DualShockers’ Favorite Games of 2022 -- Allisa's Top 10

Equally 2022 (thankfully) comes to a close, the DualShockers staff is coming together to share their personal favorite games throughout the year. Dissimilar our official Game of the Year Awards, each of these lists is meant to reflect which games stood out personally to each of our staff members. Additionally, whatever game — non just 2022 releases — can be considered in each Top 10 List.

To the surprise of no one, many of my top games for this year are RPGs and all of them are single-player. Just nestled in my more obvious choices are some unexpected picks, including a Watch Dogs championship and several indie games. This was clearly a yr that found me branching out and experimenting with new genres and fresh takes on love ones. It'southward largely been nothing short of an incredible experience that has radically contradistinct my own views while showing me what video games can reach.

---

10. Crusader Kings 3

Every bit someone who rarely dabbles in this genre and has never played this detail franchise, Crusader Kings 3 blew me away. You're thrown into this absolutely massive world and tin can choose from hundreds of leaders across three time periods and several continents. From at that place you not only need to manage your territory, but too the personal lives of your actor character, their family and heir, the council, court, and citizens.

The sheer scale of the title in terms of mechanics, choices, the routes you can take to ensure your dynasty'due south longevity, options in customizing your experience, and more is beyond impressive. You have a deep and flexible customization system that lets players dominion in the method that all-time suits them, while going about the purposefully vague goal of expanding your dynasty over the centuries as you maintain or change globe history to your liking. Coupled with stunning audio pattern and music, and you have an engaging title that y'all tin can hands sink hundreds of hours into.

Wreckfest | Stadia Release Trailer

Check outDualShockers' review ofCrusader Kings 3.

nine. Final Fantasy VII Remake

A unmarried preview ofTerminal Fantasy 7 Remake made me go from complete indifference to absolute honey. Non only are the graphics and environmental designs stunning on every level (I still lose my breath looking down at the intricate detail of the plate levels during Affiliate five), the gameplay is a sleek and fresh blend of turn-based JRPG mechanics and fast-paced action that brings real strategy to FFVII Remake.

Because the plot of Midgar is given more than breathing room in this installment, the iconic characters of FFVII are far more fleshed out; even the relatively minor members of Barrage have complete personalities and character arcs. The NPCs have a life and purpose to them that brings out the culture of the sectors and makes them feel like breathing places versus static locations. Of course, that's not to mention thatFinal Fantasy Vii Remake has some of the best music I have always heard in whatever title, remastered or not.

Bank check outDualShockers' review ofLast Fantasy 7 Remake.

8. Persona 5 Royal

For me, Persona 5 Imperial is easily one of the all-time JRPGs that released this twelvemonth.Regal has information technology all: a well-balanced turn-based battle system that offers enough of strategic complexity, a varied main and side cast with gripping grapheme arcs, an as dark and mature story that lays bare the dark side of the modern world, and one of the most stylish UIs that I've ever seen in a game.

Royal takes an already smashing game and improves it in nearly every way by rebalancing the combat system, adding in brand new special moves, overhauling several dungeons and boss fights, adding in make new minigames, introducing two new Confidants (and a new party member), overhauling Akechi's storyline, and featuring a completely new endgame dungeon complete with 2 endings. This is easily my favorite version of Persona five to play.

Bank check outDualShockers' review ofPersona 5 Royal.

7. Hades

Supergiant's incredible championship shows the true potential of what indie titles can accomplish. The visuals alone are a feast for the eyes with gorgeous graphics and animation, all complemented by a lush colour palette that perfectly captures the creative nuances of the graphic symbol designs. Then there'due south the excellent voice acting and overall sound direction, which takes the visuals and breathes an exquisite life into them. The gameplay is Supergiant'south trademark of fast-paced frenetic action but polished to a fine sheen thanks to the efforts of their previous titles, and the OST is equally energetic and fun to jam to while taking downwardly enemies.

Of course, the accented standout is all of this was achieved with no crunch whatsoever, the developers existence paid proper wages, and the overall work environment being far healthier. All this accomplished past an indie studio, which proves that you lot can treat your employees with respect while even so turning a turn a profit and creating an ambitious and highly polished title.

Bank check outDualShockers' review ofHades.

6. Hylics and Hylics 2

These are easily 2 of the most unique titles I have e'er played in my life, and I mean that in the best mode possible. Adult past a single person who created all of his own assets (the starting time game was made in RPG Maker and the second with Unity) using claymation animation and a simple yet well-counterbalanced and creative RPG organization.

The gestures mechanic especially is i of the well-nigh distinctive that I've seen; the idea of gestures granting power is undoubtedly fashionable and cool, which is further complemented by the otherworldly designs of the characters and the funky however catchy soundtrack. Hylics and Hylics 2 are likewise an first-class example of daylight horror with their world, NPCs, enemies, and even party members resembling cosmic horrors.

