2020 and 2021 were a bit of a tough challenge for developers. The worldwide health pandemic outbreak caused so many quarantine orders and shutdowns to take place. As a result, several video games that we were anticipating have been pushed back. That should make for quite the packed year for video games in 2022. In this list, we’re going to highlight some video games we can’t wait to play. With that said, don’t read too much into the actual ranking here. Until all the games are out and 2022 is wrapping, it’s difficult to really rank these games. Without further ado, here are our picks for the best new open-world games coming in 2022.
Disclaimer Update: Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, Atomic Heart, Hogwarts Legacy, Ark II, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, State of Decay 3, The Day Before, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Forspoken, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, Fable, Starfield, DokeV and Saints Row was removed as the games are no longer slated for 2022 or failed to keep their place on this list.
#12 Need for Speed Unbound
- Release date: December 02, 2022
- Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
- Developers: Criterion Games
- Platforms: PC PS5 XSX|S
Are you ready for another racing game in the fan-favorite series? Need for Speed Unbound puts another twist on the genre by having you participate in The Grand. What is that? It’s a 4-week street racing competition where only the skilled make it through.
You’ll start by racing your way into the competition and prove yourself on the streets by beating others and outpacing the cops that try to stop you.
As you advance, you’ll be able to upgrade your cars and customize them to suit your style. The game also has a killer soundtrack to ensure you’re “feeling the flow” while you ride.
#11 Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
- Release date: July 25, 2022
- Publisher: TaleWorlds
- Developers: TaleWorlds
- Platforms: PC PS4 PS5 Xbox One XSX|S
If you’ve been looking for a game to “get your medieval on” in, then Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is the title to check out. The sequel to the beloved game, and its many spinoffs, the title will put you in the position of a clan leader.
Your clan aims to be established amongst the noble houses of the land. But that won’t be easy to become given all the battles and political intrigue you’ll have to endure. The game gives you the freedom to do things as you play. Fight for your glory, or try to be diplomatic and overcome obstacles that way.
Do what it takes to put your clan on top!
#10 XENOBLADE CHRONICLES 3
- Release date: July 29, 2022
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developers: Monolith Soft
- Platforms: Switch
The beloved RPG series continues in Xenoblade Chronicles 3! Set in a world where life is measured in only a span of ten years, and much of that life is spent fighting a war, a group of six will soon change everything.
When they learn the secret that the war they’ve been fighting is built on a lie, they’ll seek the truth no matter the cost. As you explore this vast world, you’ll find plenty of missions, side quests, and monsters to five. The game’s world is five times what the previous title’s was, and you’ll never get lost thanks to the guide system!
Time to fight for a new life and a better world!
#9 Slime Rancher 2
- Release date: September 22, 2022 (Early Access)
- Publisher: Monomi Park
- Developers: Monomi Park
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Slime Rancher 2 is a fantasy game taking place far away from Earth. The main character of Slime Rancher 2, Beatrix LeBeau, is a rancher who left our Blue Planet to become a slime rancher on an alien planet.
Just as this job description suggests, your role will be to take care of cute little slimes. On top of being the most adorable gelatinous creatures in the universe, the slimes will actually help you uncover the mysteries of Rainbow Island, a new land filled with ancient technology. Slime Rancher 2 offers an open-world fantasy world to discover, rich with secrets to unveil and slimes to collect.
#8 V Rising
- Developer: Stunlock Studios
- Publisher: Stunlock Studios
- Platforms: PC
- Release: May 17, 2022
V Rising puts players into the role of a vampire. Within the game, players are awakened from a slumber that lasted centuries. Weak and needing blood, you begin your journey of gathering up easy prey before you’re able to rebuild your castle. However, being a vampire means sticking to the shadows during the day and thriving in the open at night. Players can also expect an online multiplayer component. Here players can battle together to dominate humanity or take on each other in some PvP matches.
#7 Sonic Frontiers
- Developer: Sonic Team
- Publisher: Sega
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S, NS
- Release: November 8, 2022
This year, Sonic Frontiers is the next mainline Sonic the Hedgehog game. During The Game Awards 2021, we got the grand reveal for this title. However, we didn’t get the finer details of what exactly we could expect. So far, we know the game is centered around a large open-world environment. A lot of players are comparing this game to the likes of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, for now, it’s purely a waiting game to see just how this game will hold up compared to other past iconic Sonic the Hedgehog titles.
