đšThere are BIG spoilers ahead for Disney’s Encanto!đš
BJP likely to lose power in Goa and Uttarakhand; Opposition must be prepared to foil horse trading attempts
Immediately after the 2017 elections, Mahohar Parrikar had won the vote of confidence with the help of Congress leader Vishwajit Rane who had left the house mid-way. He afterwards joined BJP, got re-elected, and was made a minister. Two other leaders deserted the Congress within a year to join BJP.
Mahohar Parrikar died in 2019, and thereafter Pramod Sawant became chief minister. Only a few months after, the BJP did not spare even its ally Maharashtra Gomantak Party, which was split into two, and two out of its three MLAs eventually joined the BJP.
Just on the eve of the present elections, one of GFPâs MLA along with an independent MLA joined the BJP which seemed to present it with an advantage. However, the situation changed when BJP MLAs including Alina Saldanha and Michael Lobo quit the party to join AAP and Congress. One BJP MLA, Pravin Zantye, left the BJP to join MGP. This indicates that the ground situation continued to be fluid.
âDonât Look Upâ movie review: Adam McKayâs savage satire aims for the staâ comets
It is hard to pick favourite actors or scenes from this satirical black comedy as there are so many of them. Written and directed by Adam McKay (The Big Short), Donât Look Up tells the story of Kate (Jennifer Lawrence), doing her PhD in astronomy at Michigan State University. Kate discovers a comet heading for earth. Her professor, Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), calculating the trajectory of the comet, realises it is going to hit the earth in six months, annihilating all life.
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The two get in touch with NASA with the news, and are put on to Teddy Oglethorpe (Rob Morgan), the head of the Planetary Defense Coordination Office. He sets up a meeting with the President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep), who is not particularly interested.
Their attempts to get the news out via the media does not work though Kateâs meltdown on the talk show, The Daily Rip, hosted by Brie Evantee (Cate Blanchett) and Jack Bremmer (Tyler Perry), goes viral.
While the two scream themselves hoarse about the earth coming to an end, the world seems only obsessed with pop star Riley Binaâs (Ariana Grande) relationship with DJ Chello (Scott Mescudi). Once the President realises doomsday is a good way to divert attention from a sex scandal she is embroiled in, she plays it for all it is worth.
- Director: Adam McKay
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Scott Mescudi, Himesh Patel, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep
- Story line: Two astronomers try to tell the sheeple that the world is about to end
- Run time: 138 minutes
A soldier, Benedict Drask (Ron Perlman), is selected to divert the comet though Mindy mutters would it not be better to do it remotely. âWashington always needs heroes,â a pundit intones. The mission is aborted midway because tech billionaire Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance) discovers the comet is full of precious minerals. So, the new plan is to blow up the comet and mine the minerals.
The world is split into those urging people to look up and see the fast-approaching comet, and others who do not believe in the comet and insist that people not look up. Everything unfolds at warp speed on social media.
The performances by the ensemble cast breathe life into the characters; from Rylanceâs tech guru to Streepâs smoking hot, opportunistic, narcissistic president. Jason (Jonah Hill) as the Presidentâs son and Chief of Staff is hilarious, while Blanchett as shallow and hard-nosed Brie is a hoot.
DiCaprio effortlessly hides his golden good looks under an unfashionable haircut, beard and round glasses as the plaid-shirt-wearing, pill-popping, anxious Mindy, while Lawrenceâs Kate, with even weirder hair, is a far cry from angsty, take-charge Katniss.
TimothĂ©e Chalamet makes for a sweetly-charming Yule, who becomes Kateâs fan after all the memes of her meltdown. Yule and Kate start a relationship after she returns home to Michigan. Himesh Patel plays Kateâs caddish boyfriend Phillip, who is looking to profit from her notoriety.
The small roles are also performed with Ă©lan from Perlmanâs bluff and politically-incorrect Drask to Michael Chiklis as Dan Pawketty, news anchor on a conservative television show and Liev Schreiber as narrator for Bash, Isherwellâs company. There is also an Avenger as Devin Peters, an actor starring in a film called â you got it â Total Devastation, after news of the approaching comet goes public.
Donât Look Up has mid and end-credit sequences like all good superhero movies. âSecond Natureâ composed by Bon Iverâs Justin Vernon and Nicholas Britell, which plays over the end credits sums up the awe and absurdity with the wordsâ âWhenâs that Rapture⊠will there be merch?â If the tinsel and good cheer are too much for you this season, you could do well to sink your teeth into this savage satire.
Donât Look Up is currently streaming on Netflix
Razzie nominations 2022: ‘Diana the Musical,’ Jared Leto and Bruce Willis make the list
Updated 10:55 AM ET, Mon February 7, 2022
A Ghoulish Passenger Bedevils a Driver in Chilling Short Night Bus
Stuck working the midnight shift on the eve of her 30th birthday, London bus driver Natasha (the excellent Susan Wokoma of the late, great Truth Seekers) believes her vehicle is emptyâuntil the bell starts dinging… and a cloaked figure seems to materialize in one of the upper-level rows.
At just 13 minutes, horror short Night Bus builds a ton of atmosphere and instantly makes you root for Natasha, whoâs already facing her milestone birthday with considerable dread and disgust even before things at work get weird… and they get extremely weird and terrifying. Watch for yourself, courtesy of Short of the Week:
Night Bus was written by Jade Alexander and is the co-directing debut of siblings Henrietta Ashworth and Jessica Ashworth, who told Short of the Week they filmed over three nights in London and aimed first and foremost to scare the audience. âOur main aim all through this process was to get people screaming,â they said. One of the ways they achieved that was by using the CCTV footage on Natashaâs bus to excellent effect. âIt was so pixellated and fragmented, that you didnât know what the hell you were looking at sometimesâwhich I think adds to the horror brilliantlyâyou never want to have to lean into the screen when watching a scary movie, but hopefully, thatâs something people were forced to do!â
Read more from io9:
- Shang-Chiâs Bus Fight, as Reviewed by a Bus Driver
- 5 Short Films to Distract You From the Winter Blues
- 5 Sci-Fi and Horror Shorts to Help Fill That No-New-Movies Void
- Give Your Attention Span a Break With These 7 Short Sci-Fi and Horror Movies
- The Creators of Spooky Animated Series The Kirlian Frequency Talk About Their Big Leap to Netflix
- 8 Horror Movies to Watch After You Devour Archive 81
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I canât imagine a world where I actually make use of storage that reads at a whopping 7,500MB/s and writes at 6,850MB/s, but maybe you can.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
- Photo Courtesy Of Hbo Max
- HOGWARTS HOOPLA Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Daniel Radcliffe reunite to reflect on the roles they’re destined to be forever remembered for, during HBO Max’s new retrospective, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.
What’s it rated? TV-14
When? 2022
Where’s it showing? HBO Max
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film’s release, HBO Max is streaming a new retrospective documentary that reunites several of the franchise’s main cast members and filmmakers to reflect on the series and their most memorable experiences while filming it over the course of more than a decade.
I hate to be a stickler, but the January release of this heartwarming tribute is technically two months late, as Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone came out in November of 2001. Womp, womp. But I’m happy to report that’s my only quarrelâor should I say, Quirrellâwith the documentary, which I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of. It’s a must-see for any fans of the series, magic folk and muggles alike. (102 min.) Î
âMaanaaduâ movie review: Simbu and SJ Suryah have a go at each other in this smartly-written film
In Maanaadu, the first plot point arrives at the half-hour mark. This is what happens: amidst a sea of party cadres, a civilian takes the gun from his shoulder bag and pulls the trigger, aimed at the Chief Minister of the State. He kills the CM in a single shot from what appears to be a distance of at least 100 metres from the podium.
Letâs assume that the civilian is an unwilling participant and all of this is orchestrated with careful precision by a third party of superior force. Even if we were to go by that logic, the probability of killing the Chief Minister in the first shot is a one in a hundredth scenario. In another film, this probability would have been a worrying factor and probably absurd too. But in Maanaadu, the absurdity of events is the fun; you derive pleasure from the hero Abdul Khaaliqâs (Silambarasan) frustration of being caught in a time-loop, where events go round and characters talk in circles. And the chewable bit for the audience is the lived experience of having sat through the sequences again and again; like a merry-go-round but one manned by someone who seems to know the machine in and out.
It is not fair to call the events in Maanaadu absurd. These are smartly-written and wonderfully put together by editor Praveen KL; it is as much a writerâs film as it is editorâs. But to get to the main âplotâ, you will have to cross the bridge of fanservice, which, too, gets an updated treatment here. Like for instance, the film inserts the Manmadhan theme at a certain point, perhaps, to massage the late coming fans â but, at the same time, it seems to acknowledge the political incorrectness of that film in the said scene where Seethalakshmi (Kalyani Priyadarshan) suspects Khaaliq of a creepy stalker. There is also a fat joke but on Simbu himself. It begs us to ask this: Is Simbu willing to correct the several wrongs of the past? Itâs hard to say. But it sure is a fine step forward.
Abdul Khaaliq finds himself in an infinite loop of time where if he dies, he wakes up and the sequences repeat themselves. Think of Source Code. On paper, Venkat Prabhu seems to have had two issues a) how do you break the complexity of the screenplay in a language understood by the âmassâ audience and b) how different should each component of the screenplay be designed, to escape from familiarity. If you are going to present a high concept film without compromise, the conventional audience is going to reject it. So, how do you give them a sweet pill? Venkat Prabhu, who tries to toy within the conventions of genre, like he did in Mass Engira Masilamani of which Iâm a fan, does something brilliant.
