The Most Anticipated Games of 2022

With 2021 coming to a close, it's time we set our sights on 2022, and what a year it looks to be. Only a handful of games have official release dates as of right now, and there's always the possibility those will get delayed, but the number of games with 2022 release windows is certainly something worth getting excited for. How many of these games will actually release next year? Only time will tell. Here are our most anticipated games of 2022!

Pokemon Legends Arceus

Release Date: Jan. 28, 2022

When it was first announced, Pokemon Legends Arceus looked to be the vast, open-world Pokemon game that many of us have been waiting so long for. Though a closer look has shown us it isn't quite going to be Pokemon of the Wild, it's still a fresh new take on a franchise that's over 25 years old. There are sure to still be many mysteries to discover about this game, and by being set in the past world of the Sinnoh region, Game Freak has the opportunity to tell stories like they never have before. Could Pokemon Legends Arceus be the make or break moment for the Pokemon franchise? Only time will tell.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Release Date: Feb. 4, 2022

The sequel to 2015's Dying Light, this game is set decades in the future and features a variety of abilities and weapons as you navigate a zombie apocalypse open world. Pick up and use a variety of melee and long-range weapons as you discover the secrets this city has to offer.

OlliOlli World

Release Date: Feb. 8, 2022

The third installment of the OlliOlli series, OlliOlli World promises more 2D-platforming skateboarding fun. If you're a fan of the previous games or want to dive into the hand-drawn world of this skateboarding universe for the first time, you have a lot to look forward to in 2022.

Crossfire X

Release Date: Feb. 10, 2022

As if February wasn't packed enough, Crossfire X will also be joining the lineup for that month. This game will combine a fast-paced and cinematic campaign experience while also offering multiplayer modes for you to duke it out with your friends. If you've been keeping an eye out for narrative-based FPS games available on next-gen consoles, Crossfire X is one to look out for.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires

Release Date: Feb. 15, 2022

Though this expansion is getting a 2021 release in Japan, gamers in the U.S. and the rest of the world will be able to get their hands on Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires in early 2022. Like previous Empires expansions, this will focus more on strategic tactics than typical hack-and-slash gameplay. And those eager to play this game on their Xbox Series console or PlayStation 5 will be happy to know it's the first Dynasty Warriors game available on the newest generation of consoles.

Total War: Warhammer III

Release Date: Feb. 17, 2022

For Total War fans, Feb. 17 can't come soon enough. The release of Total War: Warhammer III adds to an oddly packed February for major game releases. Whether you're looking forward to co-op real-time tactics or are curious about what the campaign will hold, early 2022 will have a lot to offer.

 King of Fighters XV

Release Date: Feb. 17, 2022

The newest iteration in the King of Fighters series will be available to play early next year. It has been six years since the latest iteration, and fans can look forward to battling it out with their favorite heroes in King of Fighters XV, a game that promises a total of 39 playable fighters at launch including many heroes and villains that players will be familiar with.

Horizon Forbidden West

Release Date: Feb. 18, 2022

Ever since Horizon Zero Dawn released on PlayStation 4 consoles in 2017, gamers fell in love with this gorgeously designed world and Aloy's story. Guerilla followed up with the Frozen Wilds DLC not long after, and then in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sony revealed Horizon Forbidden West in their PlayStation 5 showcase. Horizon Zero Dawn remains one of the best games of the PS4 generation, and Forbidden West looks to offer the same thrills with a new set of abilities, weapons, and machines. This game and the new Uncharted movie both come out on Feb. 18, making this a big weekend for Sony and PlayStation right at the top of the year.

Sifu

Release Date: Feb. 22, 2022

Sifu tells a story as old as time, featuring a young Kung Fu student hellbent on revenge as he hunts for the murderers of his family. This fast-paced combat game features intense hand-to-hand combat and the ability to learn and master new techniques. Will you be fighting your way across the city when Sifu drops in just a couple months?

Destiny 2 Witch Queen

Release Date: Feb. 22, 2022

In February players can return to Destiny 2 to check out the Witch Queen expansion. Formidable challenges and plenty of mystery await those looking to dive back into the world of Destiny when this expansion goes live, as well as new locations for players to explore.

Elden Ring

Release Date: Feb. 25, 2022

Speaking of February, that's when many of us will be diving into the world of Elden Ring. With the new generation of game consoles firmly in swing, it's no surprise that we're seeing an influx of expansive open-world games. Even though the overworld looks fairly muted and monotone in terms of color saturation, the lore and gameplay of Elden Ring is sure to keep players occupied as winter temperatures plummet and more people feel confined to their homes. Whether or not it will live up to the hype remains to be seen, but it's not hard to be looking forward to this collaboration between developer Hidetaka Miyazaki and legendary author George R.R. Martin.

Gran Turismo 7

Release Date: March 4, 2022

The latest installment in the Gran Turismo series will be available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in a few short months. PS5 players can look forward to staples of the current generation including DualSense support and next-gen load times, while Gran Turismo 7 looks to combine the classic feel of the previous games with new updates, making this a much-anticipated racing exclusive for PlayStation consoles.

