Best of 2022: Elden Ring, and Alex’s other GOTY picks

There is no denying that Elden Ring is the best game of 2022. That’s my pick, by the way. I actually think anybody who picks anything else needs to give their head a wobble (though I respect their opinion, of course, and suggest aspirin for the bumped head).

But then, at the same time… gosh, there’s some games I really admire this year. There’s Vampire Survivors, which has the excellent frenetic energy of a 90s classic. There’s Marvel Snap, which somehow dragged me back to the world of collectible card games, against all odds, and at the same time that an improved digital version of the Pokemon TCG launched.

I could go on. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a top-tier JRPG, gleefully using genre tropes with no shame or embarrassment – and to great effect. Pentiment is the sort of game the industry needs to make more of. Midnight Suns continues Firaxis’ streak of only making shit-hot games, and nothing else, all bangers, all the time. Immortality is mind-meltingly brilliant. And, god – Sonic Frontiers made Sonic… sorta… good? Again? What the hell is that about?