With summertime right around the corner, it’s officially time for us to give you our first-quarter picks of the best console games of 2022!
1.Elden Ring
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4/XBoxXS/XBoxOne/Windows |
| Developer: | From Software Inc. |
| Publisher: | Bandai Namco |
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Release Date: | February 25, 2022 |
Why Elden Ring is the best console game of 2022:
No other game on this list, no matter how engaging it was, or no matter how groundbreaking it may have been, came close to delivering the emotional release of Elden Ring.
Co-written by Game Of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring frustrates you to no end, but rewards you so sweetly, and often enough to keep you coming back.
You’ll die, over and over.
There’s just no avoiding it.
But you’ll also have a blast, exploring the gorgeous open-world of Elden Ring.
Easily among the best console games of 2022 (on most lists, probably) Elden Ring has turned a lot of heads, sold a lot of copies, and drawn a huge amount of accolades in the process.
Our rating for Elden Ring: 4.5/5.
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2. Horizon Forbidden West
| Platforms: | PS5*PS4 |
| Developer: | Guerrilla Games |
| Publisher: | Sony |
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Multiplayer: | No |
| Release Date: | February 18, 2022 |
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Why Horizon Forbidden West is on the list:
Return to the distant-future, in the post-apocalyptic world of Horizon. The land is dying. Vicious storms and machines torment the scattered, surviving remnants of humanity.
It’s up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore balance to the planet. To do so, she must reunite with old friends, forge new alliances with warring factions and discover the legacy of the world’s past – all the while trying to stay one step ahead of an extremely formidable new enemy.
Horizon Forbidden West wasn’t actually one of our most highly-anticipated releases. In fact, it took me until somewhere around the middle of the game to fully realize how insanely good Horizon Forbidden West was.
The game’s controls are exquisite, full stop, and its story unravels in a truly unique manner, so you’ll be enthralled from the beginning.
Traveling through the open world of Horizon Forbidden West is a can’t miss experience. This is easily one of the best console games of 2022.
Our rating for Horizon Forbidden West: 4.4/5
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3. OlliOlli World
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4/XBoxXS/XBoxOne/NintendoSwitch |
| Developer: | Roll7 |
| Publisher: | Private Division/Take-Two Interactive |
| Genre: | Sports/Action Platformer |
| Multiplayer: | No |
| Release Date: | February 8, 2022 |
Why OlliOlli World is one of the best console games of 2022
2015’s OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood was a welcome shake-up, for the skating genre. Its unique artistic style, challenging trick system, and high-octane level design were all reasons to love OlliOlli2. We think it’s an absolute classic.
OllioOlli World makes a bold change to the series by going 3d, which offers a better sense of your environment. But with this sequel, which was released in February, Developer Roll7 stays true to the classic 2D experience, of its beloved franchise.
OlliOlli World’s aesthetic is reminiscent of Adventure Time’s Kingdom of Ooo, and its story unfurls thoughtfully, without taking itself too seriously. Radlandia is a world populated by many charming, kind of eccentric characters. With OlliOlli World’s character-customization settings, you can create, and develop your own crazy avatar, and fit right in.
Our rating for OlliOlli World: 4.4/5
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4. Nobody Saves The World
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4/XBoxSeriesXS/XBoxOne |
| Developer: | Drinkbox Studios |
| Publisher: | Drinkbox Studios |
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Release Date: | January 18, 2022 |
Why Nobody Saves the World is on the list
The most recent game from Drinkbox Studios, is an action-RPG that lets you customize, mixi and match your abilities, sometimes awkwardly, to survive some very challenging levels. NSTW’s clever premise is highlighted by superbly unique playstyle options.
The world and story are exactly as silly, in a good way, that one expects from the developers of Guacamelee.
The game’s campaign starts off kind of slowly, but picks up steam and remains a charming adventure, and one of the best console games of 2022.
