by SmashPad Staff
It’s time to reveal the Top 10 game we most enjoyed in 2022.
2022 was a good year for games with many big and small games that made a big impact on us. Nintendo and Sony both made a big impact on the year with a good variety of games, though only three managed to make our list below. Four indies made the list from the smallest of productions to those that managed to make it big and one that got a big license to do the unthinkable. There’s a big Square Enix game on this list that is probably a game you didn’t realize they published. Then there is the game that’ll probably be on most lists around the internet. It’s been a good year for variety.
That said, it’s looking like 2023 will also be a great year for games since a number of those we all hoped were out this year slipped to early and mid 2023. How many make an impact in 2023 remains to be seen, but it’ll be an exciting first few months to see what sticks. Those of you that are only interested in the biggest games should have plenty to look forward to next year.
While we haven’t done as much writing this year as we’d have liked, we hope change that with 2023. That said, there is the great work put into our Twitch and YouTube channels where Chris plays and shows off many of the most interesting games that he can get his hands on. He streams a couple times per week when he has time to do so, but this past year featured playthroughs of the first two Monkey Island games before playing through Return to Monkey Island. 2023 should be a fine time to continue the streams as we have more fun sharing these games with you all.
Here are SmashPad’s Top 10 games of 2022:
10. Chained Echoes – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
“A game made by a JRPG fanatic, its clever writing and engaging combat system proved to be a joy all the way to the end, and would have been my game of the year if it had not had been for…” – Brandon Perkins, Editor, Let’s Weekend host
9. PowerWash Simulator – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
“It’s a chill game that puts me in a great zen-like mindspace when I most need it and the end of the game is the most satisfying experience that I’ve had in a long time.” – Chris Selogy, Managing Editor, Day 0 Update host
8. Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch
“Kirby is my favorite Nintendo franchise and the Forgotten Land does a great job of bringing it into 3D, though not in the way that Super Mario 64 or Ocarina of Time did for their bigger series.” – Chris Selogy, Managing Editor, Day 0 Update host
7. Vampire Survivors – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mobile
“This Castlevania-worshiping reverse bullet-hell had no business being as good as it was. It’s basically a dopamine machine, and it knows it.” – Brandon Perkins, Editor, Let’s Weekend host
6. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet – Nintendo Switch
“As a Pokémon fan who’s wanted to see the series evolve, and saw it take that step with the aforementioned Pokémon Legends Arceus, the things you can do in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are things that I’ve wanted for a long time.” – Danreb Victorio, Executive Editor
5. Marvel Snap – PC, Mobile
“There’s a lot to say about a game that’s so simple that it only takes 3 minutes a session, yet it’s so addictively deep that I find myself playing for more than an hour.” – Danreb Victorio, Executive Editor
4. Sifu – PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
“I expected Sloclap’s Sifu to be awesome, but I didn’t expect it to redefine a genre for 3D.” – Danreb Victorio, Executive Editor
3. Elden Ring – PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
“From Software really outdid themselves with this game, taking their formula to new and exciting heights in an open world that feels more believable and lived-in than any other open world game developed to date.” – Brandon Perkins, Editor, Let’s Weekend host
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
“Shredder’s Revenge is a proper sequel to the best Turtles game that takes its core mechanics, fleshes them out a great deal, adds a cool progression system, and a ton of nostalgia for Turtles in Time and the classic cartoon series that makes it such an amazing game that I never expected to happen because of the checkered history of TMNT games over the past 20 years.” – Chris Selogy, Managing Editor, Day 0 Update host
1. God of War Ragnarok – PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
“The second entry in this new chapter in the life of Kratos and has son Atreus does a lot for both of them as characters, and its take on Norse mythology as we know it definitely makes you think and want more in this world.” – Danreb Victorio, Executive Editor
It’s been a solid year and we hope you all have had your own good years, at least as best as you can. Have a good New Year and we hope to be back with you via our writing, our streams and videos, and our podcasts.