5 Best Games of 2022, According to Metacritic

We're only halfway through 2022, yet it's already delivered some incredible gaming titles with it. As a result, we're witnessing one of the most competitive years in gaming history and there's still a long list of games yet to release that could challenge the present ranking. One site that is actively following this list for the best games of 2022, is Metacritic. That's why as we reach the mid-way point, we want to know what are the five best games of 2022 according to Metacritic.

If you are unfamiliar with Metacritic, it is a well-known website that assesses ratings and rankings for video games based on the ratings given from top reviewers and publications. By taking all reviews and ratings into account, it allows for a general and unbiased overall rating.

As of now, one game seemingly stands above the rest as the best of 2022. I'm sure you can take a wild guess at which game currently holds that standing. It's also worth noting that game makes up Metacritic's top three, but that's because it gets a ranking spot per platform. This list focuses just on the top five titles across all platforms. With that being said, it's time to find out the midway results, as we break down the five best games of 2022 according to Metacritic.

5. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim was originally released in 2019, exclusively in Japan for the PS4. However, due to the game's overwhelming popularity, it was only a year later, in 2020, that it was launched globally. Well, two years later the fame is still in high tide as the game was officially released for the Nintendo Switch in April of 2022. This brought lots of fresh faces to the game, and it also helped it climb back up the ranks as the fifth-best game of 2022.

Shockingly amongst the long list of notable games in 2022, one from 2019 is still making its rounds. That's most likely because it didn't receive global exposure, which the Switch's release has helped to remedy.

13 Sentinals: Aegis Rim is an RPG, action-adventure, and RTS, all packed into one. The game has huge anime and mecha-inspired origins, which may have seen many gamers turn their backs on it. Regardless, it's one of the best sci-fi narratives that have been delivered to gaming in a long time. We will have to see if the game still holds this standing after the highly anticipated sci-fi game, Starfield releases, when or if it ever does.

4. Rogue Legacy 2

Rogue Legacy 2 is a long-awaited sequel to the original Rogue Legacy game in 2013. The game's second edition was released as early access for PC in 2020, but it wasn't until April of 2022, that the full game was released across all consoles. Despite a two-year period of the game in early access, the players still were impressed with Rogue Legacy 2's delivery. Climbing it into the fourth spot, for the five best games of 2022 according to Metacritic.

The side-scrolling Indie game is a roguelike, action-adventure RPG where the player's legacy defines them. To keep it simple, players choose a starting class and work towards completing a randomly generated castle. When you die, you will have the choice to choose a new class and which deceased character's legacy you will continue. The game is far more complex than we can begin to describe but it's what makes it one of the most in-depth and original rogue-lite titles to come in a long time. So the high notion that has solidified Rogue Legacy 2 as the fourth-best of 2022 is understandable.

3. The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe

One of the most original ideas for a game came in 2013, The Stanley Parable. The concept was to create a game that defies all ethical laws of conventional games, as a spoof or parody. To ensure that was clear, you are constantly followed by a narrator, who constantly jokes and makes you second guess your decisions. Players fell in love with the game, and it was almost a decade later that the second installment, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe was released.

You could say it's a safe bet that players didn't lose their love for the game, as it's currently ranking as the third-best game of 2022, so far. However, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe really set out to push the concept of their idea to its full extent. Instead of playing the game, the game is trying to play you. Again taking an opposite spin of the conventional standard of today's games.

2. God of War

God of War is a video game series that originally debuted back in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. Since then, the game has seen eight distinct entries in its series. The most noteworthy of which being 2018's action-adventure title God of War. It won Game of the Year in 2018, but no one anticipated it to keep that position among AAA action-adventure titles for as long as it has.

Well, according to Metacritic, God of War is the second-best game of 2022. Which, you can't really argue if you've experienced the games encapsulating and riveting tale. However, a huge influence on this standing could be the hype for the game's follow-up title, God of War Ragnarok. It's set to release sometime in 2022, and don't be surprised if it climbs into the second spot after reviews.

Our best guess is that God of War is simply a placeholder for its newest title, which has high expectations to be the best narrative game of all time. As of right now, its toughest competition is the game's younger brother – God of War.

1. Elden Ring

Yes, you could have guessed it. Of the best games of 2022 according to Metacritic, the number one is no other than Elden Ring. It's actually so good, the game is holding the top three spots, one for each of its playable platforms. That being PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This should come as no surprise, given no other game in history has delivered as much content while maintaining an equally engaging experience as Elden Ring.

The game was created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind all of the Souls games. There's also a heavy influence on the game's narrative from one of the greatest fictional minds of our time, George R. R. Martin. You know, the guy who made Game of Thrones? As a result of uniting these two brilliant minds, it's no wonder that the game is the best of 2022. However, no one ever thought it would surpass all expectations it had of itself. Surely it will be hard for any game in the next decade to top Elden Ring.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with Metacritic top five? Are there other games that you feel should be in the top five games of 2022? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!