Since video games are an interactive medium, action is something that is often a fairly central part of them. Whether it’s in the form of a side-scrolling beat ’em up or a first-person shooter, gamers are always looking for the next big exciting experience on their screens. 2022 has been quite the year for action games, and it’s up to this year Game prices to decide which one is the best among them. Geoff Keighley’s Game Awards often celebrate the best the industry has to offer in a given year, allowing fans to vote for what they think really stood out from the crowd.
Already now, fans are fiercely debating online which title will take home Game of the Year, and whether Fire Ring or God of War: Ragnarok will take home more trophies. However, there are many categories that do not concern either of these two titans, and Best Action is one of them. There have been some great action games released this year, with some returning to form for a beloved franchise, while others have struck out on their own and carved an interesting niche. This can make it a bit difficult to choose the best of the year, but The Game Awards will choose a winner in December.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Follows the 2019 remake of the original Modern warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 looks to give one of the most iconic titles in the franchise a fresh coat of paint. Bringing back some of the more familiar maps from Modern Warfare 2 while also including brand new areas, such as the Grand Prix map, which features a live Formula 1 race taking place in the background.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2‘s The campaign may not have satisfied all players, but the multiplayer has still managed to hook players back to the famous shooter. With plans for more content to arrive in 2023, including the potential addition of every map from the original Modern Warfare 2looks like players will be joining the fast-paced action in 2022 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 some time in the future.
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
Borrow from the side scroll Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games developed by Konami in the 1980s and 90s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a classic action warrior that allows players to take on the role of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo. In addition to the four turtles, players can also fight as April O’Neil, Master Splinter and Casey Jones, giving them many options and ways to play.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge was praised by many fans for evoking the nostalgic feel of classic side-scrolling brawlers, both in its gameplay and its graphical style, which opts for a more pixilated look. Allows for interesting single-player and co-op gameplay, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge comes with a variety of interesting bosses, enemies and levels that keep the action varied and interesting.
Bayonetta 3
Despite being somewhat shrouded in controversy surrounding the original voice actor for BayonettaUmbra Witch’s third outing still manages to be a successful entry in the beloved franchise, bringing all the hack-and-slash action players are used to, along with introducing new and innovative elements to make it feel like a proper evolution . Bayonetta 3‘s The Demon Masquerade ability allows the Umbra Witch to assume different forms, for example.
One of these forms is Gomorrah, which gives Bayonetta longer jump distance and bestial claw attacks. Viola, the witch in training, is also available as a playable character in Bayonetta 3, giving fans a different style of play than they are used to. In addition to including all the action gamers are used to, Bayonetta 3 builds on the examples set by previous games, ensuring that fans will notice a difference in combat this time around.
Neon white
Another game focused on exterminating supernatural creatures, Neon white is a first-person shooter and puzzle-platformer from Annapurna Interactive and Angel Matrix. Giving players the role of a demon hunter in the sky, Neon white is full of smooth, fast-paced gameplay that encourages players to never stop the action. The game is full of stylish design and bright colors as well, inviting the player to keep pushing forward in their goal to eradicate all demons in the sky.
There were even those who thought Neon white should stand as a contender for game of the year. Unfortunately for fans of neon white, it didn’t make the list of nominees, but it has a chance to win a couple of big wins at The Game Awards this year. Blending a myriad of genres into a smooth experience, those who haven’t played Neon white yet, but lovers of interesting action might want to try it.
Sifu
Begins with a classic tale of revenge, Sifu is a game that interested many players right from the first trailers, when it showed off its aging mechanic. Instead of the player being resurrected exactly as they were when they died, in Sifu the protagonist ages with each defeat, growing in strength but losing stamina. This throws off the already engaging gameplay Sifu another team, as players can try to beat the game by being as old or as young as possible.
Combines visceral hand-to-hand combat with mimicry deflection mechanics Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Sifu may not be in the immediate memory of gamers as it came out earlier in 2022, but it’s certainly a title worthy of being in the running for best action game. As a roguelite title too, Sifu offers a replayability that gives it a much longer shelf life, as players can drop it and pick it up again with new challenges still remaining.
Final prediction
With fast-paced action that keeps players coming back for more, thanks to its roguelike structure, Sifu looks set to take the award for best action game this year. Should be enough Neon white fans turn out to vote, it might end up being a bit of an underdog story with the indie hit, but otherwise it seems that Sifu will win.
Beyond the well-crafted hand-to-hand combat, intricately designed boss battles and enjoyable levels, Sifu has an incredible amount of depth, shown by the way the game changes every time the player encounters a loss. To achieve Sifu‘s best ending too, players already have to run through the game and defeat each boss at least once, proving that the action title is one worth spending a lot of time on, and one worthy of the Best Action award.
