The gaming industry witnessed a remarkable turnaround in February 2022, flipping the script from January's relatively quiet release schedule. While the first month of the year had only offered a handful of new titles, February was a whole different ball game—absolutely packed with highly anticipated releases that sent waves of excitement through the community. Several of these were expansive open-world games that ultimately soared to the top of the sales charts, proving that gamers were hungry for deep, immersive experiences.
According to the comprehensive sales data released by The NPD Group, a leading market research company, the landscape of best-selling software for February 2022 was decisively shaped by new releases. The clear champion, emerging from the pack as the highest-selling game of the month, was Elden Ring. This brand-new IP from the acclaimed developers at From Software captured the attention of players worldwide with its challenging gameplay and vast, interconnected world. It was a true "dark horse" that galloped straight to the number one spot.
The competition was fierce, but other February releases also made a spectacular debut. Securing a strong second place was Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to the beloved open-world action RPG. Its stunning visuals and compelling narrative ensured it was a heavyweight contender right out of the gate.
Here is a quick breakdown of the top five best-selling games for February 2022:
| Rank | Game Title | Release Month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elden Ring | February 2022 |
| 2 | Horizon Forbidden West | February 2022 |
| 3 | Pokémon Legends: Arceus | January 2022 |
| 4 | Dying Light 2: Stay Human | February 2022 |
| 5 | Total War: Warhammer III | February 2022 |
The chart demonstrates the sheer dominance of February's new games, which occupied four of the top five positions. The action-packed zombie survival sequel, Dying Light 2: Stay Human, landed in fourth place, showing that parkour and infected creatures are still a winning formula. Meanwhile, the grand strategy title Total War: Warhammer III successfully mobilized its fanbase to claim the fifth spot, proving the genre's lasting appeal.
It's worth noting that Pokémon Legends: Arceus was the sole title from January 2022 that managed to maintain its momentum and break into the top ten, securing an impressive third place. Its innovative take on the classic Pokémon formula clearly resonated with fans, allowing it to hold its own against the February juggernauts. This performance was nothing short of amazing for a game that was already a month old in a market flooded with fresh content.
In essence, February 2022 was a month where the gaming world said "game on!" The success of these titles, particularly the open-world adventures, highlighted a clear trend: players are consistently drawn to games that offer vast worlds to explore and hundreds of hours of content. It was a fantastic month for gamers, offering a little something for everyone, from brutal fantasy challenges to futuristic robot-dinosaur hunts. The bar was set high for the rest of the year.