The Most Anticipated New Games of 2022: A Deep Dive into the First Half’s Must-Play Titles
As the video above highlights, 2022 was poised to be a remarkably robust year for game releases, especially during its initial six months. With a lineup that promises to shake up established genres and introduce fresh experiences, gamers worldwide had plenty to look forward to. Approximately ten major titles, alongside several noteworthy bonus games, were slated for release in the first half of the year, each offering unique appeals to diverse player bases. This era was characterized by an exciting mix of long-awaited sequels, innovative spin-offs, and ambitious new IPs, setting a high bar for the months to follow.
For enthusiasts eager to explore new worlds, conquer formidable challenges, or simply indulge in beautifully crafted narratives, the first half of 2022 delivered. From the fantastical realms of Borderlands-inspired adventures to the gritty realism of racing simulators and the harrowing depths of survival horror, the diverse offerings ensured there was something for every palate. The anticipation surrounding these new games of 2022 was palpable, as players analyzed every trailer and developer update, eager to see how these titles would evolve their respective genres. Let’s delve deeper into some of the most compelling upcoming games that defined this exciting period.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: A Fantastical Looter-Shooter Adventure
Emerging as a vibrant spin-off from the beloved Borderlands universe, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands was released on March 25th, 2022, offering a refreshing take on the familiar looter-shooter formula. This title transports players into a whimsical, medieval fantasy world crafted from the imaginative mind of Tiny Tina herself, a fan-favorite character known for her unpredictable personality. Unlike its predecessors, Wonderlands swaps the desolate post-apocalyptic landscapes for mystical forests and ancient ruins, infusing the combat with a blend of firearms and powerful spells.
The game’s distinctive aesthetic and narrative premise were a bold departure, drawing inspiration from a previous Borderlands DLC where Tina orchestrated a tabletop role-playing game. This foundation allowed for the introduction of unique weapon types, fantastical enemy designs, and a gameplay loop that felt distinctly more RPG-focused. Imagine if a classic fantasy adventure was injected with the chaotic energy and irreverent humor of Borderlands, and you begin to grasp the appeal. While the signature humor of the series might not resonate with every player, the developers were widely praised for their willingness to innovate within the established framework, delivering an experience that was both fresh and deeply familiar to long-time fans.
Gran Turismo 7: The Apex of Racing Simulation
On March 4th, 2022, racing aficionados were treated to the highly anticipated Gran Turismo 7, a masterpiece from Polyphony Digital that continued its legacy of delivering unparalleled automotive simulation. Known for its meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to realism, the Gran Turismo series has always stood apart in the racing genre. This installment was no exception, pushing the boundaries of graphical fidelity and offering an even deeper level of customization and fine-tuning for its impressive roster of vehicles.
Gran Turismo 7 was not merely a graphical showcase; it represented a celebration of car culture, designed for the hardcore enthusiast who appreciates the nuances of vehicle physics and track mastery. Unlike arcade racers, which prioritize over-the-top action and accessibility, Gran Turismo demands precision, patience, and a deep understanding of automotive mechanics. Imagine spending hours meticulously adjusting suspension settings or optimizing tire pressure, all to shave precious milliseconds off a lap time. For those who consider racing a serious endeavor, the game provided an immersive and rewarding experience, solidifying its position as a cornerstone title for the PlayStation platform.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus: A New Era for Monster Catching
January 28th, 2022, marked a pivotal moment for the Pokémon franchise with the release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This title was a significant departure from the traditional formula, venturing into a sprawling 3D open world where players could actively explore, battle, and capture Pokémon in a more dynamic fashion. Set in the ancient Hisui region, a precursor to the familiar Sinnoh region, the game offered a captivating prequel narrative that delved into the origins of Pokémon trainers and their relationship with these creatures.
Despite some initial critiques regarding its graphical presentation, many acknowledged the technical ambition of delivering a full-fledged 3D open-world Pokémon experience on the Nintendo Switch. The game introduced innovative exploration mechanics, allowing players to traverse diverse landscapes and encounter Pokémon in their natural habitats. Imagine a historical period where the relationship between humans and Pokémon was still being defined, and you are part of that groundbreaking exploration. With new Pokémon forms, revised battle mechanics, and a greater emphasis on observation and stealth, Arceus truly aimed to shake up the established conventions, appealing strongly to die-hard fans looking for a fresh perspective on the beloved franchise.
