What a year for video games! But above all, what a year for French video games! The year was largely dominated by the Elden Ring Tsunami, which alone made 2022 a significant year in video game history. Rarely has a title caused such a stir upon its release, putting the press, players and the industry in agreement.
And yet, FromSoftware’s game wasn’t the only good news of the year: AAA games were also there (Horizon, God of War, etc.), as were the very good surprises from the indies (Immortality, Tunic , Cult of the Lamb…). And what particularly stands out from this assessment is the very great form of French production, which has been able to shine and has seen its games recognized in just regarding every style.
Dotemu goldsmiths, first, who developed TMNT : Shredders Revenge and edited Windbreakers 2, two variations on retro classics. First, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, back in pixels as a follow-up to celebrated titles released on Nintendo 8 and 16-bit consoles; and Windjammers 2, the sequel, almost twenty years later, to a Neo Geo classic, with a hint of e-sport.
Variation on a classical theme, that’s also what we used to say regarding Young Souls, the very successful beat’em all from 1P2P, a very small studio in the North of France. The team did a brilliant job of incorporating RPG elements into their side-scrolling action game, skillfully refreshing the formula. A recipe to which must be added a neat and effective artistic direction, for a game which, without completely overturning the table, has been able to stand out for good.
Gerda, A Flame in the Winter, Have a Nice Death or Flat Eye are also three games that have drawn sympathetic reviews. Here once more, without being revolutionary titles, the achievements of each of them have made it possible to raise their heads a little above the tide of releases that we experience each year. For Gerda, it is in particular the finesse of her writing, yet regarding a difficult subject (the occupation), which has been praised. Have a Nice Death is, in addition to being rather successful, full of humor and full of winks, which forces you to find it at least likeable. Flat Eye, released a few days ago, is signed by the authors of Night Call, which should already make you curious enough!
Among the most anticipated titles this year, we came across (at least) two French titles: Strayet A Plague Tale : Requiem. If the second is signed by the well-established Asobo (who had been chosen by Microsoft to develop the latest Flight Simulator), Stray was a first game. And both had a certain pressure on their shoulders, given the level of expectation that they had generated. It is therefore all the more remarkable to have been able to come out, although imperfect, without disappointing the players!
Alongside these two headlines, we will put Steelrising, who somewhat shares their ambition. This other French video game features automatons during the French Revolution, and came to flirt with the very demanding genre of Soulslike. A genre might be a little too big for it, but that hasn’t stopped the game from seeing its universe and storytelling praised by critics.
Unlike these “big” games (big for indies), we find Tinykin, from which we expected nothing and which surprised everyone as it is so successful. Between the Pikmin-like and the platform game, Tinykin offers simple and effective mechanics, a catchy artistic direction, and is aimed at just regarding everyone.
Something that can’t be said regarding SiFu. Frustrating, demanding, difficult, this second game from SoClap studios following Absolver is a radical proposition. So certainly, it will leave people on the side of the road (including us!), but we must salute the courage and nerve of the developers, especially since those who have managed to master the game also praise the satisfaction that he can provide.
Admit that aligned in this way, it gives a good series, showing that the French video game has been able to mark the year. Which is already a great success, given the place Elden Ring occupied in the conversation. Admittedly, not all of these titles are masterpieces, but each has had the merit of approaching the market with original proposals, in the way of mixing or remixing genres, of telling their stories, or of trying to build a niche audience. And once more, we might also have mentioned Speak up and its cocktail of deck builder and narrative game, or even the puzzle game signed Arte How to Say Goodbyewhich had charmed the editorial staff.
A particularly rich and interesting year for French video games, therefore, which makes us hope for a year 2023 at least as qualitative! We already know that Ubisoft promises us a new Assassin’s Creed (Mirage), which we hope will be able to renew the formula as Origins had been able to do. We are also impatiently awaiting (perhaps wrongly?) the Grendizer from Microids… And at least as many surprises as in 2022!