Brent’s Top 5 Games of 2022

Number 5

The Gunk

What started out as a quirky but hopefully interesting action adventure game, quickly fell flat for me.

A galaxy hopping salvage team sets down on an unknown planet in the hopes of finding fame and fortune. But instead they encounter an Alien slime paradise that they dub, “The Gunk” covering most of the planet and of course all they’re valuable resources.

And the duo set out to rid the planet of The Gunk.

What should have been an exciting new adventure just wasn’t. And in fact it wasn’t new at all. The devs cut and paste design, story elements and even dialogue from their previous 2D games into The Gunk, and tossed in elements of current popular space adventure that were far better.

It was an odd Ratchet and Clank meets No Man’s Sky buddy adventure that ultimately just didn’t come together.

Number 4

Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town

An almost flawless remake that recreates the nostalgia and fun of the Harvest Moon game of the same name.

I sunk a lot of wonderful hours into the original Gameboy version. Farming and raising livestock. Uncovering the hidden areas, befriending Sprites and annoying the local population lol.

And I’m doing it all over again with just as much joy. If you’re a fan of farm sims, check out this faithful remake of the game that has been a huge influence on many other great titles.

Number 3

Beat Cop

A robbery gone wrong leaves a seasoned detective disgraced and back on the streets in uniform. Do you have what it takes to clean up the streets, deal with corruption, the mob and street gangs? And most importantly clear your name.

This love letter to 80s police movies and tv shows will have you fighting crime on the streets of New York City.

You’re on your own solving cases, getting to know the streets, meeting the locals, rescuing cats and even making shady back alley deals. All in the effort to do your job, make ends meet and stay alive long enough to solve the most important case. Your own.

Number 2

Stray

Have you ever wanted to be a cat? I’m sure everyone has. Ok well some people…maybe just me then.

Stray takes you on a deep and crazy journey to be reunited with your cat friends after you fall into a forgotten city populated with android life forms.

You will puzzle platform your way into helping the city residents and yourself. And uncovered the mystery of the missing humans and the machines missing past lives.

And Number 1

Super Mario Odyssey

So one day I wanted to play a Mario game after Mario and I had a falling out a few decades ago. I can point to places on the DS where he hurt me.

So after asking the fellow Grumpies what the best Mario was for the Switch, I got a unanimous reply. Super Mario Odyssey.

So I set off on my quest to obtain a copy from a shady back alley game merchant, um I mean the Nintendo eShop. And after a painfully long download I was all set.

The healing took little time and before long Mario and I were brothers again, (screw that Luigi guy, even though I like him more lol.)

We were running and stomping and hat throwing just like old times.

The level design of Odyssey really surprised me. A mix of new and classic Mario game with some interesting twists.

The Wooded Kingdom and it’s boss fight, quickly because my favorite level. The environment and interesting gameplay mechanics were what sucked me in deep on this level.

I’ve yet finish the game but I’m really close.

Getting stuck on a level is a real today as it was decades ago lol.

But with old wounds healed, I’m looking forward to completing the game. And very excited for what will come next in the Mario franchise.

The Grumpy Old Gamers