its ups and downs over the years, but this year’s GRID Legends felt like a bright spot in more ways than one. Though it’s unlikely to take anyone’s breath away or steal any crowns away from the likes of Forza Horizon, it is still an accomplished racer that holds as much appeal for hardcore enthusiasts as it does for casual racing fans. From a meaty story mode and a wide variety of vehicles to fun and addictive driving mechanics and more, GRID Legends has more than enough on offer to satisfy those who decide to take the plunge.

WWE 2K22

The WWE 2K series was in the absolute worst shape of is life until not too long ago, seeing sharp and consistent declines in quality with each new instalment, which finally culminated in the absolute disaster that was WWE 2K20. Thankfully, the series made the very smart decision to recede into the background, regroup, and come back stronger- and come back stronger it did indeed. WWE 2K22 might still have plenty of rough edges, but at long last, it captures the fun of wrestling games like no other game has managed to do in a very long time. It looks better, it plays better, it has all the pomp and panache you’d expect from a WWE game- and more than anything else, it promises a much brighter future for the series.

NEED FOR SPEED UNBOUND

Long-suffering Need for Speed fans had been starved for a good new instalment in the series for quite some time (though 2019’s Heat was pretty decent, all things considered), while fans of Criterion had also long been hoping for the developer to make its return. This year’s Need for Speed Unbound accomplishes both those things at once, proving that time hasn’t eroded Criterion’s ability to make an excellent racer. With high-speed thrills, fast-paced cop chases, an open world that’s always a blast to drive through, and a solid collection of cars and customization options, Need for Speed Unbound is exactly what this series has been in need of for some time. On top of that, with its very different visual style and aesthetic, it carves out a wholly unique identity for itself as well.

WINNER: 

GRAN TURISMO 7

There’s no denying that Gran Turismo 7 had some noticeable caveats to its success, especially at launch. The fact that we think that, in spite of those very real issues, it still ranks as one of the best games of the year- that should tell you something about GT7’s quality. If what you want from the game is excellent racing simulation, an impressive dedication to realism and authenticity, top notch audio and visual design, and a plethora of content, you’ll find plenty of that in abundance here. Maybe it doesn’t touch the heights of, say, Gran Turismo 3– but viewed on its own terms, Gran Turismo 7 is probably one of the best racing sims we’ve played in many years.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

CITIZEN SLEEPER

Every year, there are some games that don’t get nearly the kind of attention they deserve, and Citizen Sleeper is one such game in that group for 2022. But though it flew under the radar for many, those who played it will gladly tell you that it’s easily one of the most unique (and perhaps even among the best) games of the year. Set in a ruined space station against the backdrop of interstellar corporate dystopia, Citizen Sleeper expertly combines rich and evocative storytelling with compelling game design. It’s the sort of game that’ll burrow its way deep down into your head and refuse to leave, even long after you’re done with it.

WEIRD WEST

Weird West may not have the budget and sheen of immersive sim giants like Dishonored and Prey, but this is a genre that’s first and foremost on the strength of its mechanics- and on that front, WolfEye Studios’ debut game deserves unreserved praise. It constantly encourages players to experiment and get creative with its web of systems, and the amount of freedom and player agency that leads to never fails to delight. There are a lot of games out there that claim to let players make their own fun, but very rarely is that as satisfying and enjoyable as it is in Weird West.

SNIPER ELITE 5

Karl Fairburne’s stealthy World War 2 adventures haven’t ever really been at the forefront of the industry, being textbook examples of small but solid AA games as they are, but with Sniper Elite 5, it feels like the series is knocking on that door- and quite persistently, at that. Each of the game’s vast maps is an absolute dream for fans of stealth games, allowing you to get past obstacles and challenges however you see fit. That emergent nature of the gameplay and the possibilities that leads to never ceases to entertain. No, it’s not Metal Gear Solid 5 levels of emergent stealth by any means, but especially for a genre that’s as starved as stealth games have been, Sniper Elite 5 feels like an essential game.

