As 2021 ends, the world of video games brings a varied mix of adventures for this final month. While the return of a beloved franchise is on the horizon, tales of mystery and intrigue across time, rooting out imposters and exploring new worlds also await players with December’s video game releases.
Solar Ash
Journey through space in this adventure platformer from Annapurna Interactive. In Solar Ash, players take on the role of Rei, a young Voidrunner. On a mission to save her homeworld, Rei must brave travelling through the Ultravoid, a massive black hole-like entity that is swallowing worlds throughout the universe. On this perilous journey, players will discover landscapes both beautiful and deadly, massive monsters who dwell within the void as well as other people, with whom Rei can choose to build a bond with to help combat the loneliness of the Ultravoid.
Those who pre-purchase Solar Ash on PC via the Epic Games store will receive a discount on their order.
Solar Ash will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC from December 2*
Chorus
A pilot faces her haunted past in this space-faring adventure. Struggling to deal with her checkered past, Chorus is the story of Nara. The pilot of a sentient starfighter named Forsaken, Nara was once part of an elite group of warriors known as the Circle. Trained to be their deadliest weapon, Nara has honed her mind-bending abilities and weapon crafting skills over the years. Now out on her own, Nara is on a mission to destroy the cult the Circle has become before they, and their leader the Great Prophet, take over the galaxy.
Players who pre-order will receive an exclusive Forsaken ship keyring. The Day One Edition includes the game and the Elder Armor set. Paying homage to the military past of Nara and the exalted members of the Circle, this cosmetic set can be applied to Forsaken and weapons alike.
Chorus will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC and Stadia from December 3*
Halo Infinite
The iconic saga returns for a new chapter with the latest Halo release. Continuing from the events of Halo 4 and Halo 5: Guardians, Halo Infinite will see players step into Master Chief’s world once more. Now on the hunt for Cortana and the Forerunner Guardians, players will take Master Chief from the Zeta Halo at Installation 07 across the universe in order to find the AI known as “The Weapon” as she may hold the key to not only finding Cortana but also putting an end to her quest for AI domination, a plan which may be hampered by the arrival of The Banished.
To celebrate the release of Halo Infinite and the 20th Anniversary of the Halo franchise, a limited-edition Halo Infinite Xbox Series X bundle will be available, featuring a specially designed Halo Infinite console and wireless controller along with a copy of Halo Infinite. There will also be a limited-edition Halo Infinite Elite Series 2 wireless controller available to purchase separately. The Steelbook Edition, available at select retailers includes a copy of the game, an additional nameplate and emblem, Zeta Sky armour and weapon coating, with an exclusive T-shirt available as a pre-order bonus item.
Halo Infinite will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC from December 8*
Syberia: The World Before
Explore a story that transcends time in this adventurous puzzle solver. In Syberia: The World Before, the story focuses on two young women in very different times. In 1937, Dana Roze is a 17-year-old pianist just starting out in her career under the looming shadow of fascism slowly spreading throughout Europe. In 2004, returning Syberia protagonist Kate Walker is on her own journey of self-discovery, which soon turns into a fight for survival after she is imprisoned in the depths of a salt mine.
Players who pre-order will receive a digital artbook. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, a copy of the game’s soundtrack, a short version of the game’s prologue script and a Game Fan kit featuring wallpapers, avatars, and storyboards from artist Benoit Sokal.
Syberia: The World Before will be available on PC from December 10*
Among Us: Crewmate Edition
Root out the imposters as the smash-hit game makes its way to console. In Among Us, players are crewmates working together across various maps to complete tasks and keep their exploration missions going. However, all is not as it seems – some crew members are Imposters. For the Imposters, the goal is to destroy the mission and kill the crewmates until no one is left standing. Crewmates must come together and root out the imposters before it’s too late.
This console exclusive edition includes the base game and all DLC – including skins, pets, mini crewmates, additional maps, and in-game items. The Crewmate Edition also includes one of 12 special edition Mira HQ Access Cards, a 3D lenticular case, Imposter Syndrome sticker sheet, a Skeld map poster and a code to redeem a set of wallpapers designed by Innersloth’s Amy Liu.
