As racing fans watched the year of 2021 slip away, there were some good, some great, some average, and some downright disappointments in the racing genre. With our 2022 racing games preview, it’s time to start figuring out what to get hyped for all over again.
Although 2021 finished off with a couple titles that were a disappointment for myriad reasons, there is no denying that both causal and hardcore racing fans had an abundance of options in 2021. If you followed the Operation Sports Game of the Year Awards, then you already know the stout competition that was vying for awards, with Forza Horizon 5 winning the hardware (in multiple categories).
With Forza Horizon 5 grabbing the honors for racing GOTY, that means there had to be some runner-ups. Game like F1, Hot Wheels Unleashed, WRC 10, and MotoGP all came to the table with strong career modes, enhanced graphics, track creators, livery creators, online options, and more.
Racing Games 2022 Preview
So, after a stellar year in the racing genre, it’s now time for us to turn our eyes to 2022. More consumers will hopefully have access to new consoles and PCs, and the popularity of sim-racing will continue to rise.
Grid Legends (February 25)
What They’re Saying
“Grid Legends delivers thrilling wheel-to-wheel motorsport action. Create dream race events, hop into live races, experience a dramatic virtual production story, and embrace the sensation of spectacular racing.”
Why Am I Excited?
With over nine different classes of cars and 130 routes to race on, plus the fact that I played an early build, means there is already enough here to get me excited. I enjoyed the last Grid title, but ultimately it was a bit too arcade-like for me. This one seems to have found a nice balance, which I talked about in my preview.
Gran Turismo 7 (March 4)
What They’re Saying
“With over 420 cars available at Brand Central and the Used Car Dealership from day one, Gran Turismo 7 recreates the look and feel of classic motors and bleeding-edge supercars alike in unparalleled detail. Each car handles differently and feels unique as you navigate over 90 track routes in dynamic weather conditions, including classic courses from GT history.”
Why Am I Excited?
The last GT title that dropped was in October of 2017, and while I enjoyed that version for what it was, it deviated enough form the history of the GT franchise that waiting for GT 7 has felt even longer.
I’m sure I’m not alone in saying my jaw has dropped while watching some of the game trailers for this title, with the newest showing a race taking place at what looked like a photo-realistic Daytona International. If the original and latest trailer are not enough to at least draw out some curiosity, assuming you’re a PS4/5 owner, I am not sure there is a racing title that will during 2022.
NASCAR ’22 (Release Date TBD)
What They’re Saying
They’re not saying much about the new title for this year, but they have announced the road map for the title that dropped last year.
- January: Stages, Private Parties added
- February: Next-Gen Car Test Mode, Shaky Cam Toggle
- April: PS5 and Xbox Series X/S Upgrade
Why Am I Excited?
I am excited because I know the talent that is behind the development of this series, and yes, I am fully aware of the troubles the initial game had at launch. But if they can pull things together and deliver a title that matches their talent and the community’s expectations, well, we might still have something here with this franchise. And yes, it is a franchise as MSG will be making NASCAR titles for the foreseeable future, so let’s hope the follow up this year shows some real growth and potential.
Forza Motorsport 8 (Release Date TBD)
What They’re Saying
Absolutely nothing. In fact, it is only a rumor that Forza 8 is dropping in 2022.
Why Am I Excited?
As if any other reason is needed, it’s Forza. The other reason is the fact that we haven’t had a new Forza racing title since 2017. If there is a chance that we can get a new Forza and Gran Turismo title in the same year, well, where do I sign up for that? Turn 10 is going for a new look with its long running series, and while it still has no confirmed date in 2022, most insiders believe we will see it announced in the summer and released towards the end of this year. That said, being excited about a rumor in the video game industry during the pandemic probably isn’t the wisest approach, but I have zero cares left and am going for it.
F1 2022 (July)
What They’re Saying
Nothing yet, but do they really have to at this point?
Why Am I Excited?
