AAfter many game delays and pandemic setbacks in the past, the videogame industry finally felt back in full swing by 2022. Although the PlayStation 5 is still elusive, there were plenty of consoles available with Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch giving gamers plenty to choose from. This year, there were more highly anticipated titles than ever before. Some of those titles, such as Gotham Knights Sonic Frontiers, didn’t quite live up to expectations, while others, which we’ll get to, exceeded them.
On the business side, 2022 opened with a boom as Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for $69 billion in January, amid continued allegations of CEO Bobby Kotick’s discrimination, sexual harassment, and creation of a toxic work environment. Later that month, Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired Bungie for a billion, further ensuring that both Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation would continue their attempts to outdo each other with exclusives—good news for gamers, though less so for developers who are now forced to cater to a certain type of gamer. Not only were there new partnerships, but also there were some splits. Electronic Arts ended its 30-year-old partnership with FIFA and withdrew their license. E3 was also cancelled this year, leaving studios and developers to look for other ways to spread the word about their upcoming games.
The potential for videogame adaptations remains attractive to the television and film industries. 2022 clearly highlighted the successes as well as the failures. Sony’s Uncharted While it met with mixed reviews, the movie was widely viewed worldwide and launched a new franchise by Mark Wahlberg (and Tom Holland) Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2, grossed nearly the same as Sony’s film, with the added superlative of being the highest-grossing domestic video game film. Paramount quickly announced the release of a third film in 2024, along with a Knuckles spinoff limited series. Gran Turismo Was greenlit by Sony with Neil Blomkamp, Warner Bros. Mortal Kombat 2 Simon McQuoid is back to direct and Emma Tammi has signed on to direct Five Nights at Freddy’s Blumhouse. Universal releases the first trailer of an animated film Super Mario Bros. Movie, which aims to replicate Sonic’s success next April.
On the TV side, Netflix’s Resident Evil The first season was cancelled despite the clever idea of setting it after the events of the game rather than adapting the games. The small screen is still alive and well. A God of War Amazon Prime Video is currently developing prequel, while Netflix will attempt to make a similar series. Horizon prequel. If HBO’s The Last of Us It sets the bar high, as its trailer suggests. Surely more TV adaptations will be made.
Developers clearly had the apocalypse in mind when they created the top games of 2022. You’ll notice an ongoing theme of world-ending events and post-apocalyptic scenarios. Yet, amidst all of that human-caused wreckage and suffering, there’s hope to be found, as even some of the bleakest adventures highlighted the importance of connections, family, and friendship. While the notion of escapism feels somewhat slighter with so many end-of-the-world stories, it seems that the pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the ever-present threat of intolerance and attacks on human rights have encouraged game developers to emphasize the importance of staying connected, and fighting together, whether that be through co-op modes or narrative.
Here are TIME’s favorite games of the year:
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Cowabunga! In this arcade-style side-scroller, the Heroes in Half-shell take to streets as the Heroes in a Half shell. Shredder’s Revenge It’s a healthy piece of pixelated nostalgia. The voice cast from the cartoon series is back, but the game also offers modern updates such as a deeper 2D environment or a great soundtrack. Shredder’s Revenge supports both single player and multiplayer as you choose between Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, April O’Neil, and Master Splinter and take on the Foot Clan, Bepop, Rocksteady, Krang, and, of course, Shredder. You will battle your way through the streets and sewers of New York City to Dimension X while gaining health benefits from pizzas. Shredder’s Revenge has just one flaw: it’s over all too quickly. Each character has their own style and skills, giving it replayability that is lacking in many arcade-style games.
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and XBOX One are available.
9. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Anakin to Rey’s favorite characters. The battles that excited you and the moments that made your heart sing. Star Wars LEGO-based versions of these scenes have been faithfully reproduced. Although the movie plot is covered in nine movies, The Skywalker Saga This is an easy-to-understand guide that will help you introduce your children to the universe far, faraway. Of course, that’s not to say adult fans won’t find plenty to enjoy here as well. You will find a wealth of Easter eggs, varied combat, and a greater emphasis on exploration. There is also a local co-op. The Skywalker Saga It combines all the best parts of both Lego Star Wars games. This allows for improved character movement (remember that these are blocks figures), and better camera positions. It also makes it easier to use force powers, blaster shot, and lightsaber combats. Although many of the games in this list can be challenging and stressful, they are also high-stress. The Skywalker Saga Encourages relaxation and promises good times.
Playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, XBOX One and XBOX Series X/S. Also available for Nintendo Switch and PC.
8. Resident Evil village: Shadows of Rose
Resident Evil Village’s DLC isn’t just bonus content but its own unique story that concludes the Winters saga that began in Resident Evil: Biohazard. Set 16 years from the date of expiration Village, Shadows follows Ethan’s daughter Rose Winters, who enters the mind of a conscious fragment of mold in search of a crystal that will remove the powers that left her a social pariah her entire life. How that works exactly isn’t important—it’s just your typical Resident Evil Pseudoscience and dream logic. It is only the terror itself that is important. Shadows Through this experience, the player is able create. Players will be able to explore familiar places. VillageThe horrors that have been found in the house, which has fallen into disrepair since then, are new. The second act ups the ante with a return to House Beneviento that’s so stressful in the way it utilizes…well, better to just let you experience the horror for yourself.
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and XBOX One are available. Nintendo Switch cloud version will be available in December.
