Perhaps due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 has been relatively slow when it comes to big new game releases. However, that doesn't mean that this year has been without major titles to play. A little over halfway through 2022, and there have been four new game releases this year that have managed to earn a 90 or above overall critic rating, labeling them as must-play games for fans of their respective genres.
This is according to review aggregate site OpenCritic, which has assigned four games with a 90 or above rating based on a collection of critic reviews. What makes OpenCritic different from MetaCritic is that the review scores aren't separated by platform. So while Elden Ring has versions available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, all of which have their own Metacritic pages, FromSoftware's epic has only one page on OpenCritic. This results in a more comprehensive view on critical reception for a game, as it takes into account reviewer experiences for all platforms that the particular game was available on to determine the final score. So if there's a bad port of an otherwise critically-acclaimed game, that will be reflected and potentially bring down its score.
In any case, here are the four highest-rated video games of 2022 so far, all of which have earned a 90 or above rating. Keep in mind that this only includes brand-new game releases, so the Portal Companion Collection on Switch, which has a stunning 95 rating, doesn't count for this.
Highest-Rated Games of 2022 So Far
- Elden Ring - 95 (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X)
- NORCO - 91 (PC)
- Freshly Frosted - 91 (PC/PS4/Switch)
- Neon White - 90 (PC/Switch)
To little surprise, the highest-rated game of 2022 so far is Elden Ring, FromSoftware's action-RPG that brings the Dark Souls brand of gameplay to an open-world environment with great success. Elden Ring is not only the highest-rated game of 2022, but it's also one of the highest-rated video games ever made, and it has managed to take FromSoftware to new heights.
Meanwhile, two new games have a 91 rating. Point-and-click adventure game NORCO has earned high marks for its engrossing story, sense of humor, and clever implementation of traditional point-and-click gameplay mechanics. Better yet, NORCO is available on PC Game Pass, so anyone intrigued by it can try it out for no more than the price they pay for their subscription. It should be noted that PC Game Pass access is bundled with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, so fans should keep that in mind.
The other game with a 91 overall rating is Freshly Frosted, a cutesy puzzle game about donuts, with critics especially impressed by the game's art style and music. Those interested can check it out on PC, Switch, and PS4. And finally, there's Neon White, which is a unique game available on PC and Switch that combines elements of first-person shooter games, visual novels, and platformers to great effect.
There are many more landmark game releases in store for later this year, so it's possible other titles will join these games in the 90 or above club. For now, anyone needing a high-quality new game to play can safely check out any of these games.
Source: OpenCritic