The year 2022 is coming to an end soon. But before saying goodbye to it to embark on a new year which promises to be already busy on the release side, the entire editorial team has come together to offer you its selection of 2022 games. An opportunity to come back to the titles that marked each of us this year. And why not, give you a gift idea to slip under the tree.
Aluqat’s selection
Endling: Extinction is forever
Released on July 19 on PC / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch. In a world devastated by human action, you play as the last mother fox who will do anything to protect her young. Simple gameplay in the service of a touching and sometimes heartbreaking story for all sensitive little hearts. But beyond a moving scenario, Endling: Extinction is Forever is also a committed title that wishes to raise awareness of the environmental cause. In summary, it’s beautiful, poetic and we want more games like that.
Rogue Legacy 2
Released April 28 on PC / Xbox One / Xbox Series and November 9 on Nintendo Switch. We take the same and start again. After all, why touch a formula that worked so well? So here you are again in control of your lineage to liberate a castle by defeating all the bosses on your way.
With more playable classes, more or less stupid bonuses for heirs, and greater diversity in biomes, it can easily be summed up as “the 1, but better”. But with enough new mechanics, and a still addictive formula, for everyone to find something for themselves.
→ Read also: Our Rogue Legacy 2 review
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Released October 18 on PC / PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series / Nintendo Switch. Continuation of the game A Plague Tale: Innocence, this second part allows us to find our two young heroes Amicia and her little brother Hugo. In the heart of 14th century Provence, A Plague Tale: Requiem will take you on board with its often moving narration. And if the body of the gameplay remains similar to its predecessor, Requiem has however expanded its content in many ways. A perfect narrative adventure for players who love infiltration and puzzles, and above all fans of letting the story carry you away.
→ Read also: Our review of A Plague Tale: Requiem
Favorite: Neon White
Released June 16 on PC / Nintendo Switch and December 13 on PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5. A visual novel puzzle-platformer with a delirious story. A game that can be discovered without difficulty but which will offer a challenge of choice to speedrunners in lack of adrenaline.
In the shoes of Neon White, an assassin saved from hell, you will quickly play games at a frantic pace. And to obtain redemption, and end your quiet existence in paradise, you will have to exterminate the demons who hang around there faster than the competition. A title with a taste of coming back to it that pushes players to start levels over again to always do better.
→ Read also: Our discovery of Neon White
Liquiditytrap’s selection
World of Warcraft: Dragonflight
Released November 29 on PC. World of Warcraft’s new expansion is probably the best one to launch since Mists of Pandaria. Dragonflight has been able to make many major changes to the game that renew the experience for the most regular players. But the expansion also offers plenty of content for new players, leaving no one behind. Something to satisfy all types of players.
Elden Ring
Released February 25 on PC / PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 / Xbox One / Xbox Series. worthy heir to the line of souls, Elden Ring is a far cry from the cliché of the hallway games in the series. And if we find all the codes of its predecessors, the new kid from FromSoftware has perfectly renewed the genre.
Its magnificent open world offers a perfect immersion in the dark fantasy universe and leaves players with enough freedom to discover all the hidden mysteries. And that’s not what’s missing in Entre-terre. The game will have plenty to keep you busy for long hours that you won’t see scrolling. As for its skilfully measured difficulty, it will suit both beginners and regulars of the genre.
→ Read also: Our Elden Ring review
F1 22
Released June 28 on PC / PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 / Xbox One / Xbox Series. A classic racing game that makes full use of the official Formula 1 license. The balance of the title will appeal to beginners and experienced drivers alike. As a bonus, the new cars that follow F1 regulations have made a more than successful arrival on F1 22 and were able to bring a real breath of fresh air on the technical side of driving. A game that will be perfect for waiting for the new F1 season and waiting for the winter months.
→ Read also: Our F1 22 test
The favorite: the Tipping the Scales DLC of Orcs Must die 3!
Released April 7 on PC / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / Xbox Series. Tower defense has a fun and quirky atmosphere, Orcs Must Die 3! is a game that does not take itself seriously. But it is not stingy with content, especially with its second DLC Tipping the Scales.
With more than fifty traps and other weapons, you will have plenty to do to slice, burn, not to say massacre, the hordes of enemy orcs. Easy to handle, it will still challenge you whether you choose to play alone or in pairs.
→ Read also: Our test of Orcs Must die 3!
Maafterchef’s selection
Cult of the Lamb
Released August 11 on PC / PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 / Xbox One / Xbox Series / Nintendo Switch. Who has never dreamed of leading his own sect, leading his followers to happiness, punishing them when they leave the right path, brutally sacrificing them for example? Sorry, slight skid, back to our lambs.
