8 Games to Ring in the New Year With

Ah, the New Year. A time for celebration as pop idols sing in crowded streets, fireworks fill the air, and the Times Square ball drops at the pace of our screamed out countdowns. This is the one day where everyone is celebrating in unison as the dawn of yet another year settles over us. But not everyone can join in on the worldwide festivities. Maybe you’re sick, maybe the party is too far, or maybe you’d just rather stay home. Whatever the reason, you still deserve to have a bit of fun as you welcome another opportunity to forget all of your resolutions.

Luckily you’ve stumbled across the perfect place if you don’t happen to know what to do. Gaming is perfect for pretty much any situation, and that includes New Year celebrations. Here are some games that are just perfect for ringing in a brand new year. 

Grand Theft Auto V

GTA V is that one game that just happens to be perfect for everything, especially when you jump into the online component. It’s no secret that the folks at Rockstar love the holidays just as much as us. Because of that, they’ve included some really cool additions to the game that players can use to create some slick New Year’s celebrations of their own.

You have a fireworks launcher that not only sets enemies ablaze, but can also light up the night sky in Los Santos just like those fancy shows you see on TV. On top of that, they’ve just added in some customizable living options as well as huge yachts. You can now be the sleezy millionaire who throws tremendous private parties for their friends. If someone gets out of line, just have one of your bodyguards ‘remove’ them from your presence. You can even get drunk in the game so it will be just like real life minus all of the cleanup. 

Just Cause 3

Just stop for a second and look at the above image. The beautiful, crisp, blue sky. The crystal blue water. The fiery explosions. It all just screams “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” doesn’t it? So you had to cancel your plans and you’re stuck staring at your PS4/Xbox One/PC, that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to all of the excitement of a proper celebration. What do you think all of the bombs, guns, and rockets are for?

Just Cause 3 allows players to do as they wish in a beautifully island country. You can interact with and blow up anything that isn’t tied down. So rig up some cars, a few gas tanks, maybe an enemy guard or two for confetti, and set up an explosive. Hit your detonator right when the countdown hits zero, and enjoy the show. 

Fallout 4

Okay, so Fallout 4 may not be full of tons of celebrations. There was a nuclear war, millions of people died, you lost your family, mutants are trying to kill you, robots are trying to kill you, the list goes on. But one thing that Fallout 4 has is a new start, and isn’t that what the new year is about? Getting the opportunity to do things right this time, making up for past mistakes, and forging an incredible new future.

In order to put 2015 with all of its greatness and troubles in the past, why not step out of Vault 111 and into the bright sunlight of 2016? Pretty symoblic, right? Once the symbolism of such an act sets in, you can go find Dogmeat and beat up on some mutants. The new year is looking great already. 

An MMO

MMOs are all about working with others to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. That huge armored beast that just flung that NPC miles away? It may seem impossible to defeat but with 20 or so other players you can take it out. You can use that camaraderie to bring in the new year as well.

You may be stuck at home for whatever reason, but you won’t have to celebrate alone. Put on your most fashionable armor, find a pretty spot to sit, and enjoy the passing of time with some allies, be they friend or stranger. Sit back, maybe cast some pretty spells, and just let it all sink in that a new year is upon you. 

Mario Kart 8

You know what’s one way to start of a new year? Kicking things off with a grudge. And that’s exactly what you’ll get if you ring in 2016 by playing some Mario Kart 8. There’s just something about racing ’round the beautifully rendered tracks while chucking some serious hazards at your fellow speed demons that just really gets the adrenaline flowing. But it all comes to a head when a blue shell rears its ugly head.

There’s nothing like having goals in the new year, so why not make one of them creating a rival and then tearing that person down. You can practice your sharp turns, item usage, and Luigi death stare to make the rest of the year interesting. And people thought it had to all be smiles and happiness, pfft. 

Max Payne

If you’ve every played a game in the Mad Max series, you will know that the holiday season isn’t exactly great for him. This former cop has been through serious hell, so he’s gonna need some guidance. This suggestion for a game to ring in the new year is less for you, and more for this poor sap who honestly shouldn’t be left alone.

Maybe you can help him sort out some of his own new year’s resolutions. Get him away from his love of alcohol and pain medication. Maybe even turn him into the type of man who only goes for headshots in normal speed so you don’t have to waste ammo or deal with that trippy slow-mo mojo he has going on. If you couldn’t care less about his personal affairs, you can always just enjoy the act of taking out hundreds of bad guys in style. As the ball is busy dropping to signify the start of 2016, you’ll be saving some city and stopping cartels or things of that nature. After looking at it that way, who’s really having the better night?

Star Wars Battlefront

One thing that has ruled over 2015 is the overwhelming hype for all things Star Wars. It carried many a fan through all 12 months and right up to the release of the amazing film, and is still keeping fans warm after the fact. Maybe you missed out on the rush of emotion and need to see what all the excitement is about before the year calls it quits.

What better way to dip your toes into the universe than with Star Wars Battlefront? Get a feel for wielding the force as one of the many heroes or villains, participate in massive dog fights in the Millenium Falcon, survive waves of Stormtroopers as you use weapons ripped straight from the films, and so much more. There’s plenty of explosions to “ooh” and “ahh” at, and they’re sure to rival any fireworks you may be missing in the real world. Also the score may be more enjoyable than all the pop music you’ll be treated to from Times Square. So it also has that going for it. 

Assassin’s Creed Syndcate

As mentioned before, the new year is the dawn of something fresh. A chance to forge a new path in your existence and to make waves on the sea of life. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate thrusts players into a similar situation as they embrace the creed during the dawning of a new age. Technology is advancing, society is changing, and the Templars have new ways of fooling the masses. It is the biggest transition in the series and it is a fitting way to finish off your year of gaming as a new one checks in.

Is there any game that you will be using to ring in the new year, or will you be partying it up with everybody else? Feel free to share your suggestions in the comments below.

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