The calendar has officially turned over into the year 2022! While the start of a new year is always a good time to reflect, it’s also a great time to look ahead! And what better way to look ahead than thinking about all the games set to (hopefully) launch in the next 12 months that you’ll get to play on your favorite console.

Rainbow Six: Extraction (Jan. 20)

Work with a team to take a new threat.

The mega-popular Rainbow Six franchise will expand with the upcoming Rainbow Six: Extraction. A new take on the formula established in Rainbow Six: Siege, Extraction is a co-op multiplayer title where teams take down parasitic aliens and complete a randomly generated objective.

After multiple delays (and a name change), Rainbow Six: Extraction looks to be a fun-filled romp with friends. Ubisoft is also giving this title the budget-friendly price of $40, and it comes with a 14 day Buddy Pass so a friend can test this game with you before making a purchase!

Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Jan. 28)

Is this the Pokémon game long-time fans have been waiting for?

Taking the world by surprise when it was announced early in 2021, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is another spin-off in the 25-year-old Pokémon franchise, and this one has fans buzzing. Taking a departure from the traditional linear RPG, Legends: Arceus takes the franchise in a more open world-like direction, something long-time fans have been asking for. Pokémon

Taking place in an ancient Shinnoh (the region players roam in the recently released Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl) back when it was known as the Hisui Region. Players are tasked with creating the area’s first Pokédex, the handheld device known for recording the data of each Pokémon. This one is right around the corner, and fans are waiting with great anticipation!

Dying Light 2: Stay Human (Feb. 4)

More zombies and more parkour.

Released in 2015, the original Dying Light became a massive success and a great game to play during the spooky season with its interpretation of the popular zombie genre. After several delays, it looks like we’ll finally be playing the sequel in just a few weeks.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human ups the parkour formula of the original thanks to a new glider and new combat options that help stave off swarms of shambling zombies. Of course, don’t forget to avoid the night when zombies become overpowered. Also new is a dynamic story that changes based on your choices. Will you give precious resources to a camp in need? Or turn them over to a rival faction? These choices affect the story and will open or lockout players from areas of the massive map!

Horizon: Forbidden West (Feb. 18)

Discover a new world in the Forbidden West.

Aloy returns in the sequel to Horizon: Zero Dawn, the robot dinosaur action RPG that helped define the PS4 as the go-to console for exceptional games. Developer Guerrilla Games expertly swerved from FPS masters to crafting a beautiful and dangerous open world set in a far-flung future overrun by machines.

The sequel is all the more impressive. Set in the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic west coast, Aloy must travel to the Forbidden West to find the source of a mysterious plague. During her journey, Aloy will have access to new weapons and traversal tools to explore a larger map than the first game filled with new robot dinosaurs, dangerous enemies and secrets to explore. Plus, the game is available on both PS4 and PS5 (with a free upgrade from the previous console), giving PlayStation fans little excuse for checking out what is sure to be one of the best games of the year!

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen (Feb. 22)

More looting and shooting as you take on The Witch Queen.

Destiny 2 is the game that keeps going, and it looks like Bungie is pulling out all the stops to ensure fans enjoy what is supposedly the beginning of the end for the current Destiny storyline with the upcoming expansion, The Witch Queen. 

Fans can expect the smooth Destiny gameplay they’ve come to expect alongside a new area ​​Savathûn's Throne World. You’ll shoot, loot and grind your way through new dungeons and a new raid. And we’re just a few weeks away from this new Destiny expansion!

Elden Ring (Feb. 25)

There are big expectations for Elden Ring in the coming months.

Coming from the talented studio From Software, written and directed by the legendary Hidetaka Miyazaki based on lore from George R. R. Martin (yes, Game of Thrones) and taking the Soulsborne genre open world, Elden Ring has a lot going for it on paper. And it looks like from recent previews and network tests, Elden Ring will live up to the immense hype.

