Is it weird to say I need to game more in 2022? I literally made a list of games I plan to play in 2022. Now, most people think of gaming as a negative hobby that takes up too much time. However, if you’re a Type A person who takes everything very seriously, and you’re never relaxed, you need serious help.
And I realized I need to diversify my forms of relaxation in 2022. I love k-dramas and c-dramas. But what happens after I finish a series? Usually, I feel empty. When it comes to books and gaming…Well, I haven’t read in a while, so I have no hope of falling in love with something fiction, and I haven’t picked up my PS5 controller in a while either.
That’s why I’m watching dramas, reading fiction, and playing video games intentionally this year. During this year, I’ll read, watch, and game stories I’m excited about and fill my day with stories to look forward to consuming.
Here’s what’s on my list of games I plan to play in 2022.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
The moment I saw the trailer for Kena: Bridge of Spirits during Sony’s State of Play in 2020, I was sold. I thought it was a game inspired by A:TLA, which it’s not, but it gave me similar vibes because of the stunning setting.
So far, I’ve played a little bit of the game. I collected the main Rots who are Kena’s spirit companions in the game. Since I picked this up in September of 2021, it’s my top game for 2022.
Synopsis: The game is set in a charming world rich with exploration and fast-paced combat. As the titular character Kena, players find and grow a team of tiny spirit companions called the Rot, enhancing their abilities and creating new ways to manipulate the environment. (Source: Kena Bridge of Spirits Wiki)
→ $34.99 – $53.49 on Epic Games and PlayStation store
Ghost of Tsushima
It may sound lame, but I’m not into gore or creepy stuff. But, the excitement in people’s voices when they talk about Ghost of Tsushima has me intrigued. If I hadn’t seen Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning in 2021, I probably wouldn’t give Ghost of Tsushima a second glance.
However, since this game is said to be loosely inspired by old samurai anime, and I’m a fan of the samurai era in Japan, I think I’ll give it a shot. I’m pretty new to gaming. So far, I’ve only played Just Dance 2021/2022, Pikmin 3: Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Ratchet & Clank.
Racket & Clank made me realize how much I love action-adventure games that get me sucked into the story and make me want to keep playing. So, I’m hoping Ghost of Tsushima will be an immersive experience as well.
Synopsis: The year is 1274 CE on the island of Tsushima. Samurai warriors are the legendary defenders of Japan until the fearsome Mongol Empire invaded, wreaking havoc and conquering Tsushima, defeating nearly all samurai stationed on Tsushima Island. As one of the last surviving samurai, Jin Sakai rises from the ashes to fight back with help from his allies, but the honourable tactics and code of the samurai won’t lead to a possible victory over the Mongols. Jin must move beyond samurai traditions to forge a new way of fighting – the way of the Ghost – as he wages an unconventional war for the freedom of Japan. (Source: Ghosts of Tsushima Wiki)
→ $89.99 on GameStop and Amazon
Horizon Zero Dawn
Since I heard about Horizon Zero Dawn in 2019, I’ve been wanting to play it. When I got the PS5, the first thing I did was download the game. I played the first “chapter” of the game, but I haven’t gotten much further.
Overall, I prioritize watching dramas over gaming. I can watch 60 hours of a drama in a couple of weeks, but it’s hard for me to rationalize that time for gaming. I think it’s because gaming uses your active brain, whereas dramas let you zone out.
After I play Ghost of Tsushima, I’ll play this.
Synopsis: Horizon Zero Dawn takes place in the 31st century, in a post-apocalyptic world where colossal machines dominate the land. Human civilization has regressed to tribal societies of hunters and gatherers who survive in immense forests, imposing mountain ranges, and the atmospheric ruins of their ancestors – all while the machines become increasingly powerful. The player controls Aloy, a huntress who uses her speed, cunning, and agility to stay alive and protect her tribe against the force, size, and power of the machines. The game features mystical and mythical elements. (Source: Horizon Zero Dawn Wiki)
→ $19.99 on GameStop and Amazon
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is the follow-up to Horizon Dawn. It was released this month, and since I work for a gaming company, we’ve been promoting it through social media a lot.
It was my intention to finish Horizon Zero Dawn before Horizon Forbidden West was released, but due to a lack of time to play, it hasn’t happened. Forbidden West looks stunning, so I hope I can get through the lengthy plot of the first game to try it out.
Synopsis: Horizon Forbidden West continues the story of Aloy half a year later after the event of the Zero Dawn, a young huntress of the Nora tribe sent on a quest to a mysterious frontier spanning Utah to the Pacific coast to find the source of a mysterious plague that kills all it infects. On her journey across the uncharted lands of the Forbidden West, she encounters hostile regions filled with natural threats and ravaged by massive storms, dangerous enemies and deadly machines, both new and old. As Aloy attempts to explore the wider and deeper parts of the Forbidden West, she discovers a vast array of diverse environmental ecosystems, including lush valleys, deserts, snowy mountains, tropical beaches and ruined cities, both above and below the water. (Source: Horizon Forbidden West Wiki)
→ $89.99 on GameStop and Amazon
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
PS5 controllers have haptic feedback, which is one of its biggest draws. With the PS5, you’ll get vibrations and sound effects through your controller so you can immerse yourself in the game.
