Let’s decide some books by their covers

I don’t have a gentle historical past of making end-of-the-year High 10 lists for Destructoid as a result of, effectively, it’s very uncommon that I truly play 10 video games I’d need to write about and rejoice on the finish of the yr. Such is the lifetime of a part-time video games journalist. Most of my free time is locked up taking part in via video games for assessment, and I believe all my critiques for 2022 averaged out to round a 7, which doesn’t precisely make for an thrilling, OMG sort of listing.

My precise sport of the yr, Immortality, has already popped up on a number of of these items and I don’t suppose we want one more author droning on about its greatness. So I say to hell with truly rating the video games I performed final yr and as an alternative present the world how shallow I may be by selecting the ten finest video games primarily based solely on their outward look. Inside magnificence doesn’t matter right here, people, it’s all about how horny you might be on the skin. And a few of these sport covers are goddamn beautiful.

Moreover, with an increasing number of shopping for video games digitally lately, we should always rejoice the bodily field artwork whereas we nonetheless can.

10. AI: The Somnium Information – nirvanA Initiative –

AI: The Somnium Information is a collection that all the time appears to be taking part in the bridesmaid however by no means the bride. Kotaro Uchikoshi’s follow-ups to his celebrated Zero Escape franchise are a number of the finest journey video games available on the market, with slick manufacturing values, whirlwind tales, and glorious voice performing. And but, when it comes time for GotY time, they all the time appear to drop off everybody’s radar. It occurred in 2019 with the unique Somnium Information and it occurred once more this yr with – nirvanA Initiative –. I’ll admit, I selected to not deliver it up after we debated the nominees for Destructoid’s yearly awards. Fortunately, I actually like what Spike Chunsoft did with the field artwork for – nirvanA Initiative –, so I’m comfortable to incorporate it right here on my silly little gimmicky prime 10 listing.

9. Ghostwire Tokyo (Deluxe Version)

Ghostwire Tokyo had a blink-and-you-miss-it transient little bit of relevancy earlier this yr when it launched on the PS5. Sadly, Elden Ring mainly drank the milkshake of each non-Nintendo revealed title over the primary 4 or 5 months of the yr. Lots of people swear by the sport, although. Me, I haven’t performed it, however I do fairly just like the field artwork of the deluxe version of the sport. Nice use of hues, shadows, and neon glow. Sometime I’ll make the time to play this sport, however most likely solely after it’s deeply discounted.

8. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

I really like me sci-fi field artwork (or poster artwork), and for my part, no one did it higher this yr than Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. This field artwork simply screams, “A tremendous journey awaits.” It’s only a enjoyable cowl throughout.

7. Atari 50

As a toddler of the ’80s and ’90s, I are inclined to latch onto practically each retro assortment from these many years that will get launched on trendy {hardware}. Certain, I barely play my copy of The Cowabunga Assortment, however simply seeing it on my shelf brings again such heat recollections that I like having it round. I don’t have any such recollections with regards to Atari. The Atari 2600 burned out just some years earlier than I got here into the world, and as such, I’ve no nostalgia for the video games. I do, nonetheless, have a longstanding love of its title and brand.

The Atari model is by some means each eternally retro and evergreen, the kind of brand that’s totally of its period but additionally one some up-and-coming app developer would sketch out in the present day. Any use of that brand will get me excited, which is why I really like the Atari 50 field artwork. It’s clear, easy, and completely stellar. The multi-line font on the 50 is a stupendous contact. I’ve zero intention of ever shopping for this sport as a result of there are not any good Atari titles, however I wouldn’t thoughts seeing that field artwork in my assortment.

6. MLB The Present 22 (MVP Version)

It’s not typically an annual sports activities sport has an important cowl, however then once more, it’s not typically we see a participant as good as Shohei Ohtani. Shotime is arguably essentially the most thrilling participant within the MLB proper now (sorry, Aaron Choose) and an absolute hunk at that. The usual cowl for the sport is not any totally different than what we’ve seen in years previous, however the MVP Version cowl stands out. You may suppose it’s a bit cliche and predictable to offer a Japanese participant anime-inspired field artwork, however I believe this seems to be superb and I’d like to see this type of creativity transferring ahead.

5. Castlevania Anniversary Assortment (Restricted Run Video games Greatest Purchase Unique)

Okay, now we’re moving into the nice shit. I imply, simply have a look at that fucking field artwork. That’s not online game field artwork, that’s the duvet of a dogeared copy of an early ’80s Dungeons & Dragons handbook. The usual cowl from Restricted Run Video games was a advantageous recreation of the long-lasting Castlevania field artwork, however in my eye this blows it out of the water. And that’s not all the time one thing you may anticipate from the Greatest Purchase copies of Restricted Run Video games titles. Simply have a look at what they did with the Windjammers 2 cowl.

4. Evil West

I’m going to maintain it 100 and admit I didn’t know what Evil West was till I began looking field artwork for this listing. Possibly anyone had talked about it earlier than, however I most likely combined it up with Onerous West and forgot about it. I really don’t know what this sport is about — and provided that it’s $60, I possible received’t till it pops up on Sport Cross or PS+ — however I do know that I’m 100% down with that field artwork. Simply have a look at that magnificence and inform me it’s not some wonderful piece of artwork you’d discover on the duvet of a SNES title that’s now thought of a uncommon gem.

3. NieR:Automata The Finish of YoRHa Version (Reversible Cowl)

The Swap port of NieR:Automata The Finish of YoRHa Version is an absolute murals and arguably probably the greatest ports ever to hit the platform. It additionally has a number of the most stunning field artwork of the yr. After all, you must truly purchase the sport and flip it over to see it. However like the easiest various field artwork, you possible received’t change again to the unique. The plush greens on the entrance of the alt cowl completely draw you into this world, whereas the painted grays of the rear paintings inform a narrative of their very own. Sadly, my cowl artwork bought a small tear in it after I switched to the alt cowl, and I’ve the kind of persona that can completely be pushed insane by that minuscule imperfection till my time on this Earth is full.

2. Save me Mr Tako: Definitive Version (Restricted Run Video games)

This one could be dishonest seeing as Save me Mr Tako: Definitive Version truly got here out final yr. Nevertheless, the bodily version didn’t launch this yr. In actual fact, the sport arrived on my doorstep simply days earlier than Christmas, barely making the reduce for a 2022 launch. And that labored out effectively for me as a result of that is truly the field artwork that impressed this entire High 10 idea. I LOVE the paintings on this cowl. I believe it’s a number of the most stunning and enchanting cowl artwork I’ve ever seen. Simply think about the field artwork we may have gotten for Kirby and the Forgotten Land if Nintendo put this type of effort into designing their packaging.

1. Card Shark (Particular Reserve Video games Normal Version)

Card Shark turned out to be a love-it-or-hate-it sort of sport, however I believe one factor everybody can agree on is how excellent the paintings is for its bodily version from Particular Reserve Video games. In actual fact, I believe the field artwork is so nice, it’s the one motive I purchased the sport. I haven’t even bothered taking it out of the shrink-wrap. I simply love that field. I’m certain the sport is ok, however this field artwork: wow. I’m in love with this paintings. Eliminate the logos and nameplate and you’ve got a chunk of artwork I’d like to have framed on my wall.