Best games of 2022 so far: Elden Ring, Pokemon Legends Arceus, and more
Guerilla Games / Tango Gameworks / Nintendo2022 is already proving to be a huge year for best-in-class video games, with the likes of Elden Ring, Ghostwire Tokyo, and Horizon Forbidden West leading the stellar lineup.
After a year that delivered plenty of incredible highs including Resident Evil Village, Metroid Dread, and Deathloop, 2022 has a lot to live up to. Fortunately, there are loads of exciting games on the horizon to look forward to – with many available to play right now.
Whether you want to step into the boots of DC’s most iconic supervillains, get your next open-world RPG fix, or experience your own extraordinary wizarding adventure at Hogwarts, there’s something for you below.
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The best games of 2022 so far
Here are the best games of 2022 that you can play right now. We thoroughly recommend every single one, but we’ve also included links to our reviews if you need a little extra persuasion.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
- Release date: January 28, 2022
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
Pokemon fans have been calling for a twist on the tried-and-tested franchise formula for years, and they got it with Legends: Arceus, an expansive prequel set in a feudal-era Sinnoh known as the Hisui region – long before Pokemon and humans lived in harmony.
Trainers need to survey distinct environments, catch loads of Pokemon, and complete the region’s first-ever Pokedex. As well as original Hisuian forms and never-before-seen evolutions, longtime fans can expect new battle features, some terrifying Pokemon encounters, and loads of post-game content.
Read our Pokemon Legends Arceus review.
Lost Ark
- Release date: February 11, 2022
- Platforms: PC
Set in the stunning, medieval-inspired universe of Arkesia, Smilegate’s Lost Ark made an impressive mark not just on the MMOARPG genre, but on gaming as a whole when it finally got a wide release in February, reaching over 1.3 million players on Steam just one day after it came out.
Combat is flashy and fast-paced, dungeons are vast and full of treasure, and there are loads of classes to choose between, from a Deathblade assassin to a magic Sorceress, with each one bringing something new to the game – so you can play how you want to.
Read our Lost Ark review.
Horizon Forbidden West
- Release date: February 18, 2022
- Platforms: PS5 and PS4
For fans of post-apocalyptic adventure games, it doesn’t get much better than 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn – so you’ll be glad to know its sequel, the highly-anticipated Forbidden West, takes everything that was good about the original and improves on it in almost every way.
With underwater exploration of lakes and seas, brand new tools like the Shieldwing and Pullcaster to play with, and an even bigger map than last time to explore – which looks absolutely stunning, by the way – it’s one of the most exciting releases of the year.
Read our Horizon Forbidden West review.
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
- Release date: February 22, 2022
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
While it’s not technically a new game, The Witch Queen is arguably the best expansion that Destiny 2 has received so far, earning it a spot on our ‘best games of the year’ list.
Marking the beginning of the end of the Light and Darkness saga, it brought plenty of content including the twisted Throne World, a new Glaive weapon, and a Legendary Campaign. Most importantly, it helped breathe new life into a five-year-old game and made us excited about its future.
Read our Destiny 2: The Witch Queen review.
Martha is Dead
- Release date: February 24, 2022
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC
There was plenty of controversy surrounding Martha is Dead before it was even released, especially with the news that certain scenes would be censored on PlayStation consoles, but fortunately, the actual game more than lived up to the hype and it feels destined to become a horror classic.
Set in Tuscany during the 1940s, the game follows Giulia as she hunts for the truth behind her twin sister’s traumatic murder. What follows is a psychological horror that pushes plenty of boundaries, but if you can stomach the gore and shock, it’s a brilliant game with a story that will stick with you beyond the credits.
Read our Martha is Dead review.
Elden Ring
- Release date: February 25, 2022
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X| S, Xbox One, and PC
From the minds of Dark Souls creator, Hidetaka Miyazaki, and the author of the iconic A Song of Ice and Fire novels, George R. R. Martin, comes Elden Ring. The long-awaited FromSoftware title finally arrived in February, and it didn’t disappoint, with many already calling it their favorite game of the year.
