2021 wasn’t exactly the busiest year for Koei Tecmo. The Japanese publisher saw relatively few releases for 2021, highlighted by a remaster of 2014’s Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, which came just in time for the Halloween season, and a double-whammy in February with Omega Force’s Persona 5 Strikers and Team Ninja’s Nioh 2: Complete Edition both making their debuts. Although Koei’s presence by way of its several big-name franchises was sorely missed last year, it appears that Koei already has plans to outdo itself and “unleash its full power” this year.
What should fans expect from Koei in 2022?
After sticking with re-packaged bundles and worldwide releases for 2021, Koei is planning to make a bigger and more lasting splash in 2022.
According to a 4gamer interview with various Koei Tecmo staff members alongside general manager Yosuke Hayashi, the publisher intends to showcase more of its biggest games in the coming months. Fumihiko Yasuda, Team Ninja’s brand director, teased an action game set in the tumultuous Three Kingdoms period in China. Meanwhile, Fatal Frame producer Yosuke Kikushi talked about taking up a new challenge but did not disclose more details about its next project.
Koei is already opening up 2022 with two big releases set for February. The first one is Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires, a spinoff to one of the publisher’s flagship titles. The other is a sequel to 2015’s Atelier Sophie. At the same time, Keisuke Kikchu confirmed that he wants to make another Fatal Frame game.
Of course, the highlight of Koei’s year should be Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. After its announcement earlier this year, the Team Ninja-led game got a second trailer back in October.
Do remember that Square Enix doesn’t have any other big Final Fantasy release planned for 2022. Case in point, Final Fantasy 16 has since been delayed and god knows when Final Fantasy VII Remake Part II will release. If our hunch is right, we’ll see Square and Koei make a big marketing push for Stranger of Paradise soon along with an official release date reveal.
With that said, Koei isn’t the only one with a big year planned for 2022. Sony has at least two big AAA titles planned for 2022 as well. The first one, Horizon Forbidden West, is expected to release in February. Finally, if the leaks are right, God of War: Ragnarok might be launched just before the holiday season in September.