He takes a mainstream Hollywood trope and converts it into a masala film, thereby making the final product look refined. Full disclosure: I adore filmmakers who are unapologetic for the liking of masala cinema. Part of the reason why Maanaadu is thrilling is because, in essence, it is good masala that hides behind the facade of time-loop.
Itâs masala because usually, in a film that deals with time as a concept of subversion or inversion, it is usually the hero who has to triumph and find an exit statement. But here, Venkat Prabhu adds another layer to the loop and we get a Catch Me If You Can kind of a cat-and-mouse game between Simbu and SJ Suryah (the film exploits his over-the-top performance for its own good). Suryah is called Dhanushkodi…it doesnât seem like a happy coincidence at all. The first half ends on a bang â literally â and I saw myself reading a news report about a possible Bollywood remake already.
Three fourths of Maanaadu is constructed around a political event involving the Chief Minister (SA Chandrasekhar). While the film may not claim to be overtly political, it does not refuse to take a stand either. If you dig its surface deeper, it is about Islamophobia. Some of the (real) events mentioned are reconstructed to deliver a statement about todayâs communal politics.
But it does suffer from the trouble of taking WhatsApp forwards seriously, when Seethalakshmi tries to give Khaaliq and audience a plausible explanation for time-loop as a concept. It is as pretentious as Christopher Nolanâs fans claiming Interstellar to be a stellar work of science and fiction. We also get a backstory about Khaaliqâs mother who was rescued by a Hindu family during the communal riots right after the Babri mosque demolition. This is as âsafeâ as Venkat Prabhuâs short film about the Hindu-Muslim riots.
Maanaadu is the latest addition in a, hopefully, long list of films where the idea of âheroâ is changing for the better. Consider this: a Tamil cinema star never dies. This is a given clause even in our masala cinemaâs rulebook. But here, we have a star in Simbu willing to let himself die multiple times and in multiple forms for the larger good. Exciting times ahead?
France bans popcorn, snacks in movie theaters due to COVID
There will be no popcorn movies in France for a while â at least not in theaters â due to a rapid surge in the Omicron variant.
Beginning Monday, the country will put a three-week halt on the consumption of the popular snack in cinemas in a ban that will apply to all eating and drinking.
The measures will apply to theaters, sports venues and public transportation.
Cinema owners, who hoped to lure back people who have been watching movies at home during the pandemic, will take a hit by the closed concession stands.
Movie theaters in France sold 96 million tickets in the eight months they have been reopened in 2021, a jump of 47 percent compared to last year â but ticket sales are still down 55 percent compared to 2019, according to the National Center for Film and Moving Images.
Benoit CinĂ© Distribution, which supplies the snacks to almost three-quarters of Franceâs cinemas, had expected good sales with âSpider-Man: No Way Homeâ and âMatrix Resurrectionsâ drawing crowds.
âItâs like being told to apply the emergency brake to the high-speed train,â Vincent Meyer, a director at Benoit, told The Associated Press.
Michel Enten, manager of the Le Fontenelle cinema in the town of Marly-le-Roi west of Paris, said he expects the ban to hit larger cinemas particularly hard, though it may even help lure back fans to smaller theaters like his.
âThere are lots of people who hate hearing the sounds of popcorn in the auditoriums,â said Enten, who lost about half of his clientele during the pandemic. Â
âPerhaps we will win over new movie fans, people who were watching Netflix and are saying to themselves, âNow thereâs no more popcorn, letâs run to the cinema,ââ he said.
Some cinemagoers struggled to understand why they wonât be able to chow down on buttery popcorn and other snacks while restaurants are still allowed to serve food and drinks.
âItâs going to be strange to just go to the cinema and do without all these little moments,â Vincent Bourdais said as he lined up in Marly-le-Roi to see âSpiderman.â
âOften, when one imagines the cinema, one thinks of the auditorium, the beautiful posters, the popcorn, the smells,â he added.
With Post wires
The 42 best things to watch on Amazon Prime Video
We know, we know: thereâs too much choice these days. You canât just sit down and watch a movie because there are too many to choose from, so you just spend hours scrolling through potential films and then go to bed.
Not now, you donât â everything on this list is worth watching. And we know, because weâve watched them all. The lengths we go to keep you guys happy, ehâŠ
Of course to watch the films and TV shows here youâll need an Amazon Prime Video subscription. Come on, you didnât think it was going to be free, did you?Â
Youâre also going to need a player that supports it. Take your pick from any of the following: Roku players, Google Chromecast, Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox and of course Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire Stick. Or maybe you have the Prime Video app built into your smart TV.
Got Netflix too? Then youâll want to check out our 40 best movies and TV shows on Netflix UK and New on Netflix UK lists.
The Silence of the Lambs
The only horror film in history to bag Best Picture at the Oscars, The Silence of the Lambs introduced the wider world to Hannibal Lecter, renowned Baltimore psychiatrist and cannibalistic murderer, played by Anthony Hopkins in a star-making turn. But hereâs the thing: Lecter isnât the filmâs true bad guy, but young FBI agent Clarice Starlingâs main chance at stopping another serial killer.
While the horror here is usually psychological rather than visceral, there are more than enough shocking moments to keep slasher aficionados sated. And any movie lover will enjoy the craft on show, with fantastic performances from Hopkins and Jodie Foster and a script full of memorable lines. Youâll never think of fava beans and a nice Chianti in the same way again.
Watch The Silence of the Lambs on Prime Video
No Country for Old Men
Cormac McCarthyâs novel gets the Coen brothers treatment â and how. This is truly fantastic stuff, thanks not only to the source material and its sympathetic adaptation by two of Americaâs finest filmmakers, but the superb performances from Josh Brolin, Kelly Macdonald, Tommy Lee Jones and, most memorably, Javier Bardem as the philosophising, seemingly unstoppable mass murderer Anton Chigurh. If you like your thrillers as contemplative and lyrical as they are nail-biting, look no further.
Watch No Country for Old Men on Prime Video
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Thereâs no room for Bond- or Bourne-style heroics in this understated spy drama. Based on the beloved novel by John Le CarrĂ©, it populates the world of espionage with damaged, shabby men who play chess with other peopleâs lives. Gary Oldmanâs George Smiley is one such figure, brought out of enforced retirement to track down a Soviet mole in the Circus, Le CarrĂ©âs fictionalised British intelligence service. Smileyâs an unobtrusive, unassuming desk jockey in middle age, but every so often we see the merest glimpse of something â steel, cunning, ruthlessness â that suggests that, yes, still waters really do run deep.
Director Tomas Alfredson imbues the 1970s setting with a melancholy air, as his characters trudge through nicotine-stained offices and rain-sodden London streets; thereâs no shortage of beige in the filmâs palette. Oldman gives a stellar performance opposite a Whoâs Who of British thespians, including John Hurt, Colin Firth, Kathy Burke, Mark Strong, Toby Jones, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hardy.
Watch Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on Prime Video
The Rock
The words âdirected by Michael Bayâ may be a signifier for bombastic cinematic mediocrity in the 21st century, but itâs impossible to deny that the man has his moments, particularly in his early career, and for our money The Rock is Bayâs Citizen Kane â if one could say such a thing about a movie in which Nicolas Cage offs an enemy by forcing a globule of nerve gas down his gullet.
When disgruntled army general Ed Harris leads a terrorist attack on Alcatraz, pointing rockets armed with deadly V.X. gas at San Francisco, the U.S. government decides to send in a SEAL team â with Cageâs jittery scientist and Sean Conneryâs curmudgeonly British convict (the only man to ever escape from the island) tagging along as advisors. When the SEALs are wiped out, it falls to our odd couple to thwart the terrorist plot and save the day.
Fargo (1996)
Not to be confused with the spin-off TV show of the same name (also well worth a watch, but not a patch on the movie), this multiple Oscar-winning crime thriller stars Frances McDormand as the heavily pregnant police chief of a small Minnesota town where nothing much happens â until it does. When a kidnap plot goes awry and bodies start turning up in the yawning Midwestern snowscape (beautifully filmed by Roger Deakins), McDormandâs no-nonsense approach to law enforcement is put to the test.
Fargo isnât your typical film noir. Creators the Coen brothers wring something uniquely comic out of each and every one of their characters, from William H. Macyâs wretched car salesman to Steve Buscemiâs ferrety criminal-for-hire. Their keenly observed portrayal of âMinnesota niceâ (politeness so extreme itâs almost passive-aggressive) is especially funny, even more so when itâs playing out against the filmâs grim backdrop of violence, betrayal and moral turpitude.
RoboCop (1987)
Forget the redundant 2014 reboot. If itâs a RoboCop youâre going to watch, for heavenâs sake make it Paul Verhoevenâs original â a true modern classic and one of the best sci-fi action-thrillers of the 1980s (a decade that wasnât exactly short on such films).
On the surface level, itâs an ultra-violent futuristic thriller about a cybernetic police officer battling to take down a far-reaching criminal conspiracy. But, in true Verhoeven style, itâs also a biting satire on the corporatisation and militarisation of law enforcement â a theme which is even more relevant today than it was back in 1987. OTT in the best possible way.
Joker
Joaquin Phoenix gives a tour-de-force performance in this Oscar-winning origin story. How did an aspiring stand-up comedian become Gotham Cityâs greatest villain? Director Todd Phillips crafts a much more nuanced and tragic superhero movie than weâve seen from recent DC Comics-derived efforts â itâs more Taxi Driver than Man of Steel, and all the better for it.
