2022 has been a fun ride for gaming. So many games came out with tons of hype, some lived up to it, and some sadly didn’t.
We played recent titles and made you a solid list of the best 15 new RPG games to play in 2022; each one of these games is well worth the money and playtime.
Why role-playing games specifically?
Because these games immerse you in the world and characters, there are no tryhards driving you mad and no server disconnects. just pure joy. These RPGs will certainly make you appreciate how far gaming has come.
Let’s begin!
15. Soul Hackers 2
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Soul Hackers 2 Gameplay:
Soul Hackers 2 combat mechanics breakdown, story and characters are for you to discover through this JRPG adventure!
Okay, our first game is Soul Hackers 2, considered to be one of Atlus’ best games to date.
Soul Hackers 2 refreshes the gameplay of Persona 5 with adjustments to make it approachable for a larger audience. It’s a traditional JRPG that you can easily spend hours on, but it can be mediocre to some players because of the limited combat and looting systems.
It’s not all bad, though! This game has a crazy aesthetic and sense of style, a great soundtrack, an exceptional battle system with some great mechanics, and an interesting story and cast of characters. It's definitely worth a try.
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Soul Hackers 2 cover art. An RPG made by the developers of Persona 5.
14. Kingdom Hearts 3
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Kingdom Hearts III Gameplay:
KINGDOM HEARTS III and Sora’s epic journey to restore light to the worlds and attempt to finally defeat Master Xehanort, the real Organization XIII, and the darkness that threatens all!
Sora will also be able to cast magical spells, link with the spirits of legendary Disney characters, and even call upon the power of the parks with Attractions!
The amount of fun you get from a game like Kingdom Hearts depends on how much effort you put into it. The more you play, the better it gets.
There is a main quest that will provide you countless hours of fun and nostalgia. And there is also side content, like mini games and collectible items, or just enjoying a selfie with Goofy or Donald in the middle of an iconic movie setting.
Kingdom Hearts III makes excellent use of the Disney characters and places, and it amuses both children and adults in our home.
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It may have taken a long time for this game to come, but it was totally worth the wait.
13. Cyberpunk 2077
PS4, Windows, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S.
Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay:
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure RPG set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour, and body modification.
You play as a cyberpunk mercenary taking on the most powerful forces of the city in a fight for glory and survival. Fully customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build your reputation, and unlock upgrades.
The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you.
Legends are made here. What will yours be?
At one point in 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 was the most talked-about video game in history. The continuous delays and performance issues made this game so infamous that it felt like a marketing strategy by CD Projekt Red.
As a game, it’s an experience unlike anything else. The open world element is perfect, and there is always something to do. Combine that with the freedom to take different game paths, and you get a game you can’t get tired of. Side content is also satisfying, so there’s plenty to discover.
Cyberpunk 2077 made a lot of noise for a reason, and buggy or not, you should definitely play it.
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Can you believe that this game sold over 20 million copies despite all the negative feedback?
12. The Outer Worlds
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch (June 5 ,2020)
The Outer Worlds Gameplay:
The Outer Worlds is a single-player first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and Private Division.
Lost in transit while on a colonist ship bound for the furthest edge of the galaxy, you awake decades later only to find yourself in the midst of a deep conspiracy threatening to destroy the Halcyon colony.
As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter various factions, all vying for power, the character you decide to become will determine how this player-driven story unfolds. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.
The Outer Worlds is the child that Fallout and Borderlands never had. It has a world full of well-written characters, creative stories, and captivating scenery.
This RPG may not have titles like The Witcher and Persona, but it’s worth trying.
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It's not perfect. It's not for everyone. But it's probably for you.
11. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia, Amazon Luna
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Gameplay:
In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, you are Eivor, a fierce Viking warrior raised on tales of battle and glory. You can explore a dynamic and beautiful open world set against the brutal backdrop of England’s Dark Ages.
You can raid your enemies, grow your settlement, and build your political power in your quest to earn your place among the gods in Valhalla.
You simply can’t ignore Assassin’s Creed games. They always bend the internet with each release.
Not only does Valhalla bring the usual Assassin’s Creed formula, but it actually feels like the most polished in this kind of RPG Assassin’s Creed trilogy. The world is well crafted, and the story is okay; customization is certainly a nice, fresh touch. Stealth, while still sadly optional, works a lot better in this game compared to Origins and Odyssey.
Ubisoft is usually more about quantity than quality, but this time Valhalla feels like quality. Totally recommended.
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Beautiful world, good gameplay, and okay story. The new Assassin’s Creed formula.
10. Monster Hunter: World
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Monster Hunter: World Gameplay:
In Monster Hunter: World you assume the role of a hunter venturing to a new continent where you track down and slay ferocious beasts in heart-pounding battles.
This new land and its diverse inhabitants play a critical role in each quest as you strategically use the surrounding environment including terrain, vegetation and wildlife to your advantage in battle or become hindered by the hazards they present.
