The 10 most underrated games of 2022

The under-the-radar games deserve another look.

One of the most exhilarating games of the year, Rollderdrome is part skating game, part arena shooter. Its tough, adrenaline-fueled gameplay is rendered in some of the most striking graphics of the year, with an energetic soundtrack to match.

Despite being nominated at The Game Awards, I Was a Teenage Exocolonist still isn’t getting the credit it deserves. Its decade-long story tracks a group of kids growing up on a distant planet, and the tough interpersonal choices that define their lives there.

Dorfromantik is a city builder without the stress. This impeccably chill strategy puzzle game tasks you with building beautiful towns out of randomized tiles. You’re scored based on how harmoniously it all fits together, with additional modes that let you build without rules or stack on new challenges.

Simply put, if you’re a fan of shopkeeping sims, you need to play Potionomics. The first release from developer Voracious Games has satisfying systems for brewing and selling potions, and a charming cast of characters to befriend and romance on your days off.

Citizen Sleeper uses dice mechanics inspired by tabletop RPGs to tell a tale of community-building in the shadow of capitalism. Its moving story will stick with you long after you’re finished playing.

The Case of the Golden Idol is a murder mystery that requires some deep detective work to piece together its complex crimes. The game has drawn a lot of comparisons to Return of the Obra Dinn (and even praise from Obra Dinn’s creator).

Inspired by Italian folklore, Saturnalia is a survival horror game set in a bewildering village that rearranges itself each time you die. Its challenging puzzles are enough to recommend it, even if it weren’t also one of the most beautiful games in recent memory.

BOSSGAME is the standout mobile game of 2022, with thrilling boss fights and charming characters. The story of two girlfriends keeping each other going through hard times provides an emotional backdrop to BOSSGAME’s strategic combat.

Drawing inspiration from Symbolist paintings and cosmic horror, Signalis tells a story of identity and longing through the lens of PS1-style survival horror. Through clever puzzles and evocative environments, Signalis builds a fascinating world as you play an android searching for her lost partner.

Made by the team behind Anodyne and Even the Ocean, Sephonie combines precise platforming and satisfying puzzles with a heartfelt story about the pain and joy of connection. Its writing, art, and music are in a class of their own, making Sephonie one of 2022’s must-play games.