As it turns out, 2022 was a great year for gaming, though Dry patch towards the middle. While we’ve already written about the best games of 2022, our picks only cover a few of what’s been released over the past twelve months. As such, the Tom’s Guide team decided to put together a list of games you might have missed – especially if you’re a stickler for blockbuster titles, like Elden ring And the God of War Ragnarok.
Some of the games you missed in 2022 come in second place in the “best games” story. Others are more niche titles, which we personally liked, but which may not appeal to a wide audience. This list contains action games, strategy games, adventure games, sports games, shooters and more, so there should be something to suit almost every taste. If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path to play during the holidays, check out these games that may have flown under your radar the first time around.
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 is one of the best action games I’ve played in years. In this stylish adventure, you will control Bayonetta, an ambra sorceress with an elegant arsenal, and a deadly Sashai. This time around, Bayonetta has to face a threat that could end the entire multiverse, and she does so by punching, kicking, and shooting a variety of creative enemies if they surrender.
Graceful ballistic combat is Bayonetta 3’s main draw, especially since you’ll control both Bayonetta and a new witch named Viola, who fights with a katana and avoids damage with guns instead of dodging. However, the game’s great story and offbeat sense of humor are vital to the overall experience. While older Switch hardware can’t always keep up with the fast-paced battles, that doesn’t diminish the size of the overall package. – Marshall Honor
Gotham Knights
Given its less-than-stellar reputation, you might be surprised to see Gotham Knights included in our roundup of games you missed in 2022, but I’m here to argue that this open-world action game deserves another chance.
In many ways, it seems to me that Gotham Knights has been harshly judged for what it isn’t and not for what it is. Let’s get the bats in the room off the ground: Gotham Knights just doesn’t live up to the quality standards of the Arkham games. But this is the limit of removal. So even if it isn’t among the greatest superhero games of all time, it’s one I’ve found myself coming back to constantly since its release.
Maybe it’s the glitzy treadmill to upgrade your favorite knight with new gear and abilities, or maybe the game’s stunning recreation of Gotham City is the fun of sliding. Yes, the infamous performance issues are unfortunate but if you’re looking for some mindless comic book action, Gotham Knights is sure to satisfy. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check. – Rory Mellon
high on life
High On Life came in quite late in the year to earn a spot on our “best games” list, but I think it could have been a strong contender. In this chaotic first-person shooter, you control an everyday slacker who becomes an intergalactic bounty hunter after his home is blown up in the far reaches of space. From there, you pick up a variety of sentient and modern weapons and blast your way through a whole host of alien threats.
The big plus for High On Life is that it comes from Justin Roiland, co-creator of Rick and Morty. As such, the game has a quirky, quivering sense of humor that starts with the first lines of dialogue and never stops until the end. While every squib isn’t just a laugh riot, the game shocks you with so much laughter, you’re sure to laugh a lot – and if you don’t, there’s a solid first-person shooter underneath. – Marshall Honor
The Last of Us Part One
The Last of Us Part 1 generated a fair amount of controversy upon release, with some people grumbling about its full $70 price tag, and others questioning the need for a remake of a decade-old game. Did we really Need This remake of The Last of Us? Probably not, but there’s no doubt that it’s the ultimate way to experience the PlayStation exclusive landmark.
Joel and Ellie’s grueling journey across the post-apocalyptic United States was just as difficult in 2022 as it was in 2013, and now with the visuals completely overhauled, the cinematic experience really takes it a step further. The lack of any new content is a bit disappointing, but Naughty Dog has done an exceptional job making The Last of Us look just as amazing as its 2020 sequel. With The Last of Us premiering on HBO next month, now is the perfect time to relive the sequel. The first from The Last of Us, or experiencing it for the first time on PS5 – Rory Mellon
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Mario + Rabbids is an idea that probably wasn’t supposed to succeed even once – but now it has, twice. In Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, you’ll control Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, as well as a host of their Raving Rabbid counterparts. While this may sound like a breezy party game setup, Sparks of Hope is anything but. Instead, it’s an intense turn-based strategy/RPG, where each battle requires tight tactical thinking.
Each character has a unique playstyle, from Luigi’s ranged sniper skills to Rosalina’s rapid-fire special abilities. Apart from combat, the game also has lots of levels to explore, puzzles to solve and character upgrades to proceed. Throw a loud text and some cheerful colorful graphics on the Switch, and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope could become a cult classic, just like its predecessor. – Marshall Honor
Primordial world
OlliOlli World is the embodiment of easy to pick up yet hard to master. Within minutes of starting this vibrant side skating game, you’ll be able to do all sorts of cool tricks, but if you want to reach the top of the leaderboards, you’ll need to work.
