GOTY 2022 based on polling friends (and backloggd a lil bit)
Nothing here!
15 Games
1st Place: 21 points, seven votes. Winner of Best RPG, Best Open World Game, and our Game of the Year
It's hard to deny just how weird the release of this game was. Concerns of company crunch, numerous bizarre glitches, major difficulties with delayed pop in and graphical flaws. By all accounts, this game should have been considered a dud.
Yet somehow, there’s something really magical layered through this game’s foundation. There’s not much you can do to reinvent the open world structure, so Pokemon Scarlet/Violet focuses mainly on creating a sense of freedom. Journeying through the region to battle Pokemon is faster and breezier than it's ever been. The open world structure allows players to approach gyms and bosses in any order they desire. The rivals are charming and largely compelling, with unique arcs carrying their storyline forward. The gym and team battles are delightful in their presentation and variety.
But what’s really worth discussing, which we obviously can’t discuss much here, is the game’s final section. Easily one of the most visually stunning and emotionally compelling final dungeons of the entire franchise. It isn’t like anything the series has done before, but hopefully it's a sign for the future. If the series keeps experimenting like this (and ideally gains more game development time from GameFreak), the creative development of the Pokemon franchise is coming from a beautiful, devoted place.
It's hard to deny just how weird the release of this game was. Concerns of company crunch, numerous bizarre glitches, major difficulties with delayed pop in and graphical flaws. By all accounts, this game should have been considered a dud.
Yet somehow, there’s something really magical layered through this game’s foundation. There’s not much you can do to reinvent the open world structure, so Pokemon Scarlet/Violet focuses mainly on creating a sense of freedom. Journeying through the region to battle Pokemon is faster and breezier than it's ever been. The open world structure allows players to approach gyms and bosses in any order they desire. The rivals are charming and largely compelling, with unique arcs carrying their storyline forward. The gym and team battles are delightful in their presentation and variety.
But what’s really worth discussing, which we obviously can’t discuss much here, is the game’s final section. Easily one of the most visually stunning and emotionally compelling final dungeons of the entire franchise. It isn’t like anything the series has done before, but hopefully it's a sign for the future. If the series keeps experimenting like this (and ideally gains more game development time from GameFreak), the creative development of the Pokemon franchise is coming from a beautiful, devoted place.
1
2nd Place: 20 points, four votes. Winner of Best Action Adventure Game
Honestly, I was sure this one would win. It got really close to the crown! One of the most anticipated games of all time, the next entry by FromSoftware Inc. In this open world game, the player journeys across the Lands Between, a broken realm where corrupted Lords and Generals fight in an endless war to take the throne for themselves. Your struggle is to free this world of its broken status quo and rebuild the land into something tenable and less “kill you if you walk into my line of vision”-y. Reforge the Elden Ring. Fix the world. Don’t die maidenless.
Good luck.
Honestly, I was sure this one would win. It got really close to the crown! One of the most anticipated games of all time, the next entry by FromSoftware Inc. In this open world game, the player journeys across the Lands Between, a broken realm where corrupted Lords and Generals fight in an endless war to take the throne for themselves. Your struggle is to free this world of its broken status quo and rebuild the land into something tenable and less “kill you if you walk into my line of vision”-y. Reforge the Elden Ring. Fix the world. Don’t die maidenless.
Good luck.
2
Third Place: 17 points, four votes. Winner of our Best Old Game award.
Live A Live is perhaps one of the most influential rpgs ever made. Each segment is stunningly experimental, every experience unique and profound. An ode to every genre, an ode to every kind of rpg, an ode to storytelling. It's inspired by so many forms of media, even as it inspires so many incredible games of the past few decades. Undertale, 13 Sentinels, and probably half of Square Enix’s output… it all owes its roots to Live a Live.
As a remake, the game is an incredible feat. Every character and animation lovingly recrafted into its modern format. The music rebuilt into beautiful orchestral tracks. Incredible, passionate voice acting. Important quality of life features to make the game easier to flow through.
Do yourself a favor and please try to play this truly magical video game.
Live A Live is perhaps one of the most influential rpgs ever made. Each segment is stunningly experimental, every experience unique and profound. An ode to every genre, an ode to every kind of rpg, an ode to storytelling. It's inspired by so many forms of media, even as it inspires so many incredible games of the past few decades. Undertale, 13 Sentinels, and probably half of Square Enix’s output… it all owes its roots to Live a Live.
