The gaming business has a great year ahead of it. Many titles originally scheduled for release in 2021 will now be released in 2022, resulting in an unprecedented flood of hotly anticipated titles. The gorgeous and theatrical trailers for these AAA and independent games show firms taking advantage of next-gen gaming devices.Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, and Gran Turismo are getting some new entries this year. Other rumored 2022 sequels include Hollow Knight and Breath of the Wild, though, considering the games' size and previous delays, these might easily slip into 2023.The unique idea games from renowned authors are often more exciting than the classic series, such as George R.R. Martin's fanciful Elden Ring, Amy Henig's mystical Forspoken, and Bethesda's space drama Starfield has been in development for 25 years.
Additionally, I couldn't help but note how many new games are set in a post-apocalyptic future where a virus has decimated the planet's inhabitants. Alternatively, a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by climate change. Or a post-apocalyptic world in which millions of people vanish or die abruptly. Even pink puffball Kirby is floating through a desolate metropolis instead of his usual vibrant dreamland.Not to be alarmed; it is not all doom and gloom. Several popular film spinoffs are starring Marvel and DC superheroes, Gollum from Lord of the Rings, and the Navi from Avatar. There's even a decent-looking Harry Potter open-world RPG on the way, which may finally end the lengthy run of bad Hogwarts games.The most promising indie games feature anthropomorphic dinosaurs graduating from high school, a teeny fox with a sword and shield, and a lone cat.
Additionally, you'll find yourself traveling across an apocalyptic, post-humanity, cyberpunk landscape. However, I'll save my critique of pandemic-era game programmers for another day. The following are our 40 most anticipated video games for the year 2022.
Extraction: Rainbow Six
January 20 on PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Stadia, and PC
Rainbow Six: Extraction, originally dubbed Rainbow Six: Quarantine (oof), is a spinoff of Ubisoft's wildly popular Rainbow Six: Siege. Players team together to combat a parasitic extraterrestrial danger in this new game.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Nintendo Switch will launch on January 28.
For decades, Pokemon has adhered to the same formula, and it's past time for a change. Arceus will be an open-world game in the vein of Breath of the Wild and Monster Hunter, set in an era before humans discovered how to coexist peacefully with Pokemon. Even though turn-based fighting remains in place, catching Pokemon now needs the reflex-driven method of Pokemon: Go.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
On February 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC will be available.
The parkour-heavy zombie game is back, and it's four times bigger this time. Seven years after the original, the sequel emphasizes leaping across rooftops and escaping the undead. However, it includes significant story enhancements: now, your actions within the game can alter the path of the plot and even the world's layout.
Sifu
The release date for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC is February 8.
Has there ever been a time when a martial arts action game looked this fluid? As well as highlighting the elegance of kung fu, Sifu brings something new to the table when it comes to combat gameplay. Every time the playable character dies, he returns as a more experienced version of himself, serving as a metaphor for the wisdom we gather as we get older.
The Horizon Forbidden West
On February 18, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro will be released.
My all-time favorite video game is getting a sequel, and I couldn't be happier. Those who played the first game will have the opportunity to reunite with Aloy, a fierce warrior who, in the first game, set out on a journey to rescue her mother and solve the mystery of how our country was destroyed and rebuilt. Her world is rich in plant life, but it is also plagued by dinosaur-like machines and feuding clans, as she discovers. It is hoped that Forbidden West will answer some of the questions left about Aloy and support her environmentally conscious mission, which will take her into stunningly rendered underwater environments and atop breathtaking mountaintops to combat threats to the environment.
Elden Ring
The release date for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC is February 25.
One of the year's most exciting games was made possible by collaborating with an exceptional team. Elden Ring is being developed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the designer of Dark Souls, collaborating with George R.R. Martin, author of A Song of Ice and Fire. As a result, he's been putting off finishing Winds of Winter to achieve this. The grandiose open-world role-playing game takes place in a medieval world populated by dragons and demigods.
Gran Turismo 7
PlayStation 5 will launch on March 4.
The renowned racing game receives another installment with beautiful graphics that may persuade players who have no interest in automobiles (like me) to give Gran Turismo a try. Gran Turismo 7's true star will be the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller, with haptic feedback and adjustable triggers to make the "real driving simulator" feel quite realistic.
