Some games are just better than others. Whether it’s the graphics, the storyline, or the gameplay itself, these games just manage to capture our attention and keep us coming back for more.
Unfortunately, some highly anticipated titles in 2022 fell short, while others were a complete surprise. It’s one of the reasons why I love to review games, to hopefully help you avoid wasting your time and money on the flops.
So in this must-play list, we’re going to look at some of the best video games of 2022, starting with my favorite game of the year, Elden Ring!
Elden Ring
Elden Ring ticked all the boxes this year and is my top pick for 2022. After spending over 150 hours playing the game on PC and completing it, I still want more. In my Elden Ring review, I rated it 9.8/10 on PC, while I think it would be closer to a 10 on a console.
You’re on a quest to become the new Elden Lord and will have to explore an expansive open world presented from a third-person perspective, either alone or online co-op. The recent Colosseum patch update adds more PVP action for those wishing to battle other players.
With Dark Souls style gameplay, you can expect an immersive experience with no shortage of unforgettable moments. But be forewarned, Tarnished, you will have your patience tested, and you will be punished for using your usual gaming instincts.
Elden Ring was released on February 25, 2022, and is available on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox ONE, and Xbox Series X/S.
God Of War Ragnarök
The sequel to the 2018 God of War installment is the award-winning title God Of War Ragnarok. New players will have no problem jumping in fresh, and long-time gamers of the series won’t be disappointed.
This time around, Kratos and his teenage son Atreus are thrust into ancient Scandinavia as they battle their way through Norse mythology in hopes of concluding the series.
Unfortunately, it’s only available for PlayStation owners but is rumored to be available on PC sometime in 2024. If you’re on PC, it’s worth checking out the other God Of War games on STEAM or your favorite online game vendor.
God Of War Ragnarok was released on November 9, 2022, and is currently available on PS5 and PS 4.
Evil West
Evil West is a third-person futuristic western shooter that you can play alone or with friends in online co-op. Armed with an electrified gauntlet, you can become a true wild-west superhero and defeat the vampiric hordes that threaten your world.
For some reason, not a lot of people have heard about this game. It’s packed full of old-school action and great graphics, and the controls are simple to master yet provide a satisfying experience when seen on screen.
The game is fairly linear, so you won’t have a huge world to explore, but you will enjoy the combat and weapon upgrades.
Evil West was released on November 22, 2022, and is available on Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Scorn
Things have taken a dark turn in Scorn, where you explore a twisted world of bizarre forms and gloomy atmosphere. This unnerving first-person horror adventure game is designed to take you on a journey through nightmares.
Along the way, you will face off against nightmarish horrors within this disturbingly surreal universe. Prepare yourself for terror!
This game is definitely not for everyone, but with the lack of horror games in the past couple of years, it is a welcomed title.
Scorn was released on October 14, 2022, and is available on Xbox Series X and Series S and PC.
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol is a survival horror action game by veteran developers Striking Distance Studios and Krafton. In their latest venture, gamers are joined by none other than Glen Schofield, one of Dead Space’s masterminds!
This terrifyingly immersive experience is sure to keep your heart pounding as you explore an eerily-familiar sci-fi universe.
The game had a bumpy launch with optimization issues, but further updates have helped resolve them for the most part.
The Callisto Protocol was released on December 2, 2022, and is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.
A Plague Tale Requiem
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a unique blend of action-adventure, survival horror, and stealth elements. You explore the dark Middle Ages as you fight to survive against impossible odds on your gripping journey for freedom.
The game allows you to play with your own playstyle. Do you want to be stealthy, or do you want to make yourself known in every situation and bulldoze your way through? You decide, and I’m sure you’ll be surprised at the results.
If you’re playing on PC, you will need an extremely powerful rig to experience this game’s beauty for both graphics and sound.
A Plague Tale Requiem was released on October 18, 2022, and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II
The iconic gaming franchise Call of Duty continues its legacy with the highly anticipated sequel to Modern Warfare. This installment marks an impressive nineteenth game for the series.
With new maps, weapons, and game modes, you take on various battle zones around the world in not just first but also third-person perspectives.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II was released on October 27, 2022, and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.
Stray
Stray transports you to a post-apocalyptic world filled with robots and strange beings. The unique twist is that you take on the role of a fearless stray cat whose mission is to climb out of a desolate city. And your only ally is B-12, a charming drone companion.
There is no fighting or PVP. Instead, this unique adventure game provides hours of captivating exploration that will challenge even seasoned video game veterans.
Stray was released on July 19, 2022, and is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows for PC.
Thymesia
Dive into the mysterious and dangerous kingdom of Thymesia, where death is a weapon. As Corvus, you’ll battle fierce foes with fast-paced combat tactics and wield powerful plague weapons to survive in this unforgiving land.
This action RPG is another souls-like game, without a AAA budget, that will challenge you as a gamer. If you’re a fan of Bloodborne, Elden Ring, or Dark souls, it’s worth checking out.