5. Kirby and the Forgotten Land
| Platforms: | Nintendo Switch |
| Developer: | HAL Laboratories |
| Publisher: | Nintendo |
| Genre: | 3D Platform |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Release Date: | March 25 2022 |
Why Kirby and the Forgotten Land is on the list
Nintendo gets weird in the latest installment of its flagship, Kirby series. After a wormhole opens above Dream Land, Kirby is transported to the post-apocolyptic setting of the Forgotten Land. What he finds between the ruins and the rusted buildings, are the friendly Waddle Dees looking to settle down in their new home. Unfortunately they are, instead, kidnapped by monsters and Kirby has to save them.
It’s up to You, as the pink puffball, to brave the decimated landscape and rescue as many Waddle Dees as you can.
The gameplay goes from kind-of-mellow to bonkers and there are some of the most excellent boss battles in the entire character’s history in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, making this installment, not only one of the best console games of 2022, but one of the Nintendo Switch’s finest games of all time.
Our Rating for Kirby and the Forgotten Land: 4.4/5
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6. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4/XBoxXS/XBoxOne/Windows |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
| Publisher: | 2K Games |
| Genre: | Action RPG/First-person shooter |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Released Date: | March 25, 2022 |
Why Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is on the list
Kudos to Gearbox Software. They could have simply phoned in this game, which has its massive brand, Borderlands driving sales for it anyway. Instead, they took their time, paid very close attention to the details, and built an exceptionally unique, and engaging experience that will keep you happy for hours.
This game is addictive. Exploring the corners of the world Gearbox drops you in, is just as fascinating and rewarding as the series has been, in my personal opinion, since Borderlands 2.
To be frank each new session I’ve jumped into has made my love for this table-top style RPG-Shooter grow deeper. The dialogue is hilarious, and Tiny Tina’s cast of voice actors is superb. They will make you laugh out loud, many, many times.
Our rating for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: 4.3/5
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7. Gran Turismo 7
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4 |
| Developer: | Polyphony Digital |
| Publisher: | Sony |
| Genre: | Sports/Car Racing |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Release Date: | March 4, 2022 |
Why Gran Turismo 7 is on the list
All of the best features of past Gran Turismo installments are present, and improved upon, in what adds up to the ultimate culmination of one of the greatest racing franchises of all time.
Gran Turismo 7 is the best racing game of the year, so far. If you’ve never played a game in the series, this is the one you should try. Polyphony Digital took all of the best components of past Gran Turismo titles, including a reintroduction of the legendary GT Simulation Mode.
What they’ve acheived is not just having developed one of the best console games of 2022, but they have absolutely set the new standard of racing simulations.
PS5’s impressive 3D audio allows its player to sense the position of other cars and drivers around them.
This is the 25th Anniversary of the well-loved racing franchise and Polyphony digital has commemorated the occasion by releasing, arguably, their finest effort to date.
Our Rating for Gran Turismo 7: 4.3/5
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8. Elex II
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4/XBoxXS/XBoxOne/PC |
| Developer: | Piranha Bytes |
| Publisher: | THQ NORDIC |
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Multiplayer: | No |
| Release Date: | March 1, 2022 |
Why Elex II is on the list
We love Piranha Bytes. We’re such big fans, we can’t help but put their newest release on the list. That isn’t to say you won’t enjoy Elex II if you haven’y loved all of their efforts of past years. Elex II, as we mentioned in our Full Review, is a significant improvement over the first ELEX.
Explore the planet of Magalan with sublime freedom, using your trusty jetpack to travel the map.
What we love most about Piranha Bytes games is their creative storylines, and the way their plots unfurl. Elex II is their strongest effort in terms of story development so far.
It takes a while to get moving with any real traction, though. Impatient gamers may want to be cautious of this game. You start with little more than a pipe and a few health points, and you’ll develop gradually, especially at the beginning. The payoff, however, is well worth the effort.
