Best PS5 games of 2022

The PS5 went from strength to strength in 2022, with some of the best games of the console's life so far

2022 was a pretty good year to be a PS5 owner. While there were only a handful of big exclusives, just almost all of them knocked it out of the park, and several other smaller titles launched to create an impressive lineup. There are a few that stand head and shoulders above the rest though.

This should give you a good look at the great games you might’ve missed this year. There aren’t many games coming out in January, so if you find any of these games even remotely interesting, you should definitely pick them up to pass the time until 2023’s February gold rush.

Gran Turismo 7

It had been nine years since Gran Turismo 6, which came out for the PS3. So the improvements made in Gran Turismo 7 were extremely welcome. It was an all-around triumphant return, with the game taking full advantage of the new nuance the PS5’s controller allows for, and the exquisite graphics give us one of the most realistic racing experiences out there right now. It doesn’t forgo the joy of racing though, with every movement feeling smooth and enjoyable.

Sifu

If you like fighting games but want something a little less traditional, then Sifu is something you should check out. It’s an intensely challenging game but it endlessly satisfying to play, with the combat making every strike, block, and dodge feel important. There is also the unique death mechanic, where each death ages your character. This reduces your max HP but increases your damage output, creating an interesting balance where you’ll be stronger in one-on-one fights, but groups can easily overwhelm you.

Salt and Sacrifice

Sequel to the 2016 sleeper hit, Salt and Sanctuary, this game is another great step for the 2D Soulslike series. While a new player might be better off playing the original first, if you enjoyed the original then you’ll enjoy what more this sequel has to offer. It takes you on a new adventure with more of the same great gradual exploration and punishing combat.

Elden Ring

It doesn’t matter what console you own, you should be playing Elden Ring. Don’t let the counter-culture movement that pops up around every Game Award winner dissuade you, this is everything it’s hyped up to be. Even if you weren’t a fan of the Dark Souls games, you’ll find Elden Ring to be a much more welcoming and engaging experience. The open world has been designed with masterful craftsmanship, and the FromSoftware combat system is better than ever before.

Horizon Forbidden West

If you’re a fan of open world games, then you’ve probably already played Horizon Zero Dawn. This sequel is everything you’d want, it’s bigger, better, and prettier in just about every way. If the PS5 is the first PlayStation console you’ve picked up then just an hour or two with this game will show you everything you need to know about why this is one of Sony’s biggest exclusives. In case that wasn’t enough, there’s a VR Horizon game coming in the new year.

Stray

The little cat in the big wide world captured everyone’s hearts this summer, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a great little puzzle platformer that makes the most of the unique concept, giving you all the movement and interaction a cat should have in a world like this. It’s the little details that make this game work. The way you can get caught up in the feet of the robots, the way you have to claw at doors to get people to open them, and even the small ways that the cat looks around the world. It’s heartwarming.

Sonic Frontiers

Every new 3D Sonic game is a bit of a coin flip as to whether it’ll work, but thankfully Sonic Frontiers is one of the good ones. The open world is a new step of Sonic and it was done very well. The endless ramps and platforms scattered around may not integrate with the world much, but their inclusion makes traversing the world much more fun, and all of the little challenges along the way will keep you busy for ages.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Firaxis

Quite easily the best Marvel game ever made, this strategy game manages to be deep and challenging while still accentuating the unbelievable power many of these heroes hold. Midnight Suns makes the most of its characters both on and off the battlefield, with you able to mix and match squads to your heart’s content, only to chill out with them after the fight’s over.

The Last of Us Part 1

Whether you’re in favor of yet another remake or not, The Last of Us Part 1 is still one of the best games ever made. If you somehow haven’t already played it, you need to try it for yourself, even if you were put off by the sequel. If you have already played it, then you’ll get to see it prettier than ever, with some stunning upgrades having come about over the last couple of generations.

God of War Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok is the best PS5 exclusive. It’s really that simple. The 2018 game was an unchallenged masterpiece and somehow Ragnarok improved upon it in every way. The story is more complex and interesting, the combat has more layers, the exploration is smoother, and the side quests are more expansive. It’s the kind of game that you should take your time with and go out of your way to see everything it has to offer.

If you happen to get the game for Christmas, you can find everything you need to know about it in our God of War Ragnarok walkthrough.