It’s the final month of what’s been one of (if not the) biggest gaming years in history. It’s rained perfect scores, generation defining hits, and studio destroying lows. December caps it all off, along with the industry’s night of nights next week: The Game Awards.
But there’s still a few big titles set to take us to the finish line — including an open world adventure set in the Avatar universe, a new 2.5D fighter and some fantastic looking indies.
Xbox were set to finally get Baldur’s Gate 3 on the platform, but there’s still no set date on that. Fingers crossed for an “It’s available now” announcement at the TGAs.
Here’s our list of games releasing in December.
READ MORE: Why Baldur’s Gate 3 Is A Shoo-In
A Highland Song
Take a journey through the picturesque Scottish Highlands, in this rhythmic platforming adventure. Scale sheer cliffs, hop from rock to rock and spelunk through caves as you make your way through the hills of Scotland on your quest to reach the sea.
With charming hand-drawn animation, dynamic weather and delightful music, this little indie is looking to be an instant fan favourite.
Keep a ‘loch’ out for this one on Switch and PC come December 5th.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
James Cameron’s bluest franchise is coming to life once again with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. It’s the game seemingly no one was asking for, but this stunning open-world adventure looks to be taking the story to new heights.
Traverse incredible alien landscapes, befriend beasts and other clans, even tame your own flying banshee. Become a Na’vi and fight against the RDA to protect the moon of Pandora.
Look for it on December 7th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Amazon Luna
READ MORE: Gift Guide: Top Picks For Gamers In 2023
Arizona Sunshine 2
Hit zombie basher Arizona Sunshine set the bar for VR shooters when it released in 2016. Now its sequel, Arizona Sunshine 2, is shaping up to do the same.
With a host of guns, melee weapons and explosives, obliterating shambling corpses has never looked so good.
You’ll also have a canine companion to keep you company and help you take on the hordes of undead. You protect that good boy with your life y’hear!?
Arizona Sunshine 2 is coming to PS VR2, Meta Quest and Steam VR on December 7th.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
Fighting fans have had it good this year with the release of Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1. But as a little holiday treat, there’s one more fighter just around the corner. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising packs a punch, with stunning anime-like graphics, flashy action and a packed roster of 28 fighters.
All the modes you would expect are there; arcade mode, story mode, training mode etc. But when you need a little break from being kicked in the face, there’s a host of party games to enjoy with your friends!
It’s coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStaion 5 and PC on December 14th.
READ MORE: Tips For Gamers This Holiday Season
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2
VR fans are eating well this month with Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 set to release for the PS VR2.
While the mini-games look like great fun, this is perhaps the last genre I would ever want to play in VR… This sh*t looks scary. Five Nights? Nah more like five minutes and I’m dipping!
I’ll be steering well clear of this horror-fest when it releases on December 15th.
Other games out this month:
- SteamWorld Build – December 1st
- Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince – December 1st
- Born of Bread – December 5th
- Sonic Dream Team (Apple Arcade) – December 5th
- A Long Journey to an Uncertain End (Switch Release) – December 5th
- The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria (PS5 Release) – December 5th
- Chessarama – December 5th
- Arashi: Castles of Sin: Final Cut – December 5th
- Hollow Cocoon – December 7th
- Hammerwatch 2 – December 12th
- Pokemon Scarlet & Violet DLC Part 2: The Indigo Disk – December 14th
- House Flipper 2 – December 14th
- River Tails: Stronger Together – December 14th
- Cookie Cutter – December 14th
Sure, not the beefiest month we’ve had this year, but it’s honestly a bit of a blessing; the massive amount of high-quality games already has my backlog set to burst!
