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The best video games of February 2022

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February 2022 will go down as one of the best months for video games ever. From indie platformers to AAA open-world powerhouses, several fantastic games launched to critical acclaim and record-breaking player counts. Because so many great games came out in January and February, it’s not surprising if some players’ missed one — or more than one.

Seven titles in particular rose above everything else released this month and will be remembered by many gamers for years to come. These are the February 2022 games that players should not miss out on, in no particular order.

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Elden Ring

Elden Ring Review | A Near Perfect Open World Adventure!

The latest game from FromSoftware was finally released, and it’s clear that Elden Ring may be a contender for game of the generation. Combining methodical and challenging Soulslike gameplay with a vast and open world like that of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Elden Ring struck a chord with critics and audiences alike.

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Digital Trends gave the game four stars in our review, which was more critical than the general consensus, but we still enjoyed the experience immensely. “Elden Ring is a new gold standard for open-world game design, dishing out some of the best freeform exploration since The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” our review states.

Elden Ring seems like it might be the pinnacle of FromSoftware’s Soulslike formula, and it’s a perfect example of what great open-world design looks like. If you somehow haven’t heard about it already, make sure that Elden Ring is on your radar.

Horizon Forbidden West

Close-up of Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West.
PlayStation Studios

Both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West have had the honor of being fantastic open-world games … that were released just before other titles that revolutionized the genre. Though Horizon Forbidden West has tons of dialogue and might not be the most innovative open-world game, it’s still gorgeous on PS5 and an enjoyable romp.

“Horizon Forbidden West establishes the Horizon franchise as a power player in Sony’s first-party arsenal,” Giovanni Colantonio wrote in Digital Trends’ four-star review of the game. “It fixes the few blemishes Horizon Zero Dawn had by strengthening its combat and adding better ways to get around the world.”

There aren’t many other games that can match the feeling a player gets when taking down a giant mechanical monster in Horizon Forbidden West. It’s a must-play for PS5 owners, even if Elden Ring is the best open-world game released this month.

OlliOlli World

The player character jumps off a ramp in Sunshine Valley, the first region players visit in OlliOlli World.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Some players might have forgotten about this skateboarding gem that launched toward the start of the month. OlliOlli World is a simple 2D skateboarding game with vibrant visuals that’s hard to put down.

I adored the game, giving it four-and-a-half stars in my review. “OlliOlli World will go down as one of the best 2D platformers of 2022 and one of the best skateboarding games ever,” I wrote. “Intricately designed levels that reward players’ skill and choice make playing the game a captivating experience.”

It’s also more approachable than any game in the series before it, so we’d recommend it to hardcore skaters and casual platform fans alike. Those who fall in love with its level design should check out our interview with senior designer Sam Robinson, who breaks down the formula used to bring OlliOlli World’s fantastic levels to life.

Sifu

Sifu's main character jumps over a table as two enemies attack.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If Elden Ring doesn’t already beat players down enough, Sifu is there to deal the finishing blow. This brutal action game is an intense martial arts adventure where players age up every time they die. It’s not for the faint of heart, but those who enjoy games that challenge them to memorize patterns and combos to overcome formidable opponents will find a lot to love here.

Digital Trends really enjoyed Sifu, giving the game four-and-a-half stars. “Sifu’s punishing loop and intense combat are nothing short of brilliant,” Otto Kratky wrote. “It’s one of those rare titles that doesn’t just want players to do their best; it demands it instead.”

Of course, its difficulty means that this game isn’t for everyone. But if this game clicks for someone, they’ll grow to adore it. While Elden Ring did steal some of its thunder, those who love action games, beat ’em ups, or fighting games should check out Sifu.

Lost Ark

A gunslinger looking cool in Lost Ark.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lost Ark is a Korean MMORPG that was finally localized this year by Amazon Game Studios. By combining the best elements of MMOs and action RPG game series like Diablo, Lost Ark is an addictive online game that drew high concurrent player counts on Steam.

Digital Trends gave Lost Ark four stars in our review. “Lost Ark excels at exactly what it is: A fast-paced, visceral ARPG with MMO elements that has plenty of content to keep players coming back every week,” Andrew Zucosky wrote. “The combat alone is enough to keep curious players interested.”

Those looking for the next online video game they can use to socialize with their friends should check out Lost Ark. It’s free-to-play too, so anyone interested in exploring its world and decimating hordes of enemies can try Lost Ark out on Steam.

The King of Fighters XV

King of Fighters 15 - Official Release Date Trailer | gamescom 2021

SNK finally released The King of Fighters XV in February, giving fighting game fans the first 2D fighting game experience of the year. The King Of Fighters XV is a fighting game all about fundamentals. Those who put in the time to master its characters and combos will get just as much enjoyment out of the latest The King of Fighters game as they would out of Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter.