A PLAGUE TALE: REQUIEM

Asobo Studio turned many heads with A Plague Tale: Innocence in 2019, and the French studio has done that once again this year with its sequel. A Plague Tale: Requiem exhibits an expert understanding of its predecessor strengths, because in nearly every possible, it feels like a step-up over it. Its stealth mechanics, level design, progression, and more still stick to a very focused and straightforward structure, but everything still manages to feel markedly more fleshed out and compelling. Add to that a captivating story and absolutely stunning visuals, and it’s hard not to come away thoroughly impressed with A Plague Tale: Requiem. 

BEACON PINES

You may not have heard of Beacon Pines – it’s certainly the most low profile game we’ve included in this group – but to most who’ve played it, there’s no doubting its quality. The unique adventure title takes players into the pages of a mysterious book and has you playing as both, the reader and the narrator, and the way it uses that unique premise to spin its compelling yarn is hard not to be floored by. Charming characters, wonderful writing, an intriguing setting, and a very unique sense of style come together in Beacon Pines in what turns out to be a brief but incredible story. It also looks and sounds amazing, which only adds to its charm. The game is 5-6 hours long at most, but it makes a very strong impression in that short runtime.

ELDEN RING

Ah, Elden Ring- perhaps the most obvious inclusion in this list, and for good reason. FromSoftware has perfected the art of developing stellar Souls games over the course of many years, and in 2022, the famed Japanese developer took it to a whole another level. The grueling challenge, engaging combat, stellar boss fights, and rewarding progression that FromSoft games have become synonymous with are on full display in Elden Ring, but the true star of the show is its open world- a staggeringly enormous map that’s just as varied, and one that never fails to take your breath away with new discoveries even when you’re several dozen hours into the game. It’s the sort of game that puts you in awe of what FromSoftware is capable of all over again- even though this is already a developer that’s been known to leave our jaws hanging time and again.

LEGO STAR WARS: THE SKYWALKER SAGA

LEGO games and Star Wars share a special relationship, not just because there’s been half a dozen LEGO Star Wars games, but also because the original LEGO Star Wars was what kickstarted this whole franchise under developer Traveller’s Tales. It’s only fitting, then, that LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga turned out to be the game that would refresh, reinvent, and reinvigorate the series. The “fun for all ages” mantra that guides these games is still at The Skywalker Saga’s core, but everything feels more refined and polished, which means you’re very rarely not having fun while engaging with the game’s plethora of content. Whether you’re a Star Wars fan, a LEGO fan, or just someone who’s looking for a enjoyable and straightforward game to dive into, The Skywalker Saga is likely to have you covered.

ROGUE LEGACY 2

Even though the roguelike genre has seen a barrage of releases in recent years, the original Rogue Legacy hasn’t lost any of its luster close to a decade on from its launch. For its sequel to come along and top its accomplishment was no easy task, and yet Rogue Legacy 2 does that with confident ease. The core gameplay loop of Rogue Legacy remains intact, from the combat to the platform to the boss fights and more, which means as does its sheer addictiveness. But the sequel adds to it in a number of significant ways to make it even better. Unique traits, classes, environments, and more mix together in Rogue Legacy 2’s ingenious swirls of randomness to make each run feel different and exciting, delivering a frankly staggering level of depth and variety. For roguelike enthusiasts, Rogue Legacy 2 is pretty much required reading.

THE QUARRY

Billed as a spiritual successor to Until Dawn, The Quarry may not have been able to capture lightning in a bottle the way Supermassive Games’ 2014 PS4 title did, but it still firmly stands on its own two legs as a great horror adventure game. Supermassive has got the genre’s formula down to almost an exact sciene by now, and that’s on full display on The Quarry, which consistently keeps on delivering thanks to its star-studded cast of characters, gleefully corny story, gorgeous visuals, and weighty choice and consequence mechanics. Whether you’re going through the story with a friend or braving it solo, The Quarry is an absolute blast from start to finish- even if you play it multiple times (which you probably will).

