The Fall season for video games is always stacked, with a little bit for every game to enjoy. Our team takes a look ahead to what they’re most excited to play!
Just as we did with the movie side of things, today, we’re taking a look at the upcoming video games releasing in the last part of 2022. From shooters, to strategy, and everything in between, there’s a whole lot to look forward to. Even so, we forced our gaming team to limit themselves to just FIVE games they’re most excited to play through the rest of the year:
Jordan
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope – The combination of the Mushroom Kingdom with Ubisoft’s Rabbids seems absolutely ridiculous on the surface. In fact, when the first Mario + Rabbids game was revealed, I had virtually no interest. Thankfully, it turned out to be a phenomenal strategy title that brought excellent gameplay and story together in a style that worked wonders. As such, my hype for the sequel, Sparks of Hope, is pretty high. It looks even better than the previous game, and with the addition of new characters/powers, I’ve already been thinking on the different strategies I can use.
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet – Pokémon remains one of my all time favorite franchises, and the changes made to the series in Legend Arceus completely blew me away. It was everything I’d been wanting to see out of the franchise for a while and Scarlet/Violet look to be taking that to another level. Between keeping the open world aspect, bringing back classic ideas (Gyms, etc), and offering new ways to explore I can’t wait to start filling up my PokéDex.
High on Life – I’m not normally big on shooters (mostly because I’m terrible at them), but High on Life caught my attention immediately upon its announcement. Coming from the minds behind Rick and Morty, it just looks hilarious. The recent gameplay footage we saw out of Gamescom also cemented the idea that this won’t be your traditional shooting game and I can’t wait to explore this new world.
Skull & Bones – It’s funny, Skull & Bones has been on a variety of “most anticipated” game lists from me, pretty much since it was announced all the way back in 2017. Even though it looks quite a bit different from how it was during its initial reveal, there’s a lot of potential in being able to rule the seas as a pirate. At this point, I’m mostly eager to see if the game can live up to the hype after all these years of waiting.
Harvestella – Farming/RPG/life-sim games are my jam. I love them, and find myself dedicating more time to them than just about any other genre. My favorite franchise in this genre are the Rune Factory games. Considering Harvestella is essentially set up to be Square Enix’s answer to those games…My hands are itching to play. I mean, the people behind the JRPG goodness of the Final Fantasy franchise combined with the gameplay elements of Rune Factory?! Sign me up!
Becky
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet – Naturally I had to include this year’s Pokemon games on the list of games I’m looking forward to the most. Pokemon has been one of my favorite games for years (even before I got the chance to play) and Scarlet and Violet look like they could be the best editions yet. The new region looks incredible and of course I LOVE that the legendaries become motorbikes!
God of War Ragnarok – Ever since the 2018 God of War blew me away I’ve been itching to see what comes next and the wait for Ragnarok is almost over. If Ragnarok delivers even half of what it promises while continuing the story of Kratos and Atreus, then this could easily be one of the best games of the decade (I hope!). It’s so much fun to see Kratos interacting with so many figures from Norse mythology, it’ll be interesting to see how the story continues to play out.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me – Funny story. After I played The Quarry earlier this year I discovered that Supermassive Games has done a whole series of games just like it, where it’s all choice based to get you through the story. Their newest game from the Dark Pictures Anthology, The Devil in Me, is coming out in a few months and it looks amazing in a grotesque and messed up kind of way (and I mean that as a compliment). Asking me to survive a house of horrors based on one of history’s most infamous serial killers? Count me in!
The Callisto Protocol – I’ve been slowly getting into horror games this year and as a result I found myself intrigued by and finally looking forward to The Callisto Protocol. This game comes from the same minds that gave us Dead Space, which should tell you everything you need to know about The Callisto Protocol. This looks like a horror game ramped up to 11, and I’m equal parts excited and terrified to check it out.
AEW: Fight Forever – While it’s unlikely that AEW: Fight Forever is going to be able to launch before 2023, I have to end by mentioning this game as I’ve been following its development almost since it was announced and the growth the game has made since that time is astonishing. I kind of like that the game isn’t going for 100% realism in the character models (or at least that’s how it looks in the latest sneak peek we got), because that helps to set it apart from WWE’s 2K series of games. I really think this game will be worth checking out because Kenny Omega, one of the wrestlers working on the project, is a hardcore gamer himself and wouldn’t let the game anywhere near players if he didn’t feel it was good.
