The 26 Most Anticipated Games of 2022

The Pokémon gameplay formula hasn't really changed all that much since its inception - you capture hundreds of Pocket Monsters, send them into battle, defeat gym trainers, etc. Pokémon Legends: Arceus looks like it'll offer a nice departure from that familiar approach and that's why there's a lot of excitement surrounding it. Being able to capture different species of Pokémon and engage them in combat without leaving the open-world itself to go to a separate battle screen looks so refreshing. And interacting with altered versions of famous creatures, crafting your own Poké Balls, and building out the Hisui region's first Pokédex sounds really exciting. This game might just produce the gameplay evolution fans have been waiting for.

The long wait to get our hands on Techland's newest project has been excruciating. But the wait will finally be over in 2022. Dying Light 2 Stay Human looks like it'll retain all the elements that made its predecessor such a memorable experience. When it comes to fresh elements, the inclusion of brand new parkour moves, new tools meant to aid traversal, and the far-reaching consequences attached to the main character's story decisions are all in place. We can't wait to navigate the game's new "City" bub world and dropkick some zombies in the daytime and haul ass away from them in the nighttime.

Every time we get another peek at Sifu, our hype reaches a higher level. Its unique incorporation of an aging system tied to the main protagonists' repeated deaths has us wanting to fight hard and stay alive for as long as possible. But we know that's going to be a tough task to pull off, seeing as how this game presents some challenging combat encounters in enclosed spaces. Sifu's seamless martial arts maneuvers give us heavy 80s and 90s martial arts movies vibes. And any game that lets us feel like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen sounds like a win to us.

The less-than-stellar efforts tied to the latest Call of Duty and Battlefield series entries leave us wanting for something better within the FPS genre. Crossfire X has all the makings of an FPS that will become everyone's latest competitive multiplayer addiction. Its gunplay moves at an appropriately swift pace and the action that occurs onscreen looks like it's ripped straight from an explosive summer blockbuster. Remedy Entertainment's handling the single-player campaign, which means it'll be quite the wild ride. Smilegate Entertainment is working on Crossfire X's multiplayer component, which already looks refined and just as good as we imagined it could be.

SNK has definitely shattered our expectations. The King of Fighters XV's constant character reveal trailer rollout has been so fun to follow along with - the roster's clever mix of debuting combatants, series standbys, and highly requested character comebacks give this new KOF one of the better rosters we've ever seen. And after spending some time with its past betas, we've come to appreciate the new battle mechanics that allow for more creative combos. Being able to pull off EX special moves without being forced to enter a separate power mode is a Godsend. Fighting game fans have a lot to look forward to with this one.

Every time a new trailer for this sequel debuts, we can't help but ask if Horizon Forbidden West's visuals will truly look that good at launch. We trust Guerrilla Games though, so we're sure this game will look just as gorgeous on our console as it does in every piece of new footage. The game's new post-apocalyptic regions of California, Utah, and Nevada look incredible and have been reported to be even larger than the first game's open-world.

And the new collection of mechanical animals coming for Aloy's head has us frightened and excited all at the very same time. That huge techno desert cobra is going to be quite the challenge to overcome! But we're ready to take that massive beast and the rest of the game's dangerous wildlife head-on. Horizon Forbidden West is going to be another fine example of Sony PlayStation's first-party greatness.

OH ELDEN RING! The memes have been hilarious and the anticipation is off the charts for From Software's new "Soulsbourne" adventure. And with the presence of fantasy novelist George R. R. Martin in place for the game's narrative, Elden Ring is shaping up to be a must-play action RPG. From everything we've experienced with the game's beta, it's clear that Elden Ring mashes up all the best elements of past From Software titles and features them within the confines of an open world.

The Lands Between is jam-packed with mysterious locations and a whole heap of intimidating foes to clash with. Having a horse at the ready to venture into every nook and cranny of Elden Ring's vast world is definitely the sort of experience that will have a ton of replay value attached to it. We can't wait to die countless times as we search for all the Great Runes, restore the Elden Ring, and ultimately become the Elden Lord.

