“What do you want for Christmas?” is probably one of the scariest questions an adult can hear. It’s up there with “Have you done your taxes yet?” and “Where do you want to go for dinner?”. For gamers however, this question is slightly easier to answer. There’s always going to be a plethora of cool games you haven’t played, and all you have to do is ask for one of them. Sometimes however, the sheer scope of video games available can make choosing very difficult. But if no titles are coming to mind for your Christmas list this 2022, I’m here to help. Check out these ten video games you should really consider asking for this holiday season.
God Of War Ragnorök
I’ll start with the elephant in the room. We all know how incredible this game is. Santa Monica have somehow managed to take the masterpiece that was God of War (2018), and improved upon it. Everything from this game’s brutal combat to its gripping story and characters is worthy of immense praise. It’s another example of video games showing they can be just as good, if not even better, than all other forms of screen media if really want to be.
There’s probably only one reason you haven’t picked this title up yet: its hefty price tag. But fear not! Christmas is here, and I’m sure you have a bunch of relatives lining up to buy you something nice. If you think the price is too much to heap onto one person, make it a joint present for two people! That way, you have two less people nagging you for present ideas, and you get an amazing triple A title. Two birds, one stone!
Available on PS4 and PS5.
Dragon Quest Treasures
I have often argued that the Dragon Quest (DQ) series is possibly one of the most creative game franchises ever made. Dragon Quest Treasures looks like another entry to further prove my point. This game will once more let players immersive themselves in the colourful DQ universe, playing as characters from the recent (and brilliant) DQ 11. For the first time in the series, you’ll be able to fight alongside the series’ iconic monsters in real time combat.
It looks like a lot of attention is being put on the cooperation between you and your monster companions. Previews show your creature companions launching you around the battle field and aiding you to pull off special moves. The monsters also look like they’re going to play a big role in map traversal. This game seems like a fun, open-world adventure with an emphasis on exploration. I honestly can’t think of a more fitting video game to play for Christmas 2022 than this imaginative and wonderous action adventure.
Releases December 9th for the Nintendo Switch.
Bayonetta 3
You can mostly say what you want about the Bayonetta series. What you absolutely can’t say however, is that they aren’t fun to play. The combat in these games is nothing short of elite. Previous entries in the series offered satisfying and thrilling battle systems that many would argue are among the best you can find in the medium. Bayonetta 3 is no different.
The combat is just as flashy as before, but with innovative alterations and striking new visuals. This game is simultaneously an engaging joyride and a feast for the eyes. While its campaign has notably been getting some criticism, the good news is that its narrative is very accessible for newcomers to the series. So now’s the time to try it out! If you’ve never played a Bayonetta game before, this is probably one of the best video games you could get for Christmas in 2022.
Available on the Nintendo Switch.
The Chant
This is one of those games that somehow completely flew past my radar. However, now that I know about it, it’s definitely one I’ll consider picking up before the year is out! The Chant is a short but sweet horror-survival adventure. If atmospheric gaming experiences are your thing, then you can’t go too far wrong with asking for this video game in Christmas 2022.
You play as a young girl who finds herself caught in the crossfire of shady cultist rituals. You’re tasked with exploring a remote island filled with as much mysteries as demonic entities and fanatics. In an innovative twist, this game will not only see you manage your character’s physical wellbeing, but their mental health as well. You’ll be tasked with combating physical threats, as well as the demonic environments that threaten to steal away your sanity…
Available on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
Fans of the new Final Fantasy 7 series should definitely have this video game on their list for Christmas 2022. This upcoming remake will finally give a somewhat obscure title the mainstream attention it deserves. Crisis Core originally released on the PSP in 2007. While there was definitely a big audience who would’ve been interested in this game back then, I bet only a fraction of them had access to the console required to play it.
As someone who was lucky enough to give it a try, I can tell you that this game was something special. The combat was far more engaging than the traditional turn-based style, featuring a unique slot-machine mechanic that was surprisingly fun to play with. On top of this, its story was actually pretty solid. Only three video games have actually made me cry to date, and this is one of them. If Square Enix are able to deliver the same emotionally impactful narrative, and keep the beauty of the original’s gameplay, then there’s no reason this video game shouldn’t be on your Christmas list for 2022.
Releases December 13th for all consoles (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC).
