Following a few years of isolation and remote digital events, The Game Awards 2022 hosted a large and lengthy ceremony that had a runtime over three hours. Most of the awards were won by Sony titles, exclusive Xbox nominees seemed essentially absent, Sonic Frontiers couldn't win anything, and many of the trailers for the upcoming games in 2023 and beyond were titles mostly confirmed a while back. Those titles being games that were delayed in 2021, there were certainly a handful of surprises throughout.

With a show packed with tons of news, here are some of the bigger highlights and surprises from the 2022 Game Awards.  

Lords of the Fallen - PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

A sequel to the Deck13's Lords of the Fallen that has been in the works for quite some time, this one will be titled...Lords of the Fallen. Clever naming, and not all too confusing at all. Boasting a world that's five times larger than the original game, choose Umbra or Axiom and battle as a Dark Crusader through the worlds of the dead and living in this solo and multiplayer action RPG. Coming in 2023.

Dune: Awakening (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox one, Windows)

The Dune franchise takes a swing at the MMO genre in this highly anticipated open world multiplayer. Developed by Funcom and GmbH, Dune: Awakening will blend gritty survival tactics with intercommunication and engagement with other players. It can currently be added to your Steam wishlist. Release date TBA

Crime Boss (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Epic Store)

Crime Boss, this one could be fascinating. based on this trailer, it feels like what would happen if you gave Payday a storyline. Each story is made up of various missions that follow their lives of crime in this first-person heist venture. It's got a packed, seemingly random cast, starring Michael Madsen, Vanilla Ice, Michael Rooker, Danny Glover, Chuck Norris, and Kim Basinger. Listed as COMING SOON

Remnant II (Microsoft Windows)

From Gunfire Games comes the sequel to the 2019 release From The Ashes. Remnant II is and action RPG that pits the human survivors against otherworldly horrors and terrifying boss battles. Capable of sporting both solo and co-op play, explore the fearsome catacombs and the depths of the unknown to prevent evil from destroying existence. Official release date TBA.

Fire Emblem Engage (Nintendo Switch)

The newest entry in Intelligent Systems' tactical role-playing series, Fire Emblem Engage will unite the legends of the past with the heroes of today. The new merging feature will add a new element to the combat, blending not just your physical appearance, but your skill set and weapons as well. Summon Marth, Byleth, Corrin, Celica, Sigurd, and potentially many others. Release date January 20, 2023

Death Stranding 2 (PlayStation 5)

Officially announced after being shrouded in mystry for the last few months, Kojima Productions finally revealed the sequel to the most cryptic and foreboding delivery video game since Paper Boy. The cast includes the returning Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Elle Fanning, Shioli Kutsuna, and Troy Baker. IN PRODUCTION, release date TBA.

Armored Core: Fires Of Rubicon (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam)

The long dormant mecha action series returns. Following the success of the developer's world renown works with Bloodborne, the Dark Souls series, and 2022's Game of the Year Elden Ring, FromSoftware reaches back to their roots to bring their expertise in robust mech-combat to the modern era of gaming with the sixth entry of Armored Core, Fires of Rubicon. Rumors and some leaked images circulated early in 2022, Miyazaki kept news very close to hand. Expected release date, 2023

Hades 2 (Windows, Epic Store)

SuperGiant Games (Transistor, Pyre) have announced a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Hades, an engrossing action RPG with lightning fast gameplay and a respectable difficulty. Hades II will be the first sequel SuperGiant has ever made. Battle the Titan of Time in a world entrenched in Greek mythology. Release date TBA

Tekken 8 (Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5)

The eighth entry of the Tekken series was inevitability, the question was how much more advanced does the gameplay intend to be, following the death of Heihachi Mishima in Tekken 7? Lore wise, Tekken 8 marks the return of Jun Kazama, the mother of Jin. Jun was killed by the God of Fight in Tekken 3, and Jin, consumed by vengeance, struggled with battling the good and the Devil Gene he inherited from his father Kazyua, from within ever since. Powered by Unreal 5, Tekken 8's release date is TBA.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC)

Cal Kestis's journey continues in Star Wars Jedi Survivor. No longer a Padawan, Cal is now a powerful Jedi Knight, battling to keep the galaxy from plunging into darkness. As the expectations of the Jedi Order weigh heavily upon his conscience, his fights become more perilous and the stakes increase. Revisit familiar locations, as well as new ones in this highly anticipated sequel that expands on the Star Wars universe. Release date March 17th, 2023.

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League (Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC)

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League saw some troubling delays, but it now appears the game is on track for a set release date. This could be a return to form for Rocksteady Games, who released Gotham Knights back in October. Kill The Justice League will mark the final performance from Kevin Conroy as Batman, as he sadly passed away last month, following a long battle with cancer. 

There were many trailers, this was just some of the grander highlights. What stood out to you from this year's Game Awards?