Japanese games to look out for in 2022 (With February update!)

2022 has lots of games coming up, and Frontline Gaming Japan has compiled a list of Japanese games to look out for this year!

(This article was originally published on 6 January 2022 and last updated on 10 February 2022. This list only contains games already announced at the date of its latest update, and the list is arranged in order of Japanese release date)

Shikabane-gurai no Bouken-meshi

Release date: 27 January 2022 (JP)
Platforms: PS4, Switch

A dungeon crawler from Nippon Ichi Software with SRPG-style combat and a focus on survival and cooking. The player has to manage hunger and thirst while exploring, and obtain ingredients from monsters to cook food that also powers characters up.

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2

Release date:  27 January 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, PS5, XB1, XBSX, Switch, PC (Steam)

The sequel to Inti Creates’ Luminous Avenger iX, with further refined 2D platforming gameplay. Check out our report on the gameplay demo at Tokyo Game Show 2021 here.

Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shite shimatta… -Haran wo Yobu Kaizoku-

Release date: 10 February 2022 (JP)
Platforms: Switch

A visual novel based on the popular multimedia series also known as “My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!”, which started as a web novel, with a completely new spinoff story not based on any previous content.

The King of Fighters XV

Release date: 17 February 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, PS5, XBSX, PC (Windows Store, Steam, EGS)

The latest game in the long-running King of Fighters series, and the first in the series to use Unreal Engine 4 and rollback netcode

Touken Ranbu Warriors

Release date: 17 February 2022 (JP), 24 May 2022 (WW)
Platforms: Switch, PC (DMM Games/JP only)

A Dynasty Warriors style game for the popular Touken Ranbu series, a series about anthropomorphized historical swords (presented as pretty boys) who travel through time to stop historical revisionist time criminals from changing the timeline.

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream

Release date: 24 February 2022 (JP), 25 February 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, Switch, PC

A sequel to the Atelier series’ Mysterious sub-series, which was previously concluded in Atelier Lydie & Suelle (2017), and to the first Atelier Sophie (2015). The game follows one of Sophie’s adventures immediately after the events of Atelier Sophie, taking place before the other sequels in the series, but also in a space outside of time, allowing certain characters to appear.

Elden Ring

Release date: 25 February 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, PS5, XB1, XBSX, PC (Steam)

From Software’s latest Souls-like game, featuring vast open areas (which director Miyazaki has referred to in interviews as an “open field” as opposed to an open world) and a setting created by George R. R. Martin.

 

Triangle Strategy

Release date:  4 March 2022
Platforms: Nintendo Switch

An isometric tactical RPG in the style of classics like Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre, in which three nations clash over dwindling resources.

 

Neptunia x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars

Release date:  17 March 2022 (JP), Spring 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, Switch, PC (Steam)

A hack-and-slash action RPG crossover between the Neptunia and Senran Kagura series, with characters from both franchises.

 

Relayer

Release date: 24 March 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, PS5

An epic sci-fi tactical RPG with mecha from the creators of God Wars. Check out our previous coverage of the gameplay, setting, and more here.

 

Metal Dogs (console release)

Release date: 8 April (JP)
Platforms: PS4, Switch

A post-apocalyptic dungeon-crawling dog action game in which the player takes control of a dog armed to the teeth with guns, cannons, and missiles. Though the game is getting a console release in Japan later this year, it is already available in English on Steam Early Access.

 

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (Switch)

Release date: 12 April 2022 (WW)
Platforms: Switch

The Nintendo Switch port of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, previously released on the PS4 in 2019 in Japan and 2020 worldwide. The game features beautiful art and one of the best narratives in video game history: Read our review here. And if you’ve already played it, remember to check out this spoiler-filled interview with the writer which answers many questions one might have about the story.

 

Choujigen Game Neptune Sisters vs Sisters

Release date: 21 April 2022 (JP)
Platforms: PS4, PS5

The latest game in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, which loosely bases anthropomorphized characters and events off topics in the gaming industry. The story this time focuses on the clash between handheld consoles and smartphones.

