The Best New Video Games Coming In December To Keep You Busy Until Christmas
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The best new games of December sure are varied. We’ve got an array of different genres to mess around this month, which is perfect if you’re looking for something to do over the holiday period, or if you’re looking for one of the best gifts for the gamer in your life.
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Of course, there are plenty of other games coming out too and a few games that are meant to be coming out this month but don’t have hard release dates. We’d love to put them in here, but a game without a hard release date is a game that could be delayed, and we don’t want to do that to you.
The Best New Video Games Releasing In December 2022
December 1: The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution – from Meta
December 2: Marvel’s Midnight Suns – $59.99 from Amazon
December 2: Need for Speed Unbound – $69.99 from Amazon
December 6: Impaler – from Steam
December 9: Dragon Quest Treasures – $59.99 from Amazon
December 13: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion – $49.99 from Amazon
December 13: Infinite Guitars – from Steam
December 14: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – $25.31 from Amazon
December 15: Blacktail – $23.99 from Steam
December 22: Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth – from PlayStation
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Chapter 2 – Meta Quest
December 1
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, the first one that is, is one of the most incredible, immersive, and semi-revolting games available in VR. You have to put a bit of oomph into every attack, which makes driving a screwdriver in the head of the zombie a lot more tactile than you might like.
We’ve got no reason to doubt that Chapter 2 is going to be anything other than more of the same, but probably with better tools to use and mechanics to mess around with. If you’re fixing for some brainless violence and a few good scares, then this will have you covered.
The Walking Dead: Saints And Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution
Marvel’s Midnight Suns – Xbox, PlayStation, PC
December 2
On paper, Marvel’s Midnight Suns just sounds like an oddity. Here we have a tactics game with a card system and lots of Marvel characters. However, as this game comes from Firaxis the titans behind the X-Com series and Civilization series, you’d do well to assume this is going to be special.
This game puts you in the darker side of the Marvel Universe, and has you playing as a legendary demon hunter who has to team up with Marvel heroes to stop a lot of demons from taking over the world. It’s a cliche-sounding story, but we’re confident it’ll be a blast to play through.
Marvel's Midnight Suns
Need for Speed Unbound – Xbox, PlayStation, PC
December 2
While the Need for Speed series has sort of fallen off in recent years, something about Need for Speed Unbound has us incredibly excited. The series has always been about, well, a need for speed, but this entry has a unique cel-shaded look that just makes it feel fresh.
Your aim will be to race your way to the top of the street circuit while avoiding the cops trying to shut the races down. You’ll also need to make enough money to actually enter the races in the first place, and spend whatever you win on custom-tuning your cars.
Need for Speed Unbound
Impaler – PC
December 6
Impaler is a Doom-like game that has you running around summoning spikes to take out monsters. It’s intensely brutal, fast-paced, and sure to scratch that old-school shooter itch if you’ve got fond memories of the original FPS games from the 90’s.
You can also use those spikes to build barriers to use as cover or climb on them to get up to hard-to-reach places, or stomp on an enemy’s head. It’s an incredibly entertaining idea, and the mix of pixel graphics and the roguelike elements should keep you playing for dozens of hours.
Impaler
Dragon Quest Treasures – Switch
December 9
The Dragon Quest series is one of the longest-running and most successful JRPG series in existence, but it’s also got a plethora of odd spinoffs. One of them even had you controlling a slime in a tank, while others where basically Pokemon with more breeding and classic Dragon Quest baddies.
Dragon Quest Treasures will players taking control of a pair of siblings who need to befriend monsters as they roam around looking for booty. You’ll need to take part in battles of course, but the whole thing just looks very charming and could end up as one of the best games on Switch, and possibly one of the best games like Pokemon too.
Dragon Quest Treasures
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion – Everything
December 13
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion tells the tale of Zack Fair, Cloud Strife’s inspiration and senior, and how things started before all of the chaos of Final Fantasy VII itself. This remaster brings the PSP game into the modern-day with new graphics, and likely slightly different gameplay too.
The original game is a fascinating RPG with an incredible story, and as long as this translates that all to current consoles, you can be sure this’ll be a lot of fun to play. It’s also nice to spend more time with the cast of characters from FFVII, as well as getting to see how Sephiroth started on the dark path he walks in the main game.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Infinite Guitars – Switch, Xbox, PC
December 13
Infinite Guitars is a rhythm RPG, which isn’t a genre mashup that happens very often. You take control of a group of people in a world devastated by a way against massive mechs, and you need to try and survive. Unfortunately, those very same mechs have begun to wake up, and the only way you can fight back is with face-melting guitar solos.
The artwork here is beautiful, the concept is definitely unique, and if the game can live up to its premise, it’s sure to be one of the most fascinating indie games of the year. This is definitely one to watch for music fans and RPG fans alike.
Infinite Guitars
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Next-Gen – Xbox, PlayStation, PC
December 14
Okay, so technically speaking, this isn’t a new game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is actually seven years old now, but it’s still regarded as one of the best action RPGs around. While we’re not getting a new game here, the title is getting its next-gen update.
