DualShockers' Most Anticipated Games — 2022 Edition

The DualShockers' staff dig into this year'south hot releases to find the one that excites them the about.

For better or worse, we finally bid farewell to 2022 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, nosotros have then much more than at present to look forward in what will exist one of the biggest years in gaming history.

With so much to be excited about, the DualShockers staff have been hard at work coming upwardly with their most predictable title of 2022. And so, with that being said, let'south take a look at each staff members favourite and see where they stack upwards against your own personal choice?

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Elden Ring | Story Trailer

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Sam's Most Anticipated Game of 2022:

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Information technology would have been easy for me to option the sequel toBreath of the Wildas my most anticipated 2022 game every bit the original isprobably my favourite game ever. That being said, I thought I'd give the honour to something slightly different,Mario Plus Rabbids Sparks of Hope.

Dorsum when it was released in 2022,Kingdom Battleshocked the earth. 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 Promiselooks similar information technology's going to keep that formula, just on a grander scale. I genuinely tin can't wait to see what the squad at Ubisoft have in store.

Rachael's Most Anticipated Game of 2022:

Horizon Forbidden West

Ok, so this was my pick for last yr and since Horizon Forbidden West got delayed until Feb this yr, it'south come back around over again every bit my well-nigh predictable. HFW has everything in information technology that I dear 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 exist such an heady experience and being able to observe how that world differs from the ane above in terms of supplies, subconscious locations and creatures. Nigh of all, I'grand 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 tin't wait to explore and lift the lid on every nook and cranny.

Dean'southward Nigh Anticipated Game of 2022:

The Legend of Zelda Jiff of the Wild 2

Information technology was a very tight race for me to decide my most anticipated game of 2022 with God of War: Ragnarok almost taking the championship, but I couldn't pass up on the adjacent Legend of Zelda game as my number one choice. Information technology's hard to believe it has been nigh five years since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which has inspired so many other developers in the years since.

While Breath of the Wild is not my overall favorite game in the series, although it is nevertheless one of the best games of all fourth dimension without question, my hype for the follow-upwards 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, Jiff of the Wild two volition 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: Jiff of the Wild 2 is my most predictable game of 2022, which hopefully will actually manage to release earlier the year is over.

Kyle'south Virtually Anticipated Game of 2022:

Dying Light 2

When the originalDying Light was showtime released back in 2022, it speedily became one of my favourite games of all time. Complimentary-running was incredibly shine, looting and progression weren't overly complicated, and the city of Harran was total of adventures to be had.

So even in a year packed with massive releases,Dying Calorie-free iiis my near anticipated game of the twelvemonth because I'm confident Techland is going to accept the core elements of the original game and make them even bigger. I'1000 excited to run into 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 can read our preview ofDying Lite two to get our first impressions.

Iyane's Near Anticipated Game of 2022:

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Aught

The TrailsSeries, 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 information technology like to Suikoden. Trails From Zerois the quaternary game in the franchise, first released in 2022. However, it was never officially released in English language until now.

This is historical on several levels. Not only the gap in the series' plot will finally exist filled in 2022, only the localization was besides 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 the Trails Series as it'll be closely followed by other unlocalized till at present episodes:Trails to Azure, Nayuta Dizzying Trails,and Trails Into Reverie.

Mehrdad's Most Anticipated Game of 2022:

STALKER two

When you lot await dorsum at what the originalSTALKERaccomplished, 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 effort to arroyo the sequel already makes me so hyped almost playing it.

What makes me believe in the success of STALKER 2 is the fact that the developers accept put many hours into this game, and they had plenty time to effigy out everything without rushing the development or cut any content. I hoped they would accomplish success with their NFT project too, but things don't ever go co-ordinate to programme.

Md's Most Anticipated Game of 2022:

Elden Band

Considering my choice, one would straightaway think that I am one of those diehard fans of the Soulsborne genre. However, for me, information technology is actually quite dissimilar. Although I always adored From Software's stellar worlds, the gameplay was too slow for my liking in the Dark Souls games. That changed with Sekiro, and it infused a breath of fresh air into the genre.

I was initially not so hyped about Elden Ring. However, afterwards trying out the beta, it seems like From Software has striking a sweet spot between the classic Soulsborne games and Sekiro. While the famous genre-defining elements are nonetheless there (including the dogs which are quite a frequent part of my nightmares), the new elements that are existence added to Elden Ring could get in quite a strong IP on its ain.

Shiv's Most Anticipated Game of 2022:

God of War: Ragnarok

Santa Monica released the ninth instalment of theGod of War series back in 2022. Just titled 'God of War,'the action-adventure video game was based on Norse Mythology. From story to visuals to combat, everything about God of War was nothing brusque of spectacular. So, information technology'due south no wonder the customs was thrilled when the studio announcedGod of State of war Ragnarok in September 2022.

The sequel will be set three years later on the events of 2022's God of State of war, and nosotros'll finally get to run across Thor facing Kratos. Along with the God of Thunder, Kratos volition have to fight Freya, who is blinded past vengeance afterwards Kratos killed her son, Baldur. Initially, Santa Monica wanted to releaseGod of State of war Ragnarok in 2022. 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:

Trek to Yomi

If Akira Kurosawa and new age platformers sound like your idea of a practiced time in 2022, then Expedition to Yomi will definitely be your slice of paradise and bloodshed. From Leonard Menchiari, Flying Wild Pig, and Devolver Digital comes a monochrome feast for the eyes with, what looks similar, fairy standard gameplay against a backdrop that'southward never looked so cinematic in the realms of video games.

Paying homage to Kurosawa's portfolio from the 1950s, Expedition to Yomi should as well tickle your nostalgia for Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, whilst establishing its ain, visionary way of showcasing a poignant story about young swordsman, Hiroki. In a yr filled with heady titles to come, Trek to Yomi stands as my most predictable game of 2022 because of its confront value originality, cinematic scope, and the hope 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 power to take decent screenshots, this could be a existent Game of the Year contender.

Natalie'due south Most Anticipated Game of 2022:

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

With so many exciting releases coming up, information technology's hard to pick my about predictable. That being said, when Nintendo revealedKirby and the Forgotten Land at concluding year'due south September Direct, I knew we were going to be in for something special. Though the previousKirby: Star Allies game had been released to mixed reviews,Kirby and the Forgotten Country is ready to introduce some truly unique features for the franchise.

Though it keeps the archetype vivid and poppyKirby artful, the honey grapheme 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 by games, bringing more of a absurdThe Last of United states of america-turned-Nintendo aesthetic. Even ameliorate,Kirby and the Forgotten Land volition be the franchise's commencement-e'er venture into a tertiary-person open up-world game.

I'm almost excited to see how this new environment will open up up and transform the original 2nd platforming mechanics, assuasive players to explore aKirbygame like never earlier. Altogether, information technology'due south a fairly experimental game that yet feels substantiallyKirby at its cadre – cute, adventurous, and full of pure fun.

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