UPDATE: MultiVersus won Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2022!
The Game Awards 2022 is just around the corner, and like the other shows, it will likely bring about some big reveals and celebrate the best gaming has had to offer this year. 2022 has been a strong year for gaming, with a lot of great titles coming out of every genre. While much of the discussion surrounding gaming awards shows this year has been centered on whetherElden RingorGod of War: Ragnarokwill take home the most trophies, there are plenty of categories that don’t concern either of those games that are worth talking about.
One such category isBest Fighting Game, which celebrates titles designed primarily around head-to-head combat. There have been a lot of great fighting games released this year, with some marking another strong release from a well-known developer, while others have made a big debut and drawn the eyes of a lot of gamers in a very short amount of time. Up for the Best Fighting Game award this year are:DNF Duel, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R, The King of Fighters 15, MultiVersus,andSifu.
RELATED:Rumor: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Release Date Announcement Coming at The Game Awards
DNF Duel
Coming from prominent fighting game developer Arc System Works, known for itswork onGuilty Gear Strive,DNF Duelis a2.5d fighter spin-off of theDungeon & FighterRPG series. Allowing the player to choose from 15 initial characters with a final fighter being unlocked as the final boss,DNF Duelis packed with chaotic action, a unique roster, and a lot of training menus that give fans the chance to learn as much as they please.
DNF Duelis also welcoming to beginners, even for those who might pick it up as their first fighting game, as certain characters can be incredibly easy to learn. This doesn’t mean that veterans of the genre won’t find any interesting gameplay inDNF Duelthough, as the title is packed with complex combos to master and great online play. The only thing holdingDNF Duelback to a lot of reviewers is in its story mode, but in terms of the fighting mechanics it proved to be a hit.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle Ris a remake of a 2013 title released for the PS3, in which players could pick their favorite characters from theJoJo’s Bizarre Adventureanimeand manga and battle it out in 1-on-1, 2-on-2, and 3-on-3 fights. The remake brings the original game ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battleto multiple new systems, including the Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch, but it also adds a whole host of additional features.
These include new battles from the manga that didn’t appear in the original game and new “what if” battles that have the player partake in a fight that never happened in the series. For fans ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, All Star Battle Risn’t a title they’ll likely want to miss out on, and for fans of fighting games in general the title is stacked with a big roster full of unique moves and fighting styles. There will even be new characters on the way toJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle Rsoon in upcoming free DLC.
The King of Fighters 15
The firstKing of Fightersgame created using Unreal Engine 4,The King of Fighters 15follows the example set by past games, mostly focusing on combat revolving around teams of three. The Parry system also returns, though it is now known by the name Shatter Strike. Featuring 39 characters to pick from at launch,King of Fighters 15sees the return of some iconic faces, including Mai and Terry Bogard.
The game is welcoming both to long time fans of the franchise and newcomers as well, having a one-button rush mode that allows those unfamiliar with the characters and combos to get a gist of how combat works. However, there are also plenty ofhidden details inKing of Fighters 15that can give those willing to put in the extra hours an edge in a fight.King of Fighters 15is also working on post-launch content as it moves into 2023, with a new trailer revealing its plans for Season Two.
RELATED:New King of Fighters 15 Trailer Reveals Season 2 Plans, Shingo Yabuki
MultiVersus
From a game that’s looking to launch its second season to one that’s just seen the release of it,MultiVersusproved to be incredibly popular even at the release of its open beta. Combining a bunch of characters from various Warner Bros. IPs, theroster forMultiVersuscontinues to be a wacky and fun blendof vastly different fighters. While its intriguing roster was enough to get many interested, the game has since proven it has more than a fun lot of characters.
MultiVersushas managed to stand out among other platform fighters in its gameplay as Player First Games has worked consistently to improve how combat works within its popular title. From nerfing overpowered characters to changing howhitboxes work inMultiVersus, it’s clear to see there’s a dedication from Player First Games to ensure that the platform fighter isn’t just a flash in the pan.
Sifu
To some,Sifumay not be considered a traditional fighting game since it doesn’t allow players to battle each other. There are no online elements inSifu, but the game is based primarily on a great hand-to-hand combat system.Sifu’scombat is incredibly deep and difficult, with the nature of it changing each time a player dies. Rather than play through the game as the same person,Sifumakes its main character age each time they die, trading out health for extra damage.
Sifu’sroguelike gameplay keeps it interesting for a player as they try and run through the game’s story, as they can attempt to beat it as young or as old as they’d like. For those who might not want the moredifficult experience ofSifu, the game did add difficulty options this year, making it more accessible for those who’d just like to run through the game’s short but compelling story of revenge.
Final Prediction
Bringing a breath of fresh air to the platform fighting subgenre,MultiVersusstands out this year as the game most likely to win the Best Fighting category at this year’sGame Awards. There is some strong competition in the list of nominees, and any fighting game fan should probably check out the majority of the titles nominated. However,MultiVersusburst onto the scene with immense popularity, giving fans a comparable experience toSuper Smash Bros.
MultiVersus' vibrant visuals, unique characters, and tight gameplay keeps fans coming back. WhileMultiVersusmight not be enjoying the impressive player countit had at launch, those who want to delve deep into an engaging platform fighter have stuck around and cannot wait to see what comes next from one of the more surprising hits of 2022.
