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5 Highly Anticipated Games Coming Out This Winter 2022

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Well, 2021 is but a distant memory in the world of gaming. Luckily for us, we can once again rest assured knowing that the forthcoming year will be as equally as jam-packed as the last. With consoles becoming less of a nuisance to acquire and video games being piled up by the stack, we can begin to prepare for what's to come. And let me tell you, judging by the number of 2022 releases — we're in for a real doozy of a year as gamers.

Whatever it is you're into, chances are the industry will serve something to drive back the hunger this year. The question is: how many pages have you got to spare on your calendar? Come February, you're going to need a satchel of paper in order to jot down every must-have upcoming release. However, for now, we'll just settle for five absolute essentials.

5. Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus | New Gameplay Trailer

What better way to kick off another year than to embrace a good old fashioned Pokémon game? Nintendo seems to have a knack for rolling them out like clockwork, meaning another entry in 2022 really isn't all that surprising. However, unlike other games in the enormous franchise, Arceus will be more of an origin story, set long before most Pokémon stories. Your goal: to complete the first Pokédex.

It is worth echoing what Nintendo said last year, though, about the game not being open-world. Instead, players will have a village as a base of operations, and then scattered regions which you'll be able to visit to conduct your research and build the Pokédex. Nevertheless, it's a Pokémon game at the end of the day. It's bound to garner heaps of love and affection no the structure.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus releases on January 28, 2022 on Nintendo Switch.

 

4. Rainbow Six Extraction

Rainbow Six Extraction: Cinematic Reveal Trailer

Formerly known as Quarantine, the latest entry to the Tom Clancy domain, Rainbow Six Extraction, is a tactical shooter that taps into the same vein as the universally acclaimed Siege, which launched back in 2015.

Using teamwork and leadership to drive your squad to victory, you'll have the opportunity to one-up some of the biggest and most ambitious multilayer worlds to date. Unlike the bog-standard one-on-one type of game mode, Extraction will have you and a close-knit collective bearing arms against an evil parasite known as Archaeans. It's Rainbow Six, but with a whole lot of aliens to boot.

Rainbow Six Extraction releases on January 20, 2022 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Stadia, and PC. It will also be available as a day one title on Game Pass.

 

3. Dying Light 2

Dying Light 2 Stay Human - Official Gameplay Trailer

Dying Light was one of those games we all thought deserved a sequel. But for a long time, it just sort of flew under the radar and became something of a distant memory. That was, until developer Techland had a good old root around in the bottom of the barrel and resurrected it for 2022. And boy, how happy were we when they made that announcement?

Dying Light 2 will have you scavenging in the dark and dingy districts of the City, a post-apocalyptic open-world that has fallen to the dead. With firearms being hard to come by, as well as survivors struggling to survive the day-to-day, your goal is to breathe a shred of life back into it and return hope to its downfall. Good night, and good luck.

Dying Light 2 releases on February 4, 2022 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC.

 

2. Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West - Tribes of the Forbidden West | PS5, PS4

Yes, of course, it's Horizon Forbidden West, Guerilla Games' highly anticipated follow-up to 2017's open-world masterpiece. Chances are, you've seen this one stalk the web once or twice over the past few months. And if you haven't, then you're more than likely living under a rock somewhere. The point is, it's on everybody's minds day and night, and 2022 just wouldn't be compete without it. And if that doesn't get you hyped for its February release, then I don't know what will.

Once again filling the shoes of Aloy, the curious huntress with a fine eye for archery and prehistoric landmarks, you will tread deep into the (you guessed it) forbidden west, where giant mechanical beasts roam the land and threaten the balance of power. So, expect intense combat, mesmerising views, and a whole lot of rich storytelling.

Horizon Forbidden West releases on February 18, 2022 on PS4 and PS5.

 

1. Elden Ring

ELDEN RING - Story Trailer

We've been counting down the hours waiting for the next instalment for FromSoftware's mighty portfolio, knowing full well it will beat us senseless the moment we plunge into its brutal world. Nevertheless, we're still super hyped to pick up Elden Ring, and most definitely prepared to go in with an open mind and two smoking barrels.

Elden Ring grants you access to an enormous land riddled with the foulest of foes, in which you, the hero in training, will have to explore in order to developer a polished set of skills. Along the way, of course, you'll have to throw down with the best of them, meaning you will more than likely die. A lot. Think Souls, Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice all merged into one — and you've got yourself Elden Ring in a nutshell. So, you know, have fun with that.

Elden Ring releases on February 25, 2022 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.

 

So, tell us, which of the above will you be picking up this season? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

 

Looking for more content? You could always take a look at one of these lists:

5 2022 Gaming Events You Should Know About

Fable 4: 5 Things We Know So Far

Jord is acting Team Leader at gaming.net. If he isn't blabbering on in his daily listicles, then he's probably out writing fantasy novels or scraping Game Pass of all its slept on indies.