I cannot restrict myself to playing games from only the current year. I am all over the place. Some of these games released in 2022, but most did not. Last year, I managed to play through 25 games. Here is how I ranked them.
25. Iconoclasts [6.5] - Okay, so I didn’t actually finish this one. I had about an hour left and decided it wasn’t worth the time. Iconoclasts has some good ideas with its wrench mechanics, and the exploration is fine, but the game does not take full advantage of its systems. A lot of the time, Iconoclasts is claustrophobia in game form as your character climbs through narrow passages and runs into countless dead ends within small spaces.
It becomes tedious. The game also commits the sin of suddenly throwing annoying tasks at you that have nothing to do with the core mechanics of the game.
Finally, on the topic of annoying, the story is just that. The characters over-emote and have no self-control over their words or temperaments. If it were a novel, it would read like those dime-a-dozen stories found in the adolescent literature section featuring a run-of-the-mill female protagonist. Although, the female protagonist in Iconclasts, Robin, is not as off-putting as the emotionally volatile cast mates. After all, she’s a mute character, thankfully.
24. DuckTales Remastered [6.9] - DuckTales Remastered is yet another game ruined by overloading unnecessary narrative into it. I just want to jump around as Scrooge McDuck and kill things with his cane, but the developers thought I wanted to hear him and his fellow characters prattle on endlessly about meaningless junk. Besides the lousy “cutscenes” that break flow of gameplay, the game also has a punishing checkpoint system that cloaks itself as “difficulty.” Otherwise, this short platforming adventure is fun and has impressive visuals, though the 3D backgrounds can look out of place at times.
23. 19XX [7.4] - Not much can be said about this one besides it’s a fun vertical shooter in the 19- series that’s short in length and has some weird, muddy visuals. Again, it’s fun to blow stuff up in it, despite its look.
22. Retro Bowl [7.5] - Who doesn’t like Tecmo Bowl? This football game takes us back to those horizontal football days and mixes it with management simulation elements. It’s held back by a lack of ability to play on defense, but it’s still a fun time getting your team to the Retro Bowl.
21. Steamworld Dig [7.7] - A fun little Metroidvania whose ideas really got the chance to blossom in the wonderful sequel. Digging and finding treasure is repetitive but never boring or tedious.
20. Super Puzzle Fighter [7.8] - It’s like a Puyo Puyo relative with Street Fighter characters in Chibi form. It’s simple, fun, and challenging.
19. Crash Bandicoot 4 [7.9] - It was great to play an original game in the Crash series that harkens back to the gameplay found in the original trilogy. With some cool new abilities to obtain that enhance the levels and gameplay, Crash 4 is a good, solid entry. However, some of the “difficult” sections are just “gotcha” moments that can only be conquered through trial and error. A completionist run of this game is also madness and tedium on a hyperbolically annoying level. This game is simultaneously worthy of a numbered entry in the franchise but also something of a disappointment.
18. A Short Hike [8.0] - A Short Hike is proudly…short. It’s like a micro version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You can explore the world as you like, going straight to the top of Hawk Peak or just completing fun little side tasks. A Short Hike is a fun diversion after playing a long, serious type of game. Its Nintendo DS visual style and excellent soundtrack are also highlights.
17. Ghost Song [8.3] - The creator of Ghost Song has responded to detractors of his game on Reddit, but he doesn’t need to go on the defensive. The game is great and speaks to the solid design choices, especially in art direction. As a Metroidvania, Ghost Song is, admittedly, quite simplistic. However, I find its simplicity an endearing quality. It does not thrive on esoteric discovery but on a more linear progression.
16. Klonoa 2: Empire of Dreams [8.5] - It’s too bad the Klonoa franchise never sold very well. Namco has now abandoned it aside from releasing remasters of the first two console games in the series. Empire of Dreams is a fun puzzle platformer that uses the unique ring ability that Klonoa possesses with great success. It’s one of the greatest little gems on the GBA.
15. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond [8.5] - I played the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games back when they released on the original DS. I gave the game a 7.5/10 and lamented that Gamefreak did not utilize the DS in interesting ways for the turn based combat. With its touch screen and mic, it had so much potential to revolutionize the series’ combat. I took a break from Pokémon until the Ruby and Sapphire remakes came along. I then played several entries in the series and realized I enjoyed the series’ simplicity. Brilliant Diamond was just fun. It was more fun than I remembered it being. It was just Pokémon with fourth generation monsters with a Chibi style, but that’s all I wanted from this remake. I had a great time with it.
14. Kirby: Triple Deluxe [8.6] - Kirby’s games are underrated as a whole. Kirby Triple Deuxe with its background/foreground gimmick was better than what I read. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. As with all Kirby games, this one was a fun, relaxing time.
13. Stray [8.5] - I haven’t played many cat games in my life, but I am willing to bet this is the best one ever made. At first, the automatic platforming disappointed me. However, I came to appreciate the smoothness of it allowing me to transverse the beautifully crafted world. Last but not least, the game told a simple but interesting little dystopian story wherein the cat-as-lead-role comes off as both hilarious and disturbingly serious throughout the adventure.
12. Kirby and the Forgotten Land [8.7] - Kirby finally went 3D in a great platformer that combines the ability-copying charms of the 2D entries with a platformer style akin to Super Mario 3D World. That’s a winning combination. Not all of the challenge stages work, but all of the main stages are a blast and contain that classic Nintendo feel of progression, of figuring out each stage in a series of unique sections until you reach the finish. What’s the pink ball gonna do next? Go open world? Who knows. Either way, this game was a good change up for the franchise. Canvas Curse and Epic Yarn still beat out Forgotten Land for the best Kirby game by the way.
