Even though 2022 is coming to a close, several high-profile video game releases are still coming this year to compensate for all the recent delays - like Horizon Forbidden West.
Delays have become more prominent in the industry, but the fall and winter 2022 lineup is still fairly packed, with the likes of Pokémon, and more spread across all major platforms.
God Of War: Ragnarök
Sony Santa Monica Studio's 2018 God of War easily made itself one of the greatest games of the PlayStation 4 generation. The soft reboot took a more intimate and cinematic approach to Kratos' story, delving into themes of redemption and emotional growth as he journeys across the land of Midgard with his son Atreus.
It didn't lose any cathartic action, and those narrative and gameplay elements instantly made God of War: Ragnarök one of the most highly-anticipated games of this new generation. This story is set to close out the Norse mythology-inspired portion of the story, and it looks like the developers have found ways to build upon its predecessor's already exhilarating combat. Raganrök releases on November 9th for PS4 and PS5.
Gotham Knights
It's had a rocky development cycle given Gotham Knights finally has a concrete release date. The game garnered its fair share of apprehension from fans based on the gameplay shown off so far, as well as the premise itself is revealed to only be Batman-adjacent.
While it has a lot to live up to due to the revered status of the Arkham series, Gotham Knights seems ambitious in its own right as an open-world Batman-related RPG that puts a spotlight on the Dark Knight's wider Bat-family. Playing as Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and Red Hood will hopefully make this game stand apart, and Gotham Knights will finally launch on October 25th for PS5, XSX|S, and PC.
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 had long since felt like a unicorn of the gaming industry, with the game suffering its own strenuous development cycle and near radio silence since its gameplay trailer for Bayonetta 3 has excited fans and assuaged their fears.
It's been a long time coming, with the Umbra Witch set for an emphatic comeback set against a multiversal backdrop as her allies (and alternate selves) attempt to quell a Homunculi invasion. After years spent in the uncertainty of development limbo, Bayonetta 3 will launch for the Switch on October 28th.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
This year's Scarlet and Violet.
In some ways, it's going to get more ambitious, with the first pair of 9th generation games introducing a truly seamless open world that will even let players tackle Gyms in any order they choose and take part in co-op play in the story. This is on top of the new batch of original Pokémon species and alternate forms, and it will hopefully prove fruitful by the time they launch for the Switch on November 19th.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Publisher Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII anniversary stream proved to be quite eventful in its short runtime, with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and a remaster of the fan-favorite spinoff Crisis Core on the way. Dubbed Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, the game is described as a remaster of the well-received PlayStation Portable original, but the visual enhancements impressively feel like an outright remake.
This prequel puts the spotlight on Zack Fair - Cloud's best friend and Aerith's first love - leading up to the tragic events that paved the way for the main story. It was a thrilling announcement that many fans wrote off as a pipe dream, but Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is planned to release for PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX|S, Switch, and PC in late 2022.
The Last Of Us Part I
While it's an ittedly bizarre decision to make a top-to-bottom remake of a game that's aged incredibly well, especially thanks to its well-done and accessible PS4 remaster, The Last of Us Part I is bound to be a high-profile game release by virtue of existing. It seems conveniently timed with the premiere of the live-action HBO TV series, but this remake is poised to bring native PS5 visuals and modernized gameplay mechanics based on The Last of Us Part II.
Likewise, accessibility options are expected to be expanded upon as well as the game's control scheme. It's reasonable that some peoples' reactions to the remake's announcement are mixed, but fans will finally be able to see for themselves if The Last of Us Part I was worth the effort when it releases on September 2nd for PS5 and for PC on a later date.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remaster
The original and current version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is lauded to this day as one of the best fantasy RPGs ever made. As stunning as it is, it's set for a highly-anticipated facelift for the current slate of modern gaming hardware. Following the titular monster hunter, Geralt of Rivia sets on a countryside quest across The Continent in search of her surrogate daughter Ciri, meeting and interacting with a wide cast of characters - and monsters - along the way.
The game was widely acclaimed for its rich and expansive dark fantasy world, excellent narrative, rewarding role-playing mechanics, and countless hours of substantive content. The remaster is set to modernize gameplay features and introduce Netflix-themed DLC in addition to even better visuals, and it will release for PS5, XSX|S, and PC sometime during Q4 2022 - and as a free upgrade for current owners.
Saints Row
While it started out by getting out of Saints Row series has shaped itself into a fun, bombastic crime-themed open-world sandbox on its own . Volition is just about ready to release the next main entry in the series, though, the Saints Row is set to be a reboot of the franchise.
The player takes control of a character who forms a new gang comprised of disgruntled former of the city of Santo Ileso's three main rival gangs. Longtime fans will be expecting an exciting new rendition of the series' signature brand of over-the-top action alongside expanding the budding gang's influence, and players will get to see for themselves when Saints Row launches on August 23rd for PS4, PS5, XSX|S, XBO, and PC.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Call of Duty games can ittedly feel like a dime a dozen now, but the original Modern Warfare subseries was one of the franchise's most beloved games. On top of enthralling online multiplayer, the games also featured some of the best story campaigns in the series. The 2019 reboot didn't achieve the same highs as the original, but it still managed a solid reception and established player base to warrant a sequel.
Modern Warfare II is set in the modern day, three years after fan-favorite character Captain Price forms a multinational anti-terrorist group along with the protagonist and more. The game will introduce revamped AI systems in the campaign, as well as deeper customization features on gun attachments in multiplayer modes.
Splatoon 3
On a much more family-friendly note, Nintendo will be releasing its third entry in the publisher's go-to third-person shooter Splatoon series. In addition to the colorful, vibrant third-person shooting mechanics fans have come to enjoy from this series, there will be a single-player story mode as well as a new co-op mode called Salmon Run Next Wave.
The story mode will center around the reappearance of mammals in Splatoon's world mostly characterized by its squid creatures. Just as well, several favored multiplayer modes from previous entries will be returning. Splatoon 3 launches for Nintendo Switch on September 9th.