The best video game releases of 2022 that we can't stop playing
No matter if you're a PC, Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch player, 2022 has delivered plenty of exciting video games. We've been playing a lot and these are the ones that we can't switch off, even if we tried.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Stray
"Stray is a game where the player is thwarted into the intuitive life of a cute little cat living in a cyberpunk world, one which is dripping with neon robots and mysteries to solve. It's a one-player game that might seem a bit bizarre on the surface, but it's a compelling story that can certainly be moving at times.
It's not like this cat has any super powers or anything – it's just a run-of-the-mill moggy that meows, purrs, drinks water and knocks things off tables. There's something simplistically wonderful about the game, although at times trying to control said feline mid-adventure can feel a little stiff. Still, the environment and storyline more than makes up for it, and although it's quite short it does pack a powerful punch. For cat lovers, it's an absolute must." - Nicole
FIFA 23 (Qatar World Cup mode)
"EA Sports have recently released their 2022 Qatar World Cup mode as a free DLC in FIFA 23 to coincide with the 2022 World Cup. I was able to get my hands on the new DLC a few days after it released and I am particularly impressed by the addition of the new player faces and kits to increase the authenticity of the World Cup experience. However, I was left disappointed with addition of only two official stadiums from Qatar compared to the 12 official stadiums added in for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on FIFA 18.
In terms of game modes, I had a great time playing both the online and offline as I tried to win the prestigious World Cup. I also enjoyed the addition of the new World Cup hero cards in Ultimate Team to keep the game mode fresh. Overall, I'm satisfied with what EA have done with this DLC and hope they improve on it by the time the Women's World Cup DLC comes around later in the year". - Ash
FIFA 23 is also available on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
The Quarry
"The Quarry was a great interactive horror video game to come out in 2022. What's to love about the game is that you never know what the outcome will be. You have multiple paths to take, and each decision will affect your next move. From character development, the plot, and the relationships between different characters nothing is set in stone and one wrong move could kill off one of the nine playable characters.
"It's immersive, it's fun, it's unpredictable and that's what I really enjoyed about The Quarry. Not to mention, it's from the same creators behind Until Dawn, which is yet another great immersive horror game." - Kailah
The Quarry is also available on Xbox One.
"The perfect Call Of Duty for old fans of the franchise to return to..."
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
"Due to Call Of Duty's downward spiral in their last couple of releases, I haven't played a Call Of Duty in years but after trying out the open beta for MW2 I decided to purchase my first Call Of Duty since 2019 and wow, I'm impressed. Modern Warfare 2 is a massive upgrade in quality when comparing it to its predecessors. Gameplay is pretty great most of the time and the graphics look amazing on the PS5. MW2 is the perfect Call Of Duty for old fans of the franchise to return to as it has that classic and nostalgic feel that reminds you of the original Modern Warfare's from the 2010s.
"Despite the game being enjoyable, it can definitely improve in some aspects – the UI needs a total redesign as it can get quite confusing and isn't as easy to navigate as it was in the old COD's. On top of that, skill based matchmaking is a huge issue – it's very hard for friend groups of different skill levels to play together as it simply makes the game way too hard when you're up against opponents who are extremely skilled at the game and takes away the enjoyment of casual gaming with your friends after a hard day of work. Despite a couple of aspects that need improvement, Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the ideal game to welcome you back to the Call Of Duty franchise." - Ash
Splatoon 3
"If you're after a child-friendly yet highly competitive game where you literally just have to shoot paint to win, then Splatoon 3 should be at the top of your list. Like its predecessors, the third installment on the Nintendo Switch is a third-person shooter where you wield weaponry and shoot coloured ink to mark your territory. You even have the ability to turn into a squid and swim through your own ink – which sounds strange, because it really, really is.
What Splatoon 3 really excels at is being a multi-player game. Being on the Switch, you can just gather your mates, grab your console and play anywhere. Then there's Splatfest, which are special, limited events where players choose out of three causes and compete in Turf Wars to raise their teams' scores. It's fun, exciting and with a gang of pals you'll never be bored – and there's also solo missions available, too." - Nicole
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
"I played Pokémon Legends: Arceus on the Nintendo Switch and adored every minute of it. The game was a whole new way to experience Pokémon, with an open-world setting and new ways of catching and battling Pokémon that was more immersive than ever before – and I've been playing these games since 2002!" - Maddison
READ MORE: The long-awaited PlayStation VR2 is now available for pre-order