Christmas is right around the corner. While 2020 has been the most atypical year (and frankly, one we’d sooner forget), some things never change. There’s a festive atmosphere in the streets, and your colorful string lights and Christmas tree are just begging you to take them out of the closet. But at this magical time of year, there is one activity that strikes fear into the hearts of all gamers: buying last-minute gifts!
If you’re the kind of person who waits until the last minute to do all your Christmas shopping, don’t worry… you’re in good company! But with the sheer number of great video games that have hit the market this year, you might feel a bit overwhelmed when deciding what to buy. There are so many fun titles out there that it’s hard to choose between them.
To make life easier, in today’s article we have a roundup of the best gifts for gamers this Christmas. Whether you’re looking for a present for your nephew, or a gift to treat yourself for surviving 2020 like a champ, read on for our list of the best titles of the year. Time is running out, so be sure to buy them soon!
Ghost of Tsushima
Exclusive on Sony consoles, Ghost of Tsushima marks the return of Sucker Punch with what many already consider to be its masterpiece. Set in feudal Japan and a tribute to Akira Kurosawa’s films, Ghost of Tsushima puts us in the shoes of Jin Sakai, a samurai who breaks his own code in order to save his people from a Mongol attack.
This open-world adventure game combines superb art direction with fast-paced action sequences developed with input from martial arts and samurai experts. In addition to the epic main story, the game contains a large number of side quests that add depth and folklore to the island of Tsushima. Unlike similar titles, the secondary missions in Ghost of Tsushima move away from typical quests like going to a certain place and obtaining a certain object. All of them tell a complex story with its corresponding intro, middle and ending.
Finally, it should be noted that along with the main campaign, Ghost of Tsushima has a fun multiplayer co-op mode called Legends. If you’re lucky enough to own a PS5, you’ll be pleased to know that this title offers Game Boost, with much faster loading times and the option of playing at 60 fps. Don’t miss it!
The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II has been one of the most talked-about games (for better or for worse) of the year. Love it or hate it, the long-awaited sequel to one of Naughty Dog’s most beloved titles hasn’t left anyone indifferent. Of course, the fact that it has won so many awards and has so many fans and detractors leaves no room for doubt: it’s a title you simply must play to form your own opinion.
In the second installment of The Last of Us, we’ll catch up with Joel and Ellie years after the events that we all know well. The world remains in the grips of a pandemic that turns people into horrible monsters. But in The Last of Us Part II, it’s patently clear that the real danger and terror come from the people rather than the infected, a message that was already transmitted in the first edition.
With heart-stopping graphics that push the power of PS4 to its limits, The Last of Us Part II puts you in the shoes of Ellie on her bloody journey to avenge the death of a loved one. Delivering hours of pure story and sequences you won’t soon forget, The Last of Us Part II is perfect for anyone who wants to find out what became of Joel and Ellie. That said, keep in mind that it’s not an uplifting game and that it tends to provoke strong feelings: you’ll either love it or hate it.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
During the pandemic, few games have made lockdown as fun as Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If you still haven’t gotten your hands on little gem from Nintendo, don’t hesitate to buy it for someone (or as a treat for yourself) this Christmas. Because in the end, what could be more fun than spending the day relaxing on your own desert island?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a new twist on an old formula, inviting you to become one of the first residents of an island. Of course, the one who gives you this juicy opportunity is Tom Nook, the greedy yet adorable raccoon to whom you’ll be in debt up to your eyeballs all throughout the game. Your island is fully customizable: you can give it a name, create a national anthem, a flag and of course, decide the location of the shops and houses of your future neighbors. In just a few days, you’ll see your island grow from a virgin paradise into a small metropolis completely forged to your liking.
If you’re familiar with the Animal Crossing franchise, you’ll be pleased to see most of its characters return, including the endearing Isabelle. On your island, you can create furniture, tools and buildings, decorate your home, and for the first time, change the course of rivers and mountains to your liking. As for gameplay, in Animal Crossing the only thing that matters is having fun and enjoying your neighbors’ company. With a number of events scheduled for Christmas, there’s no better time to seek out New Horizons. Want to check it out?
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft is back for another year with its longest-running franchise and one of the most beloved by gamers: Assassin’s Creed. This time, you’ll travel to Nordic lands, specifically back to the year 873 BC, and play the role of Eivor, descendant of the leaders of a Viking clan who will seek revenge after his death. However, instead of Norway, the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla story will be centered in England, where the Vikings will go to conquer new lands.
Valhalla has many similarities to the previous installment. Its open world is large and vast, with a wide variety of landscapes between the cold Nordic lands and the green pastures of England. As was the case in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, you can choose Eivor’s gender when you start your adventure, so the main character can be either male or female. The experience and levels system introduced in Odyssey also returns, along with the mission of investigating your adversaries one by one until you find the head of the organization, whom you must hunt down and capture. And of course Layla also returns, forming a bridge between past and present and gradually unraveling the mysteries of the Animus.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a perfect title for fans of the franchise, especially if they enjoyed Odyssey. This game has hours of adventure, secondary missions, action, romance and a huge map to explore. What better time to check it out than this Christmas?
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of those games that needs no introduction. Since it was announced eight years ago, the new CD Projekt RED title has built up lots of anticipation among gamers. After so many years and postponements, many of us thought it would never go on sale. But now it’s here, and believe us, it was well worth the wait!
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure game based on the universe of the board game of the same name created by Mike Pondsmith. In it you’ll play V, a young man who is tasked with stealing the immortality chip from the headquarters of the Arasaka corporation. Set in the dystopian Night City, Cyberpunk 2077 offers hours of non-stop fun and a story full of intrigue that will delight sci-fi fans.
While Cyberpunk 2077 has many similarities to The Witcher franchise in terms of narrative quality and fun, it’s a very different game. This title is played in the first person and has much more frenetic action that will delight shooter fans. You can even modify V’s appearance and gender to your liking. If you love science fiction and are looking for a good title to enjoy for years to come, don’t think twice. Cyberpunk 2077 is the game for you!
We hope you liked our selection of gifts for gamers this Christmas. Is there any other game that you’d like to recommend to our readers? Tell us about it in the comments section!
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