Almost two years after the introduction of the new generation consoles, we are looking forward to a light summer with only a few flagship releases. The pandemic pushed lots of blockbusters towards the end of the year or at the beginning of 2023. That makes a previously stacked lineup look unusually sparse. However, the array of exciting video games released in 2022 so far is wide.

From Elden Ring to Sifu, here are 2022’s best video games.

Evil Dead: The Game

A worldwide anticipated survival horror game based on Evil Dead, this asymmetrical multiplayer video game was released on the 13th of May. The game offers player-versus-player and co-operative gameplay, although you’ll need an internet connection to enjoy the single-player mode.

 At launch, the game offers four playable survivor classes (Warriors, Supports, Hunters, and Leaders) and three playable demons (the Necromancer, the puppeteer, and the Warlord). You can play Evil Dead: The Game on MS Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox X/S.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring showcases FromSoftware’s crowning achievement in creating an absorbing and challenging adventure creatively. Besides its world-class design and captivating story, the video game special has a vast open-world that’s rich in detail and lots of possibilities. However, what makes Elden Ring a special game is the esoteric design principles that the studio applied to deliver a fresh, unique, and elegant experience.

This action role-playing title was released in February on PS4, PS5, MS Windows, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One. It’s hard to predict what will happen when you explore different areas, making it among the best adventure games in 2022.  

Horizon Forbidden West

A sequel to the post-apocalyptic title Horizon Zero Dawn released in 2017, Horizon Forbidden West is already among the best action role-playing games of 2022. Guerilla Games managed to perfectly replicate everything that made the first title great and gave players more features, including weapons, settlements, and transversal options.

Horizon Forbidden West starts a bit low and takes a while to introduce its more creative gadgets, but it keeps getting engaging as you unlock different tools for your arsenal. Its vast open world feels like a breeze and it’s exciting to explore every corner. The game’s world-building and character writing also convey a civilization worth saving. You can play Horizon Forbidden on PS4 and PS5.

Ghostwire Tokyo

Brought to you by Tango Gameworks, Ghostwire Tokyo borrows several horror tropes to deliver a horror-tinged adventure game with an emotionally resonant story and stunning visuals. The game capitalizes on Tokyo’s spooky surroundings, whisking you into strange dimensions where you fight evil with your powers.

Combat is the main attraction in Ghostwire and the gameplay isn’t overly intricate or complex. You have enough archery buffs to help you take out your enemies without ever spotting you, be it from an adjacent alley or rooftops. Its impressive story and style outweigh the flawed gameplay, but the game is only available on Windows and PS5.  

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

Techland’s undead sequel released in 2022 builds on the strong elements of its predecessors, but the characters and story drag it down. You’ll explore the new fictional city of Villedor, which features a freshly grizzled man here at the center of the conflict.

Dying Light 2 comes seven years after the release of the original title, with an outrageous scope that makes it a modern blockbuster in different ways. It comes with a bulging bag of systems and a turbulent development with reports of dire management and high-profile departures. However, you need a stiff time investment for the immersive payoff.

Sifu

Kung Fu has never been better than in SIFU. The game showcases Scolap’s impressive take on this rogue-like genre, delivering a satisfying and challenging action game that’s hard to beat or put down. This game was released in February and it quickly received positive reviews for its story and combat environment, selling over 1 million units in its first month.

At the core, SIFU tells the story of simple revenge, where you dedicate your life to hunting down mysterious thugs who killed your master eight years ago. However, you’re resurrected by a magical talisman every time you die but slightly age until your avatar permanently dies from old age. You can play this martial-themed action game on Windows, PS4, and PS5.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderland

With Tiny Tina’s Wonderland, Bonderland developers seem to be comfortable letting go and the results are evident. The game is an exciting romp through RPG-inspired environments, with minor tweaks to create major ripples in this series.

You can go through a board-game style overboard, combine two character classes and invest hours into the incredible “Chaos Chamber” endgame. Gearbox has acknowledged they weren’t in favor of a script and they delivered an appropriately scattershot story that doesn’t sacrifice the joy, unpredictability, and the satisfaction of well-earned loot.