The King of Fighters XV earned four stars in Digital Trends’ review. “It feels like the perfect evolution in a long-running fighting game franchise and isn’t afraid of being what its main fans want it to be,” DeAngelo Epps wrote. “Mechanics aren’t watered down and it doesn’t backtrack on what makes the series so great.”

While a new Street Fighter is on the horizon, The King of Fighters XV will stand out as one of the best fighting games of the year. It might not be a revolution for the genre, but it’s a beautiful and fluid title that will satiate fans of the genre.

Grapple Dog

A yellow dog collects oranges by swinging in Grapple Dog.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While it’s the smallest release on this list, you shouldn’t overlook Grapple Dog. The indie platformer about a dog with a grappling hook is a bit of nostalgic fun for those who grew up with systems like the Sega Genesis or the Game Boy Advance. Players will swing, wall jump, and bounce off of enemies like a classic 2D hero.

In my impressions piece about the game, I likened the game to a long-lost childhood favorite. “Prior to starting it, I had spent a good month slowly chipping away at the Sega games included with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack,” I wrote at the time. “I fell in love with games I never got to play as a kid, like Ristar, and had been feeling a twinge of sadness that I couldn’t play more well-designed 2D games like that in 2022. Grapple Dog answered my prayers, and for that, it deserves a pet.”

While you might be bogged down with challenging open-world games for the foreseeable future, try to make some time for Grapple Dog. It’ll be like a refreshing shower after a day of slaying enemies in grimy dungeons. It’s currently available on Nintendo Switch and PC. ~ Giovanni Colantonio

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Tomas Franzese
Tomas Franzese
Gaming Staff Writer
Tomas Franzese is a Staff Writer at Digital Trends, where he reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…
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A cloaked character looking at Hogwarts castle in the distance.

After months of speculation, Hogwarts Legacy finally has a definitive release date of February 10, 2023. First announced during the September PlayStation 5 Showcase in 2020 with a vague 2021 release window, the game was later delayed to holiday 2022 and will now reach fans a couple of months after that.

The release date news was shared via the Hogwarts Legacy Twitter account on Friday. The team at Portkey Games has revealed that it will be taking "a little more time to deliver the best possible game experience" and that the Nintendo Switch version will arrive at an even later date.

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The best video games of June 2022: TMNT, Fire Emblem, and more
An image of the TMNT in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.

