It’s Christmas season! Where everyone is stressing out about what to buy each other for Christmas. Be it socks, a watch, a cute plushy, or some useful kitchen utensils. So why not switch it up with a video game this year? If you’re still looking for the perfect present for yourself or someone special let me show you my “Top 10 Games for Christmas 2023” to aid you in your search.
Top 10 Game Recommendations for Christmas
It’s been quite the year looking back at the games that have been released over the past 12 months. There were a lot of incredible games that captured thousands if not millions of people. I’m going to share with you my personal favorites that outshined the masses and captured me for days thanks to their outstanding game design. The games are in no particular order and cover a variety of genres, studios & styles.
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
Genre: RPG (Single-/Multi-player)
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Info: Baldur’s Gate 3 is a story-rich, turn-based RPG set in the universe of Dungeons & Dragons, where your choices shape a tale of fellowship and betrayal, survival and sacrifice. With its amazing story and breathtaking visuals, it definitely deserves the title of “Game of the Year 2023”. Thanks to its high replay value, every time you start another game, you’re going to discover something new. That’s due to its many different story branches, secrets, and paths you can take throughout the game.
2. Dredge
Genre: Horror Adventure (Single-player)
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Info: Dredge definitely was one of the biggest surprises for me that came out this year. You take over the role of a fisherman who ventures into the treacherous waters of the sea, unraveling mysteries lurking both out and inside of the water. During your adventures, you’ll discover a bunch of strange and unsettling sea creatures while you gather and sell fish to upgrade your boat. If you’re a Lovecraft fan, this game is definitely up your alley.
3. Final Fantasy 16 (XVI)
Genre: JRPG (Single-player)
Platform: PlayStation 5, PC
Info: Final Fantasy 16 (XVI) is the newest edition to the Final Fantasy Franchise. Don’t worry if you’ve never played any of its predecessors, aside from some Easter Eggs each part of the series has its very own story and set of characters. Which means it’s ideal for both old and new players. In this part, you play as Clive Rosfield, a young knight with a tragic past, who wields the power of a mythical beast known as an Eikon. You’ll travel through the war-torn land of Valisthea, uncovering the secrets of the realm’s conflict as you go while forging bonds with new and unexpected allies.
4. Smalland: Survive the Wilds
Genre: Survival Game (Single-/Multi-player)
Platform: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
Info: If you used to play Grounded for hours, this is going to be the perfect addition to your collection. You’re playing a character that is tiny compared to its surroundings and has to adapt to the world around them to overcome obstacles that would usually be trivial for larger creatures. Tiny cracks in the ground become vast canyons you can’t cross, and grasshoppers suddenly become the perfect mount to travel.
5. Alan Wake 2
Genre: Horror Third-Person-Shooter (Single-player)
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC
Info: Set 13 years after the events of the original that had been released in 2010, Alan Wake, a best-selling thriller novelist, finds himself involved in yet another sinister adventure. Trapped in the Dark Place where he has to fight creepy monsters among other things that try to break his spirit, Alan encounters the FBI agent Saga Anderson, who came to Bright Falls to investigate a series of ritualistic murders. Together they try to figure out how to end this madness that has befallen the city.
6. PlateUp!
Genre: Cooking/Management (Single-/ Multi-player)
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X/S
Info: PlateUp! is a very chaotic and addictive cooking game that blends strategic planning with thrilling kitchen management. You can cook everything by hand or automate as much as possible to serve your customers what they need. It’s a lot of fun but can also be very stressful and challenging at times, though if you enjoy games like ‘Overcooked’ or ‘Cooking Simulator’, you should definitely give it a try.
7. Lies of P
Genre: Soulslike (Single-player)
Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Info: In the dark and twisted take on the classic tale of Pinocchio you discover the mysteries of Krat, a city plagued by a strange fog that distorts reality. So far there weren’t many Soulslike that were able to stand alongside the originals, but ‘Lies of P’ can certainly keep up with the ‘Soulsborne’ games including both the graphics and the gameplay. So, if you’re searching for a challenge during the cold winter days, ‘Lies of P’ is a must.
8. My Time at Sandrock
Genre: Life Simulator (Single-/ Multi-player)
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC
Info: ‘My Time at Sandrock’ is the successor of ‘My Time at Portia’, a fantastic life simulation game that keeps you entertained for hours. As a builder, you help Sandrock to grow into a buzzing city while you work on upgrading and expanding your workshop. Like in its predecessor you can farm, mine, build relationships, and play through the story of the game while fighting dangerous monsters on your adventures.
9. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Genre: RPG (Single-player)
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Pc
Info: So far, all of the games have been fully released in 2023… So you’re probably wondering why I would put a DLC into the mix. The reason is quite simple. Cyberpunk 2077 has been out for quite a while now but with the release of their DLC Phantom Liberty, they have completely reworked the base game with a free update that makes building a character and exploring Night City way more exciting. I highly recommend revisiting Cyberpunk even if you’ve already played through it in the past, because with both the rework and the DLC it’s going to feel like a very different game.
10. Bramble: The Mountain King
Genre: Horror Game (Single-player)
Platform: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
Info: If you love games like ‘Little Nightmares’ or ‘Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons’ this game is definitely something for you. You follow the journey of a young boy who’s searching for his sister, traveling through both beautiful and sinister parts of the land they live in. The whole game gives off a fairy tale vibe and is very reminiscent of the original tales of the Grimm brothers before the modern-day adaptions like the Disney films.
These are just some of the amazing games that have been released in 2023, so I hope this list of my personal “Top 10 Games for Christmas 2023” helped you find what you were looking for, be it a present for someone special or for yourself during the holidays. With that said I wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays and we’ll see each other again next year!
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