Matt
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope – I remember being in attendance of the Ubisoft E3 Presentation when Shigeru Miyamoto jumped on stage to announce the first Mario + Rabbids game. At the time, it seemed like a strange choice, but upon playing the game it was easy to see why this collaboration was made. Now, the turn-based strategy game is back with a new adventure that appears to take more inspiration from Super Mario Galaxy. I absolutely can’t wait to see what insanity is in store and enjoy more of the addicting gameplay.
One Piece Odyssey – As everyone knows, I’m the resident One Piece superfan. So, of course One Piece Odyssey had to make my list. Scheduled for sometime in 2022, the game features an original story by Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, that takes the Straw Hat Pirates to a brand new island. In addition to being a One Piece game, which is already a major plus in my book, the game also has turn-based combat (my favorite combat style). I am so so so ready for this game!
God of War: Ragnarok – When 2022 began, many penciled God of War: Ragnarok to be Game of the Year. With good reason too, as the first game won a ridiculous amount of accolades including that most prestigious one. Of course, Elden Ring slowed that hype early on, but we can’t count out God of War: Ragnarok just yet. Trailers have shown that this game looks to be just as special, if not more special, than its predecessor. If Ragnarok can move me story and gameplay-wise in the same way the first Norse God of War game did, then it’ll definitely have me changing my vote.
Sonic Frontiers – An expansive Sonic the Hedgehog game?? Why wouldn’t I be excited? Sonic finds himself in a massive, mysterious land that seems to mesh the open-world style with the classic gameplay of Sonic. Writing that sentence, alone, got me so pumped. It’s been a long time since Sonic had a great game, Sonic Frontiers has the makings to be the first one in a while.
Pokemon Scarlet/Violet – I wanted to be original and choose an obscure game, but come on. It’s a new Pokemon adventure with brand-new Pokemon to learn about and catch. You better believe it’s making this list! I’m still not sure if I want Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, but all look like solid options. Shoot, I’ll probably wind up playing this game multiple times just to experience all 3! I can’t wait!
Dustin
GOAT Simulator 3 – This game has got my hype ever since their spoof of Dead Island 2 was revealed. The original game, and expansions, were just outright fun to play. There was really nothing to it, just go out and have fun doing rather simplistic tasks almost every game makes you do. I can’t wait to jump in front of cars again.
Hello Neighbor 2 – This series went from a rather simplistic hide and seek game, to an all out puzzle adventure that is super fun to play. The first game was thrilling, and the spin off titles were pretty good too. I’m excited to continue the core story and see where things go, along with some intricate new puzzles to explore.
Gotham Knights – Batman Arkham games are some of my most favorite games to this day, so it’s exciting to get something new from a related franchise. I also just love the Batman universe, so it’s fun to explore a new area of that as well. This is one of a few games at recent game events that has held my attention really well.
Plague Tale: Requiem – I love horror games and this has some aspects of horror built in, but overall looks like a thrilling continuation of the first Plague Tale. The first game did a good job of presenting a historical moment in a new way, with amazing sound design, beautiful visuals, and a compelling story…. and the trailers for the new game look to be just as good. That rat scene during the last presentation, yeah I’m excited.
Callisto Protocol – I think this game and God of War: Ragnorak are simply a given, but like I said I enjoy horror games and so this one won out. Not only do I like horror games, but i LOVED Dead Space, and this game looks like everything we wanted that franchise to become. A lot of modern horror games like to tone down the gore a bit for whatever reason, but this game looks like it turned and sprinting in the complete opposite direction. I don’t think i’ve been so hyped for a game this generation.
Katy
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet – I’ve been a life-long fan of Pokémon and fell in love with Pokémon Arceus Legends, despite some legitimate (but minor, IMO) criticisms. I’m stoked to see the next entry into the mainline series utilize a lot of the mechanics and overall open world structure of Legends. The memes have been great, too. Still which I will play, so I may end up with both by defeault.
Harvestella – The moment we learned that we were getting a life-sim from Square Enix, I instantly went an wishlisted the game. Exploration, farming, friendships, and.. Threats? I’m hoping this takes what I love about Rune Factory and brings something fantastic to the genre.
Gotham Knights – Rocksteady may not be involved in Gotham Knights, but I’m hoping that WB Games Montréal knocks it out of the park with my favorite Bat family. The first looks and gameplay shown so far seem promising, and we learned that there is a 300-year history that describes how Gotham City grew to its fictional prominence.
Bayonetta 3 – Our favorite Umbra Witch is finally back! It’s been 8 years since Bayonetta 2 came out on the Wii U and was later ported to the Switch.
This is really only scratching the surface of the slew of great looking games launching in the final months of this year. In short, gamers have another great “season” of games to look forward to. If you could only pick five of them, however, which would you choose?
