Hey gamers! Are you looking for the best games to play on PC in 2022? You've come to the right place. This year was packed with incredible releases, from open-world adventures to intense shooters and everything in between. So, grab your mouse and keyboard, and let's dive into the must-play titles that made 2022 a fantastic year for PC gaming!

Elden Ring

Let's kick things off with a colossal title that dominated discussions and won countless awards: Elden Ring. Developed by FromSoftware, the creators of the Dark Souls series, Elden Ring takes their signature challenging combat and intricate world design to a whole new level. Imagine a vast, open world filled with stunning landscapes, formidable enemies, and secrets around every corner. That's Elden Ring in a nutshell.

Why it's a must-play:

• Expansive Open World: The Lands Between is a breathtaking world to explore, offering unparalleled freedom. You can ride your spectral steed, Torrent, across vast plains, through dense forests, and into imposing castles. The sense of scale and discovery is truly remarkable.
• Challenging but Rewarding Combat: If you're a fan of the Souls series, you know what to expect. Elden Ring doesn't hold your hand. Every enemy, from lowly soldiers to towering demigods, poses a threat. But overcoming these challenges is incredibly satisfying. You'll need to master your character's abilities, learn enemy attack patterns, and strategize to survive.
• Deep Character Customization: Elden Ring offers a staggering array of weapons, armor, spells, and skills. You can create a character that perfectly suits your playstyle, whether you prefer a heavily armored knight, a nimble rogue, or a powerful sorcerer. Experimentation is key to finding the build that works best for you.
• Intriguing Lore and Story: The world of Elden Ring is steeped in rich lore crafted by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. While the main storyline is compelling, the real magic lies in uncovering the secrets of the Lands Between through exploration and interactions with its inhabitants. Every NPC has a story to tell, and every location has a history to discover.
• Stunning Visuals and Atmosphere: Elden Ring is a visual masterpiece. The environments are incredibly detailed, and the enemy designs are both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The game's art direction creates a unique and unforgettable atmosphere that will stay with you long after you finish playing.

Elden Ring isn't just a game; it's an experience. Its vast open world encourages exploration, its challenging combat demands skill and strategy, and its deep lore and story will keep you hooked for hours on end. If you're looking for a game that will truly test your abilities and reward your perseverance, Elden Ring is an absolute must-play.

God of War

Next up, we have God of War, the critically acclaimed action-adventure game that made its way to PC in 2022. Originally a PlayStation exclusive, this title brings the epic journey of Kratos and his son Atreus to a new audience. This isn't the God of War you might remember from the PlayStation 2 era; it's a reimagining of the series, focusing on a more mature and emotional story, set against the backdrop of Norse mythology.

Why it's a must-play:

• Gripping Narrative: God of War tells a powerful story about a father and son navigating a dangerous world while grappling with their past. Kratos, the once rage-fueled Spartan warrior, is now a father trying to protect his son and teach him how to survive. The relationship between Kratos and Atreus is the heart of the game, and their journey is both moving and impactful.
• Visceral Combat System: The combat in God of War is brutal and satisfying. Kratos wields the Leviathan Axe, a powerful weapon that can be thrown and recalled with deadly precision. The game features a wide variety of enemies, each with their own unique attack patterns and weaknesses. Mastering the combat system is essential to surviving the challenges that lie ahead.
• Stunning Visuals and Graphics: The PC version of God of War boasts enhanced graphics and performance, making it even more visually impressive than the original PlayStation version. The environments are incredibly detailed, and the character models are lifelike. The game's art direction is inspired by Norse mythology, creating a world that is both beautiful and dangerous.
• Meaningful Exploration: While God of War isn't an open-world game in the same vein as Elden Ring, it does feature a semi-open world with plenty of opportunities for exploration. You can explore various realms, each with its own unique environments and challenges. Discovering hidden areas and secrets adds depth to the game and rewards curiosity.
• Compelling Characters: In addition to Kratos and Atreus, God of War features a cast of memorable characters, including the wise-cracking head Mimir and the mysterious witch Freya. These characters add depth and intrigue to the story and help to flesh out the world of Norse mythology.

God of War is more than just an action game; it's a cinematic experience that will captivate you from beginning to end. Its gripping narrative, visceral combat system, and stunning visuals make it a must-play for any PC gamer.

Stray

Now for something completely different, let's talk about Stray. This charming indie game puts you in the paws of a stray cat exploring a cyberpunk city inhabited by robots. It's a unique and atmospheric adventure that offers a fresh perspective on the genre. Stray stands out for its innovative gameplay mechanics, its beautiful visuals, and its heartwarming story.

