The 20 Best Video Games of 2022 So Far

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – July 7, 2022

Which games impressed professional reviewers the most during the first half of the year? Above, we rank the best-reviewed videogames released between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022 by Metascore. Games must have at least 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion.

Note that ...

If a game was released on multiple platforms, we included only the version receiving the largest total number of reviews (usually, but not always, the PS5 or PS4 version).

Multi-game compilations and newly released ports of games released in prior years on other platforms are excluded, unless they are substantially different from the prior release(s) (for example, an HD remaster of a previous-gen game that also adds some new content). We have also excluded DLC.

12 of 21 photo by Finji

85 #9 (tie): Tunic

A Zelda-inspired isometric action-adventure developed mainly by a single person, Andrew Shouldice, Tunic casts you as an adventurous fox in a mysterious land. While searching for a legendary treasure in a mysterious and colorful land, you'll battle threats small and large, collect relics, and solve a variety of puzzles. There's a manual to provide guidance, but many of its pages are missing—you'll have to find bits and pieces along the way to figure out exactly what you should be doing. Released for PC and Xbox consoles in March, Tunic will also come to PlayStation in September.

“Tunic is a stunning achievement that manages to embody the best of nostalgia while being completely refreshing. It’s absolutely a must-play gem.” —Game Informer

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