The polls are closed and your votes counted for the PlayStation Blog Game of the Year 2022. The winners of these awards, spanning 16 categories, have been shaped entirely by player choice. A thank you to everyone who voted and \u2013 given the strength of titles released in the past 12 months \u2013 were stuck with some difficult decisions to make. And of course, our thanks to all the studios whose games have helped define PlayStation\u2019s 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, on to the winners!\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n 2022 wasn\u2019t short of memorable performances and iconic figures. For every fan sketch of Elden Ring\u2019s fearsome Malenia, there was a cat owner seeing characteristics of their own finely-furred companion in Stray\u2019s feline lead. And despite both offering riveting performances, a masterclass in manipulation could not outclass the heft \u2013 and directness \u2013 of a hammer. Father lost out to son, as Thor places Mj\u00f6lnir down to hold aloft the Platinum Trophy for this year\u2019s Best New Character award.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cat | Stray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Odin | God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Malenia | Elden Ring<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The next chapter in the story of Kratos and Boy Atreus clearly resonated with many. We won\u2019t go into specifics here so not to spoil anything for those still exploring the Nine Realms, but with fates in the balance, character arcs deepening our understanding of favorite characters and beats that caused us to catch our breath, Santa Monica Studio took on the unenviable challenge of following up a highly celebrated story with another that matched it both for spectacle and moments that resonated.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Last of Us Part I<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Elden Ring<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Horizon Forbidden West<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n All the top contenders for this category leveraged stellar performances across PS4 and PS5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II was lauded for its near-photorealistic rendering of Amsterdam. FromSoftware\u2019s Limgrave was an open world as beautiful as it was dangerous. Guerrilla\u2019s sprawling landscapes were dense with lush foliage, epic machine battles and Photo mode-worthy sunsets. Category winner God of War Ragnarok packed Nine Realms-worth visual splendor for a powerhouse performance on both consoles. Congratulations to Santa Monica Studio and the other winners for making our collective jaws drop, time and time again.\u00a0<\/p>\n Horizon Forbidden West<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Elden Ring<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Call of Duty Modern Warfare II<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The artists behind 2022\u2019s top titles were firing on all creative cylinders. We marveled at myriad sights, from the blood-red skies and rotting dragons of Elden Ring\u2019s Caelid to the mysterious runes of Horizon Forbidden West\u2019s sandswept Las Vegas. However, it was Santa Monica Studio\u2019s fusion of photorealism and mythical fantasy that captured PlayStation players\u2019 imaginations. The dev team delivered nine visually distinct realms each experiencing the effects of Fimbulwinter with unique visual flair. That\u2019s not even to mention the colorful blasts punctuating each of Angrboda\u2019s supporting attacks, turning the battlefield into a piece of art by itself. Hats off to these talented teams establishing unforgettable artistic visions for 2022\u2019s best games.<\/p>\n Elden Ring<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Horizon Forbidden West<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Stray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The solid thud of caught axe meeting palm. The distant yet distinct howl of an inbound great evil. Chatter from a nearby settlement intermixing with the uneven thrum of a mechanized, grazing herd. Experiences that resonate without the need to witness the source, audio that conjures up an image the instance it\u2019s heard. All these games were as superlative on the ear as they were the eye, whether you\u2019d paused on your journey to soak in the sounds around you, had the thrill of combat reinforced by the crack of great sound design, or tracked danger through ear and audio cues alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n Elden Ring<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Horizon Forbidden West<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n As Kratos and Atreus forged a stronger relationship throughout God of War Ragnar\u00f6k, Bear McCreary\u2019s epic score added bombast and subtlety at every turn. From heart-pounding action sequences to intimate moments of reflection, the score doubles as the game\u2019s beating heart. Fans also lended an ear and their heartfelt support to the sounds of Elden Ring, The Last of Us Part I, and Horizon Forbidden West.<\/p>\n Elden Ring<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Last of Us Part I<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Horizon Forbidden West<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Santa Monica Studio has produced not only a masterpiece with God of War Ragnar\u00f6k, but also a masterclass in accessibility and inclusive design thanks to the customisation offered by the 70+ accessibility features. The team\u2019s commitment to accessibility has ensured that the nine realms are open to everyone!<\/p>\n The Last of Us Part I<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Horizon Forbidden West<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n FIFA 23<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The PS5 DualSense controller continues to add additional immersion into our favorite games from this year. Its adaptive triggers have translated the tautness of a bow in Horizon Forbidden West and offered sensory differentials to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II\u2019s arsenal. Our ears have been tickled with meows and the tactile sensation of paw scratches in Stray with the controller\u2019s speaker and haptic feedback respectively. As equally grand, and topping out this category is God of War Ragnarok\u2019s excellent use across every aspect of its story. The feedback of every heave of axe or swing of fist brings with it a deeper connection to combat, while the granular shake while sledding over rough terrain or oar stroke in the water reinforces your connection to the world as you explore.\u00a0<\/p>\n Horizon Forbidden West<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Stray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 2022 provided robust opportunities to compete or team up with friends and strangers online, whether you love to kick a ball, overtake speeding cars, or dial in headshots. Infinity Ward wowed FPS fans once again with Modern Warfare II, the follow up to Modern Warfare (2019)\u2019s top-shelf action. Modern Warfare II provides more options in the fray, including aquatic combat and hanging from ledges. The result is a refinement of the best Call of Duty has to offer, with an entrancing loop of weapon upgrade unlocks and inventive new maps like the colorful Crown Raceway. When it comes to multiplayer design, Infinity Ward has taken its own advice and stayed extra frosty.<\/p>\n Overwatch 2<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n FIFA 23<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Gran Turismo 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest New Character<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
Thor | God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best Story<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
PlayStation Graphical Showcase<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best Art Direction<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best Audio Design<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Soundtrack of the Year<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best Accessibility Features<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best Use of DualSense<\/strong><\/em><\/h1>\n
God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best Multiplayer Experience<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n