Later than planned with this, mostly because I was having trouble finding 10 games I wanted to play this year. The struggle is real.
From the 2021 plan I only managed to complete 3 of the games. I did at least play Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but it was terrible so I gave that one up. For the 2022 list I’m going to keep Myst III Exile and The Last Express on there for another year, but I’m parking the others.
Super Metroid and Call of Cthulhu can just return to the backlog. Hollow Knight: Silksong seems to be never coming out, but if it does I’ll want to play it immediately anyway. Finally, I did almost get to StarCraft: Legacy of the Void, then the ongoing and awful revelations about Blizzard Activision as a company left me feeling unable to buy or play their games.
Before we get to the new playlist for 2022 though, time for a quick look back at the highlights from 2021.
Top 5 played in 2021
1. Forza Horizon 5 – Xbox Series S / PC
No surprises here, could have almost called this a year in advance. The series just keeps getting better in my opinion. At some point I need to update my All-Time Top 5 Racing Games list, although I’d probably just lump all the Forza Horizon games together at the top.
Best way to get this is still to buy GamePass*
2. Bravely Default 2 – Switch
Forza Horizon may have been a given, but I did not see this one coming (or its friend lower down). I think it turned up at the right time, and playing alongside my ex-wife to compare progress with no doubt helped, but I had a great time with this.
At time of writing you can still get it with the stickers and things* from Amazon like I did too.
3. Marvel’s Miles Morales – PS5
I think I enjoyed this more than the main Spider-Man game. Granted it is much shorter, but also had a lot less of the open-world ‘busy work’ that I find tedious. Also helped that it’s all set in a snowy December. Probably the first time I’ve really been impressed by ray-tracing, the night levels look great.
This* is the edition I picked up, it’s a bit more expensive than I found it for on eBay though.
4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps – Xbox Series S
As disappointed as I was that the Hollow Knight sequel, Silksong, didn’t come out in 2021 for me to play, this was a worthy alternative. The original Ori didn’t quite make my Top 5 Metroidvania games, but it was a near miss. I think the Will of the Wisps is a better game than the original, I’d still suggest playing them both in order though. Excellent and I was delighted / surprised that my Xbox Series S was able to play it in 4K at 60fps. Lovely.
As I played on the Series S, there is no point linking a physical copy to buy. Think I played on GamePass anyway. You can pick it up here* on Switch though, and Metroidvanias are always a good fit for that.
5. Octopath Traveller – Switch
The second JRPG I completed last year, and caused me to update my All-Time Top 5 JRPG list too. I don’t think it’s as good a game as Bravely Default 2, but the art style is fun and there are a lot of good gameplay mechanics to it.
Realising two of the best games I played in 2021 were JRPGs, I’ve put another two on my list for 2022. Whether I play them both partly depends on convincing my ex-wife to join in too.
Sometimes difficult to find in stock this one, if Amazon have it, it’ll be here*. I ended up buying it digitally anyway when I couldn’t get a physical edition.
Also ran:
Control: Ultimate Edition – PS5
I almost let this pass me by but I’m glad I gave it a go. Sort of X-Files the action videogame, I enjoyed Control quite a bit. Very much liked the various nods towards Alan Wake too.
This* is the edition I played. I had it free with PS Plus though, so check you don’t already own it before you buy.
10 games for 2022
1. The Last Express – PC
Last time I’m allowing myself to keep this on the list. If I don’t get round to it this year it goes “back on the shelf”.
2. Myst III: Exile – PC
The other game I’m taking forward, I do still intend to progress my way through all these. However long it takes. I did dabble a bit last year with the MYST remake on PC and Xbox but it had a few stability issues that I hope will be fixed with updates.
3. Final Fantasy VII Remake – PS5
I did suggest I’d consider this one when I updated the All-Time Top 5 JRPG list. Sony gave the PS4 edition away free with PS Plus a while back, but it was exempt from a free upgrade to PS5. However, over Christmas they relaxed that and I was then able to upgrade for free, so I thought I’d give it a go.
The PS5 edition is available here on Amazon*, if you missed it on PS Plus.
4. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon – Switch
In the continued absence of Silksong, I wanted a Metroidvania for the list. Since I’ve banished Super Metroid back to the backlog, I thought I’d try to make an effort to play the Gameboy Advance games I never finished. I’ll play them on the recent compilation for the Switch, starting with Circle of the Moon and see how I get on.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy – PS5
Haven’t bought this yet but I intend to pick it up early 2022. I’ve heard lots of good things and I am a fan of the characters.
Available here* but at time of writing it’s back at full price. Has been discounted a few times already so I expect to pay no more than £35.
6. Tales of Arise – PS5
Another I haven’t bought yet but I do want to play. I think my successfully playing this may be dependent on convincing my ex-wife to play too, so fingers crossed.
Available here*
7. Discworld – Sega Saturn
Haven’t played anything through fully on my Saturn for a while, and I had been thinking of replaying this game too. I’ll pop it on this list, it’ll be a good excuse to get the Saturn Mouse out.
8. Command & Conquer Remastered – PC
I did get part way through the GDI campaign on this and get stuck. However I’d like to go back and finish that as well as play through the NOD one. Seems I should have an RTS on this list and since I’ve abandoned StarCraft now is the time.
9. Doom Eternal – PC
Almost forgot this existed, still haven’t got round to playing. I think I will play this year but I’m not completely set on what platform. Too much choice. I’ve set it for PC for now, but may change it up during the year.
10. Uncharted 4 – PS4
Another one I forgot I never played… Happy to put this on the list as I think it should be nice on the PS5.
2022 releases I’m looking forward too
God of War: Ragnarok – PS5
Can see this getting delayed again, but I’m keen to play it if it does come out. The first game was great.
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
Again, loved the first game so was pleased to hear we were getting another. Not sure what platform I’ll play it on yet. Think the first one was on GamePass.
*these are affiliate links, I’ll get a small commission if you buy something.
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