2022 has come to an end, which means it is time to look back on the last 12 months at some of the best moments.
Personally, this year has been rather hectic, but I have manged to achieve a lot.
Like last year, these awards will include all sporting events, along with the games I have played this year.
First Impressions Champion - Cult of the Lamb
Starting off with the awards that was voted by you. Cult of the Lamb came out victorious in this year's First Impressions championships, just beating another that features later on this list. This game has been a game that I keep going back to for it's unique crossover style, cute but devilish animation, and chaotic antics. This game was a close contender for my Game of the Year, so I'm glad to see it win this award. Thanks to everyone who voted on my socials, be sure to follow my Instagram page for more First Impressions in 2023.
Sportsperson of the Year - Lionel Messi
The GOAT solidified his legacy at the end of this year by taking Argentina all the way in Qatar. Despite Mbappe and France's best efforts, the little magician would not be denied of the world's biggest prize and the one trophy missing from his collection. I don't think any script could have written the final chapter of the World Cup any better, giving the greatest of all-time his fairy-tale moment.
Gaming Character of the Year - Kenny from High on Life
If High on Life released a bit earlier in the year, it would have easily been a solid contender for Game of the Year. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get through enough of the campaign to make a decision on the game as a whole, but one thing that is clearly great about High on Life is the humour. The main reason for this game being so funny is the dialogue from the Gatlian guns like Kenny, as these characters are what makes this game stand out from any other adventure.
Rising Star - Jude Bellingham
Since first emerging on the scene as a 16-year old at Birmingham City, the footballing world has been keeping a close eye on the development of Jude Bellingham. The wonderkid has been lighting the Bundesliga on fire since arriving in Dortmund, and has also impressed on the European stage. However, his stellar performances during the World Cup have shown off his true talent. England may not have brought it home this time, but Bellingham may be the key to success in future outings.
Hidden Gem - As Dusk Falls
Interactive stories seem to have a bad reputation within the gaming industry, which I believe to be a harsh judgement. Whilst they do lack the depth of an RPG or the depth of a AAA narrative, this genre has some of the best storylines in gaming. One example that released this year is As Dusk Falls. Many criticised this game before it had even released because of the strange art style, but I didn't find that to be a problem and found the story compelling enough to complete in one sitting. Whilst it narrowly misses out on my game of the year, As Dusk Falls is definitely worth a try if you haven't played it already.
Sporting Moment of the Year - Leon Edwards KOs Kamaru Usman
Whilst MMA has been growing in popularity within the UK, it still takes a special moment for it to transcend into the general sporting world. In August, Leon Edwards managed just that with devastating head kick to the dominant champion Kamaru Usman. Despite possessing a huge winning streak himself, no-one gave Edwards a chance against the pound-for-pound king Usman, especially in the 5th round of a fight the champ was clearly winning. But after some incredible inspiration from his corner, Edwards set up an inch-perfect kick to bring the UFC Welterweight title back to Birmingham.
Gaming Moment of the Year - Xbox vs PlayStation
When Microsoft announced their plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, it created a huge rift within the gaming community. As expected, Sony were the first to appeal the $70billion move, claiming that it would be detrimental to the gaming industry. I personally believe that this claim is rather rich coming from Sony, but the courts are still undecided on whether to give the move the greenlight. This has led to a year of debate while fans wait to see if the deal goes ahead. It may not be a specific moment, but this battle between Xbox and PlayStation has been the main topic this year, and the outcome is going to change the gaming industry for good.
Sports Event of the Year - Women's Euros
The past decade has been a huge success for Women's Football. Each passing international tournament leads to a surge in popularity for the biggest players, launching them into superstardom. Whilst it has historically been the World Cup that garners the most attention, this year's Euros seemed to be on another level. One year after the Men failed to bring it home, the Lionesses stepped up to win their first Euros title and inspire a future generation of women's footballers. The win made the likes of Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, and Georgia Stanway into stars overnight, and has truly put England into the list of favourites for the next year's World Cup.
Sports Game of the Year - WWE2K22
WWE games have been a staple within the gaming industry for a number of decades. But after years of struggles, the franchise took a hiatus in 2021, meaning that they had to come back with a bang. Many fans were sceptical over whether the new game would restore the WWE games back to their former glory. Whilst it's not perfect, WWE2K22 is best addition to the franchise is nearly a decade, and puts the series back on the right path. It will be interesting to see how next year's game improves on the refreshed foundations from 2K22.
Sports Team of the Year - Moroccan National Football Team
There were lots of great team performances this year, with plenty of teams upsetting the bookies. However, the one team that stands out for me is Morocco. The African side made history by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar, becoming the most successful African team in world cup history. No one expected much from the side going into the tournament, but the likes of ZIyech, Amrabat, and Hakimi put in some stellar performances to knock out both Spain and Portugal on their way to the semi-finals. Whilst Messi's triumph took the headlines, it will be a long time before anyone forgets the achievements of this Moroccan team.
Game of the Year - It Takes Two
I have played a lot of great games this year, but it is a game that received lots of 2021 game of the year awards that takes my top spot. When this EA Originals title finally made its way onto Xbox Game Pass earlier this year, I knew I had to play it. It Takes Two is an incredible co-operative experience that has plenty of fun tasks, emotional cutscenes, and a real sense of accomplishment. This game is arguably the best co-operative game of all-time, and is definitely worth playing with a partner, friend, or sibling. I played this game with my girlfriend, and I know she agrees with me when I say that It Takes Two is a must-play for gaming couples.
Most Anticipated Game - Starfield
Now that all of the awards for 2022 have been picked, it's time to look ahead at the year to come. With the effects of the pandemic still taking its toll on the gaming industry, 2023 is already stacked with plenty of games in the pipeline. Out of all the titles set to release next year, the game I am most excited to get my hands on is Starfield. Bethesda's latest original IP was set to release in November 2022, but got pushed back in order to make sure the game was up to scratch. This has caused both the anticipation and scepticism for Starfield to increase. As a huge Star Wars fan, I am hoping for the best, as Starfield has the potential to be the best intergalactic RPG adventure to date.
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