The Ephemeric

Welcome back to The Ephemeric's 2022 Hot List. This week we will be having a look at the most exciting new music due for release in the coming year.


Music is always the most difficult list to compile. Every year the volume of new content seems to increase, doubly so over the pandemic years. On top of which, the advent of digital self-publishing through services like Spotify has made it more difficult to keep tabs on all the promising new talent in the industry, and resulted in release schedules that are less formalised and harder to predict.

But an abundance of options can hardly be a bad thing and while many exciting artists were axed in the process of whittling down to this short list, those that remain are very promising indeed, encompassing a healthy mix of old returning favourites and newcomers.

So without further ado, here is our list of the top albums to keep an eye on in 2022, starting with number 15:


15. Arctic Monkeys

Alex Turner has become something of an icon in the British music scene in recent years, but it is still his first vehicle, Arctic Monkeys that represents his most successful outlet to date. In 2022, AM is returning with their 7th, as yet unnamed, LP.

Given the lack of a formal release date, yet the apparent completeness of the record, I would expect this one to drop on short notice. Potentially in the spring, but more likely a summer release.

Release Date: Summer 2022


14. Sarah Kinsley (New band)

A release date has yet to be confirmed, but this is expected to be a 2022 release.

Release Date: TBA 2022


13. Gabriels (New band)

Another exciting newcomer in the form of LA's Gabriels. This soul-singing trio has been hotly tipped for success by many pundits in the industry and attracted glowing endorsements from heavy hitters like Elton John, who described last year's EP release as one of the most seminal releases of the past 10 years.

12. "The Tipping Point" by Tears for Fears

Release Date: February 2022


11. "Time Skiffs" by Animal Collective

Always intriguing, Animal Collective's latest will launch in February.

Release Date: February 2022


10. "As I Try Not to Fall Apart" by White Lies

An underrated part of the British music landscape, White Lies have been putting out consistently solid music a number of years now. New album As I Try Not to Fall Apart releases in 2022.

Release Date: March 2022


9. "Once Twice Melody" by Beach House

Once Twice Melody will release in February.

Release Date: February 2022


8. Toledo (New band)

New York-based indie due Toledo have been quietly building a reputation with a string of well-received single and EP releases over the past two years. 2021's return to the touring circuit saw them partner up with a number of well-known artists including Julien Baker and Dirty Projectors. With work now underway for an unnamed debut LP, many are tipping the band for success.

Release Date: TBA 2022

7. "Unlimited Love" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

I do not think it would be controversial of me to say that the legendary California rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers have recently been punching somewhere below the peak of their heyday. But they are far from the spent force that some would suggest. There is a reason that the band has enjoyed the remarkable longevity of a nearly forty year career, during which time they have crafted an enviable discography.

As they approach studio album number 12, there is particular cause for excitement with the return of longtime guitarist John Frusciante, who had sat out the last two albums. For many, Frusciante's sound is key to the band's identity, and his return bodes well for what could be a major return to form.

The newest album Unlimited Love is said to be in the late stages of production, with a release expected this spring. So far, we have heard just the one single Black Summer, an introspective track with gorgeous guitar-work reminiscent of the Californication era. Looking forward to this.

Release Date: April 2022

6. Skullcrusher (New band)

A name like Skullcrusher evokes the blackest of heavy metal, but this couldn't be further from the reality of Helen Ballentine's music. This is some delicately crafted multi-instrumental folk pop. Tranquil, lush, and grounded with some deft lyrical work.

Release Date: TBA 2022


5. "From Capelton Hill" by Stars

Canadian band Stars are an iconic name in the indie music scene for many of my generation. A soundtrack to many a coming of age story and a consistent purveyor of gorgeous music over many years and nine albums. Album number 10, From Capelton Hill releases in 2022.

The band has many classic tracks to their name, including Your Ex-Lover is Dead, Ageless Beauty and so many other near flawless tracks. If early single Pretenders is any indication, then the band finds themselves in fine, if familiar form.

From Capelton Hill releases in May and I personally am looking forward to it with great relish.

Release Date: May 2022

4. Aloboi (New band)

Another year gone with no LP, but still Aloboi remains one of the most exciting new artists in electronic music. The Berlin-based composer has continued to release new tracks at a steady clip, each highlighting the artists flair for dreamy soundscapes and eclectic influences.

