I'm pretty sure I haven't played any games from 2022, which might be a first.


Does anyone think there was ever a worse year for gaming? If so, which year was worse?

Not sure if "left early access in 2022" qualifies as "released in 2022", but if it is, then:
Forgive Me Father - considering the abundance of indie "retro shooters" and "lovecraft-themed" games, it seemed like lost cause. And yet, it is surprisingly good and entertaining game - and what I highly appreciate, just a couple of months after starting EA it was finished. Very nice surprise, comparing to games that are staying for years in early access.


BUT if we don't qualify such games... Then I think I can't find one. Truth be told, I didn't bought so many games released in 2022. I did enjoyed Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef, but even I can't say that this would be a material for the game of the year.

Comparing to 2021, where I had my personal very positive surprises (WH40k: Battlesector and Tunguska: The Visitation), seems like 2022 was for me...not that great. Maybe because I've missed some games, or maybe because there wasn't that much stuff which would suit my taste.

Usually I never play any game the year it launch, but this year I got Digimon Survive and it was awesome (I know it's on steam but I was able to use the open source goldbearg to remove any "drm").

The game that defined this year would be Vampire Survivors

Actual game from 2022? probably Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim. The game has such a nice atmosphere and level of complexity. It's not Slitherine/wargame-type complex, yet feels nicer to play than a Civlization game.

Honourable mentions:
Foretales - a super-pleasant card game
Urbek City Builder - probably my favourite city-builder since Skylines

I have no games from 2022, 3 free games from 2021, the rest is older.
Main reasons:
- Many new games are (I consider) incomplete (unreleased story DLC) or have potential issues that I don't want to beta test.
- Big backlog. Why would I pay the release price if I'll probably play it years from now.

So.... my GOTY for the year 2020 is: Control: Ultimate Edition

Actually bought 12 2022 titles, and had one freebie that came with some hardware.


The Freebie

- Darktide

The others

- Vampire the Masquerade -[ Swansong ]-
- Lost Eidolons
- Ixion
- Knights of Sovereign 2
- Trek to Yomi

The others (betaprojects)

- Songs of Conquest
- Immortal Tactics
- Distant Worlds 2
- Unconventional Warfare
- Total War Warhammer III (immortal empires)
- Symphony of War
- The Iron Oath

I spend most time with the beta segment. Distant Worlds 2 and Warhammer III as most noteworthy titles.

GotY 2022 - Fantasy General 2

Huh, think it's the first I hear of this. Though a quick glance at reviews says it may be better that way :/ Unfortunate, so still waiting for the next good VtM game I guess.

It's a shame to admit, but i believe it to be my worst purchase of 2022 :(

Dorfromantik. This is easily the coziest game that I have ever played. Even though you unlock some things by achieving increasingly higher scores, the game doesn't make you feel pressured about it.


(The March 2021 date was early access as the full release wasn't until April 2022.)

I like it. It's definitly not for one who expects a bloodline game or even a game from the new york series, I find it a quite refreshing approach. Not my game of the year, but one of the better ones.

There is a lot to like about. Especially if the vampire society is your thing, you can really tell though that they missed out on a budget.

No games played from 2022.

The ones I played in 2022 (while older) and which I liked were:

- Grim Dawn (hey dude, I want my 300+ hours back!)
- The Stalker trilogy
- Immortal Redneck

Disappointments:
- The Talos Principle (puzzles are not my thing)
- Victor Vran (didn't like the mechanics).