Dave's Top 10 Games of 2022
Video games release at a rapid pace. With the rise of indies and the success of multiple platforms, it can be difficult to know what’s worth playing. The Offshore Gamescast – hosted by Dylan Nill and Dave Whitman – will help you decide what video games you should play.
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10. Saints Row
This is a game that ended up letting a lot of people down and merged a company into another. I feel like this game was the best Saints row since 3. It brought back a zany cast of characters in a big and open crazy town. Letting you do all the saints row things of driving nice cars, flying jets and wingsuiting out of them, stores to update your style before you go on your next murder spree. This is one of the only games that was released this year that was just fun to play for being a video game again. Something that seemingly is falling away from the current days of gaming. Sometimes we need a game that’s just fun to be fun and isn’t trying to accomplish the next best thing or win a game oscar. These characters were fun and the world was new and exciting, I would be thrilled to have another Saints Row game with these characters and flesh our more of what could be.
9. New Tales from the Borderlands
This was a long awaited sequel to an amazing and unexpected game. Running in the newer engine to fit in with the Borderlands art style makes the game a nice addition to the series and the continuing story. The friends and moments that happen in this game have their own special place, having some mentions and returning characters, it stays away from its predecessor. The original still shines above this sequel for me, the story hitting some deep points and the introduction of this style of borderlands game in general. But this game still has a family that has been added to the insane world of Borderlands. But if we’re talking about anything here it’s the end credits scenes! Am I right??? Like give me some of that now, I’ve been waiting for like 8 years.
8. Escape Academy
If we were to only get one pre-release code this year, I wish it was Escape Academy. Though it doesn’t boast amazing graphics, the game shines in the fun puzzles that fill a room, numerous to complete before you’re able to get out. Getting more challenging as the game progressed was a nice feeling of skill as I ended up completing some rooms very very fast. With each room and mission, a nice badge was added to your dorm at the academy which throughout the year earns decor based on your endeavors. My favorite part of the game was towards the end of the term with the rival room. Versing against the student who has been my rival all year was such an exciting way to become one of the best Escape Artists. Both of us running through a huge obstacle course filled with puzzles and secrets. This is one where I can’t spoil the story for how crazy it turns but please give this game a try.
7. Marvel Snap
Never did I think I would get hooked on a mobile game. Granted it is a card game, but even so. The thing that really did it was the simplicity and speed of the games themselves. Lasting about 3 minutes each can quickly get you into the next game to continue your streak when you win or try and make a comeback when you admit defeat. With each season presenting cards and locations with new abilities, there is so much variation in how a game can go and evolve throughout the season. Please just go out and try this game for free just to hear the “OH SNAP”, I have a good feeling you’ll be hooked.
6. Chorus
One that I’m glad is able to be on this list, though if it made it, would’ve been high on last year’s list. This is that diamond in the rough, sweet little gem that pops out every once in a while. The story wasn’t amazing, the game had a lot to throw at you over almost up to 20 hours. But for me, flight games and Sci-Fi are some of my favorite things but I wasn’t expecting to love this game that much. For such a low price point as well, they delivered a nice and interesting relationship with an AI ship and its pilot, fun and skillful flying, and an enjoyable loop. Once you mastered the combo like flying maneuvers, the game just opens up and lets you take the stick. Though it flew far under the radar for most, I would love to see a continuation in this series.
5. God of War Ragnarok
This is the only game on here that I have played the least but I still think it deserves its spot on here. From the few hours that I’ve played, everything in the previous game has been improved. The Story so far, the characters, graphics, gameplay, there’s just so much more. This is one of those games that comes around and is just good. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it has to do its own thing and this game does that. The moments that happen in these games never get old and the one shot cinematography is still incredible.
4. Stray
There were some amazing indies this year to contend with the big boys but the best boy of all was from Stray. For only a 5 hour game that can easily be completed in one sitting, this was a different type of adventure game and the next level for cat games overall. No other game has gotten the animations and true feeling of being a cat down like this has done. Without getting into spoilers, the ending is just so satisfying as a cat to go through and it felt so nice. Also with animations was the way the story was told since text boxes and body language play for most of the dialogue. Which was done extremely well to portray the emotions of the characters who are otherwise a cat and some robots.
3. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
What an absolute next step for the series. One that I’m still sour on the fact that the Gen 4 remakes missed out on. Nonetheless this game is phenomenal. The first ever game that encouraged me enough to complete the pokedex. In such an interesting and fun way as well. Also being centered around an ancient version of my favorite location, the Sinnoh Region thank you very much. On top of giving us the best catching mechanic to date by sneaking and throwing the pokeball yourself. Hearing the loud sound when you hit an unaware Mon with a ball is something I will never get tired of. Give me more legends games, every region, I’ll play them all. More.
2. Elden Ring
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, give me the whole spiel I don’t even care. To be honest I’m just as surprised as most of you! Once I gave Steelrising a try, which looking back is a very easy game comparatively, it was just the one I needed to soothe me in the river and prepare me for the waves that are these true experiences.
And yes…. Now I am addicted.
From the moment I reopened the game and saw that my first try only lasted an hour I thought to myself that I could definitely get farther than that. But I got better,I got stronger, I somehow surpassed Dylan in the game. If it wasn’t for my love for pokemon this game would absolutely be my game of the year. The soundtrack when you’re walking alone in the forest about to get attacked by wolves at night, or each boss encounter that throws you something new and exciting, and the ones you end up beating so much faster than you were thinking you could. This game is amazing to me and if I can do it then a tadpole can do it.
Game of the Year: Pokémon Violet
When Pokemon Legends: Arceus released early this year and we had already heard that Gen 9 was releasing later in the same year I got nervous. Two massive open Pokemon games releasing with only 10 months in between just sounded absolutely outrageous. Here I am though, pleasantly surprised that something so similar can still excel and stand out as an evolution itself. The full open world besides the main city is an amazing experience and never before has it felt truly like your first Pokemon journey. Not only taking on the classic Gyms and Elite Four in nostalgic fashion to defeating each of the team star bases and uncover the mystery of their lost leader, and with the newly introduced titan battles, slightly altered from the form seen in Arceus. Still a fun and exciting addition to fill out the new open world. All of the glaring technical issues aside, this game is something similar to a dream and with it, a vision of a new dream to come. Where all of the efforts can be sent towards Gen 10 and truly make it special. Gen 4 and Legends: Arceus for a few reasons will always be my favorite and close to my heart but this game shines, much brighter than pearl, and is much more brilliant than diamond.