Watch Joker on Amazon Prime Video
Invincible (S1)
The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman brings another of his cult comic books to the screen. This adult animated series tells the story of a teenage superhero coming to terms with his newfound powers â and dealing with the fact that his father is the most powerful and famous masked crusader on the planet.
If that sounds like something youâve seen a thousand times before in superhero fiction, we urge you to give it a chance anyway: the show throws a shocking curveball early on that is guaranteed to make you pay attention. Stephen Yuen, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, Mahershala Ali and Mark Hamill are among the star-studded voice cast.
Watch Invincible on Amazon Prime Video
Django Unchained
Quentin Tarantinoâs western (or, more accurately âsouthernâ) takes its cinematic cues noth from spaghetti westerns and blaxploitation flicks. Set mostly in the Deep South, Django Unchained pits Jamie Foxxâs former slave against the plantation owners and overseers whoâve separated him from his wife.
Heâs joined on his mission by sharpshooting German bounty hunter Dr King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), but Leonardo DiCaprio steals the show as chief villain Calvin Candie, who cloaks the barbarity of his gladiatorial slave fights beneath a veneer of civilisation, and Samuel L Jackson as Candieâs house slave (and Ă©minence grise) Stephen.
Foxx plays Django as a modern Man with No Name â though in his case his silence is more the result of tightly-wound fury than stoicism; when he eventually unleashes vengeance on his oppressors, itâs spectacularly cathartic.
Watch Django Unchained on Amazon Prime Video
Unforgiven
While traditional Westerns celebrated the derring-do of their sixgun-toting, Stetson-wearing heroes, Unforgiven was one of the first to explore darker themes. Its own protagonist, Clint Eastwoodâs William Munny, is a former gunslinger with a violent past: âThatâs right, Iâve killed women and children. Iâve killed just about everything that walked or crawled at one time or another.â
Munny, now a widowed pig farmer with two young children, is hired by a group of sex workers after one of their number has been disfigured by a pair of cowboys. He and his companionsâ job is to dispense Old West-style justice to the miscreants, but there are two obstacles in his way: Munnyâs reluctance to return to a life of killing; and local lawman Little Bill Dagget (Gene Hackman), another former gunfighter who takes an extremely dim view of assassins.
Watch Unforgiven on Amazon Prime Video
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Fleabag (S1-2)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge writes and stars in this beloved sitcom about a single womanâs attempts to navigate the many pitfalls of modern London life: love, family, work. Even if that sounds like a hackneyed synopsis, or one that could describe something in the region of 10,000 British sitcoms, you should delve into Fleabag anyway; Waller-Bridgeâs eyes-open approach â acerbic, unashamed, raw â doesnât feel unoriginal in the slightest. Itâs also extremely funny, which is probably worth mentioning too.
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Hannibal (S1-3)
Mads Mikkelsen is, quite frankly, one of the most interesting and watchable actors of his generation, and never more so than when clad in the perfectly cut suits of this TV incarnation of cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter. As per Thomas Harrisâ original books, Lecter is a psychiatrist brought in to assist FBI profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), but itâs not long before the doctor is manipulating the fragile Graham. This is high-brow stuff by the standards of its genre, chock-full of startling imagery, Lynchian characters and dinner scenes that will make your stomach rumble â a little unsettling once you realise whatâs in most of them.
Watch Hannibal on Amazon Prime Video
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
George Romeroâs Dawn of the Dead is one of the most iconic and influential horror movies of all time. When an outbreak of the undead ushers in the fall of civilization, a quartet of survivors decamp to an abandoned shopping mall in a bid for safety â only to discover that the shambling brain-chomping hordes have also found themselves drawn to this palace of consumerism.
Youâd have to be braindead to miss the satire, sure â but thereâs so much else going on here that it hardly matters. Zack Snyderâs 21st-century reimagining isnât a patch on this for atmosphere, and the practical effects and prog-rock synth score give it an eerie atmosphere you simply donât get with modern horror flicks.
Watch Dawn of the Dead on Prime Video
The Babadook
This Australian indie horror movie is likely to stick with you for some time. In addition to all the thrills, spills and chills youâd expect from a standard horror flick, The Babadook has something extra hidden in its basement under the stairs: smarts.
Yes, this film will fray your nerves like wool dragged across a barbed wire fence, but itâs also a meditation on loss and trauma. Can widowed mother Amelia finally lay the repressed memory of her husband to rest and save her son Samuel from the malevolent force stalking them in the process? Youâll just have to watch this modern classic to find out.
Watch The Babadook on Amazon Prime Video
Bosch (S1-7)
Based on the novels by James Connelly, Bosch is among Amazonâs most reliable original series. A super-authentic (or at least it feels that way) police procedural set in Los Angeles following the travails of homicide detective Harry Bosch, itâs proof that sometimes sticking to a formula really does work.
Bosch himself sounds like a walking clichĂ©: a grizzled, no-nonsense cop with dark secrets lurking in his past, a love of jazz music and a low tolerance for pen-pushing superiors â but thanks to strong writing and Titus Welliverâs game performance, rooting for him as he navigates political machinations, corrupt colleagues and murderous criminals is never a problem.
Watch Bosch on Amazon Prime Video
What We Do in the Shadows (film)
Taika Waititiâs outstanding mockumentary about a coterie of New Zealand vampires really hits the horror-comedy spot â and doesnât hang about while doing so. With plenty of laughs mined from the awkwardness of being a neurotic immortal in the modern world, itâs certainly leaning more towards the comic side of the spectrum, but itâs not lacking in genuine moments of creepiness. If youâre a fan of This Is Spinal Tap as well as Interview with the Vampire, this is a perfect movie to sink your teeth into.
Watch What We Do in the Shadows on Amazon Prime
Saint Maud
Writer-director Rose Glassâs startling debut is presented as a psychological horror movie â but might better be viewed as an exploration of loneliness and its dangers.
Young born-again Christian Maud is a private palliative nurse, assigned to a cancer-stricken former dancer after leaving her previous job under a cloud. As she becomes closer to her new charge, she is told her purpose is not only to ease her pain, but save her immortal soul â but are the voices she hears actually God or something more sinister?
Watch Saint Maud on Amazon Prime Video
The Revenant
Emerging from a shallow (and somewhat premature) grave, trapper Hugh Glass sets out on the long, icy journey towards revenge, evading marauding Native Americans, foraging for sustenance and performing gruesome self-surgery in a series of incredible sequences. Alejandro GonzĂĄlez Iñårrituâs direction and the flawless camera work help the viewer feel every moment of Glassâ struggle to survive.
Despite uttering a mere handful of lines during the filmâs nigh-on three hours of running time, DiCaprio bagged his first Best Actor Oscar for The Revenant. Seeing what he goes through here, you can see why the Academy was so impressed. As a pure physical performance, itâs remarkable â and itâs just one notable aspect of a movie packed with them.
Watch The Revenant on Amazon Prime Video
Sound of Metal
Ruben is a noise-metal drummer, endlessly touring tiny venues with his partner Lou in a beaten-up RV, but the coupleâs rootless but contented lifestyle comes to a sickening halt when Ruben begins to experience hearing loss. With the realisation that his career as a musician may be over, tempting him back to his old addictâs ways, Ruben checks himself into a rural deaf community â but he remains fiercely driven by a hope of fixing his affliction, getting back on tour and getting back to Lou.
Riz Ahmed is utterly fantastic in the lead role (Oscar-nominated, no less), but everything about Darius Marderâs debut movie works so well: the sound design that puts you in Rubenâs head; the supporting performances of Paul Raci and Olivia Cooke; and the themes of identity, dependence and acceptance that run through it.
Watch Sound of Metal on Amazon Prime Video
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Palm Springs
Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, strangers who happen to be guests at the same wedding, find themselves stuck in a seemingly infinite time loop in this offbeat romantic comedy. If they fall asleep or die, they simple wake up once again and have to live the entire day through. Trapped together, the pair decide to make the most of their predicament, indulging in wilder and wilder behaviour in the knowledge that, whatever might happen, theyâll be back at square one eventually. Everything, it seems, has become meaningless.
If might sound like something youâve seen before (âGroundhog Day!â we hear you scream), Palm Springs manages to feel different by dint of focussing on a pair of people rather than just one. The relationship and tensions between the two keep the film nicely involving â and itâs very funny to boot.
Watch Palm Springs on Amazon Prime Video
I Care A Lot
Proof that itâs possible to make an engaging film even when none of the characters are âgoodâ, noble or particularly likeable, I Care A Lot stars Rosamunde Pike as professional legal guardian Marla Grayson â a ruthless predator who makes a handsome living by exploiting the elderly people sheâs supposed to be caring for.
Her latest ward (Dianne Wiest â who doesnât crop up in films that often these days) looks like a potential goldmine but turns out to be a doorway to trouble, thanks to some unlikely connections with the criminal underworld. Peter Dinklage and Eiza GonzĂĄlez also star in this viciously black but deliciously enjoyable comedy.
Watch I Care a Lot on Amazon Prime Video
Mad Men (S1-7)
On the face of it, Mad Men is a drama series about a group of people who work in advertising in 1960s New York, and it succeeds on that level thanks to a well-drawn cast of characters, an intriguing plot and an almost absurd amount of attention to period detail.
But underneath all that itâs an exploration of 20th century America, identity, consumerism, freedom, family and the concept of happiness. You could probably call it existentialist if you were feeling fancy, and youâd be well within your rights â but despite its lofty preoccupations itâs also devilishly witty, moving and entertaining with it. It may be the most painstakingly crafted television series of all time, and itâs certainly among the finest.
