With so many incredible games set to release this year, we can only pray that our wallets can handle the burden. Still, it’s a better use of money than buying NFTs.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
Due: February 4, 2022
The first Dying Light game was a gem that didn’t receive the attention it was due. Its modern take on parkour-based gameplay at the Covid-addled end of days presented a fresh blend of genres and the fact that its campaign (which wasn’t groundbreaking by any means) had optional co-op made it a must-play for me and a friend during lockdown. Its sequel promises a branching narrative where your choices matter, multiple factions to join or oppose, a story worth your time, and terrifying night zombies evolved from the original concept.
Redfall
Due: September 2022
Games involving vampires were once a staple of the video game industry, with such bloodthirsty main courses as the Castlevania series and recent floundered attempts to revive enthusiasm in a once-coveted genre with Vampyr, not quite igniting a comeback. Nonetheless, Bethesda’s Arkane Studios, under the ownership of Microsoft and launching day one on Game Pass, are attempting to fill that void with their vampire survival, hunt-based co-op game Redfall. These guys made Prey, the Dishonored series, and the critically acclaimed Deathloop. Redfall is primed to be an exciting twist on FPS’ like Back 4 Blood, with unique character abilities.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Due: 2022
Moving on to a second sequel I’m stoked to see: Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope! This is another game where the first entry is worthy of far more attention than it garnered at the time, taking a tightly turned turn-based tactical combat system and handing it over to the people responsible for Mario: the marketable, untouchable face of gaming. And yet it works surprisingly well, which I can only hope translates to the new entry featuring new characters and a switched up movement system no longer reliant on the trappings of the grid.
Breath of the Wild 2
Due: 2022
I didn’t really catch the Breath of the Wild hype until a couple years in, but having now dedicated a measly 50 hours to Hyrulian masterchef-ing, I realise I would be a fool to miss out on the sequel’s momentous release. Teased during the finale of Nintendo’s E3 2021 show was a massive increase in verticality (with floating islands reminiscent of that old Minecraft Aether mod), some kind of time-manipulation tool, and green goopy ability allowing Link to move through walls. So much is up for speculation, and that’s what will make this release worthy of celebration.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Due: April 5, 2022
Ok, so I really wasn’t excited by Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga when it was first announced. I, like many, expected another compilation of what we’ve already played. But now, after seeing the latest gameplay overview, I’ve changed my mind. The entire collection of all 9 movies, with content from the TV shows added, has been reworked from the ground up. As a Lego game it’ll continue to charm and bring great couch co-op to many. Yet, this time, they’re adding skill trees and allowing more free roam than ever before, including in space. There will be more character classes and styles of play than ever before, whilst ensuring we all get a well-deserved nostalgia hit. And yes, they will allow us to play it in mumble mode without speech, as was the case in the original Lego games.
The Witcher 3 Next Gen
Due: April – June 2022
CD Projekt Red are promising big things this year – hopefully they can live up to their promises this time – with a Cyberpunk 2077 Next Gen upgrade and a Witcher 3 one in the works. Given the disappointment underpinning Cyberpunk, and Witcher 3 genuinely being one of the greatest titles of all time (I‘ll die on the better-than-Skyrim hill), this is an update I can’t wait for. Though not a new game, the time since launch (2015) suggests it will be more than just an upscaled resolution. Here’s hoping we get improvements to load times, draw distances, rendering, and graphical effects in the environment. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to add back in the kinks and damage done to armour which was originally removed to improve performance. It’s also to include content inspired by the Netflix series, and hopefully includes the DLC packs for new players as an incentive for the upgrade. Nonetheless, raytracing alone is enough for me to reimmerse myself in this world.
Starfield
Due: November 11, 2022
Starfield is Bethesda’s first original IP in 28 years. Yes, a quarter of a century has passed since the creation of Elder Scrolls. This hopefully tells us the game will be extremely ambitious as Bethesda seek to try something different. Again, this will launch day one on Game Pass, meaning anyone with a subscription will be able to jump in straight away. As the name suggests, Starfield will take place in space and promises players will be able to explore and discover whether there is life beyond our world. Of course, elements of Elder Scrolls’ storytelling style will be prevalent, but I suspect this will take inspiration from Bioware’s Mass Effect series. The first huge RPG from Bethesda since Fallout 4 and Prey promises to take us 300 years into the future, and hopefully set new precedents in RPG storytelling.
Elden Ring
Due: February 25, 2022
If you love Game of Thrones, forgot the final season, and enjoy the Soulsborne series, have I got news for you. Elden Ring, first announced in 2019, marries the writing of George R.R. Martin with Hidetaka Miyazaki’s own, coming off the back of the critically acclaimed Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This game will encourage exploration and combat with linear storytelling that opens up as the game begins, eventually leading to more player choice and customisation in how your abilities stack up. Essentially, it’s Dark Souls, in an open world. And whilst I’m terrible at Souls-style games, I’m still excited, especially since Miyazaki said he expects more people to finish it than his other games. Maybe this will be the first souls-like I complete.
GTA:V for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
Due: At a time when nobody wants it.
We absolutely cannot wait for this. GTA is one of the most significant franchises in modern gaming and this entry will no doubt provide a fresh look at an old favourite. Actually. No. Why is this releasing in 2022? This absolutely didn’t need to happen nor do we look forward to playing it for the umpteenth time.