Sons of the Forest: Return to the Horror Woods
Fans of the chilling survival horror experience were eagerly awaiting Sons of the Forest, the sequel to the highly popular The Forest, which was released on May 20th, 2022. The original game carved out a niche with its unique blend of crafting, base-building, and terrifying encounters with mutated inhabitants. The sequel promised to build upon this foundation, offering a new spin on the survival genre that kept many details shrouded in mystery, creating significant anticipation.
The developers adopted a “less is more” approach with pre-release information, hinting at a renewed struggle for survival after being stranded in a perilous wilderness. Players were once again tasked with gathering resources, constructing shelters, and defending themselves against grotesque forest creatures. Imagine being alone in a dense, primeval forest, every rustle of leaves sending shivers down your spine as you craft makeshift weapons to ward off unseen threats. This strategic secrecy fueled speculation and excitement, with many hoping that the developers had leveraged the success of the first game to deliver an even more ambitious and horrifying experience, pushing the boundaries of environmental storytelling and player agency within the survival genre.
Sifu: Mastering the Art of Kung Fu
A personal highlight for many combat game enthusiasts was Sifu, which launched on February 8th, 2022. Developed by Sloclap, the creators of the intense martial arts game Absolver, Sifu brought a distinct hand-to-hand combat system to a new narrative framework. The game’s premise was captivating: players control a young Kung Fu student on a quest for revenge, with a unique aging mechanic where every death causes the protagonist to grow older, but also wiser and more skilled, at a cost to their vitality.
The combat in Sifu was often praised for its fluid animations, satisfying impact, and deep mechanical complexity. Players could grapple, counter, and utilize environmental objects, turning every encounter into a dynamic martial arts spectacle. Imagine a fight scene choreographed with cinematic flair, where every punch and kick connects with visceral force, and you can strategically use a chair or a wall to your advantage. This emphasis on impactful, challenging combat, refined from the developers’ previous work, promised an immensely rewarding experience for players willing to master its intricacies. It stood out as one of the most mechanically polished fighting games of the year.
Forspoken: Magic in a Mysterious World
Square Enix brought its action-adventure RPG, Forspoken, to PC and PS5 on May 24th, 2022. The game immediately captivated audiences with its stunning visuals and a unique premise involving a regular young woman, Frey Holland, who is suddenly transported from New York City to the fantastical world of Athia. There, she discovers she possesses magical abilities and embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of this new realm and her own destiny. The game was also a timed PlayStation exclusive for two years, highlighting its significance for the console.
Initial gameplay reveals showcased a dynamic combat system where Frey could unleash a variety of elemental spells and traverse the environment with parkour-like magical movements. Imagine effortlessly gliding across vast landscapes or raining down fire upon enemies with a flick of the wrist, feeling truly empowered by arcane energies. While early impressions highlighted its impressive graphical fidelity and captivating art direction, many players were eager to see if the core gameplay, exploration, and narrative could live up to the visual spectacle. The promise of a deep, engaging story coupled with high-budget AAA production values made Forspoken a notable entry among the new games of 2022, signaling Square Enix’s continued ambition in the RPG space.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl: A Return to the Zone
The highly anticipated sequel, S.T.A.L.K.E.L. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, was slated for release on April 28th, 2022. This title promised to revive a legendary PC series known for its groundbreaking open-world survival horror and resource management mechanics, set within the eerie, radiation-scarred landscapes of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games pioneered a unique blend of FPS, RPG, and horror elements, offering a tense and atmospheric experience unlike any other.
With a significantly larger budget and the power of Unreal Engine 5, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 aimed to elevate the series to new visual and immersive heights. Glimpses of gameplay revealed intense combat against both human factions and mutated anomalies, alongside detailed weapon customization and item usage. Imagine navigating a desolate, post-nuclear landscape where every shadow could hide a deadly threat, and every decision about resources impacts your survival. The developers intended to recreate the original’s unique mood and atmosphere, enhancing it with cutting-edge graphics and a more expansive, reactive world. This was positioned as a must-play for fans of challenging, narrative-driven survival experiences and a gateway for new players to discover the haunting beauty of the Zone.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human: The Evolution of Zombie Parkour
After numerous delays, Dying Light 2: Stay Human finally launched on February 4th, 2022, reigniting the excitement for its unique blend of parkour and zombie survival. The original Dying Light was celebrated for its engaging open-world design and dynamic traversal, making battling hordes of infected a thrilling experience. The sequel sought to expand on this core framework, introducing more robust RPG elements and a branching narrative that allowed player choices to profoundly impact the game world.
