With 2021 now in the books, it's time to look forward to what the rest of 2022 will offer gamers. For those that managed to get ahold of a PS5, that means playing some of PlayStation's biggest new games with the best visuals possible, as well as all of the other innovations that have come alongside the system. All the pieces are in place for an impressive 2022, with some specific highlights.
This year, gamers can expect quite the competition between PlayStation and Xbox, as the two gaming giants not only have new consoles on the market, but their delayed software is finally starting to roll out. While gamers would've loved the likes of Horizon Forbidden West in 2021, global factors caused it to be delayed into February, a month now filled to the brim with games. Luckily, Horizon is just one of the things to be excited about.
Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarok Mark a New Era for PlayStation
On top of Horizon Forbidden West, PS5 owners can look forward to God of War Ragnarok, which is currently slated for a release sometime in 2022. Assuming that Ragnarok will be PlayStation's big fall game, PS5 owners will be opening and closing out the year with new games from two of PlayStation's biggest IPs. Both franchises are respectable in their own right, though God of War Ragnarok certainly has the better pedigree.
Not only is God of War's 2018 reboot considered one of the best games of the PS4 generation, some have gone so far as to say that it's one of the best games ever made. While that really comes down to individual tastes, Sony Santa Monica has carefully laid out all of the pieces for the new game. God of War Ragnarok is the end of the Norse storyline, so all of the narrative threads created by its predecessor should be closed this time around.
Meanwhile, Horizon Forbidden West is nothing to scoff at. While the first game was somewhat overshadowed by Breath of the Wild, it was still hailed for its narrative, world, and gameplay mechanics. When coupled with God of War Ragnarok, it makes a one-two punch for the PS5, reinforcing how important console exclusives are to the PlayStation ecosystem. While both games will land on the PS4, the PS5 certainly seems like the "definitive" way to experience both.
PlayStation Unveils Its Game Pass Competitor
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A few weeks ago, a report from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier revealed that PlayStation is working on a Game Pass competitor, which will most likely keep the PS Plus branding but be offered at different tiers. The new service is said to include classic PlayStation games, newer first-party titles, and a few other offerings to boot. While nothing has been confirmed, and the report even stated that nothing has been finalized, it would mark a major shakeup in the current video game market.
Right now, Xbox's greatest advantage over PlayStation is Game Pass. The subscription service's value is undeniable, being so compelling it's even the deciding factor for some when choosing between PlayStation and Xbox. It's a bit befuddling that PlayStation has let Game Pass grow for so long uncontested, but that may soon change.
If Sony is going to reveal a Game Pass competitor, 2022 is the year to do it. Xbox's first-party roster is set to be studded with console exclusives like Starfield, Fable, Avowed, Perfect Dark, and many, many more. While PlayStation has a better suite of offerings right now, that could change within a year or two if things don't go Sony's way. Rumor has it that the new service could be revealed in the spring, which means that PS5 owners could have a compelling new service in just a few months' time.
New PS5 Game Announcements and PSVR 2
Fans will undoubtedly get some new game announcements throughout the year, too. While PlayStation has shown a lot of its hand, there's likely still more that it needs to reveal for 2022 and beyond, filling out the rest of its release calendar. Plus, games like Spider-Man 2 and Wolverine also need proper gameplay trailers. PSVR 2 is also looking promising, though it may not release in 2022.
The original PSVR didn't have a massive impact, as unfortunate as it is to say. The headset looked futuristic, bearing more in common with the PS5 than the PS4, but it required an extra box and tons of cables to use, making it a burden to set up and a bit of an eyesore. However, Sony has officially announced the PSVR 2, and it might be able to impact the console VR space in a way that its predecessor couldn't.
There have been plenty of technical improvements for the PSVR 2, including ditching the external sensors for ones built into the headset and shipping with improved controllers. While the Oculus Quest 2 is likely to be the more popular option because of how self-contained it is, the PSVR 2 is still a tremendous opportunity for Sony to grow its catalog of games in an exciting new way, especially if it uses the impressive horsepower of the PS5.
Already, PlayStation is touting some of the experiences that fans will get to play with the PSVR 2, including Horizon Call of the Mountain, a VR game set in the Horizon universe. The scale of the robot creatures in Horizon has always been impressive, so recreating those in virtual reality will likely be a sight to behold. But there's even more potential in some of PlayStation's other IP to offer compelling experiences on the PS5 through the new headset. Just think of how well The Last of Us would translate to VR, or even something like Ratchet and Clank.
Overall, PS5 has an immensely strong position in 2022. With so much happening on the platform this year, and big new announcements likely to come along the way, PS5 owners shouldn't have to wrestle with boredom. It's going to be a highly competitive year, but the PS5 may take the crown.
