The holidays and gaming are two things that go hand in hand beautifully. We all look forward to the holiday season as it is the most plentiful time for game releases to fill our wish lists with. But besides that, there really aren’t all that many games that actually take place during the most magical time of the year.
Luckily, there are a few though and we’ve done the hard work of seeking them out and curating a brief list of them. So sit back, relax, and sip a cup of hot cocoa as you read through our list of the 7 best games to play during the holiday season!
1. Pumpkin Jack
While at face value, Pumpkin Jack is most definitely a Halloween game. But you’d be surprised to know that there’s actually a full level dedicated to the Christmas season. You’ll fight Christmas trees and even go toe to toe with Jolly Ole Saint Nick himself!
2. Mafia II
Mafia II is one of the very first games I’ve ever played that brought the holiday season to a game world. Following the game’s prologue, you’ll be tossed into Empire Bay during Christmas and it really is a magical experience. With its snow and decoration-laden Empire Bay, along with the radio stations that pump out those Christmas classics. It’s just what the doctor ordered.
3. Saints Row IV - How the Saints Saved Christmas DLC
This piece of expansion DLC has The Saints journey once more back into the simulation. This time, to save Santa Claus from his Scrooge-like captor. It’s a silly tale as ever for The Saints and manages to toss in a bunch of parodies and references of our favorite classic Christmas films.
4. Dead Rising 4
What better way to spend the holidays than chopping til you drop? That’s exactly what you’ll get to do as returning series favorite Frank West, in this zombie shredding romp through the cheerfully decorated halls of the Willamette Mall. It’s a pretty cool blend of the holidays and zombies, which is something you don’t really see too often.
5. The Division
If a zombie plague during the holidays isn’t your bag, then maybe another plague would suit you? The Division is yet another title that blends the most magical time of the year with some of the worst things a human can live through. Though the game’s subject matter could be a bit too real for folks these days, it’s a game that really does a great job at bringing a whole other feel to the holidays by depicting an empty and bleak NYC all lit up.
6. Batman: Arkham Origins
Serving as a prequel of sorts to the Batman Arkham games, Origins gives us a chance to play as the Dark Knight in his younger years. Taking place on Christmas Eve, the game also really indulges itself in the seamless blending of Batman’s dark world and the joy of the holidays. These two things have always married well together, and this game does not disappoint.
7. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Perhaps my most favorite game to enjoy for its unapologetic love for holiday NYC is Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. It’s a gorgeous title that perfectly captures the magic and feel of the city that never sleeps, during the best time of the year. This is one of the very few next-gen titles that I believe you really must pick up if you have yet to do so. It’s an experience, to say the least.
Hopefully, this list had a standout or two to brighten up your holidays. If there are any we missed, please comment below or Tweet to us. There are so many games out there and I’m sure we missed a few that capture the magic of the season.
