The nights are quick, the Johns lengthy, and there’s nary a grey whale to be discovered north of Mexico. This will solely imply it’s the tip of the calendar yr. That, or lucha libre has branched out in unusual new instructions.
PCGamesN historically celebrates this time with a number of round-up articles – look out for our newswipe on New Yr’s Eve and our Video games Of The Yr tomorrow – however right now we pay tribute to 2022’s huge landmarks by way of the PCGN Awards. We’ve received many acquainted classes the place sincerity is warranted, however since this interest is all about enjoyable, we’ve all the time believed we are able to’t do it justice with no few ‘different’ awards to rejoice the sillier moments.
Like an emotionally repressed household at Christmas, we begin with our extra honest reflections on the yr simply gone earlier than the discharge of lastly speaking about our emotions drags us down a rabbit gap of more and more lurid and weird confessions. Severely, if for nothing else, stick round for this yr’s thirst-trapping award. In our nook of the web at the least, Hades has lots to reply for.
Greatest character
Winner: Iron Fist Alexander from Elden Ring – finest character
Runner-up: The cat from Stray
Because it seems, the very best characters in video games in 2022 aren’t even human. We had numerous love for the lovely kitty in Stray, who simply needed to reunite with their feline associates. They remind us of our personal little furbabies, with our hearts melting because the cat lastly escapes the confines of its dystopian jail. Not all of us are cat individuals, although, and we united over the truth that the very best character we met in 2022 is none aside from pot-chad himself – Iron Fist Alexander from Elden Ring, top-of-the-line open-world video games ever, not to mention simply 2022.
If you first meet this portly porcelain pot, he’s gotten himself in a little bit of trouble. When you resolve to assist him, you quickly realise he’s one of many kindest souls within the land, changing into one in all your closest allies all through your journey throughout the Lands Between. He’s on the Radahn Pageant, hoping to show himself in battle. He may be summoned that will help you battle in opposition to the now-corrupt Radahn, and he’s a dependable ally since he doesn’t bugger off as Patches does. You’ll be able to even discover him within the aftermath of the battle, scooping up fallen warriors to buff himself.
Nevertheless, issues take a flip after you free him as soon as once more, and he assists you in beating the Hearth Big. You’re quickly transported to Crumbling Farum Azula, the place he waits for you on a floating island. He feels that his time has come to show himself as a mighty warrior by combating in opposition to the very best fighter within the land he is aware of: you. This can be a bittersweet second as he shatters into items upon defeat. Nevertheless, he thanks you for the duel and reminds you that he needed this. Along with his dying breath, he proclaims that “the nice Alexander lived as a warrior to his final”. We’ll miss you, pot-chad, and we dedicate this award to your kindness.
Greatest Indie
Winner: Stray
Runner-up: Tunic
Whether or not we’re speaking about its heart-wrenching opening, quieter moments equally punctuated by despair and sweetness, or its tearjerker ending, Stray feels particular. Whereas a lot of the sport’s enchantment naturally lies in enjoying from the angle of one in all our feline associates, there’s rather more to it than that. BlueTwelve Studio has crafted a bleak and exquisite posthuman world to discover (and destroy, as cats do), with a thriller so attractive you may’t assist however unravel it like a spool of wool. It’s backed by a completely banging soundtrack too.
Stray is in its factor when it means that you can leap between the alleyways and rooftops of the walled metropolis at your leisure, undoubtedly making it top-of-the-line indie video games on PC. There’s a lot to search out and uncover beneath your paws, be they cryptic clues to the whereabouts of mankind amidst this colony of robots with vibrant personalities or basking within the cityscape’s neon glow. Regardless of the perpetually darkish circumstances each you and the residents discover yourselves in, there’s all the time a heat nook so that you can curl up and snooze in (our favorite being the one subsequent to a musician).
You’ll want all 9 of your lives at your disposal, although, when you’re to see Stray to the tip. Swarms of Zurks, assume Half-Life’s headcrabs that appear cuter however are simply as harmful, placing even seasoned gamers’ agility and puzzle-solving expertise to the check. Right here’s hoping that we are able to see extra small-scale initiatives like Stray, in order that extra indie video games like it could land on their ft. Purr-use our Stray assessment for our opinion on this kitty’s journey.
Greatest degree or facet quest
Winner: Starscourge Radahn boss battle – Elden Ring
Runner up: The Cathedral from Tunic
Massive man, little horse. Want I say extra? Seems I really do, and Elden Ring’s Starscourge Radahn boss battle and facet quest isn’t simply top-of-the-line this yr, it’s all-timer.
