The Month in Games – December 2024

0
68
©Grinding Gear Games/InFold Pte. Ltd/NetEase Games/Bethesda Softworks/Crystal Dynamics/Aspyr Media/Digital Eclipse

As 2024 draws to a close, there is still one more batch of gaming delights to explore. From doing battle with the dead, going on colourful adventures, searching for hidden treasures, taking a trip through time or exploring a classic brought back to life, there is something for everyone to enjoy rounding out the year.


Path of Exile 2

The dead are rising and madness is spreading in this top-down action RPG. Path of Exile II takes players to the world of Wraeclast, a land of peace and prosperity free from any sources of Corruption. That is until the arrival of the Count of Ogham, who has set Corruption loose in the hopes of bolstering his own power. From the forests of Ogham, across the Vastiri Desert to the ruins of Utzaal, nowhere is safe from the effects of the Seed of Corruption as players will venture through the lands – either solo or in up to six-player co-op – and find a way to survive in this new and twisted world.

Players will be able to purchase one of a selection of Supporters Packs, which will be available while Path of Exile II is in Early Access. These packs will allow access to the game on launch day along with a selection of bonus items according to their chosen pack. Packs can be upgraded after purchase and the three highest tier packs – Thaumaturge of the Vaal, Warlord of the Karui and Liberator of Wraeclast – also include physical bonus items for players. Full details on the packs can be found on the Path of Exile II website.

Path of Exile 2 will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from December 5*


Infinity Nikki

Every leap reveals a new moment in this whimsical adventure. Infinity Nikki will bring Nikki and Mom to Miraland, a world of nations full of their own unique cultures and environments. By blending fashion with exploration, players can mix up their wardrobes to explore each nation to its full potential. Whether it is enjoying a spot of fishing, gliding through the skies or simply enjoying a bike ride in the countryside, players will be able to document their adventures with Nikki’s trusty camera It won’t all be plain sailing though, as Nikki soon realises there is something dark just bubbling under the surface in this idyllic land.

Players who pre-register will unlock a selection of bonus items at launch – including 50,000 Bling, 300 Threads of Purity, 20 Resonite Crystals and the Far & Away outfit.

Infinity Nikki will be available on PlayStation 5, PC and Mobile from December 5*


Marvel Rivals

Assemble your squad and get ready to fight in this multiverse shooter. In Marvel Rivals, players will be able to choose from a vast array of Marvel Heroes and Villains as they create their dream squads for battle. With the merciless clash between Doctor Doom and his counterpart from 2099 reaching new levels of chaos, universes have collided in the Timestream Entanglement. In 6v6 combat in worlds across the Marvel Multiverse, players will traverse the worlds to reach the ultimate goal – tracking down both versions of Doctor Doom and stopping the Entanglement from sowing more chaos and destruction before it is too late for everyone.

Players on PC will be able to pre-download the game from December 4* to be able to play on launch day. Players on PlayStation 5 will unlock a special Scarlet Spider skin for Spider-Man at launch.

Marvel Rivals will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from December 6*


Indiana Jones and The Great Circle

Indy is back for an all-new adventure in this globe-trotting adventure. Set in 1937 – between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones is on the trail of stolen artefacts once more. After a robbery at Marshall College by a man known only as Locus, Jones heads to Italy to learn more about the history of the artefacts. Once there, he uncovers a legend involving a “circle” around the world – a group of perfectly aligned locations around the world which have come to be the sites of spiritual significance over the centuries. Teaming up with investigative reporter Gina Lombardi, Jones sets off to uncover the truth about what this circle could mean for the future of the world.

Players who pre-order any edition will unlock the Last Crusade Pack with a bonus outfit and Lion Tamer whip. The Premium Edition includes a copy of the game, up to three days of Early Access, Story DLC, a Temple of Doom outfit and digital artbook. The Collectors Edition includes the game, all the content in the Premium Edition, a jumbo Steelbook display case, Great Circle 11” Globe, a Journal and Relic replica. Players will also be able to purchase a Premium Upgrade for the Standard Edition with all the Premium Edition content (requires base game or Game Pass to play)

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle will be available on Xbox Series X/S and PC from December 9*


Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered

Forge your own destiny in this anniversary remaster. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 follows the story of the vampire Raziel. Once a loyal lieutenant of Nosgoth’s ruler Kain, he is sentenced to death for the crime of growing wings, marking a new step in vampire evolution, which Kain is ruthlessly jealous of. Resurrected by the Elder God as a Wraith, Raziel is tasked with destroying Kain, which will end Nosgoth’s eternal decay and restore the land to its former glory. But that is not his only quest, as Raziel is also keen to unlock his own past from his life as a human and find his freedom once more.