As a remake, the game is an incredible feat. Every character and animation lovingly recrafted into its modern format. The music rebuilt into beautiful orchestral tracks. Incredible, passionate voice acting. Important quality of life features to make the game easier to flow through.
Do yourself a favor and please try to play this truly magical video game.
3
4th Place: 15 points, four votes. Winner of Best Visual Novel
Not to be, like, “only one person has the vision for this franchise” but. Only Shu Takumi has the vision for this franchise. Great Ace Attorney isn’t just a good return to form, it's probably the best two Ace Attorney games of the entire series. The setting of the Meiji Period, the dedication to unraveling the British Empire, the gorgeous animation work, incredible character design, coupled with charming characters and a delightful mystery? It's the best showing of the franchise to date. I don’t even need him to run another Ace Attorney, I just want more Shu Takumi lead products. I will consume capital for his incredible games. Find a video of Enoch Drebber, put on “The Link Between Science and Magic” from the soundtrack, and just marvel at those animations for an hour. This is how we can achieve world peace.
Not to be, like, “only one person has the vision for this franchise” but. Only Shu Takumi has the vision for this franchise. Great Ace Attorney isn’t just a good return to form, it's probably the best two Ace Attorney games of the entire series. The setting of the Meiji Period, the dedication to unraveling the British Empire, the gorgeous animation work, incredible character design, coupled with charming characters and a delightful mystery? It's the best showing of the franchise to date. I don’t even need him to run another Ace Attorney, I just want more Shu Takumi lead products. I will consume capital for his incredible games. Find a video of Enoch Drebber, put on “The Link Between Science and Magic” from the soundtrack, and just marvel at those animations for an hour. This is how we can achieve world peace.
4
5th Place: 13 points, 5 votes. The winner of our Best Platformer Award.
In 1992, a special pink circle arrived on the video game scene. Since then, the world has been blessed by the most round creature that has ever existed across time and space. While the franchise has indulged in 3D visuals before, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is its first venture into a complete 3D experience. In a video game series that, I would argue, has never had a bad entry in its entire existence, Forgotten Land goes above and beyond to justify the change in format. The gameplay is polished into a fine sheen, the music is stellar, and the beautiful Kirby machine chugs like a perfect little train.
Kirby, Kirby, Kirby, that’s a name you should know. Kirby, Kirby, Kirby, he’s the star of the show.
In 1992, a special pink circle arrived on the video game scene. Since then, the world has been blessed by the most round creature that has ever existed across time and space. While the franchise has indulged in 3D visuals before, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is its first venture into a complete 3D experience. In a video game series that, I would argue, has never had a bad entry in its entire existence, Forgotten Land goes above and beyond to justify the change in format. The gameplay is polished into a fine sheen, the music is stellar, and the beautiful Kirby machine chugs like a perfect little train.
Kirby, Kirby, Kirby, that’s a name you should know. Kirby, Kirby, Kirby, he’s the star of the show.
5
Ten points, three votes
In the world of Aionios, two nations are locked in a forever war. Both nations consist solely of soldiers who are tasked to do little except fight with soldiers of the opposite side. The few lucky enough to live for ten years — the end of their lifespan — get the honor of getting a proper send-off by the queen of their respective nations. In the midst of this cycle of endless carnage and death, six heroes — three from Keves, and three from Agnus — are forced to band together when a mission goes horribly wrong. Now fugitives from both nations, they resolve to put an end to the bloodshed and create a better world for everyone.
I’ve heard nothing but praise about this game’s fascinating story, its gripping narrative, and its stunning character work. I haven’t had the time for it myself but everything I hear just sounds STUNNING. I need to play this goddamn video game. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 bay-be.
In the world of Aionios, two nations are locked in a forever war. Both nations consist solely of soldiers who are tasked to do little except fight with soldiers of the opposite side. The few lucky enough to live for ten years — the end of their lifespan — get the honor of getting a proper send-off by the queen of their respective nations. In the midst of this cycle of endless carnage and death, six heroes — three from Keves, and three from Agnus — are forced to band together when a mission goes horribly wrong. Now fugitives from both nations, they resolve to put an end to the bloodshed and create a better world for everyone.
