27 Video Games We Played And Loved In 2022 That You Also Need To Play ASAP

2022 was a great year for games, folks.

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1. Rollerdrome

Roll7

As a huge fan of all the classic Tony Hawk games, this game scratched an itch I didn't know I had. Imagine, if you will, Tony Hawk with a shotgun blasting away bad guys while pulling off gnarly combos. Chills. —Dave

Get a digital download from Steam for $29.99 (available for PC).

2. God of War: Ragnarok

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Promising review: "Honestly always a little worried about sequels, especially on games that I love, but this one hit it out of the park and then some. Easily one of the best games I've played, mechanics and story were perfect!"  —Ed Halterman

Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in two editions and for PS5).

3. Elden Ring

FromSoftware

Promising review: "A fantastic game, a deeply immersive and rewarding experience. The game world is vast and imaginative, combat is challenging, and the imagery is unforgettable. Game balance has also been well-curated in post-release updates. Truly a 5/5."  —Nubblin

Get it from GameStop for $49.99 (originally $59.99; available for PS4, PS5, and XBOX Series X).

4. PGA Tour 2k23

2K Sports

Promising review: "This gift was a hit for the golfers in my family. You can customize your player and decide which golf course to play. You can even design your own. So much customization possible and you feel like you are visiting these golf courses in person. Incredible!" —Kokie

Get it from Amazon for $30+ (available for PC, PS4, PS5, XBOX Series X, and more).

5. Tunic

Finji

Dark Souls meets Zelda. What else do I need to say, folks!? —Dave

Get a digital code from Amazon for $29.99 (available for Nintendo Switch).

6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Activision

Modern Warfare II is everything you want in a Call of Duty title. The campaign is a ton of fun to play through and looks fantastic. The multiplayer is extremely addictive and before you know it you'll look up and realize you've been saying 'just one more game' for hours. —Dave

Get it from GameStop for $69.99 (available for PS4, PS5, and XBOX Series X).

7. Marvel's Midnight Suns

2K Games

Promising review: "I absolutely love this game. XCOM in a Marvel universe. Love the playstyle, the dialogue is killer, even the voice acting is top notch. If you're into RPGs and leveling up.... everything, this is a perfect game for you. Highly recommend."  —Anthony S

Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in four editions and for PC, PS4, PS5, XBOX Series X, and more).

8. Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Game Freak

This was such a breath of fresh air for the Pokemon formula. Running around in the game's world and discovering new areas and new monster habitats was so much fun — and incredibly addicting. This is the Pokemon game you dreamed they would make when you were but a wee lad. —Dave 

Get it from Gamestop for $59.99 (available for Nintendo Switch).

9. Vampire Survivors

Luca Galante

One of my most played games of the year. Despite its simplicity, I promise that you will become absolutely consumed by the gameplay of this game. It's so, so good.  —Dave

Get a digital download from Steam for $3.99 (available for PC).

10. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Promising review: "Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is one of those games that you pick up and don't want to put down.... like ever! The newest game in the long running Lego series offers players the chance to play across 9 Star Wars movies. Travel across 20 iconic planets with hundreds of unlockable characters and vehicles as well as action-packed battles and epic cut scenes!"  —Lostdwarf

Get it from Amazon for $38.80+ (for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and XBOX One).

11. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

2k

Promising review: "Awesome entry into the borderlands universe. Great graphics on the PS5 and love the co-op." —Rob Egler

Get it from Amazon for $26.78+ (available in three editions and for PS4 and XBOX Series X).

12. NBA 2K23

2K Sports

Looks and plays great. I spent way too much building the perfect MyTEAM team and promptly getting my little rear-end whooped online. On the plus side, I can finally live out my dreams of seeing the Knicks win a championship.  —Dave 

Get it from GameStop for $34.99 (originally $69.99; for PS5) or $34.99 (originally 69.99; for XBOX Series X) or $24.99 (originally $59.99; Nintendo Switch).

13. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Nintendo

Promising review: "My six year old and I played this the whole way through and it was a great experience. He really enjoyed the game and it was nice to have a game we could both play together."  —Tidus

Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (for Nintendo Switch).

14. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Game Freak

Promising review: "This Pokémon game is astonishing, the open-world gives a whole new dimension to Pokémon. The three diverse story lines are equally intriguing as well as your three “rivals.” Many have complained about graphic issues, but I have not ran into any myself. People always need something to complain about. Overall a great game and I can’t wait to play with my friends."  —Terie Oelke

Get Pokémon Scarlet from Amazon for $59.99 (available in three editions — including Pokémon Violet — for Nintendo Switch).

15. OlliOlli World

Roll7

Probably has the best vibes of any game I played this year. Immaculate good vibes, sick tricks, and the joy of big air. Everything you could want in an extremely beautiful and enthralling skateboarding game. —Dave

Get a digital download from Amazon for $17.99 (for Nintendo Switch, XBOX, and PC).

16. Madden NFL 23

EA Sports

After spending all weekend watching football, I can't tell you how many times I spent all week playing Madden and reliving the week's best moments. It's just a great time. Football.  —Dave

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (for PS4, PS5, XBOX One, and XBOX Series X).

17. The Quarry

2K Games

Promising review: "This game is an awesome take on the campy horror flicks from the 80s. Your choices affect the outcome of the story so choose wisely! Characters in the game are likeable and some provide some comic relief during scarier interactions. This is a great game to pop on with friends, so you can take turns choosing what to say next. The story is good and takes around 6-10 hours depending on how you play. Graphics on the series x look amazing and almost photorealistic in some scenes. Overall 8/10 game"   —A Techy Guy

Get it from Amazon for $29.88+ (available for PC, PS4, PS5, XBOX Series X, and more).

18. Inscryption

Devolver Digital

Boy oh boy did this game keep me on my toes. I had no idea what was coming next. It's scary, funny, and just a truly bonkers card-based experience. I don't know what else to say, you need to try it for yourself. —Dave

Get a digital copy from the Nintendo E-Shop for $19.99.

19. Stray

BlueTwelve Studio

I had a grand old time exploring the world of this game, taking my time and soaking in every detail. I mean, you play as a cat. What's not to love?  —Dave

Get it from GameStop for $39.99 (avilable for PS5).

20. Pentiment

store.steampowered.com

An incredibly charming, funny, and fun game. As a bit of a history fellah myself I loved the attention to detail and the care that went into the story and the environment. One of the most unique and special games of 2022."  —Dave

Get a digital code from Amazon for $19.99 (available for XBOX Series X, XBOX One, and PC).

21. Persona 5 Royal

P-Studio

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and XBOX Series X).

22. A Plague Tale: Requiem

Asobo Studio

Promising review: "This game exceeded my expectations in every way. The art, the acting, the story, everything was superb and came together to create what is in my opinion the game of the year."  —Christian Davis

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available for PS5 andXBOX Series X).

23. Horizon Forbidden West

Sony Interactive Entertainment

A worthy sequel to one of 2017's best games. Forbidden West might just be the best looking game that came out this year and it's almost one of the most fun. Enjoy!  —Dave

Get it from Gamestop for $29.99+ (originally $59.99+; available for PS4 and PS5).

24. Retro Bowl

New Star Games

I've spent so much time playing this game on planes and trains and while sitting on the couch. It's the perfect arcade football game. Also, congrats to the New York Giants on their 9th consecutive championship. —Dave

Get a digital copy from the Nintendo E-Shop for $4.99.

25. Gran Turismo 7

Polyphony Digital

Promising review: "This is, in every way I can think of ...perfect. I haven't spend a single cent on micro transactions and my feeling was that I'm glad the game doesn't gear you toward them (force you to spend $). You can customize just about everything in this game. Beautiful, elegant as one comes to expect from GT. I honestly cannot think of any negatives. Do yourself a favor and pick this up."  —Kelly Ann Sykes

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in five editions and for PS4 and PS5).

26. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Ubisoft

Promising review: "I'd never really played the first one too much, and I'm not much of a tactical strategy gamer. But a deal too good to pass up came along, and I thought I'd give it a shot. I wasn't disappointed...it's been a fun ride so far. I'm a sucker for most anything with Mario, and this was not a disappointment.."  —Mark Horton

Get it from Amazon for $49.97 (available in two editions and for Nintendo Switch).

27. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

DotEmu

Promising review: "This game has all the nostalgia that you would come to expect. It's way more fun than it has any right to be for what it is. Tons of replay value. Super solid game."  —Blake Helmken

Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and XBOX).

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.