WINNER:

ELDEN RING

In the end, it was hard to look past Elden Ring as our pick for the best Xbox game of 2022- and honestly, we don’t think the situation would have been any different even if the platform had had a significantly better year in terms of major new releases. Elden Ring is just that good. FromSoftware is one of few developers that can consistently keep raising the bar for itself with each of its new releases, but even so, it’s hard not to be taken aback by just how comprehensively the studio’s latest outing has done that yet again. Open world design is an expansion to the Souls formula that genre fans have been hoping to see for years, but we can confidently say that even in our wildest dreams, we wouldn’t have been able to imagine something this good.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

SIFU

Fans of brawlers and beat ’em ups have had their pick of great games in recent years, and this year, another game was added to the very top tier of that list with Sifu. Sloclap’s kung fu brawler is an exquisite game, combining satisfying combat and thrilling challenge with immense replayability, thanks to some truly unique mechanics and systems mixed in that elevate the experience to another level. As most people who’ve played it will tell you, it easily ranks as one of the best games of the year.

TUNIC

Tunic may not have the mainstream bombast that many other games on this list do, but when it comes to pure game design ingenuity, it can proudly stand up to any of them. Stepping in to fill the void left behind by classic Zelda games, it concocts a perfect blend of clever puzzles, satisfying dungeon crawling, and most of all, an incredibly unique gameplay hook at its core that reveals more and more of the game to you the more you play it.

ELDEN RING

FromSoftware has mastery over one very particular type of game the way very few other developers can manage, but even by those lofty standards, Elden Ring is an astonishing game. The challenging combat, and captivating world-building you’d expect from Souls games are all here, but Elden Ring kicks things up a notch with an open world setting that may very well be one of the best we’ve ever seen in a game.

STRAY

Stray is a prime example of a short and sweet adventure. In its brief runtime, it truly packs a punch, and in more ways than one, leaves a lasting impression. The game breathes immense life into dystopian cyberpunk setting, dedicates itself wholly to the idea of playing as a cat, goes above and beyond in terms of impressive with its visuals, and delivers a straightforward but enjoyable semi-platforming adventure experience. Its biggest accomplishment, however, is wrapping that all together coherently.

GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK

God of War games have always had immense expectations to live up to, but that was never truer than it was with Ragnarok, so to see it somehow surpassing even those expectations is, in a word, surprising. But if any developer can do that, it’s Sony Santa Monica. Working off of the excellent foundations laid down by its predecessor, God of War Ragnarok makes countless smaller improvements in nearly every area that collectively make for a significant improvement. And if a game is improving on something as accomplish as God of War (2018), you know it’s good.

HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST

Horizon Forbidden West lost some of its thunder to the launch of Elden Ring, but that takes nothing away from what an incredible achievement this game is. Going out into its beautiful, overgrown wilds and taking on deadly machines in thrilling battles never, ever loses its luster, in large part thanks to the bevy of meaningful gameplay improvements Forbidden West makes to the series’ formula, while its story keeps finding ways to reel you further in and sink its claws into you. It is, of course, also a gorgeous one- one of the best-looking ones we’ve ever played, in fact.

GRAN TURISMO 7

Closing out the trifecta of Sony’s big AAA releases of 2022 is Gran Turismo 7, a game that was marred with controversy surrounding its progression and monetization upon launch (and rightly so), but one that is an undeniably spectacular racing sim- which is even clearer now, without most of those issues to get in the way. Gran Turismo’s return to a traditional structure has turned out to be an unsurprisingly smart decision, and with its bevy of content, staggering attention to detail, and unparalleled dedication to authenticity, it creates an experience that fans of the genre simply cannot miss out on.

DYING LIGHT 2 STAY HUMAN

Dying Light 2 Stay Human is what you’d call a diamond in the rough, just like the original game was. It’s a little unpolished, and in the writing and storytelling department, it has plenty of room for improvement- but it’s also an absolute blast. It gives you a massive post-apocalyptic open world to explore, fills it to the brim with deadly zombies, then tells you to parkour your way through everything. The excellent parkour mechanics are, of course, propped up by excellent design that constantly encourages those mechanics. This is a massive game, but the fact that you can play it for dozens of hours without getting bored should tell you something about how inherently fun most of its core systems are.

