The DualShockers' staff dig into this year’s hot releases to find the one that excites them the most.
For better or worse, we finally bid farewell to 2021 and even though we have been spoiled on a host of gripping releases, many have been pushed back due to the ongoing pandemic. Although frustrating at the time, we have so much more now to look forward in what will be one of the biggest years in gaming history.
With so much to be excited about, the DualShockers staff have been hard at work coming up with their most anticipated title of 2022. So, with that being said, let’s take a look at each staff members favourite and see where they stack up against your own personal choice?
Sam’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
It would have been easy for me to pick the sequel toBreath of the Wildas my most anticipated 2022 game as the original isprobablymy favourite game ever. That being said, I thought I’d give the honour to something slightly different,Mario Plus Rabbids Sparks of Hope.
Back when it was released in 2017,Kingdom Battleshocked the world. A game that, on paper at least, shouldn’t have really worked came out and impressed the masses. It was a very approachable, surprisingly funny, turn-based strategy game that had theMariolicense and a bunch of charm andSparks of Hopelooks like it’s going to continue that formula, only on a grander scale. I genuinely can’t wait to see what the team at Ubisoft have in store.
Rachael’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
Ok, so this was my pick for last year and sinceHorizon Forbidden Westgot delayed until February this year, it’s come back around again as my most anticipated.HFWhas everything in it that I love in a game - a deeply compelling narrative, fascinating locations for exploring, crafting, and fighting gargantuan beasts.
This time, being able to adventure into the depths of the oceans will be such an exciting experience and being able to discover how that world differs from the one above in terms of supplies, hidden locations and creatures. Most of all, I’m really looking forward to witnessing the huge graphical achievements the team at Guerrilla Games have undertaken to bring Aloy, the environments and machines to life. I honestly can’t wait to explore and lift the lid on every nook and cranny.
Dean’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
It was a very tight race for me to decide my most anticipated game of 2022 withGod of War: Ragnarokalmost taking the title, but I couldn’t pass up on the nextLegend of Zeldagame as my number one option. It’s hard to believe it has been nearly five years since the release ofThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which has inspired so many other developers in the years since.
WhileBreath of the Wildis not my overall favorite game in the series, although it is still one of the best games of all time without question, my hype for the follow-up title is even higher knowing what they can do based on the foundation created by the first game. Breath of the Wild introduced us to a fully open-world version of Hyrule that I personally cannot wait to dive back into. With having the overworld to build off of already,Breath of the Wild 2will hopefully bring some more traditional dungeons into the mix along with some of the already teased new mechanics.
For these reasons and more,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2is my most anticipated game of 2022, which hopefully will actually manage to release before the year is over.
Kyle’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
When the originalDying Light wasfirst released back in 2015, it quickly became one of my favourite games of all time. Free-running was incredibly smooth, looting and progression weren’t overly complicated, and the city of Harran was full of adventures to be had.
So even in a year packed with massive releases,Dying Light 2is my most anticipated game of the year because I’m confident Techland is going to take the core elements of the original game and make them even bigger. I’m excited to see howDying Light 2makes use of next-gen consoles to create a visually stunning and immersive world, along with new features and the fluid gameplay we all loved from the originalDying Light.
you may read ourpreview ofDying Light 2to get our first impressions.
Iyane’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
TheTrailsSeries, also known as theKisekiSeries, is a long-running JRPG franchise from Falcom. All episodes are linked with each other on a geopolitical level, with protagonists from various nations. The series has a massive cast, which overall makes it similar toSuikoden.Trails From Zerois the fourth game in the franchise, first released in 2010. However, it was never officially released in English until now.
This is historical on several levels. Not only the gap in the series’ plot will finally be filled in 2022, but the localization was also handled by a group of fans,who later reached an agreement with NIS America.I’m incredibly excited for the release ofTrails From Zeroin Fall 2022 on PC, PS4, and Switch. Starting a series of releases in theTrails Seriesas it’ll be closely followed by other unlocalized till now episodes:Trails to Azure, Nayuta Boundless Trails,andTrails Into Reverie.