It goes without saying that the F1 series is one of the best developed titles on the market right now, and that includes all video games not just racing games.
Codemasters has taken this series into the stratosphere. The studio has created an experience that can be enjoyed by the staunch F1 fan, and the person who is just looking to see what the hype is all about. They have created a multi-tiered difficulty system that caters to anyone and everyone, and it can be altered on the fly as your skills and abilities grow stronger.
Whether it’s a stout career mode, online options, full season, F2, and more, there isn’t anything that the F1 franchise doesn’t do well at this point — and it excels at most of them.
Need For Speed (Release Date TBD)
What They’re Saying
As with NASCAR ’22, not much is known yet, but it is coming out this year, and rumors are we might be getting two NFS titles in 2022.
Why Am I Excited?
I did the review for NFS Hot Pursuit Remastered, and while it showed its age a bit, it was still some classic fun for the new age. Criterion was pulled away from this new title in order to help DICE with Battlefield, but they are now back hard at work on this title, whatever it may be.
My one hope is that the series gets back to where the racing is the star of the show, and the story is there to just provide some minimal information to push the game along. NFS will always have a place in my rotation, I just miss the early days of the franchise where it was a must-own title.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar (September)
What They’re Saying
“A driving and lifestyle experience unlike any other. The brand-new Test Drive Unlimited keeps the DNA from the first games, and revamps it for the modern era. You have the freedom to progress however you like, the classic open championship concept returns too. Live your best life. Race, cruise, and hang out with your friends until the sun goes down and even after!
With confirmed marques so far being Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Koenigsegg, Apollo, Dodge and Bugatti, you’ll have to really work your way up to have the privilege to drive them. Customization is not reserved for your cars only, but for your avatar as well and even better than ever. You’ve got to dress to impress.”
Why Am I Excited?
It has been a decade since the last Test Drive game was released. While multiple developers have had a chance to recapture the magic that series provided during its initial run, Test Drive Unlimited was, for me at least, the only one that came close.
On top of nostalgia and hoping this series can become relevant again, the fact that KT Racing has recreated Hong Kong in a 1:1 scale in full detail has me equally exited, especially on PC and next-gen systems that can really enhance those details.
Monster Energy Supercross 5 (March 17)
What They’re Saying
“Monster Energy Supercross 5 is on its way with the official 2021 Season, and a renovated Career Mode, now more real and immersive than ever before, where you will start as a promising rider in the Futures categories, aiming to reach the glory as a Pro. Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Video game 5 also introduces the Rider Shape System, an exclusive feature for the Career Mode that will affect riders’ performances in case of falls or injuries. Training and completing specific tasks are key to quickly recovering and restoring your rider, to be always on top form!
Enjoy a new gameplay experience, enriched by 2 Strokes bikes, now available in every game mode. And if you are a newcomer, the Futures Academy will provide all the information to take you the first steps into the Super Cross world. This friendly tutorial will teach you the Super Cross basics to help you climbing the charts from Beginner to Pro; it also provides many in-game options that will make races accessible for everyone.”
Why Am I Excited?
We are now on the fifth iteration of this franchise, and I have reviewed every single one. Milestone has evolved it enough to constantly keep it fresh and exciting.
This year they are adding cross-platform racing, new additions and abilities to the track creator, and more. Plus, I am hoping we see the same improvements on the track that we saw in the recently released MXGP 2021.
Bottom Line
The fact is, as always, some of these titles will deliver beyond our expectations, some will slide nicely into the expectations we had for them, and some will inevitably have issues. That is the way not only the racing genre goes in the world of video games, but all video games in general.
That said, there is a lot to be excited about for fans, regardless if you consider yourself just a casual fan or the hardest of hardcore. Fans on all platforms have plenty to look forward to in 2022, and now we simply play the waiting game. Even more exciting is the fact that what I have listed above is just a fraction of the racing titles that will be dropping this year.
Let us know what titles are definitely making their way into your rotation in the comments below.
