BEST ACTION / ADVENTURE
Previous Winners:
2018: God of War
2019: Devil May Cry 5
2021: Metroid Dread
This is a pretty large category, and there are a lot of titles that could fit into it. That being said, this is one category which there are never really a shortage of titles. The last winner of this award was the return of a well known bounty hunter. This year, we got to choose between fighting some monsters and an adventure with a cat.
Stray
NA Release Date: July 19, 2022
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5
Review
Stray has us in the control of a cat in a city filled with robots. While exploring and navigating the city, there will also be puzzles and enemies that stand in your way. The world is atmospheric, and you can of course do what cats can do, such as meowing, scratching, and knocking things over. Evading the dangers in an underground city is one thing, doing it as a cat just adds something else to it.
Dusk Diver 2
NA Release Date: August 30, 2022
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Switch
Review
Here, we have a follow up which brings us back to Yumo and her friends taking on the chaos beasts. This 3D beat-em-up might not reinvent the genre, but it is an absolutely solid action game. The fighting, for the most part, is fun with some variety with the different characters. The return to Ximending is a welcome one.
Infernax
NA Release Date: February 14, 2022
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Review
While a throwback Metroidvania style game might not be that uncommon, Infernax is worth the attention. In addition to the look of the 8-bit graphics, the soundtrack wouldn’t be out of place of the era. The games offers some nice comedic moments and a couple different endings for you to unlock. If you were looking for an older style adventure, this is a great choice.
This Year’s Winner is…
Stray!
If you ever wanted to be able to play as a cat, this is the experience for you. Exploring the city with the nimbleness of a cat gives a unique feeling compared to some other adventure games. While it starts off simply with your character trying to find a way out, the story grows as you learn more about the abandoned city. The atmosphere of the setting helps make it a journey that will be remembered. It is also nice that you have a button to meow with too.
I owe Brandon Rose a special thanks for creating the featured images for these Awards on short notice. You should check him and his works out over on Twitter.
