After the holiday season, January 2022 video game releases are comparably slow. Development delays from the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed back release dates for multiple titles, and it's likely more games' releases will be postponed in the new year. However, January 2022 video game releases include quite a few big-name titles coming to PC and the release of the long-awaited Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
A number of AAA titles - including Elden Ring and Horizon Forbidden West - have been moved to February. Meanwhile, highly anticipated games like Halo Infinite and FFXIV: Endwalker were released in December. As such, this has left a bit of a gaming gap for January 2022, even though a few titles are still coming out during the month.
The indie sequel Windjammers 2 will arrive on PC and multiple other platforms on January 20. Expeditions: Rome from THQ Nordic will be hitting PC on this day also. Rainbow Six Extraction's release date is set for the same day, and a roadmap and post-launch updates have already been teased by the developer. However, there are a few other video games releasing in January 2022 that offer a little something for everyone.
Monster Hunter Rise & God Of War Arrive On PC In January 2022
The first big release of the year is Monster Hunter Rise, which is getting a PC release on January 12. While fans still eagerly await news regarding God of War: Ragnarok, 2018's God of War will finally arrive on PC on January 14. Previously, both titles were exclusive to their respective platforms (Nintendo Switch and PlayStation), so this is great news for PC gamers.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus May Be January 2022's Biggest Video Game Release
On January 28, 2022, Pokémon Legends: Arceus will release. It's the biggest, wholly original video game releasing in January 2022, and it will see Trainers going back to the ancient Sinnoh region of Gen 4 - called Hisui at this point in time. Although not quite open-world, Legends: Arceus aims to shake up traditional Pokémon gameplay in some major ways.
Ahead of its release, Nintendo and Game Freak have shared several story trailers, showcasing new Noble Pokémon, characters, and factions like the Gingko Guild in Legends: Arceus. The game isn't just the biggest video game release of 2022 - it's also one of the biggest of the entire year. Only time will tell if Pokémon Legends: Arceus can live up to the hype.
Uncharted: Legacy Of Thieves Collection Has A January 28, 2022 Release Date
Releasing on January 28, 2022, (the same day as Legends: Arceus) is Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for PC and PS5. This includes improved visuals and updates for both Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Additionally, those who already own the games on PS4 can pay $10 for the upgrade rather than paying the full MSRP. The list of January 2022 video game release dates is:
- January 12 - Monster Hunter Rise (PC)
- January 14 - God of War (PC)
- January 20 - Rainbow Six Extraction (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Stadia, PC)
- January 20 - Windjammers 2 (PC, Xbox One, Switch, Stadia, PS4 and PS5)
- January 20 - Expeditions: Rome (PC)
- January 28 - Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch)
- January 28 - Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (PS5, PC)
As always, release dates are subject to change, but this close to launch, it's unlikely these games will get delayed. Although January 2022 is a slower month for video game releases, it still has some interesting indies, long-awaited PC ports, and more high-profile games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves collection coming out.