More than a dozen games in 2023 had solid arguments for greatest game of the year, making it one of the finest years in gaming in recent memory. This year, big publishers and platform holders pulled out all the stops to release AAA blockbuster blockbusters that wowed gamers everywhere. Nonetheless, the independent sector of the business also came through with a slew of critically acclaimed games that showcased daring new creative directions.
As 2018 progressed, players saw developers finally take full use of the strong technology to offer absolute technical powerhouses for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The year 2022 will be remembered as one of the best in gaming history due to the abundance of excellent releases that year.
Although it’s almost impossible to catch every good game that was released in a given year, this handy list should help you catch up on any excellent titles you may have missed.
Top 10 Games of 2022 for PC/Console
Honorable Mentions:
- Rollerdome
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Tunic
- Call of Duty Modern Warfare II
- Gran Turismo 7
10. Goat Simulator 3
The first entry on our list is one of the most outlandish in the gaming industry, since it completely defies the norms and standards of traditional video games. Except for its own predecessor, Goat Simulator 3 is an experience like no other. You play as the game’s namesake goat and are free to explore the open environment and do whatever actions you choose inside it.
If you’re curious in Goat Simulator 3, you may also want to check out the first two games in the series. It’s true that you can play Goat Simulator, but there’s also Goat Simulator 2. It’s possible that the second game never occurred and has been lost to the void.
This game is a total anarchy where almost anything may be destroyed with no negative consequences. At first glance, this may seem quite useless; nevertheless, once experiencing the game in a group situation, the actual brilliance becomes apparent. The new 4-player co-op mode adds to the game’s sociability by allowing you to damage the city with up to four friends. Goat Simulator 3 is a lot of things—chaotic, dumb, and silly, to be sure—but what it really excels at is providing an unusually entertaining experience.
System Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: i5 4690k
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage: 12GB
- Direct X11
- Graphics: GTX 1050 Ti (4GB VRAM)
Genre:
Open-World
Rating
MSP Rating: 75/100
Availability:
Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
9. Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon: Forbidden West’s outrageously high production values are one of the first things that catch the eye. The game is a technological tour de force and a fantastic demonstration of the PS5’s capabilities. Guerilla applies what was learned from the first game to enhance an already good concept by adding a more epic plot, a wider setting, and new and varied enemies and gameplay elements.
There are a hundred times as many methods to defeat these mechanical animals as there were in the first game, making the boss battles the highlight of the game. Despite some shaky pace and questionable narrative decisions, this is easily one of PlayStation Studios’ greatest games and a strong contender for best game of the year.
Despite certain issues, Horizon: Forbidden West is a satisfying adventure that is sure to be remembered as a high point of the current generation of gaming consoles. PlayStation exclusives are increasingly finding their way to PC, increasing the likelihood that gamers with high-end PCs will be able to take use of the game’s full technological capabilities.
Genre:
Open-World/Action-Adventure
8. Neon White
Sometimes a game may come along that appears easy at first glance but will really need a lot of practice to become proficient in. While Neon White’s main mechanic is simple and straightforward, being good at it is a different story altogether.
Neon White is a speedrunning shooter simulator that equips you with the necessary equipment but ultimately leaves it up to you to choose how soon you can complete each level. A wonderfully tough and exciting gameplay loop, Neon White comes at you fast and furious, demanding split-second choices in the heat of battle.
The developer Angel Matrix has created an homage to speedrunning and shooting that is both wonderfully brutal and brutally enjoyable. The end product is one of the most thrilling games of 2022, and it’s very satisfying to play since it mixes the finest parts of shooters with speedrunning.
System Requirements:
- Processor and operating system must support 64 bits.
- Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 (2.66 GHz) / AMD Phenom II X3 720 (2.8 GHz) (minimum 3 threads) processor
- RAM Size: 6 GB
- One gigabyte of video memory (VGA): NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 or AMD Radeon HD 5750.
- Six gigabytes of storage space
7. A Plague Tale: Requiem
Even though I loved the first game, Innocence, I didn’t think it would spawn a series since the plot was so complete and satisfying when it concluded. The developers of A Plague Tale: Requiem are aware of this concern and want to reassure players that the narrative of Huge and Amicia will be treated with the greatest respect and honesty.
