To say Elden Ring dominated the first half of 2022 would be putting it mildly. People talked so much about the role-playing action game that even those who had never held a console in their life memorized the name.
If you’re having trouble understanding just how popular Elden Ring has been, take a look at FromSoftware’s (the same studio that developed Elden Ring) last successful titles:
Elden Ring, on the other hand, sold over 12 million copies in two weeks. It smashed all the previous records in just 14 days.
But enough about Elden Ring; there are plenty of other video games to discuss. And in this blog, we’re going to do precisely that.
Let’s be on our way, then:
(The video games mentioned on this list are in no particular order of release, popularity, or success)
Release Date: 18th February 2022
Developed By: Guerrilla Games
Published By: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released on: PS4 and PS5
Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the highest-grossing PS4 games. So, it goes without saying that the expectations from its sequel – Horizon Forbidden West - were high. Luckily, it arrived with a bang.
The plot is tough to unravel; you assume the role of a cavewoman (Aloy) in America, where hulking cybernetic dinosaurs are running amok and fighting with futuristic weapons.
Is the game set in prehistoric times?
If so, how’s the technology so advanced?
And why does Aloy use old-fashioned weapons to fight robotic machines?
Horizon Forbidden West never answers these questions.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to.
The developers worked diligently to improve the lacking areas and leveraged PS5’s powerful hardware features to deliver a fantastic experience.
Buy Now For PS5, XBOX, and Nintendo
Release Date: 16th March 2022
Developed By: Andrew Shouldice
Published By: Finji
Released On: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One. Coming soon on PS4 and PS5.
In the era of Unreal Engine-powered games, it’s nice to step back in the past every now and then. Tunic lets you do that. Initially announced in 2017, the action-adventure game took five sweet years to release.
But as they say, ‘All good things come to those who wait.’
One look at Tunic’s gameplay, and you’d be convinced it’s somehow related to the Zelda or Souls franchise. Although certain elements may make you think that, Tunic happens to be an original game with challenging combat and complex puzzles.
The best thing about Tunic is that it tells you little about itself – literally. Most of the game’s dialogues are indecipherable; you must rely on the instruction manuals scattered around the in-game world.
Even Tunic, the character himself, doesn’t utter a word.
All in all, Tunic is a simple, colorful, and intuitive game that will take you on an exciting adventure.
Release Date: 16th June 2022
Developed By: Tribute Games
Published By: Dotemu
Released On: Microsoft Windows, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
If you had a normal childhood, you most likely spent an unhealthy amount of time in arcades playing different games, specifically Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT).
It’s quite clear that the developers, Tribute Games, were one of those people. Because their latest game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, is an homage to those classic titles we loved back then.
You can play either as one of the four turtles – Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael – or the supporting characters, like April O’Neil, Master Splinter, and Casey Jones. Each has a different playing style, with various attributes.
Opponents include the Foot Clan, Shredder, Krang, Bebop and Rocksteady.
Since the game allows six players to play together, you can expect things to get messy and chaotic – in a good way, of course. This is especially true if you team up with a few friends.
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is the perfect example of how you can keep an old game’s charm intact while adding new features at the same time.
Buy Now for PS4, XBOX, and Nintendo
Release Date: 10th June 2022
Developed By: Supermassive Games
Published By: 2K
Released On: Microsoft Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
There’s a separate fanbase of classic teen slasher films like Friday the 13th and Scream. But have you ever wished to switch places with the protagonists?
The Quarry is your answer.
Made for and by people who love horror films, The Quarry works as both a game and a 10-hour interactive TV show episode. It’s set in a moonlit summer camp where you have the option to play as one of the nine characters.
And this is the most interesting part: something (or someone) is stalking your every move, unbeknownst to you. Whether you end up being one of the victims or survive the night depends on the decisions you make while playing.
To complete the game and be the final man or woman standing, you’ll need about 10 hours. But the duration can shorten if you choose the wrong option. In that case, you’ll be brutally murdered.
