The Game Awards tend to be a real marquee event on the gaming calender that ties a bow rather neatly on the years gaming offerings, and gives us a look forward to what lies ahead in the next year. Because, as we all know, the cogs never stop whirring on the game production machine.
With all the positives that come with the TGA’s however, there is one sour negative that comes every year. Come December time, the standout releases stop almost entirely, and those few developers that dare to drop their game in the December window tend to be entirely omitted from TGA discussions that year, and indeed, the year after.
So, we want to take a moment to look back at all the best games released in December to prove that, even if the TGA’s had no interest in giving these games their flowers, they were more than deserving of a mention.
10.
Skate Story
Hell Is A Half-Pipe
This may seem like an odd inclusion for anyone that has read my review for Skate Story. But regardless of how flawed this gem is. It’s still a gem, and when it shines, it shines bright.
Skate Story is a truly unique experience. One that has you make a deal with the devil and turn eternal damnation to a high octane session at the skate park as you shred through the layers of hell in a bid to eat the moon.
It’s as surreal as it sounds, but it’s also an arcade-like skater at its core, and it also happens to have one of the best soundtracks in recent memory into the bargain. It’s a little rough around the edges, don’t get me wrong, but it’s one that I would highly recommend for the vibes alone.
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9.
The Talos Principle
Puzzle Game Royalty
There are a handful of puzzle games that come along with a concept so complex, mind-bending, and clever that they immediately cement themselves as puzzle game royalty. The Talos Principle, despite its end-of-year release date, is certainly one of those games.
It’s not just one of the most high-concept puzzle games out there. It’s also one of the hardest, with puzzles that will have you questioning your sanity. But don’t put on that straitjacket, because how will you hold the controller?
Thankfully, there is always a clever solution to each conundrum, and those ‘a-ha’ moments feel all the sweeter when you earn them. Plus, it’s got a surprisingly profound story baked into the bread. So, for puzzle fans, The Talos Principle really is the full package.
8.
Antonblast
You’ll, Quite Literally, Have A Blast
We’ve all heard of Pizza Tower, the Wario-inspired indie darling that did manage to catch the eye of the TGA panel and gain a nomination for indie game of the year. Well, we assure you, Antonblast is cut from the same cloth, even if you probably haven’t heard of it.
I sort of see Antonblast as the less aggressive and less precision-based version of Pizza Tower. You still get all the mayhem, the cartoon visuals and the high-octane gameplay. But, with Antonblast, a mistake won’t kill your momentum stone dead. Well, at least not always.
With Antonblast, there’s a freedom to explore and take more risks, which is very appreciated for someone that isn’t always down for a Speedrun-esque platformer. So, if that sounds up your alley, try this one, because it’s a blast.
7.
Marvel Rivals
The Overwatch Killer
If a certain later inclusion on this list is anything to go by, it would seem that Marvel is all too happy to release games in the final month of the year. However, it would be hard to argue that any December release has gone better than that of Marvel Rivals.
This Overwatch killer launched to almost unanimous acclaim and appeal, allowing players to team up and play as their favorite heroes and villains in a competitive 3rd person action game that is devilishly addictive, with a real ‘one more game’ quality to it.
Every hero felt distinct and satisfying to play, the format was balanced right from the get-go, and in general, it was everything that Overwatch wasn’t anymore. It’s still a top-tier multiplayer game to this day, and it’s free to play, so there’s no excuse not to jump in and live your superhero fantasy.
6.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
The Wait Is Finally Over
Next, we have a recent release that Metroid fans have been waiting for what feels like an eternity for. However, the newest 3D Metroid title has graced the Switch 2, and fans have been stepping into the familiar role of Samus once again.
I’ll admit, I have never had much of a fascination with either Metroid, or Vania, as I tend to gravitate to games inspired by the pair. However, Beyond is a superb addition to the series that even dragged me, a fairweather fan at best, into the action.
