Beckons: What games to play in December and the festive season

The gaming industry seems insistent on continuing to offer us a whole variety of games up to the very end as we brace ourselves for a few big launches come over the next 10 days.

Hyderabad: As December draws closer, and we gear up for the ritualistic pause on all things new, the gaming industry seems insistent on continuing to offer us a whole variety of games up to the very end as we brace ourselves for a few big launches come over the next 10 days. Such has been the packed nature of the calendar this year that exciting new games have launched nearly every week for the last 48 weeks.

This week’s column is a simple one. It lists four yet to launch games, all releasing in the first ten days of the month that might be worth your time, offering new avenues for distraction as we gear up for the imminent festivity.

Thus, without much ado off we go to the games:

1. Marvel Rivals (December 6, 2024 on PS5, Series X/S, PC): From one of the most established makers of live-service games NetEase comes Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play team-based PVP shooter that seeks to offer players a multi-player experience of playing with some of their favourite characters.

Set to launch with 33 playable characters, including Avengers mainstays like Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and the Winter Soldier; the game is expected to offer players five unique locations and three unique game modes (Convoy, Domination, and Convergence) as part of a narrative where the multiverse collides and chaos reigns supreme.

2. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (December 9, 2024 on Series X/S, PC): Also launching this month is MachineGames’ interpretation of the iconic fedora-wearing, bullwhip cracking archaeologist.

The game’s plot is set between the films Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and the Last crusade (1989) and is set to offer players the opportunity to play as Indy in Italy, Thailand, Egypt, China and even visit the snowy caps of the Himalayas. I really look forward to the first-person experience of being Indy and cracking the whip.

3. UFL (December 5, 2024 on PS5, Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC): After 8 years in production and a few delays, players around the world finally have the opportunity to experience Srikerz Inc’s football game.

Set to compete against EA’s FC 25, UFL is free-to-play and the game’s makers have constantly reiterated a commitment to player skill and commitment and offer no pay2win elements. Expectations from the game are high as Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the cover star but has also invested 40 million of his own money into the project.

Made using Unreal Engine 5, the game looks both smooth and fluid and while licensing will always be a challenge for any EA competitor, this could be the start of reviving the genre. If you wish to start your UFL journey please be warned that the game offers very little variety in terms of game modes for now.

4. Monument Valley 3 (December 10, 2024 on Android and iOS): The last game on this list could be the most memorable experience of them all – a successor to one of the most beautiful and iconic mobile games ever made – Monument Valley.

The third entry in the franchise is commissioned by Netflix (what a coup) and is free to play for any subscriber of the streaming service. An incredible shot in the arm for Netflix Games, the makers hope to stay committed to the game’s iconic design language and approach to puzzles while introducing new dimensions like sailing and interacting with other characters. A must play for sure if it manages to extend the magic of the first two games.