LOOK OUT FOR THESE GAMES RELEASING THIS YEAR!
--
A number of exciting new video games that were in development in 2019, and due to be released in 2020, were delayed due to the pandemic.
This year will finally see the release of several long-awaited titles boasting bleeding-edge technology and astonishing visuals, from open-world high-flying fantasy to terror and shooter genres, with intriguing environments and challenging missions.
Here is our pick of what is coming up in the next 12 months.
Types of game/gameplay:
FPS — first-person shooter game
RPG — role-playing game
SPG — single-player game
MPG — multi-player game
Gaming consoles and cloud platforms:
Switch = Nintendo Switch
PS4/5 = PlayStation 4/5
Xbox = Microsoft Xbox
PC = laptop/desktop computer
Stadia = Google cloud gaming platform Stadia
Luna = Amazon cloud gaming platform Luna
ROLE-PLAYING GAMES — FANTASY AND ACTION-ADVENTURE
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Go back in time to explore the different Pokémon ecosystems of Hisui, the region known today as Sinnoh, in this brand new open-world adventure. As well as majestic mountains and lush meadows and forests, you will discover Jubilife Village, complete with a trading post where you can trade Pokémon with other players. Prepare to battle with the rampaging nobles as you complete quests, catch pocket monsters and compile a Pokedex of Hisui. MPG version also available.
Console: Switch
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Release date: January 2022
Sifu
In this stylish action-adventure SPG, a young Kung Fu student seeks revenge for his murdered family: the setting is a modern Chinese city. Players can use 150 Pal Mei lightning-fast attack moves (“sifu” means teacher in Cantonese), inspired by Jackie Chan films. The martial arts master can be revived when he is defeated, using a magical pendant; he becomes more powerful each time, but also ages. Can the avenger complete his plan before he finally expires?
Console: PS4/5, PC
Developer/Publisher: Sloclap
Release date: February 2022
Elden Ring
A collaboration between George RR Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones series) and visionary video game director Hidetaka Miyazaki, this cryptic fantasy RPG follow-up to Dark Souls is one of the most highly anticipated open-world games, more than two years after its initial reveal.
In the Lands Between, made up of six main areas, the demigod progeny of Queen Marika the Eternal each own a shard of the ring, and are fighting among themselves. Players (“the Tarnished”) must recover all these Great Runes to restore the Elden Ring. Combat relies on characters’ skills and magical abilities, with rich customization. Those with young children or smaller siblings should be aware that this game carries an M rating (the strongest) due to its gorier details: severed fingers and tongues feature as collectible items.
Console: PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, PC
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release date: February 2022
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
Nintendo’s epic fantasy action-adventure game returns, after another wait, with Link and Princess Zelda fighting to save the land of Hyrule from the evil demon king Ganon. Together, they must prevent Ganon from using the all-powerful Triforce. Features include floating cities, jumping through clouds, and other soul-stirring celestial action; the game may draw from Skyward Sword. The magical, ethereal vibe is why this open-world game is so adored by fans, inspiring fierce loyalty.
Console: Switch
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Release date: 2022
Hogwarts Legacy
Set at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the alma mater of a certain Harry Potter, in the late 1800s, this immersive RPG action game allows players to customise their character’s body and voice (and choose a house, obviously). They learn how to cast spells, brew potions, and tame magical beasts. This open-world game also uses Unreal Engine (see S.T.A.L.K.E.R., below).
Console: PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, PC
Developer: Avalanche Software (Warner Bros.)
Publisher: Portkey Games
Release date: 2022
Gotham Knights
Based on DC Comics’ Batman character, this game takes place in a period of decline for Gotham City, after Batman’s apparent death. Players adopt the identities of the Dark Knight’s former partners — Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood — who must reunite to restore justice to Gotham and prevent it from descending into chaos. Two-player co-op mode is also available.
Developer: Warner Games Montreal
Publisher: WB Interactive Entertainment
Console: PS4/5, Xbox One, PC
Release date: 2022
Starfield
Next-gen “NASA-punk” RPG set in a space-themed open world, the first new universe from Bethesda (Skyrim) in 25 years: the Settled Systems, an area that extends outward from our Solar System for approximately 50 light-years. Players are members of Constellation, the last group of space explorers, with large-scale goals, and can choose their own characteristics and background story.
Console: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Release date: November 2022
FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER GAMES (SINGLE AND MULTI-PLAYER)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 — Heart of Chernobyl
In development for more than 10 years, with multiple setbacks along the way, this survival horror SPG is a sequel to the award-winning PC game franchise set in a post-apocalyptic world, following the 1986 Soviet-era nuclear disaster. The game runs on next-gen Unreal Engine 5 (from Epic Games, creator of Fortnite), boasting immersive, movie-quality photo-realism, at the bleeding edge of new visual gaming technology. A multiplayer version will be released later.
Console: Xbox Series X/S, PC (and possibly more subsequently)
Developer/Publisher: GSC Game World
Release date: December 2022
Rainbow Six Extraction
The latest instalment of a 20-plus-year-long franchise series based on Tom Clancy’s novel about a counter-terrorism unit, Rainbow Six, this MPG (previously called Rainbow Six Quarantine, but renamed for obvious reasons) is a team-based zombie-killer game. Squads of three “operators” (two free 14-day guest passes are included, so you can invite your friends) destroy swarms of enemy Archaeans, parasite-like mutating aliens. Less fast-paced than some shooter games, but with evolving cooperative tactical gameplay.
Console: PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, PC, Stadia, Luna, PC
Develop/Publisher: Ubisoft
Release date: January 2022
Isonzo
Realistic, historically accurate World War I strategy shooter game (the third in the Dutch WW1 series) with immersive action experience. It is set in the mountains of north-eastern Italy on the Italian front with Austria-Hungary, around the Isonzo river, where the two opposing forces struggled for control in 12 battles from 1915- 1917. The stunning Alpine landscape of rugged peaks up to 3,600m and dramatic valleys provides an impressive and challenging setting.
Console: PS4/5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, Xbox One
Developer: Blackmill Games
Publisher: M2H
Release date: Early 2022
Splatoon 3
Instead of spraying bullets at the enemy in armed combat, a shapeshifter slings rainbow-hued paint on urban maps in this vibrantly colourful and quirky Japanese game set in the Splatlands, a desert inhabited by Inklings and Octolings, and the evil Octarian army, as well as in Splatsville city. Single or multi-player mode.
Console: Switch
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release date: 2022
SIM RACING GAMES
Gran Turismo 7
One of PS5’s most anticipated titles for 2022, this driving simulation game features more than 90 track routes in 30+ locations, including Trial Mountain and High-Speed Ring, and a whopping 420+ cars (50 more than GT Sport). Both the launch edition and the 25th anniversary edition come with extra racing models: a Toyota (two in the latter), a Mazda and a Porsche concept car, the 917 Living Legend. Over 80 million units of GT have been sold since its launch in 1997, making it PlayStation’s highest-selling franchise.
Console: PS4/5
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: March 22
Join in the Banger Games chat on our Telegram and Discord, follow our Medium to keep up to date with the latest news, and look out for more articles coming soon on hot IoG topics.
