Phenixx Gaming’s Game of the Year Staff Picks 2022

Every year, I like to gather each staff member’s thoughts on their Game of the Year pick. Instead of having to duel each other and fight for supremacy over our “one” Game of the Year, it is much more fun to just have individual ones. The only criteria for this article are that the game can’t be in Early Access and it had to release in 2022. Here are Phenixx Gaming’s Games of the Year for 2022.

Alexx – Cult of the Lamb

I had a few options that I could pick from this year, but ultimately Cult of the Lamb won for me. With its morbid-yet-cute aesthetic, smooth action, and interesting gameplay, Cult of the Lamb ticks a lot of boxes for me. Somehow, mixing Action-Roguelike gameplay with Settlement Management just works.

The delicate balance between building your cult and defeating your enemies somehow works together with lots of small mini-games and side tasks that are just plain fun. While it might not be as bombastic as Elden Ring, it is most definitely worth your time.

Lisa – Arcade Paradise

I’m a sucker for simulation games and grew up in the 80s, so I knew I’d like Arcade Paradise, but I didn’t know how much I’d love it. I had no idea doing a virtual stranger’s laundry could be so much fun or that beating someone else’s Dad could be so satisfying.

There’s so much fun to be had here. Everything has been gamified, from taking out the trash to cleaning chewing gum off surfaces. There are a ton of unique, fun games to master, a satisfying story, and did I mention everything is a game? If you haven’t tried my GOTY 2022 pick, Arcade Paradise, then you should. You won’t be disappointed.

Keiran – Elden Ring

For the past two years, I’ve used GOG Galaxy to log what games I’ve played, reviewed, and from which year they were released. That way, I don’t review something in January that was released last July and cross the years over. I add a rating from the five-star ceiling set out by GOG and move on. Only one game this year gained that five-star rating. Elden Ring is getting a lot of attention until FromSoftware decides I need to be smacked about with a new yardstick.

I’m likely not the only one giving this year’s ginormous action-RPG title its accolades. I’m probably not the only one to talk about loving the deep and rich world either. What Elden Ring did to me that week before release is what many felt with Minecraft or the release of a new GTA. I couldn’t (and still can’t) stop thinking about it and the adventures I’ll have next time in the Lands Between.

Mike – Rogue Legacy 2

My game of the year for 2022 is Rogue Legacy 2. While most games I review happen to be Roguelikes and Roguelites, my first obsession was the original Rogue Legacy. Being able to slowly raise attributes whilst learning the intricacies of the game meant I got better both in a figurative and literal sense.

Rogue Legacy 2 takes an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach and does nothing but expand and fine-tune upon the first. It retains the addictive gameplay loop and introduces an unreal amount of new content to discover. Its challenge is perfect, its grind is actually fun, and it’s the best Roguelike since Hades took the world by storm.

Samuel – Signalis

Last year my game of the year pick went to Resident Evil Village. This year I’m once again choosing a Survival Horror game that surpassed my long-awaited hype and expectations. After being won over by its demo, and then having a wonderful time with the full release, I have no qualms about naming Signalis as my 2022 game of the year.

It is an outstanding homage while simultaneously an exceptional original work. The Survival Horror genre has branched out so much since the early 2000s, and Signalis feels like a direct evolution of those games from 20+ years ago. I’m not sure I’ve played a game that feels so nostalgic while also offering a completely fresh and modern experience. If you still prefer older titles in the genre or want to experience what they were like without the limiting tech of the time, I can’t recommend this enough. It’s worth every penny and certainly your time if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Subscriber.

Taylor – Elden Ring

There are very few gaming memories that I’ve made over the years that truly felt transcendental. I’m not sure anything beats your first minutes in the Lands Between in FromSoft’s Elden Ring. The endless feeling of potential and possibility is paired eloquently with the tried-and-true Soulsbourne combat that many love and equally many despise.

Then, as if it’s looking to defy your expectations further, the map you’re getting to know expands every which way. It is boring to say that nothing is perfect, so I’ll say that Elden Ring is a perfect video game. It might not be perfect for every player, but there’s little to indicate that another game in development or releasing in 2023 will match its prowess.

Edward – Marvel Snap

I didn’t get a chance to play many AAA releases this year. The ones I played didn’t capture my attention as much as a mobile game released towards the end of the year. I’m a huge card game fan who has played pretty much every major TCG out there at some point. Because of that, Marvel Snap certainly caught me by surprise with how much fun it is.

Though the progression system is far from perfect, I found the lightning-fast matches incredibly engaging. This quick pace combined with the randomized location system makes every match feel unique. I also love that decks are full of unique cards making it easy to build a distinct strategy after acquiring just one necessary card.

Though it does take time to acquire cards, you are matched up with others who have a similar rank. This eliminates most of the pay-to-win elements that can hurt player retention. The monetization surrounds simple cosmetic alterations for your cards, and the development team is still hard at work supporting the game with new cards and features. If you have ever enjoyed Hearthstone and want a game to kill some time with, I would recommend Marvel Snap.

Matthew – Ghostwire Tokyo

While the game industry has put out a lot of interesting games this year, nothing quite stood out to me like Ghostwire: Tokyo. Traversing through a desolate and haunted Tokyo was a strange, yet beautiful experience. The combat was unique in various ways, but still familiar enough that it didn’t feel foreign.

The biggest thing that truly captured my attention was the storytelling of the game. Everything from the world lore to the dynamic between Akito and KK really immersed me into this supernatural world! I am hoping that players who haven’t experienced it will give this game a try, especially those on Xbox when Ghostwire Tokyo releases on the Series X on March 25th, 2023!

There you have it, folks! These are Phenixx Gaming’s staff picks for Game of the Year 2022! We hope you have a happy and safe New Year’s weekend. Here’s to another year of great gaming from our Phenixx Gaming family to yours!