The 6 Most Underrated PlayStation Games To Play In 2022

Mainstream blockbuster video games certainly take up most of the spotlight and with the latest PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S console generation out, players will be more eager for what 2022 brings. However, there have been plenty of games to release across PS4 and PS5 worth playing that went somewhat under the radar.

Some of these games did manage to sell well in their own right — on top of great critical receptions — but major releases like Resident Evil, Returnal, and Ratchet & Clank got most of the publicity. With the new generation of consoles still being hard to come by, this is an even better opportunity for players to explore this strong variety of titles in between the highly-anticipated triple-A launches.

6 Judgment

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Yakuza series has seen a welcome rise in international popularity since the worldwide 2017 release of Yakuza 0. Since The Song of Life concluded Kazuma Kiryu’s saga, the developers branched the franchise into two series. Like a Dragon continues the mainline games, while Judgement spins off into another corner of the world. With this spin-off series, the franchise changes things up with an action-adventure beat-em’-up that puts a detective-themed spin on Yakuza.

The game originally was released in 2018 for PS4 and garnered a generally positive reception. Praises largely went toward simultaneously growing the classic action formula of its parent series while presenting an engaging new detective crime-drama story. These tasteful changes to the franchise formula also make Judgment a great starting point for new Yakuza fans. Even better, the game received a PS5 remastered port in the lead-up to the sequel’s launch last fall.

5 Lost Judgment

Its predecessor’s success warranted a sequel, resulting in Lost Judgment releasing on both PS4 and PS5 to a stronger critical reception. Critics and general audiences appreciated the game building upon the first’s foundations to make for a more streamlined experience. The investigation, tailing, and chase sequences were all improved to be tighter segments that help change up the gameplay without overstaying their welcome.

The combat maintained an exhilarating and bombastic atmosphere, while the detective crime-drama narrative was compelling throughout — especially for handling such controversial topics with such resonance and tact. One particularly high praise that was consistent across reviews, though, was the “School Stories” side missions. Yagami eventually found himself becoming a high school’s club counselor as part of the main case, taking some impressive inspiration from life-simulator elements fans would see in Persona.

4 NEO: The World Ends With You

While it, unfortunately, felt like it was financially set up to fail, NEO: The World Ends With You at least managed to launch to a solid critical reception. The game was released last summer simultaneously for the Nintendo Switch and PS4 but still underwhelmed on the commercial front.

Its quiet Epic Games Store exclusive PC release also didn’t help things, but at least served as a worthy and stylish sequel to the 2007 Nintendo DS classic. It isn’t without its faults, of course, like occasionally repetitive gameplay and some pacing issues, but it arguably makes a case for the most underrated modern JRPG that’s more than worth a playthrough today.

3 Death’s Door

Commonly regarded among gaming circles online as one of the best indie games of 2021, Acid Nerve’s Death’s Door proved the developers to be an indie studio to keep an eye on as well as continuing Devolver Digital’s reputation for publishing wonderfully inventive games. The isometric action-adventure game was acclaimed for its thrillingly fast-paced combat and eerily charming world. The game was initially released for Xbox and PC last summer before releasing in November for other consoles, including PS4 and PS5.

Death’s Door has players take on the role of a crow working for a generic company tasking him to guide lost souls. There are darker implications to uncover behind the scenes, but the contrast between the grim premise, delightfully comedic story, and endearing characters make for an entertaining experience. Similarly adding to the game’s atmosphere is the equally-lauded art direction spread across the level and character design.

2 Psychonauts 2

The original Psychonauts was a critically-acclaimed cult-classic game from the PS2 and Xbox era, however, it was largely considered a commercial failure. It’s been a long time coming, but thanks to developers Double Fine talents and rallying crowdfunding, Psychonauts 2 finally arrived last year on PS4 and more platforms to similar praises.

The consensus agreed that the game’s highest points were its engaging platforming mechanics and level design, as well as its heartfelt story. Underneath the imaginatively eccentric world and characters, it fleshes out a narrative that proves to be an emotional exploration of mental health that will stay with players after the credits roll. All in all, fans mostly saw Psychonauts 2 as having successfully lived up to the high standard of the original.

1 It Takes Two

Classic “couch co-op” games have sadly become a rarity in the modern gaming age, but 2021’s It Takes Two brought back that nostalgic era in fantastic fashion. Fan-favorite director Josef Fares and developer Hazelight Studios put together an experience that’s not only incredibly entertaining with immense replay value, but one with a deeply intimate story as well.

The game centers around a troubled married couple who tell their daughter Rose they’re planning on getting divorced, leading to her accidentally transporting her parents into the dolls she played with. From there, two players control the parents as they navigate their dangerous journey back to their bodies. It Takes Two won Game of the Year at the 2021 Game Awards and stands as one of the best co-op games to play on all consoles it released on.

About The Author