Of course, Elden Ring isn’t going to be for everyone. Souls-like games -- think Bloodborne, Darks Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice -- are known for their brutal difficulty and minimal hand-holding. Dying is a part of the process, as it teaches you to stay patient and learn enemy patterns before striking. If you can overcome these barriers, each game is incredibly rewarding and each has gone on to be loved by millions of fans worldwide. Here’s hoping Elden Ring is another title to add to the list and takes the genre in new directions.

Gran Turismo 7 (Mar. 4)

Gran Turismo 7 looks to be a showcase for your console.

Another PlayStation exclusive (launching on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5), Gran Turismo 7 is the latest in the mega-popular racing franchise that has sold millions of copies worldwide since the first launched back in 1997.

Unlike the recently released arcade racing Xbox exclusive Forza Horizon 5, Gran Turismo 7 is a driving simulator designed with the gear head in mind. Each tune affects your car in different ways that can intimidate new players. But if you stick with GT7, you’ll race across the finish line with a wonderful racing game and technical showcase for your new PS5.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Mar. 25)

This is going to be Kirby's biggest adventure yet!

As a character, Kirby doesn’t have the pull that Mario, Link or Pikachu, and Nintendo likes to use Kirby’s games as experiments rather than marquee releases. Maybe Kirby and the Forgotten Land will be a change and launch Kirby to stardom.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the first full 3D Kirby title in the franchise’s 25-year history. Discover a mysterious world while platforming around an ancient civilization’s abandoned structures -- we’ve seen a shopping mall so far. Kirby still has its signature move of inhaling enemies and copying their attacks, which keeps combat fresh in this promising-looking adventure!

A recent trailer pegged Kirby and the Forgotten Land for a March 25 release date!

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands (Mar. 25)

Borderlands but with more dragons.

With millions of guns, in-your-face humor, multiple games and a cast of eclectic characters, the Borderlands franchise is loved by fans, and developer Gearbox looks to add one more game for fans to chew on. 

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is a spin-off of the franchise that helped spawn the “looter-shooter” genre. Swapping out the dunes of Pandora for a Dungeons and Dragons-inspired fantasy world filled with dragons and magical creatures. Add in the insanity the Borderlands franchise is known for, and we might have a recipe for success!

Forspoken (May 24) (Oct. 11)

Magic meets parkour in this fantasy epic.

Forspoken came out of nowhere when it was first revealed during the original PS5 showcase event in 2020. Gorgeous graphics mixed with parkour movement set in a fantasy world offered a small tease of what to expect from publisher Square Enix's next big title. It took a few months, but the company revealed more about this title over the past year.

A master class of writers lend their talents to Forspoken, including Star Wars: Rogue One’s Gary Whitta and Uncharted creator Amy Hennig. You’ll play as Frey Holland, a young woman transported from New York to a fantasy world filled with dangerous enemies and intrigue. Forspoken is set to release later this year and is a rare third-party console exclusive on PS5 (at least for the next two years). 

Square Enix announced a delay in early March moving Forspoken from the Spring to Fall. We'll have to see if it works, but a few extra months of polish is always a good thing.

Saints Row (Aug. 23)

Cause mayhem with the Saints in the American Southwest.

The Saints are back! When developer Volition Games announced this reboot last year, it surprised the gaming world. Moving to the American Southwest-inspired Santo Ileso, some fans within the community are being vocal about some of the changes. Still, this new Saints Row looks like a return to Saints Row: The Third, arguably the best game in the franchise.

Initially scheduled for February, Saints Row got a delay until August, with the team wanting to polish it even further. It’s a win-win for many as the early months of 2022 are filled with awesome games, and it means we’ll get an even better game later this year.

Starfield (Nov. 11)

Expectations are high for Bethesda's first new IP in 25 years.

Bethesda Games Studio has made some of the most well-respected, iconic games of all time. The list includes titles such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 3. That’s why when Todd Howard and company announce a new game, let alone their first new IP in 25 years, it’s all eyes on them. And since Starfield’s 2018 teaser reveal, there’s been massive amounts of hype and anticipation.

