Games That Interested Me in 2022’s Game Showcases Part 1

Games I found interesting in 2022 showcases!

Honestly, this year, I was just not in the mood of doing recaps of all of the showcases this year. Part of it is due to me just being so behind, but I just wasn’t into it this year and wrecking my hands again. Or get burnt out. But, I did want to mention games that caught my eye throughout all of them. Since Annapurna’s showcase isn’t happening till next month, I might add onto this once that happens or make a separate post, but we’ll see once that time comes.

Anyway, here are the games that stood out to me and hopefully you see some games that you think you’d enjoy as well. And of course, check out the showcase livestream VODs as I won’t mention all of the games showcased, just ones that I like, and there’s bound to be some that you’d like but I won’t.

I also decided that I’ll split this up in two parts, and you’re at Part 1!

Playstation State of Play

• Callisto Protocol (December 2, 2022)
  

  Survive to escape the horrors of Callisto and uncover the dark secrets of Jupiter’s dead moon.

  Okay honestly, I wasn’t too big on this and initially skipped the trailer. On rewatch though…I kinda dig it. It looks so cool and scary.

• Eternights (2023)
  

  Eternights is a dating action game where you try to make the most out of life during the apocalypse. Monday: Go on a date. Tuesday: Clear dungeon. Friday: Freak out! The clock is ticking!!

  This really made an impression when the first thing you see is the main character’s arm post dismemberment and his face just so shocked. And then it regrowing into a weapon. I would like to see more of the combat (where scenes aren’t interrupting), but so far I do like how this looks so far.
  Also like it’s part dating sim. You know I’m going to be all over that.

• Final Fantasy 16
  

  Final Fantasy XVI is an action role-playing game set in the fantasy world of Valisthea, where the people live in peace and prosperity thanks to mountains of crystal called the Mothercrystals.

  It’s Final Fantasy, come on. I probably won’t get this on release (*cries in still needing to complete FF15), but I’m still interested in checking this out.

• Rollerdome (August 16, 2022)
  

  Rollerdrome is a third person action shooter that seamlessly blends high octane, visceral combat with fluid movement and tricking mechanics into one complementary and challenging whole, to create an original adrenaline-pumping shooter experience like no other.

  This is honestly a silly game, and I saw a lot of people hating on it, but I kinda want to play it. It looks like it would be a lot of fun and like who doesn’t want to shoot baddies while rollerskating?

• Season: A Letter To The Future
  

  Close your eyes, take a deep breath and let yourself be carried away by the great journey of Season, a third-person atmospheric adventure bicycle road trip game. Explore the world through the eyes of a young woman. Collect memories before a mysterious cataclysm washes everything away.

  This seems like it’ll be a chill game with an interesting story, which I sometimes need.

• Stray (July 19, 2022)
  

  Lost, alone and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten cybercity and find their way home.

  Honestly, I was interested in Stray ever since it released. Like yes I want to play a cat. And from the footage we’ve seen it looks like it’ll be an interesting game, or at least a beautiful one. I might also actually up my PS+ account too to get it through that, but we’ll see how busy I am next month.

Summer Game Fest

• Fort Solis
  

  Fort Solis is a single player third person thriller set over one long night on the far side of Mars. Engineer Jack Leary responds to a routine alarm where events unravel and escalate out of control in a way he could never have imagined.

  This one is a solid maybe. It’s interested me enough to keep an eye on it, but I want to see/hear more of the game as the release comes closer.

• Routine
  

  ROUTINE is a First Person Sci-Fi Horror set on an abandoned lunar base designed around an 80’s vision of the future.

  Okay this looks cool and pretty creepy. I’m not sure how much I’d like it, as I’ve ended up not liking games similar to this, but it would be interesting to see what else this game is about and what else it has in store.

• Highwater (December 2022)
  

  Earth has flooded, and the planet is doomed, but there’s still time to enjoy the view. Guide Nikos and friends through the flooded world of Highwater and beyond in this turn-based strategy adventure game, where they’ll have to fight for their chance to escape.

  While I hope this doesn’t actually happen, this game did look interesting to me. This seems like it would be another (mostly) chill game as you’re travelling through the flooded areas. I don’t think it was shown, but this also is a turn-based strategy game which sounds interesting based on how it’s described. I would still want to see a trailer that shows the combat though.

• American Arcadia
  

  Welcome to Arcadia! A retro-futuristic metropolis where the citizens don’t know they’re contestants on the most watched reality show on the planet! Uncover the truth and escape with your life in ‘American Arcadia’!

  I found the premise pretty interesting, and reminded me of Ministry of Broadcast, and I really like the art style and how colorful it is. I can’t wait to escape this reality show.

• Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course (June 30, 2022)
  

  Brothers Cuphead and Mugman are joined by the clever, adventurous Ms. Chalice for a rollicking adventure on a previously undiscovered Inkwell Isle! With the aid of new weapons, magical charms, and Ms. Chalice’s unique abilities, players will take on a new cast of fearsome, larger than life bosses to assist the jolly Chef Saltbaker in Cuphead’s final challenging quest!

  I have been waiting for this since it was first announced and I am so excited to go back to Cuphead and go against new bosses and play as Ms. Chalice. I’m going to die so much.

• Neon White (June 16, 2022)
  

  Neon White is a single-player speedrunning FPS where you can sacrifice your guns for godlike parkour moves.

  Another game I’ve been interested in since it was first announced. I love the art style, the designs for all the characters, and how fast paced it is. The card system will also be interesting to work with (and hopefully those terrible at card games like me can get through it lol).
  Also I can’t believe that it’s releasing so soon!?! The stars have aligned for me to have an empty schedule for Neon White.

• One Piece Odyssey (2022)
  

  ONE PIECE ODYSSEY is an RPG project filled with the unique elements of adventure from ONE PIECE that has been highly desired by fans. This project has been in the works for many years so that fans can truly touch the world of ONE PIECE and now is ready to be unveiled!

  Is it weird that despite not having watched One Piece I would totally play this? Well I guess I still have time to binge it.

• Soul Hackers 2 (August 28, 2022)
  

  EXPLORE A SUPERNATURAL RPG WITH STYLISH SUMMONERS AND DARK DANGERS LURKING UNDER THE NEON LIGHTS OF A CYBERPUNK JAPAN. IT IS UP TO THE AGENTS OF AION TO DECRYPT DESTINY AND SAVE THE WORLD FROM APOCALYPSE!

  Man I know the most I’ve played from Atlus is the Persona series, but Soul Hackers 2 looked so pretty. Plus I’m sure I’d like the combat. I am thinking about getting the first game though, despite that you don’t need to play it before Soul Hackers 2.

Day of the Devs

• Time Flies
  

  A game about our limited time in this world.

  Much like the dev’s previous games, this seems like a cool short game where you play as a fly whose life depends on the life expectancy of the country you select. It’ll be interesting to figure out how to do all the bucket list items and figure out a way to do it in one life.

• Choo-Choo Charles
  

  Navigate an island in an old train, upgrade it over time, and use it to fight an evil spider train named Charles, who terrorizes your home. Charles is hungry; don’t be his next meal.

  My headcannon is definitely that this is the dark timeline of Thomas the Tank Engine. This is so weird that I really want to play this. I hope I don’t have any nightmares featuring that train spider Charles.

• Escape Academy (July 14, 2022)
  

  Welcome to Escape Academy. Train to become the ultimate Escapist. Solve Puzzles. Hack Servers. Meet the Faculty. Brew the perfect cup of tea. Escape Rooms in single player or co-op with a friend – local or online!

  You know, I’ve wanted to do an escape room irl, so I would totally be down to play a game all about escape rooms. And hopefully, I can rope in a friend.

• A Little to the Left (2022)
  

  A Little to the Left is a cozy puzzle game that has you sort, stack, and organize household items into pleasing arrangements while you keep an eye out for a mischievous cat with an inclination for chaos. Check out this playful and intuitive puzzler with 75+ satisfying messes to tidy.

  I’ve already played the demo for this game and I liked it so far. So of course I’ll look forward to the full release. Also that Daily Tidy addition definitely interests me and I am totally going to do it once it releases.

• Animal Well
  

  Explore a dense, interconnected labyrinth, and unravel its many secrets. Collect items to manipulate your environment in surprising and meaningful ways. Encounter beautiful and unsettling creatures, as you attempt to survive what lurks in the dark. There is more than what you see.

  This looks so weird and I’m all for it

• Roots of Pacha (2022)
  

  Be a part of a thriving stone age community. Discover “ideas,” domesticate crops, befriend animals, and contribute to the growth of your village. Play with friends in co-op or explore the early days of civilization in single-player.

  I’ve been keeping my eye on this game since I saw a tweet about it and it looks really interesting as far as what I’ve seen so far. I’m definitely going to play the demo, but I do hope I end up liking it.

• SCHiM
  

  SCHiM is a game about jumping from shadow to shadow in a challenging and lively environment. This 3D platformer takes elements of light & animation and adds them directly to the gameplay, delivering an experience that you will only find in SCHiM.

