Top 10 of 2022

 Here it is.

Vampire Survivors

The internet is going crazy for this game, and while I quite enjoy it, I feel like I'm missing something.  It's too ... easy?  I did struggle with a couple spot, but the premise is "reverse bullet hell".  If you ever played R-Type or 1942, even Geometry Wars, you're constantly avoiding bullets.  This game claims you will "Be the bullet hell" ... it's neat, and I'm somewhat enthralled by it, probably because I've never played anything quite like it.  I recommend you give it a spin.  It did land on my top 10 this year so....recommend.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox Series X)

I heavily criticized Overwatch 2 for being too similar to the first game, Modern Warfare 2 is very similar to the Modern Warfare that came out in 2019, but there are a few differences that make this game worthwhile.  1.  New Maps!  Every map on release is new, the first wave of additional content is unfortunately old maps, but the new ones released has many good ones.  There only new map that is genuinely horrible is the border crossing map, but still, it's new. The rest of the package features some minor tweaks to gameplay, but you know what you're getting here and that's fine with me.  Unfortunately I haven't had my regular crew playing this game yet, but that could happen in January when things slow down a bit.  I love this game and hate it at the same time.  I have great games, I get wrecked a lot too, but I keep coming back for that fast paced frantic action.  Recommend.

Overwatch Too (Xbox Series X)

I loved the original Overwatch, so naturally, I would love Overwatch 2 right?  Unfortunately, this game is more Overwatch and little more.  You could say Call of Duty, EA Sports franchises do the same, and while I'd agree that the sports games do very little to refresh, at least a shooter like Call of Duty comes out with a new game with new maps, modes and campaign.   Overwatch 2 adds one new hero, a new map, some gameplay tweaks and little more.  This game adds a battle pass which has me missing the mystery of the loot box, I could go on but I won't bother.  If you've never played Overwatch, I absolutely recommend you try.  If you played it to death?  You won't find much new here.

Prodeus (Xbox Series X and PC via Game Pass)

I downloaded this after hearing good things about it and was initially wowed by it.  Classic FPS gameplay with modern elements. The graphics are a throwback but look really good and a soundtrack that rocks as hard as your 90's tape collection.  Unfortunately, about 2/3rds of the way through I started to feel the game was losing its appeal.  Upgrades and purchasing weapons are a grind and the enemy's become sponges.  I still saw it through, but I feel like it would have been better with a handful less levels.  Still at the end of the day I recommend, but I understand if you don't Kill 'Em All.  

Splatoon 3 (Nintendo Switch)

My son and I split on this purchase as we both played A LOT of Splatoon 2.  I jumped into campaign and really enjoyed it, but in the back of my mind I thought I should be playing multiplayer as I knew my Nintendo Switch Online was running out soon and I'd have to renew if I wanted to keep playing multi.  I couldn't pull myself away from the inventive level design of the campaign, the "one more try" challenges and the epic boss fights.   When I finished the story I had about a week left of my NSO account remaining.  I jumped into multiplayer and found it to be so strikingly similar to Splatoon 2 I fell off pretty quickly.  I didn't renew my online and the game is now sitting there unplayed.  That's not to say I don't recommend this game, I still have 20 or so hours invested and if you're new to Splat multiplayer, I think it has incredible value.  I'm just done with the formula to the point I'm not willing to pay $40 more to keep playing.  Recommend.

TMNT Shredders Revenge (Xbox Series X via Game Pass)

This game received a lot of critical acclaim and while I did enjoy my time with it, I found it rather forgettable.  Even after getting through 80% of the campaign I put it aside and completely forgot to finish it until I was looking through my game history.  I did eventually finish it off, but ultimately I think I played this under the wrong conditions...alone.  I think in a group it would be fun, but my kids are conditioned to only play competitive multiplayer, so they had no interest.  The games well done and well worth playing on game pass, but likely not something you need to go spend real money on.  Pass.