Jonathan Leo
If you want the kind of game that makes you suffer and enjoy it, consider enlisting Souldiers and its fantasy trappings.
Kao's 2022 venture is serviceable and by-the-numbers at best. Its developers have their hearts in the right place in using this 2000s mascot in their new 3D platformer reboot, but this sure isn't even a bronze medal effort if we're being honest.
Chalk this 2D action RPG platformer under the “charming and inoffensive” category of entertainment. At the very least, this diversion from the actual Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes game will at least be worth 10 hours or so of your time.
Loot River is a heckuva fun time if you don’t mind squinting your eyes every once in a while to see your player character doing his action RPG thing. The concept of moving platforms you’re on with the right analog stick while simultaneously attacking enemies on-screen, adjusting your positioning or even hightailing it when the action gets too hot, is overall exhilarating.
Young Souls is certainly no Streets of Rage 4, but it's still worthy of your time if you like more RPGing and loot-collecting in your 2D beat-em-up experience.
The Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster is a masterclass on how a company should handle its JRPG legacy, especially if it’s a game as monumental as this.
Long story short: immerse yourself into the Wonderlands if you fancy a long-term first-person shooter loot-driven RPG experience. You won't regret it.
You could do worse than with Square Enix's brave new venture into Soulslike territory that's roughly 20 hours or less depending on your skill level. I personally would love to see Team Ninja continue on with this take on Final Fantasy, but with better level design and a less banal plot thread that's a bit more accessible to non-fans.
Long story short: I'd definitely recommend this beautiful and fine-playing 2.5D pixel-esque action title if you need a 2022-made cyberpunk-laden experience.
For the price of US$14.99, Ghostrunner’s new DLC offers a good amount of high-octane stages and challenges, not to mention a new character playstyle that’s not too different but still fun. If you crave more Ghostrunner parkour and slice-and-dicing, you’ll want to jump into this neon-lit thrill ride.
Elden Ring is a triumph in game design. I respect and like Elden Ring and From Software for sticking to its guns but also adding in much-welcome changes and additions to make it more “accessible”.
KOF XV is what you want from a series that's getting a second wind in a post-pandemic fighting game world: mandatory rollback netcode, great online fighting, a good roster that caters to old-school fans and a few new characters that add a bit more flavour, and all-around breakneck speed and depth.
Grapple Dog may not be wholly innovative, groundbreaking, and meaty, but it is a fun and bright diversion for what it's worth.
Sifu is definitely the 2022 current-gen spiritual successor to Karateka in plot and design, but with kung-fu, naturally. If you jive with that concept and its unrelenting challenges, go all out with this showdown.
Long story short: Roll7 has a veritable and unique indie hit in their hands. OlliOlli World is the mainstream-style 2D skating game that's a culmination of the design lessons the team has gone through with its OlliOlli prequels.
2022 is looking bright if ambitious games like Dying Light 2, a title that goes back to the tried-but-tired zombie world trope, can reignite your love for narrative-packed and action-laced open-world games all over again.
You'll get lost knee-deep in quests, dungeon-trekking, and achievements-hunting unlocking Forms and buffing up the ones you have. And you'll have fun getting immersed in it all. All in all, score one more for Drinkbox Studio's portfolio from this 2022 esoteric and Job-filled take on the action RPG genre that's too hard to put down.
I’m very confident that Windjammers 2 will be 2022’s most fun 1v1 fighting game masquerading as a sports game. Or is that a sports game masquerading as a fighting game? It’s hard to say, but Windjammers 2 is fun frisbee flying power disc tossing action all the way through.
The Gunk is a step in the right direction for developer Image & Form. Barring a few bugs, its length, and mostly easy difficulty that's intentional, you'll have a blast with Image & Form's new universe that isn't called SteamWorld.
[T]his 3D action platformer is as good as it gets. Definitely a speedrunner's delight, if you're into that sort of thing. And if you love unfolding stories with that personal touch injected with high concept sci-fi, Solar Ash's tale will delight alongside its mesmerizing visuals and score.