The holidays are nearly upon us which means that it’s just about that time to begin scrambling to decide what you should be getting for those closest to you. Luckily, if you have any gamers in your life that you’re looking to hook up with a sweet video game this year, we’ve got you covered.
2020 has been an extremely busy year for game releases with a multitude of standout titles releasing across numerous genres. Fortunately, we’re here to offer up some guidance when it comes to just which titles you should have an eye on. From shooters, to sports games, to even VR titles, here are the games you should be looking to potentially snag this holiday season for those closest to you.
If you’re looking for other gaming-related gift ideas, stay tuned for our upcoming gift guides this week on which collectibles and hardware/accessories you can also pick up this holiday season.
Action-Adventure
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
“Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Moralesis a worthy follow-up to the previous installment, even if a lot of the core DNA has remained the same. Despite some rough edges, the experience as a whole is one that’s hard to put down once you get entrenched. This proves to be doubly true if you’re playing on PS5 and are really looking for a game that’s going to show you what this next-gen leap is all about.”
-Product Link
-DualShockers' Game Review
-Platforms: PS4, PS5
The Pathless
“At the end of the day, the traversal alone is enough for me to recommendThe Pathless. It’s just fun to get from place to place using your bow; everything else is just a bonus. The overall story is good with performances from Laura Bailey and Troy Baker, the different environments are vast and beautiful, and while the puzzles have a wide range of difficulty, they’re still fun to figure out. It’s just a shame that there’s no synergy between each individual gameplay loop.The Pathlessis absolutely worth your time if you’re looking for a game with a sense of adventure and a rich atmosphere.”
-Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
“Hadesis the latest and arguably finest entry in [Supergiant Games'] pantheon of exceptional video games. It’s absolutely the most gameplay-focused and content-rich experience in their portfolio, and I’ve practically never found a dull moment within it. In every facet,Hadesis an excellent video game, and one of the best roguelikes ever made.”
-Platforms: PC, Switch
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
“Ori and the Will of the Wispsis an exceptional adventure that every Xbox One owner should play. Despite its technical failings, it is one of the best Metroidvanias I have played this generation (just behindThe MessengerandAxiom Verge). Moon Studios’ sequel is filled with moments of beauty both visually and in its storytelling.”
-Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch
Persona 5 Royal
“Persona 5 Royalis the upgraded version of the immensely popular JRPG that originally released in Japan back in 2016. With this definitive edition of the game comes a variety of new changes which include two new characters and Confidants, a brand new semester and Palace that culminates in two new endings, new gameplay mechanics, and reworked dungeons and boss battles. There are also a variety of new minigames, gameplay balance fixes, expanded character scenes, and so much more. While it might still share much of the same DNA as the originalPersona 5, Atlus has packedP5Rfull of new content that is sure to delight newcomers and veterans of the original with a far more robust experience.”
-Platforms: PS4
Final Fantasy VII Remake
“This is still one of the most excellently presented games I’ve ever experienced, and with a few tweaks for the next installment, that excellence might extend to gameplay and story too. Whatever misgivings I may have going into future releases, it’s undeniable that this was an enjoyable 42 hours marred by a single bad one. Even so,Final Fantasy 7 Remakeis arguably the best non-MMOFinal Fantasygame released in a very long time. Despite my qualms, it’s been a welcome Reunion.”
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
“For every minor gripe or negative I came across, there were a dozen positives that I could gush about for hours. Quite frankly, I loveYakuza: Like a Dragon. Everything about the heart and soul of theYakuzaseries is here in full force, and the only time it ever really makes me stop smiling is to shed manly tears. Ichiban Kasuga is a fantastic protagonist, and his party is full of fascinating characters in their own right. This is a great story, a delightful open-world city to play around in, and a hilariously fun recontextualization of JRPG tropes in a real-world setting. It all just serves as another reminder that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios are still at the top of their game and that the Yakuza franchise is really something special.”
-Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
DOOM Eternal
“DOOM Eternalmight very well be the most intense video game I have ever played. Every single shootout that I experienced in my time with it demanded my full attention, but that attention was well-earned. Even though it doesn’t quite stick the landing, what’s included here is more than worthy of admiration, praise, and perhaps most importantly, your time.”
-Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Stadia
Call of Duty: Black Ops - Cold War
“Altogether, this year’s entry in theCall of Dutyfranchise is as solid it gets. It’s not bad, and it’s certainly not fantastic like last year’sModern Warfare. Instead, it’s par for the course asCall of Dutygames go; a great first-person shooter that just about anyone can spend way, way too many hours playing.”
-Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Cyberpunk 2077
Despite not releasing until next month on December 10,Cyberpunk 2077is no doubt going to be one of the biggest games of this holiday season. Combining the first-person viewpoint with the RPG elements that made developer CD Projekt Red a household name withThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,Cyberpunk 2077looks to give you a lot of bang for your buck and should certainly take quite a while to see all that it has to offer. Plus, the game also features Keanu Reeves in a prominent role, so you know that whoever you end up gifting this one to will find enjoyment with it.