Watch Mad Men on Amazon Prime Video
The Report
The political thriller sees Adam Driverâs character, Daniel Jones, set an assignment by the Senator Diane Feinstein (Annette Bening) to lead an investigation into the CIAâs âenhanced interrogationâ methods during the Bush era.
The project engulfs Jonesâ life, his relentless determination to complete his report almost jeopardizing his career and sacrificing any social or personal life, but the injustice and corruption at the heart of it are too important to ignore. The Reportâs fast-paced narrative and sharp dialogue make it easy enough to follow, but some of the torture-scenes are hard to stomach. The fact itâs based on a true story is frightening.
Watch The Report on Amazon Prime Video
The Shield (S1-7)
In this cop drama the hero isnât just a somewhat flawed detective (âOh, he likes a bit of a drink, yâknowâŠâ) but an unabashed murderer, racist, womaniser and thief, The Shield pioneered the kind of grey area telly we take for granted today. Yes, Michael Chiklisâ Vic Mackey is a truly nasty individual, possessed of all the worst traits we associate with bent coppers, but heâs feared by criminals and respected by his colleagues (most of whom arenât upstanding examples of humanity themselves). So is his brand of corrupt law enforcement a necessary evil?
Debuting in 2002, the series does look its age â some of the camerawork and editing in particular is a bit jarring â but once you get over its quirks The Shieldâs brisk storylines and moral quandaries swiftly draw you in.
Watch The Shield on Amazon Prime Video
American Gods (S1-3)
Based on the beloved Neil Gaiman novel, American Gods (exclusive to Amazon Prime currently, and available in 4K Ultra HD) weaves together cords of ancient mythology, modern mythology, Americana and pop culture to create a modern fantasy tale â a tale about immigration, above other things.
The cast includes the classy likes of Ian McShane, Peter Stormare and Gillian Anderson, but British viewers will be shocked to see former Hollyoaks hunk Ricky Whittle in the leading role â and doing a very decent job along with it. After a long wait amidst behind-the-camera turmoil, the second season has arrived too.
Watch American Gods on Amazon Prime Instant Video
Bone Tomahawk
Genres get hacked up as much as the unfortunate characters in S. Craig Zahlerâs brutal directorial debut. This film starts out in familiar Western territory, but gradually descends into a nightmarish, schlocky horror flick â albeit one with some tension-shattering comedic dialogue and character moments. Thereâs an old-school video nasty vibe to Bone Tomahawk that you donât often see in modern movies, not to mention a refreshing tendency to take its time.
Kurt Russell leads the strong cast (familiar faces Richard Jenkins, Matthew Fox and Patrick Wilson also appear) as a stoic small-town sheriff spurred into action when a group of cave-dwelling Native Americans kidnap two of his townspeople. Resolving to rescue the victims and punish the perpetrators, a small posse ventures out into the dry, rocky wilderness, not realising what awaits them.
Watch Bone Tomahawk on Amazon Prime Video
Parasite
Bong Joon-hoâs pitch black comedy won both the Cannes Palm dâOr and Oscar for Best Picture, and while itâs something of an outlier for the latter (the Academy usually prefers feel-good or outwardly worthy films, not to mention those in English), upon watching it itâs easy to see why itâs been so lauded: itâs masterfully crafted, funny, shocking and insightful â not to mention possessed of a genuinely riveting plot.
The film revolves around two Korean families: the poverty-stricken Kims and the wealthy Parks. The Kims concoct a scheme that sees all four of them become well-paid household employees of the trusting Parks, but an unforeseeable revelation makes their triumph short-lived. A scathing examination of wealth, class, inequality and how the modern world makes parasites of us all.
Watch Parasite on Amazon Prime Video
The Boys (S1-2)
What if superheroes were not only real, but as messed up and prone to bad behaviour as the rest of us. Thatâs the premise behind this superb comic book adaptation, in the worldâs most famous costumed crusaders are owned and controlled by Vought, a ruthless corporation that keeps their misdeeds â which range from voyeurism and drug abuse to outright murderous psychopathy â under wraps in order to keep the cash flowing.
When one outrage leaves a young man bereaved and hellbent on revenge, he joins a group of like-minded vigilantes with the aim of bringing down Vought once and for all. Effortlessly blending humour, action and drama, The Boys manages to be Amazonâs best original series in ages.
Watch The Boys on Amazon Prime
The Vast of Night
A New Mexico switchboard operator hears a mysterious sound on her headset, sparking off a series of creepily escalating revelations in this retro sci-fi movie from first-time director Andrew Patterson.
From its late 1950s small town America setting to its sound design and music, The Vast of Night gleefully channels classic mystery shows like The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits and The X-Files, not to mention films like Super 8 and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. But itâs far from derivative, and its snappy dialogue and stylish camerawork give it a singular, stylish air. The plot might be fairly simple, the cast small and unknown, but Patterson makes the most of every cent of his tiny budget.
Watch The Vast of Night on Amazon Prime Video
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Justified (S1-6)
Based on a short story by Elmore Leonard, this six-season series stars Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens, a modern-day US Marshal who brings an Old West sensibility to his job. Sent back to his hometown after falling out with his superiors, heâs quickly dragged into a feud with an old friend turned enemy, played with career-defining aplomb by Walton Goggins.
Watch Justified on Amazon Prime Video
Heat
Michael Mann decided to remake his own TV movie LA Takedown into a huge, sprawling star-studded action-thriller â and the result is of the best action-thrillers of the 1990s.
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino grab the limelight as a meticulous bank robber and the obsessive cop driven to hunt him down, but thereâs so much more to admire here aside from these titansâ (admittedly excellent) performances: the effortless style with which Mann directs everything from diner table conversations to huge shootouts; the supporting cast, packed with some of Hollywoodâs finest character actors; the clarity with which its themes manifest themselves on screen.
Nitpickers will say that Pacino is perhaps a little OTT, or that some of Mannâs many subplots would have been better left on the cutting room floor â but you should ignore them and watch this anyway.
Watch Heat on Amazon Prime Video
Suspiria (2018)
This Amazon-funded reimagining of the Dario Argento classic will divide audiences. Ponderously paced and tottering under the weight of more themes and ideas than it knows what to do with, Suspiria is peak arthouse horror â and many will find the eventual bloodshed too little reward for the investment. Others will appreciate the movieâs strong sense of place (late 1970s Berlin, a city riven with political turmoil) and the way it generates an atmosphere of oppressive discomfort throughout with its use of sound effects, strange camera angles and Thom Yorkeâs krautrock-inspired score.
Dakota Johnson stars as an unworldly young dancer joining a prestigious all-female company that just might be a coven of witches, while Tilda Swinton impresses in three separate roles.
Watch Suspiria on Amazon Prime
The Expanse (S1-6)
Amazon Prime recently acquired the first three seasons of this beloved space opera series, in which humanity has colonised the solar system amidst a looming conflict between Earth, Mars and the asteroid belt. It then financed and produced a fourth and fifth, injecting a bunch of cash into the series and giving the production values (already pretty high) a boost. At least one more season is coming too.
But thatâs not to say that this is a show that lives and dies on its visuals. The Expanse will likely appeal to anyone who appreciates sprawling, critically-acclaimed and morally complex dramas â itâs like Game of Thrones with rail guns and zero-g instead of dragons and Valyrian steel. Better yet, itâs all available to stream in beautiful 4K UHD â provided you have a TV with the prerequisite number of pixels, natch.
Watch The Expanse on Amazon Prime
The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (S1-3)
Hankering for a grown-up TV show in the vein of Mad Men? One also set in mid-century Manhatten? The Marvelous Mrs Maisel might be the new series for you.
Rachel Brosnahan stars as Miriam âMidgeâ Maisel, a vivacious, quick-witted upper middle class housewife with what she thought was the perfect 1950s New York lifestyle: husband, kids, beautiful Upper West Side apartment; the works. When things take an unforeseen turn and flip that all upside down, she stumbles into trying out standup comedy â and discovers she has something of a talent for not only making people laugh, but for hitting upon lifeâs truths and enigmas while doing it.
The first season won three Golden Globes and five Emmys, suggesting this Amazon Original may have an even bigger future ahead than Transparent.
Watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime
Manchester by the Sea
If youâre looking for a chucklesome barrel of laughs, weâd suggest you steer well clear of this brilliantly written, impeccably acted but unrelentingly heavy drama, in which sullen, reclusive handyman Lee (Casey Affleck in Oscar-winning form) is called back to his long-abandoned hometown by a death in the family.
Faced with new responsibilities and torn between duty and personal comfort, Lee is forced to confront a past tragedy and its effect on him. If Manchester by the Sea sounds serious and weighty, it is â but itâs also packed with affecting and amusing human moments that make it far more than your average Oscar-baiting gloom-fest.
Watch Manchester by the Sea on Amazon Prime Instant Video
Mr. Robot (S1-4)
An office drone by day, Elliott Alderson (played brilliantly by Rami Malek) is also a morphine-dependent keyboard vigilante who hacks the lives of everyone he meets. That is until heâs lured in by Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) to join the hacktivist group âF Societyâ, whose grand plan is to cancel world debt by attacking ubiquitous conglomerate E Corp (or Evil Corp, as Elliott calls it).
Cue a trip down a rabbit hole that twists through Lynchian dream sequences, episode-long musings about the hackability of human minds, and a mounting sense of paranoia that leaves you suspicious of everything down to Elliottâs malfunctioning radiator.