Miles Morales is the main title game for the PS5 launch in 2020, so it’s supposed to show you all the haptic features PS5 has to offer. I’d love to play this, especially since I liked the Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse movie.
Synopsis: A year later after his training with Peter is complete, Miles has fully integrated himself into the black and red suit as an experienced Spider-Man while defending both his new home in Harlem and the rest of New York City from a gang war between the energy corporation, Roxxon and a high-tech criminal army, known as the Underground, lead by the Tinkerer. Parker tells Miles that he has to be like his late father and walk on the path to becoming a hero for the city of New York. (Source: Marvel’s Spider-Man Wiki)
→ $64.99 on GameStop and Amazon
Stray
Although this game seems weird, I love the setting. It reminds me of my fantasy dystopian novel’s setting. During Sony’s State of Play event, Stray was teased.
I’m eager to try it out. It’s weird to play as a cat, but maybe the storyline or setting will be worth it.
Synopsis: Lost, alone, and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city with the help of a small flying drone, known only as B12. (Source: IMDB)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Series
The Legend of Zelda isn’t something I grew up playing. I’m curious about why people are so obsessed with it. It can’t be that good, right? To be honest, I find Nintendo adventure games a little bland. They don’t have the rich graphics that Xbox or Sony games have.
But I’m gonna try it out. If I don’t play it in 2022, I’ll try it in 2023 (wow, that’s weird to say). I’m also interested in playing this since the sequel is coming out this year. What do you think of Breath of the Wild? Do you think it’s worth the hype?
Synopsis: After a century of hibernation, Link reawakens to once again save a ruined Hyrule from a great evil. (Source: IMDB)
→ $79.99 on GameStop and Amazon
Hogwarts Legacy
I’m not a huge fan of Harry Potter. In high school, I watched all the movies (loved them), read fanfics about the characters, and then read one book out of the entire series (terrible, I know). But, now I’m over it. I’m a Ravenclaw, and that’s my only association with the series.
Nonetheless, Hogwarts Legacy looks EXACTLY like what I’d want an Avatar: The Last Airbender video game to be. You get to play in Hogwarts as your own character (I think) and you have the same abilities in the game as the original work. How cool is that? So, I’m curious to see what the game looks like, and I hope Avatar Studios makes something similar.
Synopsis: Experience Hogwarts in the 1800s. Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. You have received a late acceptance to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and soon discover that you are no ordinary student: you possess an unusual ability to perceive and master Ancient Magic. Only you can decide if you will protect this secret for the good of all, or yield to the temptation of more sinister magic. Discover the feeling of living at Hogwarts as you make allies, battle Dark wizards, and ultimately decide the fate of the wizarding world. Your legacy is what you make of it.” (Source: Hogwarts Legacy)
Happy Home Paradise
Like the rest of the world, I had my Animal Crossing: New Horizons phase around Spring 2020 when it first came out.
Since I played Animal Crossing in 2020, I was eagerly anticipating Happy Home Paradise and the new updates with Brewster. However, I haven’t played it since I posted my Animal Crossing Island Tour video back in 2020.
I’ll try Happy Home Paradise if I ever get the urge to open up my leafy, possibly cockroach-infested island again.
Synopsis: Clients with different dream vacation requests will visit a new resort area located in an archipelago, made up of several different islands, where the Paradise Planning team is located. You can talk to a client and find out the details of their requests for a vacation home, and then make their dreams happen! (Source: GameStop)
→ $32.99 on GameStop
Beat Saber
I swear if we go into lockdown again this summer, I will enter my villain era. I’ve already figured out what I’ll do for my mental health. My first investment will be roller skates so I can practice skating outside and a VR set so I can play Beat Saber to let out my aggression.
Since I got the PS5, Beat Saber has intrigued me. You can slash to the beat of BTS songs with a saber. It’s a weird game, but it sure looks like fun and a great way to strengthen your arms. Fitness games like Just Dance 2022 or Ring Fit Adventure aren’t new to me. If you’re bored with YouTube workouts, they’re great alternatives for at-home workouts.
Synopsis: Beat Saber is a virtual reality rhythm game developed and published by Czech game developer Beat Games. It takes place in a surrealistic neon environment and features the player slicing blocks representing musical beats with a pair of contrasting-coloured sabers. (Source: Beat Saber Wiki)
→ $39.99 on PlayStation store
What video games are you most excited to play this year?