In Dying Light 2, players were tasked with navigating a fractured world where humanity clung to survival in scattered micro-civilizations. Decisions regarding which factions to aid or betray would alter the landscape and unlock different pathways, adding significant replayability. Imagine scaling towering skyscrapers with fluid, acrobatic movements, using the environment to outmaneuver relentless hordes, all while your choices shape the fate of entire communities. The parkour system received significant upgrades, and a renewed emphasis was placed on melee combat, with firearms becoming a rarity due to the post-apocalyptic setting. This amplified the close-quarters intensity, ensuring every encounter felt desperate and impactful, further solidifying its place as a standout among the upcoming games 2022 had to offer.
Horizon Forbidden West: Aloy’s Grand New Adventure
February 18th, 2022, brought the highly anticipated sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, continuing the epic journey of Aloy in a breathtaking post-apocalyptic world dominated by awe-inspiring machine creatures. Building upon the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West aimed to deliver an even bigger, bolder, and more visually stunning experience. The combat was enhanced with more complex enemy types, greater environmental destruction, and a heightened sense of speed and dynamism, making every encounter feel cinematic and challenging.
Aloy’s new adventure took her to unexplored regions filled with new cultures, more intricate towns, and a deeper emphasis on questing and RPG mechanics. Imagine diving into vast underwater ecosystems, soaring over majestic mountains, and interacting with a cast of more compelling NPCs whose stories weave seamlessly into the larger narrative. The developers aimed to address feedback from the first game, refining every aspect from character interactions to world-building, truly taking the franchise to the next level. Forbidden West was positioned as a flagship title, showcasing the graphical prowess of new-generation consoles and delivering an expansive, narrative-rich open-world experience that captivated players from start to finish.
Elden Ring: The Open-World Soulslike Phenomenon
Without a doubt, one of the most talked-about and highly anticipated releases of the first half of 2022 was Elden Ring, which arrived on February 25th, 2022, for all major consoles. FromSoftware, the revered studio behind Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro, once again delivered an unforgettable experience, this time transplanting their signature “Soulsborne” formula into a sprawling open world. This was not merely Dark Souls in a larger map; it represented a thoughtful evolution of their design philosophy.
Elden Ring introduced unprecedented player freedom, allowing for exploration of the Lands Between at one’s own pace, tackling formidable bosses and discovering hidden dungeons in any order. The inclusion of a jump button, a seemingly small addition, fundamentally altered traversal and combat possibilities, opening up new strategies and environmental interactions. Imagine a world of unparalleled beauty and danger, where every corner holds a secret, and every victory feels earned through skill and perseverance. With lore crafted in collaboration with George R.R. Martin, diverse summon mechanics, and meticulously designed encounters, Elden Ring was an instant classic, lauded for its challenging gameplay, expansive world, and profound sense of discovery, undoubtedly one of the most impactful new games of 2022.
Bonus Games and What Lies Ahead
Beyond these top-tier titles, the first half of 2022 was also enriched by several other notable releases. Destiny 2: The Witch Queen arrived in February, bringing a major expansion to the popular live-service shooter. CrossfireX, a first-person shooter with a strong presence in Asian territories, launched its campaign on Xbox consoles on February 10th, 2022. Fighting game enthusiasts welcomed The King of Fighters XV on February 17th, 2022, across all major platforms. Finally, the niche sci-fi RPG received its sequel, Elex II, on March 1st, 2022, offering more of its unique blend of fantasy and futuristic elements.
The first six months of 2022 undeniably set a high standard for the gaming industry, with a diverse array of new games of 2022 that catered to nearly every conceivable taste. From the strategic depth of Elden Ring to the high-speed thrills of Gran Turismo 7 and the innovative survival mechanics of Sons of the Forest, the gaming calendar was packed with compelling experiences. As players look forward to the latter half of the year and beyond, the precedent set by these early releases continues to shape expectations for future upcoming games.
