In the last decade, the open-world genre has become the undisputed king when it comes to sales and popularity among gamers across all platforms. It shouldn't really surprise anyone. The truly great open-world games really have it all: captivating stories, loads of side content, and perhaps most importantly, massive environments with countless locations just waiting to be explored.
The lineup of sandbox and open-ended experiences available on the Xbox Series X/S is already quite impressive thanks to the fantastic value-for-money provided by the Xbox Game Pass, and it's about to get even better. Some absolute blockbusters are scheduled to release on the Microsoft console in 2022, and they're shaping up to be must-plays for any true fan of the open-world genre.
7 Starfield
Thanks to the popularity of the Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises, Bethesda hasn't come up with a new open-world IP for years now. That's about to change in 2022, with Starfield scheduled to release on Xbox and PC in November that year. It'll also be available to play with the Game Pass subscription from day one!
The developers have claimed that Starfield will be a completely new, exclusively next-gen open-world experience, promising players the ability to explore a vast galaxy via a spaceship and visit dozens of varied planets. Some of the more skeptical fans have mockingly started calling Starfield the "Skyrim in space", but that doesn't change the fact that the gaming community is eagerly awaiting the release of Bethesda's upcoming title.
6 Elden Ring
Developed by FromSoftware, the masterminds behind Dark Souls, and set in a world envisioned by George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind Game of Thrones, Elden Ring is shaping up to be a strong contender for 2022's game of the year title. The combination of open-world mechanics with souls-like combat and storytelling elements is an exciting prospect, one that could make for a unique, immersive experience.
Although much of Elden Ring is still shrouded in secrecy, fans of FromSoftware games should know more or less what to expect: difficult, but rewarding boss fights, plenty of hidden lore, and a steep learning curve that's more than worth the time. The studio is not known for open-world titles, though, and it will be interesting to see how they handle translating their award-winning game mechanics into a more open-ended experience.
5 Hogwarts Legacy
All Harry Potter enthusiasts will agree that the vast majority of video games based on that hit franchise weren't really the most enthralling of experiences. The best titles out of the eight games that came out alongside their respective Harry Potter movies were those where players got to freely roam around Hogwarts and explore the various nooks and crannies of the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Set in the 1800s, with a plot that is entirely independent of the Harry Potter series, Hogwarts Legacy is going to be an open-world action RPG with a fully customizable protagonist. From the limited in-game footage that's been published so far, it seems like Avalanche Software will deliver a game that players who grew up with the record-breaking franchise were begging for.
4 Ark 2
Ark: Survival Evolved is a gaming phenomenon. Despite generating rather lukewarm reactions from reviewers, millions of players have flocked to its immersive mixture of open-world survival mechanics and fighting unique enemies. Ark's creativity and multifaceted nature are unmatched by many games to this day, despite the fact that it was released over six years ago.
After the announcement of Ark 2, many fans and gaming media outlets expressed their doubts about whether or not the sequel can replicate the original's success, especially in terms of introducing more innovative and creative gameplay and exploration mechanics. On the other hand, the graphics from the in-game trailers look amazing, and Vin Diesel's involvement suggests that there may be an expanded story element in the title as well.
3 STALKER: Heart of Chernobyl
The STALKER series is one of the post-apocalyptic classics. The first game, released in 2007, blew players away with a non-linear storyline and an expansive, post-apocalyptic open world. The setting of STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl was also carefully modeled after the buildings and environments deep within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
Back in the day, STALKER was one of the first games to introduce open-world mechanics to the survival horror genre. Nowadays, with titles like the Metro series (often hailed as the spiritual successor to the STALKER games), this niche is a lot more expansive. With Heart of Chernobyl, the developers over at GSC Game World can prove that they're still able to pave the way when it comes to open-world survival horror, especially after such a long hiatus.
2 Gotham Knights
Set in an open-world Gotham City after Batman's death, the premise of Gotham Knights should capture the interest of DC comics fans straight away. Without Batman and Commissioner Gordon to keep wrongdoers at bay, the city is overrun with crime and has plunged into chaos. It is up to Bruce Wayne's proteges to restore order to the city and maintain the legacy he's left behind.
Players will be able to take control of four characters in Gotham Knights: Nightwing, Bat Girl, Robin, and Red Hood, and the plot will follow the up-and-coming heroes as they unravel the mysterious plot behind Wayne's untimely death. The game will include a two-player coop mode with players able to drop in and out without affecting the original save.
1 Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Gotham Knights is not the only DC game set to grace our consoles in 2022. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is another big, open-world project, developed by Rocksteady Studios, responsible for the legendary Batman: Arkham series, mentioned (alongside Insomniac's Spiderman) as the best superhero titles ever made.
This time around, Rocksteady has decided to shake things up a little bit and put players in the shoes of the villains from the infamous Suicide Squad. With four playable characters (Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, King Shark), and a cooperative mode allowing gamers to progress through the story together, Kill the Justice League certainly looks like it's capable of setting a new standard for all future superhero games.