As a hunter, you must use your cunning and expertise to track and manoeuvre your targets throughout the intense, evolving battles.
Monster Hunter World is exactly what it claims to be: a monster-slaying game. set in massive, well-polished worlds. The combat, while complicated, is fluid. Enemy design is amazing; it’s so satisfying!
The story and controls are where this game falls short; the controls are strange and the story is shallow; in MH, gameplay takes precedence over narrative.
Some players enjoy it as is, and you could be one of them; why not give it a shot?
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Slaying monsters has never been more entertaining.
9. Borderlands 3
PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, macOS, Stadia, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
Borderlands 3 Gameplay:
Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four Vault Hunters. Play solo or with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.
Borderlands 3 takes the other two Borderlands games and perfects them.
This action role-playing first-person shooter game is the best at what it does. What does it do, you ask? It’s an endless rollercoaster of humor and adrenaline in a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The world and characters complement the theme; side quests are a lot of fun; gunplay is the best in its category; you can’t run out of weapons. Borderlands 3 is such an entertaining game, especially in co-op.
And considering how "messy" Borderlands 3 is, it has near-perfect gameplay mechanics. Don’t mistake the art style for an unpolished product; it runs and plays better than most games out there.
It is completely worthwhile to play.
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Not a single sane character in Borderlands 3.
8. Horizon Forbidden West
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Horizon Forbidden West Gameplay:
Join Aloy as she braves the Forbidden West – a majestic but dangerous frontier that conceals mysterious new threats. Explore distant lands, fight bigger and more awe-inspiring machines, and encounter astonishing new tribes as you return to the far-future, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.
The land is dying. Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity, while fearsome new machines prowl their borders. Life on Earth is hurtling towards another extinction, and no one knows why. It's up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world.
Here’s what you need to know: It’s better than Horizon Zero Dawn in every single way.
Horizon Forbidden West is a game that’s easy to criticise because 2016 was a while ago. If you replay Zero Dawn today, you’ll truly see how far Horizon has come.
The story is beautiful and meaningful, delivered through satisfying combat, and there's a dense world that’s so gorgeous you just stop playing from time to time to enjoy the view.
Performance-wise, the PS is insane, to say the least; it's so optimised that it's frightening how quickly that machine loads things up. 10/10 recommended.
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Aloy continues her journey to change the world.
7. Dying Light 2
PS4, PS5, Win, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Dying Light 2 Stay Human Gameplay:
THE FATE OF THE CITY IS IN YOUR HANDS
It's been 15 years since humanity lost to the virus. The last great human settlement exists within an unforgiving, infected world, plunged into a modern dark age. During the day, bandits, factions and starving survivors roam the streets scavenging for scraps - or someone to take them from, by violence if necessary. At night the infected roam free, evacuating their dark hideouts to prey on the living.
You are Aiden Caldwell, an infected survivor. Your exceptional agility and brutal combat skills make you a powerful ally and a valuable commodity in this dangerous world. You can achieve things no one else can. Enter places no one else dares. With your unique abilities you have the power to be an agent of change within this decaying metropolis.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human is an action-RPG with a stunning open world, a good narrative and side missions, and occasional jump scares. It improved every single aspect of Dying Light: better parkour, a more interesting story, and carefully designed traversal. It’s what a sequel should be.
Depending on whether you play solo or multiplayer, Dying Light 2 can be either a horror or a comedy. It took a while, but Dying Light 2 was worth the wait. Will you survive your first night?
GeForce Now, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows
Genshin Impact Gameplay:
Welcome to the beautiful fantasy world of Teyvat. Step into a huge open-world of adventure and mystery, where heroic quests await.
As a traveller from another world, you must find your lost sibling and unravel Teyvat's many secrets. Joined by Paimon, a kind-hearted sprite guide, your mission takes you through beautiful forests, bustling towns, and treacherous dungeons. And while your journey may put you into the path of merciless foes and fiendish puzzles, you can count on numerous playable allies to join your custom party of four, harnessing the power of the elements to overcome all obstacles.
Genshin Impact is an anime RPG that’s fully free to play, with light microtransactions to keep the developers up and cut you shortcuts if you prefer to.
This ARPG by MiHoYo introduced chaos to gaming and has more content than most paid games. You can easily lose hundreds of hours in the world through fun and engaging combat and deep exploration.
Genshin Impact sends a loud message to developers: free-to-play games are taking over, and the price tag doesn’t reflect quality anymore!
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Genshin Impact is actually free to play!
5. Mass Effect Legendary Edition
PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Mass Effect Legendary Edition Gameplay:
Back with updated textures, shaders, models, effects and technical features, Mass Effect trilogy is now a modernised experience so that fans and new players can experience the original work in its best possible form. It's been amazing to see the adventures of Commander Shepard take on new life in super-sharp resolution, faster frame rates, and beautiful visual enhancements.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is amazing. It’s what a remaster should be.
