The Best Games of 2022: A Year of Immersive Experiences

Welcome to the Game of the Year Awards for 2022 on Worth A Buy! While it hasn’t been the strongest year for big games, PC users have had the privilege of enjoying a plethora of Early Access and indie games. In this blog post, we will explore the standout games of 2022, covering various genres and categories. Please note that some games might be missing from this list due to personal circumstances, but we’ll make the most of what we have. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the best games of 2022!

Strategy Games

We kick off with the strategy games category, focusing on fully released games rather than Early Access titles. Here are the top contenders:

1. Expedition: Rome – This game offers an excellent mix of tactics, combat, and map exploration. With a reasonable price point and engaging gameplay, it stands out as a solid strategy game.
2. Total War Warhammer 3 – This installment in the Total War series brings epic battles and captivating gameplay to the fantasy world of Warhammer. Despite limited playtime due to personal circumstances, it is considered a great game in the series.
3. Heroes Hour – As a little indie game, Heroes Hour surprises players with its strategic planning mechanics and exciting battles. This game offers a unique blend of auto-battler and map-based strategy, making it a worthwhile experience.
4. Starship Troopers – Inspired by the popular franchise, Starship Troopers combines strategy and tactics in a well-designed world. While lacking in numbers, the game compensates with its engaging gameplay and immersive environment.
5. Regiments – Breaking away from the traditional sword and fantasy setting, Regiments takes strategy into modern warfare with tanks and more. It offers a refreshing contrast and delivers a solid strategy game experience.

After careful consideration, the winner in the strategy games category goes to Expedition: Rome for its well-rounded gameplay and attractive price point.

Shooters

Moving on to shooters, let’s explore the top contenders in this adrenaline-fueled category:

1. Warhammer: Darktide – While it had some repetitive elements and limited missions, Warhammer: Darktide still provided some great gameplay experiences. It may not be the standout shooter of the year, but it deserves recognition for its solid mechanics.
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – The multiplayer aspect of this game left much to be desired, but the co-op missions offered a redeeming factor. It’s a decent addition to the Call of Duty franchise, particularly for fans of cooperative gameplay.
3. Tannenberg – Set in World War I, Tannenberg offered enjoyable moments in the first-person shooter genre. While not exceptional, it provided a satisfactory experience for players looking to dive into historical warfare.
4. Postal: Brain Damaged – This shooter stood out from the crowd with its fast-paced, twitch-style gameplay. It offered a variety of weapons, grappling hooks, and satisfying gunplay. Despite its unconventional nature, it delivered an engaging and enjoyable experience.

The winner in the shooters category is Postal: Brain Damaged for its combination of adrenaline-pumping gameplay, fun mechanics, and a well-designed map.

Early Access

Next up, we delve into the Early Access category, highlighting games that are still in development but have shown significant promise. Here are some notable mentions:

1. Planet Crafter – This exploration game set on Mars immerses players in a survival experience where oxygen is scarce, crafting is essential, and the goal is to terraform the planet. With continuous updates and improvements, Planet Crafter is one to watch for its engaging gameplay and captivating setting.
2. Diplomacy Is Not an Option – In this city-building game, players face relentless hordes of enemies. With impressive customization options and challenging gameplay, it offers a unique experience for strategy enthusiasts.
3. V Rising – This open-world co-op and multiplayer PVP game stands out as a strong contender for the best Early Access game of the year. With its vast world, boss battles, exploration, crafting, and building mechanics, V Rising offers an immersive experience that rivals many triple-A titles.
4. More to the Town Behind the Wheel – A driving simulation game that brings fun and enjoyment to the genre. It offers a unique and entertaining experience for players looking to hit the road.
5. Ready or Not – This cooperative door-kicker game reminiscent of Rainbow Six Siege provides thrilling gameplay despite some existing bugs. With ongoing updates, it shows potential for further improvement and a promising future.

After careful consideration, the winner in the Early Access category goes to V Rising for its impressive gameplay mechanics, expansive world, and immersive multiplayer experience.

Full Release Games

Moving on to the fully released games category, let’s explore the top contenders for the best games of the year:

