The Most Memorable Video Games of 2022: From Marvel Snap to The Last of Us Part II

It's been a wild ride for the video game industry in 2022. From the ongoing labor movement to the massive consolidation of studios and publishers, there's been no shortage of twists and turns. And let's not forget about the rise of subscription services, the blurring line between games and other forms of entertainment, and the occasional leak of the next big blockbuster.

But through it all, some standout games have emerged as the most memorable of the year. And while they may not necessarily be the "best" games, they each represent a significant storyline or emerging trend.

First up, we have Marvel Snap and Diablo Immortal, two mobile games that made headlines for very different reasons. Marvel Snap, which was released in October, was near-universally praised for its slick and strategic play, while Diablo Immortal was criticized for its "pay-to-win" microtransactions that had players feeling like they were being taken advantage of. It just goes to show that players will happily pay for things in a free-to-play game if they feel like they're being treated fairly.

Image Source: The Verge

Then there's Stray, a short adventure game about a cat finding its way home through a cyberpunk city. It's not quite a massive open world, but it's getting close and shows that the line between indie and blockbuster is becoming increasingly blurry. Modern game-making tools have made it possible for small teams to create large, realistic worlds that can go toe-to-toe with the big studios.

Ghostwire: Tokyo is another standout game of the year, offering a refreshing change of pace from the live-service titles and sprawling open worlds that dominate the blockbuster gaming space. It's a straightforward action experience, finely tuned to be what it is without unnecessary frills, but still rendered with the care and polish of a big-budget release.

Image Source: The Verge

But it's not just new releases that made a splash in 2022. Dwarf Fortress, which was first released in 2006, received a big update this year and a wider release on Steam and Itch. It blew through sales estimates and its creators have plans to keep the world updated and alive for a very long time. This makes it a "forever" game, an experience that's so engrossing and well-maintained that you could conceivably play nothing else and still be satisfied.

Elden Ring also made waves in 2022 with its player-guided stories, allowing players to shape the narrative through their choices. And then there's Among Us, which became a viral hit on Twitch and other streaming platforms.

Last but certainly not least, we have The Last of Us Part II, the highly anticipated sequel that was released in May. It received widespread acclaim for its storytelling, character development, and gameplay mechanics, though it also sparked controversy for its depiction of violence and handling of LGBTQ+ themes. Showrunner Craig Mazin even called it "the greatest story that has ever been told in video games."

Overall, 2022 has been a year to remember for the video game industry, and these standout games are just a small sampling of the many memorable experiences it has had to offer.