A lot happened this year, some good and some bad, a highlight this year however was the brand new game releases. From the final entry in the new God of War saga, to the newest game made by the fan favorite From Software. I took a look back at my top five favorite games from last year.

5.Sonic Frontiers (Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series)

I am probably the world’s biggest Sonic fan. I practically play anything that this franchise spits out good or bad. Though I usually fear the release of a Sonic game due to the online drama it usually stirs up, 2022 was actually a fantastic year for the hedgehog. From the comics to the movie, Sonic Frontiers seemed that it was pushing for a more Triple A viewpoint for the hedgehog. I am happy to report that Sonic Frontiers is pretty good. Its definitely the most 7.5/10 game ever made but what they provide is a fun adventure that provides the blueprint for what the next Sonic games are going to be in the future. This game is great and I look forward to what they can improve with the next game in this formula.

4. Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch)

Kirby’s first outing on the switch left a lot to be desired when it first came out. Kirby Star Allies was not a bad game, it was just a very safe game for the series that did not bring anything new to the table. The developers at Hal Laboratories needed to make something brand new if they wanted to avoid franchise fatigue. Luckily they did just that with the release of Kirby and The Forgotten Land. As Kirby’s first ever outing in the third dimension, this game was a breath of fresh air in gameplay and theming. The new mechanics brought into this game such as time trials and copy ability upgrades quickly became fan favorites. It is a great 15 hour long adventure that makes you look forward to what the series will bring in the future.

3. God of War Ragnarök (PS4, PS5)

This is the game that was the reason why I got a PlayStation 5 in the first place. I was very excited for the newest entry in the God of War franchise. Luckily, I was not disappointed in the end. God of War Ragnarök builds on the foundation of the 2018 sequel and improves on it with more exciting combat, new weapons, and a grand story that has a nice ending for the current saga. Though I did like 2018 a little bit more after beating Ragnarök, I still highly recommend this game for people who want a solid single player adventure that tells an engaging story that left me playing in my room for a week straight.

2. Elden Ring (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series)

Elden Ring is probably the most fun hard grind game that I have ever played. It takes a minute to get started but once you figure everything out, you will be playing non stop until you beat it. There is not much I can say about Elden Ring because chances are, you have probably already played it. But for those who have not played this game yet, I highly recommend. Just cancel all of your plans for the next few weeks, you are going to need all the time you can get.

1. Neon White (Switch, PS4, PC)

Neon White is one of those games where you put two random concepts together that you think will not work, but somehow they flow together and makes a unforgettable experience. As a speed running, card-based, shooter where you try to beat levels as fast as you can, Neon White just works. The soundtrack, provided by Machine Girl, is a treat to listen to and motivates your playthrough. It is not the longest game ever, only taking me around eight hours to complete, but it is a experience that you will never forget.

2022 is going to be a tough year to beat but 2023 does not look like it is going to be holding back either. From games like Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to Street Fighter 6, I hope that we see another solid year for video games.