Top 10 Games from 2022 That I Haven’t Played… Yet

In the process of making a list of my top games released in 2022, I can’t help but notice how many significant holes I have in my gaming experience. I still have a few 2022 games unplayed on my shelf, like Rear Window and Lands of Galzyr (I will get to those soon). Even the most prolific board game reviewers and content creators can’t play everything released in a single year, right?

I’m still putting together a list of my favorite games released in 2022, but before we get there I want to highlight some of the games I missed that I think might have earned a spot if I had just had a chance to experience them. Hopefully I will be playing at least a few of them in 2023…

Without further ado, here are my Top 10 Games from 2022 that I want to play, in descending order:

10. Dead Reckoning

I tend to like John D. Clair’s designs, and AEG has a good track record of releasing solid, enjoyable titles. I don’t consider myself a “pirate person” but some of my favorite games feature them, so maybe I am just in denial.

9. Mosaic: A Story of Civilization

I haven’t played many civ games, digital, tabletop, or otherwise. I do like the designer on this one, plus and it’s gotten enough positive buzz to pique my interest. I think I need to give it a whirl.

8. Three Sisters

I feel lukewarm on most roll-and-write games but there is something about Three Sisters that has captured my eye. I want a chance at making at least one garden look good, because heaven knows my backyard garden is always a hot mess.

7. Revive

Revive is very new to my interest list. That’s because I have just recently learned it exists (thanks to many other reviewers’ top 10 lists). The post-apocalyptic theme intrigues me and the gameplay sounds interesting. It’s one I’ll be watching for.

6. Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood

I only have so much room in my life for narrative-driven games, so I didn’t pay much attention to Oathsworn at first. Every time I hear about it, I regret my decision to ignore it just a little bit more. It doesn’t hurt that it is one of the most, if not the most, highly-rated games on boardgamegeek.com for the year 2022. I’m giving in and admitting that yes, I do want to try it!

5. Lacrimosa

I actually already bought this game. There was one copy left at my local game store and I picked it up for my children’s piano instructor (Happy Holidays, Miss Andrea!). Devir’s reputation, the beautiful art, and unique theme make me very interested in giving this Mozart-themed beauty a shot.

4. First Rat

This is a game about rats trying to launch a rocket because they think the moon is made of cheese. Sign me up!

3. Veiled Fate

I have only tried two of IV Studio’s games, but what I have played have quickly left strong, positive impressions. I’d be interested in trying just about anything they put out, but Veiled Fate‘s use of hidden influence is what truly intrigues me.

2. Clank!: Catacombs

Clank! in! Space! has been taking care of all my press-your-luck deck builder needs, so I wrote off Clank!: Catacombs. I assumed it was an expansion and paid it no mind… at first. Now I know it is a standalone game that features dungeon-diving in a more exploratory way. The use of tile-placement to create even more tension sounds perfect for this system. I did a complete 180 on my thoughts on this title and hope to get a crack at it very soon.

1. Planet Unknown

After several trusted recommendations, this game has quickly skyrocketed to the top of my “need to play” list. Space theme? Check. Tile placement? Check. Lazy Susan? You betcha. It seems like this game was designed specifically for me! I have heard people comparing this one very favorably to Isle of Cats, which I love. Planet Unknown has my full attention and there will be no resistance from me when (not if) I get a chance to try it.

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Of course, there are other fantastic-looking titles from 2022 that I didn’t squeeze onto this list. What do you think? Are there any games on this list that you have played, and would you recommend them? I’d love to hear your thoughts about some of the amazing games that were released this past year.