The Quarry is certainly one of the most thrilling games we’ve ever played. Since your decisions cause a character to live or die, the stakes feel 100% real.
Release Date: 19th July 2022
Developed By: BlueTwelve Studio
Published By: Annapurna Interactive
Released On: Microsoft Windows, PS4, PS5
Stray has to be the most intriguing game we’ve played over the past few years. In fact, it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. And we’re willing to bet you haven’t either.
The game lets you play as a stray cat; an orange tabby.
You’re not a magical, futuristic, or mythical cat – just a domestic feline who finds himself/herself (the game leaves the gender ambiguous) trapped in a world run by robots.
Considering this unique selling point (USP), Stray was all people could talk about prior to its release.
The game’s plot is fairly simple: you’re walking with your group of felines when you accidentally fall down a mysterious underground city. We say mysterious because it isn’t filled with humans but humanoid robots. The objective is to reach the surface.
Fortunately, you’re not alone in this quest. Multiple robots will help you, particularly a companion named B-12. It’s a small drone that will attach to your back.
You may play Stray thinking it’s fun to play as a cat, but the game offers much more than that, including an engrossing story, stunning graphics, and of course, the ability to meow whenever you want.
Release Date: 25th March 2022
Developed By: Gearbox Software
Published By: 2K
Released On: Microsoft Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Explosives-obsessed Tiny Tina is one of the most interesting characters of the Borderlands series – hands down. Leveraging on the popularity, Gearbox Software decided to give Tiny Tina her very own game.
The result?
An outrageous, twisted, fun spinoff that cemented the character’s bonkers legacy.
In addition to the excellent gameplay, Tiny Tina’s Wonderland is elevated by Hollywood A-listers like Andy Samberg, Wanda Skyes, and Will Arnett, who lend their voice to the characters Valentine, Frette, and Dragon Lord, respectively.
The Borderlands franchise is known for its ridiculous guns; Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands take things up a notch by introducing weapons that shoot crossbow bolts and spells instead of grenades or bullets.
Everything here feels over the top. But if you’ve played any of the Borderlands games before, this one fits the bill just fine.
One thing that caught us by surprise about Tiny Tina’s Wonderland is that it’s hilarious, which is a rare feat to achieve for a game. But then again, with the impressive cast involved, you can expect to get thrown into laughter fits.
Release Date: 8th February 2022
Developed By: Roll7
Published By: Private Division
Released On: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.
Skating games have always been a hit or miss. After all, there’s not much you can do to bring something new to the genre; it’s always going to be about a person and their skateboard.
But OlliOlli World proved everyone wrong by revolutionizing the art style, levels, and most importantly, the premise. Instead of pitting humans against each other in the real world, this game takes place in a fictional realm called Radlandia.
It is ruled by skate Gods (the fewer questions you ask, the better), and you’ll have to continuously train to become a skate wizard. The levels vary, from haunted deserts to mystical forests.
To be honest, this game is one dialogue away from being considered an Adult Swim animated series.
The graphics may be the biggest difference between OlliOlli World and other skateboard games. While most are set in a standard gray and white region, this one is bursting with colors; it’s very attractive to look at.
Though the appearance may be childish, the levels are anything but. The levels get difficult as you progress, which can really test your patience.
OlliOlli World sets an example for other games to follow – it shows what wonderful things happen when you push the boundaries of creativity.
Buy Now For PS5, XBOX, and Nintendo
In case you’re wondering, we didn’t list Elden Ring in this blog because, well, everyone has talked about it enough (even we did in the beginning). So, we’re sure the developers would cut us some slack since the first 8 months of 2022 were filled with fantastic worth-mentioning titles.
And with God of War: Ragnarök and Overwatch 2 remaining, this year is guaranteed to end with a bang!
Kevin D - Writer at DealZoneOne.com 
No Spam. Just the 'Real' Deal.