Do you know what licensed game ended up being way better than it had any right being? World War Z. That Left 4 Dead-like game put forth a highly enjoyable trek through global locales ravaged by bloodthirsty zombies that run faster than Usain Bolt. The best part would always occur when hundreds of those undead threats came in packs on hundreds to hunt you down. Saber Interactive proved they could do well with a well-known IP in video game form, which is why we're excited for Evil Dead: The Game.

Bruce Campbell makes his return as Ash Williams, plus DeLorenzo reprises her role Kelly Maxwell and Ray Santiago does the same as Pablo Simon Bolivar. Those characters and more come into play during some intense co-op sessions as players hack, slash, and blast rampaging Deadites in familiar locales based on the Evil Dead franchise. That part of the game looks and sounds fun enough, but we're extra exhilarated for the player versus player portion that lets you hunt down the opposing party of do-gooders. Saber Interactive may have another hit on its hands.

So there's a Borderlands game coming out that goes the full medieval fantasy route and it brings back the homie Tiny Tuna? Yes, and it looks awesome! Tiny Tina's Wonderlands brings back all the fast & furious gunplay and signature humor the Borderlands series is known for.

And to freshen up the formula a bit, this spinoff embraces a Dungeons & Dragons-like gameplay structure that puts Tiny Tina in the role of the all-powerful Dungeon Master. It's going to be wild to encounter some wild battle scenarios as Tina can change them on the tip of a dime. We're especially thrilled with the prospect of blasting anything and everything that tests us with our custom "Spellshot" warrior. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands may just be the shot in the arm the Borderlands IP needs at this point.

Visual Concepts is doing everything it can to wash out the horrible taste of WWE 2K20. And with a ton of extra time afforded to them, the developers have taken the time to showcase something that gives wrestling fans and gamers far more hope than ever before. By the looks of what we've seen from WWE 2K22 thus far, the next WWE game might just be memorable for all the right reasons this time.

The graphics look extra clean as evidenced by the improved wrestler models, an easier to comprehend control scheme has been implemented, and the much-anticipated return of MyGM mode has everyone going crazy. Plus the new 2K Showcase for Rey Mysterio will surely feature some iconic matches to play through (vs. Eddie Guerrero at Halloween Havoc '97 has to be in there!). Here's hoping WWE 2K22 lifts the franchise back to greatness once again.

Here's a fun yet extremely sobering fact - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl was initially announced in 2010! After getting an extended gameplay trailer this past summer, we were left extremely pleased with what was put on display. We're fully prepared to return to the post-apocalyptic Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, which is filled with human threats and an army of supernatural beasties that already scare the hell out of us.

Since this is purely a next-gen experience, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is set to be a true powerhouse game that showcases the high potential of the current-gen consoles. Venturing through The Zone looks to be a highly immersive experience thanks to the gorgeous visuals and varied biomes players are set to explore. We love the Metro series, so we're super excited to hop into this game since it fits that same post-apocalyptic FPS theme.

Developer studio Volition is back in the driver's seat for an entirely new take on the fan-favorite Saints Row franchise. This 2022 reboot is going to be a unique beat since it seems like it'll embrace the best elements of the first three games in the Grand Theft Auto-like experience.

The new hub world players will get to commit all sorts of crimes in is called Santo Ileso, which takes obvious cues from the American southwest. This fresh rendition of Saints Row follows a new protagonist called " The Boss," who's put in charge of building the Saints into the top gang in the city. And to do that, players will have to pull off some nefarious acts while fending off the danger posed by three other gangs - Los Panteros, the Idols, and Marshall Defense Industries. We're simply overjoyed that Saints Row is back, baby!

It's been too damn long, Lady Bayonetta! Her loyal, adoring fans have been forced to wait since 2017 to get just another slight peek at her next game. But thankfully, PlatinumGames came out of hiding to show what they've been working on for Bayonetta 3 at the last Nintendo Direct. And you know what? IT LOOKS AWESOME!

The fast-paced, frenetic combat the Bayonetta series is held in high regard for has been retained for this upcoming sequel. Bayonetta's demonic allies are back and it looks like you can directly control them for the very first time in the franchise. And of course, she can still enter "Witch Time" slow-mo time mode to get the upper hand on her adversaries. There's definitely a sense of mystery surrounding Bayonetta's appearance since her hairstyle alludes to her being a grown-up version of her childlike self from the very first game. Bayonetta 3 is going to be yet another wild ride we can't wait to hop on.

