Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2022. Today, it's the turn of reviewer Simon Fitzgerald.

5. TemTem

TemTem

I couldn’t resist adding TemTem to my top five games of 2022, with over 300 hours sunk into this monster catcher, I just keep returning for more. With a wide range of memorable monster designs, a lengthy campaign, and a fleshed out post-game, TemTem is more than worthy of its place in my top five.

4. God of War Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok

What can be said about God of War Ragnarok that hasn’t already been said? It’s an absolute masterpiece that I couldn’t put down until completion. Now all that's left for me to do is... Get the Platinum, BOY!

3. Tunic

Tunic

Although we had to wait an extra six months to get our chance to play Tunic on PlayStation, the wait was worth it. Tunic isn’t afraid to wear its Zelda similarities on its sleeve and that's perhaps where it thrives and becomes so appealing to myself. Being a huge The Legend of Zelda fan — Ocarina of Time can’t be beaten, by the way — Tunic is such a fantastic experience. The freedom of exploring the world and discovering its many secrets by solving intricate puzzles brings me so much joy. Its simple yet difficult to master combat makes the entire game enjoyably challenging; throw in the cutesy visuals and wonderful music and you have yourself a glorious setting to uncover.

2. Cult of the Lamb

Cult of the Lamb

Although nominated for best indie of 2022 at The Game Awards, Cult of the Lamb unfortunately fell short, getting pipped to the post by a furry feline in Stray. I however have placed it as my second favourite game this year, and had been following the title closely since its initial announcement back at Gamescom in August 2021. With it being a cross between Animal Crossing and Hades, two games I’ve spent hundreds of hours in, and it also having a weirdly dark theme like that of The Binding of Isaac, Cult of the Lamb is right up my alley. With its cutesy visuals and enjoyable roguelike combat it went above and beyond my overly hyped expectations.

1. Elden Ring

Elden Ring

Not a surprising top pick but Elden Ring really clicked with me, more so than your average Souls game. Usually I’d hit a difficult section, die repeatedly, and give up. Elden Ring on the other hand had me loving every moment of exploration, with very little guidance or hand-holding and the freedom to do as you please — I just couldn’t put it down. The entire world of The Lands Between laid out in front of you, you could wander over to a small village inhabited by pot people; stumble into a dark and dingy cave home to a family of grumpy bears; clamber up a large snow-covered mound which turns out to be a dragon — mind-blowing! Every aspect of Elden Ring is just outstanding, the size and scale is breath-taking, combat is crisp and engaging. Even the sound and visuals have you stopping every couple of minutes just to bask in their greatness. It isn’t just my Game of the Year — it's my game of the generation.

What do you think of Simon's personal Game of the Year picks? Feel free to agree wholeheartedly, or berate relentlessly in the comments section below.