{"id":25698,"date":"2022-12-23T21:18:36","date_gmt":"2022-12-23T21:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/23\/mobilesyrups-top-10-games-of-2022\/"},"modified":"2022-12-23T21:18:36","modified_gmt":"2022-12-23T21:18:36","slug":"mobilesyrups-top-10-games-of-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/23\/mobilesyrups-top-10-games-of-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"MobileSyrup’s top 10 games of 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

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One of the things I love most about video games is their versatility as an art form.<\/p>\n

Movies more or less all carry the same runtimes while adhering to similar visual languages, books are primarily relegated to text and TV shows have to follow an episodic format. All of these structures have their own benefits, to be sure, but the intrinsic beauty of games is that they can really be any combination of all three.<\/p>\n

Looking back on the year that was for gaming, I\u2019m reminded of that fact. After playing around 50 new games and keeping up with many more, I\u2019m in awe at the staggering variety of the kinds of experiences that were created this year alone. An FMV game<\/a> that uses interactivity and metatextuality to immerse players in a decades-spanning mystery. A grueling dark fantasy world<\/a> that creates an unparalled sense of discovery and companionship. A cyberpunk RPG<\/a> about finding hope and meaning in an unrelentingly harsh city. A cat simulator<\/a> that captured the hearts of gamers and non-gamers alike. A 100-plus-hour existential odyssey<\/a>. A fighter<\/a> in which Batman, Shaggy Rogers and LeBron James can duke it out. Games can be pretty much anything.<\/p>\n

Naturally, this has made putting together a top 10 list an enjoyably tricky challenge. I thought long and hard about this, which is why it\u2019s coming mere days before 2023 rolls in. But in the end, I\u2019m happy with what I\u2019ve picked. Before I go further, though, I should fully acknowledge the quality of Elden Ring<\/em><\/a>. Developer FromSoftware\u2019s rich and freeing open-world design that encourages exploration without any hand-holding is extremely commendable and even ground-breaking. The action-RPG is, without question, a monumental achievement and absolutely worthy of all the Game of the Year accolades it\u2019s received. However, it\u2019s not something I got into, as I don\u2019t generally enjoy experiences that are so punishing or lore-heavy without some core narrative hook. If I\u2019m going to spend close to 100 hours playing a game, I typically need to care enough about the story and people who take part in it. Therefore, it\u2019s not on this list.<\/p>\n

With that out of the way, here\u2019s the top 10!<\/p>\n\n

10. Marvel Snap<\/h2>\n
\"Marvel<\/p>\n

Image credit: Second Dinner\/Marvel<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platforms:\u00a0<\/strong>iOS<\/a>, Android<\/a>, PC<\/a>\u00a0(early access)<\/p>\n

As someone who almost never enjoys mobile gaming, I\u2019m surprised that I fell in love with Marvel Snap<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>earlier this year. That\u2019s because developer Second Dinner crafted an experience that is absolutely perfect to play your phone. It\u2019s an elegantly simple card game that\u2019s designed around appreciably bite-sized matches using decks of just 12 cards, making it remarkably easy to pick up and play. The Marvel license enhances the novelty of collecting new cards, but even if you took that away, this is just a damn good game. Honestly, the only reason why this isn\u2019t higher is that I forced myself to stop playing to get to other things \u2014 it\u2019s that addictive.<\/p>\n

9. Kirby and the Forgotten Land<\/h2>\n
\"Kirby<\/p>\n

Image credit: Nintendo<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platform:\u00a0<\/strong>Nintendo Switch<\/a><\/p>\n

In the first five minutes of\u00a0Kirby and the Forgotten Land<\/em><\/a>, our titular pink hero sucks up\u00a0an entire\u00a0<\/em>car <\/em>and zooms around a post-apocalyptic city that looks straight out of The Last of Us<\/em>. It\u2019s an absolutely hilarious and outlandish sight to behold, and it sets the tone for the next 10 hours. Through the game, there\u2019s a consistent joy in finding what new everyday object Kirby would comically stretch around and absorb next, be it a traffic cone to stomp on enemies with earth-shattering force, a lightbulb to navigate ghost-infested areas or a vending machine to blast pop cans like a machine gun. Throw in some gorgeously vibrant and charming stages, a solid assortment of upgradable enemy-copying abilities and a delightfully bonkers Platinum Games<\/a>-esque final stretch and Kirby and the Forgotten Land\u00a0<\/em>is such a treat.<\/p>\n

8. Neon White<\/h2>\n
\"Neon<\/p>\n

Image credit: Annapurna Interactive<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platforms:\u00a0<\/strong>Nintendo Switch<\/a>, PlayStation 4\/5<\/a>, PC<\/a><\/p>\n

