The gaming landscape wraps up an eventful year as December ushers in a series of highly anticipated titles, coinciding with the holiday season. Leading the charge is Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, now available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. This major release transports players to the uncharted Western Frontier of Pandora, filled with stunning creatures and bioluminescent flora. Mirroring themes from James Cameron’s films, players find themselves incarnated as a Na’vi orphan, embroiled in a conflict against the Resources Development Administration (RDA), a corporation intent on exploiting the lush planet’s resources.
As players navigate the expansive open world and embark on hunting expeditions, they uncover the rich history of Pandora’s natives. Some may view this as a virtual exploration of the iconic moon, while others might see elements echoing a reimagined Far Cry experience, contingent on one’s perspective of the Ubisoft game design. Players can expect to engage with numerous enemy outposts, toggling between primitive and modern weaponry, and employing stealth tactics thanks to heightened sensory awareness. Plans for a season pass are also underway, introducing new story packs next year that promise to enhance the game’s infiltration missions. Additionally, a free DLC for God of War Ragnarök has been released, placing players in a roguelite environment accompanied by the ever-chatty Mimir. This update enriches the gameplay by granting Runic abilities at checkpoints while delving deeper into Kratos’s confrontations with his past from Greek mythology, including wielding the legendary Blade of Olympus. God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla is available on both PS4 and PS5.
The popular battle royale game Fortnite experienced a significant comeback recently, reintroducing the classic gameplay experience complete with familiar weapons and vehicles, inviting both seasoned players and newcomers to join in the fun. It has also launched Lego Fortnite, a new mode that incorporates survival crafting amidst the block-building aesthetic that defines the brand. Players can fend off adversaries, gather materials from the environment, and construct temporary shelters to survive the nocturnal threats, all while navigating diverse biomes that present various environmental challenges. This new experience is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.
In another exciting development, The Finals has transformed players’ combat experiences into a virtual competition reminiscent of The Hunger Games. With a focus on 3v3v3 team battles inside a fast-paced arena, players compete to accumulate the most cash and secure victory. After months in early access, Embark Studios officially launched the game during The Game Awards 2023. Moreover, Baldur’s Gate 3 has made its debut on Xbox, bringing the Dungeons & Dragons-inspired dark fantasy realm to a new audience.
Also noteworthy is the release of the Resident Evil 4 Remake on Apple devices, including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This version supports Universal Purchase, allowing players to access the game across various platforms with a single payment. Gamers step into the shoes of Leon S. Kennedy, a cop on a mission to rescue the President’s daughter from a haunted Spanish village. However, considering the graphic demands of the game, users should expect performance limitations, including an unstable 30 frames per second and potentially cumbersome overlay buttons.
Below is a list of notable game releases scheduled for December 2023:
- December 1 — SteamWorld Build (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch)
- December 1 — Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (Nintendo Switch)
- December 1 — Batman: Arkham Trilogy port (Nintendo Switch)
- December 7 — Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X)
- December 7 — Lego Fortnite (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X)
- December 7 — Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X)
- December 8 — Baldur’s Gate 3 (Xbox Series S/X)
- December 8 — The Finals (PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X)
- December 12 — God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (PS4, PS5)
- December 13 — Ready or Not (PC)
- December 14 — House Flipper 2 (PC)
- December 14 — Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (PC, PS4, PS5)
- December 15 — Cookie Cutter (PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X)
- December 20 — Resident Evil 4 remake port (iOS, iPadOS, and macOS)
