2021 was a great year for the video game industry, which saw the releases of many well-received games and content. From the western localization of “Persona 5 Strikers” to the fantastic port of “Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury,” and the release of smash hits such as “Metroid Dread” and “Halo Infinite,” fans of gaming had lots to dig their teeth into. With the successes of 2021, many wonder how 2022 will follow up with the games scheduled to release this year. Here, I show off some of the highlights that’ll kick off 2022, as well as some games scheduled to release sometime this year, but are yet to see a proper release date.

Pokémon Legends Arceus – Jan. 28

Available for Nintendo Switch

(Source: The Pokémon Company)

Right around the corner is “Pokémon Legends Arceus,” a grand shake-up to the traditionally rigid gameplay formula the Pokémon series has followed for decades. Taking place in Hisui, the name for ancient Sinnoh, the region of “Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,” “Pokémon Legends Arceus” sees the player in ancient times, an age before the harmonious coexistence of humans and Pokémon. With an open world hitting similar beats to 2017’s “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” the protagonist, Akari or Rei, will explore Hisui on their mission to fill out the land’s first Pokédex.

Horizon Forbidden West – Feb. 18

Available for the Playstation 4 and Playstation 5

(Source: Guerrilla Games)

Coming this February is the sequel to 2017’s “Horizon Zero Dawn,” an open world game starring Aloy, a woman seeking her long-lost mother while unraveling the secrets of her post-apocalyptic world. “Horizon Forbidden West” sees Aloy’s journey as she seeks out the source of an unknown plague, featuring wider enemy and environmental diversity. While originally slated for a 2021 release, the game was delayed to 2022, and from what it seems, it will be well worth the wait.

Elden Ring – Feb. 25

Available for PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Windows

(Source: From Software)

Also coming this February is “Elden Ring,” developed by From Software, the creators of the critically acclaimed “Souls” series. Its gameplay follows in the footsteps of the “Souls” series, but “Elden Ring” will be the first Souls-like game to be open world. The game’s writing is being directed by George R. R. Martin, the author of “Game of Thrones,” so fans expect “Elden Ring” to feature a deep, engrossing world and story to delve into.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – March 25

Available for Nintendo Switch

(Source: Nintendo of America)

From “Kirby’s Dream Land” in 1992 to “Kirby Star Allies” in 2018, Kirby has always been a traditionally 2D series. Like the aforementioned “Pokémon Legends Arceus,” “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” seeks to break series tradition, as for the pink puffball’s 30th anniversary, the series finally leaps into the third dimension. Taking place in a forgotten civilization, “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” stars the titular hero with brand new copy abilities and a new partner character, Elfilin. Amusingly enough, fans were quick to be distrustful of Elfilin, though they aren’t to be blamed. If the series’s modern games have any overarching messages, it is that if it’s cute, don’t trust it.

While those four games are kicking off this year, many games are slated for a 2022 release, yet don’t have a definitive date. Despite this, these games are heavily anticipated, so here’s a few highlights coming later this year.

Splatoon 3 – TBA 2022

Available for Nintendo Switch

(Source: Nintendo UK)

Nintendo’s ink-splatting shooter series returns to Nintendo Switch with its third entry this year. Inklings and Octolings take to the Splatlands, a dusty desert, as well as Splatsville, a metropolis within it. Bringing new customization, weapon and movement options, one of the highlights of “Splatoon 3” is the new story mode, “Return of the Mammalians,” where long gone mammals return to the Splatoon universe.

Hollow Knight: Silksong – TBA

Available for Nintendo Switch and PC

(Source: Nintendo)

It’s been a long time coming for this one. Originally planned as DLC for the critically acclaimed indie game “Hollow Knight,” the developers, Team Cherry, let the project evolve into a full sequel starring Hornet, an antagonist from the first game. Initially set to release in 2019, there’s been near radio silence on the game’s progress since then, and to be honest, we don’t even know if it’ll release in 2022. Still, fans of Hollow Knight still hold onto hope for the game to be released this year.

Sonic Frontiers – Winter 2022

Available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S

(Source: Official Sonic The Hedgehog Youtube)

It’s been quite the wait for fans of the blue hedgehog, too. Releasing five years after the series’ last outing, “Sonic Forces,” “Sonic Frontiers” seeks to be a grand foray into the open world genre. Written by fan-favorite Ian Flynn, the writer for the Sonic comics published by IDW, fans are eager to see what the story offers as they blaze through the Starfall Islands.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 – TBA 2022

Available for Nintendo Switch

(Source: Nintendo)

I would be remiss not to mention this game. Currently one of the most heavily anticipated games, the sequel to 2017’s beloved “Breath of the Wild” has been scheduled for a 2022 release. Announced back in 2019 at E3, a major video gaming convention, we were given a teaser, ramping up the hype as fans got to see how Hyrule has evolved since the first game. Once again featuring a vast, open world, our hero Link travels between floating islands on his quest to save Hyrule once more.

Gaming in 2022 seems to be taking off on a strong start, and there’s much more to play in the coming months. 2022 is looking to be yet another strong year for the gaming industry.