Players who pre-order on select platforms will receive a 10% discount on their purchase. Players who purchase on PlayStation will be able to play the games on both PS4 and PS5.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from December 10*


Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind

Double trouble awaits our heroes in this side-scrolling arcade trip. In Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, the heroes are doing battle with a robotic reincarnation of Rita Repulsa when she decides to retreat through a portal. But this is no normal portal as it brings Rita to her younger self and the two quickly realise that working together might be the key to achieving their goals. Amassing an army, the two Ritas are out to remix and rewrite history – stopping the Power Rangers’ formation altogether as one of their ultimate goals.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from December 10*


Free to Play

Players with an active PlayStation Plus subscription of any tier will have three titles to add to their libraries for free this month. From December 3* Temtem will be available on PlayStation 5, with Aliens: Dark Descent and It Takes Two available for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Details on how to claim these titles, along with some of the festivities for PlayStation’s 30th anniversary can be found on the PlayStation Store.

The Prime Gaming website has information on this month’s selection of free-to-claim games on Prime Gaming—including those that will be available on Amazon’s Luna cloud streaming service.

Also Released This Month

December 2* – Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete (iOS, Android), Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP (Xbox One, PS4)

December 3* – Antonblast (Switch, PC), Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (PS5), Lorelei and The Laser Eyes (PS4, PS5), Diesel Legacy: The Brazen Age (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC)

December 4* – Delta Force: Hawk Ops (PC), The Edge of Allegoria (PC), The Thaumaturge (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Morkull Ragast’s Rage (PS5, Switch)

December 5* – Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer (Switch), Skydance’s Behemoth (Meta Quest, PS VR2), Fantasian Neo Dimension (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Bridge Constructor Studio (Quest 2, Quest 3), Caves of Qud (PC), RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic (Switch), Heaven Seeker: The Saviour of This Cruel World (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC, iOS, Android), Lapin (Switch), Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC), Overthrown (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC – Early Access), Railroads Online (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – Aiko’s Choice (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Stella of the End (Switch), Stranger Things VR (PS VR2, Steam VR), Symphonia (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Abyss Seeker: What To You See Deep in The Abyss (PC), Savant: Ascent REMIX (Switch), Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Under Defeat (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)

December 6* – Tomb Stalkers (PC), MACROSS: Shooting Insight (PS4, PS5, Switch), Nikoderiko: the Magical World (PC), Real Heroes: Firefighter HD (PS5), Dog Man: Mission Impawsible (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)

December 9* – Among Ashes (PS5, PC), A Date With Death – Beyond The Bet (PC, Mac, Linux)

December 10* – Monument Valley 3 (Netflix), Resident Evil 2 Remake (iOS), TAITO Milestones 3 (Switch)

December 11* – Fairy Tail 2 (PC)

December 12* – Clone Drone in the Hyperdome (Quest, PC VR), Exercise Your Demons (Quest), The Finals (PS4), The Spirit of the Samurai (PC), Besiege (PS4, PS5, PC)

December 13* – Fairy Tail 2 (PS4, PS5, Switch), Chernobylite Complete Edition (Switch), Xuan Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament (PS5), Seedsow Lullaby (PC)

December 16* – On Your Tail, (PC)

December 17* – Flint: Treasure of Oblivion (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Botany Manor (PS4, PS5), Squid Game: Unleashed (Netflix)

December 18* – Dredge (iOS, Android, Mac), Masters of Light (PS VR2)

December 19* – Alien: Rogue Incursion (Meta Quest, PS VR2), Global Companions (PC), Tokyo Clanpool (PC)

December 30* – Wobbly Life (Switch)

*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary. Information correct at time of writing.


Words by Megan Roxburgh

Support The Indiependent

We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here