Exploring the Best Video Games of 2022: A Mid-Year Review
Imagine, if you will, the palpable anticipation that builds as a new year of gaming unfolds. Each January brings with it the promise of groundbreaking narratives, innovative gameplay mechanics, and unforgettable virtual worlds. Halfway through 2022, a substantial catalog of titles has already been released, providing a diverse array of experiences for players across all platforms. The video above offers a concise overview of some of the most compelling best games of 2022 (first half), as curated by the Gameranx team. This accompanying post delves deeper into these standout titles, offering additional insights and expanding on the elements that made them truly shine during the initial six months of the year.
The Premier Lineup: Top Games of Early 2022
Dying Light 2 Stay Human: An Expanded Post-Apocalyptic Saga
As a highly anticipated sequel, Dying Light 2 Stay Human was launched with significant expectations, largely living up to the legacy of its predecessor. This iteration significantly enhanced the open-world environment, presenting a vast, intricately designed urban landscape permeated by the zombie apocalypse. The parkour and free-running systems were notably refined, offering an exhilarating sense of speed and fluidity as players navigated the hazardous cityscape. Combat encounters, furthermore, were diversified through an array of weapon choices and tactical approaches, ensuring that each confrontation felt both impactful and strategic.
While the narrative depth and the long-term ramifications of player decisions were subjects of debate, the core gameplay loop remained undeniably satisfying. The seamless integration of stealth, robust melee combat, and dynamic movement mechanics ensured consistent player engagement. Moreover, the game’s world-building was exceptionally strong, with distinct communities developing varied strategies for survival amidst the relentless infected. Such meticulous attention to environmental storytelling and emergent gameplay made Dying Light 2 a memorable adventure, and the promise of extensive post-launch support, akin to the original, further elevates its long-term appeal for open-world gaming enthusiasts.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus: A New Foundation for the Franchise
Pokémon Legends: Arceus represented a significant departure for the long-running Pokémon series, introducing a fresh perspective on monster capture and exploration. It offered players an unprecedented level of freedom, allowing for seamless traversal across expansive environments and real-time encounters with wild Pokémon. This innovative approach to gameplay, including the ability to sneak up on creatures and engage in battles directly in the overworld, was largely well-received. The game effectively established a new foundation for the franchise, signaling a potential shift in its future direction.
Although the historical setting and overarching narrative were considered less compelling by some, the fundamental gameplay loop proved highly addictive. The emphasis on exploration, research, and direct interaction with Pokémon created a more immersive and dynamic experience. Consequently, its success has generated considerable excitement regarding the future evolution of the series, as this new gameplay blueprint presents numerous possibilities for subsequent titles. Players were afforded an opportunity to reimagine their engagement with the Pokémon universe, marking it as one of the standout Nintendo Switch games of 2022.
The Quarry: A Return to Narrative Horror Excellence
The Quarry, developed by Supermassive Games, reinforced the studio’s reputation for crafting engaging interactive horror experiences, building upon the success of titles like Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology. This release embraced the tropes and stylistic elements of 1980s slasher films, infusing its suspenseful narrative with moments of dark humor and teen drama. The game’s strength lay not in quick-time events, but rather in its nuanced dialogue choices and the profound impact these decisions had on character fates and the unfolding story.
The intricate web of branching pathways and numerous potential endings incentivized multiple playthroughs, allowing players to explore different outcomes and character arcs. Visually, the game was often stunning, enhancing the immersive horror atmosphere whether played solo or with friends. It stands as a testament to the effectiveness of choice-driven storytelling within the horror genre, expertly balancing scares with a celebratory nod to classic campy horror cinema. For fans of interactive storytelling and cinematic horror, The Quarry delivered an exceptional gaming experience.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge: A Nostalgic Brawler Reimagined
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge swiftly captivated fans of classic arcade beat ’em ups, delivering an authentic yet modernized take on the beloved franchise. Developed by Dotemu, a studio known for its successful revivals of retro titles, this game perfectly captured the essence of the original TMNT arcade games. From its vibrant pixel art and energetic soundtrack to its faithful character animations and voice lines, every detail exuded old-school charm and meticulous craftsmanship. The accessibility of its controls, coupled with a surprising depth of combat mechanics, made it appealing to both veterans and newcomers.