Stranger in Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC will be available on March 18.
Unlike most Final Fantasy games, this prequel-ish title will be an action-packed Soulslike from Team Ninja, the team behind Nioh. The RPG is centered on Jack Garland and the Light Warriors. While the gameplay may alter, the studio has guaranteed devoted Final Fantasy fans that the lore will remain the same.
Tiny Tina's Wonderful Worlds
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC will be available on March 25.
Tina from Borderlands is getting her own spinoff game, whether you love her or despise her. Wonderlands is a cooperative looter-shooter action game. However, in addition to the standard firearms, rocket launchers, and grenades, players will be able to use crossbows, swing swords, and even cast magic spells. The major selling feature of the game is its stellar voice cast that includes Will Arnett, Andy Samberg, and Wanda Sykes.
Forspoken
On PlayStation 5 and PC, May 24
The developers of Final Fantasy 15 have teamed up with a powerful writing team led by Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) and Amy Hennig (the Uncharted games) to create an open-world fantasy RPG. When Frey, a young New Yorker, yearns for more in life, she is unexpectedly taken to the continent of Athia. The Athenians hail her as a savior who must battle an evil entity ravaging the land.
Starfield
On November 11, Xbox Series X|S and PC will be available.
Starfield, Bethesda's first new IP in 25 years, is being marketed like Skyrim in space. Bethesda should be able to flex its muscles on a next-generation platform thanks to the original, epic role-playing game. And the creators have raised the bar: Starfield's characters will "seek for the solutions to life's greatest riddles," according to the studio's announcement last year.
Arc Raiders
TBA on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC
The first game from Embark Studios will be a co-op shooter set in a sci-fi environment. Arc Raiders is inspired by the grimy, retro-futurist, '80s look of Star Wars. (Many of the developers were involved in Battlefield and Star Wars: Battlefront.)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Later, the game will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Let's be honest: Avatar projects rarely arrive on schedule. (James Cameron has already delayed Avatar 2 eight times.) However, presuming that the Avatar sequel does indeed hit theaters this year, Frontiers of Pandora should pique audience interest. The game's first-person, open-world action-adventure plot revolves around a battle between the Navi and the Resources Development Administration.
Bayonetta 3
This video game series has given me conflicting sentiments. The gun-wielding witch Bayonetta is certainly a badass, capable of summoning demons with her hair to aid her in defeating her enemies. She is, nonetheless, a highly sexualized persona. She fights evildoers while wearing nothing but her strategically placed hair. The frequency of crotch and cleavage shots in Bayonetta 2 was ridiculous. Thankfully, in this third installment, she receives additional outfits. There's a chance that Bayonetta 3, like the rebooted Tomb Raider before it, will discover new dimensions in a character who, as Feminist Frequency creator Anita Sarkeesian famously pointed out, was originally built purely for the enjoyment of straight male gamers.
Breakfast with a Bear
In this delightful hotel sim, you play as a well-meaning bear attempting to run a bed & breakfast for unsuspecting human guests. The charming B&B is nestled in a forest full of woodland creatures and secrets. The game hints at some intriguing mysteries lurking behind its fuzzy veneer.
The Callisto Protocol
The release date is yet to be announced on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Another sci-fi horror game in the manner of Alien comes from Glen Schofield, co-creator of the Dead Space series. You play as an inmate at the Black Iron Prison, located on Jupiter's second-largest moon, and are haunted by at least one predatory AlienAlien. As a prisoner, you work to solve a mystery at the prison. The Callisto Protocol's makers have stated that it will be the scariest game on next-generation devices.
Cardshark
This attractive game set in 18th century France that teaches you how to cheat at cards has piqued my interest. The stakes are high: if you're detected, you can end up in an old-fashioned duel. It's a far cry from the drab game of Hearts you've been playing on your phone.
Choo-Choo Charles
Is it likely that I, a big ol' scaredy-cat, will play this game about a demonic spider train? Most likely not. However, this list is for you, the reader, and you may enjoy horror games. I must admit that the trailer is strangely fascinating. It's like a mash-up of Halloween and Thomas the Tank Engine. I have to give them points for creativity.
Dune: Spice Wars
Shiro Games is developing a real-time strategy game based on Frank Herbert's novels to capitalize on the success of the film adaptation of Dune. As a would-be dictator of Arakis, you must use all means necessary to seize control of the sand planet, including cunning, military force, and possession of the most valuable resource: spice. Control the spice, and you'll control the planet!
