As both the weather and the release schedule start to get drier, it’s time to reflect on the games the year has gifted us so far. We have had long-anticipated releases, blockbuster launches, and titles that will live forever in the memes they have created. But with so many games that have come out in 2022, which ones truly deserve to be called the best?
Well, we’ve seen them all here at Overclockers UK, so who better than us to pick 2022’s best PC games so far? We’ve also picked out some other bits to level up your play time – spicy gaming PCs, hot hardware, and must-have merch that will help to make your gaming set-up its best self.
Elden Ring
What can we say about Elden Ring that greater poets have not already expressed in the form of a GIF? Or is better represented than by internet legend Let Me Solo Her? The long and hotly anticipated Soulslike game from genre masters FromSoftware finally entered the mortal coil this past February. Suffice to say it has since dominated the zeitgeist. If you somehow missed this release and our coverage of it, we’ll give you the abridged version.
Elden Ring is an action RPG that blends above-average difficulty, deep lore, and combat focused on ready enemy patterns. This frustrating formula was first popularised by Dark Souls, ana Elden Ring is a spiritual successor to that title. It features its own world, the Lands Between, and a story penned by none other than George R. R. Martin. Yes, he of Red Wedding infamy. So, when we say prepare to die, you know how serious we are.
Elden Ring Official PC System Specifications
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 64-bit (SP1) | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel i5-2500k AMD FX-6300 | Intel i7-4770k AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 12GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 AMD Radeon R9 280 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 AMD Radeon RX 480 |
| Storage | 150GB available space | 150GB available space |
noblechairs HERO Gaming Chair Elden Ring Special Edition
If you’re going to get killed again and again, you might as well be comfortable and look stylish as you do. noblechairs HERO Gaming Chair Elden Ring Special Edition features classic gold embroidery on its black PU leather, a style that looks straight from the Lands Between. The front is adorned in both the Elden Ring and noblechairs logos, with a gorgeous rendition of the World Tree upon the back. Truly this is a throne fit for an Elden Lord.
Order now for £429.95*
God of War
Smug PlayStation gamers can sit down in the back because for us PC gamers this was a brand-new experience. Just as it was one of the best console games of the 2010s, God of War is definitely one of the best PC games of 2022. A follow-on to the original trilogy, the new game swaps the Greek mythology for a Norse setting and gives gaming’s angriest protagonist Kratos a son in Atreus.
God of War blends its combo-based hand-to-hand and weapon combat with exploration and puzzle mechanics that you see you traverse the Nine Realms. There’s a fun RPG flavour thrown in with character customisation both for father and son. What makes this game an absolute must to experience however is its presentation – a continuous shot, free of camera cuts and loading screens. As a work of art, it is breathtaking. As a game, it is mind-blowing.
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit (version 1809) | Windows 10 64-bit (version 1809) |
| Processor | Intel i5-2500k AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i5-6600k AMD Ryzen 5 2400G |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 AMD Radeon R9 290X | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 AMD Radeon RX 570 |
| Storage | 70GB available space | 70GB available space |
Refract Gaming Celeste Pre-Built PC
If you need a new gaming PC to help you experience the Nine Realms in all their glory, then the Refract Gaming Celeste has got you covered. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, it has all the power needed for you to experience God of War. With its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Graphics Card, the Celeste has the graphical prowess needed to bring stunning detail to every draugr and dungeon. Plus, not only do all Refract Gaming PCs come with a three-year parts and labour warranty but they also qualify for next-day delivery, so you don’t have to keep Kratos waiting.
Available to order for £1,799.99*
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
Parkour and a zombie apocalypse feel like such a natural fit, which is why we were thrilled to finally return to that formula with Dying Light 2: Stay Human. The sequel shifts action to the walled European city of Villedor and the new protagonist Aiden Caldwell, who is in search of his lost sister Mia.
What he finds is a city torn by faction warfare and an undead threat that comes out at night. In this dynamic open world, who you side with and how you approach each challenge will have a real and palpable effect. Not only that, but did we mention the parkour? Over 3,000 animations are used to build fluid, zombie-fleeing, roof-running fun!
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-9100 AMD Ryzen 3 2300X | Intel i5-8600K AMD Ryzen 5 3600X |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti AMD Radeon RX 560 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 AMD RX Vega 56 |
| Storage | 60GB available space | 60GB available space |
LG 27″ 27GP850P-B Widescreen Gaming Monitor
Whether day or night, experience the eerie post-apocalyptic beauty of Dying Light 2: Stay Human in all its detail with this gaming monitor. The LG UltraGear 27GP850 Gaming Monitor is a gorgeous 27” QHD display that utilises Nano IPS technology for breathtaking gameplay performance with sharp visuals and vivid colours. No matter how hardcore your PC is, this gaming monitor won’t be dropping frames, giving you a smooth free-running experience.
