At the time of this writing, all the major new video game releases of 2022 have launched, meaning we finally have a solid list of the 10 highest-rated new game releases of 2022. As evidenced by the 10 highest-rated game releases,this year was an especially strong one for indie titles, as there’s only a couple of AAA games that managed to crack the top 10, though they took the top two spots.
To put together this list of the 10 highest-rated video games of 2022, we took to review aggregate site OpenCritic. OpenCritic compiles its reviews for a game regardless of platform, which offers a better view of how the game was received overall, not just on a particular console. We also removed DLC, remakes, remasters, and collections that were in the top 10 to keep the focus solely onnew game releases.
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Here are the 10 highest-rated video games of 2022, according to OpenCritic.
10 Best Video Games of 2022 List
Unsurprisingly,Elden Ringtakes the top spot with an impressive 95 overall average. Not only does this makeElden Ringthe top-rated new video game release of 2022, it also firmly establishes it as one of the highest-rated video games of all time.Elden Ringwas recognized with the Game of the Year awardat The Game Awards, and that combined with its commercial success should ensure that the game is going to leave a long lasting impact on the industry.
God of War Ragnarok, which went head-to-head withElden Ringat The Game Awards and actually came away with more total awards won, is the second-highest rated game of 2022 with a 93 overall rating.God of War Ragnarokhas been hailed as a worthy follow-up to the ambitious 2018 game, earning particular praise for the performances of its cast and for its emotional and cleverly-written story.
Another game with a 91 overall rating is puzzle gameFreshly Frosted. Whereas the top three games are action-heavy games with fantasy elements,Freshly Frostedis a game about organizing conveyer beltsto frost donuts. Critics were impressed withFreshly Frosted’s simple, yet challenging concept, music, and generally positive vibes.
The fifth highest-rated game of the year also has a 91 overall rating, but it doesn’t work as a “cozy game” likeFreshly Frosted.Norcois a point-and-click adventure gamethat’s set in a futuristic version of Louisiana. It has a sharp sense of humor, dark themes, and a memorable story that will stick with players long after the credits roll. Like the previously mentionedChained Echoes,Norcois available to play on Xbox Game Pass, and while it was once PC-exclusive, it’s now made its way to consoles as well.
PC gamers are the only ones that can check out the next game on the list, the so-called"propaganda simulator"Not for Broadcast. Originally released in early access in 2020,Not for Broadcast’s full release came in early 2022. Critics have praisedNot for Broadcast’s political satire and clever use of full motion video. It earned an 89 overall rating on OpenCritic after all its reviews were counted.
Right behindNot for BroadcastisNeon White, a unique first-person shooter that uses a card system to force players into being selective with the actions they take as they fight enemies and complete platforming challenges.Neon Whiteis all about getting through levels as fast as possible, but when players aren’t blasting away demons, they can spend time interacting with other characters and learning more about everyone’s backstory.
Neon Whitewasn’t the only FPS that impressed critics in 2022. FPS fans may also want to check outHyper Demon, a game that uses a bizarre, overwhelming art style to pummel gamers with bright lights and endless action.Hyper Demonhas overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam and critics concur, propping up the indie as one of 2022’s finest new releases.
Rogue Legacy 2is another indiethat impressed critics in 2022. The long-awaited sequel delivered more of what fans loved about the originalRogue Legacy, but introduced important quality-of-life improvements and generally improved the experience across the board.
And finally,Immortalitywas the 10th-highest rated new video game release of 2022, earning an 88 overall rating. The latest game fromHer Storydirector Sam Barlow,Immortalityhas players clicking through film clips to solve a mystery.Immortalityreviewspraised the game’s unique narrative structure, which delivers a story that’s far more sinister than it seems on the surface.