  I know I’m saying this a lot, but I’ve been looking forward to SCHiM being released for a while. It looked so interesting and unique when I first saw it and I’m glad it made another appearance (and hopefully the release isn’t too far away). And ooo playtest (*clicks button*).

• Fox and Frog Travelers: The Demon of Adashino Island
  

  Fox and Frog Travelers: The Demon of Adashino Island is a 3D action adventure game with a Japanese-inspired atmosphere. You will play as Fox, a girl who finds herself on Adashino Island and starts traveling with Frog. Torii gates, food stall lanterns, and neon signs give light and color to the island. Something is lurking in the shadows, inching ever closer…

  This game looks so interesting and I love the premise of the game. The bad thing is that we won’t be getting it for another few years. Not trying to say I want to rush them (I don’t), but I really want to play it.

• How to Say Goodbye
  

  Fox and Frog Travelers: The Demon of Adashino Island is a 3D action adventure game with a Japanese-inspired atmosphere. You will play as Fox, a girl who finds herself on Adashino Island and starts traveling with Frog. Torii gates, food stall lanterns, and neon signs give light and color to the island. Something is lurking in the shadows, inching ever closer…

  Oh man, I forgot about this game! I remember seeing this game before hearing about what it was about (or maybe that wasn’t revealed yet, just the gameplay?) and was pretty interested in it. Though I didn’t have a phone that could play games on it (or maybe I’m thinking about The Other Side?).

Devolver Digital

• Cult of the Lamb (August 11, 2022)
  

  Start your own cult in a land of false prophets, venturing out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland worshippers and spread your Word to become the one true cult.

  I love the cute look of this game, now all that’s left is finding out if I like the gameplay. We finally got a look at the gameplay here and there’s a demo available!

• Anger Foot
  

  Anger Foot is a lightning-fast action FPS where the only things harder than your ass-kicking feet are the ass-kicking beats.

  Yes. Let me kick everyone.

• Card Shark (June 2, 2022)
  

  Card Shark is an adventure game full of cunning, intrigue, and delectable deceit. Enter a world where you’ll need to play your opponents better than you play your cards.

  This is already released, but I found this game interesting just on the premise and when I tried out the demo it was fun. Really let me live out my dream of knowing how to perform all these tricks and win money using it. I’m for sure going to mess up card tricks late game whenever I pick it up though lol.

• The Plucky Squire (2023)
  

  Storybook characters discover a three-dimensional world outside the pages of their book and must jump between 2D & 3D realms to save their friends in this charming action-adventure.

  This looks so cute! I really loved the trailer and I seriously can’t wait to play it when it releases.

• Skate Story
  

  Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of the Underworld as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Skate fast to destroy demons and save other tortured souls on your journey from a fragile beginner to a hardened skater.

  I’m honestly not one to play skating games…but this looks too cool to pass up.

IGN Expo

• Freaked Fleapit
  

  Hell never looked this good! Save your soul in a wild cocktail of rhythm-based dungeon crawling and date sims, and dance your way through 9 circles of Hell to heart-pumping music. Which devilishly delicious lady of the Fleapit will be the one to join you on your trip out of Purgatory?

  Ummm cute characters, dungeon crawling, funny writing, and a rhythm game? COUNT. ME. IN.

• Rose and Lock
  

  Rose, a retired outlaw, wanders through the spirit realm of the Underwest. Take up the once-forgotten skills of the gunslinger, and journey along the breathtaking, cinematic hand-painted landscapes on a quest to rescue your daughter’s spirit.

  This one looks pretty cool. I’m not sure how much I’d like this one, but there is a demo coming out in October so I’ll definitely be checking it out then.

• MADiSON (July 8, 2022)
  

  MADiSON is a first person psychological horror game that delivers an immersive and terrifying experience. With the help of an instant camera, connect the human world with the beyond, take pictures and develop them by yourself. Solve puzzles, explore your surroundings and most importantly, survive.

  I know I’m going to be scared out of my mind (especially since I’ll end up playing this at night), but I am so looking forward to this.

• Autopsy Simulator
  

  Autopsy Simulator is a first-person horror-sim hybrid where players take on the role of a practice pathologist and study case files, created in collaboration with real-world forensic doctors, to help guide their dissection of anatomically accurate bodies to determine each subject’s cause of death.

  This is one trailer where it really really needed to show some gameplay rather than a body ready for an autopsy. Cause when I saw the trailer here I was like “eeeeehhhhh” but going on the Steam page it looked and sounded way more interesting.

• Outbreak Island (Q3 2022)
  

  Outbreak Island is a survival game with detective elements. Investigate the mysteries of an island and stay alive at any cost using a camera, handcrafted weapons and deduction.