That Mr. Robot resists Hollywoodâs âComputers for dummiesâ approach to the Internet is just one of the reasons why itâs great. The others are that itâs stylishly shot, unpredictable and offers a new take on cyberpunk, while wearing its influences (The Matrix, Fight Club and American Psycho) as proudly as the badge on its title characterâs shirt.
Seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all available for binge-watching right now.
Watch Mr Robot on Amazon Prime Instant Video
Red Oaks (S1-3)
A hidden gem in Amazonâs catalogue, Red Oaksâ unremarkable premise belies a nuanced show that blends humour and pathos with surprising aplomb.
Set in â80s New York suburbia, the show (now running to three full seasons) follows the bumbling but tumultuous life of David Myers. From the aloof love interest to parental turmoil at home, all the classic teen drama tropes are covered, with just enough of a twist to sustain your intrigue.
What really elevates this show above the many others that riff off a similar tune is its riotous roster of characters. Sleazy yet feckless tennis coach Nash alone is worth the price of admission.
Watch Red Oaks on Amazon Prime
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The Man in the High Castle (S1-4)
What if the Allies had lost the Second World War, and America was currently ruled by Germany in its eastern half and Japan in its western half? Well, you can find out in this big budget Amazon Prime original series, a thriller which zips around a 1960s North America thatâs more âJa wohl!â than âAw shucks!â.
Dealing with underground resistance groups, various plots and an alternative Cold War (waged between Imperial Japan and the German Reich, now the worldâs only superpowers), itâs the kind of series thatâll appeal to history buffs, sci-fi fans and anyone whoâs into high concept, high budget television.
Watch The Man in the High Castle on Amazon Prime Instant Video
L.A. Confidential
This superlative adaptation of James Ellroyâs novel of the same name is a gripping journey into the gloomy, seedy underbelly of 1950s Los Angeles, exploring the spiral of bloody events that occur where Tinseltown, police corruption and the mob crash together.
Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kevin Spacey all deliver fine performances as a trio of LAPD detectives with very different personalities, and L.A. Confidentialâs labyrinthine plot, its beautifully realised recreation of the tarnished dream of post-Golden Age Hollywood, and its sheer attention to detail all work together to make this one of the defining movies of the late 1990s.
Watch L.A. Confidential on Amazon Prime
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The Walking Dead (S1-9)
The zombie apocalypse scenario has now been covered so many times that when the dead do eventually start clawing their way out of the ground in a shambling tide of brain-hungry violence, itâll hardly be worth mentioning. Thatâs not to say that it doesnât make cracking TV, though, and if youâre one of the few people who hasnât yet seen The Walking Dead, there are a full nine seasonsâ worth of horrific violence, bad decisions, cannibalism, baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire and more to enjoy!
Watch The Walking Dead on Amazon Prime Instant Video
Transparent (S1-5)
Amazonâs been trying to âdo a Netflixâ by creating its very own blockbusting TV shows for ages now, but this is the first time itâs got it right. For a start, Transparent is really bold â it tells the story of a sixty-something divorcee announcing to his three grown-up kids that heâs always felt different and is now going to live as a woman.
Sounds heavy, and it sort of is, but itâs also darkly funny, with a degree of wit and sharpness thatâs still rare even in this golden age of TV. The bickering between the three kids (each of whom is riddled with their own individual problems and peccadillos) is as chucklesome as it is awkward and real. Amazing telly.
Watch Transparent on Amazon Prime Instant Video now
Patriot (S1-2)
This quirky espionage comedy-drama blends deadpan humour, action and a coterie of memorable characters into something that feels truly original. Michael Dorman excels as permanently put-upon CIA operative John Lakeman, who really just wants to be a folk singer â life, needless to say, has other plans for him. The smart plot takes in Iran, nuclear weapons, a single-minded Luxembourger cop and a lot more info about industrial piping than youâd ever need know. Patriot is one of Amazonâs best original series, which is why itâs a true shame that there are (currently) no plans for a third season.
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50 NEW PC Games of 2022
There are so many incredible new video games slated to launch this year. If youâre after something new to enjoy, then we have you covered. This list will highlight the best-anticipated games coming to the PC platform in 2022. With that said, donât focus too much on the ranking here. The majority of these games have yet to release, so itâs tough to really know just where we would rank these games quite yet. With that said, think of this list as a collection of games you might want to keep tabs on for the PC platform.
#50 Scorn
- Developer: Ebb Software
- Publisher: Ebb Software
- Platform: PC, X/S
- Release: October 22, 2022
Scorn is a first-person horror title that throws players into a nightmarish world. We donât even know the premise for this game, as it looks to be a title thatâs made to let players interpret whatâs going on as they progress through the campaign. With that said, the game is set up in a non-linear map filled with enemies and puzzles to solve. Players can also expect a survival horror element to this game since the developers have stated that Scorn will feature limited inventory with ammo management. Ultimately, that means knowing just when to use resources you gather and when to avoid confrontations.
#49 The Outlast Trials
- Developer: Red Barrels
- Publisher: Red Barrels
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2022
Outlast was a popular first-person psychological horror game. These were solo gameplay experiences where players essentially ran away from danger and hid. Meanwhile, the game would provide players with a camera with limited batteries to see what was going on around you in the dark. Now, a new installment is coming that will add a multiplayer component. The Outlast Trials is said to be a prequel to the first two-game installments as youâll take part in a mysterious Cold War experiment. Weâre still waiting on what exactly the game will entail, but for now, it looks like this game might make it out into the marketplace this year. If thatâs the case, more information should come out. The gameplay will likely remain the same, but puzzles might require multiple players to get through. Regardless, if youâre in for a spooky experience, this is one series that tends to deliver.
#48 DokeV
- Developer: Pearl Abyss
- Publisher: Pearl Abyss
- Platforms: PC, PS5, X/S
- Release: 2022
DokeV will catch the eye simply from its stunning visuals. This game is coming from Pearl Abyss, the developers behind Black Desert, and the upcoming Crimson Desert. However, you wonât find DokeV to be an MMO. Itâs actually set to be an open-world action-adventure game. We donât have too many details about the game, but creature collecting is at the heart of the gameplay experience. In this world, weâre gathering Dokebi, which are creatures that pop up in the world power through peopleâs dreams. These critters will fight alongside our protagonist as we venture around the world, meet NPCs, take on quests, and explore new interesting areas. With the developers also pushing out Crimson Desert into the marketplace, it should be interesting to see if they can manage both game releases within 2022.
#47 Synced: Off Planet
- Developer: NEXT Studios
- Publisher: Proxima Beta SG
- Platform: PC
- Release: 2022
Synced: Off Planet is an upcoming online third-person shooter. In this apocalyptic world, players use different mechanical companions to use against opposing factions. Itâs a game all about survival where youâre dealing not only with other players but roaming enemy hoards. From what we know so far, it is centered around players battling it out to survive and a chance of escaping the planet. This game doesnât have a release date attached to the project just yet, but the developers are hopeful that the game will eventually make it out into the marketplace at some point this year.
#46 Stray
- Developer: BlueTwelve Studio
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
- Release: 2022
Stray is an interesting adventure game coming out. Weâre tossed into the distant future where androids rule in this title. Here, weâre stepping into the role of a stray cat that is trying to make its way back home. Using its cunning, youâll have to navigate through the cyberpunk streets and complete a series of environmental puzzles. However, you wonât be completely on your own. Tagging alongside the cat is a drone that will help translate androids and can be used to further free up different obstacles in your pathway.
#45 Terminator Dark Fate: Defiance
- Developer: Cats who play CJSC
- Publisher: Slitherine Software
- Platform: PC
- Release: NA
If youâre after an RTS, then a few games are coming out in 2022 that are worth looking at. One of which that weâre hopeful is coming this year is Terminator Dark Fate: Defiance. This game is set within the iconic Terminator IP as humanity fights off the Legion to resist a new robotic rule. War is brewing, and youâll have to battle against the swarms of mechanical enemies throughout war-torn cities. Of course, when youâre not going through the game campaign, you can easily jump online for some competitive battles against other players. With that said, we still donât have a release date for Terminator Dark Fate: Defiance just yet.
#44 Homeworld 3
- Developer: Blackbird Interactive
- Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
- Platform: PC
- Release: 2022
Homeworld was first brought out a few years back in 1999. Now weâre getting a third mainline installment with Homeworld 3, which is set after the events of Homeworld 2. Since the gameâs conclusion, several years went by, and weâve mainly gone through a period of peace. However, a new threat had emerged when it was discovered that the Hyperspace Gate Network was starting to fail. Now, the only hope of potentially saving the network is by tracking down Karan. Players are getting both a solo and a cooperative experience with this game.
#43 Evil Dead: The Game
- Developer: Saber Interactive
- Publisher: Boss Team Games
- Platform: PC, NS, PS4, PS5, XBO
- Release: February 2022
Evil Dead: The Game is another multiplayer-focused title. In this game, weâre dealing with a group of survivors who has to stop a portal. In addition, we have to stop evil demonic creatures from flooding into our realm, which means completing different tasks. If youâre familiar with games like Dead by Daylight, you would have a better idea of what to expect here. Players are either a part of the survivors, while one player typically leads the demonic invasion. This should be a great party game online, especially if youâre a fan of the Evil Dead franchise. Unfortunately, the game was hit with a few delays as it was intended to launch back in 2021 but should finally hit the marketplace this May.