SIGNALIS
If there are any old-school horror gamers looking for a solid video game for Christmas 2022, then look no further than Signalis. This game’s pixelated visuals host a horror adventure similar to what you’d find in the original Resident Evil and Silent Hill games.
It’s got everything you could possibly ask for to facilitate an exquisite gaming session. Creepy setting and story? Check. Strategic resource management? Check. Interesting and ominous campaign? Check. Signalis is one of those immersive horror experiences that are frustratingly rare in modern video games. If this even remotely sounds like something you’re into, I’d definitely consider throwing this video game onto your Christmas list for 2022.
Available on all consoles and PC.
Tactics Ogre: Reborn
Alongside the Final Fantasy Tactics series, Tactics Ogre was one of the founding fathers of the tile-based strategy RPG. The original was a well-loved battler that helped the genre walk, so modern magnum opi like Into the Breach could run. But that’s not to say this game isn’t a masterpiece of its own. Games like these put the player in the position of an army general. But they don’t control thousands of unknown soldiers. Rather, they’re put in charge of a small and tightly-knit cast of characters, each with their own unique abilities.
Tactics Ogre nailed this format back in 1995, and Reborn lets us experience it again on much more accessible platforms with flashy new graphical updates. A word of warning though – these video games are really hard to put down. If you pop this onto your 2022 Christmas list, make sure your family knows that you’ll unavailable for a lot of the holiday season.
Available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 and PC.
Return to Monkey Island
Perhaps one of the most iconic point-and-click series of all time is back, and critics are saying it’s stronger than ever. Fans can finally re-enter the colourful Monkey Island game series and enjoy all of the comedy and brainteasers that come with it. You have to admire games like these. They really walk the fine line between amazingly satisfying, and “punch a hole through your monitor” levels of frustrating.
Monkey Island’s puzzles are notoriously difficult, and I’m sure they’ve caused thousands of gamers to rage-quit in the past. But why this genre as a whole is so successful, is because of that sweet, sweet dopamine rush you get when you finally overcome their cryptic riddles. By the time you’ve cracked the game’s third puzzle, I guarantee you’ll be hooked. If you fancy a humourous, brain-scratching video game this holiday season, I advise taking a trip down to Monkey Island in Christmas 2022.
Available on all consoles and PC.
The Callisto Protocol
I know what some of you are thinking. “Eoin, this list is great, but I don’t want to enjoy my Christmas holidays. I want to finish 2022 a nervous wreck, with a horrifying gameplay experience that’ll make my skin crawl and keep me up at night.” My friends, I hear you, and for you I propose… The Callisto Protocol. The Dead Space series has always been one of the fore-runners in terms of action-horror video games.
They were one of the first games to master the fusion of atmosphere, tense gameplay and brutal visuals. Now The Callisto Protocol isn’t exactly a new Dead Space game. Rather, it’s more a spiritual successor – think of it as Dead Space’s cool cousin. Previews for The Calliso Protocol are looking slick, and everything about it seems to recreate the feel of the original Dead Space trilogy. If this sounds as good to you as it does to me, I have no doubt you’ll be playing this video game for Christmas in 2022.
Releases December 2nd for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC.
High On Life
If you own an Xbox, I’m pretty sure this one should be a no-brainer. From the mind of Justin Roiland, High on Life lets players experience what it would be like to a bounty hunter in a slightly more gritty version of Rick and Morty. Of course, this game isn’t actually set in the same universe as the TV show. From looking at released gameplay and reviews however, it’s pretty clear that it’s at least taken inspiration from it.
With talking biological guns, eccentric alien species to converse with and bizarre new planets to explore, this title seems like it will be one hell of a ride. If “fun” was a video game, I’m pretty sure it would look something like this. If you’re in the mood for some chill sci-fi gaming and classic Justin Roland comedy to top off your 2022, this video game should certainly be on your Christmas list.
Releases December 13th for PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
There you have my picks for the video games that really should be on your Christmas list in 2022. If anyone knows of any cool upcoming/recent game releases, please throw them down the comment section below. I’d love to hear your suggestions of games to get for Christmas, and I’m sure thousands of others would too! The perfect holiday game is out there somewhere for you somewhere – you just have to find it. Wishing you all a fantastic December, and an even better season of gaming!
