Golden Lance Award For Best New IP

Best New IP is one of our favorite awards here at Lords of Gaming. It is a celebration of not just the new shiny object but also of the potential for the future. It is about rewarding worlds that addicted us and left us wanting more. These are games that went in a new and novel direction. These are games that showed us what could be done with the medium outside the confines of previously established franchises. This award is a celebration of risks that paid off. With that said, here are our winners for Golden Lance Award for Best New IP

Winner: Elden Ring

Rise Tarnished, and rise again. FromSoftware made a name for themselves on their difficult games set in bleak universes, but they never did it with George R.R. Martin until now. Elden Ring brought us to the Lands Between. FromSoftware struck a balance between their high difficulty standards and newer players’ need for more accessible gameplay. Instead of throwing yourself at the same boss repeatedly, players can go explore the rest of the world and try again later.

This game also gave us multitudes of ways to play, from close combat builds to far ranged magical builds. Those build classes get even more granular, and let you choose what types of magic or melee you prefer. In the end, FromSoftware created an incredible new world to explore, with no prior knowledge about the game needed. They easily deserve our Golden Lance for Best New IP in 2022.

Runner Up: Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising

Starting new IPs in the vast sea of ongoing big and small games is a risky gambit. That being said, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising was a fantastic introduction to the world Rabbit and Bear Studios is creating. From the varied species of citizens and colorful heroes to the fantastical locations that are very fleshed out. There is a clear vision of what the world for Eiyuden Chronicle wants to be, and it has more than achieved it in this little game. 

I still cherish the time spent with Garu, Isha, and CJ as this year closes out. I hope I get to see these characters and bring them along on the ride for Hundred Heroes. . As Hundred Heroes rapidly approaches next year, I can not wait to see where Eiyuden Chronicle is heading and hope it succeeds with all my heart. 

Runner Up: Ghostwire: Tokyo

Ghostwire: Tokyo may have its issues, but it is a cut above average. Its gameplay feels fresh and polished, however, it is marred by poor traversal. Its story is serviceable but is saved by Tango Gameworks’ successful world-building and environmental storytelling. Despite its performance issues, the game is stunning and nails the appropriate amount of creepiness without spilling into full-on horror. And the sound design is immaculate, you really have to hear it for yourself.

I’d really love to see Tango Gameworks expand on this IP while under the Xbox banner. I think there’s plenty of room for growth with the story and world, and with such a solid foundation of gameplay to build on, the sky’s the limit for Ghostwire: Tokyo.