2021 in video games, for the most part, served as a hype machine for the next year. Titles that were supposed to come out now were pushed over to 2022, while other publishers intentionally kept the release window a secret until the last quarter to build anticipation. Nevertheless, these combined factors have caused 2022 to be jam-packed with games, making it probably the best year since the pandemic began. So, here’s a compilation of titles that we are looking forward to most
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Set in the same storyline as the Rock steady’s Suicide Squad tasks the player to face off against the Justice League, who have succumbed to Brainier mind control. The game features four familiar characters – Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, and Dead shot, who can be controlled by different players via online co-op play. Each hero is equipped with a unique set of weapons and abilities, that completely align with their personalities, and can be used to perform team-up combos.
Solo-mode is also a viable option, letting you swap between teammates at will, while the AI controls the other characters. Although this title looks similar to the dreadful Avengers game, one needs to remember that it’s made by Rock steady – a studio that has yet to create something “bad”.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be out on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X'S, and Windows PC.
Gotham Knights
Developed by WB Games Montréal, Gotham Knights is a soft reboot that follows the events of Bruce Wayne’s apparent death due to an explosion in the city. Taking control of the remaining Bat-Family – Batgirl, Robin, Night wing, and the Red Hood, players must restore order within the chaos-ridden streets overrun by volatile criminals
To make matters worse, you have the sinister Court of Owls, an ancient crime organization watching you from the shadows as they constantly dispatch vicious Talons to disrupt your activity. The game can be played in solo or two-player co-op mode, and introduces RPG-like levelling and a slower combat system that heavily relies on XP progression. The infamous free flow combat has been removed, while still retaining the grappling hook system to gain a vantage point. Gotham Knights will be released on major consoles and Windows PC
Horizon Forbidden West
This sequel follows young huntress Alloy’s journey to the Forbidden West to find the source of a mysterious, deadly plague. Same as before, players will encounter hostile regions damaged by massive storms and occupied by dangerous machines, though on a larger scale. The improved map features treasures that lie beneath the ruins, a variety of recognizable but ruined locations, and new underwater exploration, letting you swim beneath water bodies and uncover mysteries.
Enhancements to melee combat and climbing can be seen alongside the addition of the Valor Surge system, using which players can generate an electric shockwave that stuns enemies. Horizon Forbidden West launches on February 18, 2022, exclusively on PlayStation systems.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
The untitled sequel to Breath of the Wild has been shrouded in mystery for quite some time. The E3 2019 trailer hints towards a darker theme, thanks to its eerie backwards music, and imagery of a mummified corpse releasing black magic that looks identical to the infectious blight, Malice.
Although the plot details have been kept a secret, the 2021 trailer showed Link using a new time rewind mechanic, where he stopped a rolling spike-ball midway and sent it back to damage enemies. Other additions include dynamic poses for archery and flying, and the ability to dive-bomb and free fall backward while midair. Rumors suggest that Zelda should be out in November 2022, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.
Hogwarts Legacy
After being discussed for years through leaked images and clips on Reddit, the open-world Harry Potter RPG made an appearance during a PlayStation 5 event in 2020. Developed by Port key Games, Hogwarts Legacy is set in the 1800s, long before the Chosen One was born, and tasks players with having to create their own custom wizards or witches as they hold the key to an ancient secret that threatens to rip the world apart.
As you embark on this whimsical journey through the iconic magic-laden castle, you will learn new spells, craft potions, tame fantastic beasts, pick a house, fly around on broomsticks, form alliances, and battle enigmatic wizards to name just a few. The game was initially supposed to come out in 2021 but was then postponed to the next year. Hogwarts Legacy will be released on the current and next-gen consoles and Windows PC
Judging by the trailers, Hugo’s powers/curse also seems to have improved a lot, as he is now able to control an army of plague-ridden rats to help them in tight situations or cause immense death and destruction. The game also features stunning visuals and levels that complement the bleak narrative, in addition to the never ending gore. A Plague Tale: Requiem is set to release on the Xbox Series X'S and Windows PC.
Saints Row
Set in the fictional, lawless city of San to, this reboot of the Saints Row franchise will allow players to assemble their own faction of Saints, and go head-to-head against other criminal organizations to establish their control over the city. You have complete freedom over what kind of “business” you would like to run from a choice of drugs, weapons, nightclubs, gambling, and more.
The driving mechanic has been improved as well, letting you use vehicles themselves as weapons, alongside surfboards, wing suits, and battle tanks to use in the midst of civilian streets. To go along with the game’s explosive tone, you get laser mini guns, bazookas and genre-bending superpowers derivative of earlier games. Character customization options are detailed as well, letting you pick funky costumes, emotes, and it even features a cooperative multiplayer system. Saints Row reboot is set to release in the second half of 2022, on the current and next-gen consoles and Windows PC via Epic Games Store.
God of War: Ragnarök
The climax of the 2018 God of War game bore witness to major revelations, hinting towards the arrival of
Ragnarök – a chain of apocalyptic events that are foretold to cause many deaths. In a pair with his father Kratos, the now teenaged Atreus journeys into the Nine Realms to seek answers about his identity as Loki and a way to prevent the cataclysm from happening.
The gameplay feels quite similar to the prequel, with the iconic Chaos Blades taking center stage in combat. We can expect to encounter a lot of Norse gods and monsters, mythical landscapes, and loot based on the era/mythology. The post-credits scene in the prequel also teased Thor’s appearance, though it is not clear if he wants revenge or help for stopping Rangarök. God of War is scheduled to launch sometime in 2022, exclusively on the PlayStation systems.
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