As you can see, I’ve managed to finish a wide variety of games. So without further ado, let’s get into the awards!

Best Audio – The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me

Audio might not be the most important aspect for many people when it comes to games, but it’s quite frequently the most under-appreciated feature. It’s in horror games where it’s often the most pivotal – where creating an oppressive and sinister atmosphere is key. While plenty of other games have had excellent audio design in 2022, for me The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me takes the crown. It excelled in crafting an ominous and anxiety-inducing setting in the recreation of the famed murder hotel. I was on edge throughout.

Other Nominees:

• The Quarry
• Ghostwire: Tokyo
• The Callisto Protocol
• Horizon Forbidden West
• The Last of Us Part 1

Best Visuals/Art Style – Horizon Forbidden West

Perhaps the easiest decision in these awards – Horizon Forbidden West had the most impressive visuals of the year by far. Despite being a cross-gen title, it blew everything else out of the water. I haven’t used photo-mode as much as I did while playing this game. From the gorgeous, rolling plains, to snowy mountains and lush, vibrant colours – The world and scenery was heaven to explore. Not to mention the incredibly expressive face animations and intricate robotic designs. There’s never a bad visual moment in this game. Simply stunning.

Other Nominees:

• God of War Ragnarok
• A Plague Tale: Requiem
• The Quarry
• The Callisto Protocol
• Stray
• The Last of Us Part 1
• Scorn

Best Narrative – A Plague Tale: Requiem

Back to the tough choices. There have been so many memorable stories told in 2022; as always, video games continue to arguably the best medium for it. This was a very difficult decision, but A Plague Tale: Requiem had the standout narrative of the year. Continuing Hugo and Amecia’s journey was filled with highs, lows, gut-wrenching moments, and thrilling escapades. The devs knocked it out of the park and gave everything you’d want out of a sequel. What a game!

Other Nominees:

• Elden Ring
• The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe
• Triangle Strategy
• God of War Ragnarok
• The Quarry
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Best Music – Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Music has always been a key part of games for me. It helps with storytelling as well as setting atmosphere and hyping you up in battles. Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s music does this all with ease. I knew going in that it was going to be an emotional journey with breathtaking music…I wasn’t disappointed. Every track is a treat for the ears.

Other Nominees:

• Elden Ring
• Triangle Strategy
• A Plague Tale: Requiem
• Digimon Survive
• Pokemon Legends Arceus
• Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
• God of War Ragnarok

Best Indie Game – The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe

Although this game has been out for years, it finally came to consoles in 2022, with extra content, and I had never played it before. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of the most memorable, unique, and laugh out loud hilarious games I’ve ever experienced. The sheer number of possible outcomes and deviations in how each run can play out, it’s just brilliant. The writing is so smart and self-aware. I cannot recommend this enough to everyone – definitely the best indie game of 2022 for me.

Other Nominees:

• Tinykin
• A Memoir Blue
• Stray
• Vampire Survivors
• Cult of the Lamb

Best Combat – Elden Ring

Combat is central to FromSoftware’s titles. If it wasn’t well designed, the game would fall apart. Elden Ring nails its combat, as if there was any doubt of the fact. With an enormous amount of weapons, magic, armour, summons, etc, the sheer volume of possible builds makes the game incredibly engrossing to play. Don’t worry, you’ll find a build that perfectly suits your preferred play style. The combat itself is so robust that it makes fighting the numerous enemies and intricately designed bosses captivating, even through the multiple attempts you’ll likely be forced to endure.

Other Nominees:

• Evil West
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3
• Triangle Strategy
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Sifu
• Vampire Survivors
• Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Best RPG – Xenoblade Chronicles 3

While Xenoblade Chronicles 3 does not best the phenomenal prior game, it’s still an amazing RPG. It has a huge variety in how you customise your party, backed up with mesmerising music and an emotional narrative filled with excellent characters. I adored every moment of this game and it proves Monolith Soft is easily Nintendo’s best developer currently.

Other Nominees:

• Elden Ring
• Triangle Strategy
• The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero
• Pokemon Legends Arceus
• Pokemon Violet/Scarlet
• Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Best Action/Adventure – Horizon Forbidden West

I might be in the minority, but Horizon Forbidden West is a spectacular game. It does so much to improve upon its predecessor, from the significant leap in visuals, to the improvements to traversal, including underwater mechanics. God of War on the other hand did very little as a sequel and was hampered with glaring pacing issues at times, despite being an amazing game still. But Horizon just did so much more and was a much more rounded experience. While A Plague Tale trumps it in story, Horizon does other things better. I cannot wait for the upcoming expansion and PSVR2 title!

Other nominees:

• A Plague Tale: Requiem
• God of War Ragnarok
• Evil West

Most Anticipated Game – Hogwarts Legacy

Anyone who knows me even vaguely would have known that Hogwarts Legacy is my most anticipated title by a mile. I’ve wanted a game like this for a ridiculous amount of time and everything we’ve seen so far looks incredible and jaw-dropping. But there are just so many amazing looking games coming out this year that makes me fully believe 2023 is going to be one of the best years for gaming. No exaggeration!

Other Nominees:

• Final Fantasy XVI
• Starfield
• Horizon: Call of the Mountain
• Octopath Traveller 2
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

Game of the Year – Xenoblade Chronicles 3

One of the toughest choices for GOTY in years for me. But in the end, it could only be Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Sorry Elden Ring, but while great, you just didn’t live up to the hype and the open world held you back from being amazing. What else can I say about Xenoblade other than it’s a masterpiece with a captivating narrative that will leave you in tears by the end. With the best combat in the series and some new features that were so good at adding more dynamics to encounters. Not to mention the unforgettable score. It’s a fully deserving Game of the Year for 2022.

Other Nominees:

• Horizon Forbidden West
• The Quarry
• Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe
• Stray
• God of War Ragnarok
• Elden Ring
• Triangle Strategy
• A Plague Tale: Requiem

Phew! Those were some incredibly difficult choices to make, but I’m happy with the eventual outcomes. Thank you so much for reading and let me know your thoughts in the comments and what your choices would be?

Until next time…