7. Sifu
In SifuYou play the role of the son of a master in martial arts who is seeking revenge for the death of his father. A beat-‘em-up-style game inspired by Jackie Chan films, Sifu It makes great use of the martial arts combat system, which really emphasizes the importance of practicing. The game’s most unique feature is that your character will age each time you die. This allows you to use more powerful attacks, but also reduces your overall health. Your character may eventually lose the ability to fight and you must start over. It brings a new level of risk and reward to combat. Along with the emphasis on improvisation, crafting weapon from the environment and the possibility to talk some battles out rather than fighting, it adds another layer to the game. Sifu It does more than just throw waves after waves of enemies at you. You will need to be able to adapt and maintain discipline in order to win every battle.
Available for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC and PlayStation 4.
6. Part 1 of The Last of Us
It may be a bit of a cheat, which is why it couldn’t be placed higher in good faith, but Naughty Dog’s third foray into the first installment of The Last of Us justifies itself as its own unique experience worthy of a spot as one of 2022’s best. It’s the same story you already know and love: Joel, a smuggler, escorts a teenage girl, Ellie, across the ruins of the United States, while struggling to stay alive against Cordyceps mutated humans and warring militia factions. From character development to environment design, vocal performances to combat, it’s the height of video gaming. Part 1 isn’t just a PS5 port; it rebuilds the game from scratch with current gen animation and graphics, and enhanced controls, making the experience, whether it’s your first time or a replay, all the more memorable. And it’s the perfect refresher course before HBO’s adaptation of the series debuts in January.
Available for PlayStation 5 or PC.
5. Stray
You can play all of Stray as a cat, doing all the things that cats do, including jumping on things, knocking stuff off shelves, scratching up carpets and doors, and meowing…a lot. After being separated from his family, a stray finds himself in a cyberpunk city that is meant to protect humanity’s last remaining remnants. But humanity has all passed on and left behind only their robot companions, who imitate the lifestyles of their former owners, including the class systems that led to humanity’s downfall. You are accompanied by a drone that assists you in your journey. Together, you will solve puzzles, perform side quests and discover the history of the place you visit. You’ll find yourself surprised at just how invested you become.
Available on the 4th Generation PC and 5th Generation PC.
4. Elden Ring
Nobody ever said that sword and sorcery would not be difficult. Hidetaka Mikazaki directs. Dark Souls Fame, with stories and world-building by George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring represents the best of high fantasy experiences. It’s also massive in scope, sometimes to the point of frustration, with so many side quests, areas to explore, armor and weapons to unlock and upgrade, and enemies to combat that you can all too easily find yourself lost from the main quest. This quest sends you and your character to the Elden Ring to repair it and make yourself the new Elden Lord. There’s a lot of trial and error, and in the spirit of Dark Souls, the combat is very demanding and difficult, but it’s also rewarding and encourages players to learn from their missteps. And because it’s an open-world experience, you can often find yourself in battle you’re not nearly ready for. Although mileage will vary, the sheer ambition of Elden Ring It makes it stand out.
Playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, XBOX One and XBOX Series X/S.
3. The Quarry
Supermassive’s spiritual follow-up to Up to Dawn Another triumph for horror gaming. Paying homage to the summer camp horror movies of the ‘80s, The Quarry features a group of camp counselors who decide to have one last hurrah before packing it in for the summer—only there’s a curse over the lands and a werewolf prowls the night. A familiar cast includes Brenda Song, Justice Smith and Miles Robbins. Also, horror legends Ted Raimi and Lin Shaye, Grace Zabriskie and David Arquette are featured. The Quarry There are hundreds of options that can affect the fate of characters, their relationships and where they hide. Enjoy likable characters, unexpected twists, co-op options, great replay value and great replayability. The Quarry This is the ultimate nightmare scenario.
Playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, XBOX One and XBOX Series X/S.
2. Horizon: Forbidden West
Post-apocalyptic hunter Alloy returns in this sequel to 2017’s Horizon: Zero Dawn. The wastelands of the western United States are free to roam in this expansive, open-world follow-up that’s twice the size of its predecessor, which means twice as many robots to hunt down, side quests to complete, and upgrades to find. Alloy works with new and familiar allies to restore the A.I. Gaia and rebooting the Earth’s biosphere, decimated centuries ago by a human war against the machines. Smooth, intuitive combat and traversal. Graphics that show the PS5’s power. Forbidden West It’s a joy to use. Its emotional weight, memorable character, and strong allegory about the consequences of humans trusting greedy billionaires with greater technological knowledge than their egos is what makes it so special.
Available on the 4th and 5th of May.
1. God Ragnarok: The War on War
Its myth-shattering storytelling is matched by its deft tone shifts. Its emotional character is arced to its bone-breaking action. God of War: Ragnarok All action-adventure gamers should strive towards this goal. This is a stunning year of games. Ragnarok is such a sight to behold it’ll make you want new glasses to see it all the better. The next installment will be three years later. Ragnarok Atreus, Kratos’ son, and Atreus, are once more trying to find peace in Midgard. However, this peace is quickly destroyed by the Aesir. Atreus tries to find his origins while Kratos fears that Atreus is leading them into an unstoppable war with Odin. They encounter gods, monsters, and other Norse mythological creatures as they travel with their father, the sage Mimir. For Kratos, it’s a story of seeking something more than war. And for Atreus it’s a coming-of-age story in which the consequences of growing determine what kind of god he’ll be. What about the players? Well, it’s an epic and emotional saga that stands as the best game of the year.
Available on the 4th and 5th of May.
More Must-Reads from TIME
