Video Game of the Year
Happy end of 2022 everyone! It’s time for the video game community to sum up our thoughts about what the best video games of the year were. All the COG staff got together, and had a massive discussion, and a massive vote. The following is a list of the top 20 nominees for Video Game of the Year 2022. These aren’t necessarily the best reviewed games. Every month we highlight those in our 3 Up 3 Down articles. This isn’t one expert opinion. This our entire staff’s opinion. Most of these games have had some time to sink in, and resonate with us. This list is peppered with something from almost every genre. There are exclusives from every console. And some weird to balance out the obvious. COGconnected’s nominees for, and winner of, Video Game of the Year are:
20. OlliOlli World
OlliOlli World is the third game in a very fun 2D skateboarding franchise. This newest entry brought a narrative to the fun gameplay, and the result paid off big time. Even if you’re turned-off by the new art style, give OlliOlli World a try, if you’re at all curious.
19. Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 is a crazy escalation of an already insane franchise. There’s a multiverse storyline, and a lot of new gameplay additions. Past entries are known for being really streamlined and fast. Bayonetta 3 slows things down at times with all its experiments, but at its core, it’s arguably the best third person action combat system in video game history.
18. The Quarry
The Quarry is a spiritual successor to Until Dawn. The idea is that you’re playing the events of a horror film-like narrative, but all the player decisions matter a lot. The cast’s lives are in your hands. The graphics and acting make The Quarry a next-level story experience, and an obvious nominee for Video Game of the Year.
17. Live-A-Live
Live-A-Live is a dream come true for JRPG fans. It was a Japan-only Squaresoft JRPG for the Super Nintendo. There’s been an unofficial English-translated version online for decades, but 2022 was the first time North America’s been able to play an official version. And it’s been updated with HD-2D graphics.
16. Nintendo Switch Sports
Nintendo Switch Sports is proof that people still want really fun gameplay in short bursts. The sports included are: tennis, bowling, chambara, soccer, volleyball, badminton, and golf. Tennis and bowling are the best, even 16 years after the original Wii Sports.
Check out page 2 for #15 – #11