Aloboi's work-to-date has been highly impressive. From the retro chill out vibes of A Pleasing Smile, to the more danceable electronic stylings of Want To Love, the classical remix of Night Train (Claire de Lune), or the dazzling genre mash up of Somebody Feel, it's a very impressive array of work for a newcomer that is fast establishing Aloboi as one of the more exciting talents in the industry.

As we await a debut album, one gets the impression that there is a lot more to come from this artist, whether its in 2022 or beyond, Aloboi is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Release Date: TBA 2022

3. "Chloe and the Next 20th Century" by Father John Misty

In any case, we won't have long to wait with a release set for April. This won't be one to miss.

Release Date: April 2022


2. The xx

French house artist Kavinsky spent much of the 2000s developing his signature synthwave sound, inspired by the cinema and pop culture of the 1980s. That process culminated in his debut, and so far only studio album, OutRun.

An ambitious concept album, complete with its own mythology and distinct artwork. But it's the great singles we care about, including his most famous tracks Nightcall, and Odd Look. Indeed OutRun was so successful that it is considered among some internet subcultures to have created its own aesthetic genre, and is now an umbrella term used to describe any form of neo-futuristic 1980s revival.

Yet despite the success, there has been almost complete radio silence since that album's release in 2013. Until now. A follow up album, Reborn, is finally on the way and we have the first two singles. If Renegade makes for a delightfully funky, over-the-top slice of nostalgia, the second release Zenith is an absolute masterpiece. Oozing with atmosphere, melancholy, and even a twist of irresistible saxophone goodness. This is as close to an "event" album as it gets.

Release Date: March 2022

Welcome back to The Ephemeric's 2022 Hot List. This week we will be having a look at the most exciting theatrical productions coming to the stage in the coming year.


The last two years have not been kind to theatre, with pandemics, lockdowns, and tight restrictions on when and how you can congregate indoors. So much so, that this blog skipped the Theatre list entirely in its 2021 preview. But in 2022, theatre makes a comeback. The playhouses are reopening, the great thespians of the world are returning to the stage, and the pent-up creative output of two years is ready to be unleashed.

Make no mistake, we are still not back at 100%. I hold tickets for several 2020 productions that have still yet to be rescheduled and there is no guarantee that conditions won't worsen once again. For this reason, this year's list will be reduced from 15 to 10.

So without further ado here's our list of the top 10 theatrical productions to keep an eye on in 2022, starting with number 10:


10. "Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams, at Duke of York's Theatre

9. "Marys Seacole" by Jackie Sibblies Drury, at the Donmar Warehouse

A new play about the pioneering Jamaican nurse who braved the battlefield to heal soldiers in the Crimean war. Billed as a metafictional biography, Marys Seacole is a story about what it means to be a woman who is paid to care, and how, ultimately, no one is in charge of their own story.  

Marys Seacole will run from April until the end of June.


8. "4000 Miles" by Amy Herzog, at the Old Vic

A dramatic comedy and Pulitzer Prize finalist when it launched on Broadway, Amy Herzog's 4000 Miles is one of several delayed 2020 productions looking to make its long-awaited curtain-fall this year. 

The exact date of this launch has yet to be confirmed, but is said to be sometime in the summer.


7. "The House of Shades" by Beth Steel, at the Almeida

Another rescheduled 2020 production, The House of Shades promises a working class epic, told over five generations of a family struggling through the industrial landscape of 20th Century Britain.

This world premiere at the Almeida comes courtesy of Hampstead Theatre regular Beth Steel, best known for her productions of Wonderland and Labyrinth on that stage. Here, she collaborates with director Blanche McIntyre, a familiar face for patrons of the Almeida following her star studded production of The Writer.

The House of Shades will run over the summer, with previews commencing in May this year.

6. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Aaron Sorkin and Harper Lee, at the Gielgud Theatre

But not all of 2020's rescheduled productions have re-emerged unscathed. The Gielgud's production of the classic Harper Lee novel To Kill a Mockingbird will finally see the light of day in 2022, albeit with a notable casting change.