SONIC FRONTIERS

Even though it doesn’t happen with the kind of frequency as we’d want, we all know exactly how good Sonic can be at its best. Sonic Frontiers hasn’t quite hit those same heights, but undoubtedly, it’s the best 3D Sonic has been in a long, long time. The switch to open world design doesn’t always work out for games, but Sonic’s high speed platforming and open world maps are something of a match made in heaven. Future Sonic titles will hopefully continue to build on this foundation, because Frontiers has a great deal going for it.

THE LAST OF US PART 1

Naughty Dog’s seminal 2013 masterpiece wasn’t exactly in terrible need of a glow-up for modern hardware, but it did get one- and one thing that’s undeniable is that this is the best version of The Last of Us. Its gameplay changes are minor compared to what many were expecting, but the game looks absolutely stunning now, and that visual and technical fidelity allows its masterful story and storytelling to flourish even more.

A PLAGUE TALE: REQUIEM

Amicia and Hugo’s second adventure together trumps their original outing in every way possible- which, of course, is exactly what you want to see in a sequel to an acclaimed title. A Plague Tale: Requiem boasts improvements in a number of areas, from stealth to level design, from visuals to its scripted set piece moments, and more. On the storytelling front, meanwhile, it tells a captivating, heart-wrenching tale that once again strikes a wonderful balance between intimate moments and high-octane developments.

GHOSTWIRE: TOKYO

Ghostwire: Tokyo saw Tango Gameworks dropping survival horror for open world action-adventure, and while the studio’s latest release is perhaps its weakest yet, it’s still a pretty good time. Its creepy recreation of an eerily empty Tokyo is easily among the game’s biggest highlights, while its magic-based combat it also a joy to behold, at least in visual terms, even if it does feel a bit shallow at times. It’s not earth-shattering, no, but Ghostwire: Tokyo is not without its merits.

NEED FOR SPEED UNBOUND

At long last, it feels like Need for Speed is back to its best again (or close to it, at least), and it’s fitting that Criterion is the developer responsible for that long-overdue comeback. NFS Unbound captures the essence of the franchise perfectly- it’s fast, it’s stylish, and it’s constantly fun. Zipping through the open world is always a blast, and of course, we have to mention the incredible visuals and semi-cartoonish aesthetic, because boy does that give the game a wholly unique identity.

THE QUARRY

The interactive horror adventure subgenre owes a lot to Supermassive- and more specifically, to Until Dawn. Its spiritual successor, The Quarry, doesn’t ever scale the same heights, but it does serve as an excellent reminder of why Supermassive has found so much success in this space. It’s a rollercoaster of pulpy horror in the best way possible, while its riotously fun multiplayer and inherent replayability also serve as bonuses.

LEGO STAR WARS: THE SKYWALKER SAGA

For years, LEGO games have been comfortable with being cozy, comfortable experiences that no one ever really talks or even thinks about other than when they’re playing them. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga isn’t content with that. While it retains the simplicity, charm, and humour that makes this series what it is, it also applies a level of polish and general quality that we haven’t always associated with the series. It may very well be the definitive LEGO game.

WINNER:

GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK

In every way that God of War Ragnarok was expected to excel, it hits the ball out of the park, and beyond. It’s rare for games to exhibit absolute mastery over as many things at once as Ragnarok does. The excellent writing, the enthralling combat, the engaging exploration, the drop-dead gorgeous visuals- and that’s just scratching the surface, because this is a game that keeps finding ways to blow you away in truly spectacular ways. It has instantly gone down as one of the greatest games in PlayStation history.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

ELDEN RING

FromSoftware games have never really been bothered about chasing cutting edge-tech, but they always more than make up for that with their incredible art design. Elden Ring represents those tendencies at their peak. Its world is massive, and yet it keeps on finding ways to surprise you, a lot of which is down to the gorgeous, breathtaking sights and intimidating, gargantuan enemies it keeps on throwing at you.

EVIL WEST

Evil West is very much what one might call a AA game, but even so, it’s no slouch in the visuals department. Once again, a lot of credit goes to the art direction, which does an admirable job of bringing the game’s dark fantasy wild west setting to life. Gothic locations, intimidating foes, and impressive visual fidelity to give Evil West a very distinct look.

GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK

Has the God of War franchise ever failed to set new standards for video game graphics? Never- and that’s true for Ragnarok as well. Regardless of whether you’re playing it on a PS5 or a PS4, it’s nothing short of a visual masterpiece. Not only does the art do wonders with its Norse mythology setting, the game also displays a level of technical fidelity and attention to detail that is frankly staggering to see.

GOD OF WAR (PC)

God of War was already a gorgeous game when it launched for the PS4 in 2018, so we could only imagine how good it would look on significantly better hardware. Thankfully, we no longer have to imagine it- on a powerful PC, this game is an absolute stunner, boasting a level of technical sheen and polish that you’re unlikely to find in many other games. Of course, a great deal of credit for that goes to how well optimized this is as a PC port.

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES (PC)

Just like God of War, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales was one of several PlayStation titles to make the jump to PC this year, and just like God of War, the results were impressive. This is the sort of game that’s best played on higher frame rates, and the fact that powerful PC hardware enables you to do that without any comprises with the visual fidelity is a huge boost to the experience. Sure, Miles Morales looks great on PS5 as well, but unsurprisingly, the PC version has the upper hand.

GRAN TURISMO 7

Gran Turismo games always get the most out of whatever hardware they’re on, and while GT7, being a cross-gen game, obviously couldn’t properly showoff the PS5’s capabilities, it still ranks as one of the most dazzling experiences of the year, visually speaking. Polyphony Digital prides itself on attention to detail like very few other developers do, and every inch and pixel of Gran Turismo 7 can proudly attest to that.

MOTOGP 22

When it comes to racing sims, it’s hard to deliver the same kind of visuals that the likes of Forza and Gran Turismo do on a regular basis, but if you drop down a tier, there’s still plenty of good-looking games to take note of. Milestone’s MotoGP games tend to be in that group ever year, as is MotoGP 22. From the meticulously crafted and wonderfully detailed motorcycles to the tracks that you race on to the weather effects, MotoGP 22 tends to look quite impressive.

SCORN

Scorn’s H.R. Giger-inspired look has been catching people’s attention for a long time, and though the game itself may not have lived up to expectations for many, as far as the graphics go, it’s a mighty impressive game. Scorn’s oppressive atmosphere is one of its highlights, and it achieves that largely through a blend of technical fidelity and evocative art. Succeeding equally on both fronts as it does is no mean feat.

THE CALLISTO PROTOCOL

For whatever reason, horror games have often been some of the most visually impressive titles in recent years, and The Callisto Protocol continues that tradition. It may not be particularly scary, and its gameplay does have several design issues, but purely where the graphics are concerned, we have nothing but good things to say about the game. Calling it “gorgeous” might not quite be fitting, given how gleefully disgusting and horrific almost everything looks in the game, but boy is all of it rendered with immaculate detail.

HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST

Horizon Zero Dawn took our breath away when it first launched in 2017, and by no means is diminish returns even a slight issue with its sequel. We’re just as stunned by how good Forbidden West looks as we were by its predecessor, if not more. Its overgrown, post-apocalyptic world is a sight to behold, its mechanical monstrosities sport incredible designs, and the level of fidelity and polish it exhibits throughout its massive world is hugely impressive.

THE QUARRY

It’s hard to believe that Supermassive pumps out games as frequently as it does, because each of them looks great. The Quarry, in fact, may very well be the best-looking game to have ever come out of the studio. Characters and their faces are where this is most evident, while animations also impress on a consistent basis. There are a couple of bugs to speak of here and there, but on the whole, this is an excellent-looking game.

A PLAGUE TALE: REQUIEM

By no means does A Plague Tale: Requiem have the budget or backing that most AAA games do, and yet its graphics can still easily put many of them to shame. Just as it did with A Plague Tale: Innocence in 2019, Asobo Studio has delivered a visual beast with A Plague Tale: Requiem. It’s a gorgeous game that never fails to impress with its attention to detail- especially in moments where you’re being faced by staggeringly massive rat hordes.

