AIPT’s 35 most anticipated video games of 2022

From new IPs sure to impress — like Elden Ring, Forspoken, and Starfield — to sequels and new franchise entries that will delight fans — like Pokémon Legends: Arceus, God of War Ragnarök, and Breath of the Wild 2 — 2022 is going to be a gaming doozy. Even if some of these titles get delayed to 2023 or beyond, there are still plenty of new releases for gamers to look forward to.

In somewhat chronological order, let’s dive into our 35 most anticipated video games of 2022!

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

We’re just a couple weeks away now from the next major entry in the Pokémon franchise — Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The Switch-exclusive will take players back in time to an older version of the Sinnoh region. Classic gameplay elements of capturing Pokémon, training your pocket monsters, and filling a Pokédex will return. New features include trainer health (watch as a Snorlax tries to body slam that poor boy), riding Pokémon to traverse the world, and the inclusion of starter Pokémon from different generations.

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: January 28

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Dying Light 2: Stay Human, the sequel to 2015’s Dying Light, is due out next month. The gameplay trailer above shows off some horror-infused stealthy gameplay, which is a nice addition to the fast-paced parkour the first game was known for. Stay Human features a new protagonist, a larger map than the first game, new zombie enemies, and thousands of parkour animations to make traversal as fluid and fun as it can be.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release Date: February 4

Sifu

Sifu is a kung-fu-focused action game with a unique hook — each time your character dies, he’s reborn via a magical talisman that has a limited number of uses. Each resurrection ages the character, ups his attacks, and lowers his health until he can be resurrected no more on his quest to defeat the assassins who murdered his family.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Release Date: February 8

Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West continues Aloy’s journey from Horizon Zero Dawn as she searches for the source of the mysterious plague sweeping the lands in an area called the Forbidden West. The open world is set in a post-apocalyptic version of the western United States, with San Francisco and the Yosemite Valley being two locations Aloy will come across. Revamped melee combat and underwater exploration will be a couple of new features for the sequel. If you’re excited for Forbidden West then be careful — an early build of the game has already leaked and could end up spoiling the whole shinding for you before the game even releases.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Release Date: February 18

Martha Is Dead

Psychological horror fans have something to look forward to next month. Martha Is Dead takes players to 1944 Italy to investigate the death of Martha, the daughter of a German soldier and twin sister to Giulia, whom the player will control. Martha Is Dead “blurs the lines between reality, superstition and the tragedy of war” as a sister’s grief, folklore surrounding the mysterious White Lady, and World War II blend together to create a horror game you won’t want to miss.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Release Date: February 24

Elden Ring

From Software takes their punishing game design and makes it open world with Elden Ring. Fans of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro, will be at home here. Enemies hit hard, deaths are aplenty, and its world is mysterious, with prolific A Song of Fire and Ice author George R.R. Martin having collaborated with the developers to write the lore and world of Elden Ring. Horseback riding, mounted combat, spirit summons, a day and night cycle, and more are all new elements to From Software’s next offering.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Release Date: February 25

Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7 makes a pretty compelling case for most graphically impressive PS5 game. Its care are sleek and rich with hyperrealistic detail, making for a very immersive driving experience. Honestly, there are some points during the showcase trailer that it’s hard to believe we’re watching a video game and not a film. Racing fans are in for a treat this March.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Release Date: March 4

Tiny Tina’s Wonderland

Evolving from its origins as Borderlands 2 DLC comes Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. It’s an FPS and RPG rolled into one set in the world of a tabletop RPG (think Dungeons & Dragons). The gameplay trailer above reflects the bonkers nature of the game and Borderlands series while featuring music from BABYMETAL. How are you not sold yet?

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Release Date: March 25

Ghostwire: Tokyo

After being delayed from 2021 so the developers could avoid crunch and burnout (good on you, Tango), Ghostwire: Tokyo is set to frighten us this spring. It’s a first-person action game where players will use supernatural powers to fight against otherworldy spirits who have invaded Tokyo and caused the city’s population to vanish.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC

Release Window: Spring 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Kirby and the Forgotten Land drops the adorable pink blob into a “mysterious world full of abandoned structures from a past civilization” that looks an awful like a big city in any post-apocalypse setting. Kirby will explore the world by hopping, flipping, and flying while absorbing enemies and using their powers against them.

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Window: Spring 2022

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

2022 will bring us a new Avatar game, and I ain’t talking about any airbender. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will take players to the world of the 2009 blockbuster Avatar. The story stands alone from the film and stars a Na’vi journeying across the Western Frontier, a “living and reactive world inhabited by unique creatures and new characters,” and fighting against the RDA. Frontiers of Pandora will be a first-person action game developed by Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Release Window: Between April 2022 and March 2023

Asterigos

Taiwanese developer Acme Gamestudio brings Asterigos to PlayStation consoles this year. It’s a fantasy RPG set in a cursed city inspired by Ancient Rome. Visually, the game looks similar to Immortal Fenyx Rising and the combat looks fast-paced and fun. Protagonist Hilda will have a plethora of weapons at her disposal, including magic bracelets, dual blades, a sword and shield, and a hammer, as she takes on enemies and over 20 bosses while exploring the city of Aphes.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Release Window: Late Spring 2022 for PS4, Autumn for PS5

