Christmas is one of the most popular holidays in the world and “the most wonderful time of the year,” at least for those who celebrate it. Although the festival is celebrated while watching holiday-themed movies or listening to music, there are some Christmas games that one can play with their friends and family.
While there are several Christmas movies or songs, not many video games are centered on or set around the holiday to save themselves from dating. However, there are a few Christmas games that one can play this holiday season to get into a jolly good mood. Below are the five Christmas games that are both interesting and delightful.
5. Best Christmas Games: Bayonetta 2
Bayonetta 2 is the sequel to the surprise hit action-adventure title Bayonetta. The game was released in 2014 and was very well received by both fans and critics. Bayonetta 2 was released exclusively on the Nintendo Wii U and was later ported to the Switch. This resulted in the game failing to reach a larger player base. Therefore, many might not be aware of the fact that Bayonetta 2 takes place almost entirely on Christmas.
The game’s opening shows Bayonetta, the titular Umbra Witch, getting done with her shopping for Christmas Eve with her friend Enzo, carrying several bags and boxes from their shopping. The Christmas theme continues even when a demon arrives, as the weaponsmith Rodin comes dressed as Santa Claus to give Bayonetta her weapons.
There are presents and trees all around the in-game world, and although the game slowly deviates from the holiday aesthetic, it is still one of the best Christmas games to start a fun gaming session this season. Bayonetta 2 is currently available on the Nintendo Switch.
4. Saint’s Row 4: How the Saints Save Christmas
Saints Row 4 is one of the most popular and best open-world games out there, and the How the Saints Save Christmas DLC was the cherry on top when it was released. The DLC brought two side activities, “Genki Holiday” and “Naughty and Nice,” and added three new missions to the game.
The expansion is set after the events of the base game, where the saints go on a mission to rescue Santa Claus from simulation with the help of a future version of Shaundi. Shaundi warns the saints about the presence of an evil version of Santa Claus called Santa Clawz, who will terrorize the future if the saints fail to defeat the latter and rescue the former.
The expansion is a fun and exciting take on the holiday, and players must include it in their Christmas game list to play this season. Saints Row 4: How the Saints Save Christmas is available on PS4, PS3, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.
3. Yakuza
Yakuza games are about the Japanese underworld mafia and have garnered a cult fan following over the years with various titles and spin-offs. The Yakuza series might not seem like a good addition to the Christmas games list, but almost all the games in the hit action franchise are set on or around the holiday.
Several other titles in the series have holiday vibes, such as Yakuza 0, which has decorations during the missions with Christmas music playing in the background. There is also a side activity where players are given the task of helping someone find the perfect Christmas gift for their crush. Yakuza Kiwami 2 tasks players to find a character dressed as Santa Claus. These are the perfect Christmas games to have fun with.
2. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the follow-up to Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man, was released in 2020. The game takes place around the holiday, and it begins on Christmas Eve in New York City. The story sees Miles Morales going from school to home to be with his family and friends for the holidays.
The rest of the story in the game also takes place between Christmas and the New Year. New York City is decorated with lights, Christmas trees, and wreaths. Although the story progresses further and leaves the Christmas vibes behind, the city is still covered in snow, and even the civilians in the game are dressed in winter clothing, keeping the festive feel alive.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales lands the spot on the best Christmas games list because of the joy of the holiday and the happy feeling of being around the family. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC.
1. Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham is one of the most popular video game series out there, with a never-before-seen avatar of Batman. The series is regarded as some of the best superhero games ever released. Batman: Arkham Origins was released a decade ago, is the prequel to the other Batman: Arkham games, and follows Batman in his early days.
Arkham Origins takes place on Christmas Eve and later on the holiday. All the civilians have gone inside to be with their families for the holidays. Or at least that’s what the developers told the players. The story sees Batman fight a gang of villains who are looking to take him down to claim the bounty on his head, as he also tries to track down a new supervillain. Gotham City is covered in snow and adorned with lights and Christmas trees.
Even the villains are wearing the signature Santa hats. The season is also mentioned in dialogue, with Loose Lips asking other villains what they want for Christmas. The game was released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U. The game is available via PS Now. Arkham Origins is one of the best Christmas games that players should play this holiday season. They can also pair it with Michael Keaton’s Batman Returns, as the movie also takes place around Christmas.
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