As the year ends, there is one more batch of games to help see out 2022. Prison breaks with aliens, fighting demons and witches to save the world and corporate mysteries hidden in the past are just some of the stories waiting to be told this month.
The Callisto Protocol
Survive if you can with this survival horror. Set in 2320, The Callisto Protocol follows Jacob Lee, a freight transporter for the United Jupiter Company. After a mission to the Black Iron Prison on the planet Callisto goes awry, Lee soon finds himself becoming an inmate of the prison. Players will soon find that the mission wasn’t the only thing that went wrong at Black Iron, as they navigate the halls of the prison to not only find a way out for themselves but to stop the horrors which now roam the shadows from escaping as well.
Players who pre-order via select retailers will receive a limited-edition Black Iron Prison pin. The Day One Edition includes a copy of the game and a set of Retro Prisoner character and weapon skins. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes all the content in the Day One Edition along with the Season Pass for future additional content. The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game in a Steelbook case, the Retro Prisoner character & weapon skins, a statue of Jacob, a The Callisto Protocol #0 comic, an Outer Way collectable pin and a UJC collectable pin.
The Callisto Protocol will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from December 2*
Need for Speed Unbound
Claim your lane your way in the latest from Need for Speed. In Need for Speed Unbound players will have to think quickly and smartly as they try and avoid being busted by the cops. The more you race, the more heat you must deal with on the street of Lakeshore. Time is money as you build your reputation and your own unique style to try and work your way to the top of the racing scene. Top of the list is earning a spot in The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate race. Getting a spot will take skill, style and a whole lot of luck in this uniquely styled experience.
Players who pre-order will unlock an exclusive driving effect, license plate, banner artwork and sticker, along with $150k in the bank to use in multiplayer. The Palace Edition includes a copy of the game, four additional Palace branded custom cars, exclusive Palace driving effects, a Palace clothing pack featuring 20 items, Palace decals, Palifornia license plate, Tri-Ferg character pose and Palace banner artwork.
Need for Speed Unbound will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from December 2*
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
The fate of the world is at stake in this comic-inspired tactical RPG. In Marvel’s Midnight Suns, players are the Hunter, raised from the depths by Doctor Strange and Nico Minoru to aid in the fight against Lilith, the Mother of Demons. Awoken by Doctor Faustus and Hydra, Lilith has been using her magic to corrupt anyone with superpowers to create an army of “The Fallen” to aid in her plans for domination of all worlds. It will be up to players to guide their Hunter through this twisted universe of demons, magic and superheroes in order to vanquish Lilith once and for all to restore order to the fabric of magic.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Doctor Strange Defenders skin. The Enhanced Edition includes a copy of the game and a set of five premium skins. The Digital+ Edition includes a copy of the game and a set of 11 premium skins. The Legendary Edition, which is only available via select retailers, includes a copy of the game, the Season Pass featuring four playable characters at launch and a set of 23 premium skins.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from December 2*
Hello Neighbor 2
Solve the mystery in this stealth-filled sequel. For Hello Neighbor 2, the setting switches to the idyllic town of Raven Brooks, where you have been sent to investigate the disappearance of a young boy. With the whole town available to explore, players will have to choose their moments wisely as they try and uncover what lies beneath the surface of the town. With each new neighbour designed with its own unique behaviours and AI, players will have to be more careful as they soon might find themselves being the target of scrutiny.
Players who pre-order will receive an exclusive Mr Peterson pin badge. The Deluxe Edition includes the game, five days Early Access and three DLC packs – Back to School, Late Fees and Hello-copter
Hello Neighbor 2 will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from December 6*
High on Life
Save humanity from aliens in this comedic action adventure. High on Life is set in a future where an alien cartel has come to Earth looking to harvest humans for be used as drugs. Playing as a bounty hunter, it will be up to players to fight the alien threat before all of humanity is harvested. In this galaxy-traversing mission, players are helped by Galatians – a set of sentient weapons each with their own unique voices, personalities, and abilities.
From the mind of Rick & Morty creator Justin Roiland, High on Life includes all the zany humour and irreverence that comes with Roiland’s brand of comedy. Through the course of this adventure, players will be able to learn more about their weapons through conversations as they build their skills and abilities to help in the mission to rescue humanity from their terrible fate.
High on Life will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC from December 13*
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
Go back to the past to understand the present with this chapter in the Final Fantasy VII story. In Crisis Core, players follow the story of Zack Fair. Part of the SOLDIER unit, the military division of Shinra, Zack is just starting out in his career when he starts investigating the mass disappearance of SOLDIER operatives. Teaming up with his mentor, Angeal, and the heroic Sephiroth, Zack starts to look deeper into Shinra and their dealings in Midgar. Along the way, he encounters some familiar faces that will shape Shinra’s legacy for years to come.
Players who pre-order will receive the SOLDIER Materia set with three additional materia. A Steelbook case is also available as a pre-order bonus via select retailers. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, a mini soundtrack and the HEROES Past and Present: The Art of Crisis Core artbook.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from December 13*
Free to Play
On Xbox, those with a Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will have two new titles to download and keep for free this month. Colt Canyon will be available from December 1-31* with Bladed Fury available from December 16 – January 15*
Over on PlayStation, there will be three titles available to download and keep through all tiers of a PlayStation Plus subscription. From December 6* Divine Knockout: Founder’s Edition and Biomutant will be available on both PS4 and PS5, with Mass Effect Legendary Edition available on PS4.
For those with linked Amazon Prime and Twitch accounts, there are eight games up for grabs this month via Prime Gaming. From December 1* the following games will be available for users:
- Quake
- Rose Riddle 2: Werewolf Shadow
- The Amazing American Circus
- Banners of Ruin
- Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
- Spinch
- Desert Child
- Doors: Paradox
Full details on how to claim these titles – along with drops and bonuses for other titles including Marvel’s Avengers, Destiny 2, League of Legends and Dead by Daylight – can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
December 1* – Romancing SaGa – Minstrel Song: Remastered (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC, iOS, Android), Papetura (Switch), Inscryption (Switch), The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution (Quest, PSVR), New Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja – T-Rex Edition (PS4, PS5, Switch), My Universe: My Baby Dragon (Switch)
December 2* – SubROV: Underwater Discoveries (PC – Steam Early Access), Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion (Switch), Last Days of Lazarus (PS5)
December 5* – Swordship (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
December 6* – Impaler (PC), Divine Knockout (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Knights of Honor 2: Sovereign (PC), Kynseed (PC), Kukoos: Lost Pets (PS4, Switch, PC), Redout 2: Deluxe Edition (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Cuphead: Physical Edition (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)
December 7* – Ixion (PC), Togges (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Zombie Cure Lab (PC – Steam Early Access)
December 8* – NecroBouncer (PC), The Rumble Fish 2 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Chained Echoes (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), House of the Dead: Remake – Limidead Edition (Xbox One, PS4), Crossfire: Legion (PC)
December 9* – Dragon Quest Treasures (Switch), Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent (PS4, Switch), Choo-Choo Charles (PC)
December 12* – Wavetale (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch)
December 13* – Infinite Guitars (Xbox One, PC, Switch), Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach – Collectors Edition (PS4, PS5)
December 14* – Formula Retro Racing – World Tour (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Lil Gator Game (PC, Switch)
December 15* – Blacktail (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), The Crackpet Show (Switch, PC), Aka (PC, Switch), Bots Are Stupid (PC)
December 16* – Cygnus Enterprises (PC – Steam Early Access), Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (Switch)
December 19* – WRC Generations (Switch)
December 22* – Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (PS4, PS5)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary. Dates subject to change. Information correct at time of writing
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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