#42 Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
- Developer: Fatshark
- Publisher: Fatshark
- Platform: PC, X/S
- Release: 2022
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is a game that youâll likely want to pick up if youâre previously enjoyed Warhammer: Vermintide 2. The game is set up the same as youâre getting a four-player cooperative action game. In this particular installment, players are taking on the role of an Imperial Guardsman who is dealing with Chaos infiltration. Youâll get to customize your skills and load out, but weâre dealing with more gunplay than melee combat in this title. Unfortunately, at the moment, we donât have a release date for this game. After it was revealed in 2020, the plan was to bring the game into the marketplace in 2021. However, the developers have since pushed the game back due to the worldwide health pandemic. At the current moment of writing this description, it looks like we can expect Warhammer 40,000: Darktide to launch into the marketplace within the Spring of this year.
#41 Sons of the Forest
- Developer: Endnight Games
- Publisher: Endnight Games
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2022
The Forest was a big survival hit with plenty of horror elements throughout the campaign. Players essentially had to survive the harsh world by gathering supplies and building up structures. But then you had cannibalistic mutants roaming the area to fight off or repair structures they destroyed. We know a sequel is coming, but details are still a bit unknown. We know weâre going through another crash into this island where youâll have to survive the hostile individuals that live there. Weâre sure there is still a big focus on crafting structures, weapons, and attempting to survive the elements when not directly dealing with the hostile mutants that have made the island their home.
#40 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Developer: Travellerâs Tales
- Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Platform: PC, NS, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: 2022
Lego games are always a popular hit as they offer a parody of the source material suitable for all ages. Weâve seen Lego Star Wars games released in the past, but in 2022 weâre getting Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. This game will put players through the entire Skywalker saga with all nine episodes. We know that players can jump between whatever episode they like, but each will carry different iconic moments from the game to play through. Combat was also tweaked since the last Lego Star Wars games were released. You can expect more combos with lightsabers, but youâll also have blasters and the use of Force.
#39 Lies of P
- Developer: Round 8 Studio, Neowiz Games
- Publisher: Neowiz Games
- Platform: PC, X/S, PS5
- Release: NA
Weâve all heard the childrenâs tale of Pinocchio. However, now weâre getting a far darker narrative in the Lies of P. Within this game, players are taking the role of Pinocchio, who seeks to become a real human. However, the journey is challenging, and you can expect a Souls-like combat experience. Itâs all about knowing when to strike, dodge, and parry. Throughout the game, youâre searching for Mr. Geppetto, but the city has become its own little slice of hell. Youâll need to carefully navigate the streets and endure unspeakable horrors if you ever stand a chance at losing your mechanical body for good. However, we know that this game will have multiple endings depending on your actions throughout the campaign.
#38 Evil West
- Developer: Flying Wild Hog
- Publisher: Focus Entertainment
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: 2022
Set in the Old West, there are far more sinister enemies to face in Evil West than the typical bandit gunslinger. In this game, a vampire legion has burst into our realm, and itâs left humanity fighting for their life after these ghouls and bloodthirsty demonic beasts swarm the land. Players are stepping into the boots of an agent who works for a special organization that deals with these unnatural paranormal cases. Youâre the last stand essentially to rid this world from the vampire swarm. Using different high-tech weaponry, youâll duke it out with these critters as you purge America free from these little devils.
#37 Ark II
- Developer: Studio Wildcard
- Publisher: Studio Wildcard
- Platform: PC, X/S
- Release: 2022
Ark was a survival game hit when it launched. This MMO had players starting with absolutely nothing in a land full of hostile beasts. You would grind to gather gear, build up a shelter, and attempt to survive against the hostile players that might have popped up along the way. After its release in 2015, the developers had continued to support the game with new expansions and DLC. Finally, however, we are getting an official sequel. The initial trailer is cinematic, so we donât have much about what is included in this game compared to the original installment. Although, it will be starring Vin Diesel, who is also taking a producer role in Ark II.
#36 Total War: Warhammer III
- Developer: Creative Assembly
- Publisher: Sega, Feral Interactive
- Platform: PC
- Release: February 17, 2022
Fans of the Total War franchise will have the third installment to Total War: Warhammer. This RTS game will once again have players managing their armies as they venture through The Realm of Chaos. Throughout the game, players will fight for their faction as they seek out a soul of a Daemon Prince bound to each of the four Chaos Gods. Fans that have been following this series since 2016 are likely already waiting for the gameâs release. Although, you can still likely jump right into the game if you havenât played the past installments.
#35 Sniper Elite 5
- Developer: Rebellion
- Publisher: Rebellion
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: 2022
Youâre likely already aware of the Sniper Elite franchise, as itâs been around for quite a long time, and a new installment is coming this year. With the new franchise chapter, Sniper Elite 5 will follow the gameplay mechanics and settings that youâre used to with the past installments. Here youâre still battling against Nazis with more focus on taking them out through a high-powered rifle. Itâs a very tactical-focused game with a campaign to throw you in different environment locations. These games have always been a solid hit with fans, and expectations are set high for the new game after Sniper Elite 4 launched back in 2017.
#34 The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
- Developer: Daedalic Entertainment
- Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment
- Platform: PC, NS, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: 2022
The Lord of the Rings is getting a significant resurgence this year. We have a brand new premium television series coming out based within the IP. However, alongside it will be the launch of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. This game will take place well before the events of The Hobbit, where youâre taking the role of Gollum. Unfortunately, weâre still a bit light in terms of information about the game. Still, we know that this is a harsh world for Gollum to live within, and youâll need to use your wit and stick to the shadows as you attempt to avoid the detection of hostile orcs within the world.
#33 Marvelâs Midnight Suns
- Developer: Firaxis Games
- Publisher: 2K Games
- Platform: PS4, NS, X/S, PC, PS5, XBO
- Release: 2022
Marvelâs Midnight Suns is an upcoming tactical RPG where the game is based around an older 1990s comic book series. Overall, the game focuses on Hydra awakening Lilith, the mother of all demons. Itâs an uphill battle to stop this demonic beast from destroying all humanity. Fortunately, one hero could potentially save the day, and thatâs The Hunter. An offspring of Lilith, players, will lead a group of Marvelâs toughest heroes as they attempt to kill off Lilith. However, at the moment, we donât have a specific date attached to the project just yet.
#32 State of Decay 3
- Developer: Undead Labs
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Platform: X/S, PC
- Release: NA
State of Decay is having a third mainline installment coming out. Unfortunately, weâve only seen the announcement trailer so far, and it didnât provide much information. Still, we know this is a post-apocalyptic game where the goal is to survive the undead hordes that roam the world. Youâll gather supplies, rescue those in need, build up a shelter and fight off the dead. However, the reveal trailer shows that this upcoming installment will be taking in a more winter-focused setting, and interestingly enough, we might also deal with infected animals.
#31 Little Devil Inside
- Developer: Neostream Interactive
- Publisher: Neostream Interactive
- Platform: PC, NS, PS4, PS5, XBO
- Release: 2022
Little Devil Inside is an upcoming action-adventure game that puts players into an alternative 19th-century world. In this game, players are taking the role of a hired swordsman tasked with venturing through the world to collect supernatural incidents for a researcher. The game is described to be an open world with exploration and survival. Throughout the game, players will have to cook and acquire resources to keep their vitals up. Meanwhile, theyâll also have different weapons ranging from swords, bombs, and guns. Of course, right now, weâre still waiting on the official release date for the game as itâs only slated to launch at the end of this year.
#30 Boundary
- Developer: Surgical Scalpels
- Publisher: Skystone Games, Huya
- Platform: PS4, XBO, PC
- Release: 2022
Boundary is an FPS title thatâs set in the future. In this competitive multiplayer FPS, youâre an astronaut armed to the teeth. Based around different space stations, youâre battling against each otherâs factions. Much like other FPS titles out there, you can customize your characterâs loadout with different weapons to match your playstyle. Because the game was set, youâll find that players can get some unique angles to fire against your target. Right now, the game is only slated to launch this year.
#29 Company of Heroes 3
- Developer: Relic Entertainment
- Publisher: Sega
- Platform: PC
- Release: NA
This year weâre getting Company of Heroes 3, a real-time strategy video game set within World War II. If youâre new to the IP, Company of Heroes 3 will be focusing on the Italian and North African theaters. In addition, we already know that the developers have added a Tactical Pause System into this game. Through this feature, players will be able to pause the game and string together commands to trigger after resuming the campaign. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this description, the game is only slated to release in late 2022, so weâre not sure if this game will end up slipping through the 2022 calendar year or not.
#28 Dragon Ball: The Breakers
- Developer: Dimps
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Platform: PC, PS4, NS, X/S, XBO
- Release: 2022
Dragon Ball: The Breakers is an upcoming multiplayer game that pins a group of survivors having to escape an area that an enemy is patrolling. Itâs quite a bit like Dead by Daylight, in a sense. A single player controls the enemy, in this case, theyâll take control of iconic Dragon Ball villains like Cell. Meanwhile, survivor players have to complete a series of tasks to escape the area. Weâre sure that youâll already be familiar with the gameplay concept. This time weâre just adding in the theme based around Dragon Ball Z IP. Of course, now weâre wondering just how many characters will end up getting added into the mix after launch. If youâre a fan of the IP, this is likely a great party game to play with some friends online.
#27 Kerbal Space Program 2
- Developer: Squad, Intercept Games
- Publisher: Private Division
- Platform: PC, X/S, PS4, XBO, PS5
- Release:
Kerbal Space Program is a game that had players taking control of these little critters as they built up a space program. A large portion of the game was based on building up rockets. Some players got real creative as well. However, your creations had to launch into space and land without combusting successfully. Itâs a difficult challenge, but now the sequel is coming. Developers hope to make the mechanics and build process even easier to grasp. Meanwhile, itâs also bringing out the ability to allow your critters to colonize space. This brings in its own set of obstacles where youâll gather enough resources to build up structures and maintain your crewâs vitals.
