January is over, but there are still many months ahead for new and exciting video games to hit shelves in 2022. As of this writing, the next major studio title to be released isDying Light 2,Techland’s ambitious sequel to the 2015open-world zombie action game. While parkour and combat are core elements of the experience,Dying Light 2also heavily leans into the horror genre with endless legions of undead roaming the city streets.
The horror genre seems to be abundant throughout the remainder of 2022, with an impressive line-up of games for fans of all things that go bump in the night. From established franchise tosmaller indie projects, there looks to be no shortage of content for players who enjoy being scared, clinging to their controllers as they cautiously creep around the next corner.
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Major Horror Projects in 2022
As mentioned, the first major release in the horror genre for the remainder of the year will beDying Light 2. Just a few weeks later isElden Ring, a new action-RPG by FromSoftware. While not as intentionally frightening as games likeSilent Hill, FromSoftware’s projects have always included elements of unsettling, macabre storytelling.Elden Ringlooks no different, with grotesque creatures and haunting atmospheres around every corner.
Come March, as thetimed PlayStation exclusiveGhostwire: Tokyowill be the next game in line. Developed by the same team behindThe Evil Withinseries, this promising first-person supernatural thriller pits players against armies of angry spirits roaming the streets of Tokyo. A new gameplay showcase forGhostwire: Tokyotoday enticed many prospective players, and cued people into its official release date and deluxe edition sets. This is all without mentioning other upcoming horror titles like EA’sDead Spaceremake,The Callisto Protocol, andSTALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl, which are all currentlyscheduled for later this year.
Variety is The Spice of Life
Quality is just as important as quantity, so these numerous horror games will have to be as polished as they are abundant. With so manyhorror gameson the horizon, they will need to bring something different to the table in order to stand apart. Thankfully, each of these games seems to have a unique style of horror or gameplay design.
Dying Light 2is an open-world action game, meanwhileElden Ringis a tough-as-nails ARPG. This variety carries over into other games as well.Evil Dead: The Game,Rainbow Six Extraction,andRedfalllook to follow in the footsteps of otherco-op multiplayer experiences, encouraging players to work together so they can overcome terrifying odds.A Plague Tale: Requiememphasizes a more realistic approach to horror, with a heavy focus on narrative being what drives the journey forward.Little Devil Insideaims to be a charming indie adventure, but trailers have teased some spooky stuff hiding under the surface.
Outside of games that wear their horror inspirations on their sleeve, other major 2022 titles seem to have caught the horror bug.Breath of the Wild 2’s reveal trailer hinted at a darker, more sinister threat looming in the shadows for the highly anticipatedNintendo Switchgame. Even the superheroes of the Marvel universe will have to contend with more paranormal threats inMarvel’s Midnight Suns. With all of this and surely more to be revealed during the year, such as more about the upcomingSlitterheadby Bokeh Game Studio, it’s a great time to be a fan of the horror genre.
