Everyone knows a Fallout fan. Maybe you’ve even got a few of them in your life. If so, perhaps you can put a little spring back in their steps with The Outer Worlds. Developed by the team behind Fallout: New Vegas (and so many other wicked RPGs), this game is chock full of hard choices, clever dialogue, and incredible creativity. All without predatory business practices or hundreds and hundreds of glitches! Let the Fallout fan in your life experience joy and wonder once again. Let the healing begin!
Although this is the third item on our list to dig up a beloved old franchise entry, don’t lose heart! Unlike Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy VIII, Resident Evil 2 is a top-to-bottom retooling of a fan favorite. The classic horror game you know and love has been stripped to its skeleton, with entirely new flesh laid atop those spooky bones. Relive the heart-pounding terror of Mr. X in perfect 21st-century fidelity. This game looks so good you may experience heart palpitations. If you’ve got a Capcom devotee in your life who has somehow missed this gem, do them a massive favor this holiday season. Otherwise, this is a great chance to scare the crap out of a friend or loved one.
Kingdom Hearts III / Kingdom Hearts All In One Package
Shortly after Kingdom Hearts III came out, Square Enix released a massive bundle known as the All In One package. Between these two releases, the action RPG fan in your life will have several weeks and/or months of game time ahead of them. Assuming they’re also a Disney fan. Seriously, this is kind of a major element to bear in mind. Do you love Disney movies and all of their wacky characters? If not, maybe Stockholm Syndrome will kick in after the fourth or fifth adventure with Aladdin/Simba/Ariel. If nothing else, Goofy and Donald are so full of heart as to cripple you with feels pretty much all of the time. No other franchise nails that perfect blend of heartfelt and cheesy, a sumptuous draught sure to resonate with anyone on your shopping list.
From Software took their winning formula and affixed it to a brutal samurai epic, and we’re all the better for it. Shadows Die Twice is a divisive title among SoulsBorne fans for many reasons, not the least of which is all the easy mode controversy it inspired. Accessibility discussions aside, this newest foray into the punishing world of From Software features fun new mechanics like the grappling hook and immediate resurrection. You would assume that makes things easier, which it one thousand percent does not. Stick Sekiro under the tree with some caution, though if you’ve got a SoulsBorne fan in your life it’s more or less a slam dunk.