With the holiday season officially upon us and the COVID-19 pandemic keeping us indoors, it is only right that we share with you the new video games that you can grab to stay safe and happy. It is a big season for the gaming industry with the launches of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Some of these games have already been released, but are essential experiences if you somehow missed out on them when they first came out. The rest of them are ones that we are waiting for with eager anticipation. Whether you are a Playstation, Xbox, or PC gamer, these are the games that you need this year.
Cyberpunk 2077
It feels like we have been waiting for this game to come out for an eternity, but with each sneak peak it becomes more and more evident that it is worth the wait. The open-world, immersive action-RPG is the perfect dystopian adventure to cathartically lose yourself in after the crazy year that 2020 has been. Brought to you by the studio that put out the revolutionary The Witcher series and featuring the talents of Keanu Reeves, Grimes, and Dennis Lyxzen, this is one that cannot be missed. Trust me, get your Cyberpunk 2077 pre-order now.
Call Of Duty: Cold War
After the massive success of the new Modern Warfare and the Warzone mode, Infinity Ward is back with the latest installment of their highly successful first-person shooter series. Call Of Duty: Cold War brings players to the 80’s and offers a captivating story mode as well as their coveted multiplayer mode. Oh, and they brought back Zombies!
Ghosts of Tsushima
If you missed Ghosts of Tsushima when it first came out and are waiting for Cyberpunk 2077 to finally be released, then you should jump on the open-world samurai experience right away. The game is absolutely stunning. The visuals are flawless and in addition to the technical combat styles, you get to indulge in Japanese pastimes like composing haikus and relaxing in hot springs—activities that reward you with health points or bonus items, obviously. The game also features Kurosawa Mode, a game mode that puts the game in black and white and adjusts the sound-mix to emulate the classic samurai movie experience.
Madden ’21
Yes, I know; This is not a “gamer game” but that does not mean that it’s not good. Madden has been updating their visuals and gameplay every year, keeping things more interesting than simply updating team rosters. The level of control has increased significantly over the years, creating a much more realistic football experience. So realistic that this game will actually be used for the NFL Pro-bowl this year in what is a weird, COVID-19 affected season. Grab Madden ’21 now and hit the sticks!
Assasin’s Creed Valhalla
Assasin’s Creed is an innovative franchise that captivated gamers with its unique gameplay and compelling story when it first came out. Although the franchise fell off after a certain point—different points for different gamers, but all can agree it did fall off—it seems like the game is back and truly better than ever. Assasin’s Creed Valhalla has caught the attention of gamers everywhere, leading to the biggest game launch in the series’ history. This one is a must buy.
Far Cry 6
Speaking of game series with a hit or miss track record, Far Cry is back with Far Cry 6. Employing the talents of Giancarlo Esposito, this game has fans of open world first person shooters chomping at the bit. Set in a fascist dictatorship on a fictional Caribbean island, you can dive right into the revolution and go guerillas!
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Set in the neon dreamscape that is Tokyo, Ghostwire: Tokyo creates a haunting atmosphere by stripping the city of its dense population. The action adventure game takes place after 99% of the population vanishes, leaving you fighting deadly super natural forces. This one isn’t set to launch until 2021, but Fallout creators Bethesda have us counting down the days. Don’t miss this one.
The Last Of Us Part II
If you somehow missed this game, you are truly doing yourself a disservice. It is an absolute masterpiece. Playing the first one is not even a necessity to enjoy this game, but you definitely should. The story is unparalleled, giving you a truly cinematic experience without overloading you with cut-scenes; but when the cut-scenes come, they hit hard. I went on a twitter rant worshiping this game when I finished it. So, again, if you missed this one, stop wasting time and buy it.
