2020 was a wild ride, but here we are in the fourth year of the decade. As we prepare to breeze through 2021, it’s time to take a look back at all of io9’s year-end lists for 2022. We have taken the time to curate all of the best, worst, and most talked-about moments in the world of science fiction and pop culture over the course of this tumultuous year and have compiled them into one handy place.
Let’s start with the good stuff. For fans of sci-fi films, 2022 was a great year. From ‘Automata’ to ‘Ready Player Two’, there were plenty of fantastic blockbusters to choose from. But the highlight had to be the summer film season, which brought with it the much-anticipated follow-up film to ‘Blade Runner 2049’, ‘Blade Runner 3049’. The movie was met with glowing praise from critics and fans alike, and even earned itself a few Academy Award nominations.
In the world of television, television fans had plenty to get excited about in 2022. ‘Empire of Stone’, the latest series from the ‘Elder Scrolls Online’ game universe, provided fans with a delightful mix of courtroom drama and fantasy storytelling. ‘Game of Thrones’ also made a big return with ‘The Winds of Winter’, a series of thrilling climactic events that will certainly leave an impression on viewers for years to come.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an io9 Year in Review list without mentioning the best books of the year. From Marko Kloos’ ‘Frontlines: Armageddon Rising’ to Eddie Robson’s ‘Ouroboros’, there were plenty of great reads to enjoy. But perhaps the most noteworthy novel of the year was ‘The City of Brass’ by S.A. Chakraborty. The richly drawn world, captivating characters, and enthralling story made this an absolutely must-read for any fan of fantasy.
Video games also had a great 2022. From ‘The Last of Us Part II’ to ‘Elex’, there were plenty of new immersive worlds to explore. But all eyes were on ‘No Man’s Sky’, the long-awaited sequel to the iconic 2016 game. ‘No Man’s Sky’ provided players with an even larger more fleshed-out universe, and with its release early in the year it quickly became one of the most talked-about video games of the year.
Overall, 2022 was an incredibly exciting year for sci-fi and pop culture, and we here at io9 have taken the time to compile all of our top picks into one helpful list. So pull up a chair and get ready to browse through the best films, television shows, books, and video games that the year had to offer.