If you’re somehow unfamiliar with this icon of a game, Mass Effect is a military sci-fi franchise set in a distant future where humanity and several alien civilizations have colonised the known universe using technology left behind by advanced precursor civilizations.
The carefully written story and its characters are excellent, and each Mass Effect is better than the previous. There’s an absurd amount of content in one bundle. If you’re a space adventure fan, then Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is certainly for you.
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The Mass Effect trilogy returns!
4. Nier: Automata
PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Nier: Automata Gameplay:
NieR: Automata is a third-person action RPG, follow-up to the 2010 cult hit NIER. You initially play as 2B, trying to uncover secrets about the invaders from another world who attacked without warning, unleashing a new type of threat: weapons known as machine lifeforms. In the face of this insurmountable threat, mankind is driven from Earth and takes refuge on the Moon.
In the forsaken wasteland below, the war between the machines and the androids rages on. A war that is soon to unveil the long-forgotten truth of this world...
This is where I fanboy a bit.
NieR: Automata is a rollercoaster. You first think it’s your average JRPG with all these hot characters and good soundtracks. But after a while, you slowly realise it’s a very unique take on interactive story-telling using a video game as the messenger. The sensitive themes of taboos, beliefs, and ethics are all present in Nier. It’s an eye-opening experience.
It’s been 5 years, and I’m still thinking about it; not a single movie or game has impacted me the way Nier did. The soundtrack, the story, the characters... it’s perfect, just perfect.
Nier: Automata has 26 endings, from A through Z. Some are hidden, and some are story-related. The combat is great, the pacing is nice, and you never get bored even though you spend a lot of time running.
It’s not this high up on the list for no reason, Nier. Automata isn’t a game; it’s art.
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The emotional rollercoaster we didn’t want, but needed.
3. Persona 5 Royal
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
PERSONA 5 ROYAL Gameplay:
Forced to transfer to a high school in Tokyo, the protagonist has a strange dream. "You truly are a prisoner of fate. In the near future, ruin awaits you." With the goal of "rehabilitation" looming overhead, he must save others from distorted desires by donning the mask of a Phantom Thief.
Prepare for an all-new RPG experience in Persona 5 Royal based in the universe of the award-winning series, Persona!
Persona 5 Royal is packed with new characters, confidants, story depth, new locations to explore, and a new grappling hook mechanic for stealthy access to new areas.
Person 5 Royal had to be included on the list.Initially released in 2016, Persona 5 was a major success for Atlus. They were so successful, they released Persona 5 Royal in 2019 (Japan).
Person 5 is everything an anime fan would ask for: tons of content, well-written stories, and great characters. It’s the full package.
The game is crafted with fun and engaging dungeon design, a fantastic plot, entertaining characters with realistic problems, and a very fleshed-out time management system, which all come together to form Persona 5.
Performance was improved in Persona 5 Royal too; it runs at a smooth 60 frames per second on PS5.
I recommend playing Persona 5 Royal at least once; you’ll love it.
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Everything a weeb gamer wants in a video game.
2. Elden Ring
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Elden Ring Gameplay:
ELDEN RING is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series; and George R.R. Martin.
In Elden Ring, you play as a tarnished warrior who is called back to the Lands Between to restore the Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord. But that’s no easy task because you have to fight through demigods and hardened warriors.
Number two!
Elden Ring was neck-and-neck with Ragnarök and still won Game of the Year. This game flew right through critics and records; it’s untouchable, and every single aspect of it is flawless.
Words can’t even describe how gorgeously crafted everything is, from the world to the combat design to the captivating lore. It’s perfect.
This is an easy recommendation for anyone, hardened gamers and casual players alike. You have to play The Elden Ring and see why it gets all the praise.
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Game of the Year award winner 2022. Pure work of art.
1. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt Complete Edition
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt Gameplay:
With the Empire attacking the Kingdoms of the North and the Wild Hunt, a cavalcade of ghastly riders, breathing down your neck, the only way to survive is to fight back.
As Geralt of Rivia, a master swordsman and monster hunter, leave none of your enemies standing. Explore a gigantic open world, slay beasts and decide the fates of whole communities with your actions.
Now to the real talk.
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is an RPG game in and of itself. It’s considered to be the greatest video game of all time.
Compelling narrative, iconic characters, revolutionary RPG elements, and solid combat mechanics, all in a breath-taking world. With the next-gen upgrade, everything looks, sounds, and feels better. Not that The Witcher 3 needed fixing, but improvements are always welcome.
If you’re going to play anything from this list, make sure to play The Witcher 3 first. Every gamer needs to play it at least once.
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It’s not just an excellent RPG game, it’s RPG itself.
We’ve reached the end of our list; we hope you enjoyed reading.