I’ve heard nothing but praise about this game’s fascinating story, its gripping narrative, and its stunning character work. I haven’t had the time for it myself but everything I hear just sounds STUNNING. I need to play this goddamn video game. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 bay-be.
6
Ten Points, two votes
This year we present a new category. Highest Ranked Returning Contender Award.
I have to clarify Contender out of fairness to any future winners. This game is, of course, our previous champion! Hard to deny the influence and power of just how much people love this game. I mentioned on last year’s poll that if someone voted for Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, it was always their first place pick. And even a year later, that still holds true. People adore this game and they particularly adore Endwalker. I gotta admire it.
This year we present a new category. Highest Ranked Returning Contender Award.
I have to clarify Contender out of fairness to any future winners. This game is, of course, our previous champion! Hard to deny the influence and power of just how much people love this game. I mentioned on last year’s poll that if someone voted for Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, it was always their first place pick. And even a year later, that still holds true. People adore this game and they particularly adore Endwalker. I gotta admire it.
7
Nine Points, three votes
I wrote a 12 page thesis on this game, all I have left to say at this point is that yoU’LL NEVER SEE IT COMING
YOU’LL SEE MY MIND IS, TOO FAST FOR EYES
YOU’RE DONE IN
BY THE TIME ITS HIT YOU, YOUR LAST SUR-PRISE
I wrote a 12 page thesis on this game, all I have left to say at this point is that yoU’LL NEVER SEE IT COMING
YOU’LL SEE MY MIND IS, TOO FAST FOR EYES
YOU’RE DONE IN
BY THE TIME ITS HIT YOU, YOUR LAST SUR-PRISE
8
Nine points, two votes
The track record for exercise games has been a mixed one, particularly from Nintendo. The company has held a long history of building games that required extra, sometimes expensive devices. 1987’s World Class Track Meet required the purchase of a mat controller titled the Power Pad for its use. 2007’s Wii Fit utilized the Wii Fit Balance Board. And now, in 2019, Ring Fit Adventure emerged as the company’s latest effort.
What sets Ring Fit apart from the pack is the considerable efforts directed towards aesthetic and actual health benefits is kind of incredible. While Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus were primarily just useful for building endurance, Ring Fit creates shockingly strenuous workouts. While Wii Fit often seemed to shame a player for any perceived lack of effort, Ring Fit encourages players to take their time. When attached to incredibly fun gameplay and its fantasy adventure tone, not to mention an encouraging tool of health improvement, it's no wonder that Ring Fit would rank so high three years after its release.
The track record for exercise games has been a mixed one, particularly from Nintendo. The company has held a long history of building games that required extra, sometimes expensive devices. 1987’s World Class Track Meet required the purchase of a mat controller titled the Power Pad for its use. 2007’s Wii Fit utilized the Wii Fit Balance Board. And now, in 2019, Ring Fit Adventure emerged as the company’s latest effort.
What sets Ring Fit apart from the pack is the considerable efforts directed towards aesthetic and actual health benefits is kind of incredible. While Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus were primarily just useful for building endurance, Ring Fit creates shockingly strenuous workouts. While Wii Fit often seemed to shame a player for any perceived lack of effort, Ring Fit encourages players to take their time. When attached to incredibly fun gameplay and its fantasy adventure tone, not to mention an encouraging tool of health improvement, it's no wonder that Ring Fit would rank so high three years after its release.
9
Nine Points, two votes. Best Puzzle Game Winner
In the initial levels of Unpacking, you’re assigned to unpack objects into a childhood room. While the child’s name is never made clear, you learn little things about her personality. She seems to effortlessly mix different hobbies into her life. She plays Gamecube games, she draws elaborate art pieces, and her shelves are covered in various soccer trophies.
Many levels later, as an adult, sports trophies no longer seem to hold any presence in her life. Heating pads, painkillers, and a walking stick are the new objects you have to place around the protagonist’s apartment.
It's this visual storytelling that makes Unpacking such a unique little game. The available space based on how many people the protagonist is living with, the objects you gain or lose over the course of the levels… all these factors cultivate a specific emotional vibe that’s hard to describe. It's a magical game about periods of change, both difficult and joyful.
In the initial levels of Unpacking, you’re assigned to unpack objects into a childhood room. While the child’s name is never made clear, you learn little things about her personality. She seems to effortlessly mix different hobbies into her life. She plays Gamecube games, she draws elaborate art pieces, and her shelves are covered in various soccer trophies.