On a raw, moment-to-moment enjoyment level, Neon White<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>might actually be the most fun I\u2019ve had in a game this year. As the deceased assassin White, your job is to clear out demon-infested afterworld stages as quickly as possible to appease your heavenly overlords. The anime-inspired story is reasonably entertaining, especially thanks to stellar voice work from the likes of Steve Blum, but it\u2019s mostly just an excuse for an utterly engrossing speedrunning-focused experience<\/a>. It\u2019s a breathtakingly thrilling gameplay loop in which you have to maintain momentum while collecting \u2018Soul Cards\u2019 to alternate between attacking enemies and executing unique traversal moves to continue forward.<\/p>\n

The balletic pace of ping-ponging between platforms as I jump, slide, shoot, dash and zipline my way through hellish creatures created an exhilarating rush I\u2019ve rarely felt in games. Even as someone who otherwise couldn\u2019t care less about speedrunning, Neon White<\/em>\u2018s short, tightly paced levels and fast and frenetic traversal have me genuinely eager to continue to try to improve my clear times.<\/p>\n

7. Immortality<\/h2>\n
\"Immortality<\/p>\n

Image credit: Half Mermaid<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox consoles<\/a> (and Game Pass), Netflix Games (iOS<\/a>\/Android<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Every once in a while, you come across a story that could only be told in a video game, and Immortality<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>is the epitome of that. It seems simple enough at first; like other FMV titles, your job is to review live-action video files from three fictional movies to piece together the story \u2014 in this case, the strange disappearance of actress Marissa Marcel. But it\u2019s how developer Half Mermaid has interwoven all of these clips \u2014 a \u2018match-cut\u2019 mechanic that lets you click on one person or object to jump to something similar in another piece of footage \u2014 that feels genuinely innovative. It\u2019s a thoughtful way of encouraging you to carefully study clips to consider how they might connect to others.<\/p>\n

Adding layers to the narrative is the fact that hidden footage lies behind many clips that you have to figure out how to reveal, and discovering these proved to be some of the most fascinating, if bone-chilling, moments I\u2019ve had in a game in years. To say more would spoil Immortality<\/em>\u2018s many surprises, but suffice it to say that this is one mystery you\u2019ll absolutely want to solve.<\/p>\n

6. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope<\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/p>\n

Image credit: Nintendo\/Ubisoft<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platform:\u00a0<\/strong>Nintendo Switch<\/a><\/p>\n

Admittedly, my initial interest in Ubisoft Milan\u2019s Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope<\/em><\/a> almost entirely stemmed from its musical talent: my second-favourite composer of all time, Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts<\/em>), as well as Grant Kirkhope (Banjo-Kazooie<\/em>) and Gareth Coker (Ori and the Blind Forest<\/em>). And sure enough, their soundtrack for the game is magnificent<\/a>. But I was absolutely elated to find that\u00a0Sparks of Hope\u00a0<\/em>is an absolutely fantastic turn-based strategy experience in its own right.<\/p>\n

The ability to move around in real-time adds a lot of weight to unit placement, while the titular ability-granting Sparks allow for a wonderful degree of mix-and-match character customization. Whether it was giving ace sniper Luigi a cloaking power so he can sneak around and pick apart enemies or the punky blade-wielding Edge a regenerative ability to charge an area like a tank, I was constantly eager to keep building out my team for greater tactical efficiency. The amusingly self-deprecating humour about the\u00a0 Rabbids and impressive, explorable 3D Mario<\/em>-inspired overworlds only sweetened the deal.<\/p>\n

5. Horizon Forbidden West<\/h2>\n
\"Horizon<\/p>\n

Image credit: PlayStation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platform:\u00a0<\/strong>PlayStation 4<\/a>\/PlayStation 5<\/a><\/p>\n

With Horizon Forbidden West<\/a>, <\/em>Guerrilla Games meaningfully addressed pretty much every issue I had with its 2017 predecessor<\/a>. The cast of characters was richer and more three-dimensional. The Breath of the Wild<\/em>-esque glider made traversal far more seamless, encouraging greater exploration of its stunning post-apocalyptic, robot-infested world. The once-bland melee combat was significantly expanded to include a satisfying array of combos and upgrades. Meanwhile, everything else that was already great about the original game, including the tight bow mechanics and fascinating lore, were made better than ever. Bring on Horizon 3<\/em>.<\/p>\n

4. Pentiment<\/h2>\n
\"Pentiment<\/p>\n

Image credit: Xbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platforms:\u00a0<\/strong>Xbox consoles<\/a> (and Xbox Game Pass), PC<\/a><\/p>\n

Over the past few decades, Obsidian has made a name for itself for rich, choice-driven narratives, and Pentiment<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>might just be the purest distillation of the developer\u2019s strengths to date. In many ways, the mechanically-light experience is more like a visual novel (just look at Hannah Kennedy\u2019s wondrous art!), but it\u2019s ultimately better for it. This gave Obsidian the freedom to focus on crafting a magnificently well-realized version of 16th century Bolivia and an enrapturing murder mystery at the heart of it.<\/p>\n