This update will help boost performance and visuals across the board for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, and PC players. Better yet, the update is actually free too, so if you own the game any way you’ve got a good excuse to jump in, and if you’ve never played it before, then today is a great day to buy a copy.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Blacktail – PC
December 15
Blacktail is one of those games that just sounds fascinating. You take control of a girl who’s been accessed of witchcraft and banished as a result. You then have to find a way to survive out in the wilds using a mix of archery and magic, but you’ll also need to decide what to do with those who have cast you out.
There’s a deep morality system to play with here, you’ll need to overcome terrifying bosses as you progress, and you’ll even need to master potion brewing too. It’s just a very entertaining concept, and we’ve got high hopes for Blacktail’s take on Baba Yaga because of that.
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth – PlayStation
December 22
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is a remake of a game from several years ago, but all for modern consoles. That means better visuals and likely also means sharper-feeling gameplay.
You’ll take control of a glorious valkyrie as she seeks to change fate by using the souls of great warriors to aid her. Combat looks fast and furious, there will be a lot of different characters to meet and learn about, and if it’s any bit as good as the original game it’ll be a blast to play.
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
The Best New Video Games Releasing In November 2022
Marvel’s Iron Man VR – Meta Quest
NOVEMBER 3
We’re kicking things off with everyone’s favorite narcissist, Iron Man. Alright, maybe he’s not your favorite, but there’s no denying that flying around in an Iron Man suit would be fun, and it’s a pleasure that’s been confined to PSVR for far too long.
This VR aerial combat game is a blast to play, but the reason we’re really excited about it finally coming to Meta Quest headsets is that you’ll be able to play it untethered. The freedom offered by the Meta Quest is going to be a huge boon for this one, and we’re also excited to see what modders can do with this framework.
Marvel’s Iron Man VR
Sonic Frontiers – PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, PC
NOVEMBER 8
Sonic Frontiers is probably the most exciting Sonic game we’ve had since Sonic Mania, and that was five years ago. While the initial trailer was met with some trepidation, articles and previews since have us lacing up our running shoes for this one.
Frontiers puts the blue blur into an open-world setting with better graphics than we’ve had before, more abilities, and some truly titanic boss fights. It looks legitimately incredible and could be the first genuinely great new take on Sonic we’ve had in a long while.
Sonic Frontiers
God of War: Ragnarok – PlayStation
November 9
The reimagining of God of War came as a huge suprirse to some people. Given that the original games had a sex mini game at one point, to see Kratos putting on a beard (we’re pretty sure he grew it but you know what we mean), and then being part of an actual mature story was a shock.
Ragnarok follows on from the first game and will continue the story of the God of War himself and his son as they venture further into Norse mythology. Expect more violence, cooler abilities, and more cameos from this pantheon of myths.
God of War Ragnarok PS5
Among Us VR – PC, Meta Quest
November 10
While not everyone is still playing it, there can be no doubts about the overwhelming popularity of Among Us in recent years. Everyone and their mom, dad, kids, cats, and even a few dogs where playing it, and the social deception game is a blast to play with groups of friends or family.
Well, Among Us VR simply brings that all into the eeriest of dimensions. You can expect the same easy-to-understand gameplay here, but with a first-person viewpoint, which could make getting murdered fairly horrific. Which is nice?
Among Us VR
Goat Simulator 3 – PlayStation, Xbox, PC
November 17
The Goat Simulator games are kind of weird. Well, more than kind of weird, they’re almost the pinnacle of unusual gameplay, and it’s one of the few games you can ride around on a skateboard while playing as a goat with an impossibly long stick tongue.
Goat Simulator 3 is the sequel to Goat Simulator 1, and if that doesn’t set the tone here, then we’re not sure what will. You’ll be able to run around, headbutt things, triple jump, and find plenty of hidden secrets and challenges too. Just keep in mind that you’re here for an absurd time above all else.
Goat Simulator 3
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet – Switch
November 18
Pokemon is a titan of a series, but a lot of fans have become a little bummed out by some of the more recent releases. Earlier this year, as long ago as that feels, we got Pokemon Arceus, and it felt like a proper step towards more complex and interesting Pokemon games.
Well, while Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have been in development for far longer than just this year, it looks as though some of the new ideas are still there. That could mean that these are the most ambitious titles in the series yet, and also there’s a really cute ghost dog called Greavard who we can’t wait to meet.
Pokemon Violet
Pokemon Scarlet
Evil West – PlayStation, Xbox, PC
November 22
Evil West is kind of everything you could want for an action game. It’s got some weird ancient evil corrupting life in the wild west and turning them into monsters, there are cool skills and special abilities to learn, some very powerful-looking guns, and not a hint of caring about how silly it all is.
Better yet, you can actually enjoy this over-the-top action game with a friend in co-op. For us, co-op is a huge selling point, and if Evil West plays as good as it looks, then we’re all in for a treat.
Evil West
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide – PC
November 30
Finally, we have Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. This co-op shooter will feel very familiar to those who’ve played the Vermintide games, but while those were focused on might and magic, these are all about space chaos and laserbeams.
You get to choose one of four classes and play through with up to three other players as you fight off wave after wave of monsters. It’s very much a brain-off kind of game, but if you need something to relax with at the end of the day, then Darktide is here for you.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
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