Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming

Our most anticipated PlayStation 5 games of 2022

By

This year was supposed to be huge for PlayStation fans. Sony made a lot of huge promises heading into 2021 as it looked to sell the then-new PS5s with an incredible lineup of games. It seemed too good to be true — and it was. Very few of Sony’s big-ticket games actually made it in time for the holidays this year, leaving PS5 owners with little in the way of exclusives to pick over.

That’s going to change in 2022, if only because the games that were supposed to launch in 2021 are actually finally coming. Heavy hitters like Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarok, and Gran Turismo 7 are just a few of the games looking to make 2022 the best year yet to be a PlayStation owner.

Here are the PS5 games you can look forward to in what’s shaping up to be a historic year for video games.

Related

Sifu (February 8)

Two characters wielding staffs face off in Sifu.

Sony has upped its commitment to indie games in recent years, locking down excellent titles like Kena: Bridge of Spirits as console launch exclusives. That trend will continue into 2022, starting with Sifu. Developed by Sloclap, Sifu is a kung fu action game where players age one year every time they die. From our short time playing a demo for the game, we’re already sold on the concept. The martial arts combat is quick and impactful, making this an indie action game to keep an eye on during a busy month.

Horizon Forbidden West (February 18)

Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West.

Horizon Forbidden West was supposed to be Sony’s big holiday 2021 release, but it ended up moving to February 2022 instead. The initial delay announcement stung, but now that date is right around the corner. The sequel to one of PS4’s best exclusives looks astonishing. Fights against gigantic robots present a jaw-dropping sense of scale that builds off its predecessors’ strengths. The sequel is also taking some design cues from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with more mobility options, which is always a welcome change.

Elden Ring (February 25)

Elden Ring's hero shines a torch in a fleshy cave.

Mark my words: Elden Ring is going to be the game of the year. Even as someone who hates Dark Souls-style games, I was absolutely won over by FromSoftware’s latest when I demoed it. The game’s art direction is impeccable, and combat feels more forgiving thanks to additional build options. Following a successful closed network test, it feels like FromSoftware is primed to deliver its best Souls-like game yet, which is saying something.

Gran Turismo 7 (March 4)

Cars race in Gran Turismo 7.

Forza Horizon 5 gave players a newfound appreciation for the racing genre in 2021, and Gran Turismo 7 could capitalize on that momentum. The legendary franchise returns in March with its flashiest entry yet, thanks to PS5 power. The game is set to include a campaign, returning features like Brand Central, and new modes. And naturally, it’ll be full of shiny digital cars for players to drive around a number of scenic tracks.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (March 18)

stranger-of-paradise-final-fantasy-origin-coming-in-2022

Frankly, I have no idea if Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is going to be good. From what I’ve seen so far, the game is full of “WTF” moments that make it seem like it’ll enter “so bad it’s good territory.” Sure, that’s a backhanded compliment, but my hype for the game is real nonetheless. Final Fantasy is at its best when it’s a big melodrama that’s broody and goofy in the same breath. When I see a character yell, “I’m here to kill Chaos,” eight times in one trailer, I know that I’m going to get exactly what I want from a Final Fantasy game.

Forspoken (May 24)

Frey shooting magic at a flying enemy.

Forspoken shows a lot of promise, even if an awkward press event has dulled its shine in recent weeks. Developed by Final Fantasy XV studio Luminous Productions, the open-world game has a lot going for it. It features stunning visuals, seemingly complex magical combat, and freeform traversal that lets players fly above the world. Considering this is a brand-new IP, it could go either way, but it’s always nice to see studios like Square Enix taking a gamble with something new.

GhostWire: Tokyo (TBA)

No matter how good GhostWire: Tokyo is, it’ll be a significant game. This is likely the last Bethesda game we’ll see on a Sony console for some time as the mysterious action game was set to be a PlayStation exclusive before Microsoft acquired the publishing giant. That deal is being honored here as it was with Deathloop, so this will hopefully be a strong goodbye to Bethesda on PlayStation. Unnerving visuals, a mysterious story, and intriguing first-person magic promise to make this a creepy good time.

