THE TWENTY TOP VIDEO GAMES THUS FAR IN 2023
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Which games throughout the first half of the year most impressed expert reviewers?
The videogames with the best Metascore ratings between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022 are ranked above.
To be included, games must have at least 7 reviews from qualified reviewers.
Be aware that...
If a game was released on numerous platforms, we only included the version with the most reviews overall (usually, but not always, the PS5 or PS4 version).
Unless they differ significantly from the preceding release(s), multi-game compilations and recently published ports of games released in past years on other platforms are not included (for example, an HD remaster of a previous-gen game that also adds some new content).
DLC is also not included.
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The best video games of 2022, so far
- NBA 2K23 Image: Visual Concepts/2K Sports ...
- Tinykin Image: Splashteam/tinyBuild ...
- Disney Dreamlight Valley Image: Gameloft ...
- Rollerdrome Image: Roll7/Private Division, Take-Two Interactive ...
- Cult of the Lamb Image: Massive Monster/Devolver Digital via Polygon
Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a job that's definitely worth taking on since it's a rewarding disassembly sim wrapped in sharp workplace criticism.
A PC gamer
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The makers of the Homeworld series have created the PC-only space salvage simulation Hardspace: Shipbreaker.
A campaign option introduces some narrative components to tie your missions together as you complete a succession of zero-gravity recovery operations, each of which presents a different problem to solve.
Dismantling space trash may be quite calming, provided your spatial awareness abilities are equal to the task.
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Book II, which debuted in March for the PlayStation VR add-on, is a direct sequel to the VR adventure Moss from 2018. (which scored slightly higher).
The more recent game, which is still a single-player puzzle-adventure, continues the tale of the brave mouse Quill, who must defeat foes and work out riddles while exploring a haunted castle in a fantasy setting.
Moss: Book 2 develops in every manner on the first book to produce a unique experience.
The world is wider and more beautiful than ever, and it may be revisited and explored with new instruments for purposes that are even more ambitious.
Combat and puzzles are more diverse and intriguing thanks to new adversaries, weapons, and skills, but most importantly, it tells yet another breathtaking story with the lovable Quill by your side.
It's unquestionably among the greatest PSVRs.
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The most recent Pokémon game from Game Freak, which debuted in January as a Switch-only release, serves as a prequel to Diamond/Pearl.
Arceus, however, differs from previous titles and other major Pokémon games in that it incorporates action into the RPG gameplay.
To finish the Hisui region's first Pokédex, you'll travel around Sinnoh in the distant past when Pokémon Trainers weren't yet a thing, Poké Balls were still rudimentary, and confronting wild Pokémon was riskier and perhaps fatal.
The new fighting system's increasing complexity and formulaic shift largely impressed the critics.
With its novel game mechanics and features, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is one of the series' most inventive games in a long time.
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This little independent puzzle game, which was released in January, places you in charge of a plant shop in a cute little hamlet.
You will become involved in a long-standing mysterious mystery as you search the areas around your store for fresh specimens to add to your collection.
Although the mood is generally soothing, there are occasions when the puzzles might be challenging.
You can pet the cat, of course.
I enjoyed Strange Horticulture, to be honest.
It has a really rewarding cycle of gathering, categorising, and puzzle-solving.
—Video Games and Technology
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The triangle in the turn-based tactical RPG by Square Enix, which was created by one of Octopath Traveler's producers:
On the fictitious continent of Norzelia, where essential commodities like salt and iron have become scarce, the story takes place during a complex struggle between three nations.
Your choices will have an influence on how the game unfolds, including which of the several locations you play in. The visuals are also distinctively designed, fusing HD 3D backdrops with 2D pixel art figures.
Uncertain if the game is right for you?
You may play through the first three chapters of the sample for free.
Triangle Strategy is an outstanding treasure that so far, with thrilling combat, a gripping tale, superb world-building, and unique decisions with real weight and repercussions.
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This crowdfunded 2D action-adventure platformer is the work of independent developer Berzerk Studio and casts you as Alcedor, a knight whose hamlet is overrun by monsters and evil sorcery.
As the game goes on, you'll have the ability to give your knight greater equipment, but your decisions will have an impact (and trigger different endings).
