15 games to get you into the spirit of Christmas
It’s that time of year again, Christmas, when families get together, exchange gifts and perhaps consume an excessive amount of food and drink. You know what else Christmas is good for? Playing video games. After all, nearly everyone gets some valuable time off, and they’re a great way to escape the family if they get a little too much to bear. Also, let’s face it: Christmas TV just isn’t quite what it used to be. On top of that, there are some games that help you get into the spirit of Christmas, too. We’ve assembled a list of them right here, in fact.
Below you’ll find 15 games that will help you discover some festive cheer. Some are just Christmassy in nature, others have free updates or paid DLC that allow you to make them more suitable for the holidays. So, go don your Christmas jumper, have another glass of sherry, and get stuck in. Each and every one of these will help you get into the spirit of Christmas. Well, possibly. They’ve at least got festive-themed outfits and perhaps snow and presents. What more could you ask for?
Merry Christmas, everyone!
1. Ebenezer and the Invisible World
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
Everyone’s familiar with the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, aren’t they? If not, watch the movie Scrooged this Christmas starring Bill Murray – it’s a classic. Anyway, Ebenezer and the Invisible World puts players in the shoes of the titular old geezer some time after he’s changed his ways, and now he’s been called upon to help with a similar intervention.
A metroidvania game, Ebenezer and the Invisible World asks players to explore a large, interconnected world. And with it being set during Christmas, it’s very festive indeed. You’ll traverse snow-covered streets, will witness an array of bright and colourful lights, and can thwack a snowman or two with your cane if you wish. Needless to say, if you’re after a game that will let you get into the spirit of Christmas, this is it.
Read our review of Ebenezer and the Invisible World
2. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Available on: PS4, PS5, PC
Want to know the worst thing about being a superhero? You don’t get Christmas off. That’s right, crime doesn’t take a break, and so neither can those who fight it. Well, unless they want to face the ire of those they’ve vowed to protect.
And so Christmas is the backdrop of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. If you’ve ever wanted to find yourself fighting crime while the streets are covered in snow and civilians go about their Christmas shopping, this is the game for you. You even get to enjoy some of the Morales family’s festivities, too. Though there is also a supervillain or two to take down which gets in the way of things.
Read our review of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
3. Lake: Season’s Greetings
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
If, like us, you’ve loved playing Lake, taking on the role of a delivery worker in a sleepy old American town, why not pick up its festive-themed DLC to unravel yet another story?
Actually a prequel to the main game, in Lake: Season’s Greetings you take control of a man called Thomas. He’s the original protagonist’s dad, and being in his shoes gives us another perspective with which to view the town and people of the lovely Providence Oaks. In any case, as ever there are deliveries to be made, conversations to be had, radio stations to be listened to, and plenty of driving to be done. Do we like it quite as much as the original game? No. But is it nice to see Providence Oaks covered in show and with decorations up here, there and everywhere? Absolutely.
Read our review of Lake: Season’s Greetings
4. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Vampires and Christmas go hand in hand, don’t they? DON’T THEY? Ahem. Anyway, jump into Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 and you’ll find that it’s set at Christmas, giving it a nice festive feel. Well, until you start sucking blood out of the locals and slicing off the limbs of those that certainly aren’t feeling merry at your presence.
Making this action RPG with investigative elements even more Christmassy is a free winter update, which adds festive apparel to further get into the spirit of Christmas while playing. You can effectively dress up as Santa if you wish, though the only gifts you’ll be delivering will be teeth marks and your fists. Still, there are worse ways to spend the holidays.
Read our review of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
Made with kids in mind, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer isn’t the best 3D platformer out there, but it is quite fun to jump into if you want some Christmas cheer. As its name suggests, it puts you in control of the titular Rudolph who, being an outcast because of his shiny red nose, must prove his prowess so that he can help Santa deliver presents.
As you’d expect of a 3D platformer, there are numerous open levels for you to explore as well as some more linear action-focused scenarios. There’s a wealth of collectibles to try and discover, too. All in all, it’s got the rough edge here and there, but it’s fun for all the family. If you’re in the UK, you can pick it up particularly cheap physically as well for some reason.
Read our review of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
6. The Grinch: Christmas Adventures
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
Get into the spirit of Christmas while also making moves to ruin it in The Grinch: Christmas Adventures where, taking control of the titular Grinch, you put into action a plan to steal all the presents in Who-Ville.
With visuals inspired by Dr. Seuss’s book and the controls kept simple to make it accessible for younger players, this festive-themed platforming game isn’t going to wow you, but it will provide some fun. And as you engage in your nefarious antics as the Grinch, making use of a variety of gadgets such as a Santa costume and a candy cane lasso, you might be able to save Christmas by growing the Grinch’s heart. Oh, and the final bit of icing on the cake is that you can play The Grinch: Christmas Adventures in local co-op.
7. Batman: Arkham City
- Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
If you’re the type of person that considers Die Hard to be the best Christmas film simply because it’s set at Christmas and is awesome, then Batman: Arkham City will undoubtedly be your favourite Christmas game for the same reasons.
