Christmas game plan
LIVING with a gamer when you’re not one yourself can be a real pain at the best of times, but especially at Christmas.
And while 2021 has been a mixed bag – thanks to Covid – there’s still been some cracking games released.
But what is the gamer in your life hoping to find sitting under the tree come the big day? What title have they not considered buying, that you could surprise them with?
If they’re too big to write Santa a list, and you’re desperate for a little inspiration, then allow me to be of assistance.
Disco Elysium – The Final Cut (PEGI 18) PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX X/S, Switch, PC, iOS
Definitive editions are a great place to start if they’ve never played a title before, as they collect together everything that’s previously been released for it.
And it’s not often a developer will actually enhance that edition with new content, like ZA/UM has done with Disco Elysium – The Final Cut.
In this cult RPG you play a detective with a unique skill set, and a whole city block to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders, or take bribes, you can decide to be a hero or become scum of the Earth. Razor sharp writing combines effortlessly with the title’s unique game mechanics to create a fully realised world begging to be explored.
What’s even better is you can buy a physical copy of the game rather than just a download code – although Switch owners will have to wait until next year for that.
Hades
(PEGI 12) PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX XS, Switch, PC
An indie title that may have skimmed under their radar, but one that absolutely deserves their attention.
Hades is a god-like, rogue-like dungeon crawler that has you befriending ghosts, gods and monsters in a bid to escape the underworld.
It follows the journey of Zagreus, prince of the Underworld, who is trying to slip the clutches of his father, Hades, and reach the heights of Mount Olympus.
The game’s hack and slash system ensures combat is frenetic and visceral, with Zag taking on increasing waves of enemies as he makes his way through a random series of dungeons on his quest for freedom.
Along the way he’ll encounter a wonderful cast of Olympians who bestow him with gifts and magical abilities which you can combine with your swordplay for inventive and entertaining battles.
Developed by just 20 people, Hades hugely punches above its weight – a fact borne out after it was named Game of the Year at this year’s Game Developers Choice Awards.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (PEGI 7) PS5
If your gamer is lucky enough to own a PS5, then this is a title they should be playing on it.
A direct sequel to 2016’s Ratchet and Clank, this PlayStation exclusive fast became one of the best of 2021.
Graphically it’s stunning, the cartoon environments so beautifully realised they’re almost tangible on the screen.
Ratchet and Clank themselves have never looked better, the old friends feeling fresh and vibrant thanks to the power of the new console. Gameplay is a mix of third person shooter and platforming, with controls that are intuitive enough to pick up almost instantly.
With a surprisingly touching script, and some lovely little ‘in’ jokes, its writing is sharp and witty and draws you completely into the adventure.
Even better, as it’s been out for a few months, you’re bound to find it for a bargain price.
Back 4 Blood (PEGI 18) PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX XS, PC
If your older gamer likes a bit of grit and gore on their console, then this could be the game for them.
This online multiplayer survival horror is the spiritual successor to the Left 4 Dead series, as it’s developed by the same people and carries across several gameplay themes.
Back 4 Blood’s primary game sees you join a four-person team of postapocalypse survivors, known as ‘Cleaners’, who battle their way through maps populated with zombie-like creatures called The Ridden.
Depending on preference, you can choose to play with three AI (computer controlled) teammates, or go online and share the adventure with three friends.
If they want to amp up the action, there’s Swarm mode – an eightperson PVP (player v player) mode, which has four people play as
Cleaners, and four play as The Ridden.
There’s also a strong theme of ‘deckbuilding’ where players use ‘cards’ to adjust various elements of gameplay, such as health, stamina, and damage dealt.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
(PEGI 12) PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX X/S, PC, Switch
This was released last year, but is now available on the PS5, and XBOX X/S – and I can’t recommend it enough.
If you have a gamer of a certain age, then they will absolutely have heard of this – if not already played it in the past.
If your gamer is younger, they may not have considered just how much fun virtual skateboarding can be.
Rightly considered one of the greatest sporting games of all time, Pro Skater brought skateboarding to the masses.
Vicarious Visions has neatly bundled both games together, stripping them to their bare and essential elements, then layering them with tweaks and extras.
Visually it’s breathtaking. Skating environments have been rendered with rich texture and colour, the drops are now vertigo-inspiring, the sunlight dazzling, the shadows deep and enriching.
As for the skateboarding itself, none of the adrenaline-pumping action has been sacrificed, and there have been some new tricks added from later franchise entries to help you boost your total as the timer ticks down.