Many levels later, as an adult, sports trophies no longer seem to hold any presence in her life. Heating pads, painkillers, and a walking stick are the new objects you have to place around the protagonist’s apartment.
It's this visual storytelling that makes Unpacking such a unique little game. The available space based on how many people the protagonist is living with, the objects you gain or lose over the course of the levels… all these factors cultivate a specific emotional vibe that’s hard to describe. It's a magical game about periods of change, both difficult and joyful.
10
Eight points, three votes. Winner of Best Roguelike (sorry Vampire Survivors).
A returning contender, Hades will probably be present on this list for a while. One of the most well-realized roguelikes ever crafted, and now with a sequel on the way! Supergiant’s success can’t be denied.
A returning contender, Hades will probably be present on this list for a while. One of the most well-realized roguelikes ever crafted, and now with a sequel on the way! Supergiant’s success can’t be denied.
11
Eight Points, three votes
In 1990, Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman developed The Secret of Monkey Island. A comedic adventure focused on a scrappy rookie eager to join a burgeoning new industry.
Thirty years later, that scrappy rookie is an old soul at this pirating business. Gilbert and Grossman too have seen the ups and downs of the video game business. As Guybrush seeks out a last hurrah, so does Gilbert and Grossman. What ensues is a beautiful little piece on storytelling, creativity, chasing past success, and the need to just… let go of the past. Take a step back, try not to obsess over recreating those nostalgic days. Just sit back, turn off the lights, crack open a beer, and revel in a life well-spent. That’s the philosophy behind Return to Monkey Island, and it's a beautiful one.
In 1990, Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman developed The Secret of Monkey Island. A comedic adventure focused on a scrappy rookie eager to join a burgeoning new industry.
Thirty years later, that scrappy rookie is an old soul at this pirating business. Gilbert and Grossman too have seen the ups and downs of the video game business. As Guybrush seeks out a last hurrah, so does Gilbert and Grossman. What ensues is a beautiful little piece on storytelling, creativity, chasing past success, and the need to just… let go of the past. Take a step back, try not to obsess over recreating those nostalgic days. Just sit back, turn off the lights, crack open a beer, and revel in a life well-spent. That’s the philosophy behind Return to Monkey Island, and it's a beautiful one.
12
Seven points, two votes
The premise of Slime Rancher is relatively straightforward. A young woman named Beatrix Lebeau attempts to make it big in the recesses of space. Raising and selling slime, tending to the ranch. Slime Rancher 2 takes what worked about the first game and dramatically expands on the mechanics. The “Slime Science” crafting system is available instantly rather than a late update to the original game. Material harvesting is easier. And new slime litter the world. Coated in soothing vibes and a relaxing gameplay loop, Monomi Park has once again built one of the sweetest little games this side of the galaxy.
The premise of Slime Rancher is relatively straightforward. A young woman named Beatrix Lebeau attempts to make it big in the recesses of space. Raising and selling slime, tending to the ranch. Slime Rancher 2 takes what worked about the first game and dramatically expands on the mechanics. The “Slime Science” crafting system is available instantly rather than a late update to the original game. Material harvesting is easier. And new slime litter the world. Coated in soothing vibes and a relaxing gameplay loop, Monomi Park has once again built one of the sweetest little games this side of the galaxy.
13
Seven Points, two votes
Italy, 2021. Bisconte Draculo has unleashed his evil magic across the land. You have a thirty minute time limit to survive the onslaught of Draculo’s army. Can you survive these vampires?
The game is a dangerously addicting gameplay loop. A game built around constant power escalation, as you fight off an increasing onslaught of vampiric enemies. The thirty minute time limit gives players both a tangible goal and a set time to stop playing. This, almost paradoxically, makes it a game very easy to clock hundreds of hours in. In fact, let me read some of my steam friends for filth.
34.5 hours. 46.1 hours. 66.1 hours. 88.3 hours. 133.1 hours. 241.1 hours, with 24.5 hours in the last two weeks as of 01/05/2023.
You goddamn Renfields.
Italy, 2021. Bisconte Draculo has unleashed his evil magic across the land. You have a thirty minute time limit to survive the onslaught of Draculo’s army. Can you survive these vampires?
