2022 is shaping up to be a great year for fans of the multiplayer first-person shooter genre, with games like Overwatch 2 just around the corner. Some major titles are set to release in the coming months, while some lesser-known games are still awaiting a confirmed release date. Whether someone is a fan of gritty tactical shooters, a more arcade-like experience, or games that are less graphically demanding, there's a little something for everyone on the FPS front this year.
First-person shooter fans had their ups and downs in 2021, with games like Halo Infinite and Battlefield 2042 failing to meet much of their respective expectations, whilst also launching with less content than previous games in each series. Whereas some games may not have been well received, others like Call of Duty have been booming in popularity, with Warzone hitting 100 million players before Season 3 launched. Given the high competition associated with this popular genre, it’s only natural to see more titles awaiting their release later this year.
There were several other high-profile first-person shooter games that dropped last year, while the indie scene also received a bunch of unique titles. However, 2022 could top 2021 when it comes to diverse, action-packed first-person shooters. This year's release schedule is filled with fan-favorite reboots, large-scale shooters, and competitive tactical FPS games. If everything goes as planned with these release schedules, FPS players will have a wealth of choices a few months from now.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Is Expected On October 28, 2022
Serving as the sequel to 2019’s soft reboot of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series, MW 2 is the nineteenth installment of the popular first-person shooter franchise. The recent Modern Warfare 2 full mission playthrough revealed that, much like its prequel, the game takes place in the modern day, using real-life conflicts as a basis for its story. The campaign centers around the newly formed Task Force 141 as it faces off against a massive global threat.
Many mechanics and features present in Modern Warfare (2019) will carry over to its sequel. However, Modern Warfare 2 will ratchet up the gameplay with new dynamic maps and the ability to swim and dive underwater. Modern Warfare 2 will launch with a campaign mode and an expansive multiplayer experience, while additional content like the DMZ mode and a refined Warzone may release as early as 2023.
Overwatch 2's Full Release Is Coming October 4, 2022
Overwatch 2 is bringing new characters to the 2016 hero shooter developed and published by Blizzard, to which it is a direct sequel. The game features player-versus-player modes just like the first game, while introducing persistent new cooperative modes. Unlike its predecessor, Overwatch 2 will be a free-to-play, live service game with frequent seasonal updates and battle es, with promises to include a PvE game mode. Overwatch 2 will remove one of the first game's tank slots, converting to a 5v5 format.
The follow-up will introduce four new heroes, new maps, and a whole host of new cosmetic items and PvP modes. Old characters like Sombra and Baptiste will be returning too but will receive some major upgrades for the new title. With promises to include a day and night cycle, dynamic weather effects, and new lighting systems, Blizzard has high hopes for its next hero shooter.
Boundary Will Take FPS Players To Space In 2022
According to an interview with Technical Director Frank Mingbo Li, Boundary is a competitive first-person shooter with a twist. Set in the vast reaches of outer space, players will battle it out within a zero-gravity environment which allows players to rotate a full 360 degrees. Classic FPS features present themselves in the form of operators, characters that each have unique abilities and equipment to give players the edge during multiplayer matches, while also including a create a class system for each operator. Boundary will also feature in-depth character customization and player progression. With stunning environments, immersive sound design, and an innovative game loop, Boundary aims to be a unique shooter that takes players away from the classic boots-on-the-ground experience.
BattleBit Remastered's Public Stress Test Is Coming July 30, 2022
Low-poly first-person shooter BattleBit Remastered took some players from Battlefield 2042 and is inspired by the classic franchise. It's currently awaiting its next public stress test on Steam on July 30. Players fight on a large battlefield within a near-fully destructible environment and can make use of ground vehicles, boats, and air . Unlike many other games of the same genre, BattleBit Remastered is a highly accessible game because of its ability to run exceptionally well on lower-end PCs. BattleBit Remastered throws players into servers of up to 254 concurrent players. Much like Battlefield, players can choose between a variety of different Specialists, each with their own set of weapons, equipment, and perks, all of which players can customize to their liking.
World War 3 Is Currently in Early Access
Currently in early access, World War 3 and its overhauled gameplay is a free-to-play first-person shooter, taking many tropes from the Battlefield series. In this game, players battle on large maps, or smaller more confined zones featuring infantry combat. Much like other games of the same genre, World War 3 gives players control over their loadouts, a system that lets players customize what weapons and equipment they carry into matchmaking. Featuring vehicle-based combat, large-scale battles, and a variety of different game modes, World War 3 is a title that aims to win over many of the existing fans of the Battlefield franchise.
On top of the aforementioned games, there are a great number of first-person shooters that have been released throughout 2022 already. CROWZ launched on June 28 and takes many cues from Battlefield such as large-scale battles, customizable load outs, and vehicular combat. There were many July 2022 video game releases also, such as The Cycle: Frontier, a looter shooter that takes many elements from Escape From Tarkov and incorporates them into a sci-fi setting. The Cycle: Frontier was released on June 22 after being available for early access.
There is certainly no shortage of multiplayer first-person shooters in 2022. Players who are fond of competitive shooters will be able to dive into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Overwatch 2, or those who are looking for a more laid-back experience can pick up BattleBit Remastered when it finally releases on Steam. Whatever the case, fans have a broad selection of first-person shooters to choose from this year.