Available to purchase for £379.99*
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Feel the Force…of nostalgia run through you! Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga returns us to a very familiar galaxy far, far away for an adventure brick-built from the ground up. This is no compilation of classics, no sir. Developer Traveller’s Tales completely rebuilt this classic for the current generation down to every last stud, and boy does it show.
Not only does this mark the first time all nine films of The Skywalker Saga have been adapted into a Lego Star Wars title, but you are free to play through the trilogy of trilogies in whatever order best pleases you, young Padawan. With over 300 iconic Star Wars characters to play as, not including the plethora post-launch content has added, and the freedom to fly around the galaxy in iconic starships like the Millenium Falcon, there’s never been such a definitive Star Wars experience as this.
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2400 AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6600 AMD Ryzen 3 3100 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 750 Ti Radeon HD 7850 | GeForce GTX 780 Radeon R9 290 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 40GB available space | 40GB available space |
noblechairs HERO Gaming Chair Darth Vader Edition
When finding a throne to settle into a Star Wars adventure, there can be only one option. Cue the Imperial March, lean back, and enjoy the superior comfort offered by the noblechairs HERO Gaming Chair Darth Vader Edition, officially licensed by Disney. This gaming chair emulates everyone’s favourite Sith Lord, replete with all the comforts befitting that station. Rich black PU leather upholstery that’s highly breathable, dense cold-foam padding for incredible support, and superior ergonomics that will serve you better than the Force itself!
Available to pre-order for £439.99*
Ghostwire: Tokyo
There’s no need to wait for Halloween to get your fill of spooky goodness with this PC game. GhostWire: Tokyo is an action-packed, supernatural spectacular from Bethesda, packing jaw-dropping visuals into a psychological mystery. Picture the scene – it’s Tokyo, but in an apocalyptic twist the population has vanished and been replaced by otherworldly menaces thanks to a dangerous occultist.
As Akiro, it’s up to you to get to the bottom of this mystery and save the city’s population by taking on the Yokai. To combat these spirits, you’ll wield Kuji-Kuri elemental prowess and weapons such as a grappling hook in thrilling first-person action. The Japanese capital is gloriously recreated for the occasion, meaning you can explore iconic landmarks between ghost hunts and see them in hyper-realistic graphics. No long-haul flights for you!
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-4770K AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-6700 AMD Ryzen 5 2600 |
| Memory | 12GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1060 AMD RX 5500 XT | NVIDIA GTX 1080 AMD RX 5600 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 20GB available space | 20GB available space |
Refract Gaming Indigo Pre-Built PC
Want to experience the spooks and thrills of post-apocalyptic Tokyo in glorious 4K resolution? The Refract Gaming Indigo is packed full of premium hardware to do just that. It’s been built for elite-tier gaming by our team of experts, packing an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D CPU and 32GB of superfast DDR5 RAM. Enjoy every detail Bethesda has put into their rendition of Tokyo with the graphical prowess of the Indigo’s NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. Coming with the standard three-year parts and labour warranty all our Refract Gaming PCs have, you can also order it to be shipped to you with next day delivery.
Available to order with next-day delivery for £2,899.99*
Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters
Henry Cavill is probably the best thing to happen to Warhammer so far this year (and PC games too, if we’re being honest) but this reboot of the 1998 tactical turn-based strategy classic is a close second. Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters takes you to the gothic sci-fi setting of the 41st Millenium to command the Grey Knights and root the evil infection of the Bloom.
As you command your squad of Space Marines against this interstellar menace, you will be able to customise and upgrade them. This covers skill and psychic abilities, powerful equipment, and four unique classes your champions can specialise in. Once your team is ready to go, brace for gory displays of prowess as your Grey Knights eviscerate and execute their way to victory.
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 (SP1+)/8.1/10 64-bit | Windows 7 (SP1+)/8.1/10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4590 AMD FX-8350 | Intel Core i7-770 AMD Ryzen 7 2700 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 AMD Radeon R9 280X | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 AMD Radeon RX580 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 18GB available space | 18GB available space |
ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop
If you want to go full throttle with your gaming experience then the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is the laptop for you. Featuring a powerful Intel Core i7-13650HX CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce 4060 GPU, this gaming laptop does everything fast and fluidly. From gaming to multitasking, everything comes easier and lasts longer with this laptop and its 90Wh battery. Not to mention the phenomenal storage capabilities of its whopping 1TB PCIe SSD!
Available to order for £1,899.95
What have been your favourite PC games of 2022 so far? Did we miss out your favourite? Are there any hidden gems we all should play before the year is done? Let us know by commenting below.
Prices correct at the time of writing and PC specs are subject to change.
- 10 min read
Jacob Smith
Author
Jacob is a passionate gamer, plus a noted Pokemon and LEGO nutjob, who emerges only when doing the words here at Overclockers UK. Since starting at the tail end of 2021, Jacob has gone on to write dozens of blogs on everything from the latest games to whimsical Dickens-inspired poetry. Outside of creating content and being the one person in the office daring to champion Nintendo, he is often found fawning over his Pokemon card collection and his trio of lovely doggos.
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