This is a production of the adaptation by legendary screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, previously a mega-hit on Broadway that has earned rave reviews from the critics. The London production had originally been cast with Rhys Ifans, but following a two year delay, he has been replaced by Rafe Spall. Ifans is one of the greats, but in Spall we have a very capable replacement. It will be interesting to see how he fares.

It is sad that in 2022, the 60th anniversary of the novel's original publication, its themes of racial injustice remain so pertinent, hopefully this production can serve as a timely reminder, and stir some fresh impetus into solving some of the problems that we still face as a society.


5. "The 47th" by Mike Bartlett, at the Old Vic

Mike Bartlett is one of those playwrights that merits attention any time he puts out new work. His plays have drawn critical acclaim and big budget adaptations. 

The 47th sees him tread the familiarly political ground of King Charles III and Albion, with a new darkly comedic script that imagines the hypothetical 2024 Presidential campaign of Donald Trump. Exciting casting news sees the highly accomplished Bertie Carvel in the starring role, seen recently in his Olivier award winning turn as Ruper Murdoch in the excellent Almeida production of Ink.

The 47th will run from the end of March until the end of May at the Old Vic.


4. "The Father and the Assassin" by Anupama Chandrasekhar, at the National Theatre

One of the main tentpoles of their summer line up, The Father and the Assassin is the National Theatre debut of acclaimed Indian playwright Anupama Chandrasekhar. 

A dramatic epic about the man who would become Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, The Father and the Assassin traces the life of Nathuram Godse over thirty years during India's fight for independence.

The Father and the Assassin opens in May and will run through the summer on the National's Olivier stage.


3. "The Pillowman" by Martin McDonagh, at Duke of York's Theatre

One of the most celebrated works of the multi award winning playwright, screenwriter and director Martin McDonagh, best known for his work in Hollywood that includes In Bruges, Seven Psycopaths, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri. The Pillowman made its debut at the National Theatre back in 2003. Now, some 19 years later, it returns to the stage at Duke of York's Theatre.

The Pillowman is the story of Katurian, an author living in a police state whose work comes under scrutiny when it becomes apparent that the violence depicted in his writing bears striking similarities to a series of gruesome child murders that take place. This West-End revival comes with a fairly prominent star in Aaron Taylor Johnson, and a dark turn for comedian Steve Pemberton. 

This was one of those productions originally slated for 2020 before the pandemic hit. While a new release has yet to be confirmed, it is expected to hit the stage later in 2022.


2. "Jerusalem" by Jez Butterworth, at the Apollo Theatre

One of the most unmissable pieces of theatre to come along in a long while, yet unfortunately also one of the easiest to miss due to the high demand for tickets.

Jerusalem is a revival of the 2009 Jez Butterworth play, previously at the Royal Court Theatre. But the main attraction is its world-renowned star Mark Rylance, whose starring turn in the original production is commonly viewed as one of the all time great theatre performances. Rylance, incredibly, returns to the role some twelve years later, offering a new opportunity to witness this great piece of theatre.

This new production comes courtesy of the Apollo Theatre and begins its run in March. Tickets are going fast.


1. "The Burnt City" by Punchdrunk Theatre

But our number 1 play to see in 2022 is the latest from hugely ambitious immersive theatre maestros Punchdrunk, The Burnt City. While Sleep No More continues to run strong in New York some six years later, and now also in Shanghai, this marks their first London production since 2013's The Drowned Man.

A loose adaptation of Greek tragedies Agamemnon and Hecuba, The Burnt City will be another immersive showcase, taking place in not one, but two former military arsenal buildings in Woolwich. Attendees will be free to explore these sprawling, immaculately detailed environments while actors perform the rather loose narratives around them. 

A Punchdrunk theatre production is an experience like few other. An extraordinary mix of theatre, open-world videogame and hallucinogenic waking dream. Many others have since followed to try and do what they do, but none have pulled it off so convincingly. This will be a must-see event, possibly even multiple times..



So there you have it folks: 2022 in theatre. Tune in soon for our next instalment of the Hot List, covering the essential new music coming this year!

Welcome back to The Ephemeric's 2022 Hot List. This week we will have a look at the most exciting new literature and novels you'll be reading in the coming year.


Some good news, book sales have soared over the past couple of years. People of all ages are getting back into reading, which is just as well because there has never been more content more readily available. Meanwhile the newest range of digital devices and subscription services allow for essentially unlimited reading without having to worry about the cost or storage. Get yourself into reading and you will suddenly find yourself open to countless new stories and adventures.