It’s the closest thing to a classic Metroid Prime experience we have witnessed since the original many moons ago. Not to mention the game looks stunning into the bargain. But it also has enough of its own ideas to stand out from the pack. So, all in all, a masterful Metroid title, and one of December’s all time greats.
5.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Calling Out For A Hero
To hell with it, let’s keep the recency bias flowing because December 2025 has been uncharacteristically stacked. Something that Marvel Cosmic Invasion goes some way to proving, as this game essentially reboots TMNT Shredder’s Revenge, but obviously, with fewer heroes in a half shell, and more superheroes.
This Beat Em Up offers all the bells and whistles you would expect of arcade classics, as well as recent modern installations, but the real standout feature here is the tag team feature.
This practically makes the single player experience feel like a pseudo co-op run, allowing you to double down with interesting hero duos, and insane combos. Plus, it’s loaded with fan service for all Marvel fans to geek out about.
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In short, it’s classic arcade action with a modern twist, and you don’t even need to feed an arcade machine coins. What’s not to love?
4.
In Stars and Time
Over and Over Again
I remember playing through what I still consider to be the finest time loop game of all time back in 2023, in a period where the TGA’s were done, and not a mouse was stirring. Perplexed, I sat there thinking, how the hell is no one talking about this game?
ISAT is a Undertale-esque RPG-maker sort of game at its core, with light JRPG elements, but that’s selling this game very short indeed.
As it’s also a game with a memorable and lovable cast, a gorgeous monochromatic art style, and a tightly-woven narrative that encourages experimentation with the time loop you find yourself in.
But above all, it’s a game that’s so damn meta that you’ll find yourself going stark crazy, much like your player character Siffrin is as well. It’s a staggeringly good game, and a criminally underrated one at that.
3.
Octopath Traveler 0
A Modern JRPG Great
In the world of JRPGs, it tends to be the same names that pop up time and time again when it comes to monumental entries into the genre. So, it’s quite refreshing to see a breakout series like Octopath Traveller become somewhat of a household name and put together a string of amazing titles.
Featuring the signature 2D-HD art-style, incredible grid-based tactical combat, and a heartfelt story, returning fans will adore what this new Octopath entry has to offer. But equally, as all games to this point have been standalone, newbies could also jump in and have a whale of a time.
It simply takes what was excellent about the past two entries and scales accordingly, with oodles more content, new ideas like town building, and arguably the best storytelling the series has ever boasted. In short, it’s a standout JRPG, and something we have come to expect from Octopath in recent years.
2.
Indiana Jones & The Great Circle
It Belongs In A Museum
There’s a wealth of IPs out there that just seem nailed on for a successful video game adaption. Indiana Jones for the longest time was one of those properties, as there were a few Indy games, but none worth shouting from the rooftops about.
But that all changed when Machine Games decided to crack the whip and give Indy the game he deserves, playing like a top-tier narrative driven first-person shooter very much built on the foundation of the developers run of Wolfenstein games.
While it’s not an Xbox exclusive anymore, it’s one of the few games that truly made me wish I was more of an Xbox boy, but I’ve indulged since, and it’s a great time. It perhaps didn’t quite get it’s flowers due to the date of release, but it’s a wonderful title, and well worth checking out if you still haven’t.
1.
Cyberpunk 2077
Night City Awaits
Cyberpunk 2077 launching in December will always feel like an odd one to me, especially now that the game has shed it’s past reputation and stands as one of the finest open world RPGs ever produced. However, I think the cynics among us can take a wild guess as to why it happened the way it did.
It’s no secret that Cyberpunk 2077 was in a pretty sorry state when it eventually launched after various delays, and I dare say, even if the game was released in time for the TGA announcements, it wouldn’t have got a sniff.
But, years on, with the benefit of huge major updates and a groundbreaking DLC, Cyberpunk 2077 is a seminal game, rich in content, and about as polished as any AAA game can be. It took a while to justify its inclusion, but this is easily one of the finest games ever to arrive in the month of December.