  “Detective elements” Say no more. Well other than that it does looks interesting. I don’t think I’ll be getting this right away, but if it ends up being a game I’d enjoy I’ll get it.

• Wanderlost
  

  Survive then thrive in a zombie-infested world. Gather materials, craft diverse weapons and tools, build and fortify a shelter, explore a massive world filled with the secrets of a dead civilization and whatever you do: stay clear of the…

  I randomly came across this on Twitter one day and I’ve been following it ever since. Here’s hoping I can actually survive and not be raided by zombies haha.

• Vice NDRCVR
  

  Vice NDRCVR is a 1980’s narco thriller where the only way to stop the deadly cartel is from within. Go undercover. Expose the cartel. Hack the drug war

  I’m not sure how much I’d actually enjoy this game, but it looks pretty cool and has elements that I like so far. I hope this gets a demo.

Tribeca Games Spotlight

• Thirsty Suitors
  

  Can Jala learn to love herself and heal the wounds of her past? Thirsty Suitors is a stylish, story-driven adventure that unfolds through turn-based battles, skateboarding, and cooking.

  Yesss. I loved the trailer for this game as not only is it stylish but I love how confronting things Jala has to confront before her sister’s wedding is set.

• Venba
  

  Venba is a narrative cooking game, where you play as an Indian mom, who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Players will cook various dishes and restore lost recipes, hold branching conversations and explore in this story about family, love, loss and more.

  I love cooking games so when I heard this was a cooking game, and a narrative one at that, I was immediately interested. I hope we’ll be seeing this releasing soon.

• A Plague Tale: Requiem (2022)
  

  Embark on a heartrending journey into a brutal, breathtaking world, and discover the cost of saving those you love in a desperate struggle for survival. Strike from the shadows or unleash hell with a variety of weapons, tools and unearthly powers.

  I’ve really been meaning to play the first game, which I will…soon, so of course I’m interested in the sequel. Now this might change when I play first game, but for now I’m interested.

• Immortality (July 26, 2022)
  

  Marissa Marcel was a film star. She made three movies. But none of the movies was ever released. And Marissa Marcel disappeared. An interactive trilogy from Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story.

  Ah this is one where it had some weird screenshots before it was fully announced! I really like FMV games and I really like the premise of this one. I hope this turns out really well.

PC Gaming Show

• Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (2023)
  

  Join humanity’s last stand as Gods and guns collide in an all-new action-RPG open-world adventure. Your battle begins now.

  I’m not too sure what I’ll think about this game once I actually play it, but I found myself interested in it nonetheless.

• The Alters
  

  To survive on a lonely planet, Jan creates alternate versions of himself – the alters. Each alter’s personality is shaped by Jan’s various life paths. The Alters begs a simple question surrounding life-changing moments and the decisions people make: What if…?

  I still have no idea what to expect from The Alters, but from what the developer was talking about, it does seem like it’ll be interesting. Though I still hope we get to see more as the release date comes closer.

• Decarnation (2023)
  

  Decarnation is a story rich adventure horror game. Solve cryptic puzzles, fight disturbing enemies, explore a phantasmagorical world of dreams and nightmares, and face the most terrifying monsters from the darkest parts of your soul.

  Okay this is another one where I’m mainly drawn in by the art style, but other than that it does seem like it’ll be interesting to play through. Plus another game to play at night and immediately regret it.

• Nivalis
  

  Grow your business, manage restaurants and nightclubs, make friends and enemies, buy and decorate apartments, go fishing and maybe even find love in Nivalis, the city that stretches from the ocean to the clouds.

  Honestly, I’m all for managing a restuarant in a cyberpunk world. Or even doing other things like fishing and decorating my place. Looking forward to see more from this title.

• Demonschool (2023)
  

  Demonschool is a new-style tactics RPG where motion equals action. Defeat big weirdos in between the human and demon worlds as Faye and her misfit companions, while navigating university life on a mysterious island.

  The art style grabbed me right away and kept me with the story.

• Fallen Aces
  

  The A.C.E.S. Watchful guardians of Switchblade City. Being taken down, one by one. Now it’s up to one man, with two fists, to get to the bottom of it all. Fallen Aces is a crime noir FPS that plays right out of the ’90s and looks right out of the comics.

  The look of the game obviously got me interested and the gameplay solidified that I had to give this game a try.

• Backfirewall_ (2022)
  Hello and welcome to Backfirewall_, a first-person tragicomic adventure set inside a smartphone. You are the update assistant. Solve wacky puzzles to counter the update and save the previous operating system from deletion. The fate of the System is in your hands!
  This looked pretty interesting and an interesting take on being inside a phone. I can’t wait to see what puzzles and environments we’ll be thrown into.