So here it is: your reading list for 2022, our list of the top 10 upcoming releases from the world of literature to keep an eye on this year, starting, as always, with number 10:



10. "Black Cake" by Charmaine Wilkerson

Black Cake finds itself on the reading list of many a literature pundit as we head into 2022 and has benefited from plugs by some very influential boosters. This seems set to be one of the bigger book releases of the year. 


9. "Glory" by NoViolet Bulawayo

8. "The Perfect Golden Circle" by Ben Myers

7. "The Anomaly" by Hervé Le Tellier

The only reason this one is lower down the list is that it is technically not a new novel. Hervé Le Tellier's million selling novel The Anomaly originally launched in its native French back at the tail end of 2020, but it is only now that an English translation is hitting the bookshelves.

An ambitious and original piece of work, The Anomaly is a high concept work of science fiction. An airplane full of passengers inexplicably duplicates, resulting in hundreds of people now with an identical double living the same lives as them.

It's a highly philosophical work that asks questions of the nature of identity and reality. The original French release went on to win the Prix Goncourt.

6. "Yerba Buena" by Nina LaCour

Yerba Buena promises a bit of escapism at a time when we all really need it. The food and drinks, the southern California coastline, and the dramatic, twisty narrative. This is out in May and will make for some ideal summer reading.


5. "The Candy House" by Jennifer Egan

Coming out in April, The Candy House promises a very current subject matter with observations on social media, technology and our own insecurities.


4. "The Premonitions Bureau" by Sam Knight

The somewhat true story of a Government investigation into apparent psychic premonitions leading up to the Aberfan disaster of 1966. The Premonitions Bureau is the debut work of journalist Sam Knight.

3. "Illuminations" by Alan Moore

When it comes to Alan Moore, you're never quite sure what to expect. What we can safely say is that it will be unique when it releases this October.


2. "How High We Go in the Dark" by Sequoia Nagamatsu

Think Cloud Atlas mixed with Station Eleven and it will give you some idea of what to expect from Sequoia Nagamatsu's debut novel. An ambitious sci-fi depiction of a world where global warming has unleashed a catastrophic ancient virus, the events of How High We Go in the Dark unfold over hundreds of years, featuring multiple characters and perspectives.

1. "Sea of Tranquility" by Emily St. John Mandel

And finally, our number one most hotly anticipated novel of 2022 is Sea of Tranquility, the new novel of Emily St. John Mandel, the award winning author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel.

Hello and welcome back to the Hot List. This week we will turn our attention to the videogame industry, previewing for you loyal readers the most exciting videogames set for release in 2022.


If 2021 will be remembered for something in gaming, it is the release of the Playstation 5... even though it actually came out in 2020. Yes, unfortunately the global chip shortage continues to wreak havoc, leading to skyrocketing prices on even second hand hardware. There are signs that governments are beginning to take steps to alleviate the crisis, but we shall have to wait and see. Otherwise it has mainly been a year of slowly regaining normalcy, with pandemic-related delays easing up and most industry events returning in at least some, mostly still remote, form. 

One area that has thrived this year is the indie game scene, as well as published games from new developers, new voices. An abundance of good development, funding and delivery resources, as well as a thriving market for escapism, means that there has rarely been a better time to get into the industry for those so inclined, and 2021 saw a remarkable slew of high quality games from unexpected sources. I am excited to see what new feats of creativity and design 2022 has to offer in this increasingly democratised space.

So here it is, the 15 key videogames to keep an eye on in the coming year (trailers linked in the title where available), starting with number 15:


15. Homeworld 3 (PC)

The original Homeworld was an extraordinarily hyped title back when it launched in the late 1990s. A massive, bombastic space opera with cutting edge graphics and presentation, not to mention pioneering 3D gameplay unlike anything other developers were putting out at the time. 

While critically acclaimed at the time, the series pretty much vanished after 2003's Homeworld 2, due in part to the IP kerfuffle in the wake of original publisher Sierra's collapse. Homeworld went on to form something of a legendary cult status and has seen a revival in recent years with a prequel spin-off and remastered versions of the original games finding release. The announcement, finally, of Homeworld 3 may have been somewhat inevitable in retrospect, but still a very welcome surprise. 