Kratos and his now teenage son Atreus have plenty of pissed-off Norse gods on their heads! And we're more than ready to rise to the occasion now that the end of days and the predicted deaths of those gods are set to take place. God of War Ragnarök is setting up the epic conclusion to Kratos' violent entrance into the world of Norse mythology, which is something we're sure will be an amazing experience.

The combat in God of War (2018) was already amazing, so we're sure all the alterations being made to it will help push it towards perfection. On a story level, Ragnarök will hopefully answer all those burning questions surrounding Atreus' true calling as Loki, the giant Norse God of War Týr, the God of Thunder Thor, and Frey. Ragnarök has us fully prepared to fight hard through the end of days with Kratos and his son by his side.

DC has two major titles slated to drop in 2022. And the first of those games is an open-world, action RPG that features four members of the Bat Family. Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood are forced to fill the empty void left by Batman due to his apparent passing and protect Gotham City as a group.

As a co-op game, Gotham Knights is shaping up to be one of those games we have to have one of our homies make time for. Each member of the team has their own abilities, which should play out well when activated in unison during intense stealth and combat scenarios. And now that we know the Court of Owls and their army of Talons are going to be featured in Gotham Knights, we're even more excited to delve into this latest trek through Gotham City.

Kirby is finally getting an open-world game that moves away from his 2D platforming origins? Yes, and it looks like a true evolution for the pink puffball that'll be on par with Super Mario 64. Kirby and the Forgotten Land transport Nintendo's ability copying mascot to a realm that once housed a past civilization.

We totally get The Last of Us comparisons when it comes to this game's location 'cause it totally looks like it could be featured in Sony's post-apocalyptic classic. It's going to be pretty wild venturing through a world that once looked like it was inhabited by humans with Kirby and his cutesy foes/allies. Kirby and the Forgotten Land will hopefully do wonders for the lovable pink guy's reputation on the Switch.

One of the biggest gaming surprises of 2017 was the XCOM-centric Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. Getting a turn-based tactical RPG that mashed together members of the Mushroom Kingdom and Rabbids cosplaying as some of them was way better than it had any right being.

Thankfully, we're getting a sequel that's offering two major changes to the way combat is handled. The battlefields will be way less linear this time around, which should allow for more creative approaches to taking down your foes. Plus the grid-based layout is being abandoned, so your party of heroes can move around a lot more freely to take advantageous positions. With the ability to hop into battles outside of the turn-based format also being included, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is shaping up to be an incredible sequel.

Now let's talk about another tactical RPG that evokes the best parts of the XCOM series. And in the case of Marvel's Midnight Suns, the actual development studio behind the XCOM reboot series (Firaxis Games) is pouring all its efforts into this comic book video game.

The more magical side of the Marvel Universe will take center stage here as players command an army of fellow heroes as The Hunter against the all-powerful Lilith (Mother of All Demons). The battle system will incorporate a card-based system where each character's actions will be tied to the abilities tied to whatever comes up in their deck. We've heard a lot of gamers' displeasure regarding that gameplay focus, but we're willing to give it a chance. Plus we really just want to beat up some baddies with Blade, Ghost Rider, and Magik within our ranks.

Were we all in on all the hoopla surrounding Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl pre-release? Sure were! But the finished product that was released ended up being a bit too lacking in the areas that truly matter for the Super Smash Bros. series.

WBIE & Player First Games have clearly taken note of that game's shortcomings and it looks like they're putting everything into making sure their Smash clone is awesome. MultiVersus looks pretty clean and it actually features vocal audio for the game's iconic roster of Warner Bros. characters. The 2v2 gameplay focus looks like it'll be a ton of fun to engage in - teaming up Batman with Bugs Bunny to do battle with Arya Stark and Steven Universe is the sort of madness we definitely want to be a part of!

If JRPGs give you tons of joy, then you already know how integral Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Persona, and Tales are to the sub-genre. But another franchise that sticks close to JRPG sensibilities is Star Ocean, which offers a space exploration thread that helps set it apart from its contemporaries.

