Another year has nearly come and gone, and it’s been one of excitement in the gaming world. We’ve seen new releases described as the best games ever made, and others that continue to provide endless entertainment.
In this guide, we’ll help you build your gaming Christmas list for Santa Claus. We’ll take a look at a third-person fantasy action game that’s blown many a gamer’s mind, and we’ll look at a franchise that’s only continued to grow in popularity even after decades.
But first, let’s take a look at more classic games that are as popular as ever.
Casino games
One category of games that never seems to dwindle in popularity would be those found in casinos, such as blackjack, roulette, poker and slot machines. These games provide entertainment for millions of people for a variety of reasons.
After the global pandemic forced brick-and-mortar casinos to shut their doors, more and more people than ever began playing casino games.
Many people play online thanks to improvements in technology and more user-friendly apps. It’s helped tip the value of the online gambling market over $150bn.
Roulette and blackjack are some of the most popular casino games. Many betting sites offer players the chance to play live table games too. This involves playing with a live dealer streamed to your phone or computer.
This has helped make the online gaming experience more immersive. With forays into virtual reality (VR) already being made, casino games may grow even more popular.
If this is something you want to explore over the Christmas holidays, it’s always a good idea to do some further research. You could read reviews of online betting sites such as the Stardust Casino, or read some guides on how to play some of the most popular games if you’re unfamiliar.
Remember to always bet responsibly — set limits and stop when you’re no longer having fun.
FIFA 23
One of the most popular games of 2022 is FIFA 23. The long-running franchise, which is centered around the world’s most popular sport — soccer — is a huge draw for millions of gamers worldwide.
This year’s game is arguably more special than others because it’s the last one that’ll be published by Electronic Arts (EA) Sports, who lost the rights from FIFA, the world soccer governing body.
This year’s game is arguably more special than others because it’s the last one that’ll be published by Electronic Arts (EA) Sports, who lost the rights from FIFA, the world soccer governing body.
Nonetheless, EA has delivered another memorable title and one that has gripped the imaginations of many gamers. Once again, the most popular game mode is Ultimate Team. This allows players to create a team of their favorite players. They can then take that team and compete against other people, either offline or online.
There are some notable game modes on Ultimate Team that people can play. One of them is the FUT Championship which pits the very best players against each other. Everyone has a chance to climb the leaderboard. For some people, it can even be a way into playing in official tournaments and competitions.
If you enjoy multiplayer games with more cooperation, however, you can try Pro Clubs. This game mode allows players to create their own “pro” player. They can then join clubs with other people and play against other teams.
Matches can feature up to 11 vs 11, with players able to play the role of goalkeeper too.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring hit the shelves fairly early in 2022, back in February in fact. By July, it had sold over 16 million copies and has been described as one of the greatest games ever made.
There are several reasons why it’s won such acclaim and why it is one of the most essential games for your Christmas list.
First up, publisher Bandai Namco decided to partner up with one of the greatest fantasy writers and worldbuilders around, George RR Martin, creator of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, which was adapted for TV in the form of Game of Thrones.
Secondly, the game allows players to customize their characters. They can choose from a range of different classes, with some focusing on sword and shield combat and others with more of a focus on magic.
Players are free to roam around an open world. They must defeat creatures great and small and complete challenges along the way. Although it’s predominantly single player, there are multiplayer elements. For example, other players can leave messages in the world for you to find.