While we know little about Starfield, it’s impossible not to get excited about it. We know it’s set in the 2300s and 20 years after two factions engage in what has been called The Colony Wars. You’ll play as a fully customizable colonist as you explore this new world the studio has created. We expect to see other usual Bethesda Games features like branching dialogue options, deep RPG customization, and a map teeming with secrets to explore. The studio might have been bold to announce the release a year ahead of time, but we’re just a few months away from seeing if Bethesda has another hit on their hands!

-- No Dates --
These are games that don't have exact release dates, at the time of this writing. The developers or publishers have announced a timeframe to expect these games. Over time this section will be updated with new information about the games and new release dates.

As with every game over the last two years, don't be surprised to see these slip to a later date.

Grand Theft Auto V (PS5, Xbox Series X) (Mar. 15)

You know what GTA V looks like...

What’s left to say about Grand Theft Auto V that hasn’t been said? The game has become one of the highest-selling titles of all time -- over 150 million units across all platforms. Rockstar and parent company Take-Two are looking to add more to that number with the next generation release. Not much is known other than some new graphical and gameplay enhancements, but fans are split after the most recent trailer and aren’t excited about the delay to March. At this point, where’s GTA 6?

Speaking of GTA 6, Rockstar confirmed via a blog post and a tweet the company is active development for the next game in the massive franchise! No other details were confirmed (including release date or location), but at least we know GTA 6 is coming. Oh, and GTA V: Expanded and Enhanced is coming on March 15.

Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5, Xbox Series X) (Q1 2022) (Feb. 15)

Return to Night City or experience it for the first time on next gen.

Cyberpunk 2077 is a tale of two experiences. You either loved it or hated it. It all came down to whether you had a powerful PC that could play it with little issues or you played it on consoles, where it ran poorly and was saddled with bugs. Developer CD Projekt Red has promised they’re sticking with the game and have launched multiple patches over the last year, and a native next-gen version is coming within the next few months. Here’s hoping the game runs better on PS5 and Xbox Series X because we want to experience Night City just as it’s intended!

After a stream and confirming the full details via a blog post, CD Projekt Red announced the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions dropped the morning of February 15. The release includes new graphic features, improved enemy AI and more! If you haven't tried to experience Night City, you can now try it for free thanks to a trial.

Ghostwire: Tokyo (Q2 2022) (Mar. 25)

Ghostwire: Tokyo looks equal parts strange, scary and incredible.

Like the PS5 exclusive Deathloop, Ghostwire: Tokyo is a strange case. Coming from Tango Gameworks, makes of The Evil Within and home of Resident Evil father Shinji Mikami, the team is owned by ZeniMax Media. ZeniMax also happens to be owned by Microsoft. Basically, a Microsoft-owned studio is making another PS5 exclusive due to prior contractual agreements before the purchase.

With that out the way, what we’ve seen about Ghostwire: Tokyo looks promising. With a haunting atmosphere set in Japan, you’ll use various magical abilities to defeat ghosts and spirits running rampant in Tokyo. 

Early February, Sony surprised announced a release date of March 25 for the PS5 exclusive!

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalk Saga (Q2 2022) (Apr. 5)

Spend some time with your family as you save the brick galaxy.

LEGO games are always an excellent family-friendly time. Each game features hundreds of characters to choose from across multiple licenses (such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel and many more) and dozens of levels to build, destroy and collect blocks. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalk Saga is the culmination of these previous games while bundling together levels from all nine entries in the fabled Skywalker Saga. 

But developer TT Games didn’t stop there. The studio has upped the anty by reworking some classic gameplay mechanics and included random encounters you can choose to play or avoid. The Skywalk Saga was supposed to launch last year but unfortunately has slipped multiple times. Hopefully, we’ll get a release date soon!

TT Games recently revealed the release date alongside a gameplay trailer. Return to a galaxy far, far away on April 5.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (Q2 2022) (Apr. 5)

Nintendo, more Advance Wars please.

We’re cheating here because while many won’t consider this Advance Wars reboot a “big” game this year, we at HIDEit want Nintendo to understand we NEED more Advance Wars in our lives. It’s been far too long, and Nintendo has focused too much on Fire Emblem to fill the strategy game hole in their portfolio.

