Geek Network Top 10: Best Video Games of 2022

Geek Network Top 10: Best Video Games of 2022

As we end another year of gaming, we will look back at the top games that stole our hearts this year. 2022 had some major releases that fans loved and will be staple games in the future. Whether you play on PC, Xbox, Nintendo, or PlayStation there was something for everyone and every age this year.

Check out our top 10 video games of 2022 below:

10. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

The massive Pokémon franchise saw 2 new titles drop towards the end of this year with Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. While this game dropped with serious bugs and issues it still belongs on our list as the game itself boasts a colorful cast of characters that deepen the simple plot. Whether you like catching new Pokémon, raising Pokémon, or battling other trainers, this game has it all with an open-world concept…and did we mention motorbikes?

Cruise around the world on your bike instead of tedious walking to catch new Pokémon or explore new places. There are quite a few plotlines to follow such as: collecting badges and defeating the Elite Four, Path of Legends, and Starfall Street. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet gives you plenty to do and leads to another beloved entry in one of the most loved franchises.

9. Cult of the Lamb

If you’ve ever wanted to play as a lamb and start a satanic cult to a God you were sacrificed to, this is the game for you. That might be a little specific but all jokes aside, Cult of the Lamb took the gaming world by storm this year. This macabre and goofy game has so much gameplay as you recruit your cult, manage it and work to defeat each of the forest priests. There was a lot of organizing and fighting which made this game so fun!

8. Sifu

This unforgiving tale of classic martial arts mixed with urban stages kept fans on their toes. While the game had no difficulty setting, we’re pretty sure it was set on unforgiving from the start. You can’t just dodge and roll away from enemies or sneak past them, this action game was just that…full of action. It was an incredible tribute to martial arts with its excellent sound and gorgeous animation. With this game having a bigger-than-average learning curve, it may not be for everyone but if you’re a fan of martial arts you must play it at least once!

7. Dreamlight Valley

Disney’s Dreamlight Valley was the perfect mix of nostalgia and fun. If you’re a fan of life sim games like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing, we can tell you Dreamlight Valley is the best mix of both. They really worked hard to provide easy and fun gameplay with all your favorite Disney characters. Whether you like farming, collecting, building, or just running around meeting characters and completing quests, this game has it all.

What sets it apart from games like Animal Crossing New Horizons is the stack of updates developer Gameloft has already done, announced, and will have in the future. They could easily keep this game going with updates of new characters and new sections of the map as the expansive Disney library has no shortage of content to add to the game. We can’t wait to see what else Dreamlight Valley has in store for 2023.

6.  The Quarry

Supermassive Games has been giving us twisted new stories with The Dark Pictures Anthology, but The Quarry stands on its own and delves into its roots from Until Dawn that jumpstarted this narrative-driven horror experience that we have grown to love. Your choices are more brutal than ever. The Quarry follows nine camp counselors as they try to survive their final night at Hackett’s Quarry summer camp amongst supernatural creatures and violent locals.

The Quarry managed to snag some big names including Ted Raimi, Skyler Gisondo, Justice Smith, Brenda Song, and even David Arquette. What this game does so well is how much you like the characters you’re making choices for and how immersive the mystery they’re stuck in is. It pays homage to classic slasher horror with a few twists and turns to keep you on your toes.

5. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Nintendo does what it does best again with a creative, colorful, and joyful experience. Everyone’s favorite pink blob Kirby is the star of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, but fans of our favorite Italian plumber will feel right at home with the smooth gameplay and mechanics. Kirby has found himself in a post-apocalyptic wasteland that is filled with cute colors and a ton of charm. Each of the game’s worlds are themed and takes you through crazy landscapes. The game isn’t too difficult but tons of fun for you or the whole family.

4. Horizon Forbidden West

This PlayStation exclusive gave fans an incredible sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn. Horizon Forbidden West picks up exactly after Zero Dawn but implemented better combat, a captivating story, and a stunning world. Players are still following Aloy as she leaves the lands she grew up on and journeys to the west, into a politically charged and dangerous world on the brink of inter-tribal war.

Forbidden West is full of new creatures, and new characters and you may even come across some machines from the first game but always stay on your toes as they may not be as easy to defeat as they used to. The ending of the game is shocking, but we aren’t giving anything away. If you were a fan of the first game, we highly recommend the sequel which…dare we say…. might be even better.

3. God of War Ragnarök

As one of the most anticipated games of 2022, God of War Ragnarök, did not disappoint. It impressively built on its predecessor and the continuity was flawless, so if you haven’t played the first one we recommend you do so. Kratos had so much character growth not just in himself but also as a father. The gameplay was just as brilliant as the first but has been amped up significantly. We won’t spoil any of the story for you but know that it’s deeply immersive and the world is incredibly beautiful. PlayStation knocked it out of the park with its two sequels this year.

2. Stray

Who would have thought playing as a cat would be so fun? Stray was a fantastically beautiful and heart-wrenching game that makes you never want to stop playing to figure out what is going on in this strange robot world. As a cat, you are traversing a world following the downfall of man where maudlin robots are the only ones around.

In Stray, as you move through each section of the world, you figure out exactly what happened to men with the help of your little drone B-12 which helps you speak to robots and maneuver through locked doors. You work through each section of the city with the goal of escaping and the puzzles continue to get more difficult the higher you go. This game was so brilliant and that’s why it’s number 2 on our list.

Elden Ring

It’s no surprise that the top game of the year is Elden Ring. It is an impressive open-world game that is so intricately crafted and leaves players in awe. There is so much to explore and find as you travel around finding tons of different weapons and can even ride into combat on your horse. The enemies and bosses are some of the most interesting in any game. With every corner, you turn there are enemies waiting to ambush you and bosses that are so challenging you may want to throw your controller out the window (we don’t recommend doing that.)

However, with the difficulty of beating the bosses comes the satisfaction of finally knocking them down. We won’t give you too much information about the plot of the game as you really need to experience it yourself.