1. Expeditions: Rome – As mentioned before, this game excelled in the strategy genre with its engaging gameplay, captivating storyline, and attractive price point.
2. Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong – Despite its pixelated graphics, this game delivered a remarkable experience with its deep gameplay, strategic decision-making, and immense replay value. The game’s low cost and extensive playtime make it a true gem for enthusiasts of the vampire-themed genre.
3. Total War Warhammer 3 – This installment in the Total War series brought the fantastical world of Warhammer to life with its epic battles and immersive gameplay. Although personal circumstances limited playtime, it still stands as a great addition to the series.
4. Gran Turismo 7 – The legendary racing franchise returned with stunning visuals, realistic mechanics, and a wide range of cars and tracks. It offered an immersive racing experience for fans of the genre.
5. Heroes Hour – This indie game surprised players with its unique blend of auto-battler mechanics and strategic map planning. With its affordable price and enjoyable gameplay, it deserves recognition in the full release games category.
6. Starship Troopers – Inspired by the beloved franchise, Starship Troopers delivered engaging strategies and captivating world design. Despite its numerical limitations, the game compensated with its immersive gameplay and faithful adaptation of the franchise.
7. Postal: Brain Damaged – As mentioned earlier, this shooter game stood out with its fast-paced action, gripping gunplay, and enjoyable map design. It offered a thrilling experience for fans of twitch-style shooters.
8. Raft – A survival game set on the open sea, where players must scavenge resources, build structures, and fend off threats. With its constant updates and engaging gameplay, it captured the attention of survival enthusiasts.
9. Star Valor – This top-down space exploration game allowed players to become traders, pirates, or mercenaries in a vast universe. With its open-world mechanics and engaging gameplay, it offered a unique and enjoyable experience.
10. Spider-Ban – While the PC version had been previously reviewed, this action-adventure game provided players with a captivating and enjoyable experience on the PlayStation platform. It showcases the superhero genre with impressive graphics and exciting gameplay.
11. Regiments – Breaking away from the traditional sword and fantasy settings, Regiments took strategy into the realm of modern warfare. With tanks and other vehicles, it offered a contrast to other games in the genre and provided a solid strategy game experience.
12. WheelGuard – A tank simulator that satisfied the craving for realistic tank warfare experiences. With immersive gameplay and attention to detail, it provided a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.
13. Codename: Urban – Although it did not resonate with the reviewer, this game offered a unique blend of stealth, tactics, and combat. Despite its shortcomings, it showed promise and potential for improvement.
14. Elven Ring – Initially plagued by technical issues on PC, this highly anticipated game delivered a rewarding and challenging experience on the PlayStation 5 platform. With its open-world design and brutal battles, it became a standout title in the fantasy genre.
15. Warhammer: Darktide – This cooperative shooter set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe offered intense battles against hordes of enemies. While it may have felt repetitive at times, it still provided enjoyable cooperative gameplay.
16. Axion – This action-adventure game combined melee combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving in a dark and atmospheric world. With its intriguing storyline and engaging gameplay, it left a lasting impression.

With such a diverse range of games in the full release category, it becomes difficult to crown a definitive winner. However, after careful consideration, the top honor in the full release games category goes to Elden Ring for its breathtaking visuals, immersive gameplay, and overall technical excellence.

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After exploring the Early Access and full release games, it’s time to determine the ultimate Game of the Year. The following games have made a significant impact and stood out among their peers:

1. Grounded – Inspired by the movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” this survival game provided a unique perspective as players navigated the dangers of a backyard from a miniature standpoint. With its thrilling gameplay, captivating story, and four-player co-op mode, it offered an unforgettable gaming experience.
2. Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong – Despite its pixelated graphics, this game’s depth, strategic decision-making, and extensive replay value made it an outstanding contender for Game of the Year.
3. Elden Ring – This highly anticipated game, despite initial technical difficulties on the PC platform, emerged as a masterpiece on the PlayStation 5. Its visually stunning world, challenging battles, and open-ended gameplay set it apart as a top contender.
4. Axion – With its combination of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, Axion created a dark and atmospheric world that left players immersed in its captivating storyline.

These four games have demonstrated excellence in different aspects, making the final decision extremely challenging. While each game has its unique strengths and qualities, there can only be one winner.

After careful deliberation, the prestigious title of Game of the Year goes to Elden Ring. This visually breathtaking game captivated players with its stunning graphics, challenging gameplay, and immersive world. Despite the initial technical hurdles, the gameplay experience on the PlayStation 5 platform showcased the game’s true potential and solidified its place as a standout title of the year.

However, it’s worth mentioning that all the mentioned games have provided exceptional experiences and deserve recognition for their contributions to the gaming landscape in 2022.

In conclusion, while the year may have had its share of challenges for the big game releases, PC users were treated to a wealth of Early Access and indie games that showcased innovation, creativity, and engaging gameplay. The strategy and shooter genres saw notable entries, while the Early Access category displayed promising titles with great potential.

The full release games delivered memorable experiences, ranging from strategy and survival to racing and RPGs. Each game left a lasting impression in its respective genre, offering players a diverse range of choices and experiences.

As we look forward to the future, we anticipate even more exciting releases and advancements in the gaming industry. The Game of the Year Awards for 2022 have showcased the best of the best, and it’s a testament to the passion and dedication of game developers worldwide.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the Game of the Year Awards. May the coming year bring us more memorable gaming experiences and adventures.