That’s changing later this year. Initially set to launch this past December, Nintendo pushed Advance Wars 1+2 back a few months (in a rare delay for the company, these days) for some “fine-tuning”. This strategy RPG comes from WayForward, taking over from original developer Intelligent Systems and packages together the first two games in the long-dormant franchise on the Nintendo Switch. 

During the February Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced a new release date of April 5 for this remaster. By the sounds of it, WayForward added new voice acting to bring additional charm to this bundle.

Nintendo announced another delay to Advance Wars just weeks before release this time due to worldwide events happening. Looks like we'll be waiting a bit longer.

Redfall (Q3 2022)

Redfall has all the makings to be a massive hit on Xbox.

When Microsoft went on a shopping spree to buy multiple developers, the company's purchase of ZeniMax landed the Xbox manufacturer multiple studios like Bethesda, id Software and Arkane Studios. Having two teams to work on multiple projects, Arkane recently released Deathloop on PS5 and is now hard at work on their next title, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S exclusive Redfall.

Redfall is an open-world, first-person shooter that can be played either solo or cooperatively set in the town of Redfall, Massachusetts. Vampires have overrun the city, trapping four survivors. Armed with weapons and unique abilities, these survivors must work together to slay their enemies and survive. Leaked footage made its way around the internet earlier this year with a mostly positive reception. On paper, this game sounds fantastic, but we’ll hold out until we get on our hands on this Xbox exclusive later this year!

Hogwarts Legacy (Q3 2022)

Become a wizard in Hogwarts Legacy!

“You’re a wizard Harry!” Who hasn’t imagined themselves as a wizard? Well, your chance is coming in Hogwarts Legacy, an ambitious title coming from developer Avalanche Software, Port Key Games and WB Interactive. Taking place over 100 years before Harry Potter’s time at Hogwarts, you’ll get to create your own wizarding student, attend wizarding classes, brew potions and cast spells as you explore Hogwarts and surrounding areas.

We’ve only seen one trailer for the game -- shown during the PlayStation 5 reveal showcase -- which made fans excited to see more. However, leaked gameplay footage did make its way around the internet in 2018, giving fans an even greater hint at what is to come. An unfortunate delay from 2021 to 2022 happened early last year, but our fingers are crossed that it’ll be worth it once Hogwarts Legacy launches.

Dead Space (2022)

We might be too afraid to play this one, but we'll try.

We wrote about how Dead Space is a great spooky game to play during Halloween, but no matter when this remake comes out, we’ll be jumping at the chance to revisit this space horror classic.

Taking over the reins from now-shuttered Visceral Games, EA Motive Studios (developers of Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and Star Wars: Squadrons) has already shown the love and care they have for the game with a showcase last year. The studio is looking to retain the fear of the original while upgrading the graphics and tweaking the story a bit to mesh better with later entries and expanded lore. With a nebulous 2022 release date, we’re hoping it’ll hold, but don’t be surprised if this one gets delayed into next year.

Gotham Knights (2022) (Oct. 25)

Who needs Batman with a cast like this?

Batman’s dead. Gotham is in decline. The Court of Owls hides in the shadows. It’s up to the Gotham Knights -- Dick Grayson/Nightwing, Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, Tim Drake/Robin and Jason Todd/Red Hood -- to stop the mysterious group and solve Batman’s death.

Playable in both single-player and drop-in/drop-out co-op, Gotham Knights had an impressive showcase at DC FanDome 2020. Another unfortunate victim of the 2021 delay spree, Gotham Knights is set to come out sometime this year on pretty much every modern platform.

In early March, WB announced the release date to this long-awaited title. Spend your Halloween saving Gotham!

Splatoon 3 (2022)

A family-friendly shooter on Nintendo Switch!

The Splatoon franchise has quietly become a juggernaut franchise for Nintendo. The first game launched in 2015 on the under-sold (and under-appreciated) Wii U with the sequel, Splatoon 2, launching just two years later. Both games have sold over 16 million copies and have opened Nintendo (and players) to a family-friendly third-person shooter.

