2022 is almost over but it seems like yesterday we promoted our most anticipated games, most of which are now in the rear view mirror. While 2023 will no doubt bring even more great experiences, we can't move on without looking back at the past year in gaming. From indoor clothing styles to the world of VR esports, let's take a look back at 2022. . .
2022 is the year when the cat will become man's best friend
Cats are familiar with video games, whether it's keeping our slots warm or exploring the game's post-apocalyptic landscapes. This year, cats have been the focus of various games, such as Annapurna and Stray Cat Games, in which a cat sets out to save the world from a substance-eating parasite. A cat film from the Klonoa Fantasy Reverie series has also been released. The long-awaited collection of classic 2.5D side-scrolling games has been remastered and reintroduces its brave protagonist to the world.
Sure, cats have adorned Sonic Frontiers, Ghost Rider Tokyo, and even Persona 5 Royale. And who can forget Fornias, the Cult of the Lamb's ever-popular cult trading cat? Each of these games offers players a cat companion to help them on their hero's journey, or gives players full control of a cat to save the world. Whether it's the big cat helping Sonic learn to fish, Morgana teaching Joker the ways of the Phantom Thief, or Ghostwire's Nekomata dishing out side missions, it seems that the cat is humanity's new best friend, and at times our potential became a savior.
2022 that lets everyone play
The promotion of inclusion and accessibility was excellent this year. Games like God of War. Ragnarok and The Last of Us Part I include features based on past Santa Monica and Naughty Dog successes. Options such as Audio Warnings, Cinema Audio Description, Auto Platform, Navigational Assistance, High Contrast Mode, etc. This title will appear. Horizon Forbidden West also gave players the ability to use unique difficulty changing features such as: B. by having the protagonist Alo automatically run, heal or use her trusty shield arm. Customizable settings like these help open games to a wider audience than ever before, allowing more players to experience this year's most exciting adventure.
2022, the year of sports, has disappeared from reality
Windjammers 2 brings otherworldly extremes and style to the world of virtual sports when it launches in January. In this hyper-real Frisbee game, players face off against superpowers, crazy obstacles and exotic locations in one-on-one matches that test reflexes, wits and coordination.
This release launched a series of fantastic extreme sports games that could only exist in the virtual world; OlliOlli World, a 2D skateboarding game set in a world seemingly created by the Skateboard Gods; Cursed for Golf, a disease-like golf game set in purgatory where you face death itself; and Rollerdrome, a bloody game where you have to perform tricks on skates against enemy robots. If you've ever thought that sport is actually too limited, 2022 is your year.
2022 is the year we change our battle royale arsenal.
The battle royale genre's steadfast popularity continues, but with a new twist. Aside from Fall Guys' splashy PlayStation 5 debut, other games have jumped into the fray to shake up the classic royal formula. Deathverse: Let It Die takes things in the most gruesome direction you'd expect from a sequel to the original Let It Die, infusing the hellish game of death with a game show aesthetic. Rumbleverse combines fighting game combos, wrestling clichés, and battle royale gameplay into one dynamic package. And then there's Call of Duty. Warzone 2.0 which brings many twists and turns to the genre. Instead of the usual big, tight circle, Shrink sometimes has three circular safe zones, often resulting in games ending with three surviving teams armed to the teeth. And who can forget the addition of helicopters, boats and other vehicles? Epic also harnessed the power of Unreal Engine 5 to bring a massive visual boost to the Fortnite battle royale juggernaut. If you weren't sure before whether this trend is worth trying, now is the time to try it.
2022, the year my friends and I faced our fears
In 2022, the horror genre will undergo major changes. With the advent of asymmetrical horror, the ability to face fear in games is no longer a single player experience. Dead by Daylight has continued to push the genre over the years, pushing new boundaries and making some interesting additions.
Evil Dead is particularly important. Complex mechanics of character development, real fears and laughs. All of this gives an idea of what it means to play a game. And the movie franchise it stars in is definitely the perfect backdrop for all this ultra-competitive carnage.
Other releases like Ghostbusters. Spirits Unleashed, Back 4 Blood and Resident Evil Re:Verse showed how different and unique games can be in this growing genre. All you have to do is choose the flavor you like the most. Do you want to build Ash William's legendary boomstick and chainsaw? Or do you want to cross the creek and kick the ghost?
2022 when let's breathe the countries
Video games have always offered a way to escape from reality, travel to other worlds and experience things we can only dream of. But what happens when these games give us time not to smell the roses in this reality? Many of the year's biggest games, including Elden Ring, brought this idea to the fore.
FromSoftware's latest epic throws us into the wide open world of The Lands Between, giving us complete control over what to do and when. But between the action and the countless deaths, we've unleashed a tide that's soaking the atmosphere. This pause provided ample opportunity to reflect on the exciting journey through this deadly landscape. Yes, death was inevitably around the corner, but this world will constantly amaze us with its beautiful villages and stunning landscapes. Even when the dragon came to burn you alive, at least he burned you in a glorious setting of natural beauty, right?
Over the years we've seen freedom of movement in games like Sonic Frontiers, Stray, Horizon Forbidden West and God of War. Ragnarok. Each takes place in a vast and dangerous world where you can get completely lost. And despite the dangers you constantly encounter, you still have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty in which they are hidden. A welcome invitation that allows us to truly appreciate the developers' hard work and passion in creating this amazing world.
2022 when family rules
Family ties are woven into many of this year's biggest gaming events. Whether ties of blood, fate or love, many titles have shown that there is no better way to approach life with the person who will always be by your side. Watch Amisha and Hugo in The Plague Tale. From the movie "Requiem". These two siblings have gone through incredible hardships to support each other and achieve their goals. Without each other, they wouldn't have had the strength to be what they were at the emotional end of the play.
The strength of this momentum was reflected in other similar games this year. God of War. Ragnarok saw Kratos grow up through his son as a father, Phantom Thieves took on the world as the crazy family Persona 5. Royale, and Joel overcomes his injury on his journey with Ellie in The Last of Us Part I. Who can forget the Turtles who defeated the Shredders again in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? In Shredder's Revenge. In 2022, family was by far one of the best bonuses in the game.
Have you spotted any other examples of gaming trends for 2022 mentioned here?