This year was meant to be a watershed moment for PlayStation fans. Sony made a lot of big promises as it prepared to release the then-new PS5s with an excellent selection of titles in 2021. It appeared to be too wonderful to be true — and it was. This year, very few of Sony’s big-ticket games arrived in time for the Christmas, leaving PS5 customers with few exclusives to choose from.
That will change in 2022, if only because the games that were meant to be released in 2021 are now available. Heavyweights such as Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarok, and Gran Turismo 7 are just a handful of the titles vying to make 2022 the finest year yet for PlayStation owners.
Here are the PS5 games to look forward to in what is building up to be a landmark year for video games.
Sifu (February 8)
In recent years, Sony has increased its commitment to indie games, securing fantastic titles like Kena: Bridge of Spirits as platform launch exclusives. Starting with Sifu, this tendency will continue till 2022. Sifu, created by Sloclap, is a kung fu action game in which players age one year every time they die. We’re already sold on the concept after only a few minutes of playing the game’s demo. The martial arts fighting is fast and effective, making this an independent action game to keep an eye on during a hectic month.
Horizon Forbidden West (February 18)
Horizon Forbidden West was meant to be Sony’s big holiday release in 2021, however it was pushed out to February 2022 instead. The initial postponement announcement was disappointing, but the new date is quickly approaching. The sequel to one of the best PS4 exclusives looks incredible. Fights against massive robots give a jaw-dropping sense of scale that builds on the qualities of its predecessors. The sequel also borrows certain design elements from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, including increased mobility, which is always a pleasant change.
Elden Ring (February 25)
Elden Ring will be the game of the year, in my opinion. Even though I despise Dark Souls-style games, I was completely won over by FromSoftware’s latest when I tried it out. The game’s aesthetic style is flawless, and the gameplay feels more forgiving as a result of the additional build options. Following a successful closed network test, FromSoftware appears to be on track to release its greatest Souls-like game yet, which is saying a lot.
Gran Turismo 7 (March 4)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Stray is a video game in which you can play as a cat. I’m not sure what else to say if that hasn’t sold you. The indie, published by Annapurna Interactive, appears to be the cutest video game of 2022. Players will explore a metropolis, solving environmental puzzles and engaging in typical cat behaviours such as clawing a couch. With 2022 shaping up to be a chaotic year filled with fierce battles, it’ll be good to simply explore the world as a wise street cat.