THE LAST OF US PART 1

The Last of Us Part 1’s visuals are quite literally the biggest reason to play this game. It makes no story changes to the original, and its gameplay improvements are granular at best, but where the graphics are concerned, it’s legitimately a generational leap. Naughty Dog can pump out stellar-looking experiences on a level that not many developers can hope to match, and The Last of Us Part 1 proves that yet again- not that that needed any proof at this point.

NEED FOR SPEED UNBOUND

If Criterion set out to give Need for Speed Unbound a visual identity unlike anything else out there, they can rest easy in the knowledge that they did that emphatically. The open world racer takes a photoreal approach to its visuals for the most part, and does an admirable job with it, but the masterstroke is the stylized animated effects it layers on top of that experience. With vibrant colours, eye-popping effects, and so much more, NFS Unbound is absolutely brimming with personality.

GRID LEGENDS

GRID Legends doesn’t ever touch the heights that so many other racing games do with their graphics, but even so, it’s hard not to be impressed by what it achieves on that front. Codemasters has a knack for crafting good-looking environments and highly detailed vehicle models, and all of that is on full display here as well. Don’t go in expecting anything close to Forza’s level, but there’s still plenty to be impressed by here.

WINNER:

THE CALLISTO PROTOCOL

The Callisto Protocol is clearly a game with several issues, and it may not have lived up to all the hype, but there’s no denying that it also has several redeeming qualities- its stunning visuals being one of those. Explosions of gore and viscera, crimson trails or blood spatter, bodies with entrails hanging out of them, and gorgeous, evocative environments- no matter what it is that you’re looking at in The Callisto Protocol, you can’t help but marvel at the sheer mastery at work in how the visuals bring it all to life.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS

2022 was a big year for Pokemon, seeing not one but two new releases that reinvented the series’ long-established formula with the introduction of proper open world settings. Right at the beginning of the year, we got our first taste of that with Pokemon Legends: Arceus– and it was almost everything that series fans had been desperately craving for several years by that point. Split across multiple large maps, Legends’ world was an excellent setting of the game, thanks in large part to the very unique flavour lent to it by the game’s period setting and all the changes that that brought along with it. No, it’s not the most populated open world you’ll ever see in a game, but finding hidden areas and interesting points of interest and coming across new species of Pokemon that you hadn’t yet caught didn’t lose its luster right until the very end of the game.

POKEMON SCARLET AND VIOLET

Following up several months later on Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ successful switch to an open world formula, we got Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The series’ Gen 9 titles obviously launched with a litany of technical issues that drew plenty of justified criticism, but on the open world front in particular, the RPG duo impressed. Unlike Legends, Scarlet and Violet’s map is one giant, seamless world, with nearly all of it being open to you very early on in your adventure. The level of freedom it affords to players in where they want to go and what order they want to tackle objectives in is unprecedented for the series, and the fact that all of that real estate is populated by genuinely engaging and addictive content also obviously elevates it to another level. We can only hope the series continues to build on this, because these are some mighty impressive foundations.

ELDEN RING

Very few open world games can claim to have genuinely good world design, paradoxically enough- most rely on crutches like markers and the HUD to guide players through their expanses. Very few open worlds rely on actual organic design, and fewer still do it well. Elden Ring is one of a small number of open world titles that does both- and boy does it really commit to doing so. More than perhaps any other open world game before it, this one is reliant on its core design and geography to guide its players. FromSoftware’s penchant for incredible level design is on full display here, except now, instead of being applied to specific areas or dungeons, it is applied to a whole, massive world, which doesn’t dilute its quality or variety in the slightest in spite of its size. Honestly, that right there should be enough to sell you on just what an astonishing achievement the open world of The Lands Between really is.

HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST

Guerrilla Games impressed with its first open world outing in 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn, and sure enough, its sequel lived up to high expectations and effortlessly delivered an even better experience. Horizon Forbidden West boasts a staggeringly large map, but more than its size, what impresses is how it manages to main a high level of consistency across all of that real estate, not only in terms of the beauty and variety of the locations it encapsulates, but also the engaging content that populates that world. Something else that deserves a lot of praise is the level of visual fidelity, attention to detail, and technical polish the game maintains in spite of its massive size. Calling Forbidden West one of the most impressive open worlds to date wouldn’t be an exaggeration in the slightest.

