The last month of 2022 is here and we’re getting a solid lineup of video games, even though the release window will close earlier – a few days before the holidays.
Survival horror fans are getting a long-awaited new game from one of the co-creators of the Dead Space series, and a long-running racing game franchise will see a new entry.
Also coming is a new tactical RPG set in the Marvel universe, while Square Enix will treat us to a remaster of a PSP Final Fantasy title on modern platforms, and a very different new entry in the Dragon Quest series.
Lots of games to be excited about, despite the short release period, so let’s have a look at the best games releasing in December 2022.
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol is a promising survival horror game directed by Glen Schofield, the co-creator of iconic sci-fi horror series Dead Space, and curiously enough it launches just a few weeks before a remake of the first Dead Space game, so the pressure to exceed expectations is high.
You play as Jacob Lee, an inmate of Black Iron Prison on Jupiter’s moon Callisto. Of course, the prison is overrun by hostile inmates suffering from an unknown disease.
We had a chat with character director Glauco Longhi about the gore in the game, and you can read more about it in our Callisto Protocol preview.
The Callisto Protocol is coming Dec. 2 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC.
Marvel's Midnight Suns
Midnight Suns is definitely not yet another Marvel superhero game. On the contrary, it throws away the usual action-adventure brawler formula of other titles, and opts for XCOM-like turn-based tactics.
Coming from the creators of XCOM, it gives you control over a squad of superheroes, each with different superpowers. RPG elements influence your heroes’ powers, which are dealt from a deck of cards during missions.
The game was initially slated for October, but was delayed in August to its current release date. It’s coming to next-gen platforms first, with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions to follow at a later date, which is yet to be announced.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns releases Dec. 2 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Need For Speed Unbound
The 25th game in the Need for Speed series got a surprise reveal on Oct. 6 this year, just two months before its release date.
We had a chat with creative director Kieran Crimmins, who explained the short marketing window for Unbound and how it feels for Criterion Games to work on an NFS title again.
The new game is set in the fictional Lakeshore City, based on Chicago, with a focus on street racing in an open-world environment.
The “heat system”, from NFS Heat, in which messing with cops increases your notorious reputation, is back, and much like in previous entries to the franchise, you get a plethora of customization options for your ride.
Need For Speed Unbound is coming Dec. 2 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Hello Neighbor 2
In Hello Neighbor 2 you assume the role of a reporter investigating the disappearances of several kids around the entire town, including the original game’s protagonist.
It’s a family-friendly sandbox horror game of puzzle solving and a sneaky journalist simulator in which you sniff out your neighbors’ secrets.
Hello Neighbor 2 promises improved AI that learns from your movements, and hopefully, it won’t carry over the bugs of the original Hello Neighbor.
Hello Neighbor 2 arrives Dec. 6 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
Choo-Choo Charles
Choo-Choo Charles is another survival horror game, in which you explore an island on an old train and fight a sentient bloodthirsty spider-train named Charles.
When you’re not fighting with evil Charles, you explore the island to find scraps and upgrade your gear and abilities to boost your chances of survival, as your old rusty train becomes a “death machine on wheels”.
You can also help the locals to get more high-powered weapons, but Charles remains a constant threat throughout your journeys.
Choo-Choo Charles will be released on Dec. 9 for PC.
Dragon Quest Treasures
Dragon Quest Treasures is a spin-off in the Dragon Quest series, featuring the child versions of Erik and Mia from Dragon Quest 9.
Geared towards easing new players into the franchise, Treasures focuses on exploration, treasure hunting, taming monsters and forging new friendships. The game’s combat is action based and you control one of the two characters at a time, and you’re helped by three monsters who charge against enemies.
If you want to get into the Dragon Quest series, Treasures’ cute art style and gameplay offers a perfect entry point.
Dragon Quest Treasures releases Dec. 9 on the Nintendo Switch.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is a remaster of the 2007 game Crisis Core, which serves as a prequel to Final Fantasy 7 and was released exclusively for the PlayStation Portable handheld console.
The release is part of the ongoing wave of Final Fantasy 7 reimaginings for modern platforms, which includes the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, released for PS4 in 2020, the enhanced Intergrade version of the remake for PS5, the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which adapts the second part of the 1997 game, and a planned third part, which is yet to be revealed.
Crisis Core tells the story of Cloud and Zac before the events of FF7, and if you’ve already picked up the remake, you’ll surely want to play this one too. You can learn more about the remaster in our Crisis Core: FF7 Reunion preview.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion’s release date is Dec. 13 and it’s coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Switch.
High on Life
High on Life is a space exploration game in the vein of No Man’s Sky and The Outer Worlds. You travel across varied biomes, fight enemies, and collect loot as a deadly intergalactic bounty hunter.
The game features talking guns with unique skills and a witty self-aware sense of humor. There’s a ton of challenges to complete, weird and fun characters to meet, and collectibles to grab.
High On Life arrives Dec. 13 on Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update
More than seven years since its original release, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is still one of the best open-world games and action RPGs of all time. Now, developers CD Projekt Red are bringing a free next-gen update with enhanced visuals and performance, harnessing the power of modern consoles and high-end PCs.
The enhanced version of the game will feature improved graphics, ray tracing, faster loading times, the option to run The Witcher 3 at 60fps on consoles, advanced upscaling and more.
The update also brings new content based on the Netflix series, including a new quest that rewards you with Geralt’s Netflix-style outfit.
The improvements will be available for free to owners of previous versions of the game, and the next-gen version will also be available as a digital purchase together with all DLC and the two major expansions – Hearts of Stone, and Blood and Wine, so if you’ve never played The Witcher 3 before, this will be the best way to experience it.
The Witcher 3’s next-gen update releases Dec. 14 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Aka
Aka is a small open-world adventure game where you play as the titular retired red panda soldier, who seeks peace and settles on a small island after the end of a war.
You grow plants, build shelter, craft tools, take your time to relax, do story quests and play mini-games. Aka’s world consists of several islands, inspired by different parts of our real world, offering many relaxing and exciting activities to engage in.
Aka launches on Dec. 15 for PC and Switch.
Written by Stoyan Ovcharov on behalf of GLHF.