5. She Dreams Elsewhere

She Dreams Elsewhere is an absolute feast for the eyes, ears, and mind. Its old-school graphics and simple color palette combined with stellar artwork create a sort of dark dazzler that's only enhanced by its mellow jazz, R&B, and hip-hop soundtrack. This game is so unapologetically black in its commitment, with an interesting withal effective mix of horror derived from its realistic approach to mental wellness. The combat is uncomplicated to learn yet full of subconscious depths that also pulls from black culture to create a fun yet thrilling system of unique special moves. This is honestly the first time I ever played a game with these elements all combined together, and it truly delivers in every facet.

iv. Monster Prom

On the more lighthearted spectrum is Monster Prom, a visual novel game that sees the protagonist endeavour to woo a potential fellow monster as their prom appointment. It'due south a fun and extremely well-written night comedy that's like shooting fish in a barrel to play, yet filled with tons of routes and endings that'southward certain to go along you hooked for days. That'due south not to mention the infrequent fine art direction featuring some genuinely imaginative and varied monster character designs which reverberate their distinctive personalities perfectly. There's even a sequel that somehow improves on nigh every aspect of the get-go game.

iii. Sentry Dogs: Legion

Another title that, upon giving information technology a go, pulled me from indifference to love is Sentry Dogs: Legion. Equally outlined in my preview of the game, this expansive and well-realized earth is filled to the skirt with some of the most interesting NPCs and interactions I've seen from a game in years. The fact that they're all procedurally-generated, unique, and all recruitable into your resistance fold is even ameliorate.

The gameplay inSentinel Dogs: Legion is well-balanced, allowing players to approach each mission or side quest however they see fit with a plethora of recruits and customization options and mechanics that are tailored to suit to a variety of playstyles. And not to mention; it's refreshing to play a Picket Dogs game in which both the characters and story are enjoyable.

Cheque outDualShockers' review ofLookout Dogs: Legion.

2. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Since it first premiered as an April Fool's joke before officially becoming the latest championship in the Yakuza franchise, I have been eagerly anticipating Similar a Dragon. And when I was finally able to play it for myself, I was blown abroad by how polished the RPG mechanics are and how well they blend in with the crazy awesome plot and characters that accept fabricated this series a raging success.

The fact that I can run around, choice up random items, and fustigate them over my opponents' heads, kicking them into objects, and call in other characters to jump on said foes, while nevertheless letting loose some of the most hilarious and over-the-top specials never gets old. That'south not to mention the colorful bandage of thespian characters, enemies, and NPCs that populate Yokohama and characteristic in both the primary and side stories.Yakuza: Like a Dragon is both a fun render to a franchise I love, while at the same time a fresh spin on the serial that brings information technology into an exciting new management.

Check outDualShockers' review ofYakuza: Similar a Dragon.

ane. Spiritfarer

Spiritfarer has a deceptively simple premise about a immature girl named Stella who takes over Charon's task of guiding spirits to their final rest, as you manage your ship and resource. Combined with gorgeous music, rich artwork, and visuals that are both vibrant and somber,Spiritfarer is but a feast for the senses.

Even more than that, it's a game well-nigh the inevitability of decease and learning to let go of those who pass on, with it forcing players to practice just that. Each fourth dimension yous meet, acquire about, and grow closer with a new spirit, y'all make precious memories with them and then part ways for proficient; it hurts. Despite that, information technology'due south a journeying that's always worth making and you find yourself happy for your charges when they can finally residuum in peace.

Bank check outDualShockers' review ofSpiritfarer.

---

Check out the residue of theDualShockers staff Pinnacle 10 lists and our official Game of the Year Awards nominees:

December 23:Lou Contaldi (General Manager) // Ben Bayliss (Features Editor)

December 24: Grant Huff (Senior Staff Author) // Camilo Olmedo (Associate Staff Writer)

December 25: Kris Cornelisse (Staff Author) // Ricky Frech (Reviews Editor) // Ryan Meitzler (Editor-in-Chief)

December 26: Michael Ruiz (Contributor) // Mehrdad Khayyat (Senior Staff Author)

December 27: Sam Woods (SEO Editor) // Peter Szpytek (Video Editor)

December 28: Scott White (Video Editor) // Justin Kucharski (Acquaintance Staff Writer)

December 29: David Gill (Staff Writer) // Allisa James (Senior Staff Writer)

December 30: Rachael Fiddis (News & Culture Editor) // Cameron Hawkins (Staff Author) // Charlie Wacholz (Staff Writer)

December 31: Otto Kratky (Executive Editor) // Mario Rivera (Video Manager)

January 1: Iyane Agossah (Managing Editor) // Logan Moore (Special Guest)

Jan 4: Game of the Twelvemonth Awards 2022 Official Winners Revealed

Have something to tell us almost this article?

Source: https://www.dualshockers.com/dualshockers-favorite-games-of-2020-allisa-james-top-10/

Posted by: orvisbrimee.blogspot.com

Share this post