The month of Christmas is finally upon us, and what better way to celebrate than to take a look at what kind of games you can pick up to make the holiday season truly special?
While it’s certainly true that the most consequential and high-profile games usually come out in October or November, that’s no reason to skip December, as there are some truly special releases heading your way this month.
Without further ado, then, let’s take a look at some pretty solid gift ideas for the gamer in your life (or, indeed, for yourself!) this Christmas!
Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Switch 2 – December 2nd)
We know that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been out for a while now, but the game is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 in December, which should give you a good excuse to check it out if you haven’t already.
You should already know what to expect from this one; Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t deviate from the series’ recent RPG direction, but if you’re into that sort of thing, then Ubisoft’s latest adventure should pay dividends for you.
With a massive world to explore, plenty of content to experience, and a lengthy story to uncover, Shadows will be red meat for its existing audience.
Simogo Legacy Collection (PC, Nintendo – December 2nd)
Simogo is probably the most interesting developer you might not have heard of; the studio is responsible for games like Year Walk, Device 6, and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, all of which are fascinating indie experiments.
Two of those games will be included as part of this bundle, as will other Simogo classics like the rhythm game Beat Sneak Bandit and the universe-spinning puzzler Kosmo Spin.
All of that is in addition to extra stuff like a Year Walk-themed ebook, unreleased music from throughout Simogo’s history, and more.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion (PC, PlayStation, Xbox Series, Switch – December 1st)
From publisher Dotemu comes this side-scrolling beat-’em-up tribute to the button-mashers of ages past. If you’re a fan of Streets of Rage 4 and its ilk, you’ll almost certainly adore this.
You’ll have 15 Marvel characters to choose from as you embark on a combat-heavy journey across some of the most iconic Marvel locations to defeat Annihilus and his terrifying Annihilation Wave.
For extra fun, be sure to grab a friend and play through this one in co-op, because as we all know, an arcade brawler just isn’t the same without company.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch 2, Switch – December 4th)
We’ll admit right out of the gate that we’ve got some concerns about how companion character Myles MacKenzie will work in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, but that’s not going to stop us picking it up.
If you’re in the mood for another atmospheric adventure with plenty of satisfying shooting and some truly beautiful locations to explore, then this one looks like it’ll scratch the itch nicely.
With some extra bike sections and other gameplay innovations mixing up the formula, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will hopefully satisfy those who’ve been waiting for it since its 2017 announcement.
Octopath Traveler 0 (PC, PlayStation, Xbox Series, Nintendo – December 4th)
On the other hand, those in the market for a mammoth JRPG will find what they’re looking for in Octopath Traveler 0, which serves as a prequel to the original Octopath Traveler.
Technically speaking, this one’s actually a reworked version of the 2020 mobile game Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, but don’t worry; it sounds like the rework has been pretty substantial.
You can expect another hefty dose of exploration, turn-based battling, and Square Enix’s patented HD-2D art style with this one.
Routine (PC, Xbox – December 4th)
It’s been a very, very long time (in game terms, of course) since Routine was first announced; we got wind of this one all the way back in 2013, but it’s finally gearing up for release this month.
Offering yet another alternative to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on December 4th, Routine is a first-person sci-fi horror adventure that promises immersive combat and lunar exploration.
However, in an interesting twist, Routine also features permadeath, so if your character hops the twig, you won’t be able to bounce back as easily as in other horror games.
Let It Die: Inferno (PC, PlayStation 5 – December 4th)
We’ll admit we’re a little squeamish about this one simply because of the sheer amount of generative AI it appears to have used during its creation, but let it never be said we’re not willing to give things a try.
Let It Die: Inferno is an action roguelike that sees players descending into the abyss in order to find a treasure known only as the Eye of the Reaper, which grants “world-ruling power”.
To find it, however, you’re going to need to do battle with many and varied enemies, hack your way through hostile environments, and gather loot to upgrade yourself.
Skate Story (PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2 – December 8th)
If things were starting to get a little too conventional for your tastes in this list, don’t worry, for Devolver Digital is here to inject some much-needed weirdness into proceedings.
Skate Story is, as the name suggests, a skateboarding game, but if you know Devolver, you’ll know to expect much more than that from it; you are a demon made from glass, and you must skate.
While the game takes place in a surreal world filled with puzzles to solve, it also emphasises traditional skateboarding mechanics, so hopefully, you can expect a surprisingly accurate sim from this one (as well as all the other stuff).
Terminator 2D: No Fate (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch – December 12th)
It’s a very good month indeed for fans of old-school side-scrollers, as the aforementioned Marvel Cosmic Invasion and now Terminator 2D: No Fate can readily attest.
Developer Bitmap Bureau and publisher Reef Entertainment are promising “arcade action and pixel-perfect graphics” from this one, as well as a story that blends iconic Terminator movie scenes with “original scenarios and multiple endings”.
Of course, you probably won’t be playing this one for the plot, so if you’re looking to blast some robots for some much-needed catharsis over the holiday season, then apply here.
