What are the best games that you've played on Linux in 2022? Per GOL's own definition these don't have to be native titles, and they don't even have to have been released in 2022 (after all, we have so many options that there's always something that's new to someone!) - they just have to be your favourite games that you've played on Linux, by whatever means, this year.

These are the games that defined my 2022;

Bomberman '94 (PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16)
Played using RetroPie

This Japan-only PC Engine game is the most re-released title in the Bomberman series, and for good reason - it perfectly encapsulates what it's all about, and it has fantastic presentation and music, to boot! It was also released in very-slightly-downgraded form in English for the Mega Drive as Mega Bomberman, but whichever version you prefer, it's a must-play maze-chase title for fans of the 16-bit era of gaming.

Ex-Zodiac
Played natively

A 3D rail-shooter game primarily in the style of Nintendo's seemingly-now-abandoned Star Fox series, Ex-Zodiac knows its inspirations, but it has its own universe (rather than attempting to simply be an "expy"), and some fun new ideas that are all its own. It's currently in Early Access and isn't yet finished, but what's there is already fantastic, and if you're a fan of the games that this one pays tribute to, it's a must-have.

Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation)
Played using RetroPie

A classic of the 32-bit era, and deservedly so, Metal Gear Solid has aged well, and still lives up to its "Tactical Espionage Action" tag-line. It is VERY cutscene-heavy, but the gameplay that's there is also very good, and it's all weaved together very competently into something that's unlike a lot of other games. It does devolve into backtracking towards the end, but one of those segments is clever and fun, and the whole thing is absolutely worthwhile.

New Super Lucky's Tale (PC)
Played using Proton

An incredibly charming 3D-platformer, and one that I feel is better than the oft-named classics of that particular variety of platform-game, New Super Lucky's Tale is a finely-crafted title that is its own thing, rather than trying to mimic the games that inspired it to a fault. It plays fantastically, and its ever-optimistic protagonist, Lucky Swiftail, is a refreshing change from what has become the gaming norm in this day and age. Definitely one to check out if you like the genre.

Pocky & Rocky (SNES)
Played using RetroPie

Drawing on Japanese mythology and monsters, this is a cute top-down shooter whose looks belie its absolutely brutal difficulty. Shrine-maiden Pocky and her tanuki friend Rocky head out to stop the local youkai who've suddenly gone berserk, and attempt to defeat a shadowy villain who's pulling the strings - the mysterious Black Mantle. It's a lot of fun, and there's even optional co-op play to boot!

Star Fox EX (SNES)
Played using RetroPie

ROM-hacks of the "fan-made sequel" variety tend to be my favourites in that field, and Star Fox EX is one of those. Based on the original Star Fox for the SNES, it presents players with all of the content of the original game and a new fourth path for that title, plus its own all-new story-mode and soundtrack, humourously based around the idea of characters from the more-popular Nintendo franchises trying to destroy the much-neglected Star Fox series. There are also various tools for exploring the game, its models, and so on. A lot of love went into Star Fox EX, and it shows.

Super Bomberman R Online (PC)
Played using Proton

A follow-up/side-game to Super Bomberman R, Super Bomberman R Online was a very short-lived free-to-play title that was ultimately revealed to have been a feature-test for upcoming paid sequel, Super Bomberman R 2. Its main feature was "Battle 64" - a 64-player battle-royale version of Bomberman which was finely-tuned, well-presented, and always a joy to play. I played it almost every day this year until its closure on December 1st, and I loved every minute of it. Battle 64 will be rolled into the aforementioned sequel along with plenty of new content, so I won't have to miss it for very long! Super Bomberman R Online was easily my game of the year.

Sunlit's Star Fox Minihack (SNES)
Played using RetroPie

Released shortly after Star Fox EX, Sunlit's Star Fox Minihack is a much shorter one-path experience, but it too is a new mini-sequel all its own. Short but sweet, and a lot of fun if you want more of the SNES Star Fox experience.

Vampire Survivors (PC)
Played using Proton

Good for both quick breaks and longer play-sessions, Vampire Survivors only concerns the player with movement and making the best of the weapons and items that come their way. It's all wrapped up in a Castlevania-style aesthetic, complete with lots of fun little references. It's simple but effective fun, and surprisingly addictive!

Yume Nikki (PC)
Played using Proton

A quirky and thoroughly weird indie RPG Maker game about exploring the protagonist's strange dreams and nightmares and interacting with things using various abilities, this game is more about seeing what you can see and thinking about it, than it is about reaching the ending. This isn't the sort of game that I would normally play, and I was very pleasantly surprised by it.

Zool - Ninja of the Nth Dimension (Mega Drive)
Played using RetroPie

Originally a highly-rated Commodore Amiga title, this brightly-coloured high-speed platformer starring interdimensional gremlin-ninja-warlock Zool was later ported to various other systems, including the SNES and Mega Drive, whose versions of the game each had entirely different level-designs; Of these two, the Mega Drive one is slightly better, and that's the one that I played. Though it doesn't break much new ground, it's well-made and fun - sometimes all that you want is another solid entry in a genre that was already perfected by other people, and Zool is exactly that. I had a good time with this one.

Zool Redimensioned (PC)
Played using Proton

A rebalanced remake (of sorts - it actually has a new ending), Zool Redimensioned is a modernised reimagining of the Mega Drive version of the original Zool. Three modes are available - Redimensioned (which removes the need to grab a set number of collectibles before finding the exit and provides Zool with a fun new double-jump move), Ultimate Ninja (which applies the original rules to the remake - you need to find items before you head for the exit, and there is no double-jump), and an emulated copy of the Mega Drive version of Zool for an additional challenge. I found this to be very polished and enjoyable, and noticed that it acknowledged both the earlier two games and the two novels that followed on from them - and it seemed to end with a hint at a Zool 3, too, which I would happily buy if it's in this style!

What are everybody else's top picks for this year?

Last edited by Pengling on 12 December 2022 at 1:09 am UTC