Midyear Report - Top 10 Games of 2022 (so far)

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Each week on Backloggd, the game logging site, I post some sort of Top 10 list. To better elaborate on my choices, I am posting the top three on this blog with slightly more detail.

This week’s topic was a progress report on the past 6 months of gaming we’ve seen since 2022 first kicked off.

Ironically enough, I discovered quite a few jarring entries on similar lists, so I have added quite a few games I’ve yet to play to my list. That being said - the full top 10 list contains games I’ve personally played or watched enough to warrant placement on the list.

Obviously, this is incredibly subjective. But my list is right.

3: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge is a beat 'em up game that is so rife with nostalgia it’s enough to turn one’s stomach with delight. It’s an obvious homage to the classic 1987 TMNT series and feels just like the arcade games that came out of the Turtle-mania of the 90s.

Beyond the nostalgia, the game is downright charming from beginning to end. The soundtrack is absolutely flawless. The background designs and intractable objects make the world feel lived in and explorable, which is impressive for a fast-paced beat ‘em up. The characters control just differently enough to pick a favorite (Donatello fyi) and they all have enough touches of design that they feel specially crafted to appeal to each player.

It’s a game with impressive replayability as well as feeling manageable with or without the co-op playstyle. Add in a myriad of related collectibles and you have yourself one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences one can have.

Is it going to revolutionize the gaming industry? Is the story going to win an award? No. But it’s a delight of a game and has been given enough loving care that that is more than enough.

2: Elden Ring

If you know me at all, you are likely surprised to see this title on my list at all - let alone in the top 3. And yet… here we are.

Elden Ring is a fantasy, action and open-world game with RPG elements such as stats, weapons and spells. Which means, use spells. Lots and lots of spells.

This is the latest entry in the Soulsbourne genre of gaming. That means that the point of the game is for it be unforgiving and harsh. And that it is. I’m not one of those gamers, so I don’t like this game.

But I sure do love it.

It’s a compelling narrative with some breathtaking design elements. The options and adjustability of each character and playthrough make for an impressive feat of game design.

Despite an often toxic fanbase (but where won’t you find that) and some HUD choices that I would personally disagree with, it’s hard to deny the credit that must be given to Fromsoft for this absolute work of gaming art.

Just don’t ask me to actually be the one holding the controller.

1: Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Look - I’m a simple man. I see Pocket Monsters, I love the game. It’s really not too much to it.

Except that this game changed the whole formula and absolutely consumed a solid two months of my life. Putting it lightly - I adored every minute that I had with this game.

Arceus game honors past Pokémon games’ core gameplay while infusing new action and RPG elements. The player is tasked to catch, survey, and research wild Pokémon in a long-gone era of the Sinnoh region to create and complete the region’s first Pokédex.

I was bought into this game hook, line, and sinker from the very first trailer that we got for it. Just the fact that I was given the amazing opportunity to throw a Pokéball was enough for me. I can only hope that it did well enough for The Pokémon Company to keep making more of them.

I would say more about this one, but I probably should go and start playing it again.

And that wraps up my top three picks from the year so far. What would be your top picks from this year? If you’ve never played these top three, would you consider it now that they’ve been brought to your attention?

I hope you enjoy these lists and look forward to bringing another to your feed next week.

June 29th, 2022