[Top 15] Underrated Games of 2022

Updated:

24 Oct 2023

There are always well-known developers and games that predominate the gaming market.

Last year brought us heavy hitters such as God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Dying Light 2, and Modern Warfare 2 Remake, but there are also a lot of hidden gems that went unnoticed.

To make up for this injustice, we've put together a list of these underrated wonders from 2022 that, in our opinion, were overlooked but are totally worth your attention.

From ignored triple-A games to gorgeous and ambitious indie darlings, these are the top 15 underrated games of 2022.

15. Olli Olli World (Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

It’s peanut butter jelly time

Developed by Roll7 and published by Private Division, Olli Olli World is a charming love letter to the old skateboarding games of the past with a modern tweaking to its mechanics.

With a focus on player choice and exploration of a colorful and cartoonified 2D world. The game has a variety of stages, each with its own specific difficulties and goals.

Players can customize their skater's skills and look, participate in different events to win prizes and unlock new content.

Gameplay mechanics are simple and easy to learn, but a bit hard to master. A variety of tricks and combos are also available to execute.

The game's soundtrack also contributes to the overall enjoyable and energetic vibe giving it a kind of cheerful Saturday morning cartoon vibe to it.

OlliOlli World is an excellent addition to the skateboarding genre overall thanks to its distinctive art design and fun gameplay.

It strikes a good mix between accessibility and difficulty, making it a game that can be enjoyed by both casual and hardcore players if there are even any hardcore players to this fun and colorful game.

Olli Olli World - First 14 minutes of gameplay

14. Cult of The Lamb (macOS, Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

I cannot stress enough how much I love this game. Demons and cute animals? YES

The cutesy and utterly demonic rogue-like action-adventure game "Cult of the Lamb" was created by Massive Monster and released by Devolver Digital.

The protagonist of the game is, well, a lamb who has been chosen to lead a cult after it got possessed by a living hat made out of pure demonic energy, so yeah.

As the cult leader, the player must appoint followers, construct and improve the base of operations, and engage in defensive combat with the game's enemies.

The game has a compelling and distinctive plot with a bleak but comical tone. I mean it's about raising a cult so that's to be expected.

The game's art style adds to its appeal that makes Cult of The Lamb uniquely aesthetic.

The gameplay, which combines resource management, exploration, and constant fights with the heretics against your cult, makes for an enjoyable but also tough experience.

The bosses in the game are named after real-life demons in different forms of literature.

But seeing the demons be stylized in terrifying but cute little sprites makes their fear factor to be diminished somewhat, but terrifying to still think about.

Overall, Cult of the Lamb is a fun and very well-made game that will keep players invested for its whole run time.

The First 13 Minutes of Cult of the Lamb

13. Immortality (PC, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS, macOS)

Image

Those masks look eerily realistic if you ask me

Taking inspiration from games such as Erica (2021) and The Quiet Man (2018) is the video game "Immortality" created by Sam Barlow and published by Half Mermaid Production.

Immortality is a narrative-driven point-and-click mystery game focused on a retired actress and the people in her life.

A distinctive and interesting atmosphere is produced through the game's integration of live-action video, interactive dialogue, and exploration.

With fantastic character development and a gripping plot that maintains players' interest throughout its runtime, the pacing and atmosphere also keep up in keeping the player engaged and intrigued.

The incorporation of live-action scenes gives the game a more realistic feel, while the interactive dialogue lets players change the course of the plot based on their decisions.

The game's main themes of mortality and memory are thoroughly explored, giving players enough to think about long after the game is over.

Immortality scratches the itch for gamers who are fans of the point-and-click genre. With exceptional character work and a story to die for, Immortality is a treat for all gamers.

Immortality Gameplay Walkthrough - Full Game

12. Vampire Survivors (macOS, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS)

With gameplay this chaotic, it's a wonder why even I have not heard about this gam

Vampire Survivors is a survival horror rogue-like shoot-em-up developed and published by one man named Luca Galante.

The game is set In a post-apocalyptic world where vampires have taken control and humanity is on the verge of extinction.

But despite the title, none of the monsters you encounter are actually vampires but rather just monsters. Why it has a vampire in its title is unknown but hey.

The player assumes the character of a survivor who must find their way through the perilous world, fend against the monsters, and scavenge for supplies in order to survive.

Players are kept on the edge of their seats by the game's dramatic action and its endless wave upon wave of enemies where your main goal is to simply stay alive as long as possible.

By dispatching these enemy waves, you earn weapons, and relics for subsequent waves, and even unlock new characters.

The relative quietness of vampire survivors is criminal as its fast-paced action and surprisingly great story have gotten recognized to the point that in April 2022, a live-action TV series is being adapted with Luca Galante overseeing the whole operation himself.

How's that for underrated?