That’s why when Nintendo announced Splatoon 3, it shook fans to their core. Not only has the game gotten a graphical update, but the squid-like characters are also moving from the metropolis Inkopolis to the outskirts of Splatsville. The single-player mode, called “Return of the Mammalians”, returns but the multiplayer suite is what brings fans in. And there will be plenty of new weapons to cover maps in ink and blast enemies away when Splatoon 3 launches exclusively on the Switch later this year.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2022) (2023)

Stop Superman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League with Task Force X.

While sister studio WB Games Montreal are taking over the reins to Batman (and his cast of supporting characters), Batman: Arkham Knight developer Rocksteady are taking on Task Force X. Like Gotham Knights, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League can be played either solo or cooperatively with friends. Take control of either Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot or King Shark in an open world Metropolis taken over by Brainiac and a brainwashed Justice League.

This is another title we haven’t seen much of, but what we have seen has been impressive. The trailer at DC FanDome 2021 focused on the story, but it was enough to get fans excited. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League launches for next-gen consoles and PCs later this year. 

Bloomberg is now reporting (via IGN) this promising looking title has slipped from this year to next year. Definitely a bummer, but Rocksteady can take as much time as they need to get this one right.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns (2022)

Don't sleep on Midnight Suns, one of the most unique Marvel games coming.

In recent years, Marvel has been on a run with incredible games, spearheaded by Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales (two games we consider some of the best PS5 games). While Midnight Suns might not look anything like the web-head’s recent titles, fans can’t wait to see what developer Firaxis Games has cooking.

Taking a cue from the studio’s pedigree with strategy titles, Midnight Suns features a unique turn-based card combat system. You control The Hunter, a brand new character created for the game, and work alongside some of the most popular Marvel heroes, including Wolverine, Iron Man and Ghost Rider. Initially set to launch this March, Marvel’s Midnight Suns received a delay to the second half of 2022, and we can’t be more excited to play later this year!

God of War Ragnarok (2022)

Get ready to stop Ragnarok with Kratos.

Since its original release in 2005, the God of War franchise has been a top-tier action game, with each release in the original trilogy being a calendar event. After a significant stumble with God of War: Ascension and an aging fanbase, the franchise seemed on ice until the release of the reboot/sequel God of War in 2018, thanks in part to phenomenal combat, gorgeous graphics and an emotional story of fatherhood that brought new depth to the one-note Kratos. 

The sequel looks to be taking what worked in God of War and cranking it up to 11. Taking place at the end of Fimbulwinter, Kratos and Atreus must traverse the nine realms in hopes of stopping Ragnarok. New threats, refreshed combat and a gripping new story have fans excited for this upcoming title coming to PS4 and PS5.

Bayonetta 3 (2022)

High-octane action awaits in this long-awaited sequel.

Announced all the way back in 2017, developer Platinum Games went silent on this highly-anticipated release, causing much panic and fear within the community. However, a recent trailer at the end of a recent Nintendo Direct calmed fans’ worries and gave them a front seat ticket on the hype train.

Expect to see the studio’s signature silky smooth combat alongside the ability to control giant demons when Bayonetta 3 finally releases on Nintendo Switch later this year.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 (2022)

We can't wait to play this gorgeous sequel!

The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is currently is not only one of the most anticipated games coming out, but it’s also a game that’s still mysterious. Nintendo has yet to title the hotly anticipated sequel and we’ve only seen two trailers that ask more questions than offer answers. The company also has yet to confirm any sort of a release date and has hinted Breath of the Wild 2 might not even launch this year.

Many consider Breath of the Wild a genre-defining, Game of the Year/Game of the Generation title. Combined with the teases we’ve seen of the sequel, it’s easy to understand why fans are excited, and we hope we’ll see the Breath of the Wild sequel later this year.

After seeing so many delays in 2021, it looks like 2022 will be a massive year for gaming -- make sure you keep you backlog in check! There is something for everyone coming in the next year, from high-action titles to story-driven experiences to multiplayer romps. This huge list of games doesn’t even include unannounced games that we’re sure are coming, like Call of Duty 2022. Our wallets are already crying looking at this, but we can’t wait to play all the incredible games launching in 2022!