Little is known so far, but it can be presumed that Homeworld 3 will follow its predecessors in gameplay and style. This has been tentatively pencilled in for a Q4 2022 release.

Release Date: Q4 2022


14. Hogwarts Legacy (PC, Xbox, Playstation)

When Hogwarts Legacy first leaked a few years back, it created about as much of a stir as one would expect. A massive open world RPG based on the Harry Potter franchise is the stuff of many gamers' dreams, not to mention the closest thing to a money-printer you can find in the entertainment industry.

Following its official reveal at the end of 2020, we have learned a few more things about this title. Players will control a student at Hogwarts in the 1800s, attend classes, explore the environs, and presumably embark on some grand adventure. The game looks to be extremely customisable, with players able to design their character in quite specific detail, choose their House and wizarding proficiencies.

I predict this will be a big deal when it releases, barring some unprecedented botching. We do not yet have a release date, but it has been said to be due during 2022.

Release Date: TBA 2022


13. Oxenfree II: Lost Signals (PC, Mac, Xbox, Playstation, Switch)

The first game was an acclaimed indie darling, a surprise hit that delighted with its smart design and accomplished writing. The sequel, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals comes with rather more auspicious trappings; the weight of expectation from its forebear and the status of being the first major acquisition in Netflix's new push into interactive media.

But that new expectation is also driving greater ambition. Oxenfree II is bigger than its predecessor, more open ended, more personalised. The aesthetic and tone may be familiar for fans of the developer, but it is clear that with this next release they are trying to mix things up a bit in surprising ways.

While an official release date has not yet been provided, it has been confirmed to be out in 2022, and leaked data suggests February.

Release Date: February 2022


12. Harold Halibut (PC)

Taking inspiration from the likes of Wes Anderson and Aardman Animations,

Harold Halibut is the culmination of ten years' painstaking work in perfecting a unique and, frankly, stunning hand-made claymation art-style. The result is one of the most striking games in recent memory, which from early appearances seems to have the humour and narrative flair to match. 

Looking past the aesthetic flair, one finds a fairly traditional point-and-click adventure game in the style of Monkey Island, Sam and Max, or for more recent gamers the various output of Telltale Games. Set on a marooned space ship some 250 years in the future, players must help unravel the mysteries of their new home and find a way to return their ship on course before time runs out.

Harold Halibut is currently due for release in 2022. The only reason it isn't higher up this list is my skepticism that it will actually manage to meet this target.

Release Date: TBA 2022


11. Star Trek: Resurgence (PC, Xbox, Playstation)

And speaking of Telltale Games (I think I mentioned them above. If I have since deleted this reference then please disregard), we have Star Trek: Resurgence.

So this isn't actually a Telltale Game, but the debut project of a team of 20+ former Telltale developers cast adrift by the company's recent turmoil. A third person adventure game crafted very much in the mold of a Telltale game, with dialogue driven point-and-click adventure gameplay familiar to fans of the genre.

It's also a Star Trek game, which is frankly a rarity these days and a surprising treat for fans of the series. If the team can craft a solid narrative in this universe, drawing on the thought-provoking sci-fi and optimistic, character-driven adventuring of classic Trek, then that will make it one of the potential standouts of 2022.

Release Date: TBA 2022


10. Stray (PC, Playstation)

In Stray, you play a cat, and you do cat things. What's not to like? More specifically, Stray is a gorgeous platformer set in an open world that is dripping with personality. The gameplay is focused on exploration and puzzle solving with the help of your drone buddy as you try to uncover the mysteries of this world and return home.

This is the latest title from Annapurna, who in recent years have established themselves as one of the most consistent marks of quality in the gaming industry, with excellent releases such as What Remains of Edith Finch and The Artful Escape.

Stray is set to launch towards the end of 2022 on PC and Playstation.

Release Date: Q4 2022


9. Victoria 3 (PC, Mac)

Grand strategy is a blossoming genre in gaming, and Paradox Interactive are the undisputed kings of that genre. Victoria 3 is the Swedish developer's latest in the Victoria series, a strategy game focused on the 1836 - 1936 period that saw the advent of colonialism and the rapid escalation between global empires that gave rise to the wars of the 20th Century.