At least Batman: Arkham City is a bit Christmassy though. There are presents, decorations here and there, and Batman’s always ready to serve up a special punch or two for the bad guys. We suppose you could even view the Joker as that awkward extended family member that you only ever see at Christmas and have to painfully tolerate.
Read our review of Batman: Return to Arkham
8. Dead or Alive 6
- Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Nothing says Christmas like pairs of heaving bosoms testing the constraints of various Santa outfits as two ladies energetically beat the living crap out of each other. And for that reason, Dead or Alive 6 is one of the most Christmassy games you can get.
Nearly every single character has a festive costume or two available to do battle in if you don’t mind paying for them, bringing some Christmas spirit to the game. So, gather the family around and show them the wonders of Dead or Alive 6 this Christmas. It’s sure to bring tears to their eyes – though perhaps not for the right reasons.
Read our review of Dead or Alive 6
9. Christmas Massacre
- Available on: PS4, PS5, PC
If a Christmas tree starts talking to you this holiday period, telling you to kill, you should probably seek help. Either that, or you’re playing Christmas Massacre.
From the wonderfully deranged mind of Puppet Combo, Christmas Massacre is essentially Hotline Miami in 3D with a festive twist. You take control of a man that is seemingly pure evil, and for some reason he likes to dress up as Santa Claus. Taking commands from a nicely-decorated Christmas Tree that stands out like a sore thumb in his ramshackle home, he heads out to numerous locations over the Christmas period to commit mindless murder – we can only imagine some people have been very naughty indeed. With its retro aesthetic and mindless violence, Christmas Massacre won’t be to everyone’s tastes. It does somewhat let you get into the spirit of Christmas, however, and also let off some steam.
Read our review of Christmas Massacre
10. Dead Rising 4
- Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Remember when Christmas specials of popular TV shows used to be a big thing? They don’t do them like they used to though, do they? Imagine a Walking Dead Christmas special where Negan and Rick just chilled out for a bit, shared presents and got a little frisky under some mistletoe. Of course, they’d end up having a blazing row after a few too many sherries, leading to the brutal deaths of a few characters that have only ever seen a modicum of development in that very same episode, but hey, it’d be entertaining. Right? Yeah, well it’s never going to happen.
What has happened though is Dead Rising 4. Letting you massacre your way through the festive season as photojournalist Frank West, it’s probably the closest thing to a Walking Dead Christmas special we’re ever going to get. We guess we can live with that.
11. Saints Row 4
- Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
It’s not a story you hear very often: how a street gang armed with giant dildos saved Christmas and brought good will to all men. Well, feel free to enlighten yourself with the How the Saints Saved Christmas story DLC for the excellent Saints Row 4.
Requiring you to fill The Boss with festive cheer in an effort to motivate them to get up off their lazy butt and save Santa Claus, How the Saints Saved Christmas will provide you with enough laughs to get you merry – but not much more. Alcohol is probably your best bet from that point on. Lots of it.
Read our review of Saints Row 4
12. Street Fighter V
- Available on: PS4, PC
If Dead or Alive 6 is a little low brow for you, then rejoice, you can engage in some Christmas fisticuffs with Street Fighter V instead. Six characters have Christmas-themed outfits available if you don’t mind splashing the cash, and there’s also a festive stage too, complete with a rather fantastic looking Christmas tree.
Oh, but just one thing: if you have kids, don’t let them see Zangief dressed as Santa Claus. There’s an image that will scar them for life.
13. Hitman World of Assassination
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2, PC
Agent 47 is perhaps the last person on Earth you’d expect to get into the Christmas spirit. The festive bonus episode that’s available, however, would suggest that maybe he does have a bit of a soft side after all. Maybe.
Tasking our favourite bald-headed assassin with eradicating two thieving scumbags who’ve invaded the Paris fashion show, the Holiday Hoarders bonus episode gives the location a wonderfully festive makeover. There’s snow on the ground, a smattering of Christmas decorations, and even presents that Agent 47 can plunder and make use of. The icing on the cake though, is that by completing the Secret Santa challenge you can unlock a Santa Claus outfit for Agent 47 to wear. Ho ho ho, indeed!
14. The Escapists
- Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Usually a game about inmates deviously trying to escape their prisons, The Escapists’ Santa’s Sweatshop DLC may result in them trying to get back in for an easy life.
After spending the last 20 years of your life working under the gift-bearing bearded weirdo known as Santa Claus with poor conditions and even worse pay, Santa’s Sweatshop sees you making a bid to escape and find your way back home, wherever that may be. In any case, with its Christmas-themed content, including a festive soundtrack, The Escapists’ Santa’s Sweatshop DLC is sure to get you into the spirit of Christmas. Even better, it’s completely free to play.
Read our review of The Escapists
15. Steep
- Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
It rarely snows at Christmas these days, what with climate change messing with our seasons and bringing us ever closer to our impending doom. If you still buy into the whole Christmas=snow thing though, Steep should be right up your street.
In Steep, snow and ice stretches out as far as your eyes can see. Fir trees scream at you as you pass by, pleading you to adorn them with your baubles and any other bits of shiny tat you can lay your hands on. There are even some foul-mouthed snowmen lurking somewhere. And as if all that isn’t enough, you can even dress up your character with a Santa hat that flaps around as you snowboard. You can’t really get any more festive than that.
