The 12 Days Of Video Games

Well, at least in Halo Infinite’s Big Team Battle multiplayer mode, twelve Spartans are fighting on your side. Twelve more are out to get you. But, because the developer made the latest Halo entry’s multiplayer free, it’s an easy gift to give. There’s also a really impressive single-player campaign if your giftee wants more Halo Infinite.

Imagine yourself behind the wheel a parachute-equipped car that is being lifted out of an airplane. Then, when the tires touch down, finding yourself in the middle of a race that runs through Mexico’s diverse landscape. Forza Horizon 5 players don’t have to imagine because this all happens in the game’s epic opening sequence and only gets better from there.

Who doesn’t want to fly across the desert on a hoverbike? Sable is a hoverbike that will transport your gift recipient to a magical place. They’ll be able to ride, climb and glide in the desert environment. Players can just enjoy the experience without worrying about any overarching goal.

The absolutely gorgeous return of PlayStation’s familiar mascots, Ratchet and Clank, sees the heroes battling across both space and time. Nine distinct planets are featured in this nostalgic-filled platformer. They all have their own rifts which affect the rest of the galaxy. This game, which breaks all boundaries of dimension, is a nostalgic trip down the memory lane.

Colt is on a mission. He’s going to get off the isolated island he’s stuck on and break the loop that keeps him repeating the last day over and over again. He must also kill eight people to accomplish this. With everyone against him, time running out and a lot of people in his way, this task can be difficult.

In Death’s Door, you play as a crow whose 9 to 5 sees him reaping the souls of the living; until something goes wrong. The goal is to defeat the seven major bosses. Each boss will be more difficult than the previous. The combat mechanics are top-tier and match the game’s surprisingly thoughtful narrative.

Although we tried to remove all of the birds from this carole, one bird managed to escape. The Untitled Goose Game started out as a one-player game, but was later extended to allow for couch-co-op. So, really you’d need to get three copies of the game to get six geese honking all at once, but if you managed to get that set up, it would be worth it.

It’s tempting to call 2021 the year of the time loop, as so many amazing titles featured the concept in their designs this year. These games were not repetitive and managed to incorporate the concept into their gameplay in unique and thoughtful ways. This ensured that each game felt new and enjoyable.

Represented by various hues, the hero of Life is Strange: True Colors, Alex Chen, can see others’ sadness, anger, fear, and joy. This latest installment in the much-loved series has a new appearance, but maintains the same moving storyline fans are used to from Life is Strange titles.

A slightly spooky title; Inscryption is short but perhaps the most unexpectedly interesting game of the year. It begins with a desperate game of cards. Three minor minions are thrown at your foe by a cabin-dwelling, wild-eyed baddie. Even the most experienced videogamer will be surprised by this game. 

Okay, so the dolls aren’t so much in love as they are getting a divorce. And they’re not really dolls, but a pair of humans magically trapped in bodies of wood and clay. But that doesn’t stop It Takes Two from being one of the best games of 2021, and it’s a co-op adventure, so you can play it along with whoever you gave it to.

Resident Evil village may not appear to radiate holiday cheer initially, but look at this castle entryway. There’s room for an incredible tree. Plus, there’s even a quaint, snowy village nearby. If you’re cool with a veritable smorgasbord of horror tropes haunting your winter wonderland, pick this game up.