Why it's a must-play:

• Unique Perspective: Playing as a cat offers a fresh and unique perspective on the world. You can navigate environments in ways that human characters couldn't, such as squeezing through tight spaces, climbing rooftops, and knocking things off shelves. The game does an excellent job of capturing the feel of being a cat.
• Atmospheric World: The cyberpunk city in Stray is beautifully realized. It's a vibrant and detailed environment filled with neon lights, towering skyscrapers, and quirky robots. The game's art direction creates a unique and immersive atmosphere that will draw you in.
• Puzzle-Solving Gameplay: Stray features a variety of puzzles that require you to use your feline abilities to solve them. You'll need to explore your surroundings, interact with the environment, and use your wits to overcome obstacles. The puzzles are challenging but not frustrating, and they add depth to the gameplay.
• Engaging Story: While the premise of Stray might seem simple, the game tells a surprisingly engaging story about friendship, resilience, and the search for belonging. As you explore the city, you'll meet a cast of memorable characters, both human and robot, who will help you on your journey.
• Relaxing and Therapeutic: In contrast to the intense action of games like Elden Ring and God of War, Stray offers a more relaxing and therapeutic experience. Exploring the city, interacting with the robots, and simply being a cat can be incredibly calming and enjoyable.

Stray is a truly unique and memorable game. Its innovative gameplay mechanics, its beautiful visuals, and its heartwarming story make it a must-play for anyone looking for something different. If you're a fan of cats, cyberpunk, or simply great games, you won't be disappointed.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

For those of you who enjoy a good zombie apocalypse, Dying Light 2 Stay Human is a must-play. This action role-playing game combines parkour, melee combat, and crafting in a post-apocalyptic open world overrun by the undead. Dying Light 2 builds upon the foundation of the original game, offering an expanded world, improved parkour mechanics, and a branching narrative with meaningful choices.

Why it's a must-play:

• Fluid Parkour System: The parkour system in Dying Light 2 is one of the best in any game. You can run, jump, climb, and slide your way through the city with incredible fluidity and precision. The parkour mechanics are not only fun but also essential for survival, as you'll need to use them to escape hordes of zombies and navigate the dangerous rooftops.
• Brutal Melee Combat: When parkour isn't enough, you'll need to rely on your melee combat skills to survive. Dying Light 2 features a brutal and visceral combat system that emphasizes timing, strategy, and resource management. You'll need to craft weapons, upgrade your skills, and learn enemy attack patterns to stand a chance against the hordes of undead.
• Dynamic Day/Night Cycle: The day/night cycle in Dying Light 2 is more than just a visual effect; it fundamentally changes the gameplay. During the day, the zombies are slow and relatively weak, but at night, they become much more aggressive and numerous. You'll need to adapt your tactics and strategies depending on the time of day.
• Branching Narrative: Dying Light 2 features a branching narrative with meaningful choices that impact the world and the story. Your decisions will affect the relationships between the different factions in the city and will determine the fate of its inhabitants. The branching narrative adds replayability to the game, as you can explore different paths and outcomes.
• Co-op Multiplayer: Dying Light 2 supports co-op multiplayer, allowing you to team up with friends and tackle the zombie apocalypse together. Playing with friends makes the game even more fun and challenging, as you'll need to coordinate your efforts to survive.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human is a thrilling and immersive zombie apocalypse experience. Its fluid parkour system, brutal melee combat, dynamic day/night cycle, and branching narrative make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Horizon Forbidden West

While initially a PlayStation exclusive, Horizon Forbidden West is rumored to be making its way to PC soon, and it's a game that deserves a spot on this list. This action role-playing game continues the story of Aloy, a skilled hunter who must venture into the dangerous Forbidden West to uncover the source of a mysterious blight that threatens all life on Earth.

Why it's a must-play:

• Stunning Open World: The Forbidden West is a vast and beautiful open world filled with diverse environments, from lush forests to snow-capped mountains to desolate deserts. The game's art direction is breathtaking, and the level of detail is incredible. Exploring the Forbidden West is a joy in itself.
• Engaging Story: Horizon Forbidden West tells a compelling story about Aloy's journey to uncover the secrets of the past and save the future. The game features a cast of memorable characters, both new and returning, who will help and hinder Aloy along the way.
• Challenging Combat: The combat in Horizon Forbidden West is challenging and rewarding. Aloy must use her skills, weapons, and traps to take down a variety of robotic creatures, each with its own unique attack patterns and weaknesses. The combat system is deep and strategic, requiring you to think carefully about your approach.
• Deep Customization: Horizon Forbidden West offers a deep customization system that allows you to tailor Aloy's skills, weapons, and armor to your playstyle. You can upgrade your abilities, craft new gear, and modify your weapons to make them more effective against specific enemies.
• Meaningful Side Quests: In addition to the main storyline, Horizon Forbidden West features a variety of side quests that offer unique stories and challenges. Completing side quests will reward you with valuable resources, experience, and insight into the world of the Forbidden West.

Horizon Forbidden West is a stunning and immersive open-world adventure. Its beautiful visuals, engaging story, challenging combat, and deep customization make it a must-play for any PC gamer, especially if it makes its way to the platform as rumored.

So there you have it – a rundown of some of the best games to play on PC in 2022. Whether you're into epic open-world adventures, gripping narratives, unique indie experiences, or thrilling zombie apocalypses, there's something on this list for everyone. Happy gaming, and here's to another year of amazing PC games!