GHOSTWIRE: TOKYO

Tango Gameworks dipped its toes in the waters of open world game design with The Evil Within 2 back in 2017, and this year, the Japanese studio took the full plunge with Ghostwire: Tokyo. The result? Well, not as good as 2017’s survival horror title- but impressive enough in its own right nonetheless. Ghostwire: Tokyo’s map can feel a little empty, and many of its activities suffer from generic design, but it shines in other areas. The atmosphere, for instance, and how effectively it sells the idea of an eerie Tokyo that’s suddenly become devoid of any and all signs of life. Then there’s the traversal, and how consistently enjoyable it remains to zip and fly and run through the empty streets of the city throughout the experience. It might not be groundbreaking, but fans of open world games will still find plenty to love here.

LEGO STAR WARS: THE SKYWALKER SAGA

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga might not be a traditional open world experience, but as those who’ve played it will tell you, the game’s many open maps put together can easily rival some of the best games of the year. Not only is every single one of these maps impressive in terms of their size, exploring every nook and cranny of these locations is also always an absolute joy. The game fills these spaces with simple yet incredibly fun puzzles and consistently engaging side content, to the extent that you can easily spend dozens of hours doing nothing but the optional stuff. Add to that the trademark charm of Traveler’s Tales’ LEGO games, not to mention the inherent strengths of the Star Wars universe, and what you have is a galaxy that’s an absolute pleasure to simply exist in.

NEED FOR SPEED UNBOUND

Open world maps are nothing new to Need for Speed games, but good open world maps and the racing series have sort of been like rubber and glue in recent years. While 2019’s Heat was definitely a step in the right direction, 2022’s Unbound, which marks Criterion’s return to the franchise, is the game that’s well and truly dragged NFS out of the doldrums. Lakeshore City in particular is one of the stars of the show, as a map that’s densely packed with immaculately designed events, races, and side activities that might not be out-of-the-box, but exhibit an incredible understanding of what makes games like this tick. Racing through the city’s streets, smashing up its billboards, evading the increasingly relentless law, and climbing the ladder of the street racing scene never loses its charm in Need for Speed Unbound.

SONIC FRONTIERS

For diehard fans of Sonic the Hedgehog, it’s no surprise that a switch to open world design has brought about a reversal in fortunes for the franchise’s mainline games- this is what so many Sonic fans have been asking for for so long, after all. Is Sonic Frontiers perfect? Well, no. Not even close. But in spite of its many issues and rough edges, it’s still an inherently fun platformer that remains consistently enjoyable in spite of itself. Open world and Sonic gameplay are an excellent mix, and that core aspect of gameplay elevates the entire experience in so many ways. Hopefully, with further refinements and improvements in the future, successive entries will continue to build on Frontiers’ considerable strengths.

DYING LIGHT 2 STAY HUMAN

There’s several ways to make an open world map stand out- it can be incredibly massive, it can be packed full of content, it can sport impressive environmental variety. And yes, Dying Light 2’s map does all of that, to varying degrees. What really makes it shine, however, is how effectively it’s built around the game’s core gameplay foundations- the parkour. Just like its predecessor, Dying Light 2’s world works overtime to highlight and uplift the incredible parkrour mechanics, from well-placed handholds to structures that are packed densely together to networks of ziplines and more. Getting from point A to point B is always an absolute blast in this game, in a way that almost no other open world game has ever managed. For that reason alone, Dying Light 2 deserves special praise.

WINNER:

ELDEN RING

It usually takes developers multiple cracks at open world game design before they finally get it right (and often even that’s not enough), but the folks at FromSoftware, being the absolute masters of their craft that they are, hit the ball out of the park (and then some) with their very first go at it. The Lands Between may very well be the best world that FromSoftware has ever put together- which, of course, is massive praise in more ways than one. This is a game that you can clock hundreds of hours into, so the fact that it somehow still keeps finding ways to take your breath away with new discoveries, hidden areas, excellent designed locations, and more is, simply put, an astounding achievement. Not only is Elden Ring the best open world game of 2022, it’s probably also simply one of the best open world games ever made, period.