The holidays are upon us once again, which means it's time to spend our days eating, drinking, and being merry, with a healthy dose of sleep and maybe even a present or two.
Now, we know spending too much time with the family can get a little overwhelming, so it's only natural that you should also find space to slip away and do what makes you happiest: sitting in front of a screen.
Yes, video games are an important part of the holiday schedule. It’s a time when you can settle in and truly relax, outside of the pesky requirements of family dinners and something called “quality time.” Yes, you love your family, but a holiday is still a holiday! At some point over the next week, sit back, relax, and enjoy some of these top-tier holiday video games.
Dead Rising 4
While it’s often considered the weakest out of the Dead Rising series, the fourth installment of this game does have some holiday fun…if you consider taking down zombies with candy canes fun.
The game even has a “Stocking Stuffer Holiday Pack” DLC, where you’ll be able to battle zombie elves and gingerbread men.
Despite its technical setbacks, no one can deny that some holiday-themed zombie bashing is the perfect kind of holiday fun for all the gamers out there.
Yakuza Kiwami 1
Taking place during December of 2005, Yakuza Kiwami 1 is chock full of holiday fun. As you work to uncover a 10 million yen conspiracy in Tokyo, Kazuma will come into contact with carolers, festive decorations, and season-appropriate music.
The game is also well-loved for its “found family” themes, following Kazuma’s role as a father to a young girl, Haruka, throughout the game.
Surprisingly, most Yakuza games take place around December. So if Kiwami 1 isn’t your thing, you can still find festive fun by playing other games in the series.
Batman Arkham Origins
This action-adventure game takes place entirely on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and gives us a look at what Gotham would be like during the most festive time of year. Think Christmas songs over the radio, the Joker’s theme mixed with the song Jingle Bells, and folks wishing each other a “very merry Christmas.”
Throughout the game, you must thwart the Joker and Deathstroke, as well as the no-good Calendar Man, who is known for his holiday-themed crimes. As you move through the night, you must also constantly take calls from Alfred, who begs Bruce to join him for Christmas dinner.
Arkham Origins has become such a popular holiday game that many fans often replay it during this time of year.
Until Dawn
Video game developers love mixing the holidays and horror, don’t they? This 2015 game follows eight adults who must try to survive in a mountain lodge until rescue comes. This game has a butterfly effect system, so every action you take plays a role in the ending’s outcome.
The game is set during a holiday trip, which is about as much in terms of festivities as you’re going to get.
That said, Until Dawn is widely regarded as one of the best interactive games of all time, so you may be willing to look past the sparse holiday fun just so you can try it out.
Parasite Eve
One of the oldest games on this list, Parasite Eve, was a first-generation PlayStation game that follows a police officer in her attempts to stop a woman attempting to destroy the human race.
The game begins on Christmas Eve and ends a week later, making it a perfect contender for this list. Throughout the game, you will find that New York City is truly decked out for its holiday season.
If you don’t have a first-generation PlayStation, you can emulate it on a PC.
Other Games With Holiday Events/Seasons:
- Fortnite
- Stardew Valley
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Disney Dreamlight Valley
- The Gran Turismo Series
- Death Stranding