Following all of the major summer showcases, there's a general feeling that gaming in 2022 already peaked earlier this year with games like Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. That said, this mindset isn't really that accurate because June contained several of 2022's best games.
From beat 'em ups to simple mobiles games to grand Musou adventures, there were a lot of games to enjoy alongside all of the announcements this month. If you haven't played anything new this month because you thought 2022 gaming couldn't get any better than Elden Ring, we recommend the following six games.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge - Gameplay overview
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge isn’t a super complex game; it’s just almost perfectly executed for what it is. This beat ’em up calls back to classics like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time while paying respect to the popular franchise with a variety of Easter eggs and beautiful pixel art. Anyone can pick up and enjoy its beat-’em-up combat, and it’s filled with every hero or enemy you’d expect to see in a TMNT game.
We even gave Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge our first five-star review of 2022. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a must-play for both TMNT and beat-’em-up fans alike,” Digital Trends contributor De’Angelo Epps wrote in his review. “It’s a game that takes what worked in the past, but still finds space to innovate beyond its fan service and nostalgia play.”
Surprisingly, the game features six-player co-op, so all of your friends who are TMNT fans can get in on the fun. It’s a near-perfect beat ’em up that succeeds at precisely what it was out to achieve and shouldn’t be overlooked because of that. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is available now for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It’s even on Xbox Game Pass, so it’s easy to try out if you’re curious.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes - Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch
Like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Persona 5 Strikers, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes incorporates enough elements from the game it’s based on and tells a compelling enough story to stand on its own. Fire Emblem mechanics such as permadeath, distinct character classes and abilities, and support conversations combined with the high-octane Musou action players have come to expect from Koei Tecmo’s Musou games to make something special.
“This is a high-effort hack-and-slash that convincingly functions as a full-fledged sequel to Fire Emblem: Three Houses,” gaming editor Giovanni Colantonio wrote in its four-star Digital Trends review. “While its core action gets repetitive due to a lack of overall variety, there are plenty of familiar RPG hooks around it that keep the adventure engaging. For those who want a good reason to revisit the land of Fódlan, Three Hopes is much deeper than a reunion special.”
The game’s narrative, in particular, stands out as Three Houses’ protagonist Byleth is now the villain. Like Three Houses, You can also play Three Hopes multiple times over if you want to see the story from each house’s perspective. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is available now for Nintendo Switch. If you want to try it, a free demo with several hours’ worth of content is available on the eShop.
Poinpy
Poinpy | Official Game Trailer | Netflix
Poinpy is much more obscure than the other games on this list because it’s tucked away as a Netflix exclusive for iOS and Android. If you search for it in the Games tab of your Netflix app on mobile, you’ll be able to jump to the App Store and Google Play Store and download it. If you go through the effort to do all that, you’ll find a simple but enthralling mobile game about collecting fruit to keep a monster at bay as you continuously climb to escape it.
It’s from the creator of the challenging but equally satisfying Downwell. Instead of descending into a dark and dreary well, Poinpy is a much more cute and colorful experience where your focus is on launching your character up to collect fruit and escape. A monster is always chasing you, so you’ll have to collect certain combinations of fruit to feed it and keep it at bay. Once you get the hang of swiping to jump and tapping your phone to stomp into the ground, you won’t want to put Poinpy down.
Netflix’s video game initiative hasn’t quite caught on yet, which is why Poinpy is relatively obscure. If Netflix can keep delivering games of this quality, people will start to notice. Poinpy is available now for iOS and Android via Netflix. Simply get a Netflix subscription, and you’ll be able to access the game without any ads or microtransactions.
Neon White
NEON WHITE | Launch Trailer
Neon White presents itself as a first-person shooter with an edgy story and intense platforming, but it really just wants you to have a good time. This game is about a bunch of criminals trying to earn their place in heaven by competing in a contest to kill the most demons. As you do this, you’ll be platforming around heavenly levels and taking out demons with guns that come from cards strewn about the level. It’s an odd mix of genres, but it works.
“Neon White takes some big swings with its card-shooter/platformer premise and fortunately doesn’t miss,” Giovanni Colantonio wrote in his four-star Neon White review. “Its execution-heavy action is wildly fast and fun, pushing players to complete complex demon-slaying gauntlets that pepper in exciting twists through the game’s last moments.”
Neon White will be up your alley if you love games like Mirror’s Edge and Clustertruck that challenge your first-person platforming skills. Visual novel fans will get a kick out of the game, too, thanks to its compelling story about who deserves forgiveness and gift system that lets the player unlock extra conversations and memories with Neon White’s supporting cast. Neon White is available now for PC and Nintendo Switch.
AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative
AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative Gameplay Trailer
A follow-up to a 2019 cult classic mystery adventure game, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative has been a low-key critical darling this month. Sitting at an 85 on Metacritic, fans of the Danganronpa series or other similar anime-inspired games should check AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative out. In it, you’re trying to track down a serial killer who is literally tearing people in half.
To find out who did this, you must investigate the crime scene to look for evidence and delve into people’s minds to extract more information that could help with the case. Its intense anime stylings and frequent innuendo-filled jokes aren’t for everyone, but if AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative, it could scratch that detective gaming itch and be one of your favorites of the year.
AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Card Shark
Card Shark - Release Date Trailer - Nintendo Switch
Like Neon White, Card Shark puts a spin on the card game formula. Instead of blending shooting and platforming mechanics, Card Shark is all about cheating at traditional card games with different tactics. It’s also a beautiful game, as Card Shark is styled after the paintings from 18th century France, where the game is set.
“Card Shark is one of the most inventive video games I’ve played this year, completely spinning the concept of genre on its head,” Giovanni Colantonio wrote about the game earlier this month. “Despite having cards, I can’t really call it a 'card game.' It’s an unclassifiable title that’s more about finding a compelling way to turn real-world sleight of hand into engaging gameplay. Whenever I could successfully pull off a trick without arousing too much suspicion, I felt like an overconfident mastermind.”
If you enjoy card games (or maybe want to pick up a few cheating tricks of your own), Card Shark is worth checking out on PC or Nintendo Switch. While it’s been somewhat forgotten as it came out early in the month ahead of Summer Game Fest, it helps show that times of the year that are considered quiet by many gamers can contain some of its best games.

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Midyear progress report: Here are the best games of 2022 so far
Aloy swimming underwater.

We’re already nearly halfway through 2022, and it’s been an unusual year when it comes to new video game releases. The first quarter of 2022 was loaded with massive hits that eclipsed 2021’s holiday season. Major releases slowed to a drip after March though, creating a front-loaded year for gamers. Even with a slower cadence, however, each month has brought some excellent new titles -- some of which were easy to miss.

The midway point of any year serves as a good excuse to stop and take stock of what’s launched so far. You likely already know the biggest releases (such as the Radahn-sized elephant in the room), but there’s a whole sea of vibrant games worth catching up on during this slow summer. Here are the best games we’ve played so far this year.
Elden Ring

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