 

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Release date: 18 March 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, PS5, XB1, XBSX, PC (EGS)

An action RPG based on the first Final Fantasy game about killing Chaos.

 

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes

Release date: 24 June 2022
Platforms: Switch

A Dynasty Warriors-style action spinoff of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, taking place with the same setting but an entirely new story.

 

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Release date: September 2022 (WW)
Platforms: Switch

The latest game in the Xenoblade series, tying the futures of the worlds depicted in Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 together.

 

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative

Release date: Spring 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, XB1, XBSX, Switch, PC (Windows Store, Steam)

A sequel to the eccentric 2019 mystery adventure game AI: The Somnium Files

 

FRONT MISSION 1st: Remake

Release date: Summer 2022
Platforms: Switch

A remake of the classic mecha strategy game Front Mission, with 3D graphics.

 

Eiyuu Densetsu: Kuro no Kiseki II -CRIMSON SiN-

Release date: Fall 2022 (JP)
Platforms: PS4, PS5

The sequel to 2021’s Kuro no Kiseki, and second part of the Trails series‘ Calvard arc. Kuro no Kiseki featured a completely revamped battle system which allows the player to seamlessly shift between realtime (action) and turn-based combat in regular battles, and used an entirely new game engine.

 

Azure Striker Gunvolt 3

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: Switch

The third game in Inti Creates’ Azure Strike Gunvolt series (excluding spinoffs). Details are currently sparse, and no platforms aside from the Nintendo Switch have been announced yet, but going by the series’ track record one can probably expect great 2D platforming gameplay and for it to be released on more platforms.

 

Bayonetta 3

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: Switch

The third game in PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta series. Details are sparse, but going by the series’ track record one can probably expect fantastic 3D action gameplay.

 

Digimon Survive

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, Switch

A “survival/simulation RPG” by Bandai Namco based loosely on the Digimon franchise. Like previous games such as Cyber Sleuth and Hacker’s Memories, the game does not seem to have any direct connections to the Digimon franchise aside from having the monsters appear in the game: Rather, the story is about a group of teenagers who get lost on a camping strip and somehow stray into another world filled with Digimon, where they have to survive and find a way home.

 

Earth Defense Force 6

Release date: 2022 (JP)
Platforms: PS4, PS5

The latest game in Sandlot’s Earth Defense Force action game series, in which players defend Earth from large-scale alien invasions.

 

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, PS5, XBXS, Switch, PC (Steam)

A “town-building action RPG” spinoff of Eiyuden Chronicle, the upcoming crowdfunded RPG from the creator of Suikoden. Unfortunately, Eiyuden Chronicle and its spinoffs are being published by 505 Games, which has a dodgy track record, but the game’s Kickstarter page directly addressed misgivings backers might have, stating that they are committed to backers getting their copies before the retail release (which was not the case with Bloodstained, also published by 505).

 

GRANBLUE FANTASY ReLINK

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC (Steam)

An action RPG based on Cygames’ overwhelming popular mobile game Granblue Fantasy. The game also supports up to 4 player multiplayer online.

 

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: Switch

The long-awaited sequel to 2017’s critically acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Details are currently sparse, but the series’ pedigree and the first game’s quality has many fans looking forward to the sequel.

 

Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, Switch, PC (Steam)

An action RPG based on the acclaimed manga and anime series Made in Abyss, which follows explorers who delve deep into a mysterious hole filled with dangers known as the Abyss. The game allows players to play through the events of the series itself (the series is ongoing, so it is unclear how far the story goes), or to take on the role of an original character going through a new adventure supervised by series creator Tsukushi Akihito.

 

Splatoon 3

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: Switch

The third game in the wildly popular third-person shooter series Splatoon.

 

Star Ocean: THE DIVINE FORCE

Release date: 2022 (WW)
Platforms: PS4, PS4, XB1, XBSX, PC (Steam)

Also known as Star Ocean 6 in Japan, the first new game in the Star Ocean series since 2016’s Integrity and Faithfullness (Star Ocean 5 in Japan). For the first time since Star Ocean 2, the player can choose from two different protagonists.