Your top 10 games of 2022

2022 was a good year, at least when it comes to games. On top of countless sequels to titles such as «Dying Light», «Gran Turismo» or «Horizon», there were quite a few new games that captivated us with their ideas and game worlds. Whether as a cat in «Stray», the last human among vampires and werewolves in «Vampire Survivor» or a hero of legend in the gritty «Lands Between» of Elden Ring, there’s been no shortage of fresh fodder for our PCs and consoles. This surely made it all the more difficult to choose a favourite. But that’s exactly what my colleague Phil asked you to do.

10. Dying Light 2: Stay Human

19 votes

The survival simulator narrowly made it into our top 10. «Dying Light» kicked off the last year. After a long development period and several delays, no one believed that the game would amount to anything. An incorrect assumption, as we discovered. The parkour elements, varied weapons and a successful story are enough for 10th place.

9. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

21 votes

The formula has remained the same for years: bring together two of the world’s best-known brands and develop a game based on them. «Lego Star Wars» is aimed at a somewhat younger audience. At home in a world of blocks, you'll replay the greatest events from the Star Wars movies. Simple? Absolutely. But it's still a whole lot of fun.

8. Pokméon Scarlet and Violet

23 votes

And here’s yet another classic which likes to ensure its success using a tried and tested formula. The latest instalment int the Pokémon series has caused a stir online with its old-fashioned graphics and many bugs. But you’ve decided to look past that, placing the only Switch title in our ranking at 8th place.

7. Gran Turismo 7

24 votes

The latest edition of this venerated racing simulator got off to a bit of a bumpy start, as various features were missing and earning virtual currency took far too long. However, the developers have since made improvements. Gran Turismo 7 is now a top-notch racer, especially online.

6. Warzone 2.0

25 votes

Is it Groundhog Day? Another sequel, this time of one of the most popular «Battle Royales» of recent years. The «Call of Duty» spinoff is still free and comes with a new map. There’s also the new «DMZ» mode, taking more than just a bit of inspiration from «Escape from Tarkov». If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. You rewarded the shooter with 6th place.

5. Stray

36 votes

The first game in the top 10 that isn’t a sequel. In «Stray», you control a cat looking for its family in a world full of robots and strange viruses. The indie gem is just as cute as it sounds. And who hasn't wanted to be a cat and throw things off bookshelves for no reason?

4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

40 votes

And on it goes, in its cheerful yearly cycle: a new «Call of Duty» sporting the same name as an older one. It missed out on our top 3 by quite a bit this year, so the shooter will have to be content with its participation award.

3. Horizon Forbidden West

93 votes

Aloy’s hero’s journey enters its next chapter in «Forbidden West». Once again, it’s set in the far future, where you'll fight robot dinosaurs across a huge world – on land, underwater and in the air. The (still) Playstation exclusive title continues where the first part left off, granting our heroine more equipment and new skills. A more than worthy successor, which you collectively honoured with third place.

2. God Of War: Ragnarök

173 votes

Another Sony title that received a successor this year. The «God Of War» series heads far north for the second time. Kratos and his adolescent son embark on another adventure through Norse mythology. What particularly stands out is the storytelling and breathtaking graphics. No wonder the game was showered with awards and praised in reviews. 93 per cent on Opencritic is a dream score. Kratos is back! You’ve thanked him with second place.

1. Elden Ring

238 votes

The most ambitious game to date from «From Software» has captured your hearts. Almost a quarter of all votes went to the first open-world game by the studio behind «Dark Souls». A landslide victory, unanimously: critics (95% at Opencritic), journalists (Game Awards), Phil (in our podcast) and you have voted «Elden Ring» as «Game of the Year». The mysterious «Lands Between», a map without quest markers, varied enemies, imposing and wacky boss fights and a complex story, told only in tidbits, really did it for you. But «Elden Ring» also had its kinks, on PC the game still doesn't run completely smoothly. But, in the end, it didn't matter. «Elden Ring» is your «Game of the Year». The next game by «From Software» will supposedly drop this year – a continuation of the «Armored Core» series, where we’ll be battling in gigantic mechs. Who knows, maybe it’ll reach similarly starry heights.

I look back fondly on the past year in gaming. «Elden Ring» in particular completely knocked my socks off. Do you agree with this ranking? Or has something ticked you off? Let me know in the comments.