The grandeur and complexity of A Plague Tale: Requiem are greatly expanded over their predecessor. Some fans of the original may be put off by this, but the core relationship between Hugo and Amicia remains unchanged throughout the game. Fans will be won over by A Plague Tale: Requiem’s heartfelt tale, despite technical difficulties on modern systems.
It doesn’t help that the clumsy stealth sequences from the first game return in this sequel, slowing down the pace much more than they did before. While A Plague Tale: Requiem has some shaky spots, the novel is excellent if you were interested in seeing where the brothers’ journey went next.
System Requirements:
- Processor and operating system must support 64 bits.
- OS: Windows 10 (20H1 64 bits)
- 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5-4690K / 3.2 GHz AMD FX-8300 (3.3 GHz)
- Storage: 16 GB RAM
- 4 GB VRAM, GeForce GTX 970 / Radeon RX 590 for Graphics
- 12th iteration of DirectX
- 55 GB of storage space is free.
- Extras: 1920 x 1080 at 30 frames per second. Shader Model 6.0 and Feature Level 12 of DirectX 12 are required.
Genre:
Action-Adventure/Stealth
6. Pentiment
Obsidian Entertainment is well-known in the role-playing game industry as one of the most innovative and risk-taking studios. Obsidian is widely regarded as one of the top RPG studios because to critically acclaimed titles like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds. Their newest game, Pentiment, is one of the most innovative games of all time and a true masterpiece in the role-playing adventure genre.
To put it simply, Pentiment is a detective game set in a medieval village. The main gameplay loop consists mostly on investigating clues and interrogating locals. The game draws inspiration from previous titles like Disco Elysium to place players in a town that seems real and teeming with hidden agendas and nefarious characters. Although there isn’t much fighting in Pentiment, the game leans more toward the detective genre and provides a more intellectual experience.
Pentiment has one of the best stories I’ve played this year, and the game’s commitment to realism and the surprising depth of its fundamental gameplay loop make it one of my favorite games overall. Pentiment should be at the top of your list if a good role-playing adventure game is what you’re looking for.
System Requirements:
- Processor and operating system must support 64 bits.
- Operating System, Windows 7 (SP1) 64bit
- Intel Core i3-3225 processor
- Storage: 4 GB RAM
- Nvidia GTX 650 Ti for Visuals.
- The available storage capacity is 12 GB.
Genre:
Narrative Adventure
5. Cult of the Lamb
Cult of the Lamb seems to be the game you’ve been seeking for if you’ve ever imagined what might happen if Tim Burton and Wes Anderson collaborated on a project. Cult of the Lamb is a work of indisputable skill and commitment to a vision, equal parts eccentric and thrilling.
After a few of hours, you’ll learn that Cult of the Lamb is really a rather sophisticated base-management sim, despite its first appearance as a relatively basic action-adventure rogue-lite with a solid fighting system. The game is a good length for the amount of information it contains, and it provides players with a plethora of optional pursuits to engage in while they’re not actively playing. It will be your task as the new head of a demonic cult to preach the wicked message of The One Who Waits, putting you in some interesting and perhaps dangerous circumstances.
The game has a healthy dose of several different genres without ever losing its footing as it switches between them. Cult of the Lamb offers a lot of the features I look for in a roguelite, and it also has a lot of popular appeal, so it should be easily accessible to anybody who like action games.
System Requirements:
- Processor and operating system must support 64 bits.
- Platform: Windows 7 or later
- CPU: Dual Intel Core i3-3240 (3,400 MHz each) or four AMD FX-4300 (3,800 MHz each)
- Storage: 4 GB RAM
- Display: Radeon HD 7750 with GeForce GTX 560 Ti (1024 MB VRAM) (1024 VRAM)
- There’s enough room for 4 GB of data.
Genre:
Action/RPG/Top-Down Isometric
4. Stray
Many people have been watching Stray since its debut at the PlayStation Showcase in 2020, if only to find out what the game really is. Stray, which has finally been released and in which players have embarked on an adventure with our feline heroine, is sure to be remembered as one of the year’s most original titles.