It combines an excellent arrange: a competition devoted to a basic who simply desires to die, a plethora of AI from the open world, and top-of-the-line boss fights in FromSoftware historical past. It’s the right instance of a shock second, you don’t anticipate to see numerous NPCs milling about in a location the place you’ve already defeated a boss, and also you anticipate with the ability to summon them to tackle a giant man even much less. Couple that with an interesting boss battle, and also you’ve received perfection.
Starscourge Radahn is on this listing due to the way it exhibits FromSoftware remains to be prepared to get bizarre, and push the boundaries with its boss fights. The bottleneck of Ornstein and Smough and the problem of the Anonymous King are joined by this boss due to how he’s arrange. The competition construct up and the way it folds in different mechanics, like summoning, make it one other one in all Elden Ring’s many surprises that may be encountered after over 100 hours, and that makes it particular. This, together with good ol’ Iron Fist Alexander, are simply among the causes that our Elden Ring assessment offers it that coveted 10/10.
Greatest mod award
Winner: Half-Life 2 Episode 3 however rubbish
Runner-up: Doom: The Fall of Tei Tenga
Everybody admires Valve’s dedication to high quality, however fifteen years after Half-Life Episode 2, and there’s nonetheless no official phrase on the assorted cliffhangers relating to the Borealis, Aperture Science, and Gordon Freeman. Any individual needed to do one thing, even when that one thing was composed utilizing the Supply engine equal of cocktail sticks, bubblegum, and duct tape.
However, you may, now, in idea, play and full Half Life 2 Episode 3. It exists. It’s on the market. And it’s good. It’s good in the identical means that Bing can be good if Google instantly disappeared – if that is all there’s, you’ll take it, whereas wishing miserably for the higher different. If you wish to see what Half-Life 2 Episode 3 would possibly seem like if at some point Valve stated “yeah, no matter, ship it,” that is the mod for you.
Alternatively, when you’ve ever performed Doom and thought it might do with a bit extra Half-Life within the narrative division, Doom: The Fall of Tei Tenga is likely to be for you. It’s a restoration of all of the concepts id Software program deserted when making the primary draft of the FPS recreation, akin to its story-based strategy, recreated right into a single recreation. It’s a implausible work of preservation, bringing an interesting chunk of gaming historical past to vivid, playable life.
Greatest narrative
Winner: Return to Monkey Island
Runner-up: Plague Story Requiem
Reviving an adored collection from the early ‘90s is not any imply feat at the very best of occasions, however to return wherever near how revered the unique was is a nigh-on unimaginable activity. If anybody can do it, nevertheless, it’s Ron Gilbert and his staff at Horrible Toybox with 2022’s Monkey Island return – sorry, Return to Monkey Island.
And what a return it’s. The collection is understood for its wit and Return to Monkey Island continues this in prime kind, with hilarious dialogue and puzzle options which are up to now exterior of the field however by no means so nonsensical you’re left scratching your head for too lengthy. The story is ready years on from the earlier instalments, with Guybrush Threepwood – the keen-eyed, bushy-tailed pirate protagonist – telling his son the story of the time he lastly uncovered the key of Monkey Island.
A lot of the recreation takes place throughout this flashback, however pivotal moments are damaged up by returning to Guybrush and Boybrush – sure, critically – sitting on a park bench, with the younger pirate wannabe keenly asking questions. Level and click on adventures depend on the narrative as a result of with no compelling story, there’s nothing to maintain the participant coming again, and Return to Monkey Island smashes it out of the park like by no means earlier than.
Greatest ongoing recreation
Winner: Genshin Impression
Runner-up: Ultimate Fantasy XIV
It’s honest to dislike points of Genshin Impression, however an space the place you may’t fault the sport is its unimaginable content material cycle. Each six weeks, Mihoyo (Hoyoverse?) releases a considerable replace to Genshin Impression which usually options two new characters, a number of occasions, and a brand new location to discover. Previously yr alone, the map has expanded so as to add an underground mining system referred to as The Chasm, and Sumeru, a panorama full of each forests and deserts. On prime of that, the three.0 replace lastly launched a brand new factor referred to as Dendro which has inspired numerous experimentation in relation to forming groups.
After all, whenever you’re incomes the cash Mihoyo does from every banner sale, the devs have loads of assets to maintain the cycle going. The one different developer that constantly manages to pump up this quantity of content material all year long is Epic Video games with Fortnite. There are many publishers on the market incomes tens of millions by means of microtransactions that don’t use the cash to enhance the sport, however it’s clear simply how a lot effort and time goes into every Genshin Impression replace.
