What will you be playing this year? Luck is with us because a satisfying selection of MMOs and expansions is coming in 2022.
Some of the most popular MMORPGs are – finally! – getting expansions and we also have some new titles entering the fray. The list is in chronological order, you’re welcome!
Star Wars: The Old Republic – Legacy of the Sith
- Developer: BioWare
- Release Date: February 15th, 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Star Wars, Sci-fi MMOs
If you were looking forward to spending the winter holidays playing the new SWTOR expansion, we have some good news for you. You get more time for your loved ones and your Valentine’s date will be a Sith Lord. The expansion was delayed to February 15th, 2022.
The planet of Manaan, the new Flashpoint, the new Operation, the new 80 level cap, and especially the storyline revolving around Darth Malgus will all have to wait.
The good news is – for real this time – that each and every currently MMORPG hosts its winter event, so you have plenty to do to take your mind off SWTOR.
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
- Developer: Bungie
- Release Date: February 22nd, 2022.
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of Shooter FPS
The Witch Queen is the sixth expansion for Bungie’s shooter MMO. It comes with new content and story.
If you have played the first Destiny game, you might remember Oryx, the baddie from the first expansion. Get ready to meet his sister! Savathûn is the antagonist in the upcoming expansion.
Single-player story quests get a new difficulty level with improved rewards. Savathûn’s Throne World is a new location. Two dungeons and a raid are part of the features list.
The expansion also introduces a new type of melee weapon, the glaive.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons
- Developer: ArenaNet
- Release Date: February 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Guild Wars
We are getting close to ending the dragon menace that has plagued the lands of Tyria. Story-wise, End of Dragons is a crucial time in Guild Wars 2 history. We cannot wait to see what happens in this expansion.
The continent of Cantha opens up allowing adventurers to explore fabled locations such as the Shing Jea Island, Echovald Wilds, and Jade Sea.
Each profession is getting a new elite specialization.
Two-seated combat mounts are coming our way. A fierce beast carrying two players – one handles the navigation and the other mans the guns – becomes available. That’s the Siege Turtle for you!
Bless Unleashed Update
- Developer: NeoWiz
- Release Date: February 2022.
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of ??
The Content Roadmap for 2022 includes several features that would qualify the February update as an expansion.
The Griogair questline is continuing with more adventures. We have new equipment and skill presets coming our way as well. A new field boss is ready to test your combat prowess.
However, the biggest feature is the introduction of the Assassin class. And that’s not all. The new year will also bring a new profession system, a GvG expansion, instanced fields, and a new battlefield.
Later in 2022, players will embark on a new main story quest set in the Eidolon Forest.
Lost Ark
- Developer: Smilegate
- Release Date: February 11th, 2022
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Isometric MMOs, Diablo
Release Date: February 11th, 2022
The MMORPG’s Western release is long overdue. Lost Ark features jaw-dropping graphics and action MMO goodness.
It has several classes with varied combat styles. Single and multi-player content galore is not missing. We have engaging single-player story quests, challenging co-op raids, and PvP so you can show others your superior pew-pew skills.
Rift Update
- Developer: Trion Worlds
- Release Date: Q1 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Old School MMOs
We don’t have any details yet, but Rift is getting a major update in the next few months.
A financial report from Media and Games Invest, the company that owns Gamigo, states that “For our successful game RIFT, which did not have any updates for a longer period, we will have a first great update also in Q1 22”.
For years, Rift was in maintenance mode. Many feared that the Telaran adventure came to an end. We are glad to see that the game is doing well and getting more content.
Dungeons & Dragons Online: Isle of Dread
- Developer: Standing Stone Games
- Release Date: Spring 2022
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Old School MMOs, Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons & Dinosaurs! We just love to see older MMORPGs getting new expansions.
The D&D MMO has been around since 2006. It’s based on DnD, the table-top game that has set the standard for computer RPGs.
The Isle of Dread is a well-known DnD adventure. It first came out in 1981 and now it’s making its way towards the MMORPG.
The Isle of Dread transports players to the prehistoric eponymous location. Dinosaurs and an increased level cap, that’s all we know for now about D&D Isle of Dread. More details will surface as we get closer to the unannounced release date.
The Day Before
- Developer: FNTASTIC
- Release Date: June 21st 2022.
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of Survival MMOs
The upcoming open-world MMO takes place in a “post-pandemic America overrun by flesh-hungry infected and survivors killing each other for food, weapons, and cars.” A zombie-apocalypse, by any other name, The Day Before is not for the faint of heart.
The infected may not be the smartest enemies, but they make up with superiority in numbers. Fellow players will give you a hard time as well. However, you can join a colony of like-minded survivors.
The Day Before has realistic weapons and vehicles. Even though the game depicts a world in ruin, the graphics are gorgeous.
Odin Valhalla Rising
- Developer: Lionheart Studio
- Release Date: Q2 2022.
- Platform: PC, Mobile
- For fans of Korean MMOs
The English localization for Odin Valhalla Rising has been confirmed. The game comes out in Taiwan in the first quarter of 2022 and the global release will follow right after.