#26 Babylonâs Fall
- Developer: PlatinumGames
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
- Release: March 3, 2022
Babylonâs Fall is an upcoming PlatinumGames title where youâre taking control of a warrior. Players can join together and go through a massive tower to reach the top floor. Itâs a battle against swarms of enemies on each and every floor. Meanwhile, players are able to secure new gear and purchase weapons to further enhance their character for each new run. This looks to be very much like a PlatinumGames title. These are the folks behind games like the Bayonetta franchise. Overall, itâs a very fast-paced hack and slash-style game.
#25 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
- Developer: GSC Game World
- Publisher: GSC Game World
- Platforms: PC, X/S
- Release: April 28, 2022
Another installment to the Stalker franchise is coming, and itâs actually a game weâve seen tried to put out into the marketplace in the past. However, weâre finally getting Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl. Now, the game is not set to release until the end of this year, as long as nothing delays the title into 2023. With that said, weâre still put back into the role of a Stalker. These are skilled individuals who venture out into the nuclear explosion zones to collect loot that proves to be incredibly valuable. However, youâll find quite a few mutated creatures and anomalies that will pop up.
#24 GhostWire Tokyo
- Developer: Tango Gameworks
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Platforms: PC, PS5
- Release: 2022
Ghostwire Tokyo is the next big game release from Tango Gameworks. Previously, the studio has only released The Evil Within franchise. However, you wonât find Ghostwire Tokyo to be a survival horror experience. Instead, Ghostwire Tokyo is more action-oriented with some spooky elements throughout. In this game, Tokyo is invaded by a strange, mysterious fog that causes humanity to vanish and supernatural spirits in their place. Players are taking the role of a man who survives but is fused with a spirit. Using his newfound powers, our protagonist is forced into fighting off these spirits and cleansing Tokyo in hopes of restoring order once again.
#23 Crimson Desert
- Developer: Pearl Abyss
- Publisher: Pearl Abyss
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: NA
Crimson Desert is coming from Pearl Abyss. If youâre not familiar with the developers by name, these are the folks who brought out Black Desert. In fact, this MMORPG was meant to connect with Black Desert, but eventually, the studio opted to make this game another standalone experience. Still, we can likely expect the same fast-paced hack and slash gameplay mechanics with this game when it does release. From what we know so far about Crimson Desert, players are taking the role of a mercenary trying to survive in a harsh world. There are quests to take on, money to be made, and loot to acquire. Although, itâs not a world to easily get through. Youâll find different terrains, each with its own hostile creatures roaming around.
#22 Sonic Frontiers
- Developer: Sonic Team
- Publisher: Sega
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S, NS
- Release: 2022
Sonic Frontiers is the next major Sonic the Hedgehog game coming out, and it will be a bit different. Weâve only seen one trailer for this game so far, but it looks like weâre getting an open-world gameplay experience. Sonic will be exploring this world and its different terrains while battling against the slew of enemies that show up. However, just what all the game will entail remains a mystery at this point. Quite a few fans have compared this game with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but for now, weâre left waiting on the developers to bring out more marketing materials.
#21 Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
- Developer: Massive Entertainment
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Platform: PC, PS5, X/S
- Release: 2022
Ubisoftâs, Massive Entertainment is working on an Avatar game. If you donât recall who this studio is by their name alone, Massive Entertainment is responsible for The Division series. Now we know they are taking a crack at the Avatar IP with a game centered around the Naâvi protecting Pandora. We havenât seen much of this game at the time of writing this description. However, Avatar is making a big return, in general, this year. Weâre finally getting the second film from this planned series of film releases. This game might be coming out alongside it, but weâre uncertain just yet if it will make much of a connection to the film. Regardless, Avatarâs environments, characters, and creatures should make for a thrilling game to dwell in.
#20 Redfall
- Developer: Arkane Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Platforms: PC, X/S
- Release: 2022
Youâve played games like Redfall before. Itâs a title like Left 4 Dead or World War Z. Here, youâre getting a four-player cooperative FPS, but weâre not dealing with zombies. After Deathloopâs release, Arkane Studios is putting its focus on Redfall. This game is about a vampire legion breaking through to a small island town. Blocking out the sun, players are left battling the vampire legion and ridding them from the area. Of course, there are a few heroes for players to pick through, each with its own unique attributes. Again, at the time of writing this game description, Arkane Studios has just come off from their Deathloop launch, so not too much information has been released regarding Redfall.
#19 Gotham Knights
- Developer: WB Games Montreal
- Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Platform: PC,. PS4, PS5, X/S, XBO
- Release: 2022
While we enjoy a good Batman game, Gotham Knights wonât have you stepping into the role of the Dark Knight. Instead, this game has players going through a narrative where Bruce Wayne is killed off. A message gets sent off to his closest allies, Batgirl, Robin, Red Hood, and Nightwing, asking them to keep Gotham City safe. With the Bat no longer in the picture, Gotham is up for grabs as criminal scum heads into the area to claim their piece of the land. Meanwhile, Gotham Knights has players taking each characterâs role as they battle off some of Batmanâs biggest enemies. However, a new criminal organization force has made its way into Gotham. The Court of Owls is getting their first big video game debut after their appearance in Batman The New 52 comic book series run.
#18 A Plague Tale: Requiem
- Developer: Asobo Studio
- Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
- Platform: PC, NS, PS5, X/S
- Release: 2022
A Plague Tale: Innocence delivered a narrative-driven adventure game with stealth elements. Set in medieval times, players took the role of a young girl named Amicia, who looked after her younger brother named Hugo. Early on into the game, we find that Hugo has a strange blood curse that essentially controls the black plague. Seeking to use this power, the French Inquisition troops chart off to find Hugo by any means necessary. Itâs an emotional storyline, and it ultimately ends with the siblings once again trying to find a peaceful new homestead. However, with A Plague Tale: Requiem, weâre getting a new storyline where the duo seeks out a mysterious island that may hold the key to curing Hugo.
#17 Frostpunk 2
- Developer: 11 Bit Studios
- Publisher: 11 Bit Studios
- Platform: PC
- Release: NA
Frostpunk was a survival game hit. Players were going through the game in the title, managing a small colony. Humanity was forced to move towards giant coal generators with the world suffering from a harsh winter storm. Players are constantly seeking resources to keep the giant coal generator fueled to power and keep the citizens warm. Youâll work to ensure that the colony continues to thrive, but players have to make tough decisions along the way. Ultimately, the settlement would banish the protagonist into the frozen wasteland if the morale is too low. This time around, players are not dealing with coal as the major resource but are instead focusing on oil to scavenge. Weâre expecting another challenging experience for players to go through.
#16 Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
- Developer: Bungie
- Publisher: Bungie
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: February 22, 2022
Destiny 2 fans are getting the sixth expansion into the marketplace this year. Initially, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen was set to launch into the marketplace in 2021. However, the game was pushed back due to the pandemic. This expansion will be centered around SavathĂ»n, the sister of Oryx, the antagonist from Destinyâs The Taken King expansion. Players can expect a new narrative campaign alongside new PvP maps, gear, weapons, and even a raid with the expansion. Weâre sure that quite a few fans anticipate this release. However, it might become bittersweet as we know Sony will soon own Bungie. That could mean Destiny will end up a PlayStation exclusive going forward.
#15 Monster Hunter Rise
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Platform: NS, PC
- Release: January 12, 2022 PC
The Monster Hunter franchise is quite popular, and itâs been around for console generations now. Each game typically plays out the same with a few different tweaks and new mechanics. Overall, the game follows players on different hunts. First, youâll track down these behemoth size beasts and attempt to take them down. From there, they drop different valuable resources for you to gather. Players can take these resources and further craft up new and more powerful gear. In 2021, we received Monster Hunter Rise for the Nintendo Switch, but the game finally came out to the PC platform this year. The setup is just as I mentioned, but thereâs more vertical play here. With Monster Hunter Rise, players have a grapple-like system to allow players the ability to reach new heights.
#14 Sifu
- Developer: Sloclap
- Publisher: Sloclap
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
- Release: February 8, 2022
Sifu is an upcoming brawler who follows a young martial artist that discovers his entire family has been murdered. Seeking revenge, players will take this young man and attempt to track down and take out each assassin responsible. Fortunately, players will find that the protagonist will also have a special medallion that will revive the character after each death. However, there is one slight catch as the medallion will also age the protagonist several years. However, after reaching old age, the young manâs medallion will break, giving him his last chance in hunting down each assassin.
#13 Atomic Heart
- Developer: Mundfish
- Publisher: Mundfish
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: NA
Atomic Heart is an upcoming FPS set in an alternative 1955 timeline. Here the Soviet Union is thriving with technological advances. Players are stepping into the role of a mentally-unstable KGB agent called P-3. Here, the government tasks P-3 to figure out whatâs going on with a facility that recently went quiet. Upon arrival, youâll deal with machines that have gone rogue. Youâll need to gather whatever scraps youâll find along the way to tweak your weapons further to fight against these enemies, all while scavenging for clues of what happened before your arrival.