The Victoria series is somewhat unique among strategy titles in that is blends traditional strategy gameplay with more political elements. Nation management involves deft handling of demographics and class strata, with minutely detailed pops each with their own needs and wants. As befits the era, international competition depends as much on alliances and influence as brute strength.

Release date is TBA but rumoured to be early 2022, perhaps as soon as the end of February.

Release Date: February 2022


8. Nivalis (PC)

Ion Lands' debut title Cloudpunk placed them as one of the new darlings in indie gaming. But while the cyberpunk taxi simulator was blessed with smooth driving mechanics and surprisingly capable storytelling, what really elevated tie game to prominence was its world, a stunning voxel cyberpunk dystopia oozing with atmosphere. Follow up project Nivalis builds on that strength. A slice of life sim set in that wonderful setting.

Precisely what that means is still shrouded in mystery, but we do know that Nivalis will feature business management, social simulation and home decorating. Like a cyberpunk version of Stardew Valley, with more life-sim features. dexter new. Whatever they come up with, I could not be more excited about returning to this world.

Release date is still very much TBA, but the suggestion is that Nivalis has been in production since before Cloudpunk launched, and could be due for a surprise release before the end of 2022.

Release Date: TBA 2022


7. Fermi Paradox (PC)

A 4X game the likes of which you have never seen, Fermi Paradox is one of the most exciting indie titles I have seen in some time. While it would be easy, from a glance at the game's star-map, to draw comparisons with the likes of Stellaris and Master of Orion, this is something else entirely. 

An exploration of the paradox between the age of the universe and the lack of life we see elsewhere, this game is very much about the hard science. A choice-driven narrative strategy game in which players guide a number of different species across the galaxy through their evolution, from primordial stew to the space age and beyond. Each choice you make (as well as the decisions and actions of each species) can potentially doom their civilisation, or lead them to colonise the far reaches of space. All the while you are constrained by the harsh realities of physics, providing a surprisingly excellent illustration of the difficulty in exploring and understanding the universe. 

This is one of the smartest strategy concepts I think I've ever seen. Currently in early access, Fermi Paradox is expected to see full release towards the end of 2022. 

Release Date: Q3 2022


6. Triangle Strategy (Switch)

It may have the worst name for a videogame since "Returnal", but Triangle Strategy is shaping up to be a very exciting prospect. This is the newest project from the Square Enix team behind Octopath Traveler. The 2018 JRPG was highly praised for its modern twist on retro aesthetic and its character-driven storytelling that hearkened back to the glory days of genre classics like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger. 

Triangle Strategy, by contrast, takes its inspiration from the like of Fire Emblem and the Final Fantasy Tactics series and the subgenre of tactical strategy that those games exemplify. That genre, combined with Octopath's graphical style and storytelling, is a home run if ever I saw one.

Triangle Strategy will launch in March.

Release Date: March 2022


5. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (PC)

I'm a 90s kid. That means I inherently love Sega. But Sega are an objectively bad company. How else can you explain why a company that always appears to be on the verge of collapse is allowing an astonishing catalogue of classic intellectual properties and franchises (arguably matched only by Nintendo in depth) to just collect dust in a warehouse somewhere? Chief among these is the great Jet Set Radio series of games. Frustrated by their intransigence, a group of indie devs (and apparent fans of the series) have taken matters into their own hands by crafting their own spiritual successor to the long dormant franchise. The result is Bomb Rush Cyberfunk.

Fans of Jet Set Radio will find much of what they love here. Bright, cell-shaded visuals, the funky musical stylings of the brilliant Hideki Naganuma, and the same mesmerising neo-futuristic urban setting. Featuring a colourful cast of characters, you will skate around a dizzying cityscape full of gangs, graffiti and rebel-spirit. So far it looks great.

Release is confirmed to be sometime during 2022. Can this indie team succeed where larger studios have failed and emulate the success of this classic title? We shall see.

Release Date: TBA 2022


4. Kerbal Space Program 2 (PC, Xbox, Playstation)

The original game remains one of the greatest gaming surprises of recent years. Created by one amateur coder during his lunch break, the concept was fairly simple: build rockets and try to launch them into space under realistic physics and orbital mechanics. The deceptively deep toybox-like design tools proved such good fun that you could sink hours into just getting that one perfect spacecraft into orbit before even realising you had other planets to visit. Now a full team of professional designers are bringing a full-blooded sequel, Kerbal Space Program 2.