11. Steamworld Dig 2 [8.7] - The first Steamworld Dig was a surprisingly fun little Metroidvania. It was good, introduced some neat ideas, but it was ultimately not too impressive and largely forgettable. Steamworld Dig 2, however, is one of the best Metroidvanias ever made. Along with a laudable visual overhaul, the rhythm and pace of the sequel pulls the player into an engaging dig of a game where discovery and progression are part of an addictive gameplay loop containing excellent combat mechanics and boss fights. Steamworld to Steamworld Dig 2 is one of the most notable jumps in improvement of any series I have ever played.
10. Halo Infinite [8.8] - Waaah! Halo Infinite doesn’t have snow or sand for me to see! Waaah! Who cares? The gunplay in Infinite is buttery smooth, and it’s just as fun as ever to shoot stuff in a Halo game. Weapon variety? Check. Awesome vehicles? Check. A fun world to explore? Check. Interesting missions and overall impressive graphics? Check and check. The multiplayer isn’t too bad either. Infinite isn’t up there with the original trilogy or Reach, but it’s a fine game and a step in the right direction for 343 Studios.
09. Ori and the Blind Forest [8.8] - Microsoft Studios and Microsoft developers in general need to use the Ori series as a standard for creating new, excellent IPs with lovable characters, beautiful graphics, and tight, superb gameplay. Ori and the Blind Forest is a smorgasbord of aesthetic pleasure, a treat for the eyes, ears, and whatever pleasure centers delightful platforming and exploration satisfy.
08. The Medium [8.5] - Tank controls, fixed camera angles, minimal combat, and slow burn gameplay in a dreary setting? Sign me up! When disgraced gaming journalists began to pretend that the original Resident Evil games were actually bad games in hindsight, they lost all credibility with me (among other sins they commit continually). The Medium is a throwback to the old Resident Evil and Silent Hill games, and it does those franchises justice in harkening back to their obvious influence. The Medium has a decent story and engaging, albeit simplistic, gameplay. It truly stands out in its dark atmosphere, however. Thank goodness developers still have the guts to make a game like this despite the nay sayers in gaming “journalism.”
07. Unavowed [9.0] - Paranormal activity in my favorite city in the world and a riveting mystery to solve make Unavowed an interesting premise for a point and click adventure. However, once you get into the intriguing dialogue and get to know the characters as they navigate the strange happenings of NYC’s spiritual world, Unavowed becomes an enticing experience where every decision and every puzzle solved propels the story ahead, making you wonder what’s behind the next door or alley.
06. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D [9.0] - This is the most cryptic game I have ever played to completion. I imagine that, as a kid, this would be one of those games to tide you over for months as you seek to discover all it has to offer and how to complete certain side quests. Exploring Termina is a relaxing venture overall, and the great dungeons and classic Z-targeting combat that builds upon the revolutionary foundation of Ocarina of Time. Its aura is quite different from Ocarina, going for a darker and more bizarre tone. The imagery, ranging from colorfully charming to disturbingly twisted will stick with you perhaps more strongly than any other Zelda.
05. Tetris Effect Connected [9.0] - Tetris has always been a genius, simple concept that continues to thrive due to its multiple iterations and new ways to play it. Tetris Effect is the best iteration of the game yet, a dazzling, rhythmic puzzle game that combines the classic gameplay of Tetris with world beats and mesmerizing visuals.
04. Pokémon Legends: Arceus [9.0] - I haven’t played Scarlet and Violet yet, as I am waiting and hoping Gamefreak irons some of the wrinkles out of them. While Scarlet and Violet boast a completely open world, Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ sandbox gameplay was a truly refreshing take on the franchise and the best entry in the series since the greatest Pokémon games of all time: Gold and Silver. Arceus changes up the Pokémon formula abandoning gym leaders, allowing free exploration across various regions, and allowing the player to catch Pokémon in real time. These shakeups seem small, but they reinvigorate Pokemon. It’s fun to work on the first ever Pokédex, and completing a variety of tasks for the citizens of the Jubilife Village is addicting. If Pokémon Scarlet and Violet did not capitalize on Arceus’ foundation, then those games are failures, and I can say that confidently having not even played them.
03. Ori and the Will of the Wisps [9.3] - Here’s the best Metroidvania I played this year. Ori and the Will ‘O the Wisps was a great improvement over the excellent original with a darker visual style, more dynamic platforming maneuvers, and superbly challenging boss battles. Most improved was the combat, which felt great this time around and not somewhat flimsy. Will ‘O the Wisps is stunning visually, and exploring its dark forests and wetlands is enticing.
02. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut [9.5] - Narrative based, point and click type games have never been my forte in terms of what I am drawn to playing. However, with the advent of the Steam Deck and my desire to branch out and try new gaming genres with which I am inexperienced, I decided to nab Disco Elysium. The game eventually became one of my favorite games of all time. As I played it, I wanted to keep on the track of not only solving the murder mystery but perhaps moreso, I wanted to see how characters would interact with one another, what would be said. The dice rolling in persuasion, mental, and physical abilities did a brilliant job of combining the interactive graphic novel genre with gameplay. The characters, voice acting, and storyline were riveting from start to finish.
01. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe [10] - I wasn’t able to recall if I had played the Deluxe version of Super Mario Bros. before, so it made the list on the assumption that I hadn’t. The Gameboy Color remaster blows the screen up a bit and adds some cool new features that really make this classic pop.
I have played through the original game perhaps more than a hundred times through at this point, and it just never gets old. It’s as timeless as they come in gaming, a masterclass in game design whose innovations are still felt today. Topping all of the other games I played this year with their uber slick graphics, complex storytelling, and intricately designed gameplay systems, Super Mario Bros., the OG in the amazing franchise, still outdoes them all.
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