The game is a dangerously addicting gameplay loop. A game built around constant power escalation, as you fight off an increasing onslaught of vampiric enemies. The thirty minute time limit gives players both a tangible goal and a set time to stop playing. This, almost paradoxically, makes it a game very easy to clock hundreds of hours in. In fact, let me read some of my steam friends for filth.
34.5 hours. 46.1 hours. 66.1 hours. 88.3 hours. 133.1 hours. 241.1 hours, with 24.5 hours in the last two weeks as of 01/05/2023.
You goddamn Renfields.
14
Six points, two votes
The original Stanley Parable was released in 2013. Nearly a decade later, it's hard not to wonder if the game’s central gimmick has overstayed its welcome or not. Davey Wrendan’s The Beginner’s Guide offered a pretty devastating look at how false interpretations of the game likely impacted the health of the creators. I personally admit to some concern over how The Ultra Deluxe edition of the game would stand up to that kind of legacy.
The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe succeeds generally by just being very funny.
Spoiling jokes is one of the more risky things to spoil, so instead I want to focus on one of the more esoterically earned endings. It requires restarting the game several times, on top of completing other little tasks. But what’s beautiful to me about this ending is the game just sitting down and going “hey. This is all just fun, y’know? Any message or commentary about video games isn’t supposed to be that serious. It's just jokes. Play in this box with us.”
And that’s just so overwhelmingly charming.
The original Stanley Parable was released in 2013. Nearly a decade later, it's hard not to wonder if the game’s central gimmick has overstayed its welcome or not. Davey Wrendan’s The Beginner’s Guide offered a pretty devastating look at how false interpretations of the game likely impacted the health of the creators. I personally admit to some concern over how The Ultra Deluxe edition of the game would stand up to that kind of legacy.
The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe succeeds generally by just being very funny.
Spoiling jokes is one of the more risky things to spoil, so instead I want to focus on one of the more esoterically earned endings. It requires restarting the game several times, on top of completing other little tasks. But what’s beautiful to me about this ending is the game just sitting down and going “hey. This is all just fun, y’know? Any message or commentary about video games isn’t supposed to be that serious. It's just jokes. Play in this box with us.”
And that’s just so overwhelmingly charming.
15
2 Comments
It's nice to know another voter out there was on their own Ring Fit Adventure this year
Nerdietalk
1 year ago
My Universe
Stardew Valley
Silent Hill 4
Rez
Arietta of Spirits
Tales of Vesperia
I’m on Observation Duty
The Sims 3
The Last Spell
Dragon Quest VII (3DS)
Bad End Theater
Welcome to Pia Carrot
Loop Hero
House Flipper
Mass Effect 2
Crash 4: Its About Time
Scorn
Two Points:
HoloCure
SOMA
Final Fantasy IV
Rogue Legacy 2
Monster Roadtrip
Jackbox Party Pack 6
Yakuza Like a Dragon
Devil May Cry 5
Drill Dozer
A Snake’s Tale
Dragon Age Inquisition
Quantum Bummer Blues
Powerslave: Exhumed
God Of War Ragnarok
Celeste
Ghost of Tsushima
Animal Crossing Wild World
Three Points:
Your Turn to Die
Horizon Forbidden West
Mochicats
The Final Fantasy Legend
Chrono Trigger
Lesbian Vampire Simulator
Cozy Grove
Super Kiwi 64
Chained Echoes
Noisz Starlight
Astalon: Tears of Earth
Gloomwood
We Know the Devil
Four Points
Control
Letters from a Friend
Metroid Prime
Donut County
In Sound Mind
Jenny LeClue Detectivu
Harvestella
FF7 Remake
Start Again: A Prologue
Legend of Mana Remastered
Mario Kart 8
Fire Emblem Heroes
Slime Rancher 1
No More Heroes III
Pokemon Legends Arceus received four points from two separate two point votes. Among Us earned four points from a 3 point vote and a 1 point vote.
Five Points:
Castlevania II
Ys VIII
Perfect Gold
Splatoon 3
Return of the Obra Dinn
Tunic
Planet Coaster
Dreamlight Valley
Norco earned five points total, with a 2 point and a 3 point vote. Powerwash Simulator featured a similar make-up of votes for that five point total. 13 Sentinels received a 4 point vote and a 1 point vote, as did Stray.