Vampire Survivors Full Game Walkthrough No Commentary

11. The Quarry (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

If the exorcist lady from the Insidious film series aint in your horror game, it will suck

Acting as the spiritual successor to 2015’s Until Dawn, Supermassive Games returned with The Quarry.

Players take control of nine teenage counselors while being hunted by otherworldly monsters, curses, and hostile campers on their final night at Hackett's Quarry summer camp.

Many decisions that players make throughout the game could have a significant impact on the story's plot, relationships, character development, and resolution.

Depending on the player's choices, any one of the nine playable characters could live or die.

Featuring an ensemble cast with David Arquette, Ariel Winter, Brenda Song, and renowned horror actress Linda Shaye of Insidious fame.

It delivers stunning performances and pulse-pounding horror and drop of dime decision-making where any of your decisions will basically shape how good or bad your ending is.

Its underratedness was brought upon by its release date as it was overshadowed by other big triple-A titles such as Horizon Forbidden West and Elden Ring.

It's gone under the radar since but for fans of the original Until Dawn or the other subsequent Supermassive Games releases, The Quarry is a definite must-play.

The Quarry Gameplay Walkthrough Full Game No Commentary

10. The Callisto Protocol (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Looking really subtle with the Dead Space references

The Callisto Protocol is a survival horror game created by Striking Distance Studios and released by Krafton.

It is regarded as the Dead Space series' spiritual successor and is directed by Glen Schofield, one of the series' co-creators.

Players follow the exploits of Jacob Lee, who is transferred to a jail institution on one of Jupiter's moons Callisto as he battles infected inmates with an unidentified sickness while learning the facility's sinister secrets.

Players explore a number of levels while collecting resources and fending against infected inmates during gameplay.

Callisto Protocol was overshadowed by its underwhelming sales performance and day 1 bugs that forced players to abandon it just a few days after its release.

When the Dead Space remake was released just a few months later, Callisto Protocol was completely overshadowed and even forgotten since.

But for players who want to scratch that necromantic itch, Callisto Protocol is a lovely and recommended play for players of the cosmic horror genre.

The Callisto Protocol - Official Launch Trailer

9. Nobody Saves the World (PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

I absolutely LOVE this game. And I’ll tell you why

Nobody Saves the World is an action RPG created and developed by DrinkBox Studios. Viewed from a top-down perspective, the game offers a cooperative multiplayer option in addition to a solo mode.

In the game, Nobody, a blank-state character with a wand, is controlled by the player. They can change into 18 different forms, including magicians, robots, and dragons, thanks to the wand.

Each form starts the game with two fundamental capabilities, but as players advance, new skills will become available.

Additionally, the stats and abilities of these characters vary. It is possible to combine the skills and powers of various Forms to produce deadly strikes.

When a Form is unlocked, other Forms can benefit from it in gameplay.

Players must complete tasks and gameplay objectives as they explore the procedurally generated “overworld” and dungeons in order to gain experience for improvements and Star, the game equivalent to cash, that is needed to unlock the game's numerous dungeons.

These dungeons are full of foes and traps, but if players investigate each room carefully, they can also discover secret treasure chests and keys.

The lone respawn place in each of the game's dungeons is situated where the player is due to face an enemy boss.

It's kinda like dark souls but the bonfire is exactly in the middle of the arena against Ornstein and Smough.

9 Minutes of Nobody Saves the World Gameplay

8. Saints Row (PS4, PS5, Stadia, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

OKAY NOW HEAR ME OUT ON THIS

The reboot to the legendary GTA clone turned insane power trip simulator, Saints Row returned in 2022 published by Deep Silver.

Mainly focused on its single-player narrative, it is set in Santo Ileso, a fictional city that is largely modeled on Las Vegas, and it centers on a group of four friends who create their own outlaw gang named The Saints.

Via taking control of other criminal organizations in the city, they plan to expand and establish The Saints throughout the city.

The third-person open-world game can be explored on foot or by the numerous vehicles available.

Players can call in non-playable gang members to help them fight enemies while employing a variety of weapons and other items.

Players take control of the gang's leader, known as "the Boss," who has a number of highly configurable attributes, just like in earlier Saints Row games.

Outside of the main plot, players are free to roam Santo Illeso and take part in a variety of side quests.

Additionally, two players can advance in their individual games while playing through the single-player campaign in a cooperative online multiplayer mode.

Saints Row however was plagued by bugs, glitches, and a campaign that was sorely lacking compared to the previous Saints Row installments.

Gameplay-wise and content though, the game more than delivers on those aspects.

Coupled with a soundtrack that is impressive despite the numerous faults it has, Saints Row can definitely be a worthy time killer for anyone who has been missing the Saints Row series.

