As 2022 draws to a close, the time comes to look back at all the best games that released throughout the year, many for platforms from the industry giant, PlayStation. If 2021 showed the promise of the PlayStation 5 in the console's first full year of releases, 2022 represents the system hitting its stride. More players were able to get their hands on the elusive PS5, and newcomers and early adopters alike were treated to new titles that more than justified the purchase. Among the assortment of solid platform exclusives that released on the PS5 this year, a smaller group of exemplary games headline the console's offerings.
2022 was a good year for fans of familiar PlayStation franchises, with several flagship releases adapting or following up on acclaimed games from prior generations. The increase in power from the PS4 to PS5 offered an opportunity for developers to think bigger than ever before, with significant improvements in graphical capabilities and load times from the PS4 to PS5. Players in search of the new might have wanted a few more original exclusives, but some fresh titles did make a major mark. From the brutal wilds of ancient Scandinavia to the mysterious streets of a strange Tokyo, PlayStation brought significant achievements in adventures of every variety to the table.
God of War Ragnarok Delivers The Perfect Sequel
The 2018 release of God of War garnered acclaim with its re-imagining of a beloved franchise, setting a high bar that any follow-up would have trouble meeting. With God of War Ragnarok, Santa Monica Studio delivered a sequel that matched and even exceeded these expectations. The title acts as a new flagship for cinematic AAA storytelling, diving deeper into the strengthening bond between Ragnarok protagonists Kratos and Atreus while expanding in scope and intensity. Despite a shared release across console generations, Santa Monica Studio also delivered an impressive showcase of the graphics that the PlayStation 5 is capable of, boasting recognizably human performances against varied backdrops of incredible vistas.
Horizon Forbidden West Doubles Down On Machines
God of War Ragnarok wasn't the only flagship PlayStation sequel to reach new heights this year. Horizon Forbidden West returned to Horizon Zero Dawn's vision of a post-apocalyptic America, picking up Aloy's story in a hostile new environment. The most striking feature in the world of Horizon comes in the form of the mechanical creatures that populate the land, and Forbidden West doubles down on everything that made the machines interesting. Aloy's spear is better in Forbidden West, introducing new combos and complexity to machine combat, and late in the game she even gains the ability to ride flying machines. For players who loved Zero Dawn, Forbidden West is a surefire hit.
Stray Shows A Crumbling World Through A Cat's Eyes
Stray caught the attention of many by showcasing gameplay centered around a cute cat, but it won its place among the best PlayStation games of 2022 by delivering much more than that. The game brings a gorgeous atmosphere to sparkling life through the eyes of a feline, creating an immersive world and filling it with characters and stories that linger long after the credits. Players may have also found themselves watching these credits with wet eyes, as Stray packs a surprising but effective emotional wallop. Come for the promise of padding around on paws, stay for everything else.
The Last Of Us Part 1 Makes A Masterpiece Even Better
Although the initial reveal of The Last of Us Part 1' s $70 price raised concerns about how much value a remake of the 2013 hit was bringing to the table, the final product is worth the cost. TLOU Part 1 isn't just a remaster of the acclaimed PS3 title, but a ground-up visual remake in the more advanced engine of The Last of Us Part 2. The core gameplay may remain the same, but the immersive experience is heightened by its greater resemblance to reality. It also sets a new standard for accessibility in games, adding a wide variety of options that make it playable for more people than ever.
Ghostwire: Tokyo Finds A New Angle For Ghost Hunting
Ghostwire: Tokyo first made a splash with a memorable presentation at Bethesda's E3 2019 showcase, and the game is fortunately just as interesting as its original tease. The game represents a turn from Tango Gameworks' Evil Within series, retaining supernatural elements but losing the direct scares. Instead, Ghostwire: Tokyo focuses on exploration in a Shibuya that is mysteriously devoid of people, an environment beautiful enough to make up for an occasional sense of hollowness. The core gameplay arrives in the form of elemental combat that offers a fresh flavor to FPS gameplay tropes, and the story is peppered with standout sequences that keep the player coming back for more.
Of course, the five games mentioned here weren't the only great PlayStation titles this year, just the ones that stood out the most from the pack. Players who have already finished these highlights have more to enjoy. Racing fans could prioritize Gran Turismo 7, the newest entry in the long-running racing simulation series. The possibilities expand when considering cross-platform titles, and fans of indie games might want to let Inscryption , which was just ported to PS4 and PS5 in August 2022, shatter their expectations for roguelike deck-building games. FromSoftware's take on the open-world RPG with Elden Ring provided one of the best experiences of the year for many PlayStation owners, even if that experience was shared with Xbox loyalists.
PlayStation fans who haven't yet tackled the great games mentioned here may want to pick some priorities now, as 2023 promises plenty more. Horizon Forbidden West will receive DLC in the PS5-exclusive Burning Shores expansion, and a follow-up in the VR spinoff Call of the Mountain. Although the Marvel's Spider-Man series didn't have a 2022 release to contend for this year's best games, 2023 will unite Peter Parker and Miles Morales in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Final Fantasy XIV gives JRPG fans a long-awaited title to look forward to. Whether all these titles deliver on their potential remains to be seen. For now, celebrating the 2022 PlayStation games that did is more than enough.
Source: PlayStation/YouTube