The end of the year is upon us, and with it the last push of great games in an otherwise packed year of releases. Of them, these are the five best games to look forward to in December 2018.
5 Best Games to Look Forward to in December 2018
Just Cause 4 (Release Date: Dec. 4)
The regime toppling Rico Rodriguez is back once again, only this time his mission is personal. After taking down the regimes and dictators of the first and third games, Rico discovers that the mercenary group they’d hired – known as the Black Hand – was one his father once belonged to.
Eager for answers about his father’s fate, he dives headfirst into their home nation of Solís to track down the leader of the Black Hand, get the answers he seeks and end their oppressive grip over the nation for good measure.
The game offers the same explosive, fast-paced action the series is known for with the usual gunplay and grappling hook-based traversal. However, the title also introduces new elements like extreme weather to ratchet up the number of ways bases, vehicles and architecture can be torn to shreds.
Regardless, it looks to be a fitting entry into the series with plenty of opportunities to test how badly players can blast apart the world around them.
5 Best Games to Look Forward to in December 2018
Persona 3 Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (Release Date: Dec. 4)
The Persona series has always had a surprising amount of success when it comes to its spinoffs. In particular, Persona 4: Dancing All Night was a refreshing take on the series and its characters, reimagining them in a cheerful and addictive Rhythm game.
As such, it’s little surprise people were excited for more with the announcement of Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight. Each allows players to dance to catchy tunes from their respective games as any of several characters from the game’s cast.
This includes both remixes and original tracks, offering a pleasantly diverse amount of songs to watch your favorite characters groove out to.
As stated in our reviews for Starlight and Moonlight, they aren’t perfect and there will be some areas players might find bare bones. And yet, there’s still plenty in both titles to keep Persona fans and rhythm game lovers entertained.
5 Best Games to Look Forward to in December 2018
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden (Release Date: Dec. 4)
Occasionally, a game will turn heads not only for the names tied to it, but the interesting premise it offers.
Such is the case with Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, a turn-based tactical strategy title where players take the role of mutants in a post-humanity world. As a rag-tag group of anthropomorphic and genetically twisted survivors, you’ll need to sneak and strategize your way through battlefields as you try to survive.
The title’s gameplay has been compared to XCOM, and the studio behind it, The Bearded Ladies, is comprised of developers from the Hitman and Payday franchises.
The jury still isn’t quite out on the game’s quality, but based on aesthetic alone there are few more creative ways to scratch your strategy gaming itch this holiday season.
5 Best Games to Look Forward to in December 2018
GRIS (Release Date: Dec. 13)
Breathtaking.
That’s the best way to describe GRIS, an ambitious indie title that has turned heads since its reveal back in August. Boasting a watercolor aesthetic, it takes players on a 2D platforming adventure through winding environments and vistas awash in color.
Alongside its stunning visuals is a haunting and melancholy soundtrack that, while sombre, makes it all the better as you wander through the beautiful and lonely locales it presents along the way.
No matter how it lands with critics come its release later this month, it’s sure to be an experience indie fans and everyone else who plays it won’t soon forget.
5 Best Games to Look Forward to in December 2018
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Release Date: Dec. 7)
It would be an understatement to say Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year.
Bringing together every character from across the series’ 20-year history, and then adding in new combatants for good measure, it hosts one of the most diverse rosters of any Smash or fighting game.
Not only that, but it brings a slew of new features for players to test out. Alongside assist trophies, there are now Spirits to collect which add boosts and benefits to any character equipped with them.
There’s also a titanic list of music tracks included with the game which players can listen to at their leisure, whether its the iconic tunes of Super Mario or the more energetic and upbeat fare of Splatoon’s soundtrack.
This only scratches the surface of what Ultimate has to offer. Needless to say there’s good reason for the excitement behind its release and plenty more reason to count the days until it finally arrives.