The Norse-inspired MMORPG features superb graphics. Players explore the world as they complete quests and defeat monsters.
Four classes are available at launch. More will come with future updates. Each class has a unique ability that can be activated in certain conditions.
Odin Valhalla Rising has both PvE and PvP. The controversial autoplay function is under revision for the global version.
Mad World
- Developer: Jandisoft
- Release Date: Summer 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Isometric MMOs
Mad World – Age of Darkness is a cross-platform HTML5 MMORPG that can be played in a web browser. It has a unique hand-drawn art style.
As you have probably guessed from the title, the game world isn’t the happiest of places. Humanity has fallen, demons have taken over, all hope is lost. Cool beans, huh? Story-driven quests tell what happened, so make sure to complete them.
When it comes to bashing monsters, you can choose from a multitude of combat styles. Mobile versions will follow the PC release.
Pioner
- Developer: GFA Games
- Release Date: 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Shooter MMOs
Chances for Pioner to come out in 2022 are slim, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a late 2022 release or a testing phase at least.
The game has been in the works since 2018, but, in the light of recent news, we have reasons to believe that development will pick up soon.
The Moscow-based studio, GFAGAMES, has partnered with Tencent for an investment deal that allows them to expand the team and continue the development at a faster pace.
Pioner is an FPS MMO that takes place on a post-apocalyptic Soviet Island.
Ship of Heroes
- Developer: Heroic Games Corporation
- Release Date: 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Superhero MMOs
The MMO world needs more superhero-themed games. The Heroic Games Corporation is doing its part by bringing us the Ship of Heroes. Hopefully, in 2022. The game was already delayed once.
Ship of Heroes aims to build a superhero universe like no other. The developers envisioned Apotheosis City, the main hub, as the antithesis of Gotham City.
The combat system is different as well. Parties are not based on the holy MMO trinity of tank, damage dealer, and healer.
Currently, the game is in beta.
The Elder Scrolls Online
- Developer: Zenimax
- Release Date: Summer 2022.
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim
The current TESO adventure is nearing its end. Deadlands, the DLC that wraps up the Gate of Oblivion year-long adventure, was released in November.
While the next expansion was not yet revealed, we don’t have any indication that The Elder Scrolls Online will stray from the usual release schedule. The new adventure will be announced in January and the expansion will come out in Spring or Summer 2022.
Zenimax has been following this schedule for years. We only have a few more weeks until the official announcement, but it’s never too early to start speculating. The most popular fan theories involve the continent of Akavir, the Eastern part of Morrowind, and unexplored Oblivion planes.
WoW: Wrath of the Lich King Classic
- Developer: Blizzard
- Release Date: 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Warcraft, Old School MMOs
WoW Classic came out in August 2019. One year and a half later, The Burning Crusade Classic was released. While Blizzard has been keeping quiet about WotLK Classic, we can all see where this is going.
It was in Wrath of the Lich King that the WoW player base peaked at 12 million active subscribers. WotLK still has a lot of fans who cannot wait to relive the glory days of 2009.
Even if Wrath of the Lich King Classic won’t release in 2022, we are sure that we will know the release date by the end of next year.
Ravendawn Online
- Developer: Ravendawn
- Release Date: Possibly 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Retro Games, Old School MMOs
Ravendawn Online is a cute pixel-style MMORPG that is currently in alpha. A 2022 release isn’t out of the question.
The game has sandbox mechanics that allow players to team up and build their castles, farms, or whatever constructions they can think of practically anywhere.
The economy is player-driven. You can become a wealthy merchant but you can also win a fortune as a sword for hire. Be it by magic or might, you can vanquish your foes in a multitude of ways.
Ravendawn Online has an open-world map with no instanced locations or loading screens.
Ember Sword
- Developer: Bright Star Studios Limited
- Release Date: Alpha Coming in 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Isometric MMOs
Ember Sword is currently in development with alpha testing planned for the first quarter of 2022. It’s unlikely the full game will be released in 2022, but at least we get the chance to see what the team has been working on for the past years.
Ember Sword is a free-to-play sandbox MMORPG that uses blockchain technology. The gameplay features fast-paced combat and free character development.
If fighting monsters is your cup of tea, nothing is stopping you from becoming a trader. On the other hand, you can also focus on crafting or annihilating other players as a fierce PvPer.
Ashes of Creation
- Developer: Intrepid Studios
- Release Date: Beta possibly 2022.
- Platform: PC
- For fans of MMOs
As of August 2021, Ashes of Creation has completed three out of five alpha tests. We have two more alpha and two beta stages to endure before the final game release.
Developers are taking the slow and steady road towards the end product. As long as the game is good, we don’t mind the wait.
Ashes of Creation is a dynamic fantasy MMORPG. The world changes based on players’ actions. You have the power to build and also the power to destroy. There are many ways to enjoy the game and each one has its unique flavor.
What MMO are you looking forward to playing in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!