By Andy Schneider
Another great year of gaming has come and gone, and it’s time to pick my favorites of the year. There are no right or wrong answers to these lists, as it’s all personal taste. So let’s get right to it!
Favorite Collection or Remaster: “Atari 50”
A surprise favorite of mine this year. Chronicling Atari’s history, and its place in gaming, which cannot be understated, this was brilliantly done.
It lays out the history in a timeline, ripe with interviews and pictures, not to mention tons of classic games.
Runner up: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection”
Favorite Tactics Game: “Tactics Ogre: Reborn”
Squaresoft’s remaster of a modern classic, is made even better with a redone soundtrack and a less confusing menu. Hours of fun and multiple endings, make this one for the long haul. The graphics filter wasn’t my favorite, but everything else is top-notch.
Runner up: “Marvel’s Midnight Sons”
Favorite Racing Game: “Gran Turismo 7”
The long-running series returned in stellar fashion. Great graphics, adjustable difficulty, and a bevy of great cars pull this one ahead of the pack. Not a lot of competition this year in the racing category.
Runner up: “Need for Speed Unbound”
Best Open World Game: “Elden Ring”
George R.R. Martin and From Software took the souls-type game to the next level by adding in lore and more of everything. Somewhat obtuse, but still fascinating to explore, fantasy fans are in for a treat.
Runner up: Horizon: “Forbidden West”
Favorite Beat-em Up: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge”
Tribute Games did a spectacular job bringing the heroes in a half-shell back to their side-scrolling, brawling roots. It is pure 80’s nostalgia.
Runner Up: “Jitsu Squad”
Favorite Game of the Year: “God of War: Ragnarok”
Kratos returns to Norse mythology to lay to rest his past demons. Epic in every sense of the word, but still full of heart, “God of War: Ragnarok” may be the end of the story for now but something tells me this series finds a way to continue.
Runner up: “Bayonetta 3”
Honorable Mentions: “Sonic Frontiers,” “The Quarry,” “Capcom Fighting Collection,” “Splatoon 3,” “Sifu,” “Marvel Snap,” “A Plague Tale: Requiem,” and lastly, the colon: Why are so many games using a colon in the title?