It's been a hot minute since we've gotten a new entry in the series, but now we're set for a brand new installment in 2022. Star Ocean: The Divine Force places you in the role of Raymond, who crash lands on a mysterious planet and is forced to vie for his survival against some strange wildlife. His involvement with Laeticia, who's the crown princess of the Kingdom of Aucerius, will play a major part in how his adventure unfolds. The massive open-world, action-packed battles, and freeform traversal all look great here.

You can never go wrong with a classic beat 'em up that focuses on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! All you have to do is mention the 1989 original and Turtles in Time to get tons of retro gamers jumping for joy.

Dotemu and Tribute Games are joining forces to create a new beat 'em up that harkens back to the nostalgia put forth by the 80s animated series. And judging by everything this game has shown us thus far, Shredder's Revenge is looking like another great time for co-op fans that just want to smash the Foot Clan all over again. And getting the chance to save NYC alongside the Turtles as APRIL O' FREAKIN' NEIL LOOKS SO HYPE!

We feel like the Splatoon games don't get enough love in the current online multiplayer space. They have such a unique approach when it comes to their presentation, mode concepts, and gameplay mechanics. But since it's exclusive to the Switch, they seem to go unnoticed by the majority of gamers out there that love a good shoot 'em up.

Splatoon 3 looks like it'll bring more eyes over to it and convince the competitive multiplayer crowd to give it more of a shot. The series' signature 4v4 Turf Wars are returning with a whole new slate of weapons, stages, and maneuvers that should make them even more amusing. Plus the single-player campaign will also offer plenty of wild paintball battles to engage in across the dessert-themed Splatlands. Splatoon 3 looks like another Switch banger!

RE-RE-RE-RE-RELOAD RELOAD RELOAD! That familiar callout usually happened in an arcade during the late 90s heyday and was associated with Sega's zombie blaster, The House of the Dead. The series hasn't been delivered to fans' living rooms for a good while now, but that looks to change thanks to the publisher/developer Forever Entertainment.

A full-fledged remake is arriving and it's based on the original game! Seeing as how that's one of the best games in the light-gun shooting series, it makes a ton of sense for that to be a thing. The cleaner visuals bring the awesome B-movie horror vibes to life and the classic high-octane two-player gunplay is back in full form. It's time to bring an end to Curien's reign of terror once again.

Delicious Last Course = DLC. Get it? Studio MDHR deserves so many kudos for that clever naming scheme. The wait for this next bit of Cuphead content has been painfully long, but it's finally coming our way. The latest gameplay trailer that debuted at The Game Awards 2021 looked breathtaking from a visual standpoint, which comes as no surprise.

The newest character to join the fray (Ms. Chalice) fits right in with all the animated goodness Cuphead is known for. And the new lineup of crushingly difficult bosses already has us fearing for our lives! But just like the last game, we're going to rise to the occasion and take down every challenge presented to us on Inkwell Isle.

Arc System Works, Eighting, and Neople have all joined forces to create a fighting game adaptation of the Korean smash hit Dungeon Fighter Online. To see the addictive beat 'em up have its incredible character designs successfully translate over to an anime fighter has been astounding. And the gameplay trailers we've laid eyes on thus far have increased our excitement tenfold.

After spending some time with the beta, DNF Duel has easily become our most anticipated fighting game of 2022. The simple special move inputs give way to some super flashy combo strings, plus the character class toolsets all introduce unique playstyles that give players of all types someone to master. It's going to be so dope watching DNF Duel get played in front of a huge EVO crowd someday!

Even though we're getting a Dead Space remake in 2022, we still have our eyes dead set on the spiritual successor to that classic EA survival horror franchise. And it's easy to see why - Glen Schofield, who is leading Striking Distance Studios, is one of the developers responsible for co-creating the Dead Space series in the first place!

The studio's first major project is called The Callisto Protocol. And it's set to take place in a prison colony called Black Iron in the far-flung future of 2320. As a prisoner being held within that space prison during an alien invasion, you'll have to fight hard to get out alive as those otherworldly creatures hunt you down. We're super interested in how this game actually plays and how it narratively fits into the lore within PUBG: Battlegrounds.