"Infernax is a fantastic blend of current narrative design and nostalgic pixel visuals that never fails to delight."
—
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OlliOlli Universe, the third instalment in Roll7's well-liked skateboarding/platformer series, converts the 2D side-scrolling action into a completely 3D world with even cuter, sillier, and more distinctive aesthetics.
Use any available surface to hone your skating talents since the world is your playground. In this case, that playground is the vast, kaleidoscopic Radlandia.
You may play at your own speed and level of difficulty thanks to a number of gaming options, such as sandbox and online competitive multiplayer.
"OlliOlli World finally sees the visual aesthetic of the series meet its frantic, enjoyable gameplay.
Almost all of Roll7's new additions are beneficial, resulting in a gratifying and amazingly complex skating game with a tonne of replay value, loads of customising choices, and a fun multiplayer mode.
Play Revolution
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A continuation of the Japanese sci-fi mystery adventure from 2019
AI: Nirvan and The Somnium Files
The protagonist in A Initiative, which takes place six years later, is the protagonist's daughter.
However, she too is required to look into a string of homicides as a member of the Advanced Brain Investigation Squad, a covert police unit. The investigation begins with the finding of a body that has been cut in two.
Additionally, she and her colleague, a recent ABIS hire, have two useful tools at their disposal: an AI assistant named Aiba and the capacity to enter a dream world (the "Somnium") in order to extract memories from reluctant witnesses.
Have you completed the new game yet?
Don't forget to look for the hidden conclusion.
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For the first time in the main series, Kirby appears in a completely 3D environment in HAL Labs' most recent Kirby game.
The end product is one of the greatest Kirby games to date and a significant upgrade over the last main series Switch release.
The transition to 3D opened up a whole new world of possibilities that the level designers never fail to capture and fully explore. At its core, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is classic Kirby, with the playful attitude and handy abilities that have long defined the series and a few new ideas thrown into the mix.
Even though it took a while, Kirby's first serious excursion into three dimensions is a complete thrill.
—Shindig
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Powerful turtles, certainly.
Shredder's Revenge is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up that might be the best videogame spinoff from the enduring comic book/cartoon/movie franchise. It features retro-styled pixel graphics and original music from artists like Ghostface Killah and Mike Patton (among others), and it was created by some of the team behind cult favourite Scott Pilgrim vs The World.
(Over the past three decades, there have been many TMNT games, but none have received a better rating.)
Along with the four turtles, April O'Neil, Splinter, and Casey Jones are also playable characters.
Grab some pals and some pizza:
For up to four players, Shredder offers cooperative multiplayer (or six on PC).
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Total War: Warhammer III is the third collaboration between Creative Assembly's Total War strategy game and Games Workshop's Warhammer fantasy series, following two earlier releases in 2016 and 2017 that were both well regarded by reviewers.
As a result, Total War's signature blend of real-time tactical warfare and turn-based strategy will be present within the Warhammer universe once more (here, specifically, in a larger-than-ever area ranging from the Lands of the East to the Realms of Chaos).
There are nine playable Legendary Lords available, including the Daemon Prince, among the playable races, which also include the Tzeentch, Nurgle, Slaanesh, Kislev, and Grand Cathay.
There are many other single- and multi-player modes, including massive new "Survival" conflicts that are inspired by tower-defense games.
Warhammer is a must-play for all strategy game lovers.
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Tunic, an isometric action-adventure game with Zelda influences mostly created by Andrew Shouldice, places you in the role of an intrepid fox in a mystery country.
You'll face off against both tiny and enormous adversaries, gather artefacts, and solve a variety of riddles as you look for a mythical treasure in a weird and colourful environment.
There is a handbook to serve as direction, but many of its pages are missing; you will need to piece together information as you go to determine exactly what you should be doing.
Tunic was released in March for computers and Xbox gaming systems. It will be available for PlayStation in September.
"Tunic is an incredible accomplishment that embodies the best of nostalgia while being utterly new.
It's unquestionably a must-play treasure.
via Game Informer
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The highest-rated Gran Turismo game since Gran Turismo 4 in 2005, GT7 is also the first numbered Gran Turismo game in almost a decade and the first PlayStation 5 version in the series.
The microtransactions in GT7 were undoubtedly disliked by players, but critics lauded the racing game's rich content, superb driving controls, and breathtaking graphics.