Ghostwire: Tokyo
This eerie action-adventure game appears to be completely insane in the greatest way possible. The plot opens in Tokyo, where 99 percent of the populace vanishes without a trace, similar to the ending of Avengers: Infinity War but more dramatic. The survivors must fight the spirits that have taken over the city. The studio that created Ghostwire: Tokyo previously created the horror smash The Evil Within, yet the makers assure that Ghostwire: Tokyo is not terrifying but rather mysterious.
Ragnarok, God of War
The sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War game released in 2018 continues the narrative of deity Kratos and his son, Atreus. Kratos and Atreus are confronted with Ragnarok or the end of the world. And the only way they can avoid it? War! What else is there? And, yeah, Kratos will face up against Thor. According to the developers, this will be the "last Norse chapter" in the series. After defeating the Greek gods on Mount Olympus and the Norse gods in Midgard, I'm curious what mythological gods he can defeat next.
Goodbye, Volcano High.
If you're searching for a nostalgic story game that will tug at your emotions, I'm sure Goodbye Volcano High will fit the bill. The Life Is Strange-style game follows a group of anthropomorphic dinosaurs during their senior year of high school, focusing on a nonbinary dinosaur named Fang. While the clip is a little syrupy, I'm sure many of us can admit to becoming a little teary-eyed in those final days before graduation.
Gotham Knights
PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC are all expected to launch soon.
Batman is no longer alive. All of Batman's sidekicks should live forever. Following Bruce Wayne's death, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Red Hood are protecting Gotham. The game is inspired by the upcoming Batman remake starring Robert Pattinson: "Batman Begins." It's dark and greatly influenced by the Penguin, just like that film. The game can be played solo or in a two-player co-op with a friend.
Hogwarts Legacy
The game will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC later.
I've been waiting for a playable Harry Potter game for the better part of two decades. Even worse, it's not even excellent. It's only playable. As for this latest effort to create an interactive experience in the Harry Potter universe, it has seen its fair share of criticism, ranging from one of the key devs endorsing the misogynistic #gamergate movement to Rowling's own anti-trans rights remarks. As a result of the departure of that developer, the remaining designers disclosed to Bloomberg the information that the game will have a transgender character option. Now, at long last, millions of Potter fans will be able to create their character, submit it to the Sorting Ceremony, and enroll in classes at Hogwarts. Apart from attending Transfiguration courses and caressing your pet owl, you'll also be able to choose whether or not you want to dabble in evil magic in this open-world adventure game set around the 1800s. You may, for example, fight to protect Hogwarts or join up with the Victorian-era counterpart of the Death Eaters.
Hollow Knight: Silk song
The game will be released on Nintendo Switch, Mac, and PC later.
Is it a case of wishful thinking if the highly-anticipated Hollow Knight sequel is included on this list? Look, the developers have set a release date of 2022, and I'm going to go ahead and believe that the highly anticipated sequel to this award-winning Metroidvania game is indeed on the way. But we may all have to learn to be patient. The sequel is expected to be massive, with more than 165 new foes, which will take time to develop.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
The game will be released on Nintendo Switch later.
Remember when I compared the zombie game The Day Before and the video game The Last of Us? I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. This game is giving me unexpected and intriguing Last of Us vibes, which is a pleasant surprise. Kirby, the charming and brightly colorful character, embarks on a journey in an abandoned city. We can only hope that the Last of Us analogies stop there and that the place isn't overrun with zombies for Kirby's sake. However, Kirby can take the powers of his adversaries. Perhaps Kirby could combat zombies by transforming into a cute, conscious, and flying zombie to fight them? Nintendo, you have a great idea. Anyway, this game does not contain zombies, but it does appear to be a lot of fun from the screenshots.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
The game is a video game developed by Nintendo.
We have arrived at the Breath of the Wild sequel, which has yet to be given a name. Its predecessor was possibly the most influential, pioneering, and popular video game to be released in the last decade, and the sequel will follow in its footsteps. Is it really necessary for me to pitch you on this? It picks up exactly where the previous one left off. The open-world is significantly more expansive. You get the picture. If you own a Nintendo Switch, you already know you're going to buy this game.