Every patch has sufficient story mode content material to maintain you busy all through the entire month, and there’s loads of alternatives to attain free primogems whenever you wish to add characters to your roster. Whereas there are legitimate considerations in regards to the gacha system, when you select to not spend any cash within the recreation, Mihoyo offers gamers an opportunity to unlock characters on banners in the event that they’re prepared to place the time in. Genshin Impression’s artistic fight system and forged of trendy characters can hook you in after just a few hours of enjoying, and earlier than you already know it, you’ll be ready for the following replace to drop so you may spend hundreds of primogems on the newest character banner.
Shock of the yr
Winner: Vampire Survivors
Runner-up: Trombone Champ
Taking a look at Vampire Survivors, you would possibly surprise what individuals see in it. Even being thrown in for the primary time – a Castlevania-esque vampire hunter with an auto-firing whip slaying bats in a subject – you’ll most likely question if this will presumably be the sport everybody was telling you that you just ‘need to attempt.’ It isn’t a recreation that makes a giant first impression; as a substitute, it’s a roguelite delight that step by step worms its means below your pores and skin, endlessly teasing you with that subsequent improve, somewhat style of true energy, the promise of yet another run.
Every of these runs brings one thing contemporary – one other character to attempt, a weapon improve that turns your puny axe throws into a hoop of whirling scythes, and even entire new mechanics that utterly overhaul your strategic potential. Whereas the auto-attack programs would possibly at first make the sport look like it performs itself, actually excelling at Vampire Survivors is all about cautious motion and positioning to optimise your weapons’ output and farm foes as quick as feasibly potential. That is made all of the extra satisfying because of its driving, old-school soundtrack; dwelling as much as Castlevania’s music is not any small feat, however it performs admirably.
Vampire Survivors masterfully blends idle video games and roguelikes to create one thing new and thrilling. It was a discount at its preliminary beef burger worth, however even with the price of entry raised for the total launch you’d be laborious pressed to search out one thing that gives extra bang in your buck in 2022. Our honourable point out goes to Trombone Champ, for turning every little thing from DragonForce solos to Prime Ministerial resignations into an much more pleasant mess.
Lawbreakers Legacy Award, offered by Anthem
Winner: Saints Row
Runner-up: Dying Mild 2: Keep Human
It was clear from the outset that Saints Row had an unimaginable activity: rebooting a wildly irreverent open-world recreation collection that kicked off within the mid-2000s, sustaining the raucous comedy spirit however updating it for a contemporary viewers. Whereas the trendy Saints Row ticks numerous the packing containers that would seem on a listing titled ‘cool issues about Saints Row video games,’ that by no means fairly comes collectively into something greater than a recreation that oddly feels aged in an unfamiliar, lifeless new city.
Let’s be clear about one thing right here. Saints Row wasn’t a dud as a result of it’s ‘woke,’ no matter that tiresome time period is meant to imply right now. Attempt to think about Saints Row the Third popping out in 2022 – the humour, the references, and the gameplay itself would all really feel woefully dated, and Kanye West’s ‘Energy’ kicking on as you parachute onto a skyscraper to shoot up a mafia pool celebration wouldn’t be the identical in any respect.
The world has modified whereas the Saints have been away, and if something, Saints Row failed to alter sufficient to maintain tempo. There’s a quaintness to enjoying this yr’s Saints Row that’s at odds with its gestures at zoomer relatability. The outcome appears like a recreation you’d see in a TV present, with no clear viewers of its personal.
Greatest 7/10
Winner: Steel: Hellsinger
It doesn’t matter what you hear, 7/10 is an effective rating. 7/10s are good video games. And furthermore, the thesis behind our long-running ‘finest 7/10’ award is {that a} 7/10 can typically be, if not precisely higher, then extra enjoyable than one burdened with the actual expectations of upper scores. Whether or not it’s an occasional bug that’s extra amusing than irritating, or a modesty of ambition that permits you to know you don’t need to strategy it with the identical sort of terrified reverence that Crimson Useless Redemption 2 calls for, you may chill out with a superb 7/10. For 2022, PCGamesN offers that accolade to Steel: Hellsinger, the demonic FPS recreation with a musical twist.
Troy Baker’s soothing southern drawl and a shocking steel soundtrack alone are sufficient to place Steel: Hellsinger on this class’s prime spot. The rhythm-game facet actually units this recreation aside although, encouraging you to deal harm on the beat to extend your hit streak – and thus your probabilities of survival – including to Steel: Hellsinger’s allure, and making your darkish journey by means of hell extremely enjoyable.