There’s clear inspiration from Dark Souls, but with plenty of new features to enjoy like the impossibly big open-world map and the ability to fight on horseback. Combine this with a huge collection of unforgiving boss fights and tough-but-rewarding progression, and it’s easy to see why it’s won so much acclaim.
Read our Elden Ring review.
Gran Turismo 7
- Release date: March 4, 2022
- Platforms: PS5 and PS4
Gran Turismo has been bringing the racetrack to living rooms around the world for over two decades now, so naturally, expectations were high for its first foray onto the PS5 – and we’re pleased to say that it goes above and beyond them, becoming one of the best driving sims on PlayStation ever.
In our review, we praised the “ridiculous array of content and absorbing racing mechanics” in the game, as well as the outstanding visuals and immersive use of PlayStation tech that helps it rise to the top. There are also plenty of gameplay modes that give it loads of replayability.
Read our Gran Turismo 7 review.
Ghostwire: Tokyo
- Release date: March 25, 2022
- Platforms: PS5 and PC
Ghostwire Tokyo was the surprise supernatural shooter hit of 2022, immersing players in a stunningly-realized version of Japan’s capital city while fighting off creepy Visitors – led by an occultist who wants to ‘cleanse’ the world – with a variety of magic powers.
It’s one of the most unique titles on the PS5 so far, with a gallery of ghouls to take on and some exciting combat to enjoy. Besides, you can pet dogs and cats; what more could you ask for?
Read our Ghostwire Tokyo review.
Rogue Legacy 2
- Release date: April 28, 2022
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC
Nine years on from Rogue Legacy’s release, the long-awaited sequel finally arrived in 2022 to rapturous applause across the board. It didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it did build on the legacy of the original to make a near-perfect roguelike game.
There are dozens of hours of content to immerse yourself in, and it comes at a much more affordable price point than the year’s big AAA titles, so there’s no reason not to lose yourself in the world of Rogue Legacy.
Read our Rogue Legacy 2 review.
Hardspace: Shipbreaker
- Release date: May 24, 2022
- Platforms: PC
One of the more niche entries onto our list is Hardspace Shipbreaker, a sci-fi simulator that tasks players with carving and slicing spaceships to recover valuable materials in order to pay off their billion credits debt to an exploitative company known as Lynx.
We called it a “genre-defining blue-collar space sim” when it came out, and we stand by that; It’s not for everyone, but if the prospect of an engaging sandbox with a compelling narrative and addicting gameplay sounds like your thing, then sign yourself up now.
Read our Hardspace Shipbreaker review.
The Quarry
- Release date: June 10, 2022
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch and PC
Fans of interactive horror games like Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology will lap up The Quarry, the latest big release from Supermassive Games that follows a group of summer camp counselors as they attempt to survive a night in the woods.
With a brilliant cast that includes David Arquette (Scream), Justice Smith (Detective Pikachu), and Ariel Winter (Modern Family), it’s not only a brilliant horror movie-like experience – it’s also the most star-studded game you’ll play all year.
Read our The Quarry review.
Neon White
- Release date: June 16, 2022
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch and PC
Speedrunners will no doubt love Neon White, a unique first-person shooter and puzzle-platforming game in which players take control of an assassin who’s pulled from hell and given the chance to compete for a spot in heaven – by exterminating other demon slayers.
The game exudes cool, with stylish anime graphics and a great soundtrack that amplifies the lightning-fast gameplay that will have you collecting Soul Cards to attack your foes and exchanging gifts to earn favor with your fellow sinners.
Read our Neon White review.
Biggest games still to come in 2022
Here are some of our most-anticipated games still to come in 2022. Not all of them have concrete release dates yet, but as long as there aren’t any delays, they should be out this year.
