After several tumultuous, coronavirus-infused years, game developers have finally been forced to reckon with an overall slow down of production and communication on major video game projects. As a result of knock-on delays to development, and a range of other factors, several games originally set for 2022 have now been pushed out by a long shot, with the slate of blockbuster video games looking bare as a result.
It’s not just Starfield and Redfall – we’ve also seen titles like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Skull and Bones and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom all move to a later 2023 slot. It’s left this year looking rather bare – but despite this, there are still several excellent looking video games set to launch shortly.
Here’s every major AAA video game you can still tentatively look forward to in 2022.
- A Plague Tale: Requiem
- Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
- Gotham Knights
- New Tales from the Borderlands
- Bayonetta 3
- Sonic Frontiers
- God of War Ragnarök
- Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet
- The Callisto Protocol
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Note: Each month we will continue to highlight the most exciting games arriving on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, Mac and
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Release Date: 18 October 2022
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC,
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a gloomy fantasy adventure that follows Amicia and Hugo, two siblings dealing with a powerful curse, and a corrupt kingdom. In this sweeping journey, they’ll deal with rogue villains and rat plagues, while making allies along the way and working to find a cure for Hugo’s terrible affliction.
Requiem looks gnarly, brutal, and absolutely gorgeous. While the topic of plagues may be raw in the minds of many, this game looks set to take the series to new heights, and explore even darker, more emotional paths.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Release Date: 20 October 2022
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, the wild sequel to the best video games crossover of 2017, will launch in October 2022. This game was announced to wild applause in mid-2021, and while it came as a huge surprise, it was certainly a welcome one.
Read: How Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope forges its own destiny
Alone, the Rabbids are the most annoying mascots in the entire world of video games. With Mario and his pals by their side, they become an absolute delight. Combine their funny little antics with some of the best tactical strategy gameplay since XCOM, and you’ve got a winning formula in Mario + Rabbids. The sequel looks just as bonkers as the original, thankfully.
Gotham Knights
Release Date: 21 October 2022
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Following hot on the heels of Mario + Rabbids is Gotham Knights, a solo and co-op adventure game where you can work with friends to tackle crime on the mean streets of a Batman-less Gotham City. As heroes Nightwing, Red Hood, Robin and Batgirl, players will be tasked with taking down the criminal element in the long-suffering city as unrest grows in the wake of Batman’s absence.
Early trailers have shown off the game’s fluid combat and intriguing character interpretations that should interest fans of the Batman franchise, or anyone who loves a good co-op story. Playing the game by yourself is perfectly valid, but you can also hop into a hearty multiplayer mode to romp through Gotham and dispatch a rogues’ gallery of villains.
New Tales from the Borderlands
Release Date: 21 October 2022
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC,
New Tales from the Borderlands was officially revealed amidst Gamescom 2022 in a brand new trailer spotlighting the chaos and carnage of Promethea, as well as the game’s new trio of hapless heroes: Anu, Fran and Octavio. They’ll guide the action of the game, and forge a new path in the Borderlands.
While described as a brand new, standalone adventure, this chapter-based narrative from Gearbox and 2K Games will have deep ties to the world of Borderlands, and even feature some returning characters, like Atlas CEO and former Tales from the Borderlands star, Rhys.
Bayonetta 3
Release Date: 28 October 2022
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
As strange is it seems, Bayonetta 3 is finally launching in 2022. While the game did get a gameplay trailer in late 2021, many previously regarded it as being in development hell, given the PlatinumGames development team have sat on the project since 2017.
That’s a long time for anyone to wait – but now, we know when the game will launch. With a flashy, over-the-top trailer announcing the return of the titular witch and her pals, fans now have ample reason to get excited.
Sonic Frontiers
Release Date: 8 November 2022
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC,
Sonic Frontiers is an open world adventure that features elements of classic Sonic video games, as well as brand new arenas to explore. Players will be able to use Sonic’s speedy abilities for combat, and to help rescue the game’s Koco creatures.
It’s mind-boggling to think everyone’s favourite speedy blue hedgehog hasn’t broken out of his classic action-adventure style of game yet, but Frontiers will be a pioneer in that regard. The easy comparison to make here is to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, given the focus on wide grassy plains and adventuring in the game’s many trailers, but we’ll have to wait until November to see what this game is really like.
God of War Ragnarök
Release Date: 9 November 2022
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
God of War Ragnarök, the next high fantasy adventure from Santa Monica Studio has been locked in for a November 2022 release date. While we still don’t know much about the plot of the game, early trailers have shown off a wonderfully epic world filled with gods and monsters.
This title has huge shoes to fill when it launches, and high expectations that will require finesse to meet. But given the prowess of Santa Monica Studio, we’re not too worried about this highly-anticipated sequel. Expect greatness, and God of War Ragnarok will likely deliver.
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet
Release Date: 18 November 2022
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
The Pokemon franchise is blasting full speed ahead, with the releases of Arceus and Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl being followed closely by the next major entries in the long-running franchise: Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. The aesthetic in these games appear to be heavily inspired by Spanish culture, and will feature a brand new, idyllic world for Pokemon trainers to roam in.
At this stage, players know what to expect of Pokemon games – plenty of creature-catching, lots of battling, and wide-eyed exploration. Violet and Scarlet don’t seem like they’ll break the formula, but that’s hardly a concern, given how well-loved Pokemon video games remain.
The Callisto Protocol
Release Date: 2 December 2022
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
If you like your ‘body horror’ video games with a slice of space goo, à la Dead Space, then The Callisto Protocol is for you. This terrifying journey will take you from a lonely, haunted space station all the way to the darkest depths of space itself – so you’d best prepare for a spooky ride.
Read: The Callisto Protocol is a fleshy body horror romp in space
The action is set on Jupiter’s dead moon, Callisto, in the year 2320, and will see players attempting to escape the maximum security Black Iron Prison, all while parsing the secrets of controversial manufacturer, United Jupiter Company.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Release Date: 13 December 2022
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC,
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, a remake of the original Crisis Core, is set to launch in December 2022. This version of the game will tie directly into Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth, and will be essential for understanding more about Zack Fair, a character who’ll likely have an expanded role in the next major Final Fantasy 7 chapter.
While previously a PSP exclusive, this story will arrive on multiple consoles by late 2022. When the game arrives, expect a gorgeous and ‘faithful‘ retelling of the classic Crisis Core for modern audiences.
These are just some of the biggest video games launching in 2022 – but there’s plenty more on the way. To stay up to date with all the latest monthly releases, follow GamesHub on Twitter and Facebook.