Among Us: Crewmate Edition will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 from December 14*
Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach
Survive the night if you can with the latest from Five Night’s at Freddy’s. In Five Night’s At Freddy’s Security Breach, players are Gregory, a young boy who finds himself trapped inside Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex one night. Unfortunately for Gregory, this makes him a target for the mall’s animatronic mascots, who have been corrupted by Glitchtrap. Assisting Glitchtrap in this horrific scheme is one of their most loyal followers, a rabbit mascot named Vanny.
With help along the way from a security guard Vanessa, friendly animatronic Sunnydrop and Glamrock Freddy, players will be tackling puzzle-solving, careful evasion and how to stay out of sight of the corrupted creatures. New additions to the FNAF franchise include boss fights, unlockable arcade minigames, office escape games, a glam rock version of the series stalwart Chica along with new characters Montgomery Gator and Roxanne Wolf.
Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC from December 16*
Free to Play
Players with an Xbox Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will have four new titles to add to their libraries this month. On Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, The Escapists 2 will be available from December 1-31*, with Tropico 5 – Penultimate Edition available from December 16* to January 15*. On Xbox 360 (and Xbox One/Series X/Series S via Backwards Compatibility) Orcs Must Die! Will be available from December 1-15*, followed by Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet from December 16-31*.
Details on this month’s PlayStation Plus line-up for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, along with the new additions to the PlayStation Now subscription service can be found on the PlayStation Blog.
Over on Prime Gaming, there are a whole host of free games and in-game perks to choose from this month. From December 1*, the following games will be available to claim and keep for free:
- Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered
- Frostpunk
- Journey to the Savage Planet
- Football Manager 2021
- Morkredd
- Spellcaster University
- YouTubers Life
- Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
- Tales of Monkey Island: Complete Pack
Details on how to claim these games, as well as exclusive content for games including Battlefield 2042, Apex Legends, Genshin Impact, can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
December 1* – Wartales (PC – Steam Early Access)
December 2* – Century: Age of Ashes (PC), Fights in Tight Spaces (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC), Anvil: Vault Breakers (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S – Xbox Game Preview, PC – Steam Early Access), Archvale (Xbox One, PC, Switch), Mechajammer (PC), KungFu Kickball (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Cricket 22: The Official Game of the Ashes (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Warhammer 40K: Battlesector (Xbox One, PS4), Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – New Edition (PS5), My Universe: Doctors and Nurses (Switch), The Smurfs: Mission ViLeaf (PS5), Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All – Limited Edition (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)
December 3* – Big Brain Academy: Brain vs Brain (Switch), Grim Dawn: Definitive Edition (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S), Nascar 21: Ignition (PS4), Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition (Switch), The Wild At Heart (PS4, Switch), The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos (PS5), Disney Classic Games: Definitive Edition (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)
December 4* – Icarus (PC)
December 6* – Neversong (Switch)
December 7* – White Shadows (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (PS4, PS5, PC), Thunder Tier One (PC), Heavenly Bodies (PS4, PS5, PC), Thymesia (PC), Rune Factory 4 Special (Xbox One, PS4, PC), SpellForce 3: Reforced (Xbox Series X/S, PS4), Gear Club Unlimited 2: Ultimate Edition/Gear Club Ultimate 2: Definitive Edition (PS4, PS5, Switch), Gang Beasts (Switch), Beyond A Steel Sky – Steelbook Edition (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch)
December 8* – Startup Panic (PC)
December 9* – Breakwaters (PC – Steam Early Access), Monster Rancher 1& 2 DX (Switch, PC, iOS), KEO (PC), Monopoly Madness (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Switch)
December 10* – The Eternal Cylinder (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S), Disney Classic Games: Definitive Edition (PS4)
December 14* – Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
December 15* – Rogue Invader (PC)
December 16* – The Gunk (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC), Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo (PC), Trash Sailors (PC), Alien: Isolation (Android, iOS)
December 17* – Aspire: Ina’s Tale (Xbox One, Switch, PC)
December 31* – Surviving The Aftermath (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and dates are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing
Words by Megan Roxburgh