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 is Dying Light 2, Techland's ambitious sequel to the 2015 open-world zombie action game. While parkour and combat are core elements of the experience, Dying Light 2 also 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 to smaller 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.
Major Horror Projects in 2022
As mentioned, the first major release in the horror genre for the remainder of the year will be Dying Light 2. Just a few weeks later is Elden Ring, a new action-RPG by FromSoftware. While not as intentionally frightening as games like Silent Hill, FromSoftware's projects have always included elements of unsettling, macabre storytelling. Elden Ring looks no different, with grotesque creatures and haunting atmospheres around every corner.
Come March, as the timed PlayStation exclusive Ghostwire: Tokyo will be the next game in line. Developed by the same team behind The Evil Within series, this promising first-person supernatural thriller pits players against armies of angry spirits roaming the streets of Tokyo. A new gameplay showcase for Ghostwire: Tokyo today 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's Dead Space remake, The Callisto Protocol, and STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl, which are all currently scheduled 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 many horror games on 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 2 is an open-world action game, meanwhile Elden Ring is a tough-as-nails ARPG. This variety carries over into other games as well. Evil Dead: The Game, Rainbow Six Extraction, and Redfall look to follow in the footsteps of other co-op multiplayer experiences, encouraging players to work together so they can overcome terrifying odds. A Plague Tale: Requiem emphasizes a more realistic approach to horror, with a heavy focus on narrative being what drives the journey forward. Little Devil Inside aims 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 anticipated Nintendo Switch game. Even the superheroes of the Marvel universe will have to contend with more paranormal threats in Marvel's Midnight Suns. With all of this and surely more to be revealed during the year, such as more about the upcoming Slitterhead by Bokeh Game Studio, it's a great time to be a fan of the horror genre.