While the campaign itself was relatively brief, the inclusion of a story mode, an arcade mode, and multiple difficulty settings ensured considerable replay value. The game truly excelled in its multiplayer functionality, supporting up to six players simultaneously, featuring the iconic Turtles, Splinter, April O’Neil, and Casey Jones. This cooperative chaos elevated the brawling action to new heights, making it an ideal choice for group gaming sessions. Its status as a definitive retro revival firmly establishes it among the best games of 2022 (first half) for fans of arcade gaming and cooperative play.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land: A Delightful 3D Adventure
Kirby and the Forgotten Land offered a much-needed dose of lighthearted fun on the Nintendo Switch, translating Kirby’s signature charm into a vibrant 3D platforming adventure. The game’s imaginative level design and interesting post-apocalyptic settings provided a fresh backdrop for Kirby’s iconic abilities, including his versatile transformations. It was recognized for its ability to deliver a genuinely cheerful and relaxing experience, making it an excellent choice for players seeking a less intense, yet still engaging, title.
Although it might not challenge conventional notions of groundbreaking gameplay, its consistent ability to evoke smiles and provide enjoyable collectible hunts was undeniable. The game served as a pleasant reminder of the importance of purely fun and accessible experiences within the gaming landscape. Its appeal lies in its straightforward joy and inventive power-ups, which ultimately solidify its place as a cherished entry in the Kirby series and a notable highlight among family-friendly games of 2022.
V Rising: The Resurgence of Vampire Lore
V Rising emerged as a surprise hit, particularly within the PC gaming community, thanks to its compelling blend of survival, RPG, and base-building elements. Players awaken as a newly resurrected vampire, tasked with constructing an empire within a vast, explorable top-down world. The game cleverly integrates vampire lore into its mechanics, requiring players to manage exposure to sunlight and satisfy their insatiable thirst for blood, adding unique layers of strategic depth to the survival genre.
Its rapid ascent in popularity on Steam, largely driven by enthusiastic word-of-mouth, underscored its quality and innovative design. The combat system was lauded for its fluidity and the variety of enemy types presented engaging challenges. Furthermore, its impressive visuals and robust multiplayer capabilities contributed to its widespread acclaim. As part of a broader resurgence of vampire-themed games in 2022, V Rising definitively carved out its niche, proving to be an essential title for PC gamers seeking rich survival RPG experiences and a captivating multiplayer component.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: A Galactic Celebration
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga delivered an expansive and meticulously crafted tribute to the entire Star Wars film series, reimagining all nine main saga movies through the iconic Lego lens. This title served as a grand culmination of the beloved Lego Star Wars games, offering an unparalleled wealth of content. Players were provided with full adventures for each film, along with numerous open-style worlds to explore, a vast roster of characters, and an abundance of vehicles to pilot.
Beyond its sheer volume of content, the game introduced significant gameplay refinements, including retooled combat mechanics, improved third-person shooting with cover systems, and stunning visual upgrades that brought classic Star Wars planets to life in a charming Lego style. The inclusion of clever in-jokes and references appealed deeply to fans of all generations. Whether engaged in completing every unlockable or simply reliving favorite cinematic moments, The Skywalker Saga provided immense value and widespread appeal, solidifying its place as a must-play for Star Wars aficionados and families, making it one of the most comprehensive Lego games of 2022.
Horizon Forbidden West: A Visually Stunning and Expansive Sequel
Horizon Forbidden West built upon the foundations of its critically acclaimed predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn, delivering an even more expansive and visually breathtaking open-world adventure. The sequel introduced a richer tapestry of cultures, more engaging NPCs, and a greater diversity of side quests and enemy types, all contributing to a world that felt immensely more alive and varied. Aloy’s journey ventured into wilder, more imaginative sci-fi territories, pushing the boundaries of the narrative while maintaining a captivating core.
From an aesthetic perspective, the game was an undisputed marvel, with environments, character models, and animations exhibiting an extraordinary level of detail. It was widely regarded as a visual feast, demonstrating the pinnacle of current-generation console capabilities. Crucially, its gameplay chops matched its graphical prowess, offering a consistently satisfying moment-to-moment experience that kept players enthralled from beginning to end. The blend of environmental puzzles, fluid combat against robotic creatures, and compelling exploration ensured its status as one of the premier action-adventure games of 2022.