"Gran Turismo fans should be aware of what to expect with each new release, and Gran Turismo 7 is by far the greatest entry in the series to date.
Long-time GT fans, casual gamers, and auto fanatics will all have something to do with the sheer volume of material and game modes, and the online and social aspects should keep the community active and the racing going.
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The first instalment of Guerrilla Games' acclaimed 2017 open-world action-RPG Horizon Zero Dawn is a PlayStation exclusive that has received positive reviews from both players and reviewers.
Once again, a post-apocalyptic future western United States is the scenario, and there are numerous new, terrifying mechanical monsters in this game.
You'll once more take on the role of the primitive huntress Aloy (again voiced by Ashly Burch) as you explore the west, which is presently thought to be affected by a weird crimson blight and weather abnormalities.
There are locations from Utah to the ruins of San Francisco, as well as an underwater region that may be explored (with Aloy now able to swim beneath the surface).
Angela Bassett is another member of the voice cast, appearing as a
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This even better follow-up to the original Rogue Legacy, developed by Cellar Door Games, is yet another "roguelite" platformer.
The gameplay of Rogue Legacy 2 is similar and is only available on Microsoft platforms. It involves exploring randomly generated dungeons.
You start again as a different character—one of your heirs—when you die (and you will), but you keep whatever advancements you made along the way, giving each next generation a better shot at success.
The sequel has all-new 2.5D visuals, 15 new character classes to pick from (each plays somewhat differently), and the ability to assemble potent artefacts.
Rogue Legacy 2 is not only a fantastic sequel but also one of the best rogue-lites we've ever played, having been improved in every way.
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The debut game from independent company Geography of Robots is a Southern Gothic (with a tinge of sci-fi) point-and-click adventure set in suburban southern Louisiana, home to oil refineries, swamps, and strip malls, and has received accolades for its aesthetic and narrative skill.
There, your character is involved in a gradually deepening mystery that begins with your brother's disappearance.
The very creative (and often bizarre) plot is revealed through text that is complemented by moody pixel art pictures and an electronic accompaniment on occasion.
"Norco is a stronghold of exquisitely vivid narrative that begs every player to seek solace in its universe on a good day.
On a bad day, it is a chilling, loving portrayal of a contemporary dystopia that cuts deep.
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The most recent critically acclaimed book from independent publisher Annapurna Interactive was written by Ryann Shannon, who also contributed to the OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes cartoon on Cartoon Network.
The action game's focus on speed combines shooting and parkour with flair to spare and breaks for a visual novel plot that depicts you as an assassin from Hell who wants a shot at atonement (and a passage to Heaven) by engaging in combat with other demon slayers.
"Neon White is a love letter to internet freaks from the turn of the millennium.
It is jam-packed with ear-splitting electronic music, rule-of-cool nostalgia for anime, and dialogue that was taken directly from my group chats.
It's a genuine game made for an audience rarely prioritised, but even if you don't fit the archetypical person this game was made for, you're still in for the.jpg)
It's unusual for us to include a game in which player reviews have been integrated into the game itself, but that's the case with this latest iteration of an existentialist adventure set in an office where everyone save your character, Stanley, has mysteriously disappeared.
A mystery indie game called The Stanley Parable, which was actually a stand-alone version of a Half-Life 2 mod made in 2011 by a 22-year-old gamer-turned-developer, swiftly gained popularity among both players and reviewers more than ten years ago.
A new version of the game was released this year that not only expands the game with additional material, new endings, and a bucket but also brings Stanley to consoles for the first time and improves the aesthetics to contemporary standards.
The Stanley Paradox: Extreme
Elden Ring
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Wasn't the February release of the 2022 Game of the Year?
No game launched in the following weeks has undoubtedly received as much praise as Elden Ring, a brand-new IP created by a partnership between Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin and game designer Hidetaka Miyazaki (of the famed Souls series).
Their action/RPG has a fantasy plot that revolves on an all-powerful ring that, in the game's present, has long since been broken into shards, albeit the shards are still potent enough to corrupt anybody who owns one. The action/RPG is situated in a wide and lavishly drawn open world.
You take on the role of an exile (one of the "Tarnished") who wants to go back to the Lands Between to find
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