The 10 Best and Cruelest Games of 2022

In 2022, the best games were made for masochists. After several years of boom times for wholesome stories and colorful worlds, 2022 reminded us that sometimes there's no truer form of fun than failing horribly, repeatedly. FromSoftware often leads that charge, thanks to series like Dark Souls. This year, it rose to its own challenge. Elden Ring, maddening in its difficulty and unusually cruel in its creative ways to kill you, took center stage as players picked apart its every secret.