2022 is here and as is the tradition at the start of a new year, we are looking ahead at what is coming to our PCs and Consoles in the coming months. As always this is based on what we know is coming, not unannounced titles that will surely get released during the year. Get those guns blazing because now we are looking at this year’s action titles.
The Most Anticipated Action Titles for 2022
SIFU
An interesting take on the now over-populated rogue-like genre, SIFU is bringing a host of martial arts action as well as a few unique twists to the party. The most notable of which is that each time your character dies you age, gaining martial arts mastery and wisdom but losing health and stamina. It is an interesting approach that is sure to set it apart from the masses.
Coming from the team the created the multiplayer martial arts title, Absolver, SIFU is sure to get the fighting down pat. If everything else plays out well, this could be a new hit franchise for Sony.
SIFU releases on the 8th of February so fans of Hong Kong Cinema and chop-socky action don’t have long to wait.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
The first of two WB/DC properties on this list, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has perhaps the most hype around it. That is with good reason, it is the first game from Rocksteady since they complete the excellent Batman: Arkham trilogy.
I am excited to see how this one plays out. Do players pick one character for the whole game or switch between the characters ala Agents of Mayhem? From the recent game trailer it certainly looks more action-focused than the Batman games and that mobility and map traversal plays a big part in gameplay.
No firm date on this one, only 2022, so expect it at the end of the year or to even slip into 2023.
God of War: Ragnarok
Does anything need to be said about the hype levels for the sequel to what many consider to be the best game of the last generation? Kratos and Atreus (Loki) are back for another round of troll killing, elf slaying fun as they set off to prevent the end of the world and possibly slay a few Norse gods along the way.
This is a game that despite Sony being instant that it is coming in 2022, I honestly expect a delay into 2023. If it does make this year there is no way it will be ready before the big release season so expect November at best.
Evil West
Flying Wild Hog, the minds behind the recent Shadow Warrior titles, know one thing better than just about any other studio out there. That thing is crazy over-the-top action and from everything I have seen, Evil West looks to be true to form. Another game to feature a setting that borrows from both the old west and the occult, Evil West sees players take control of gun-toting, demon-slaying cowboy hell-bent on destroying the forces of evil.
Honestly just watch the trailer, it looks bonkers in the best possible way. There aren’t enough games like this anymore and this looks to scratch a very specific itch when it arrives this year, during the Aussie winter if I was to guess.
Gotham Knights
The second DC title here and the one I expect to release first. Gotham Knights seems to share more DNA with the Arkham Series but at the same time is clearly going in its own direction. Just like Suicide Squad, players will be able to choose from four characters and how that plays out will go a long way to determining how the game is received.
I am happy to see that this isn’t just a carbon copy of the Arkham series and the devs are trying some new things, but I am a little worried as to how it will all come together, especially as they are relying on the Bat B team to carry the game. I guess we will find out soon, I expect this one to get a mid year release.