When the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was announced first at E3 2019, it’d be no exaggeration to say that it set the gaming fandom blazing in a good way. The initial trailer was enough to spark innumerable discussions, speculation, and excitement surrounding what the game would entail, and it only got more extreme in the two years between E3 2019 and E3 2021.

Naturally, this has only made Nintendo fans even more excited to see what this game has in store, to the point where even The Game Awards couldn’t ignore the hype, and not for a good reason. Breath of the Wild has only been out for years, and it’s already cemented itself as a nigh-iconic piece of gaming history, selling nearly 24 million copies worldwide and counting and continuing to spark conversation, fan projects, and videos to this day. And as the sequel to such a successful title and the first direct Zelda sequel in years, it’s fair to say that the hype train won’t slow down anytime soon for this game as it heads into the new year.

God Of War Ragnarok

2018’s God of War was one of the most ambitious games of the year and Santa Monica Studio’s recently announced follow-up has only left behind a massive sea of expectations to live up to The continuing adventure of the father-son story between Kratos and his son, Atreus, brings them into a new world with a new host of characters based on Norse mythology, such as Thor and Odin. Following is the climax of the 2018 God of War game. It seems their story is heading toward the titular event of the apocalyptic event known as Ragnarok and follows the now teenaged Atreus as he journeys into the Nine Realms to seek answers about his identity as Loki and a way to prevent this catastrophe.

With the reveal trailer at PlayStation’s 2020, God of War: Ragnarok’s announcement has only kept fans of the 2018 masterpiece on the edge of their seats, especially after its recent delay into 2022. With gameplay similar to the prequel and a host of Norse gods and monsters, mythical landscapes, and loot to discover and treasure, we can only hope that the arrival of God of War: Ragnarok sometime in 2022 will be long worth the wait.

Metal Slug Tactics

The 2021 Summer Game Fest perhaps set the stage for many of the most anticipated games 0f 2022, especially for consoles like the Nintendo Switch. One such announcement was the return of the classic Metal Slug series in a brand-new, roguelike adventure in the form of Metal Slug Tactics. Nintendo officially announced the latest installment of the Metal Slug franchise during its August Nintendo Indie World event, and the series’ return to make an impact on the fans of the series, new and old.

While Metal Slug is more known for its run-and-gun shooting, this entry will transition to more turn-based tactical gameplay, approaching fights strategically and placing your troops on the tiles and positions to seize victory. It will also add roguelike elements to help keep each run fresh and new. Still, long-time fans of the series might appreciate the retention of the pixel-art style and the welcome return of characters like Marco, Tarma, Fio, and Eri. Oh, and let’s not forget the explosions. It wouldn’t be a Metal Slug game with lots of those.