Sifu: A Brutal and Rewarding Martial Arts Masterpiece
Sifu distinguished itself as a uniquely challenging and intensely rewarding brawler, captivating players with its innovative aging mechanic. The game demanded exceptional precision and mastery, requiring players to memorize enemy patterns, perfect their dodging and blocking, and execute flawless combos. Each death carried a significant consequence: the protagonist aged, impacting their physical prowess and eventually leading to a game over if too many years were accumulated. This central hook created a compelling loop, pushing players to complete levels and defeat bosses at the youngest age possible.
The combat itself was celebrated for its brutal efficiency and visual flair, evoking the intensity of classic martial arts films. The satisfaction derived from perfectly timed throws, dodges, and strikes was unparalleled, allowing players to genuinely feel like a formidable martial arts master. Its distinct visual style, challenging bosses, and fluid animations contributed to an experience that was both punishing and immensely gratifying. Sifu’s unique blend of difficulty and innovative mechanics solidified its position as a standout indie title of 2022, particularly for those seeking a profound sense of accomplishment.
Elden Ring: A Genre-Defining Open-World Epic
Elden Ring unequivocally dominated the gaming landscape upon its release, achieving unprecedented sales figures and widespread critical acclaim. As the largest and most accessible FromSoftware title to date, it served as a “gateway drug” for countless new players to the studio’s renowned brand of challenging action RPGs. The game masterfully fused the studio’s signature tough-but-fair combat and grotesque, imaginative boss designs with an expansive, truly open world that was consistently rewarding to explore.
Unlike many other open-world games, Elden Ring’s vast environment was meticulously crafted, with virtually every discovery offering meaningful content, from hidden dungeons and optional bosses to unique lore fragments. The sense of persistent discovery and the consistent ability to “blow away” players with new areas or challenges ensured engagement throughout its immense playtime. Even amidst its notorious difficulty, the game maintained a powerful sense of satisfaction and reward, setting a new benchmark for open-world RPGs and cementing its legacy as arguably the most impactful gaming release of 2022.
Beyond the Top 10: Other Notable Games of Early 2022
The first half of 2022 also saw the release of several other commendable titles that deserve recognition. These games, while not part of the primary top ten, offered compelling experiences that resonated with various segments of the gaming community.
-
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes: This Musou-style spin-off of the beloved Fire Emblem series made a strong impression upon its release. It was perceived as a significant enhancement over its predecessor, offering a more engaging narrative and refined combat mechanics, pleasing fans of both the strategy and action genres.
-
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: A surprisingly fresh and imaginative take on the Borderlands formula, this title successfully injected a dose of fantasy role-playing into the looter-shooter genre. Its whimsical humor and inventive world design provided a refreshing departure while retaining the core gameplay elements that fans adore.
-
Evil Dead: The Game: For fans of cooperative multiplayer and the iconic horror franchise, Evil Dead: The Game provided thrilling, asymmetrical gameplay. Its ability to capture the tone of the movies, combined with satisfying combat and character abilities, made it a highly enjoyable experience, particularly when played with a dedicated group of friends.
-
Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course DLC: This substantial expansion for the critically acclaimed Cuphead delivered exactly what fans craved: more challenging boss battles, new characters, and exceptional hand-drawn animation. It provided a significant amount of new content, offering a delightful continuation of the original game’s unique artistic and gameplay vision.
-
God of War (PC Version): The long-awaited PC port of God of War was a monumental event for PC gamers. Its stunning visuals were further enhanced on high-end systems, and the burgeoning modding community quickly demonstrated its creative potential, breathing new life into this modern classic for a broader audience.
-
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe: More than just a re-release, this updated version of the cult classic PC game introduced a wealth of new content and expanded narrative pathways. Its meta-commentary on choice, storytelling, and player agency remained as sharp and humorous as ever, offering a truly unique and thought-provoking experience to a new generation of console players.
As the gaming year progresses, it will be interesting to observe how these initial releases continue to influence the discourse and set benchmarks for what is to come. The first half of 2022 has clearly demonstrated a vibrant and innovative landscape, with something to offer every type of player, solidifying the diversity and quality found in these best games of 2022 (first half). We encourage you to share your own top picks in the comments section below, as community insights often uncover hidden gems and foster enriching discussions.