#12 Avowed
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Platforms: PC, X/S
- Release: TBA
Avowed is an upcoming fantasy RPG coming out from Obsidian Entertainment. This studio is known for delivering thrilling RPGs, including The Outer Worldsâ likes. There are expectations that this game will be like The Elder Scrolls. However, there is still quite a lot we donât know about Avowed just yet. However, this is one of the first few games Obsidian Entertainment will be putting out into the marketplace after Microsoftâs acquisition. Whether this game will come out this year remains to be seen, but weâll keep it on our list for now as a hopeful launch in 2022.
#11 Saints Row
- Developer: Volition
- Publisher: Deep Silver
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: August 23, 2022
Saints Row is a massive video game franchise, and itâs been dormant for a few years now. Fortunately, thatâs changing as a reboot of sorts is coming to the IP. The new upcoming Saints Row game will put you into a new location in the American Southwest. Here, youâre following a group of new criminals striving to break through and claim territory. Longtime fans were quite vocal initially when this game was first announced, but the development team is pressing on. We should hear more about what all Saints Row will entail. However, the game is slated to launch this summer, so we should jump back into the world of crime later this year.
#10 The Outer Worlds 2
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Platform: PC, X/S
- Release: NA
The Outer Worlds was a new IP put out by Obsidian Entertainment. In the game, players got a new science fiction FPS that played out quite a bit like Fallout. You would venture to different planets, speak with characters in need, complete quests, make crucial choices, gather new exciting gear, and progress forward in your main journey. This title was quite a hit, and now a new installment is coming. We donât have any details quite yet about this upcoming installment. However, weâre sure there will be plenty of new planets to explore, quests to take, and characters to meet. What you might find different is that now Microsoft owns Obsidian Entertainment. Fortunately, it means that weâll still get this installment on the PC platform.
#9 The Day Before
- Developer: Fntastic
- Publisher: Mytona
- Platforms: PC, PS5, X/S
- Release: June 21, 2022
The Day Before is an upcoming survival MMO. Weâre tossed into a pandemic in this game where most of humanity has turned into mindless zombies. Here, players are trying to survive day in and day out. Youâll explore the open world, scavenge resources in cities, and fight off the deadly horde that may pop up along the way. However, this is an online game where youâll need to deal with other players as well. So connect with friends and survive together or fight off other hostile players that might be seeking easy prey to steal their precious gear.
#8 Hogwarts Legacy
- Developer: Avalanche Software
- Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: 2022
Hogwarts Legacy will toss players into the Harry Potter universe. This action RPG takes place before the events of the Harry Potter novels as its set within the late 1800s. Here, players are going through a game where youâre stepping into the role of a newly accepted student to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Within the game, players will get to freely explore the school and nearby grounds, tame mythical creatures, attend classes, along with learning new spells. Unfortunately, information at the time of writing this description is still a bit scarce. Regardless, quite a few anticipated players want to see just what the game will entail and how this connects to the game we lore as we know it thus far.
#7 Forspoken
- Developer: Luminous Productions
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platforms: PC, PS5
- Release: 2022
Forspoken is a brand new IP coming out from Square Enix. This action RPG will follow a female named Frey from New York City. One day Frey is instantly transported over to a new alien world ruled by a tyrant. With countless enemies and beasts roaming the world, Frey is forced into quickly traversing this open world, searching for friendly faces. So far, the footage released shows quite a fluid gameplay experience with this game as you traverse. As you venture around, Frey will seek out any information on how to return back home once again.
#6 Dead Space Remake
- Developer: Motive Studios
- Publisher: EA
- Platform: PC, PS5, X/S
- Release: 2022
Dead Space was a massive survival horror IP that has a strong following. Unfortunately, the game only received three mainline installments before EA pulled the plug. So for years, the IP has remained dormant. But, now thatâs changing as 2022 will see the release of Dead Space, the remake. Itâs a complete remake of the first installment, which will see Isaac Clarke fighting off an alien parasite that infected a mining ship. We havenât seen too much of the game when writing this description. Again, the developers have stressed that this will be a faithful remake. So that should mean thereâs nothing drastically different, but instead, fans will get a familiar experience with modern touches throughout.
#5 Tiny Tinaâs Wonderlands
- Developer: Gearbox Software
- Publisher: 2K Games
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: March 25, 2022
Borderlands fans are getting a spin-off game in 2022 with Tiny Tinaâs Wonderlands. With that said, you donât have to play the past Borderlands games to enjoy this title. Players here are going through a fantasy title where youâll follow Tiny Tina through a new DD style experience. Here youâll go on a high fantasy adventure full of mythical creatures to battle. But this time, youâll have more spellcasting and melee focus combat. This is still a gameplay experience that will be aimed at multiplayer focus. There might not be much in terms of guns here, but we can still expect a ton of weapon loot to acquire throughout the campaign.
#4 God of War
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4
- Release: January 14, 2022 PC
2018 saw the return of Kratos with God of War. Long after the battle ended with the Greek gods, Kratos has settled down with a new family. The 2018 game opens with Kratosâ wife deceased, and now heâs forced to raise his son alone. However, at the start of this game, the Norse mythological gods realize who Kratos is, and now our god-killing protagonist is forced into another challenging uphill battle. Kratos might not have had a massive battle in quite a few years, but it doesnât take him long to get right back into the swing of things. Players are getting another hack and slash-style experience as they battle through the different Norse creatures and gods that cross your pathway. Fortunately, this game has finally hit the PC platform this year, and itâs already available to pick up.
#3 Starfield
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Platform: PC, X/S
- Release: November 11, 2022
Starfield is the next big video game release from Bethesda. This game was announced before the acquisition from Microsoft. However, since Microsoft now owns Starfield, it looks like the game is coming to both the Xbox consoles and PC platforms. We donât know too much about the game quite yet. Bethesda is bringing out a science fiction title where humanity has colonized space. We know so far that players are taking the role of a space explorer who will likely visit quite a few different planets. If this game is anything like Bethesdaâs past works like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, we could speculate on a few areas. For instance, weâll likely have plenty of interesting environments to explore, action-packed combat, NPCs to interact with, and a plethora of quests for our protagonist to tackle on.
#2 Dying Light 2 Stay Human
- Developer: Techland
- Publisher: Techland
- Platforms: PC, NS, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: February 4, 2022
Dying Light has a sequel available in the marketplace. Dying Light 2 Stay Human takes place well after the events from the first game. Weâre placed into the role of a new protagonist trying to survive within one of the last few safe havens in the world. Weâre still striving to survive the world in this game as it was quickly flooded with the undead. Meanwhile, players are given a far bigger map to explore freely. Likewise, located throughout the map are different factions that youâll interact with. Depending on your actions, the factions could actually close off parts of the city from you to explore. Meanwhile, the gameplay has been more refined than the first installment. Weâre still getting quite a bit of action-packed gameplay with a keen focus on parkour. The world is essentially a giant playground for you to traverse and battle within.
#1 Elden Ring
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: February 25, 2022
Elden Ring is a game thatâs on quite a few fansâ anticipated 2022 release lists. Weâre sure youâre already well informed about the game. Itâs the next thrilling action RPG release from the folks at FromSoftware. If youâre not familiar with the studio name, they brought out the Souls franchise, and their next game is another challenging combat experience. With the help of author George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring offers players another bleak, dark fantasy world to go through. Weâre getting a large open-world map, loot to gather, and plenty of boss battles to get through this time. Because of the open-world map, players here will have more freedom in how they progress through the game. You might even get a few replays out of Elden Ring, as the title will have multiple endings to unlock.
Bonus
Bonus: Martha is Dead
- Developer: LKA
- Publisher: Wired Productions
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S, PC
- Release: February 24, 2022
Martha is Dead is a psychological horror game set in 1944 Italy. The body of a young woman named Martha was discovered. As her twin, Giulia is forced to deal with the trauma of loss as she ventures to find the truth of what happened. Players can expect a deep and dark narrative as they progress through the game.
Bonus: ARC Raiders
- Developer: Embark Studios
- Publisher: Embark Studios
- Platform: PC, PS5, X/S
- Release: 2022
ARC Raiders will release as a third-person free-to-play shooter. This game is set in an alternate future where a mechanical force puts humanity under constant attack. Here, players will arm themselves and venture to the battlefield as they join the resistance. Along the way, youâll need to gather up scraps of gear that might help them against the onslaught of attacks. Fortunately, this is an online cooperative game to work with friends as you fight off these androids and drones.
Bonus: V Rising
- Developer: Stunlock Studios
- Publisher: Stunlock Studios
- Platforms: PC
- Release: NA
V Rising has players taking the role of a vampire. After your centuries-long slumber, you awaken to find your kingdom has collapsed. Hungry and without a castle, itâs a battle to survive. Stick to the dark and shadows, gather resources, and feed on unsuspecting humans to regain your strength. From there, youâll build up your empire, add new humans into your army ranks, craft a castle suitable for your legion, and begin a war against those that oppose you, from holy soldiers to other players.
Bonus: Soulstice
- Developer: Forge Reply
- Publisher: Modus Games
- Platform: X/S, PC, PS5
- Release: 2022
Soulstice takes place within a holy kingdom that finds itself being invaded by evil creatures. Fortunately, the Kingdom has a special order to help aid them during these times. Thanks to their Chimeras, the Kingdom stands a chance at survival. Chimeras are elite warriors that are only formed by combining two souls. Players in this game will be taking the role of Briar and Lute, two sisters that have unified their souls to help fight off these beasts and save the Kingdom. Here our protagonists will have to fight off enemies with various weapons and make upgrades to make their attacks even more powerful. However, as the sisters progress through their battles, theyâll uncover the secrets of the Kingdom and the Chimeras order.