Best of all, the developer refuses to reveal a canon killer, forcing you to instead consider the ramifications of your choices on the townspeople over the course of the game\u2019s sprawling 25-year tale. Seeing characters come and go \u2014 maturing or regressing, living or dying \u2014 in response to both the time period\u2019s political and religious turmoil and my own decisions created a more profound connection to this world than I\u2019ve had with many games. In a day and age where many people seem to want stories to be wrapped up cleanly, Obsidian\u2019s restraint in keeping things ambiguous and thought-provoking is so refreshing and commendable.<\/p>\n

3. Citizen Sleeper<\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/p>\n

Image credit: Fellow Traveler<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platforms: <\/strong>Xbox consoles<\/a> (and Game Pass), Nintendo Switch<\/a>, PC<\/a><\/p>\n

Nowadays, it\u2019s not uncommon in media to see variations on the \u201ccapitalism bad\u201d type of story. While that will always be inherently true, it can also feel fairly rote at times. Citizen Sleeper<\/em><\/a>, however, approaches these themes in a much more unique way. Yes, it\u2019s undoubtedly about capitalism, but what impressed me the most is its unflinchingly uplifting spirit. Through a central dice-roll mechanic that doubles as a tacit commentary on how you have to make the best of whatever shitty hand life might deal you, Citizen Sleeper <\/em>explores how human connection makes all the difference.<\/p>\n

Beyond the required daily hard labour to scrape together just enough money to buy food and life-saving medicine, you have to choose how to spend your time, be that by sharing a story with a local street vendor below the stars or bonding with a struggling father and his adopted daughter. These moments create an achingly beautiful tenderness to Citizen Sleeper<\/em>, made even more earnest when factoring its allegorical relevance to developer Gareth Damian Martin\u2019s experiences<\/a> as a non-binary person in the gig-economy. A soulful and deeply moving rumination on the meaning of life that will stick with you.<\/p>\n

2. Live A Live<\/h2>\n
\"Live<\/p>\n

Image credit: Square Enix\/Nintendo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platform: <\/strong>Nintendo Switch<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been in love with Square RPGs like\u00a0Final Fantasy<\/em> for most of my life<\/a>, so discovering that the company was remaking this once-Japan-exclusive SNES title with jaw-droppingly stunning HD-2D visuals was incredibly tantalizing. Thankfully, this long-lost game actually exceeded my expectations in practically every way. Where Octopath Traveler <\/em>proved disappointing with its repetitive structure and disparate storylines, Live A Live<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>uses its seven standalone scenarios to spectacular effect.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an unmitigated sense of wonder and excitement in exploring each time period, ranging from a charming, dialogue-free prehistoric love story and suave Sergio Leone-inspired spaghetti western yarn to near-future kaiju hijinks and the far-out Alien<\/em>-esque spaceship murder mystery. If that weren\u2019t enough, additional chapters open up later that tie everything together in a surprisingly gripping way, adding the deeper hook that Octopath\u00a0<\/em>always lacked for me. That\u2019s to say nothing of Yoko Shimomura\u2019s fantastic soundtrack, which is just full of bangers<\/a>. All told, Live A Live <\/em>was, for several months, the 2022 game to beat for me, until\u2026<\/p>\n

1. God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/h2>\n
\"God<\/p>\n

Image credit: PlayStation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Platforms:\u00a0<\/strong>PlayStation 4<\/a>\/PlayStation 5<\/a><\/p>\n

At the start of this list, I mentioned that the games that resonate with me the most are the ones with compelling stories and characters. That\u2019s God of War Ragnar\u00f6k <\/em><\/a>to a tee \u2014 more so, in fact, than almost every game I\u2019ve ever played. To be able to say that about an action game \u2014 a genre in which story is usually an afterthought \u2014 is certainly no small feat. To be clear, there\u2019s definitely a tightly constructed combat system that\u2019s punchy and visceral while still allowing for experimentation through an engaging character customization systems. And make no mistake: there\u2019s also expansive-yet-manageable interconnected world full of interesting sidequests, rewarding loot and fascinating world-building.<\/p>\n

But why I love God of War Ragnar\u00f6k\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 why it has quickly become one of my all-time favourite games \u2014 is its stirring, personal father-son story. The intensely relatable specificity with which Santa Monica Studio<\/a> tells this narrative hit me hard,<\/a> and that was only strengthened by the expertly written and acted cast and enthralling twists and turns of the plot. By the end of my time with the game, I was moved to tears; I truly felt like I\u2019d gone on this journey with these characters and changed with them. To me, that\u2019s the real power of games, and God of War Ragnar\u00f6k\u00a0<\/em>encapsulates that perfectly.<\/p>\n

Honourable mentions: <\/strong>A Plague Tale: Requiem<\/a>, Hindsight<\/a>, Sifu<\/a>, The Quarry<\/a> and Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin<\/a><\/p>\n\n

What are your favourite games of the year? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n

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MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n