If a game wasn’t perfectly balanced it might have veered into infuriating territory, but OlliOllii World has always managed to fall on the right side of the fine line between frustration and fun. This is partly due to its charming art style, but also because it is so much fun to play. It also helps to be constantly rewarded with a new cosmetic unlock or a new skate level. Your progress never stops even when you reach the most challenging levels of the game, and the feeling of installing a difficult section after dozens of attempts is quite radical – Rory Mellon
quintet
While Pentiment won’t appeal to everyone, it will absolutely delight adventure gamers and history buffs. You control Andreas Maler, an artist in the late medieval Holy Roman Empire. From there, I set out to solve a murder mystery. Pentiment has a lot of dialogue, a few puzzles and not much in terms of traditional gameplay. But the writing is solid, and you have a great degree of control over the course of the story that follows.
Although this is not a traditional role-playing game, you will continue to develop your own unique version of Andreas, from his background, to his skills, to his education, to his past travels across Europe. Your choices help guide your investigation, as do the relationships you build with other characters. Even the murder mystery is only a hook to a larger, more interesting story. On top of all that, there is also an amazing and unique art style. – Marshall Honor
rollerdrome
The elevator pitch for Rollerdrome is easy: Tony Hawk but with guns. From the developer of Ole Ole Roll7, this skateboarding shooter puts you in the shoes of competitor Kara Hassan as you battle arenas of enemies in this deadly snowboarding competition run by the mysterious Matterhorn Corporation. This is the perfect game to show off to friends, or if you just want to look cool grinding and wall-riding while taking out enemies with four different weapons. The flow of this game can reach rhythm action levels at times as you weave between bullets and complete tricks to keep your collection. If you’ve ever been disappointed there aren’t any more mech battles in the Pro Skater series, this is the game for you. – Andy Sansom
sefu
Elden Ring was far from the only game responsible for broken consoles in 2022. In fact, action beat ’em up Sifu is arguably more demanding than FromSoftware’s GOTY. Developed by French studio Slocap, in Sifu you play a martial arts student on a quest to take revenge on the people responsible for their father’s death.
Sifu’s massively rewarding and amazingly deep combat system keeps things engaging throughout. The stakes are heightened by the bridge mechanic. When you die, your character is instantly revived but will age for a few years. You get old and you die permanently and you have to restart from the beginning. This gives each defeat a real sense of weight as your life meter climbs higher and higher.
Trying to complete the entire game in one lifetime is a very difficult task, and you’ll only manage it by truly mastering the Sifu combat system. Yes, you will need a lot of patience for this, but keep going and you will be rewarded with an unrivaled sense of victory. – Rory Mellon
Splatoon 3
Splatoon 3 from Nintendo is a charming third-person shooter that fuses online battles and a robust single-player campaign to great effect. Octopuses and ink-blooded possums encounter a potential mammal return to the sun-scorched deserts of the Splatlands, which would blanket the world in a mysterious spray.
The competitive and cooperative multiplayer game features several distinct modes and loads of fun. While Splatoon 3 doesn’t bring a ton of new ideas to the franchise, the quality-of-life improvements offer a meaningful change to a very polished formula. – Madeline Ricciotto
splitjet
Splitgate is not an entirely new game, but it has reached its full and final release in 2022. This multiplayer first-person shooter combines the elements of Halo and Portal to create a unique and addictive experience. With an impressive variety of weapons and strategies, Splitgate offers endless hours of fun as you hone your skills and complete challenges.
Being free to play, it has a season pass model with microtransactions to support the small developer. It’s all about cosmetics only, and you can also earn weapon skins through the gameplay. It’s fair game that rewards skill and out-of-the-box thinking. If you want to scratch your old-school Halo multiplayer itch, try Splitgate. – Jordan Palmer
stray
While Stray is a short game that borders on being overly simplistic, it is a steady paced adventure with rewarding exploration, gorgeous environments, and poignant sentiments about companionship and hope. In addition, it gives players the opportunity to play a game as a cat.
The worst thing about Stray is that its short runtime makes you want more cat projects in your life. Even if you’re not really a cat fanatic. – Madeline Ricciotto
[ad_2]
