For all the escapists out there, it’s time to dust off your consoles and put a pause on reality. Some highly anticipated titles dropped this year, and, undoubtedly, the indie-produced likes of 'Stray' and 'Neon White' won the hearts of infrequent gamers, too. With school out, winter break is the best time to revisit the crème de la crème of 2022 releases and see for yourself why gamers have been hooked.
We asked Noushad Pattillath, founder of the Dubai-based gaming store IX Gamers, about what the UAE gaming community was keen to play in 2022. The available data tells us that the Fifa World Cup 2022 fever pitch resonated strongly with gamers, who emulated the heated matches on their consoles, thanks to the release of 'Fifa 2023' in September. Pattillath tells us it was the store's bestselling PlayStation 5 video game of the year, months before the World Cup commenced.
The preceding year saw major franchise instalments drop, such as the 'Final Fantasy VII Remake', and award-winning titles, like 'It Takes Two'. In 2023, expect to see immersive fantasy action and post-apocalyptic adventures.
Our list of best releases is but a glimpse of the range of titles available on Amazon. From PlayStation and Xbox to Nintendo Switch gaming accessories and consoles, the website is your one-stop shop for all your quick entertainment needs. Want to access premium PC games? Become a Prime member to tap into Prime Gaming for a slew of free downloads every month.
So, if you’re looking to get back into the gaming groove and don’t know where to begin, skim our selection below. Amazon Prime also gives you free, one- or same-day delivery.
1. Best Sports Game: Fifa 2023 (PS5)
The last game in the EA Sports' Fifa series, Fifa 2023 offers football fans a realistic simulation and a chance to relive the 2022 World Cup. At no additional cost, EA promises content updates from the recent Qatar tournament and the upcoming Fifa Women's World Cup in 2023. More good news is that you can now compete in women's club teams for the first time in series' history! Fifa 23 emulates real-life players using machine learning, so you get to live out your football dreams on the pitch, either playing in or coaching your team. Available on all popular consoles this year, our listing specifically picks a PlayStation 5 DVD.
Age rating: Suitable for all age groups
2. Best Role-Playing Game: Elden Ring (Xbox One)
If you're a fan of 'A Game of Thrones', then you're going to love the dark fantastical world of Elden Ring. This action role-playing game is the creative vision of American novelist George R. R. Martin and Japanese video game director Hidetaka Miyazaki. You're plunged into the war-ruined kingdom of the Lands Between, where you must now undo the chaos by putting back the shattered Elden Ring and becoming the Elden Lord. There's amazing scope for character building and the paths one can take, which keeps you engaged for days. Gamers in the reviews say it poses a proper challenge, when the game doles out little to no instructions on how to go about the world. There's a good reason why 'Elden Ring' was crowned the best game of the year at The Game Awards 2022.
Age rating: 17 and above
3. Best Indie Game: Stray (PS5)
Perhaps, the most talked about title on social media since its trailer release, this indie debut puts an interesting spin on an adventure game. It's set in a dystopian cyberpunk world that's scaled by a stray ginger cat, on a mission to return home. You'll see the world through the eyes of a cat, mimic the mannerisms of the feline creature and prowl through neon-lit alleys, to dodge droids and solve mysteries that will eventually help you escape. Players are impressed by the simulation graphics and all the characteristic feline details for cat lovers to get a kick out of. This is a short, sweet title for those who prefer to roam worlds with minimal action.
Age rating: 12 and above
4. Best Family Game: Kirby And The Forgotten Land (Nintendo Switch)
Follow adorable Kirby on an unforgettable adventure, in this Nintendo Switch title. Your powerful puffball protagonist moves through a deserted city and fights enemies along the way. At the end of each stage, you'll need to defeat the final boss to advance to a new area. Take advantage of Kirby's inhaling powers to swallow a car, vending machine and more, then use the objects to fend for yourself. The best part is that you can share a Joy Con controller to activate the second player and Kirby's friend, Banana Waddle Dee. In the reviews, fans of the Kirby series pick this game as their favourite and say that it's an invaluable addition to anyone's Switch collection.
Age rating: 10 and above
5. Best Post-Apocalyptic Game: Horizon: Forbidden West (PS5)
This year, another title that caught the internet's eye was 'Horizon: Forbidden West', an action role-playing game featuring a female protagonist. You play Aloy, a trained warrior who weathers deadly storms and animalistic machines in what is now a far-future America called the Forbidden West. You're tasked with restoring order and preventing another extinction that's on the horizon, with strategic combat. Compared to its prequel, this Horizon instalment has a bigger map, with as much to discover underwater as there is on land.
Age rating: 16 and above
6. Best Shooter Game: Splatoon 3 (Nintendo Switch)
Gather friends and family, this holiday season, for a heated 4-on-4 game of ink-slinging. You and your opponents play as Inklings or Octolings and make it a mission to cover as much ground in your own ink colour. These ink-raged battles take place on an Earth that's past human extinction, where sea creatures have evolved to dominate the land. But, remember, the ink of your enemies is your kryptonite and vice versa. Though it's best enjoyed in multiplayer mode, 'Splatoon 3' has a decent storyline for single-player gameplay, too. Reviewers note it down as hours of addictive fun on the Switch.
Age rating: 10 and above
7. Best Remake: The Last of Us: Part 1 (PS5)
Rebooted from the ground up exclusively for PS5 gamers, 'The Last of Us: Part I' is a remake of the original critically-acclaimed 2013 video game. If it's your first foray into the series, then expect to play in a post-apocalyptic America, where a raging infestation has turned the remaining few into hardened survivors. The player controls protagonist Joel and sometimes Ellie, a teenage girl under his care, on a cross-country journey, fighting off infected humans. This version of the game brings enhanced visuals, haptic feedback and 3D audio, to the PS5 console, all of which five-star reviews vouch for. The horror element is elevated with detailed facial features of the infected, note gamers.
Age rating: 18 and above
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
