As 2023 draws to a close, there are a wide variety of games released as the year ends. With a magical adventure making the leap from early access to a wonderous return to a rich universe, the chance to test your survival skills and even a couple of different ways to build your own life and thriving community, there is something for everyone this December.
SteamWorld Build
Break ground on a new home in the latest on the SteamWorld series. In SteamWorld Build, players will be able to create their own steam-powered towns across five new maps, inspired by the Old American West. Explore the land and discover resources to trade while also advancing technology for both improving the living standards of your town, but also to explore the worlds around you across four difficulty levels. If you are just looking to try and build the biggest and best settlement possible, there is also a sandbox mode to allow you to fully explore all the build options.
Also releasing on December 1* will be the SteamWorld Build & Dig Bundle, which will bring together both SteamWorld Build and the first SteamWorld Dig titles (Xbox and PlayStation only) and players will also be able to enjoy the SteamWorld Build soundtrack with an additional purchase (PC only)
SteamWorld Build will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from December 1*
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Dreams and Disney collide in this heartwarming sim leaving Early Access. Set in a world inhabited by some familiar faces, Disney Dreamlight Valley takes players on a journey through their dreams and memories and they try to solve a mysterious blight plaguing the land. With a little help from your new friends, players will be able to create their own valleys and bring everyone together once again. The game will also be launching alongside the first expansion – A Rift in Time – a new adventure on a whole new island with three new characters to meet and treasures to uncover.
Players who already own the game, or who purchase a Founder’s Pack before December 4*, will receive the cosmetic items from the Gold Edition – the Artist costume overalls, Flowery Capybara companion and Flowery Summer Cottage house style. The Standard Edition includes a copy of the base game and 8,000 Moonstones. The physical Cosy Edition includes the game, 14,500 moonstones, poster, sticker sheet, and a collection of in-game cosmetics for your home, character and companion. The digital Gold Edition includes a copy of the game, the Expansion Pass – which includes A Rift in Time – 15,000 moonstones and a cosmetic items pack.
Disney Dreamlight Valley will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from December 5*
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Explore a new side of Pandora in this action adventure from the Avatar universe. In Frontiers of Pandora, players are a Na’vi orphan who was raised and trained by the humans in the Resources Development Administration (RDA) and later being put into suspended animation. 15 years later, you awake in an abandoned facility with no home, no help and no plan other than to seek out the rest of the Na’vi people. This will take players to the previously unseen western frontiers of the planet as they must navigate the unfamiliar terrain and the realities of what their past brings to their future.
Players who pre-order will receive the Child of Two Worlds pack, featuring a cosmetic set and weapon skin. The Gold Edition includes a copy of the game and the Season Pass, which includes two story packs – The Sky Breaker and Secrets of the Spires – along with the Familiar Echoes bonus quest and Resistance bundle. The Ultimate Edition includes a copy of the game, Season Pass, digital art book and the Ultimate Pack – which includes character gear and a bonus weapon along with additional cosmetic sets.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from December 7*
The Day Before
Fight to survive in this post-apocalyptic MMO. Set on the East Coast of America, The Day Before puts players in the thick of the action as they have to survive in what remains. Every decision will matter as you navigate this new world. From how to deal with the infected, who to join, who to leave behind and where to build, the player’s freedom of choice – and living with the consequences – are key elements. To help explore, players will be able to use vehicles to get around New Fortune City to find supplies and complete missions to help everyone make it through another day.
First announced in 2021, December 2023 will see The Day Before entering Early Access to allow players to help the team with future developments and resolve any issues before the full launch. There will be plenty of obstacles for players to overcome as they take their first steps in the city – with changing weather conditions and other, more hostile, players to contend with. Players will also be able to team up with others to complete various missions, grow settlements or deal with other…problems.
The Day Before will be available on PC from December 7*
The Sims 4: For Rent
Bring people together in this latest expansion for The Sims 4. With The Sims 4: For Rent, players can become landlords with the new Residential Rentals lot type. From basement apartments to duplexes and multi-occupancy lots, players can discover a whole new type of sim drama right on their doorstep as they deal with their new tenants. A good landlord who takes care of everyone or a bad landlord facing constant complaints – the choice is yours to make. There is also a new location to explore in the South-Asian-inspired world of Tomarang, which is nestled between a lush tropical landscape and all the hustle and bustle of a vibrant city.
Players who pre-order (or purchase before January 18) will receive the Street Eats digital content pack – which includes the Quick Treats grill, Streetside Stars shade and Peak Freshness fruit basket.
The Sims 4: For Rent will be available on PC and Mac from December 7*
House Flipper 2
Grab your tools and get flipping in this crafty sequel. Between the mountains and the sea lies the quiet town of Pinnacove, the setting for House Flipper 2. Starting out as a rookie flipper, players will be able to learn all the tricks of the trade as they refurbish and renovate a whole host of different homes, with a little help from your old friend Tom along the way. Whether it is a quick fix on a couple of rooms or a whole top-to-bottom renovation, players will be able to play their way in each project to complete their remit and give the clients their dream spots.
Along with the story mode, there is also the sandbox mode which will bring total building freedom. In this mode, players won’t just be renovating homes, they will be building them. With the sandbox, players will be able to create anything they choose – from their own dream home come to life or even try their hand at recreating real-life builds in the game. Builds that will look even crisper and true to life thanks to the new visuals for House Flipper 2.
House Flipper 2 will be available on PC from December 14*
Free to Play
On PlayStation, Plus subscribers from all tiers will be able to download and keep three new games for free this month. From December 5*, Lego 2K Drive and Powerwash Simulator will be available on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with Sable available for PlayStation 5.
Over on Prime Gaming, there are seven games which will be available throughout the month to download and keep for free:
- Deathloop (December 7*)
- Akka Arrh (December 14*)
- Aground (December 14*)
- SeaOrama: World of Shipping (December 14*)
- Kombinera (December 21*)
- A Tiny Sticker Sale (December 28*)
- Asteroids: Recharged (December 28*)
Full details on how to claim these games, along with drops for Valorant, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and F1 23, can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
December 1* – Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (Switch), Batman Arkham Trilogy (Switch), SteamWorld Build (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Ps4, PS5, Switch, PC), The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Wizard with a Gun (PS5), Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (PS5, Switch), My Time at Sandrock (PS5)
December 5* – The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria (PS5), Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong (Switch), A Highland Song (PC, Switch), Skater XL (Switch), Sonic Dream Team (iOS), Arms Race 2 (PC), Kingpin Reloaded (Xbox Series X/S, Ps5, Switch, PC), Fisting Boxing Fist of the North Star (Switch), The Anacrusis (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
December 7* – Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Smalland: Survive The Wild (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Outer Wilds (Switch), LEGO Bricktales (Quest), Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance (PC), Arizona Sunshine 2 (Quest, PC VR, PSVR 2), Football Manager 2024 (PS5)
December 8* – Against The Storm (PC), Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties: Definitive Edition (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), My Time At Sandrock (Xbox Series X/S), My Time at Sandrock: Collector’s Edition (PS5), Quantum Error (PS5), World of Horror (Switch), Star Wars Heritage Pack (Switch)
December 12* – Hammerwatch II (PS5, Switch), Spongebob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake (iOS, Android)
December 14* – Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (PS4, PS5, PC), River Tails: Stronger Together (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero – The Indigo Disk (Switch)
December 20* – Resident Evil 4 (Remake) (Mac, iOS)
December 22* – Railbreak (Xbox Series X/S)
December 31* – Blazing Strike (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary. Information is correct at the time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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