When you look back at what the originalSTALKERachieved, it was a game way ahead of its time.STALKERhas always been a source of inspiration for survival games, and how GSC Game World will attempt to approach the sequel already makes me so hyped about playing it.
What makes me believe in the success ofSTALKER 2is the fact that the developers have put many hours into this game, and they had enough time to figure out everything without rushing the development or cutting any content. I hoped they would reach success with their NFT project as well, but things don’t always go according to plan.
Md’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
Considering my choice, one would straightaway think that I am one of those diehard fans of the Soulsborne genre. However, for me, it is actually quite different. Although I always adored From Software’s stellar worlds, the gameplay was too slow for my liking in theDark Soulsgames. That changed withSekiro, and it infused a breath of fresh air into the genre.
I was initially not so hyped aboutElden Ring. However, after trying out the beta, it seems like From Software has hit a sweet spot between the classic Soulsborne games andSekiro. While the famous genre-defining elements are still there (including the dogs which are quite a frequent part of my nightmares), the new elements that are being added toElden Ringcould make it quite a strong IP on its own.
Shiv’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
Santa Monica released the ninth instalment of theGod of Warseries back in 2018. Simply titled’God of War,‘the action-adventure video game was based on Norse Mythology. From story to visuals to combat, everything aboutGod of Warwas nothing short of spectacular. So, it’s no wonder the community was thrilled when the studio announcedGod of War Ragnarokin September 2020.
The sequel will be set three years after the events of 2018’s God of War, and we’ll finally get to see Thor facing Kratos. Along with the God of Thunder, Kratos will have to fight Freya, who is blinded by vengeance after Kratos killed her son, Baldur. Initially, Santa Monica wanted to releaseGod of War Ragnarokin 2021. However, it was delayed to 2022 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, making it one of the most-anticipated games of the year.
Jo’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
If Akira Kurosawa and new age platformers sound like your idea of a good time in 2022, thenTrek to Yomiwill definitely be your slice of paradise and bloodshed. From Leonard Menchiari, Flying Wild Hog, and Devolver Digital comes a monochrome feast for the eyes with, what looks like, fairy standard gameplay against a backdrop that’s never looked so cinematic in the realms of video games.
Paying homage to Kurosawa’s portfolio from the 1950s,Trek to Yomishould also tickle your nostalgia forGhost of TsushimaandSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, whilst establishing its own, visionary way of showcasing a poignant story about young swordsman, Hiroki. In a year filled with exciting titles to come,Trek to Yomistands as my most anticipated game of 2022 because of its face value originality, cinematic scope, and the promise of more Japanese lore to sink into.
If it carries a score on par with Tsushima’s, offers engaging, authentic combat, and provides even the basic ability to take decent screenshots, this could be a real Game of the Year contender.
Natalie’s Most Anticipated Game of 2022:
With so many exciting releases coming up, it’s hard to pick my most anticipated. That being said, when Nintendo revealedKirby and the Forgotten Landat last year’s September Direct, I knew we were going to be in for something special. Though the previousKirby: Star Alliesgame had been released to mixed reviews,Kirby and the Forgotten Landis set to introduce some truly unique features for the franchise.
Though it keeps the classic bright and poppyKirbyaesthetic, the beloved character will fight enemies in a new post-apocalyptic setting. The abandoned city complete with broken-down buildings and overgrown homes diverges wildly from the fantastical kingdoms of past games, bringing more of a coolThe Last of Us-turned-Nintendo aesthetic. Even better,Kirby and the Forgotten Landwill be the franchise’s first-ever venture into a third-person open-world game.
I’m most excited to see how this new environment will open up and transform the original 2D platforming mechanics, allowing players to explore aKirbygame like never before. Altogether, it’s a fairly experimental game that still feels essentiallyKirbyat its core - cute, adventurous, and full of pure fun.