MultiVersus
- Release date: July 2022 (Open Beta)
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X| S, Xbox One and PC
With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate dropping its final DLC content at the end of 2021, fans of fighting games with ridiculous crossover rosters might want to turn their attention towards MultiVersus, a free-to-play alternative from Warner Bros.
If you’ve ever wondered who would win in a fight between Batman and Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, or Wonder Woman and Arya Stark from Game of Thrones… well, you’ll soon be able to find out. The game will have an open beta across all consoles in July 2022.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl came and went without much fanfare – it recently hit zero viewers on Twitch – so here’s hoping MultiVersus can stick around a little longer when it arrives later in 2022.
Splatoon 3
- Release date: September 9, 2022
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
Splatoon has become quite the surprise hit for Nintendo, offering all the fun of competitive online shooters while replacing gun-toting violence and trash talk with paint splatters and wholesome community content.
The third-person shooter is now approaching its third outing, and while it doesn’t look drastically different from what’s come before, there are loads of upgrades to look forward to including fresh stages, a bow-shaped weapon, and new moves to help you evade and attack.
Forspoken
- Release date: October 11, 2022
- Platforms: PS5 and PC
With a team consisting of Final Fantasy XV developers and writers with credits including Uncharted and Rogue One, there’s a whole lot of anticipation for Square Enix’s upcoming action-adventure RPG, Forspoken.
The game follows a young New Yorker called Frey Holland as she’s ripped from her city lifestyle and transported to the “beautiful and cruel” world of Athia, where she gains newfound magical abilities and some slick parkour skills to take on the monstrous creatures that roam the land.
From the footage we’ve seen so far, it looks stunning, and Frey (portrayed by Charlie’s Angels star Ella Balinska) is shaping up to be a very cool protagonist. It’s coming to PS5 and PC in May 2022.
Gotham Knights
- Release date: October 25, 2022
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X| S, Xbox One and PC
In Gotham Knights, the next big release from the devs behind Batman: Arkham Origins, gamers will once again descend upon Gotham City – only this time, Batman is dead. Instead, it’s up to Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Red Hood to keep the city safe from The Court of Owls.
The game is designed with co-op in mind – although solo play is an option too – with each of the four vigilantes having their own set of skills; Batgirl is a hacker, Robin is trained in stealth, Nightwing is an acrobatics specialist, and Red Hood excels at combat.
With an exciting cast of superheroes and the promise of open-world RPG action, Gotham Knights looks like it could be the premier superhero game of the year.
God of War Ragnarok
- Release date: 2022
- Platforms: PS5 and PS4
The long-running God of War franchise got a new lease of life in 2018 when, after countless sequels and spin-offs, it received a soft reboot that introduced fans to Kratos’ son Atreus and garnered universal acclaim from both critics and gamers.
With the upcoming follow-up Ragnarok, the stakes have never been higher for Kratos; the titular prophecy looks set to be fulfilled, promising the death of Gods and the end of days itself, and the Norse mythology era of the series reaches its dramatic finale.
There’s no official release date for God of War Ragnarok yet, although recent rumors have pointed to a September 2022 launch window. Fingers crossed all goes to plan.
Hogwarts Legacy
- Release date: Holiday 2022
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X| S, Xbox One and PC
For Harry Potter fans who spent years secretly hoping for an invitation to Hogwarts to drop through their letterbox, the upcoming open-world RPG Hogwarts Legacy – which is set to release at the end of 2022 – looks like it’ll be the next best thing.
Players will create a fully-customizable character and be at the center of their own magical adventure as they master spells, create potions, and battle Dark Wizards, ultimately deciding whether to use their powers for good or evil.
It will be set in the 1800s, though, so don’t expect to see Luna Lovegood or Professor McGonagall make an appearance as you traverse the hallowed halls of Hogwarts.
Several games that originally featured on this list, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, have now been removed as they’ve been pushed back to 2023.
We’ll keep this page updated as new games are released or delayed.
