2022 has been an excellent year for RPGs, be it turn-based strategy, action, or even the Soulsborne titles. Looking back at the games that made the biggest impact, this list went through several revisions.
Over the last few weeks it has weighed heavily on me. So many great RPGs came out in 2022, but which were the best and what did I base my decisions on?
All of the RPGs on this list are games that I have played to some degree. I also beat and reviewed most of them here on Sportskeeda. For this list, I counted all RPGs released in 2022, including remakes for newer generation technology. As long as the game itself had RPG mechanics, it was eligible for this list.
There is at least one honorable mention as well. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet could have made the list if not for the overwhelming number of frustrating bugs and slowdown issues. Hack//GU on Nintendo Switch also made the list, but was unfortunately cut at the 11th hour.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes has also featured several times, but didn’t quite make the top 10. These RPGs are excellent, but are not listed in any order. Without further ado, here are the best RPGs coming out in 2022.
What are the best RPGs to be released in 2022?
1) Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
The current iteration of the Monster Hunter series, Sunbreak, has been a joy to play over the past year. I haven’t invested much time in Monster Hunter, but it’s nice to take a break and track down some monsters with my friends. What makes it good is that everything in these games makes sense.
The monsters and their habitats make sense within the confines of the Monster Hunter universe. It is so satisfying to craft powerful gear from the bones of the wildlife I slaughter and then repeat that loop. It satisfies my need to occasionally grind out some battles, but they also require tactics and strategy.
2) Persona 5 Royal (Next Generation Release)
You’d think, after playing Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal on previous generation consoles, I’d be sick of these RPGs. Well, you’re wrong. Persona 5 Royal is gorgeous and amazing on the PlayStation 5. Although I didn’t do a game review, I agree with most of the reviewer’s sentiments.
Persona 5 has style, and it tells a dramatic, sad story. It deals with serious, tragic themes and does so in a way that is not particularly ham-fisted. While it’s not my favorite game in the franchise — that’s Persona 4 Golden, by the way — I love what Persona 5 Royal did.
It added more content and again it made sense. The combat system is excellent, and it may have one of the most catchy combat themes of all time. If you haven’t played P5R yet, add it to your list of RPGs to play post-haste.
3) Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Full disclosure: I wasn’t a huge fan of the other Xenoblade Chronicles games. They didn’t work for me for some reason. However, I’m going to give them another shake after how much I loved Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
I love RPGs that have long, gripping stories and tackle serious issues. You’ll probably notice a trend, but I’m a fan of tragic storytelling.
The Xenoblade Chronicles 3 combat system took me a while to get used to, but the flexibility of the class system really won me over. It’s a beautiful game that stretches what you can do with the Nintendo Switch.
The giant monster fights were another plus. It boasts a ton of content, and if you need a game with longevity, look no further.
4) Soul Hackers 2
I love the Shin Megami Tensei series. Soul Hackers 2, an expansion of that venture, was the hardest of all the RPGs this year. Some of that was because I went into it with no information and had to rely on my insights from previous SMT games. I got beat up by this game every time.
It was a blast trying to fight off an impending apocalypse, and the twist at the end was one of my favorites this year. I didn’t expect how the last few hours of the game turned out, and that’s certainly a positive.
It’s a tactical game where you have to consider every aspect of what a demon can or can’t do, along with the skill of the enemy.
5) Live a life
Let me tell you, I rewrote this list well over 20 times, and regardless of the corrections, a few matches were permanent fixtures. Live a Live is undoubtedly one of them. One of the best RPGs of the year, hands down, it’s a game I was familiar with thanks to a fan translation.
Originally a Super Famicom RPG, it combines a series of disconnected stories into one grand adventure across time.
Whether you like prehistory, futuristic robot battles, or stealthy ninja adventures, this game literally has it all. Live a Live gives me hope that the classic games I missed out on as a kid could get their time in the sun.
With gorgeous music, fun turn-based combat and plenty of memorable characters, this Nintendo Switch exclusive is a must-play.
6) Lost Judgment (PC release)
A last minute entry, Lost Judgment and Judgment had to battle it out for this slot. While I enjoyed the latter’s story more, the gameplay improvements for Lost Judgment were huge. SEGA/Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios solved every problem I had with the previous game.
I love good detective stories, and the focus on bullying really appealed to me. Completely hooked, I absolutely identified with several parts of the story.
RGG Studios sure knows how to make great action RPGs. Like their entire catalog, this game has tons of optional content, plenty of stories to tug at your heartstrings, and combat that feels fun and intense. If you somehow missed Lost Judgment, it’s worth playing, even if you didn’t pick up the original.
7) Triangle strategy
Definitely my “strategy RPG of the year”, although Mario+Rabbids and Tactics Ogre came close. When a game emphasizes the importance of choice, I feel a little trepidation.
Not every game can live up to this claim, but Triangle Strategy delivered. A game with multiple endings, several of them ending on a tragic note, it’s a compelling, challenging turn-based RPG.
It might be one of the best RPG stories I’ve reviewed this year. Square Enix showed how much you can do with the 2D HD art style and I hope it becomes a staple in the future. I also loved the electoral system, where you had to convince your party to follow you.
You will occasionally be forced to go down an undesirable path, but that will reflect the game’s overall theme. Things don’t always go your way in war and politics, but you can try.
8) The Fire Ring
Unfortunately, Elden Ring is the game on this list that I played the least, but I can’t argue with its overall impact on gaming this year. Soulsborne games belong to the RPG genre and Elden Ring had so much potential.
It also delivers, bringing a unique and satisfying playstyle with it. Even people who are not avid fans of the Souls genre played it by the thousands.
You can play in a variety of ways, there are tons of bosses to overcome, and it even has a pretty interesting story. Elden Ring has deep lore on top of sharp gameplay. It’s a game I really want to get back to and excel at, but it will take time. Elden Ring has been a genuine hit for Fromsoftware and Bandai Namco.
9) Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is one of the RPGs that shocked me. Rabbids are probably one of my least favorite things about gaming, as they are annoying, nasty creatures.
But giving them personalities added a lot to Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. It’s a fantastic tactical RPG, and while I was skeptical, the setting and gameplay were fitting and exciting.
This is another game that really showed the power of the Nintendo Switch. Each world you traveled to was beautiful and offered many challenges and intense tactical battles.
In addition, the game is full of funny dialogue. I’m old enough to admit my mistake, and I was here – Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope was incredible.
10) God of War Ragnarok
God of War Ragnarok and God of War (2018) took the franchise in a new, much-needed direction. Kratos went from the cruel, mindless killing machine we all knew and loved to something more.
Having a son to care for, he must try to break the chains of the past. He had to grow and learn. He is still more than capable of tearing his enemies in two, but only when necessary.
Without a doubt, God of War Ragnarok is one of the best RPGs of 2022. Some scoff at it, but I’m against such sentiments. I loved watching the god of war develop into the man he is now. The story has so much uncertainty and drama, making the ending unclear until the very last moments. The combat improved from the first game and the world exploration was top notch.
Kratos changed the lives of everyone he met throughout the game – some for the better and some for the worse. Unfortunately, it’s still exclusive to PlayStation, but it’s coming to PC eventually. It is easily one of the best games of 2022.
There were so many options for RPGs in 2022, and while other players’ lists may vary, there’s no way to go wrong. This is just a selection of the year’s best RPGs. If you missed these, consider them for your holiday shopping.