Inside, there's a little Devil.
Little Devil Inside is an independent action-adventure game in which the player is trapped in a creepy town and must rely on survival techniques when eerie monsters attack. The game is set in a gothic dollhouse that has come to life. Starting as a Kickstarter project in 2015, the game pushes the boundaries of the genre by switching from an overhead perspective to close-up interactions with the characters.
Lord of the Rings: Gollum will be released on various platforms, including the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
We're getting another Lord of the Rings video game just in time for the yet-to-be-named but extremely pricey Lord of the Rings TV series, which will premiere on Amazon Prime in the autumn and be available for pre-order now. In contrast to Shadow of Mordor, this game will follow the events of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, but from Gollum's point of view. Given that the ring-obsessed former hobbit was always more of a sneak than a fighter, the game's emphasis is on stealth combat rather than hack and slash clashes with orcs and other creatures.
Marvel's Midnight Suns is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics.
I'm not sure what to expect from any of the Marvel games in the future. Some of them are amazing, such as Spider-Man. Some are terrible, such as The Avengers. In between, some fall somewhere in the middle, like the Guardians of the Galaxy. As opposed to its recent predecessors, Midnight Suns will be a turn-based strategy game with a strong emphasis on tactics and a card battle system integrated into the gameplay. You can form relationships that impact the plot, similar to Fire Emblem. A new character, Hunter, will join a roster of Marvel heroes, including Iron Man, Wolverine, and Blade. The story also delves into the stranger and more otherworldly side of Marvel:
Nightingale
Former Bioware developers have founded a new studio, Inflexion Games, with Nightingale as their first title. Nightingale is a shared-world survival/crafting game. In a fanciful Victorian world, you play as survivors of a magical calamity, complete with gas lamps, corsets, and monsters. To live, you must band together to create tools, weapons, and massive towns.
Oxenfree II: Disappeared Signals
In the first Oxenfree, a group of teenagers sneaked into a foreboding island to party but accidentally unlocked a mystical portal (oops!). The only way they could unravel the island's enigma was through the use of radio waves. The new game, set five years after the original, follows a fresh cast of characters in a similar quest. However, the makers at Night School Studio have hinted that the game's choices will affect the tale in unforeseen ways.
Redfall will be available on Xbox Series X|S and PC later.
You may have noticed how popular post-apocalyptic zombie games are. The good news is that this is a vampire game set in a post-apocalyptic world. And, while you may have your reservations about vampires, unlike zombies, they can communicate, which provides some interesting conversation options if you're in the snarky fighting game business. And Arkane Studios is in that business, having created Dishonored, Prey, and Death Loop. You get to slaughter vampires with firearms laden with stakes, magic, and one-liners in this open-world co-op shooter.
Somerville will be available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC later.
Somerville is the studio's debut title, co-founded by former Playdead CEO Dino Patti (Inside). Somerville has the distinct and charming look of Inside. Additionally, it appears to retain Inside's grim — dare we say, Orwellian — tone. The science-fiction adventure will center on the personal implications of a large-scale disaster.
3 Splatoon
The family-friendly, ink-splattering shooter is a huge seller for Nintendo, so a third sequel was a foregone conclusion. This time, though, Splatoon will have a single-player campaign mode in addition to the co-op game. The action takes place in a wasteland reminiscent of Mad Max. (Seriously, how did the post-apocalyptic aesthetic make its way into children's games? We've been engulfed in this plague for far too long.)
Stray
Ah, the game whose trailer instantly captivated animal lovers the world over. You get to take on the role of a lost cat. A cyberpunk metropolis teeming with robots. Several of those robots are inebriated. When something unexpected moves, you even make that screeching, surprised cat sound. Annapurna is also responsible for What Remains of Edith Finch and Outer Wilds, so this cat game is likely to have actual complexity. If you're still not convinced, I'm at a loss for words. Consider that lovely kitty!
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is scheduled to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC later.
The studio that created Batman: Arkham has shifted its focus away from the Caped Crusader and toward the Suicide Quad (Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot, and Captain Boomerang, in this iteration). In a hilarious twist, the squad of antiheroes must combat brainwashed replicas of Superman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the Justice League. The game will occur in the "Arkham-verse," containing Batman adversaries from previous Arkham games.