Our rating for Elex II: 4.2/5
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9. Strangers of Paradise – Final Fantasy Origins
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4/XBox XS/XBox One/PC |
| Developer: | Team Ninja/Square Enix |
| Publisher: | Square Enix |
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Release Date: | March 10, 2022 |
Why Strangers of Paradise – Final Fantasy Origins is on the list
A reimagining of the original Final Fantasy(1987) Strangers of Paradise, succeeds not on the strength of its story, but on the excellence of its gameplay.
The game’s plot is more confusing than it needs to be, for its better portion. The characters are all largely confused, and suffering from amnesia, which just keeps you less focused on the story and more interested in the fights, which are seriously good.
Even the graphics are just okay, not great. At no point was I blown away by the visage, like I have been by the majority of recent Final Fantasy entries. But remarkably, simplifications to fight/controller dynamics, and the overall enjoyability of each progressively more challenging battle, are more than enough reason to consider Strangers of Paradise one of the best console games of 2022, so far.
Our rating for Strangers of Paradise – Final Fantasy Origin: 4.2/5
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10. MLB® The Show™’22
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4/XBox XS/XBoxOne/Switch |
| Developer: | Sony Interactive San Diego Studio |
| Publisher: | MLB |
| Genre: | Sports/Baseball |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Release Date: | April 1,2022 |
Why MLB® The Show™ ’22 is on the list
It’s been over a decade since an MLB game was this good. No game has even been close in our opinion, since MLB ’10. Every mode sees a significant enough upgrade to be impressed by this year’s The Show.
The creation and development of your own MLB star is the best its ever been, and new feature, Mini-season mode adds a great randomness to the simulation, one that we definitely didn’t see coming.
There’s also a new Stadium Creator mode, which is pretty self-explanatory, but totally worth mentioning.
Our rating for MLB® The Show™ ’22: 4.0/5
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11. Crusader Kings III
| Platforms: | PS5/XBoxXS/Windows/macOS |
| Developer: | Paradox Development Studio/Lab42 |
| Publisher: | Paradox Interactive |
| Genre: | Strategy/RPG |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Release Date: | March 29, 2022 |
Why Crusader Kings III is on the list
One of the greatest games of its kind had its console release in March, and the results were as expected; console gamers and critics immediately heaved high accolades at the strategy RPG.
Gain advantages, build alliances, and demonstrate power over your own environment. Ensure the success of your Royal House, by arranging marriages, spreading faith and recruiting fighters.
Sequel to one of the most popular strategy games ever made, Crusader Kings III has one of the fastest-growing, fan bases of all-time. Players Rule a small realm or a major empire, as history, and challengers, develop rapidly around them. TechSquare didn’t rate Crusader Kings III quite as highly as the general gaming community, but we still consider it to be one of the best console games of 2022.
Our rating for Crusader Kings III: 4.0/5
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12. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
| Platforms: | PS5/PS4/XBoxXS/XBoxOne/Switch/Windows |
| Developer: | Traveller’s Tales/TT Games |
| Publisher: | Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment |
| Genre: | Action Platformer |
| Multiplayer: | Yes |
| Release Date: | April 5, 2022 |
Why LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is on the list
LEGO’s sense of humor and the creativity of the level design always makes for fascinating gameplay. There are countless characters to play as, and the game indeed spans the entire course of the nine films it’s based on.
There are more than 100 vehicles to command. Jump to lightspeed in the Millennium Falcon to outrun Imperial starships, battle TIE fighters in X-wings, or join the podrace on Tatooine. Join space battles and defeat a Super Star Destroyer that can be boarded and explored.
You can choose any of the three trilogies as a starting point, but all 3 are comparably enjoyable and hilarious. Each is also more and more challenging, which isn’t unique for a star wars, or a LEGO game.
This isn’t the first time aLEGO Star Wars “complete series” has been released, nor is this the best one. But now with a third trilogy of films completed, this may be the last.
Our rating for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: 3.9/5
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