Gaming has quickly become one of the most profitable and popular industries on the planet, but with so many games being released each year, which are the most popular games of 2022?
2022 has been a fairly slow year for gamers, with many developers still a little behind as a result of COVID, many gamers have returned to older games while they wait for some new releases. If you’re waiting for one of next year’s hit releases, why not take a look at some of the most popular games this year to pass the time.
2022’s Most Popular Games
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Released back in 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons quickly became one of the most popular Nintendo Switch games, and for good reason. It’s great for gamers of all ages giving players the chance to show off their creativity at their own pace. It also lets you add friends and visit their island whenever you want.
Following its recent DLC, players can even go get a job in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as well as tons of other changes to the base game that really let players get creative.
From collecting fossils, and catching bugs and fish to collecting art, there is so much to do. But of course, the main focus is on upgrading and decorating your house, as well as your island.
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 20 March 2020
2. Fortnite
Fortnite is one of those games that you either love or hate. But it’s undeniably one of the most popular Battle Royale games around today with a massive pool of regular players. It’s especially popular among younger players, which has been the cause of some controversy around the game in the past.
While Fortnite is entirely free to play, gamers can choose to purchase a battle pass or get a monthly subscription with the Fortnite Crew subscription. Both of these options unlock new skins and emotes that can be shown off in-game, but still require players to level up in order to be able to unlock them.
Fortnite is a fast-paced Battle Royale game where players can gather resources to build, play solo, or team up with up to four other players. It also features various other game modes, including the zero-build game mode.
Platform: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 21 July 2017
3. Minecraft
Even if you’re not a big gamer, the chances are you’ve heard of Minecraft. Players can join a server and work with tons of players online, or build their own little slice of paradise on single-player, the options are almost endless.
With multiple versions of Minecraft available on multiple platforms, it doesn’t matter what you prefer to game on, you can play Minecraft, even on your mobile. Players can also customize Minecraft with a massive selection of mods and texture packs, making the game even more enjoyable.
Much like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you can play Minecraft at your own pace. Either jumping on a server with others and sinking serious hours into the game or for the more casual gamers, you can create a single-player game and jump in and out as you please.
Even though it came in 2011, Minecraft still receives regular updates to the game, adding new content and making regular improvements, keeping the game fresh and helping make it not only one of the most popular games of 2022, but also one of the best games of all time.
Platform: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 18 November 2011
4. Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTAV)
If you’re looking for a more mature game, Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the most popular mature-rated games this year. Again, this is another game that wasn’t released in 2022, yet still retains a massive amount of players, with many players returning to the game while waiting for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
With an impressive 31+ hours average completion time on the campaign, not to mention the extremely popular online mode, there’s plenty of content to keep you going.
Being a mature game, GTAV features violence, swearing, sex, and just about anything else you could want in a mature game about crime. It also has some of the craziest characters in it, making it even more entertaining.
GTAV online lets players rise up the criminal ranks by performing heists, but they can also buy properties, join a crew, and much more all in an ever-evolving world where criminals thrive.
Platform: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Release Date: 17 September 2013
5. Call of Duty Warzone
Call of Duty Warzone is a free-to-play battle royale game based on the hit shooter, Call of Duty. Although it has recently had very mixed reviews it’s still one of the most played battle royale games of 2022, alongside Fortnite.
Available on multiple platforms and with cross-play available, it’s a solid shooter with a large player base and an even larger map to explore, as you fight to be the last man standing.
While Call of Duty Warzone is a free-to-play game, just like Fortnite, and just like Fortnite Warzone features a paid battle pass, as well as an in-game store, letting players purchase a range of weapon skins designed to make their arsenal look much more impressive.
Platform: Windows PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
Release Date: 10 March 2020
6. God of War: Ragnarok
Whenever a God of War game is released, it’s almost always guaranteed to be one of the most popular games of the year, and God of War: Ragnarok is no exception. God of War: Ragnarok follows on from 2018’s hit God of War, continuing the story of Kratos and his son, Atreus.
