5 upcoming open-world games for the rest of 2022

Open-world games are usually some of the largest video games released, generally developed and published by big name studios. While open-world games are not just limited to AAA titles, more often than not, they do come under that umbrella. With expansive, diverse, and lived-in worlds that feel very close to reality than expected, these games can keep players occupied for days.

2022 has already had a number of big releases, many of which include open-world titles such as Horizon Forbidden West, Tunic, and Elden Ring. As the second half of the year draws nearer, players will now look at what the next few months will bring to the table.

The second half of 2022 is also set to release a number of open-world games, most of them being highly anticipated ones.

Note: This article reflects the writer's opinion.

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5 open-world games releasing in the next six months (including the controversial Hogwarts Legacy)

1) Sonic Frontiers

Developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA, Sonic Frontiers is due to release in 2022’s fourth quarter, possibly near Halloween or Christmas. This is the first time in the Sonic series that they are going for an open-world approach, with several islands scattered across the map.

Platforming and ring collection returns along with grind rails as Sonic, Tails, and Amy Rose are transported to the Starfall Islands. These islands will feature a variety of landscapes including fields, forests, ruins, and deserts. The larger narrative is unclear as of now, but it does involve collecting the Chaos Emeralds.

Many find that the open-world mechanic is similar to that of Breath of the Wild. The maps feature many traditional elements such as springs, boosts, and grind rails. Robot enemies are also strewn across the islands and Sonic can perform attacks on them. He can also jump and sidestep while in combat.

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2) Saints Row

Serving as a reboot of the franchise and bringing the game back down to its grounded roots, Saints Row is an upcoming open-world game that will release on August 23, 2022. Developed by veterans of the series from Volition and published by Deep Silver, this action-adventure is set in the fictional city of Santo Ileso.

In this game, players will take on the role of the Boss as they embark on creating a new gang to seize control of the city. They must begin by befriending three individuals named Neenah, Kevin, and Eli. This friendship will later blossom into a new empire, called The Saints.

In terms of gameplay, the newest installment seemingly doesn’t have anything new to offer. It is viewed from a third-person perspective and the behavior is much like that of the previous Saints Row titles, minus the superpowers. Despite this, the game does feel very faithful to older, more popular games in the series, so only time will tell if the storyline will be any good.

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3) Forspoken

An upcoming game by developer Luminous Productions and published by Square Enix, Forspoken is slated to release on October 11, 2022. Following an original unique storyline, this brand new open-world game is set in the realm of Athia, a diverse land that is ruled by the oppressive Tantas.

It is here that protagonist Frey Holland finds herself taken to after being magically whisked away from her very normal life in New York City. After befriending a magical talking bracelet known as Cuff, Frey discovers that she now has access to various different magical abilities.

The gameplay is seemingly focused on terrain traversal speed and fluidity, as noted by the game director. Combat includes the use of various magical offensive capabilities, such as elemental powers. Movement will also be a key factor in combat as players are required to stay mobile and make good use of Frey’s parkour abilities.

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4) Gotham Knights

Set in a sprawling, living, breathing Gotham City, Gotham Knights is being developed by WB Games Montreal and is expected to launch on October 25, 2022. It will feature the largest version of Gotham City ever seen in an open-world game. Players will be able to drive around the heavily populated city streets using the Batcycle or traverse the rooftops using other modes of transportation.

Currently, the game features four playable characters, namely Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin. Each character has different combat abilities and a moveset, as well as a characteristic trait to getting around this open-world game. The game's combat seems relatively simple, and does not have the intricacy of the Arkham games. It is instead similar to Insomniac's Marvel’s Spider-Man.

The story takes place after an incident where Batman has been killed, which sees his former teammates return to the city to battle various criminal elements. The game is set to feature many villains from Batman’s 'Rogues Gallery,' as well as the very first appearance of the Court of Owls criminal organization in a video game.

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5) Hogwarts: Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy, set in the magical world of Harry Potter, is due to be released with a late 2022 release date and is being developed by Avalanche Software. This open-world game primarily covers the grounds of Hogwarts as well as surrounding areas such as Hogsmeade village and the Shrieking Shack.

Players will assume the role of a new fifth-year student enrolling in the iconic School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the 1800s. This character will play a vital role in the unfolding of a mystery as a strange forgotten magic is being stirred that could “tear the wizarding world apart.”

As an RPG, the game allows players to groom their character as they see fit while attending classes at Hogwarts and learning new spells. The taming of and caring for magical beasts also factors into gameplay, while a morality system will determine if the player can cast certain curses, such as the Killing curse, Avada Kedavra.