The goal of this sequel appears to be to take the successful foundations of the original and just build on it. More parts, colony building, multiple star systems. It's the type of feature list that fans and modders have been dreaming about, but the key will be to get the basics right. The physics system has to feel as solid as the original, the building tools need to be as intuitive. It won't be enough to just slap a coat of Kerbilish paint on a pale imitation.

Originally revealed back at the end of 2019 with an expected 2020 release date, it has to be a concern that we have seen so little since then. The team has evidently been hit bad by the pandemic, but two years' worth of delays appear to finally be on the verge of bearing fruit. The recently returned series of dev diaries doing much to allay fans' fears. KSP2 is now set for a 2022 release.

Release Date: TBA 2022

3. Haunted Chocolatier (PC)

The story of how Eric Barone (aka ConcernedApe) made Stardew Valley has become the stuff of legend in the gaming industry. Newly graduated and unemployed, Barone decided to create his own game, based on a niche and mostly forgotten genre. Over four years, he did just about everything himself. He did the coding, the artwork, the music. To say that people were skeptical of his life choices would be an understatement, but Stardew Valley went on to sell tens of millions of copies and become one of the decade's most celebrated releases.

After Stardew, Barone could have gone anywhere and done anything, but he has chosen to stay true to his roots and take on another niche solo project of questionable marketability, and it looks amazing. Haunted Chocolatier is the new project, and unlike Stardew it has no clear genre parallels or influences. This is something entirely original. Players take on the role of a haunted chocolatier, living in a haunted castle and running a chocolate shop staffed by adorable little ghosts. The concept is fascinating and original, but let's remember that Stardew didn't succeed simply on the basis of its gameplay, but on the quality of its world and characters. This will be the magic dust that HC needs if it is to achieve similar success.

Haunted Chocolatier currently has a strict TBA release date and I wouldn't be surprised if it slips until next year, but it just looks too great not to mention.

Release Date: TBA 2022


2. Starfield (PC, Xbox, Playstation)

For many, this is the biggest game coming in 2022. Starfield promises a grand space opera in the style of a Mass Effect or Star Wars, with open-world exploration built around the same concepts as Bethesda's tried and tested Fallout and The Elder Scrolls series, only set over a series of star systems and multiple worlds. 

Bethesda games often get a lot of flack, sometimes deservedly, but their track record speaks for itself and includes some of the most celebrated titles of the past 20 years. Engrossing world-building and lore, moddable to an unprecedented extent. Open world RPGs are incredibly complex beasts and few developers have ever managed to create such immersive and flexible examples as Bethesda. While there may be valid criticisms over some of their recent decisions and business practices, they truly are one of the grand masters of the genre.

It is also notable that Starfield comes in the wake of 2019's The Outer Worlds, a similarly spacefaring RPG created by rivals and original Fallout creators Obsidian. That title met with moderate initial success, and it will be interesting to see how a competing effort from the current Fallout stewards compares.

After many years of speculation and delay, we do finally have a release date. Starfield is due out in November this year.

Release Date: November 2022

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 (Switch)

But as hyped as I am for a new Bethesda RPG, there are few things in any part of the entertainment industry that catch the spotlight as much as a new entry in Nintendo's fabled The Legend of Zelda series.

How do you follow up a game that is often considered to be one of the greatest ever made? That is the question Nintendo will be asking now as they craft The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 (presumably a working title). In fairness, it is a position in which they have found themselves before in following up the Ocarina of Time. The result on that occasion was Majora's Mask, a game considered by many to be even better than its predecessor. So no pressure then.

We know precious little about this game. BotW2 will apparently make use of the same open world as its predecessor, with some added verticality judging by the most recent trailer, and will feature some form of time manipulation. Otherwise all we have to go on is speculation. One of the major boons in Majora's Mask's development was the fact that the engine and assets were already there, which meant that the developers could use their time more for adding finesse and character. If they pull the same trick this time around then we could be in for something special.

Release Date: TBA 2022


So there you have it folks: 2022 in videogames. Tune in next week for the most exciting new novels and literature coming this year!