God of War: Ragnarok pushes both the gameplay and story further than ever, showing why PlayStation is the undisputed king of console exclusives. God of War: Ragnarok is the ninth installment in the God of War series, and is currently exclusively on PlayStation.
With both critics and gamers reviewing God of War: Ragnarok so highly, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular games of 2022.
Platform: PlayStation
Release Date: 9 November 2022
7. Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is the sequel to the innovative award-winning game, Horizon Zero Dawn. Continuing the story of Aloy as she pushes to the far west of a futuristic America, overrun by deadly machines.
Not only does Horizon Forbidden West feature an incredible story and impressive gameplay, but it also has some of the most stunning scenery seen on a PlayStation exclusive to date. And with around 29 hours to complete the main story, and 88 hours in total, including 100% completion, there’s tons of content to keep you going.
Platform: PlayStation
Release Date: 18 February 2022
8. Dying Light 2: Staying Human
Dying Light 2: Staying Human is the sequel to the 2015 hit game Dying Light. Taking place 22 years after the first game and with a new protagonist, Dying Light 2: Staying Human expands upon the freerunning system that made the first game so popular.
With the majority of the human race annihilated, players take on the role of Aiden, looking for his sister Mia, while navigating the zombie-ridden streets of Villedor. Dying Light 2: Staying Human places many game-changing choices in the hands of the player, letting them decide who to give vital buildings to, and in some cases, which survivors deserve to live or die.
With a massive campaign, tons of side quests, and a crazy arsenal of weaponry to buy, craft or find, Dying Light 2: Staying Human is a massive game that offers hours of zombie-bashing entertainment.
Platform: Windows PC, Xbox, and PlayStation
Release Date: 4 February 2022
9. Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Pokemon Legends: Arceus breathes new life into the Pokemon games series, moving the game away from the tried and tested formula in favor of completely new gameplay that helps to make this one of the most exciting Pokemon games to have been released in a long time.
With a large open world, impressive graphics, and innovative new gameplay, Pokemon Legends: Arceus has quickly become one of the most popular recent Pokemon games, in fact, it’s more popular than the recently released Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is an impressive Pokemon game that’s perfect for newcomers to Pokemon games and seasoned veterans alike. With tons of Pokemon to catch, by battle or through catching them stealthily from the long grass, and a huge map to explore, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is an exciting game that is worthy of the attention it has had this year.
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 28 January 2022
10. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is the latest game from the Borderlands series. This time players set out to join Tiny Tina in her tabletop game called Bunkers and badasses (D&D).
While Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands in some ways feels much like a reskin of Borderlands 3, the comical elements of this game, alongside an impressive lineup of voice actors make this one of the most enjoyable games of 2022, packed full of genuine laugh-out-loud moments.
With legendary actors such as Ashly Burch, Andy Samberg, Will Arnett, and Wanda Sykes, it’s no wonder players can’t get enough of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands.
Platform: Windows PC, Xbox, and PlayStation
Release Date: 25 March 2022
11. Elden Ring
Elden Ring was one of the most anticipated games of 2022, and rightly so. Fans who were desperate for a challenge definitely received it in this open-world action RPG. FromSoftware created Elden Ring to be similar to Dark Souls, and it won several awards and sold over 17.5 million copies by October 2022.
If you’re looking for an adventure that’s going to make you think about every action you make, then Elden Ring is a great choice. With hundreds of quests to undertake, dungeons, caves, and more, there’s plenty of gameplay here to whet your appetite for hours.
While Elden Ring is primarily single-player, there are some parts of the game that can be enjoyed in multiplayer, although unless you play Elden Ring with a multiplayer mod, it’s not full co-op multiplayer.
Platform: Windows PC, Xbox, and PlayStation
Release Date: 25 February 2022
