We’re more than halfway through 2022, but for gamers, the best is yet to come. And that’s saying something because all things considered, it’s been a fantastic year for video games.
The expected hits— Horizon Forbidden West, Elden Ring, Kirby and the Forgotten Land—lived up to expectations. But there were also the hidden gems, like beat ‘em up Sifu and skateboarding extravaganza OlliOlliWorld. There were story-driven interactive games like The Quarry. There were nostalgia-fests like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. The sheer variety of bangers is impressive—so many genres, so many gameplay experiences, so little time. And the best part? There’s more in store for the next half of the year if those weren’t enough for you.
Here are our picks for the 10 most anticipated video games for the rest of 2022, including one—Stray—that launches this week. And these are just the ones we know about; there’s always a chance that an indie game will come along, surprise us, and exceed them all.
1. ‘Stray’
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Release Date: July 19
Publisher: AnnaPurna Interactive
You play as a stray cat in a dystopian world that’s overrun by machines. Stray leans into its atmosphere, making you feel outmatched and alone, but with just enough tools to survive. You’re extremely nimble and able to walk along railings, jump across chasms, and always land on your feet.
Playing Stray doesn’t feel like controlling a tiny human in a cat costume. There’s a bit of feedback delay that makes it feel like you’re controlling an actual cat—one that is willing to take suggestions, but is not beholden to them.
2. ‘Xenoblade Chronicles 3’
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Release Date: July 29
Publisher: Nintendo
Back in the days of the Wii, when casual games like Wii Sports dominated the sales charts, there were also rare gems like Xenoblade Chronicles (2010), an action roleplayer that was praised, at the time of its release, and one of the greatest action role players ever made. A sequel followed seven years later in 2017. And now in 2022, we get a third game, which expands the number of active party members from three to seven. Explore an open world and restore peace and order to Aionios.
3. ‘Madden 23’
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Release Date: Aug. 19
Publisher: Electronic Arts
The upcoming Madden game has John Madden himself on its cover, as a tribute to the legendary coach and color commentator’s passing last December. With expansions to franchise mode, and an updated roster (the developers revealed that Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams will be joining the “99 Club” in this year’s edition), Madden 23 looks to be in great shape when it drops next month.
4. ‘Saints Row’
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Release Date: Aug. 23
Publisher: Deep Silver
The action franchise Saints Row was getting a bit long in the tooth. Granted, it is satire. But when your character is the President of the United States, and you’ve gone from battling gang members to fighting aliens and Satan himself, you’re in dire need of a reboot. And that’s what this new game is; it dials back the craziness and uses movies like Baby Driver and John Wick as its inspiration.
5. ‘The Last of Us: Part 1’
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Release Date: Sept. 2
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
It is undisputed that The Last of Us is legendary—one of the greatest games ever made, with memorable characters, a heartbreaking narrative, and incredible action and responsiveness. And that’s why the new The Last of Us: Part 1 is cause for celebration. It’s a rebuild of the original game from the ground up, with updated graphics and controls, and gameplay that brings it in line with The Last of Us: Part II (2020).
6. ‘Splatoon 3’
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Release Date: Sept. 9
Publisher: Nintendo
Get ready for more paint-spraying multiplayer action, with a new Turf War mode, new weapons, and new evasive moves to avoid getting splashed. In Splatoon 3, you’re no longer in the center of Inkopolis. Instead, you’re in the outer reaches of the Splatlands, a desert area with a post-apocalyptic vibe.
7. ‘Gotham Knights’
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Release Date: Oct. 25
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
In this standalone adventure, Batman is dead, and his four proteges—Robin, Red Hood, Nightwing, and Batgirl—fight to maintain order in Gotham City. Each character is playable and has his or her unique powers. The Big Bad this time around is the Court of Owls, the Illuminati-esque shadow group that secretly controls Gotham from behind the scenes.
8. ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II’
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Release Date: Oct. 28
Publisher: Activision
This is a continuation of the Modern Warfare reboot that began in 2019. That game was heralded for its more gritty realistic depiction of war and the morally conflicted decisions that soldiers are supposed to make. The sequel looks to continue that, with counter-terrorist unit Task Force 141 teaming with Mexican Special Forces to take down terrorist groups and drug cartels.
9. ‘God of War: Ragnarok’
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Release Date: Nov. 9
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
In 2018’s God of War reboot, the developers transported Kratos from Ancient Greek mythology to ancient Norse mythology and gave him a son, Atreus, who he’s raising to be a better man than he was. Raganarok will conclude the Norse narrative with the prophesied “end of days.” The Greek narrative ended with Kratos killing Zeus. So by that logic, Thor is in for a rough couple of days. The new game has a massive world, with options to explore all nine Realms and traverse via dog sled.
10. ‘Sonic Frontiers’
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Release Date: N/A
Publisher: Sega
And lastly, we don’t have an announced release date yet, but we’ll be buying Sonic Frontiers whenever it hits shelves. In the past, Sonic has struggled to make the transition from 2D to 3D—the first three 90s games remain the best ones in the series. But with Sonic Frontiers, the developers may have finally gotten the formula down. Sonic is now in a fully explorable 3D world, where he hunts for Chaos Emeralds and upgrades his speed abilities. And the different areas of the world are loaded with all the rails, springs, and loops you need to relive your 16-bit heydays.