Forspoken

Like Horizon Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7, and God of War Ragnarök, Forspoken looks to truly show off the power and performance of the PlayStation 5 in 2022. Visually stunning while featuring highly kinetic gameplay and traversal, Forspoken follows teenager Holland as she’s transported from New York City to the magical land of Athia with only her sentient bracelet Cuff as an ally. I’ll admit — my excitement took a bit of a hit when hearing about how the game’s developers spoke of their black protagonist, but hopefully the game represents Holland and her experience better than how the developers described.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC

Release Date: May 24

Steelrising

GreedFall and The Technomancer developer Spiders’ next project is Steelrising, an alternate history take on the French Revolution. You’ll play as Aegis, an “automaton masterpiece” who leads the charge against King Louis XVI’s automata army. With Steelrising being an RPG, Aegis can become “a fearsome warrior, a deadly dancer, or a virtuoso of elemental arts” depending on how you want to play the game.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Release Window: June 2022

Redfall

Hot off the success of Deathloop, Prey, and the Dishonored games, Arkane Austin brings Redfall to Xbox Series X/S this summer. It’s an open world co-op FPS set on the island of Redfall where vampires have blocked out the sun and secluded the island. With your allies, you’ll form a team of vampire hunters and fight back. Redfall will be Bethesda’s first Microsoft-exclusive game since publisher Bethesda’s sale to Microsoft in 2020.

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC

Release Window: Summer 2022

Saints Row

The Saints Row franchise returns in 2022 with its first game in nine years. The simply titled Saints Row looks to reboot the series and shift away from the over-the-top tone of the last full entry, 2013’s Saints Row IV (meaning no more giant purple dildo weapon). Reaction the game’s announcement was very mixed, with a large swath of fans not feeling like the announcement trailer stayed true to what they enjoyed about the series. We’re still seven months out from the game’s release (after it was delayed from February 2022), so we’ll have to wait and see what the final product of Saints Row is like.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Release Date: August 23

Scorn

Scorn is a first-person survival horror game that has been in development for some time, with the first teaser trailer having been uploaded to YouTube by developer Ebb Software five and a half years ago (with a release window of 2017 given). The devs haven’t shared too much as to what the game will entail, but we do know it will be horrifying. The environments and weapons used by the player character are all organic in nature, creating a very unsettling and grotesque aesthetic for the game.

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S

Release Window: October 2022

Starfield

Bethesda Game Studios’ next offering isn’t another port of Skyrim or disappointing Fallout but instead a new IP — Starfield. We don’t have a ton of concrete information about Starfield aside from its set release date of 11/11/22 (we’ll see if that holds firm or if the game gets delayed into 2023). Director Todd Howard has described Starfield as “Skyrim in space,” so expect lots of freedom to explore and engage with the world (or should I say, solar system).

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC

Release Date: November 11

Marvel’s Midnight Suns

XCOM developer Firaxis is taking its tactical RPG formula and bringing it to the Marvel universe with Marvel’s Midnight Suns. It features a roster of some of Marvel’s most popular and powerful heroes, like Wolverine, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Blade, to fight alongside the original character The Hunter as they face off against Marvel villain Lilith. Midnight Suns was supposed to release in just in couple months’ time, but at the end of last year was pushed back from March 2022 to late 2022.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release Window: Second half of 2022

Little Devil Inside

Revealed during the PlayStaion 5 showcase in June of 2020, Little Devil Inside is a monster-hunting game in which the player sets out to compile an encyclopedia of the world’s various monsters and supernatural beings. Light survival mechanics will be included, requiring diligent preparation before taking on a mission, as well as roguelike elements in that when a character dies, he cannot be used again. The aesthetic, music, and animations from the reveal trailer are all unique and wonderful and I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on this game.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release Window: winter 2022 for PS, 2023 for Xbox, PC, and Nintendo

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl

The first S.T.AL.K.E.R. game in 13 years will also be the first to release on consoles as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl comes to Xbox Series X/S and PC in December after being pushed from its original April release date. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will retain the alternate history Chernobyl Exclusion Zone setting, monstrous mutant enemies, and FPS gameplay the series is known for.

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC

Release Date: December 8

Sonic Frontiers

If you don’t think a sequel to 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog film will be enough Sonic content for you in 2022, then Sega’s Sonic Frontiers is here to save your day. Formally announced at last month’s The Game Awards 2021, Frontiers will be a 3D platformer set in an open world, a first for the series. It was originally supposed to launch last year to coincide with Sonic’ 30th anniversary but was delayed to improve its quality. A publisher not rushing a game’s release to capitalize on sales during the franchise’s anniversary? Who knew such a thing could happen!

