Games of the week – more 2022 releases including Horizon Forbidden West and Starfield
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Horizon Forbidden West
Platform: PlayStation 4/5
Genre: Action RPG
Rage against the machines… again
Preview by: Martyn Landi
The sequel to 2017’s hugely successful Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West will again see players take control of Aloy, as she explores a dystopian world of animalistic machines. The original was one of the games of the year when it came out and hopes are high for the sequel – given it will arrive on a more powerful console in the PS5, and introduce a number of new features, such as water exploration. As a new franchise and a PlayStation exclusive, it is likely to be one of the biggest releases of the year, with Sony hoping it offers enough compelling reasons to go for a PS5 over an Xbox.
Skip to the end: A chance to jump back into Aloy’s world will prove irresistible for fans.
Elden Ring
Platform: Xbox, PlayStation, PC
Genre: Action RPG
Death is coming
Preview by: Alistair Mason
One of the more intriguing game collaborations sees director Hidetaka Miyazaki link up with Game of Thrones author George RR Martin, to create a brand new open world for gamers to explore. Fans of Miyazaki’s previous games – including notoriously punishing titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne – will probably expect a serious challenge, although there have been hints the difficulty may have been dialled down a notch or two. Meanwhile, an in-depth backstory constructed by fantasy world-builder extraordinaire Martin may tempt those previously turned off by Miyazaki’s signature punitive style to jump in.
Skip to the end: A must for fans of Game Of Thrones and repeatedly dying.
Starfield
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Genre: Action RPG
Skyrim in space
Preview by: Martyn Landi
Starfield is likely to be the next big open-world role-playing exploration game and has even been described as ‘Skyrim in space’ by makers Bethesda – and they should know, they made Skyrim. Due to be released next November, the game sees players assume the role of a character in space exploration organisation Constellation, in the wake of a civil war in the solar system. Bethesda is promising an expansive, epic universe filled with such a range of quests and activities, that every player’s experience is different. And on next-gen console and PC, it should be quite an experience.
Skip to the end: One of the most hotly-anticipated new IPs in years.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action RPG
Get inside the minds of Smeagol
Preview by: Alistair Mason
An intriguing prospect for fantasy fans, this curious release will look into the backstory of one of the genre’s most famous but least understood characters. While you might be picturing epic battles and bloodthirsty action, the makers are promising something a little different, with gameplay focusing instead on stealth and parkour elements. Crafting also promises to feature strongly, while players will experience the inner struggle memorably brought to life in the film series between the two sides of Gollum’s personality. With appearances from new and much-loved familiar characters, it promises to be one of the year’s more interesting prospects.
Skip to the end: A precious commodity for Lord of the Rings fans.