So why solely 7/10? Certain, Steel Hellsinger is a good recreation with good mechanics and a singular really feel, however it nonetheless doesn’t belong with the likes of Stray and Elden Ring. The gameplay itself is fairly primary, barely altering from degree to degree. The bosses get harder, however even that doesn’t really feel clean because of a few steep, mid-level issue spikes. Following the story of Unknown – informed by Troy Baker as speaking cranium Paz – offers a false sense of accomplishment to maintain you going by means of the repetitive ranges, and there’s a level of replayability with world leaderboards after each Hell, however it’s simply not sufficient. That stated, Steel: Hellsinger is a wonderfully pleasing recreation for a short while, however might have been an eight or 9 if the story have been developed extra by means of gameplay than a easy narration, and if the Hells and the creatures that dwell inside them have been extra assorted. As a enjoyable, visually-appealing, rhythm-FPS for followers of steel music although, Steel: Hellsinger is price a playthrough, and is completely positioned as 2022’s finest 7/10. Dive into our Steel: Hellsinger assessment for extra.
The ‘You’re Nonetheless Not Bloodborne’ Award for finest PlayStation unique that really got here to PC
Winner: God of Warfare 2018
Runner up: The Final Of Us Half I
Don’t get us unsuitable: after many years of platform holders utilizing their IP as a primary promoting level, we PC players are thrilled that the true console unique is an more and more uncommon sight. Xbox now treats Home windows as an extension of itself, and a lot of the newest Sony exclusives – usually of a uncommon high quality that proved key to the PlayStation 4’s success – have come our means. In 2022 alone, we’ve had God of Warfare 2018, The Final Of Us Half I, Marvel’s Spider-Man and Miles Morales, Persona 5 Royal, and Uncharted 4 by way of the Legacy of Thieves Assortment.
However to cite Mr Burns considering his birthday presents, although they embrace a fist-sized diamond, genie lamp, and unicorn, we gained’t get what we actually need.
God of Warfare 2018 is a implausible recreation and The Final Of Us – within the unbiased opinion of Craig Mazin, who’s directing and can revenue from its TV adaptation – has the “open and shut” best story ever informed in videogames. However they’re nonetheless solely the very best PlayStation exclusives that aren’t Bloodborne.
Shut however no potato award
Runner up: Gotham Knights
Stepping out from the shadow of the Arkham collection was all the time going to be a herculean activity for Gotham Knights; in any case, it’s a Batman recreation that kills off the caped crusader within the first couple of minutes. Developer Warner Bros Montreal will get lots proper, with a narrative worthy of its predecessors and a delectably sassy Alfred performing because the glue that binds the Bat household by means of their grief. Sadly, the superhero recreation additionally proves that greater isn’t all the time higher.
We see the most important Gotham up to now, however even the Batcomputer isn’t immune to border price stutters when zipping by means of town. It’s chock full of latest RPG mechanics that try so as to add a Diablo-like flavour, however incomes new tiered gear feels nearly meaningless when the following set’s simply across the nook. And there are extra collectables than you may shake a stick at – Batarangs, graffiti avenue artwork places, and landmarks – however the paltry rewards for finishing every set make you are feeling extra cheated than the final. I imply, come on, even primary gliding expertise you begin with in earlier entries are locked behind a gratuitous talent tree. Take a look at our Gotham Knights assessment for extra.
The Hades Legacy Award for Achievements in Thirst Trapping
Winner: Scorn
Runner-up: Name of Responsibility: Fashionable Warfare 2 close-ups
Massive, lengthy bones. Glistening curves. Mushy, fleshy orifices which you could repeatedly enter. Ignore all of the blood, cartilage and uncovered muscle tissue, and in some ways, Scorn turns into a protracted, totally interactive allegory for sexual activity. It’s complicated, irritating, you’ll most likely have to test on-line for what you’re meant to do, and on the finish of it you are feeling prefer it each went on too lengthy however was additionally, by some means, too quick.
‘Playable intercourse’ is the dream of many a recreation participant and recreation designer alike, and Scorn, in its personal immensely grotesque and unremittingly bleak means, delivers on that dream. The entire recreation is a bewildering mess of elements and fluids, and if somebody walked in when you have been in the course of it, you’d most likely battle to clarify your self. Scorn stars. ScornHub. Hardcore Scornography. The alternatives for puns are infinite. It’s not the sexiest recreation, however mirroring lots of people’s – particularly formative – congressional experiences, it is likely to be the sport that’s probably the most sex-like.
To a lesser extent, the assorted shut ups of Valeria in Name of Responsibility Fashionable Warfare 2 are an admirable runner-up in 2022. It begins with that interrogation scene, the place she’s leaning proper into Cleaning soap’s face. After that, CoD by no means misses an opportunity to have a superb leer at Valeria, one thing to which the following social media cult, simping for Valeria, will testify.