Triangle Strategy

Release Date: March 4, 2022

A turn-based strategy game from Square Enix, Triangle Strategy will have you battle for control of resources as you attempt to bolster one of three convictions: Utility, Morality, or Liberty. Discover multi-tiered battlefields and advantageous scenarios when Triangle Strategy launches on Nintendo Switch next year.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Release Date: March 18, 2022

Developed by Team Ninja and published by Square Enix, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is an alternate universe retelling of the original Final Fantasy. Those familiar with the reveal trailer may remember character Jack Garland, who is consumed with a need to kill Chaos. Discover more of this story when the game is available in March!

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Release Date: March 25, 2022

Embark on an epic journey across the Wonderlands in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands. Use guns, magic, and strategy to take down a variety of different enemies, from blasting them with bullets to transmorphing them into other creatures. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is an FPS that'll be available for you to play in just a few months!

Forspoken

Release Date: May 24, 2022

Players who jump into Forspoken can follow the story of Frey, a New Yorker transported to a land called Athia. With new magical abilities, she must explore sprawling landscapes and find her way home.

Saints Row

Release Date: Aug. 23, 2022

Whether you're a longtime Saints Row player or are interested in getting into the series for the first time, 2022 has much to look forward to. With a release date slated for August, Saints Row is a reboot that's attempting to pair the comedic and serious nature of the series into a perfect balance.

Starfield

Release Date: Nov. 11, 2022

Sometimes it feels like the whole world is waiting for a specific game, and in the past several months that anticipatory energy has been palpable for Starfield, the upcoming RPG from Bethesda. Starfield is sure to be a fierce competitor for the holiday season if other studios follow suit with November release dates. Those waiting for the opportunity to take to the stars with a custom-designed character and discover all the secrets this vast universe has to offer will be rewarded next November when the Starfield release date finally reaches us.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Release Window: Spring 2022

Kirby is getting an all-new, fairly open-world adventure next year when Kirby and the Forgotten Land comes to Nintendo Switch. The reveal trailer shows a colorful and vibrant world for you to explore, including abandoned shopping malls, sunny beaches, and other locations. Dive into a new Kirby adventure sometime in early 2022.

LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga

Release Window: Spring 2022

Players who pick up LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga will be able to experience all nine original Star Wars films in LEGO style. With the whimsical humor of the LEGO games combined with space-epic storytelling, this LEGO Star Wars game may be an epic adventure for new and old fans alike.

Warhammer 40,000 Darktide

Release Window: Spring 2022

Enjoy 4-player co-op action when Warhammer 40,000 Darktide launches next spring. Set in the hive city of Tertium, this game will have you fighting against hordes of enemies to win the day. From the developers of Vermintide, Warhammer looks to be a thrilling co-op experience for players to look forward to in 2022.

God of War Ragnarok

Release Window: 2022

The 2018 God of War soft reboot is one of the most beloved games of the last generation, and with its release on PC upcoming in January, more people than ever before can experience the story of Kratos and Atreus before diving into God of War Ragnarok later this year, pending any delays. Confirmed to be the finale to the Norse saga, Ragnarok is shaping up to be an epic conclusion with the same intuitive and fast-paced combat of its predecessor with new villains and new locations to explore. We can likely expect God of War Ragnarok to be a fall or holiday 2022 release for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. That will open up this experience to countless others as the PS5 supply issues don't look like they'll be resolved any time soon.

Splatoon 3

Release Window: 2022

For me, Splatoon is the single best online multiplayer experience that Nintendo has to offer. It doesn't suffer from the severe lag that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate experiences, and the game doesn't force artificial delays like when someone is attempting to visit your island in Animal Crossing New Horizons. There's still no simple way of online communication, and pairing with friends could be better, but despite this, I can't wait to see what Nintendo does with Splatoon 3. It's unlikely we'll see a huge leap in gameplay for this third iteration, but the single-player story looks to dive even deeper into the bizarre world of Inklings and Octolings, and that's enough for fans of the franchise to eagerly await the game that will officially turn Splatoon into a Nintendo trilogy. In fact, 2022 is shaping up to be an incredible year for the Nintendo Switch.

The Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Release Window: 2022

The game so mysterious that Nintendo hasn't even announced the title yet because they feel it's a spoiler should finally be arriving in 2022. Maybe. The sequel to the award-winning Zelda game is a tall order to fill, but in true Nintendo fashion, they're taking their time, which is why I only half expect the sequel to Breath of the Wild to actually hit Switch consoles in 2022. Remember that when the first game came out, it initially had a 2015 release date. Yet it wasn't actually available until two years later, and cross-released on a totally different console that we didn't know about initially. Nintendo hasn't revealed much about this game, and I'm sure we'll get a proper Zelda Nintendo Direct when they're ready to discuss it more, but if it is available in 2022 it's bound to be one of the flagship titles of next year.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge

Release Window: 2022

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge looks to be taking the super fun and fast-paced arcade gameplay that so many of us grew up with and updating it for 2022. This new game will feature four-player co-op (how could you not with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?) and will tap into the deepest recesses of our nostalgia. This game pays homage to classic TMNT titles like Turtles in Time and should be a brilliant blast from the '80s for TMNT fans. If you're looking for an action-arcade game to play, Shredder's Revenge should be available on PC and consoles sometime next year.

