2022 has been a strange year for gamers. After an incredible start to the year, which saw Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West, and Elden Ring, the latter two both being Game of the Year contenders, all released within the same calendar month of February, the middle of the year has been considerably quieter in comparison. Thanks in part to a host of game delays which has seen a multitude of highly anticipated titles pushed back to 2023, gamers haven't quite been as spoiled for choice as they were in the first half of the year.
This looks set to change as the Autumn months fast approach, though, with the release calendar getting considerably busier as the year draws to a close. In particular, the month of November looks to be the pick of the bunch, with big releases across Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo. Recent announcements revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022 have added a couple more big names to November's release list, and gamers are now braced for a month that could see their wallets substantially lightened if they choose to invest in a couple of these heavyweight titles.
Gamescom Has Bolstered November's Release Schedule
One of the big takeaways from Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022 was a confirmed release date for the highly anticipated upcoming open-world Sonic game Sonic Frontiers. A new story trailer confirmed that the game will release on November 8 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X. While this will no doubt excite fans of the infamous blue hedgehog, it is a relatively surprising move from developer Sonic Team, considering the competition it will face by releasing in that month.
Sonic Team has shown an incredible amount of confidence in its project by pitting the game against a couple of other heavyweights, and it is a decision that will either pay off or be regretted further down the line. Either way though, the developer seems committed to this release date and has confirmed that Sonic Frontiers faces no delays. Whether this is a calculated risk or a foolish afterthought remains to be seen. Throwing Sonic into an open-world format is an exciting new twist on the formula, and if it is done well, it could open up the franchise to a whole new world of possibilities.
Goat Simulator 3 is the other title that was given a confirmed release date of November 17 during the opening night. The quirky franchise sees players set loose to cause havoc and mayhem as a lovable goat, and it is particularly popular with younger gamers who enjoy the freedom it offers. The sandbox adventure game will see players completing a host of fun challenges and will offer full online support for those preferring to traverse the world with a herd of goat friends.
November Was Already Set to be a Big Month
Even before these most recent developments, the month of November already boasted a couple of huge heavyweight titles in its calendar. The most prominent of these, and arguably the most anticipated, is God of War: Ragnarok. The sequel to the 2018 Game of the Year God of War, which was a reboot for the franchise, has been sought after for a long time now, and for a while, it was looking increasingly like the game would be another victim of 2022's delays. These fears were quashed though when Sony and developer Santa Monica Studio finally announced God of War: Ragnarok's release date: November 9.
Many believe that the sequel, which will be looking to build on the incredible world and mechanics displayed in the first game, is already a Game of the Year contender that could rival Elden Ring, a game that has been in the early running since it released. Whether this comes to fruition or not, the game, another Playstation exclusive, will surely sell incredibly well, and any other game that is releasing in November will have its work cut out attempting to compete with Kratos and his juggernaut franchise.
Meanwhile, Nintendo is set to make its own mark on November with the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the first installments of the ninth generation of Pokémon video games. The games will launch on November 18 exclusively for Nintendo Switch. Pokémon's popularity remains incredibly high, and the franchise continues to go from strength to strength. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set to have open worlds, with a large variety of areas ranging from urban areas to vast open wilderness. Interestingly, there will be no borders between the two. More new Pokémon will also be introduced, with gameplay that looks to be an exciting blend of previous games.
As if all of these huge titles weren't enough, there are also a few more notable November releases. Namely, the upcoming pirate adventure Skull and Bones from Ubisoft coming on November 8 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series S/X, as well as the interesting-looking action-adventure Evil West, which sees players take on the role of a cowboy vampire hunter. It launches on November 22 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X. Whether gamers decide to stump up the cash for one of these titles, or even all of them, there is set to be something for everyone, and 2022 looks to be reaching its climax with considerable aplomb.