Happy New Year, guys💚

Best of 2022, or at least what concerns geek culture. Games, movies, TV shows, and you guys. Thanks for being there supporting me in my failed relationships and what not. Commenting on my awards. But most importantly: continue to be a safe/loving place.

#1 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Super Paper Mario. Hopefully by next year or the next I'll be dropping the 'retro' from my awards as those older games in the backlog would have been beaten. Sorry for the spam this December.

#2 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: final results to be announced tomorrow. Which ended up being my Retro GOTY this year? Child of Light or Super Paper Mario? Both excellent games in their own right. Every game beaten in 2022 in the comments:

#3 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Persona 3 Dancing in Moonlight (Vita). The closest to a remake, in terms of audio visual aspects, that is. Yet another new genre for me and what best to try it out with a game from my favorite series? Splendid

#4 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's Edge. Not the game most wanted or enjoyed. Totally understandable. As for me, I found the changes refreshing and worthy of the series. Hard, thrilling, and satisfying. Ryu is wonderful.

#5 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Halo Reach (360). I didn't play the 3rd and beyond because I haven't played Halo 2. However, Reach made me feel just like the first game in the series did: happy to have experienced such a high quality game.

#6 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed (Vita). Racing games are always fun if done right, and this Sega Mario Kart does everything right, + Vyse from Skies of Arcadia. Fun is guaranteed here. Racing for the ages

A bit blurry but oh well. Just wanted to stop by and wisj you all Merry Christmas, guys. Eat healthy, enjoy your time, and make the best of these mini vacations if you happen to have those. Gonna play on my loyal companion a little bit of SteamWorld Dig 2

#7 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Hyrule Warriors Legends (3DS). A new genre for me, this musuo has it all to keep me playing: killer soundtrack, addictive gameplay, and an interesting mix of The Legend of Zelda characters that works wonders.

#8 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Gears of War 2 (360). Making me love my time with a genre I don't care much about is commendable. Gears 2 is already of the best sequels I have played, alongside Resident Evil 2, and God of War 2. That's a win

#9 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Odin Sphere Leifthrasir (Vita). The 2007 original was already a showcase of creativity and beauty, and this 2016 remake only expands upon that to great results. Better gameplay, cooking, and Vita portability.

#10 of my Top 10 Games played in 2022 goes to: Final Fantasy 4 Remake (DS). At first I found it a little slow but that soon lifted as the essence of this timeless classic is transferred beautifully to 3D, and with voice acting that amplifies its story.

Best of 2022 recap: Movies. Quick thoughts on top 3. 3) Flux Gourmet shows how some bosses kill creativity among their employees. 2) Turning Red used menstruation as a plot device for an animated film? Sold. 1) This is already of the best of the decade.

Best moment in real life thanks to video games for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: two of my friends opening a mini arcade & game store. This kind of businesses are famous in South America, and to see them return, plus my friends opening one was great.

Best ending for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: Epic Mickey. Despite its flaws, this ending felt like one from the numbered Kingdom Herts games: totally worth it. Runner up: Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's Edge. Nominees in the comments:

Best replay for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: Castlevania Circle of the Moon. I don't care if it's no longer canon, this is a Castlevania gem through and through. Also, best sound design goes to: Gears of War 2. Runner up: Grim Fandango. Nominees:

Best final boss for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: RAAM (Gears of War). Visual elements beautifully made this encounter truly climatic. Like: "I'm gonna kill you mother..." Kind of thing. Runner up: Kayako (Ju On The Grudge). Her encounters were 10/10

Best song for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: Final Fantasy 6 Pixel Remaster. So glad they decided to give a voice over for the opera scene, and in many languages. Runner up: Persona 3 Dancing in Moonlight. One can't go wrong with Lotus Juice. Nominees

Best voice acting for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: Grim Fandango. English, Spanish, some French, and poetry? I'm game. Runner up: Persona 3 Dancing in Moonlight. Most of the voice actors returned for a hell of a good time. Nominees in the comments:

Best theme for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: One Persons Trash (Shovel Knight Dig). Losing in that stage wasn't bad due to this very track. Runner up: Light Carrier (Alone in the Dark 2008). Descending to hell to defeat Lucifer was poetic. Nominees:

Best gameplay for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: Child of Light. That intuitive platforming and combat mechanics are second to none. Runner up: Super Paper Mario. Nominees in the comments:

Best moment for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: Ryu & Canna from Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's Edge. His character development was great, and their interactions greater still. Runner up: Numb from Linkin Park (Just Dance 2023). A superb dance. Nominees below:

Best of 2022 recap: TV Shows. Quick thoughts on top 3. Blackbird is a crime drama that doesn't romanticize its villain. The Sandman is a a good use of mythology. Finally, Euphoria continues to showcase what society doesn't want to face, and that's great.

Best surprise for my Retro GOTY Awards 2022 goes to: Super Paper Mario. Each world and chapter offers something new + that star power. Runner up: Ju On The Grudge. It's good to see a game based on a movie that plays well. Nominees in the comments: