The year has finally run its course, thankfully, because the sooner we can get to Resident Evil Requiem, Grand Theft Auto 6, and Reanimal, the better. But before we send off 2025 with a hearty farewell and good riddance, there are 15 brand new titles to look forward to in December. You know the drill – sequels, long development cycles, and my personal favorite, a good ol’ beat ’em up. Let’s dive right into them, starting with…
Octopath Traveler 0
Based on Champions of the Continent, Octopath Traveler 0 brings some new mechanics to the mainline franchise, such as town-building and custom character creation. It’s not a 1:1 copy of the mobile release, though, as developer DokiDoki Groove Works promises 30 to 40 percent new content and a 100-hour main story. Yes, for the main story alone, and no, I don’t know why. Regardless, if you want a massive RPG to top off the year, Octopath Traveler 0 may be worth a look when it launches on December 4th.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
What if the Annihilation Wave reached Earth and ran smackdab into the Avengers, X-Men, Spider-Man, and, of all things, Cosmic Ghost Rider? We’ll see how immortal Annihilus is after catching hands (and claws) from 15 different heroes and anti-heroes. Of course, Marvel Cosmic Invasion isn’t a simple beat ’em up with drop-in/drop-out four-player local and online co-op. It also features the Cosmic Swap system for tagging in another hero and chaining combos. Suffice to say that December 1st can’t come soon enough.
Routine
Routine is a curious survival horror. This year has certainly seen its fill, but how many were announced in 2012, saw multiple delays, suspended development, and then resumed almost a decade later? The story remains the same – you’re still an astronaut in a rundown, procedurally generated lunar base, avoiding killer robots under the threat of permadeath – but will it stand out, especially in such a packed year of horror greats? We’ll find out on December 4th.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
2025 will be remembered as the year that many games stuck in development hell finally released. While Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may catch some strays for Myles MacKenzie, our hype levels couldn’t be higher for its December 4th release. A new planet, new abilities, new maze-like environments, and even a bike for traversing massive open areas.
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow
A new Thief title may not be the most exciting proposition after the 2014 reboot, but Legacy of Shadow has VR going for it, if nothing else. Out on December 4th for PC and PlayStation VR2, you’ll control Magpie, navigating The City’s dangers and realistically thieving in first-person. It has all the classic mechanics, from pickpocketing and lockpicking to multiple arrow types and paths for completing jobs. Even the original voice actor for Garrett returns.
Sleep Awake
Blumhouse Games stoked some intrigue with Fear the Spotlight, but Sleep Awake, out on December 2nd, seems to go much further beyond. A ruined Earth with only one city remaining, where a mysterious force called the Hush takes those who slumber? And your goal is to stay awake and survive? Also music by Nine Inch Nails’ Robin Finck? I’m there.
Red Dead Redemption (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2)
I’ve played this game before, and so have you, maybe, because Rockstar decided to release it for the third time in as many years. Now, it is Red Dead Redemption, one of the greatest of all time, and it does have some great features on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, including 4K/60 FPS and HDR, while Switch 2 owners get mouse support. It releases on December 4th, and hopefully, this time is the last time (for this generation).
Skate Story
Life as a glass being isn’t great, so if you’re given the chance to ride on a skateboard through the Emptylands and take down the Moon to be free, well, why not? That’s Skate Story by Sam Eng, a surreal odyssey of skateboarding tricks, boss fights and trippy music. Master every trick in your arsenal, customize your deck, help out various denizens, or just take in the atmosphere when it launches on December 8th.
Terminator 2D: No Fate
You know what they say when it comes to preventing a robot apocalypse: Third time’s the charm. Terminator 2D: No Fate looks to finally, finally launch on December 12th, bringing its special brand of side-scrolling run and gun action to consoles and PC. As we’ve explained several times already, you’ll play through classic movie scenes as Sarah and John Connor or the T-100, sometimes altering fate to partake in new scenarios and unlocking multiple endings in the process. It looks great, offers multiple modes and hopefully won’t get delayed again.
Elden Ring Nightreign – The Forsaken Hollows
Limveld beckons once more as the Nightfarers face a new threat in the Dreglord. Dreg as in “Dreg Heap?” Dark Souls 3 confirmed? Possibly, but longtime Nightreign players can otherwise look forward to two new Day 3 bosses (including what seems to be a 7-in-1 fight), two new classes, and a new Shifting Earth condition. It’s out on December 4th for $15.
Cloudheim
Don’t let the Breath of the Wild-lite visuals fool you. Cloudheim, which enters Steam Early Access on December 4th, is a post-Ragnarok adventure where up to four players team up to explore a massive fantasy world. There’s crafting and shop-keeping, but the focus appears to be on adventuring and fighting, including against massive bosses.
Pioneers of Pagonia 1.0
Nearly two years after entering early access, Pioneers of Pagonia is finally getting its 1.0 release on December 11th. It’s seen numerous updates over time, from a big economy update, new buildings, improved visuals, quality of life improvements and more, but 1.0 promises a full-fledged story campaign, among other new additions. With a “Very Positive” rating and a year that hasn’t been flush with city-builders, it might be worth a shot.
UNBEATABLE
A side-scrolling rhythmic action game where you’ll rebel against authority while jamming to sick tunes – that’s UNBEATABLE in a nutshell. Between running around and going up against the cops, you’ll play concerts, partake in mini-games and maybe help out some random people. For those who only care about the action, there’s a separate Arcade Mode with its own unlocks and challenges to master. UNBEATABLE launches on December 9th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 24
The latest Microsoft Flight Sim didn’t have the smoothest launch, but several updates later, and it’s somewhat flying high, in a sense. Launching on December 8th for PS5, it brings dozens of aircraft, a massive world, a full-fledged Career Mode, and numerous improvements, including a detailed flight planner.
Ferocious
For years, Dino Crisis fans have awaited a sequel or some kind of spiritual successor. Ferocious isn’t either of those things, but on top of slaying dinos on a hostile island with mercenaries, you can control them. Does it make much sense? Probably not, but sending raptors to chow down on any threats is still cool. Of course, Ferocious offers much more, from first-person shooting to weapon crafting and survival, so it should make for an intriguing affair on December 4th.
