We are almost at the end of 2021, which means the beginning of a new year, a new year of exciting video games. There are so many new game releases scheduled for 2022, on all platforms, that it keeps us awake in the wee hours of the morning; from cinematic blockbusters to slow-burning RPGs. We have 12 exciting months ahead and we can't wait.
But, given the number of new games coming to consoles and PCs next year, it can be difficult to know what to watch out for. So we've put together a list of five of the biggest games coming in 2022, including what they're about and why they're likely worth your hard-earned time and money.
So if you want to know what games to look for in the New Year, whatever the platform, then you've come to the right place.
Forbidden horizon to the west
Publicado and: PS5 and PS4
Release date: 18 February
"There's no depth I won't explore, no secret I won't reveal," says Aloy, in the jaw-dropping trailer for the Horizon Zero Dawn sequel. The first game was one of the highlights of the PS4, delivering a lush world where the future and the past collide in a spectacularly unique way, and with a protagonist (aka Aloy) that we hope will stick around for decades to come.
In Horizon Forbidden West, we regain control of Aloy, this time exploring the post-apocalyptic American West. Horizon Forbidden West is looking to build on its predecessor's formula, while adding new slaughter machines (including giant robot snakes), beautiful new environments, and new characters to meet (hopefully most). 'Among themselves they are friendly). We can't wait to explore the depths of Horizon Forbidden West and uncover secrets with the fiery Aloy, in what seems to be one of the games of the year.
Antique ring
Posted on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox SeriesX / S and Xbox One
Release date: February 25
Developer FromSoftware seems to be continuing its notoriously tough action RPG series, or Souls-like, as ubiquitous as the term is now, with Elden Ring. Set in the fantasy realm of Lands Between, players will perfectly hack, slash, dodge, and time their way through the realm in hopes of becoming Lord Elden.
If that sounded like a fabulous, drab standard fare, fear not. George RR Martin, the modern bard himself, co-wrote the story. After seeing his world-building prowess in A Song of Ice and Fire, we know we're in good hands. There is also the possibility that his name will encourage many non-players to start at the Elden Ring.
While we love to see everyone playing, a word of caution for those who may be less experienced players: Elden Ring won't be easy. FromSoftware titles are notoriously difficult, and some just don't like it, and that's fine. But, what we'd say is that if FromSoftware's previous title Sekiro is anything to go through, this challenge means that every enemy you take down and every inch you advance is exceptionally rewarding (maybe more than that. In any other game. )
Starfield
Publicado and: PC and Xbox Series X / S
Release date: November 11th
It might be hard to believe that Bethesda is releasing a new RPG outside of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, but here we are. Described by director Todd Howard as "Skyrim in Space," Starfield looks to continue Bethesda's tradition of expansive action-RPGs, this time building an entirely new world among the stars (instead of the Khajiit).
At first, we were relieved that it wasn't another Skyrim reissue. However, the Starfield trailer, released at E3 2021, shows that it's really something to be excited about. Exploration has always been a major theme in The Elder Scrolls and Fallout games, and Starfield seems to take that to another dimension. Literally. The trailer reveals an astronaut boarding his rocket, about to venture to the last frontier.
We don't know much about the gameplay yet, but we are praying for the space battles. Either way, if this looks like previous Bethesda IPs, we're up for some game-changing stuff.
Dying Light 2: stay human
Posted on: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X / S and Xbox One
Release date: February 4th
It wouldn't be a real game year without at least one zombie slayer, and the 2015 sequel to Dying Light seems to be our savior.
Set 20 years after the first game, Dying Light 2 sees you play as Aiden Caldwell, an infected survivor, as he tries to uncover the secrets of his past and place his sister in a ruthless and decaying world. Aiden's search leads him to The City (the last remaining human settlement), where it is up to the player to decide whether our protagonist focuses on his own goal or decides to help the remaining survivors by rebuilding the settlement. Dying Light 2 emphasizes choice and consequence, your decisions affecting the environment around you, as well as the story itself.
The original Dying Light took the parkour from Mirror's Edge, mixed it into a zombie shooter, and added a day-to-night variation system to boot. From what we've seen (and played) of Dying Light 2, the sequel has grown to 11 with more emphasis on stealth, parkour, and modified gear for traversing the environment (like gliders, pulleys, and new swing hooks). With a map four times the size of the first, riddled with NPCs, side quests, and challenges, Dying Light 2 is definitely a game to watch.
Breath of the Wild 2
Posted on: Nintendo switch
Release date: 2022 (to be confirmed)
We couldn't leave out the game that won "Nintendo's Most Anticipated Game" at E3 2021: the (currently untitled) sequel to 2017's Breath of the Wild. The first installment was itself an event. Huge on the game's lore, so it's easy to see why everyone is so eager to get their hands on the follow-up. Only two trailers have been released since 2019, which is a match for those of us desperate to return for a new Hyrule adventure.
Breath of the Wild 2 (as we call it) was announced in 2019, but we still know very little outside of the clips we've gotten from trailers so far. We know it's a direct sequel, so it's the same Link and Zelda from Breath of the Wild, and the same story continues. Both trailers also revealed somewhat darker themes, cryptically showing Link being consumed by Malice and (hopefully) Zelda as a playable character.
We also know that according to series director Eiji Aonuma, the development team was heavily influenced by Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2; We'll let you speculate on that (although we doubt there are many takes). However, it turns out that we're pretty sure the sequel to one of the best Zelda games, and indeed the games, of all time is something to look out for in 2022.