Stray is essentially a puzzle platformer in which the player is tasked with navigating progressively horrific environments until finally making it back to safety. The game’s world is vast, and it’s filled with plenty of optional features that never seem superfluous. Cinematic chase sequences, in which you must evade massive swarms of opponents by leaping over levels, evading bullets, and even riding a shopping cart down a hill, are interspersed throughout the game to change the tempo.
It wasn’t necessary for Stray to have such an endearing heroine, but it does. Stray is perfect for you if you want to play a game in which the protagonist is perhaps cuter than any other in gaming; it also helps that the game is great fun to engage in.
System Requirements:
- Processor and operating system must support 64 bits.
- Software Operating System: Windows 10
- A Core i5-2300 or an FX-6350 from AMD processor.
- Data Storage: 8 GB RAM
- Two-gigabyte (GB) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti / two-gigabyte (GB) AMD Radeon R7 360
- 12th iteration of DirectX
- There’s room for 10 GB of data.
3. Sifu
One of the most gratifying aspects of video games is the sound of a punch landing squarely on an opponent’s jaw. If you’re looking for a game where you’ll hear it a million times, coupled with the sound of a flippy roundhouse kick to the face and other combat moves, then Sifu is the game for you.
This is not just one of the most exciting and adrenaline-pumping games ever made, but also one of the most difficult games ever made. The basic loop of play is easy to grasp. You can punch, kick, and elbow your way through the mid-sized stages, but you’ll become older with each death. So, you need avoid dying as much as possible to complete the game. This makes the cycle of avoiding harm and progressing through the level as fast as possible very tough and taxing.
You may cause more harm as you become older, but you also become more vulnerable to injury. The game’s novel method to growth and satisfying gameplay loop will keep players invested in Sifu for months. This is a genuine landmark in the gaming industry this year, and one of the best games of the year overall.
System Requirements:
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2300 | AMD FX-6350
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti, 2 GB | AMD Radeon R7 360, 2 GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 10 GB available space
Rating
MSP Rating: 95/100
Availability:
Steam, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
2. Elden Ring
FromSoftware Games has now cemented its position as an industry trailblazer, a really inventive company responsible for not just the creation of a new genre but also the return of difficult games to the public. With Elden Ring, the studio has “very much put everything out on the floor,” summing up their efforts over the last two decades. The game’s creators put in an enormous amount of work, and as a consequence, it’s the kind of game that can be played for 50 hours or more and still have plenty of secrets to uncover.
The last two on the list are almost interchangeable since they both represent the pinnacle of their respective artistic disciplines and successfully realize their respective goals. For years, gamers have wished for a game like Elden Ring, one that would challenge them but also immerse them in a compelling environment that would stay with them long after they finished playing.
Elden Ring delivers the typical FromSoft gameplay that fans have come to expect along with a monstrous quantity of material that will keep them busy for weeks. Elden Ring has terrific gameplay, but its opaque storytelling—showcased through the game’s numerous hidden side missions, characters, and plots—is what I like the most. Once again, FromSoftware has shown why its games are critically acclaimed, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the studio’s next project.
System Requirements:
- Processor and operating system must support 64 bits.
- Software Operating System: Windows 10
- Core I5-8400 or Ryzen 3 3300X from Intel or AMD is required.
- The RAM size is 12 GB.
- DirectX 12 Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 4GB
- There’s 60 GB of storage space available.
- Definition of “Sound Card” in Windows
Genre:
Action-RPG/Open-World
1. God of War Ragnarok
At first glance, Sony’s first-party model seems uncomplicated: produce massive, story-driven blockbuster games with stunning visual refinement and well-thought-out gameplay loops. For this console age, God of War: Ragnarok epitomizes that formula and will be remembered as one of the best sequels in gaming history.
To say that God of War: Ragnarok improves upon the original would be a gross understatement; instead, the game’s central gameplay loop has been absurdly refined and made more involved. Combat, exploration, and the plot are all much improved over their predecessors. The game adds rich detail to the realm of Norse mythology and has very nuanced interactions with topics like family, parenting, and bereavement.
Both the gameplay and the plot in God of War: Ragnarok are well-balanced and mutually beneficial. This game is a fantastic illustration of the immense potential of video games as a narrative medium.