The holiday season is nearly upon us and gamers everywhere will be asking themselves what video games to get for Christmas in 2021. Likewise, you might have a friend or family member who loves gaming and you want to get them the perfect gift. It might seem fairly straightforward. But there’s been a tonne of great video games released this year and you can’t get them all. Firstly, they’re expensive. $60/£60 is a lot of money and you want to be sure you’re spending it wisely. And secondly, video games can take serious time to play. So, you have to be certain you’re buying a game for yourself or someone else that’s enjoyable.
Between PlayStation, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch, there’s a lot to choose from. And what you’re after will depend on which platforms you (or the person you’re buying for) own. Luckily, a lot of games are available for multiple platforms. Which is great for people who only own one system.
Without further ado, let’s look at the video games to get this Christmas…
Video Games To Get For Christmas 2021
1. Far Cry 6
Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Genre: Action-adventure, first-person shooter, open world
Rating: M for Mature, 18
Far Cry 6 is the latest instalment in the long-running open world adventure series. Set on the fictional island of Yara (based on Cuba) players take control of guerilla fighter Dani Rojas as they wage war against dictator, El Presidenté Anton Castillo.
Yara is a huge and detailed world with so much to explore. There’s lots to discover in Far Cry 6 and a compelling villain/story to boot. Critical reaction to the game was mostly positive, but it received some criticism for its aging formula. Even so, it’s a big budget game and is definitely not one to miss for fans of the series.
2. Battlefield 2042
Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Genre: First-person shooter
Rating: M for Mature, 16
Battlefield 2042 arrives in November to much anticipation. After the previous instalment, Battlefield V, failed to live up to expectations, developer DICE have seemingly gone all out to make 2042 look as exciting as possible. The game is set in the 2040s after decades of escalating tensions between nations. When satellites crash to Earth and cause wide-spread blackouts, things reach boiling point and all-out war erupts.
Battlefield 2042 is online multiplayer-only, meaning there’s no single player story campaign and you need to have an internet connection to play. While that might put some people off, 2042‘s deep multiplayer mode will keep many coming back for months to come. If you’re looking for an exhilarating multiplayer experience to sink your teeth into, Battlefield 2042 could be it.
3. Forza Horizon 5
Available on: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Racing
Rating: E for Everyone, 3
Forza Horizon 5 is the next game in the hugely successful and critically-acclaimed Forza racing series. Renowned for its stellar graphics and fun driving mechanics, Forza Horizon 5 is this Christmas’ must-purchase game for any driving fan.
The new game is set in Mexico and features the biggest open world in the series to date. Environments include cities, volcanoes, jungles, ancient ruins, beaches and everything in between. There’s also a new dynamic weather system that adds another layer of complexity to Forza‘s deep driving mechanics.
4. Returnal
Available on: PS5
Genre: Roguelike, Third-person shooter
Rating: T for Teen, 16
Returnal was one of my favourite games of the year. Made by Housemarque – a relatively unknown developer – Returnal was also one of the PS5’s first exclusive games. Players take control of Selene, an astronaut stranded on an alien planet and caught in a time-loop. Every time she dies, the loop restarts and the world changes.
Returnal is a third-person shooter and is remarkably difficult. It requires real thought and patience which makes it perfect for gamers who love a challenge. On top of that, the story is enigmatic and intriguing which helps pull you along when things get tough. Its utilisation of the PS5’s new DualSense controller is also remarkable.
Returnal is a must for someone who is getting their hands on a PS5 for the first time this Christmas and will want a challenge.
5. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Role-playing game
Rating: E for Everyone, 7
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The new Pokémon games are probably the biggest Nintendo Switch release this holiday season. They’ll be can’t-miss for Pokémon fans and most Switch owners.
Set in the world of Sinnoh, the player takes on the role of a Pokémon Trainer who must collect and battle Pokémon to ultimately become the best. The game offers a distinct and loveable visual style, and a detailed open world that players can immerse themselves in. Pokémon games are perfect for kids and adults alike and provide hours of creature-collecting fun.
I hope this list has helped you decide what video games to get for Christmas 2021. Let us know in the comment section below which games you’ll be picking up and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
