This article was originally written for print in April 2022. We know that Elden Ring is out and that it rules. Just enjoy the fact that we were right to say it was our most anticipated game of 2022.
While the past couple of years have been characterised by long delays as a result of the global panna cotta, the coming few months will undoubtedly leave us with a lot of catching-up to do. These are the games that we are most excited to play in 2022.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is one of the most anticipated games in gaming history; it promises to develop on the core elements loved by fans of the Dark Souls and Bloodborne series (otherwise known as Soulsborne) with the addition of an open world. Judging by past FromSoftware games, we can expect Elden Ring to present us with nightmarish environments, frustratingly difficult bosses, and a plot that is entirely incomprehensible unless you read the descriptions of every item you pick up in the game. The game’s fantasy setting was created by A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin in an incredible effort to procrastinate finishing his iconic book series. While Elden Ring promises to maintain the same action-packed combat beloved by fans of FromSoftware’s previous games, players can expect to find some notable deviations from their classic world design. Elden Ring will be open-world, as opposed to the small, often linear worlds of previous Soulsborne titles. Players can expect to find bosses roaming the open lands, with hostile knights defending open plains and terrifying dragons stalking the mountainous regions they call home. The lack of map-markers, usually expected in open world games, is expected to add to the sense of exploration in the game, marking a welcome change from the repetitive formulas of recent titles such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6. The promise of an open-world Soulsborne-style game, if executed correctly, is likely to refresh both the Soulsborne genre and the tired and beaten open-world formula, making Elden Ring one of our most anticipated titles of 2022.
God of War: Ragnarök
Sony Interactive Entertainment pulled off a miraculous turn for the God of War series with their 2016 reboot of the same name. It ripped the series’ protagonist Kratos, a vengeful God that makes John Wick look like friendly, out of his homeworld in Greek mythology and into the world of the Norse gods, The series, known previously for its ridiculously fast-paced and combo-oriented combat, was transformed into a slower-paced adventure focusing on the relationship between Kratos and his son, Atreus, and found itself becoming one of the most renowned story-driven experiences in video-game history. God of War: Ragnarök is the upcoming sequel to this 2016 hit; players are hoping that it will deliver an equally impressive story, developing on Atreus’ journey of self-discovery and his relationship with the world he finds himself a part of. The sequel’s title, Ragnarök, suggests that our protagonists will find themselves in the middle of the world-ending events so famed in Norse mythology, meaning that we can expect to see many more of the spectacular action set-pieces that the God of War series has become so renowned for. Our expectations for an incredible story accompanied by fun yet challenging combat and an engaging gameplay loop means that we are incredibly excited to play God of War: Ragnarok when it releases on Playstation consoles later in 2022.
More to Watch
Other games to watch over the coming year include Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a classic 3D Nintendo experience where, this time, our favourite pink bouncy-ball has gained the ability to turn into a full-on automobile; Nintendo somehow missed the opportunity to call this creation Carby but we’ve got to respect the ridiculous title of “Mouthful Mode”. In a completely different experience, survival horror Sons of the Forest is slated for release this May, promising an even more terrifying experience than its predecessor, meaning I’ll be playing it with the lights on and never after 8pm – seriously, google some of the creatures from that game, they’re nightmare-inducing. Gran Turismo 7 is a must-watch for any fans of the racing genre, offering ray-tracing on next-generation consoles and PC, while Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League seems set to bring high-octane action in both single-player and four-player multiplayer co-op campaigns. No matter your taste, 2022 is bound to deliver some gaming experiences that you’ll want to sink into for weeks and months on end.
