5 Games That Could Win GOTY 2022

What a thrilling year 2022 has been for gamers. In the last several years, it appears like video game developers and publishers have been striving to stand out and offer something new. At the same time, they're also testing the limits of what top-of-the-line consoles and PCs can do in terms of performance. It really is an ideal match when it comes to gaming and as result has granted us some amazing titles this year. Some of these titles have already been released and are solid contenders for Game of the Year (GOTY).

On the other hand, there are a couple of other titles that are yet to release and will make for worthy contenders to the games leading the race. It has been quite a year already, and we're not even one-third of the way through it. With it so far, it has brought us some potential GOTY candidates, with more to come. Curious to find out who we think are the five games that could win GOTY?  In this list, we've broken down just why they might achieve it.

5. Pokémon Legends: Arceus

There was no hesitation for Game Freak to get its highly anticipated Pokémon Legends: Arceus out to gamers right in the first month of 2022. It brought us the first-ever true open-world Pokémon game and did it in a spectacular fashion. Firstly by the addition of a ton of new Pokémon for fans to find. Pokémon is an adventure, that works off the rush of finding and capturing new Pokémon and these new inclusions made that experience much more genuine.

To go with that, it also delivered on the narrative front. Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured an engrossing and inspiring narrative of a genuine underdog story. You really got dropped into a new Pokémon world one you haven't experienced before. That's also because Pokémon and people don't live in harmony in this installment. This was a unique plot for a Pokémon game, and it was accomplished with a high degree of storytelling and fresh content. Making for one of the best Pokémon titles we've had in decades, and one of the best games of 2022, a potential GOTY.

4. Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West was the highly anticipated follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn. The game held some of the biggest anticipation going into 2022 and it didn't let down. The continuation of Aloy's quest to preserve the human species from extinction at the hands of a wild-animal robot-like race was again a riveting journey. Except for this time, it went all-in on nearly every facet of the game, resulting in a really well-rounded title.

In comparison to its competitors, Horizon Forbidden West's well-designed scenery is unquestionably the best. Combined with its flashy style of gameplay, Forbidden West really was a stunning game from start to finish. Its argument for GOTY will undoubtedly hinge on its ability to immerse you into the game's world, and it's making a strong case for it. It is without a doubt one of the best action-adventure games to be released in 2022, and it will surely be a contender for GOTY.

3. Gotham Knights

Remember Batman: Arkham Origins? Well, its developer WB Games Montreal, is back again with another rendition called Gotham Knights.  Set to release on October 25th, 2022, the game could be a late addition to the year and just slide in as a possible GOTY candidate. We do know that if Gotham Knights is anything similar to WB Games Montreal's former titles, it surely will be a candidate. And with Gotham Knights being an action-adventure RPG, it could give Horizon Forbidden West a run for its money.

Anything set in the crime capital city that is Gotham allows developers the chance to create a truly encapsulating atmosphere. However, this time around the death of Batman offers up a lot of options for how harsh Gotham is going to get. That leaves you to play a list of other DC superheroes now in charge of controlling Gotham's streets. So far, we do know that Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Red Hood are all a part of the list, but there is more to come. With that, there is still so little we know about the game, it could really come as a surprise late in the year and snag the GOTY.

2. God of War Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok is the follow-up to its previous title, God of War in 2018. The original God of War was a great mix of high-action gameplay, with the emotional narrative of a boy and his father. It was so well-done that it won GOTY in 2018, prompting us to wonder if Ragnarok can achieve the same. We do know that the plot further develops on the story of Kratos and his god-like son Atreus. Which worked well as an emotional story the first time around, and I expect it will give a similar, if not better, story this time.

God of War Ragnarok will definitely need to deliver on this front if it's competing with other impressive action-adventures story games mentioned in this list. I have no doubt that the game will deliver on the gameplay front, since the pairing of Kratos and Atreus just opens up an array of unique and entertaining gameplay mechanics. If Santa Monica Studios can deliver both of these feats in a spectacular manner, it may become the first studio to win GOTY in back-to-back titles.

1. Elden Ring

Just one look at Eldens Ring reviews and you can tell it's making a solid argument for being GOTY. I have yet to find a review to rate the game lower than a ninety percent grade score or have anything alarmingly bad to say about its story or gameplay. I've discovered plenty of performance difficulties, which I personally experienced while playing, but other than that, the game is flawless in every way.

To begin with, it's telling one of the most detailed and comprehensive storylines we've ever seen in a game. It's actually so well thought out that it's a little overwhelming since there's so much to digest. I'm sure any hardcore or gamer, in general, won't be complaining about that. With that, an RPG has never felt more in tune as the character customization is thorough and really open to the player. This just adds to the immersion that is brought on by the story.

That is unless you're like me and made your character look like something out of a cartoon. Then, that maybe knocks some immersion in cutscenes but always gives me a laugh. If I had to choose one game to win GOTY, Elden Ring is my undisputed choice.

So which game do you think will win GOTY? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

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