God of War Ragnarok (TBA)

A giant lizard monster jumps on Kratos in God of War Ragnarok.

I don’t think anyone realistically expected God of War Ragnarok to land in 2021, no matter what Sony initially promised. Judging by 2018’s God of War, the sequel would be a massive undertaking requiring lots of development time. That became especially apparent when the game got its first trailer, teasing an gargantuan adventure that builds on its predecessors’ epic world. I’ll wait as long as Sony wants if it means I’ll get to do battle against Thor.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals (TBA)

A lighthouse sits on a cliff in Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals.

Oxenfree was one of 2016’s best indie games. The atmospheric, narrative adventure was notable for its dialogue system, which had characters speaking in more natural ways that felt closer to real-life conversations. So far, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals looks like a worthy follow-up that doubles down on what made the original such a gem. A debut trailer teases an even creepier supernatural horror experience with some gorgeous 2D landscapes.

Stray (TBA)

A cat sits in a dark tunnel in Stray.

Stray is a video game that lets you play as a cat. If that hasn’t sold you, I don’t know what else to say. Published by Annapurna Interactive, the indie certainly looks like 2022’s cutest video game, at the very least. Players will roam around a city solving environmental puzzles and doing normal cat activities, like scratching a couch. With 2022 shaping up to be a hectic year full of intense battles, it’ll be nice to simply explore the world as a savvy street cat.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Giovanni Colantonio
Giovanni Colantonio
Section Editor, Gaming
Giovanni is a writer and video producer focusing on happenings in the video game industry. He has contributed stories to…
Final Fantasy XVI’s first 3 hours play like a high fantasy Last of Us
Joshua speaks to Clive in Final Fantasy XVI.

When I demoed Final Fantasy XVI back in February, I had some questions. The slice I played was very much focused on the upcoming PS5 release’s combat system. I was immediately impressed with how fast and furious it was, bringing a bit of Devil May Cry to the RPG series. That said, there was quite a bit I didn’t see. The story mission I played would only give me a brief introduction to its hero, Clive Rosfield, and the war-torn nation in which the game takes place. I was itching to know more.

I’d get all those lingering questions answered when I went hands-on with the first three hours of the game, which launches on June 22. Rather than letting me test out an arsenal of spells, I’d start with a much less capable Clive with only a few attacks to his name. I’d get to see his full tragic backstory play out through long cinematics with only a few smaller gameplay snippets between. I’d leave my demo session with far fewer question marks, a bit more intrigue, and a couple of lingering concerns that could be alleviated later in the adventure.

Read more
Humanity is the best PS5 (and PSVR2) game I’ve played so far
Humans jump over a gap in Humanity.

Over the past few years, I’ve found myself mourning the PlayStation brand I grew up with. When I was a kid, PlayStation was an eccentric platform home to the kind of oddball creative swings you now only ever see indie publishers take a chance on. In the PS5 era, though, Sony has doubled down on a cinematic action-adventure formula that feels less safe (though likely way more profitable) by comparison. It’s an understandable pivot, but it leaves me hungry for more diverse experiences on my PS5.

Thankfully, that desire has been satiated with Humanity, a game that’s already nabbing several impressive accolades from me. It’s the best reason to subscribe to PS Plus, the best game currently available on PlayStation VR2, and perhaps the best PS5 console-exclusive period (it’s also available on PC via Steam). The unique puzzler has all the markings of those left-field PlayStation classics I love … except for the fact it wasn’t developed or published by Sony at all.

Read more
PlayStation reveals new features and UI for its PS5 Access Controller
Sony's Project Leonardo controller sits on a table.

Sony revealed new details about its PlayStation 5 accessibility controller, which has been renamed from Project Leonardo to the Access Controller. A new blog post details what comes with the controller and offers a glimpse at the UI interface that players will use to customize it on the PS5.

Sony surprise revealed its "Project Leonardo" at CES earlier this year (Digital Trends named it the best gaming tech of the show). The circular pad features a unique design meant to make it easier for people with disabilities to customize controls to their needs. While it still doesn't have a price or release date, Sony has opened a new website for its newly renamed Access Controller and shared new details on it.

Read more