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release Window: Holiday 2022

A Plague Tale: Requiem

A Plague Tale: Requiem will continue the story of Amica and her brother Hugo as they traverse France, evading soldiers during The Hundred Years’ War and the plague. The stealth and puzzle solving return in the sequel, and, judging by the trailer, some more combat-focused gameplay elements will be included as well.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release Window: 2022

Dragon Ball: The Breakers

Instead of another 2D fighting game or action RPG, Dragon Ball: The Breakers looks to bring something different to DB fans. It’s described as an asymmetrical action game that pits seven survivors against one of the series’ main villains. The survivors will try to escape via the time machine while Cell, Frieza, and Buu look to absorb and/or destroy them.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release Window: 2022

God of War Ragnarök

The sequel to one of last generation’s best games is finally set to arrive this year. God of War Ragnarök will follow Kratos, Boy, and Head as they search for a way to prevent Ragnarök after the events of the last game. Originally slated for 2021, Ragnarök was delayed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and also Kratos actor Christopher Judge’s surgery and subsequent recovery in 2019. It has been described as the conclusion to the Norse saga of the GOW series, so enjoy beating up on Thor before Kratos takes on the next pantheon of gods.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Release Window: 2022

Gotham Knights

Gotham Knights looks to adapt the famous “Court of Owls” storyline from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s lauded run on Batman. However, instead of Bruce Wayne being the central figure, members of the Bat Family will share the spotlight after Batman’s death (Is he really dead? I doubt it, but you never know!). Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin (Tim Drake) are the four playable characters and the game can be played solo or with a friend taking over one of the heroes, who each have unique combat and traversal styles.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Release Window: 2022

Hogwarts Legacy

While EA may not have had faith in the staying power of Harry Potter many years ago, Warner Bros. is going all in on the now proven multimedia franchise with the open world RPG Hogwarts Legacy. Gameplay will seemingly involve mastering spells, taming fantastic beasts, brewing potions, playing quidditch, and exploring Hogwarts. “The choices you make now will define the legacy of Hogwarts.” Hogwarts Legacy will be every Potterhead’s dream come true.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Release Window: 2022

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild untitled sequel

Details have been scare for the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild since its reveal at E3 2019 — even the game’s subtitle has yet to be announced, with Nintendo spokesperson Bill Trinen saying, “Those subtitles… they start to give little bits of hints about maybe what’s going to happen.” BOTW2 will utilize the first game’s world and add new story, gameplay, and traversal elements, notably the ability for Link to soar high above the skies of Hyrule. A vague release window of 2022 combined with the fact that the first Breath of the Wild experienced a few delays makes me wonder if the sequel will truly arrive in 2022. Nonetheless, it’ll be eagerly anticipated while fans wait for more information.

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Window: 2022

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will adapt all nine episodic Star Wars films in LEGO gaming form. Each film will have five levels to complete and over 300 characters will be included to play as. The LEGO games may not be everyone’s cup of green milk, but there’s no denying their success and The Skywalker Saga looks to continue that success.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release Window: 2022

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum: The Untold Story

Instead of an entry in Monolith’s Middle-Earth series or a remaster of fan-favorite The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the next LOTR game will be a stealth platformer starring Gollum. The precious-seeker will “creep, sneak, and trick his way” through the many locations featured in the game, like the Mines of Moria and Mirkwood, as he searches for the One Ring.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release Window: 2022

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Mario+ Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a sequel to 2017’s surprise hit Kingdom Battle. Developed by Ubisoft Milan, it is a crossover between Nintendo’s Mario series and Ubisoft’s Raving Rabbids. The turn-based strategy game takes the gameplay of the first and opens it up a bit, ditching the gird system and offering players more movement in combat.

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Window: 2022

MultiVersus

MultiVersus is free-to-play platform fighter in the vein of Smash Bros. utilizing various Warner Bros. properties. It can be played with friends via crossplay or enjoyed solo by bringing together characters from DC Comics, Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, and… Game of Thrones? Sure, why not — I can’t think of a more kid friendly show! I’m not quite sure what else to expect from the game, but it is good to know that memes really do come true.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Release Window: 2022

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

DC’s Suicide Squad is excelling in the spotlight across mediums recently. Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondno’s Suicide Squad: Bad Blood was a fantastic miniseries, James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad succeeded in all the ways the 2016 film didn’t, and 2022 will see the release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League from Rocksteady. While the game doubles down on the “evil Superman” trope by turning the entire Justice League evil, it still no doubt looks fun as hell. Superhero games have been excelling lately and it’s about time now for supervillain games to excel just the same.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Release Window: 2022

Thymesia

If you’re familiar with my writing for AIPT, then you know I’m a fan of the “soulslike” genre. It’s no surprise then that a title I’m looking forward to is Thymesia, an action RPG blending the aesthetic of Bloodborne with the gameplay of Sekiro. You play as the half-human, half-raven plague-doctor-masking-wearing Corvus on a quest to cure the plague.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Release Window: 2022

Trek to Yomi

Last but certainly not least is Flying Wild Hog’s side-scrolling cinematic samurai adventure Trek to Yomi. Revealed at last year’s E3, Yomi solves the “are video games art?” debate with just one glance. The gameplay will be methodical and brutal, requiring gamers to be patient like a samurai. I, for one, am certainly down for more samurai games, especially ones with supernatural elements like Yomi‘s.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Release Window: 2022