Saints Row / 15 Minutes of Open World Gameplay

7. Stacklands (PC, macOS)

It's kinda like Yugi-Oh but replaces the monsters with farm animals and food

Stacklands was created by Sokpop Collective and plays like a card game but replaces the contents of the card with food, building material, and a little bit of animal-on-animal fighting.

The gameplay is simple but highly addictive once you get the hang of it. Stacking cards on a card and creating new ones is rewarding for the player and the villagers which you’re trying to keep alive in the game.

The card-selling mechanic is also highly rewarding where you can sell extra cards for card packs that focus on farming, cooking, or building.

The goal of the game is ultimately to feed the villagers at the end of every moon or they will inevitably starve to death.

There are also combat mechanics in the game to satisfy any bloodlust in case the mellow stuff gets boring. When a villager runs across an enemy, a fight starts automatically.

Bears, rats, and even goblins await the player in this charming card game. By arming your villagers with weapons or forcing them to cooperate against adversaries, you can improve their combat skills.

Stacklands was ultimately overshadowed by the big triple-A games of early 2022. But for players who like strategy and a more mellow tone of gameplay then Stacklands is a definite must play

Stacklands Full Playthrough

6. Perfect Tides (PC, macOS)

8-bit aesthetics are always a plus to any kind of game out there

If you’re a human being and have gone through the thing that’s called “puberty” and “growing up” then you know how awkward everything feels in that time of great confusion and changes.

Perfect Tides explores the pain and excitement of adolescence perfectly via its cute point-and-click mechanic and story.

You take on the role of Mara, a young writer who is hooked on the internet and lives on an island paradise in the year 2000.

The game takes us through the beauty and solitude of the island, the trials of family life, school life, and an ever-evolving search for love, friendship, and experience over the course of the four seasons of the year.

The gameplay features a point-and-click system where you can gather inventory, engage with people, and explore the island setting.

The story is a character-driven and richly narrated mini masterpiece capturing the process of growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s.

But again despite all its quirkiness and beauty, it was overshadowed by games such as Sifu, Dying Light, Horizon Forbidden West, and Elden Ring, it got overshadowed and left to the wayside.

But with review scores giving it 5 stars and players giving it an excellent rating, it's high time to experience a perfect change of tides with Perfect Tides.

Perfect Tides Full Game No Commentary

5. Evil West (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Red Dead Vampire Monster Hunter of the West

Coming back to one of our lists is 2022’s ridiculously underrated triple-A release, Evil West.

Fast-paced and jam-packed with action, Evil West was created by Flying Wild Hog and released by Focus Home Interactive.

Players assume the character of Jesse Rentier, a gunslinger of an alternate and twisted wild west on a mission to prevent an ancient evil from bringing hell on earth.

Hack-and-slash fighting, long-range shooting, and magic powers are all mixed together in the game, with each of them having their own upgrades as the game progresses.

With beautiful character models and landscapes that bring the game's universe to life, the graphics and visuals are outstanding and even earned it a spot on one of our lists before for most beautiful games on the PS4 despite it being a late addition to the console's game library.

Adding to the tense and atmospheric atmosphere of the game are the music and sound effects for the monster and the ambient noise in each of the game's stages.

Why it suddenly became forgotten and underrated was because of different factors. A story and universe that didn't realize its full potential added to the in-game action that can get dull and repetitive.

On top of all this, some bugs and technical problems were reported by gamers on its day-one release date.

Not to mention that God of War Ragnarok was just released a few weeks ago when Evil West was released ultimately leading to its obscurity before it was even released.

Still, if you want a good old linear PS3-style hack-and-slash fighting game, then Evil West is more than worth your time and money.

Evil West Extended Gameplay Trailer

4. Neon White (PC, Switch, PS4, PS5)

Demon samurai masks and anime-style protagonists with guns are always appreciated in-game

The frantic first-person shooter and puzzle platforming game Neon White was developed by Angel Matrix and published by Annapurna Interactive.

The game is set in Heaven with the player assuming control of Neon White, an assassin who recently passed away and was sent to hell but must now kill demons who invaded to possibly earn a spot and stay in Heaven.

The gameplay of Neon White is one of its kind because it combines card-based abilities with first-person shooting techniques.

The player gathers cards that represent various skills, and these cards can be utilized to unlock new abilities or alter ones they already have.

The graphics of the game are gorgeous with vivid neon colors and distinctive character designs.

The soundtrack fits right into the atmosphere and settings of the game and adds the right finishing touch to whatever encounter the players have at any given moment.

But the story of the game is something of note. It has several plot twists that keep the player on their toes.

Reasons for its underrated status largely boils down to its release date of December 13 where players are already winding down their gaming backlogs and replaying or playing the heavy hitters of 2022 which ultimately led to Neon White’s obscurity in the gaming landscape.

Despite this, Neon White is a fantastic game that blends distinctive gameplay mechanics with gorgeous graphics and an engaging narrative.