#6 LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Developer: Traveller’s Tales
- Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S, NS
- Release: April 05, 2022
You might find this game to be a bit surprising on the list. Typically Lego games are more linear, with players going through lighthearted parody versions of the source material. In fact, we have seen Lego Star Wars games in the past. However, this is a reboot of sorts as this game offers all nine of the Skywalker saga episodes to go through. Players can venture through the game from start to finish, but you’ll have a large open world map to explore between missions. This includes being able to traverse to different worlds. You’ll likely find different levels to be linear, but you’ll find plenty of exploration to be had here between level missions.
#5 Gotham Knights
- Developer: WB Games Montreal
- Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: October 21, 2022
If you’re looking to step back into Gotham City has the Dark Knight this year, then you’re out of luck. However, you will get an opportunity to clear the streets of Gotham City as either Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, or Red Hood. Within Gotham Knights, players will follow a brand new storyline that features Bruce Wayne’s demise. First, however, Bruce sent out one last message to the Bat-Family, alerting the group that it’s up to them when it comes to keeping the citizens of Gotham City safe.
So far, we know that this is an action RPG title where players will be putting up a fight against a new enemy group, the Court of Owls, which was featured in the DC Comics universe from The New 52 Batman run. Gotham Knights are also set up to be a completely open-world right from the start, and best of all, there’s no level grinding. You will find that the enemies will become stronger as you level up naturally, so it doesn’t look like the game will keep you out from any particular area.
#4 GhostWire Tokyo
- Developer: Tango Gameworks
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Platforms: PC, PS5
- Release: March 35, 2022
Tango Gameworks might be best known for a more horrifying experience. So far, the studio only has two installments available outside of this upcoming title. If you don’t know them by the development studio name, these are the folks who brought out The Evil Within and The Evil Within 2. Now, the studio is working on something more action-oriented but with still some spooky elements. In Ghostwire: Tokyo, players, are taking the role of Akito, who discovers the citizens of Tokyo had mysteriously vanished. Now in their place are otherworldly spirits. Having new powers that manifested in Akito, our protagonist must use a series of spells and supernatural attacks to defeat the spirits and uncover what is happening in the city.
#3 Dying Light 2: Stay Human
- Developer: Techland
- Publisher: Techland
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Release: February 4, 2022
Dying Light 2 was unveiled during E3 2018, where we are once again tossed into the apocalyptic zombie world and forced to fight for survival. Players will be in a new city location where factions are constantly battling to retain control of the area. However, the developers give players more freedom as they can choose to go down various pathways though they will all have their particular consequences. Just as before, this is an open-world game that will allow players to traverse freely. You’ll have to battle the undead if you choose to leave beyond the city walls, but it seems that life inside the walls is not always safe either. Set fifteen years after the events of the original title, Dying Light 2 will still retain the same hostile zombie creatures though they will continue to be lethargic during the day and more aggressive at night. Meanwhile, our protagonists, this time around, will have more parkour combat at their disposal.
#2 Horizon Forbidden West
- Developer: Guerrilla Games
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Platforms: PS4, PS5
- Release: February 18, 2022
One of the more popular exclusives on the PlayStation 4 console was Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn. This was an action RPG that throws players into the distant future where humankind has fallen. Nature has taken over, and large mechanical beasts roam the land, forcing what’s left of humanity to resort into small tribal villages. Not much is known about the world of metal, and as a result, seeking the old city structures has been considered taboo. Meanwhile, in the first game, players take the role of a young woman named Aloy, who was banished from her tribe as a baby. Grown-up, Aloy is working to piece together where she came from and why the tribe would even banish an innocent baby. Now it looks like we have a sequel called Horizon Forbidden West. Players will once again take the role of Aloy, who discovers a new infection plague that is spreading across the land. In hopes of fixing things, Aloy is forced into traveling to the Pacific Coast to find the plague’s source. However, along the way, she will encounter some new mechanical beasts along with other hostile factions.
#1 Elden Ring
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: February 25, 2022
There were quite a few fans out there eagerly waiting for the launch of Elden Ring. This is a new game by developers FromSoftware, who you’ll know from the Dark Souls franchise. Players can expect another game full of brutal combat and deep lore. This time around, we have a large open world to explore with plenty of hostile enemies to face against, castles to conquer, and catacombs to uncover. We know that the game will have multiple different paths and even endings. Overall, this means you’ll have some freedom in your campaign. Additionally, since this game world is so large, players will have mounts to traverse quickly and a fast traveling system to make the trek easier to manage.
