10 Biggest Video Game Surprises Of 2022 (So Far)
Evil Dead fans are eating VERY well.
We all know that by the end of the year, not only will Elden Ring be crowned game of the decade, but it will likely go on to be known as one of the greatest of our time.
However, this doesn’t mean that the whole year has to be defined by one game, as there have been a variety of solid and sleeper titles that were equally good as they were surprising in both their quality and popularity.
Some of these games are small indie titles that, while not on the same level as big AAA projects budget-wise, still impress with their vision, scope, and capacity to tell a compelling narrative.
Other games did not look like anything worthwhile in the trailers and gameplay previews. However, even with these low expectations from fans, they still managed to release to critical acclaim, achieved everything they set out to do, and have become the closest thing Elden Ring has to call competition.
There’s a lot to explore in 2022, and these are just a handful of the surprises we got.
10. Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
‘Chaos-killing simulator’ is just one of the many ways gamers have described the latest Final Fantasy spin-off, usually in a negative light.
While it is true that the story is far from the best we’ve gotten in the franchise (particularly with its obsession with Chaos), focusing on just that does a disservice to the gameplay, which is some of the tightest we've gotten from Final Fantasy.
This game was developed by the same team who created both Nioh titles, and it shows. Exploring Crystal Tower feels like running across Anor Londo in Dark Souls with its intricate level design, and the amount of loot to find in each stage ensures each area sticks with you.
Combat is also hugely satisfying, with each hit and movement having some actual weight to it. It's especially enjoyable when playing with friends in three-player co-op, which brings an entirely new layer to each encounter.
That’s not to say the game doesn’t have issues. An overabundance of loot can be a problem alongside the repetitive nature of level design, but as a whole, FF Origins was a lot better than many of us expected it to be.