Thymesia was released on August 15, 2022, and is available for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and S, and Amazon Luna.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Enter the thrilling Marvel Universe with The Hunter, a renowned demon slayer on an urgent mission of justice. Strategically lead your team of Super Heroes through dark and dangerous missions to save humanity from apocalypse-level threats in this single-player tactical role-playing game.
The only thing I should note is that there is quite a bit of grinding to do in the game in order to unlock some basic customizations. This might take away some of the fun for those who just want to smash through the game.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns was released on December 2, 2022, and is available on PS5, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Microsoft Windows.
Gotham Knights
The death of Batman has left Gotham in turmoil. With the City’s streets overrun by nefarious criminals, it is now up to the courageous members of The Batman Family ( Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin) to bring justice back into this chaotic metropolis.
As a new hero for this dynamic DC world, shaping your own legacy will involve solving dark mysteries that encircle the history of Gotham City while tackling some of its most notorious adversaries with epic combat experiences along your heroic journey, either solo or through cooperative play amongst friends!
Gotham Knights was released on October 21, 2022, and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Microsoft Windows.
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is the successor to the 2017 title Horizon Zero Dawn. It’s an action role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic version of America.
You will explore an expansive open world and take on awe-inspiring machine creatures using melee weapons and ranged combat tactics. And you will face off against dangerous robotic adversaries to save what remains of humanity.
Horizon Forbidden West was released on February 18, 2022, and is available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga
Live out your Star Wars fantasies with LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga! Experience all nine epic movies as you mix and match content from the trilogies, making it unique each time.
You can play iconic characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi in exclusive classic mode, plus more than 300 other heroes and villains from throughout the galaxy.
This is a must for any devoted fan or casual gamer to experience an intergalactic adventure like no other.
LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga was released on April 5, 2022, and is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Tunic
Step into a mysterious and exciting world in TUNIC. This isometric action game casts you as a small fox on the adventure of a lifetime.
Tunic is a modern take on The Legend of Zelda, where you play as a fox. It merges classic level design with challenging combat mechanics, which creates an engaging gaming experience that will sometimes test your patience.
If you’re looking for an immersive experience full of puzzles, secrets, and lore gradually revealed as they progress through the game, check out Tunic.
Tunic was released on March 16, 2022, and is available on PC, macOS, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human
If you’re into Zombies and parkour, Dying Light 2 has both in this gruesome survival horror. You can either take on the world alone or with friends in an online co-op.
How did the world get to this point? A deadly virus that left just one City standing as a final hope for humanity. So it’s up to you to make sure the settlement doesn’t crumble into chaos, and every decision you make affects the fate of this post-apocalyptic world.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human was released on February 4, 2022, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Quarry
The final night of summer camp at Hackett’s Quarry starts with an epic party with no adults around. But then, the teenage counselors find themselves in an unimaginable situation that tests their courage and challenges them every step of the way.
The game is very cinematic and immersive as you play as a single-player or split-screen co-op.
It’s filled with thrilling story arcs and life-altering decisions. This suspenseful cinematic experience puts you in control as your choices shape not just one but multiple unique stories from all possibilities.
The Quarry was released on June 10, 2022, and is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.
TMNT Shredders Revenge
TMNT is a classic beat ’em up that many games have tried to replicate over the years. Now you can join the fight against Shredder and his evil forces in TMNT: Shredders Revenge!
Choose your Turtle and join a four-player co-op showdown with fast-paced action and fluid gameplay. You can also team up with a local friend in a two-player couch co-op or even mix it up with a combination of offline and online play. Cowabunga dude!
TMNT Shredders Revenge was released on June 16, 2022, and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Microsoft Windows.
Kirby And The Forgotten Land
Nintendo’s ever-popular Kirby is back and better than before in Kirby and the Forgotten Land. This award-winning title lets you experience this beloved series in full 3D on the Nintendo Switch.
While aimed towards a younger crowd, if you’re an older fan, you still have to check it out.
As usual, you will explore new worlds, solve mysterious puzzles and have a great time as you go along your journey with our favorite pink hero!
Kirby And The Forgotten Land was released on March 25, 2022, and released on the Nintendo Switch.
V Rising
Step into a world of darkness as an immortal vampire. Emerge in dynastic power, ruling over distant settlements where you can satisfy your thirst for blood and use its dark energies to enhance yourself.
You will explore vast lands while braving against sunlight that threatens to end your existence. You can also form allegiances with other players online and together fight off those who wait at bay from outside forces seeking dominion within this realm.
V Rising was released on May 17, 2022, and is only available on PC.
Sifu
You embark on an epic journey of revenge and redemption as you take control of the child of a martial arts Sifu. This is another action-packed beat ’em up game set among modern-day China’s captivating landscapes.
You will utilize your fighting abilities to hunt down those responsible for your father’s death in single-player or co-op modes. If that’s not enough, you slay others in PVP.
Sifi was released on February 6, 2022, and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows.
The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us Part I is an action-adventure epic from the developer Naughty Dog and publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment. Does the name sound familiar? If you have played the original, you’ll be surprised to see that this remake is a visual feast and offers hours of fun with all the changes made to it.
The Last of Us Part I was released on September 2, 2022, and is available only on PlayStation 5.