There is a lot to love here for those who like fast-paced first-person shooters and card-based games.

Neon White Full Game No Commentary All Gold Medals

3. Tiny Tina’s Wonderland (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Tina returns with the prettiest horse in all the lands, Butt Stallion

Fans of the Borderlands series rejoice as our favorite 13-year-old demolitions expert returns with characters old and new as we are taken to a new game of Bunkers and Badasses in Gearbox Software’s new spin-off of the popular loot and shoot franchise, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands.

Set In a colorful and humorous world created by Tina herself, the game offers a distinctive fusion of fantasy and role-playing features.

With a variety of character classes and customizable weapons, the gameplay is ever-changing and is never the same in any kind of playthrough.

The game’s story is also a noteworthy achievement as it has managed to craft a world that perfectly blends the crazy cell-shaded world of Borderlands with famous tabletop roleplaying games such as Dungeons and Dragons.

Borderlands once tried this before in Borderlands 2’s most famous DLC, Assault on Dragon Keep and Wonderlands is the full-fledged follow-up to the beloved addition to the game.

What led to its obscurity however can also be attributed to its release date.

Released in the 1st quarter of 2022, gamers were too preoccupied with other triple-A heavy hitters which Wonderlands was unfortunately not a part of.

Despite this, Tiny Tina's Wonderland is a fantastic addition to the Borderlands series. With a distinctive fusion of genres and a well-designed universe, the game gives a novel new perspective on the beloved series.

Tiny Tina's Wonderland is unquestionably worth playing because of its captivating gameplay, compelling plot, and gorgeous graphics.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Gameplay Trailer

2. Rollerdrome (PC, PS4, PS5)

Always nice to see skating rinks accurately represented in-game

One of the most underrated and most enjoyable games of last year with review scores of critics and players going as high up as 10/10 is Roll7 and Private Division’s action-adventure game, Rollerdrome.

Players take control of Kara Hassan, a competitor in the dangerous Rollerdrome, where competitors must execute roller skating maneuvers while battling opponents with weapons.

In a third-person shooter, health is recovered by obtaining health pick-ups from killed adversaries, while ammunition is replenished by engaging in various roller-skating maneuvers.

Players skate through various stages while avoiding incoming attacks and using a bullet time feature to aim weapons.

Although the game's difficulty increases as players advance through the levels, they will gradually unlock stronger weapons like shotguns and grenade launchers.

Additionally, there are optional challenges at each stage that challenge players to accomplish tasks like killing enemies while pulling off tricks.

Unfortunately for Roll7, they had two underrated and underreported top-notch games of 2022 along with OlliOlli World.

Rollerdrome’s underratedness can be attributed to its almost zero marketing before release and its gameplay mechanics, although beautifully realized, but also alien to most players who had second thoughts about giving Rollerdrome a try.

Despite all the shortcomings of Rollerdrome, its review scores and its top-notch art style and addictive gameplay is more than enough reason to finally give it its flowers.

Rollerdrome - Full Game Gameplay Walkthrough

1. The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Cigarette-smoking ghost zombies are a usual sighting in my country believe it or not

And the most underrated game of 2022 belongs to Supermassive again as it returns and caps off the first season of its Dark Pictures Anthology series with its most disturbing and impressive addition to its increasingly top-notch horror game collection, The Devil in Me.

The tale of H.H. Holmes' “Murder Castle” serves as an influence for The Devil in Me's story. H.H. Holmes is also known as America’s very first serial killer.

In order to record an episode of their series, five members of a documentary film crew are invited to a replica of the Holmes Hotel on an island in Michigan.

It doesn't take them long to realize they need to get off the island before a shadow and murderous force named Granthem Du'Met murders them.

Jessie Buckley, who is considered one of Ireland's best actresses of all time, was promoted as the game's principal actress, making her the fourth high-profile actor that Supermassive Games had chosen to play a part in the franchise after Ashley Tisdale, Shawn Ashmore, and Will Poulter.

The game's eye-catching visuals and eerie soundtrack will keep gamers on the edge of their seats.

Multiple endings are possible thanks to the branching storylines that Supermassive is known for, which encourages multiple playthroughs of the game.

Its underrated status can be attributed to numerous things before and after its release.

Its release date was a surefire way to kill off any hype around it as the usual suspect of God of War Ragnarok was to blame for it basically sucking out any and all attention of the gaming world to it.

On top of this, its pacing was an issue with fans and the character interactions and dialogues feel forced and cliched at worst.

Its quick-time events were also criticized as players felt like it detracted from the immersion that the game was in during tense moments.

Despite all these problems, The Devil in Me is a great final addition to the Dark Pictures Anthology with its main strength being its terrifying atmosphere and gorgeous visuals, and multiple endings, some of which are still even explored to this day.