Bayonetta 3

Release Window: 2022

Over the past couple years, Nintendo has been silent about many of the games that we know are in production, and Bayonetta 3 is no exception. This is one of the many games that Switch players have to look forward to in 2022. Unfortunately for those who play exclusively on other platforms, it's unlikely that Nintendo will decide to port this game off a Nintendo console anytime soon. For those of us who have been waiting since 2014 for an update to Bayonetta's story, Bayonetta 3 will be a wonderful addition to our Nintendo Switch libraries.

Hogwarts Legacy

Release Window: 2022

Hogwarts Legacy exists in a strange place where it needs to both succeed as an entry in the beloved (albeit problematic) Harry Potter series while also living up to its potential as a role-playing adventure game. Harry Potter games, though fun, often miss the mark from being exceptional, and with the exception of the Game Boy Advance titles back in the early 2000s, there hasn't really been a successful attempt at transporting players into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. This game offers that opportunity, and by being set in the past it gives developers the freedom to build on the world of Hogwarts that so many of us know and love without needing to find ways to force in familiar characters. If Hogwarts Legacy fully embraces RPG elements of learning spells, leveling up gear, unlocking new areas, and giving you a variety of interesting and challenging enemies to go up against, this could be one of the best titles of 2022.

Vampire The Masquerade Swansong & Bloodhunt

Release Window: 2022

The Vampire The Masquerade series will be getting two additions in 2022: Swansong and Bloodhunt. Though an early access version of Bloodhunt was released in September, the battle-royale game will be fully available on PS5 and PC in 2022. Bloodhunt is set in Prague, whereas Swansong is a narrative single-player experience set in Boston.

A Plague Tale Requiem

Release Window: 2022

The sequel to 2019's , Requiem continues the story and adventure across a brutal and broken world. Discover supernatural forces, beautiful cities, and the will to survive during one of history's darkest moments.

A Quiet Place

Release Window: 2022

A game set in the universe of one of the more successful horror films of the past few years is sure to generate a lot of buzz, and undoubtedly many of us are eagerly awaiting to see what developer iLLOGIKA has in store for us. With the promise of an original story, A Quiet Place will hopefully not only expand on the world we see in the movies, but also offer interesting gameplay mechanics based on the auditory senses of the main enemies.

Dragon Ball The Breakers

Release Window: 2022

Dragon Ball The Breakers will be an asymmetrical multiplayer DBZ experience that players can look forward to in 2022. One player plays as iconic villains from the show, like Cell and Frieza, while the rest play as ordinary humans who band together. If you like asymmetrical multiplayer games, this may be a good one to watch out for next year.

Dune Spice Wars

Release Window: 2022

Dune Spice Wars is an upcoming RTS with 4X elements that's set in the Dune universe. Given that the latest Dune film has fans excited for the future of the franchise, this could be an interesting add-on for the sci-fi epic. Battle for control of Arrakis and attempt to harvest spice while avoiding being eaten by colossal sandworms. Will you be checking out this real-time strategy game when it launches next year?

Oxenfree II Lost Signals

Release Window: 2022

This much-anticipated sequel will be available to check out next year for those who fell in love with the first game. Maintaining the gorgeous art style of the original and promising a new story, there's plenty to look forward to for fans of Oxenfree.

Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League

Release Window: 2022

The past few years have seen an uprise in superhero games to meet the hype created by the films, and 2022 will be the year we'll get to check out the Suicide Squad in Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League. As a member of Task Force X, you'll have to take on some of the most prominent heroes of the Justice League and strategize to win mission after mission. This Suicide Squad game will be available on PS5, PC and Xbox Series consoles in 2022.

The Lord of the Rings Gollum

Release Window: 2022

The Lord of the Rings Gollum looks to be an interesting addition to the Lord of the Rings saga. Claiming to be the untold story of this tortured hobbit, Gollum could offer narrative elements that would be interesting for select LOTR fans, but at the same time it's hard to really nail down what audience this game is being made for. Combine this with the fact that Gollum somehow looks worse in this game than he did with the 20-year-old mocap CGI brought to life by Andy Serkis, and it leaves many of us wondering what exactly Gollum will add to the expanding universe of Lord of the Rings.

As it stands, 2022 is looking to be another pandemic year, and logistical supply lines and chip shortages are certainly going to continue to affect the entire industry, meaning that any one of these games could easily be delayed to 2023 or sooner. But if somehow all of these titles do make it onto our consoles in 2022, along with the countless other amazing games that have been announced (not to mention surprise drops that we don't know about yet), 2022 is going to be an amazing year for games and I can't wait to play as many of them as I can.

Which video games are you most looking forward to? Do you plan to play just one or two, or set aside your backlog so that you can enjoy every major new release that comes your way? Let us know in the comments!