Cult of the Lambit is the meeting perched between Animal Crossing and Hades. A management game where you have to create and develop your own base to grow your cult, and decide if you want to lead your followers to the whip or to love. And next to that, a simple but effective dungeon crawler, nervous as it should be. All coated with an adorable artistic direction, and a particularly neat writing that makes the slightest atrocity pass in lightness. It’s all pipou, and we want more.
→ Read also: Our Cult of the Lamb review
Triangle Strategy
Released March 4 on Nintendo Switch and October 13 on PC. Triangle Strategy is a quality tactical-RPG which has the particularity of knowing how to tell you a real story. Its elaborate scenario will lead you to make real choices impacting your future as well as that of the kingdom. Decisions that are sometimes difficult to make as the title makes the characters endearing to us. Accessible to all, this well-balanced tactical will convince regulars of the genre as well as beginners. On the only condition of being ready to do a little reading to advance in its history.
Horizon Forbidden West
Released February 18 on PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5. Game Sequel Horizon Zero Dawn, this new opus which offers breathtaking graphics allows us to find Aloy and follow her adventures six months later. However, don’t panic if you haven’t touched the first part, Horizon Forbidden West is self-sufficient and knows how to give you the necessary reminders. The title can boast of its quality of writing, especially concerning the characters, but above all of the great care given to all the side quests, which are nevertheless numerous. Because all the dialogues are fully animated and voiced, like all the rest of the game. Between its extremely rich content and its superb open world, Forbidden West will make you forget the hours that pass. Did we tell you that it was very beautiful?
The favorite: Tunic
However, even though the game looks great and comes with a perfectly matching soundtrack, the homage will end there. Because Tunic blames itself more than a Souls-like in its mechanics, whether it’s its stamina gauge or its science of timing. The game is made up of a multitude of puzzles, more or less difficult, but above all all intertwined. And to untangle this bag of knots, you will have to progress little by little in your adventure and get your hands on all the pages of the game manual. While some may find it a bit complicated that the game leaves them to fend for themselves, the result is not will only be more rewarding once the mysteries are solved.
Senedra’s selection
Penance
Released November 15 on PC / Xbox One / Xbox Series. A real surprise from the Obsidian catalog, Penance is a narrative adventure with polished aesthetics. Through decorations worthy of the most beautiful illuminations, we leave for a total immersion in 16th century Germany.
In the shoes of Andreas, a young artist, you will lead the investigation into several crimes spread over nearly 25 years. But behind the investigations where your choices will sometimes have serious consequences, Pentiment above all offers a historical vision of a society where religion was at the heart of every social interaction. And despite some small lengths, the care given to the details of the game, in particular to the fonts varying according to the social status of the characters, will know how to immerse you in the story to the point of not wanting to leave it.
→ Read also: Our Pentiment test
PowerWash Simulator
Released July 14 on PC / Xbox One / Xbox Series. Quirky simulation game, PowerWash Simulator puts you in the shoes of the owner of a cleaning business. Armed only with your high-pressure cleaner, you will chain the missions to rid the whole city of the accumulated grime. And we can say that Muckingham does not miss it. But beyond the cleaning purposes, the title presents itself as one of the most relaxing and satisfying games of the year. Test and you will also succumb to the soft sound of the high pressure water jet.
God of War Ragnarok
Released November 9 on PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5. How to miss the most anticipated sequel of the year. God of War Ragnarok takes us on a journey to each of the nine kingdoms where Father and Son will have to use their ax and their bow to try to counter the end of the world. Whether god of war was already recognized as a very beautiful game, Ragnarok gives a layer of it and offers us a real visual slap. But in addition to being really beautiful, the title above all offers a rich scenario, where the relationships between the characters have matured and nuanced. And if that’s not enough for you, slaughtering enemies with an ax is always an excellent outlet.
Favorite: Dome Keeper
Released September 27 on PC. Small independent nugget, Dome Keeper is as simple to master as it is addictive. A mixture of roguelike, tower defense and management game, the title already offers a lot of game options, already enriched by several updates.
The principle is simple, dig to find the materials necessary to improve its dome, and defend it against the waves of creatures that come crashing into it. And it’s probably this simplicity that makes you addicted to the point of chaining the games without really realizing it. Add to that very nice pixel art graphics and a sound environment that perfectly matches the gameplay. What more ?
→ Read also: Our Dome Keeper test