Many have argued that 2021 was a lacklustre year for video games. With the new PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles in their infancy and the ongoing pandemic slowing development cycles, it did feel like there wasn’t always much to look forward to. Still, we saw some great stuff across all platforms in 2021. With 2022 right around the corner, you’re probably wondering if there are any big releases set for January. After the excitement of Christmas and New Year, it’s always good to have something new to play as things go back to normal. Luckily, there’s some exciting games on the horizon. Let’s take a look at the video games coming out in January 2022.
Video Games Coming Out in January 2022
1. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction
Release Date: 20th January 2022
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, Stadia
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction tops our list because it’s one of the few truly new video games coming out in January 2022. It’s a spin-off of 2015’s wildly popular Rainbow Six Siege. Extraction is a multiplayer tactical shooter in which players team up in squads of three to battle an alien threat. Admittedly, it’s pretty far from the military realism of Tom Clancy novels; however, it should make for a fun multiplayer experience.
In Rainbow Six Extraction, your team must infiltrate alien infested zones to collect intel, samples and materials. Enemies and objective locations are procedurally generated to keep things fresh. As a result, tactical decision making – such as where to head next and when to extract safely – is needed to best the alien threat.
2. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Release Date: 28th January 2022
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is another brand new title coming out in January 2022. It’s a prequel to Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and their recent remakes, and puts a new spin on the well-established open world RPG series.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is different to the usual Pokémon formula as it takes place “when the lives of humans and Pokémon were still separate”. This means that players encounter wild Pokémon who roam freely and can be interacted with directly, while traditional trainer battles are scaled back. Not only that, but the player can be attacked by wild Pokémon, some of which are tough “alphas”. When the player fails this type of encounter, they lose all their stuff and return to a nearby base camp. They then have the opportunity to head out and reclaim what they’ve lost. Overall, Pokémon Legends: Arceus should make for a fun and fresh entry in the series.
3. God of War
Release Date: 14th January 2022
Platform: PC
Unfortunately, I’m not talking about the highly anticipated God of War: Ragnarok. No, this is the PC port of the acclaimed 2018 God of War. But for PC players who didn’t pick it up on PlayStation the first time round, it’s a must.
God of War serves as a reboot of the long-running series and shifts the game into the world of Norse mythology. Players control an older, wiser Kratos as he embarks on a journey to scatter his dead wife’s ashes with his young son, Atreus. Atreus is unaware of his father’s past and has much to learn about his divine ancestry. God of War‘s story and gameplay are top notch – something its long list of awards attests to. For PC players, it really is can’t miss.
4. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
Release Date: 28th January 2022
Platform: PS5
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is compiled of PS5 remasters for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. A next-gen remaster of Uncharted 4 has been highly requested ever since the PS5 first arrived in 2020 – and thankfully it’s one of the video games coming out in January 2022.
With its additional performance and graphical prowess, the PS5 will allow players to enjoy an enhanced version of Nathan Drake’s latest adventure. Uncharted 4 was gorgeous when it first game out in 2016. But it will look even better with 4K graphics and running at 60FPS. The inclusion of the The Lost Legacy in the new collection is also a big win. Despite it’s short length, it’s a great follow-up to Uncharted 4.
A PC version of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is due out later in 2022.
5. Monster Hunter Rise
Platform: PC
Release date: 12th January 2022
Monster Hunter Rise first came out back in March 2021 for the Nintendo Switch. It got great reviews and sold over 7.5 million copies. In January 2022, it’s coming to PC. For PC players, the new Monster Hunter Rise port is an opportunity to play one of the best titles the Nintendo Switch has to offer.
Monster Hunter Rise is the latest instalment in the action RPG series which debuted back in 2005 on the PS2. It focuses on the player taking on a wide variety of monsters using different weapons and tools. Rise introduces a new animal companion called a Palamute which the player can ride, and the Wirebugs mechanic to mount monsters.
Are you excited about the video games coming out in January 2022? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
