The holidays are already stressful enough, so let us help you navigate through it by offering some suggestions for gifts you can give to the gamers in your life with our holiday gift guide!
VERY MERRY GAMES
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster for PC, Playstation and Xbox – $50
While it’s not quite to the level of a full on remake, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster refreshes and improves the classic zombie game. The quality of life additions, like moving while shooting and more fluid controls, make it easier than ever to enjoy a classic Capcom title. The photography is still an engaging system and Frank West straddles the line between arrogant jerk and lovable anti-hero perfectly. If you’re scared of the timer, think of it like a prototype of modern roguelikes, and you will have a great time slaughtering the undead in a mall. (James)
There aren’t a lot of games that hold a nostalgic space in my mind, but the first Dead Rising is one of them. Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster brings back everything from the original, as it exists in my mind. Having not replayed the original since around its release in 2006, the visual tweaks and different voice actors for Frank West doesn’t phase me one bit. The game is the right kind of janky, with unique mechanics and systems that don’t seem to make much of an appearance in modern games. While things can be cruel and unforgiving at times, the amount of levity and joy brought on by the goofy quests, bizarre boss battles and just all around silly nature of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is just the escape I need around the holidays in 2024. (Austin)
You can read our review of the game for more information.
Monster Hunter Stories 1 for Nintendo Switch, PC and Playstation – $30
Back in 2016, Capcom and Marvelous teamed up to take a whack at bringing Monster Hunter into the turn-based RPG world with a 3DS title called Monster Hunter Stories and this year it was re-released to be on more modern platforms. Starting you off in a village that was once terrorized by an angry Ratha and later concerned about the encroaching Black Blight, you become a rider to team up with monsters (known colloquially as monsties) to save the village. Mechanically, it’s very much a Monster Hunter game with a linear progression system on gear requiring monster parts and collecting resources out in the wild. The big change is combat, being turn-based with a set of attacks that counter each other ala Rock-Paper-Scissors. Monster dens can be invaded to steal eggs from to hatch new monsties and the rite of channeling can be performed to give your monsties new movies and resistances. Monster Hunter Stories is a surprisingly robust game with a set of interesting parallels to how the mainline series works to give a shockingly good RPG experience. (Nick)
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox – $50
Not too long ago, there was no easy way to play the 4th, 5th, and 6th mainline entries of the Ace Attorney series, especially for new fans who got into the series with the original trilogy’s multiplatform release, but that all changed with the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy. This collection includes Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice, including the cases that were originally DLC. It also has a variety of extras, like a concept art gallery and the new Animation Studio feature that lets you set up your own scenes. Whether you’re a new fan eager to continue the main series after the trilogy or an old fan who wants to experience them again with some bonus features, it’s an excellent choice for any Ace Attorney fan. (Samantha)
You can read our review of the game for more information.
Thank Goodness You’re Here! for Nintendo Switch, PC and Playstation – $20
Comedy is really hard, especially in video games. Thank Goodness You’re Here manages to deliver constant laughs in every aspect of its design. Delightfully weird, intensely British and extremely charming, I plan to bring this game out during those mandatory family gatherings to distract folks from conversations, and be reminded of what it’s like to experience Joy. I Cannot wait to see what comes next from developer Coal Supper. (Austin)
I’m a big fan of British comedies like The IT Crowd and Peep Show, so the prospect of a British comedy-filled game with a goofy world of silly characters (with a commercial narrated by Matt Berry, no less) had me instantly intrigued. For its entire briskly paced run, Thank Goodness You’re Here had me snickering at the bizarre and jovial world that’s filled to the brim with delightful weirdos who spout off nonsequiturs like it’s going out of style. There’s really nothing quite like this game, and anyone in need of a laugh would have a great time with it. (Spencer)
You can read our review of the game for more information.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for Playstation – $70
The sheer amount of content within Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is staggering. While it sometimes feels overwhelming, there is hardly a chance to become bored. Rebirth takes a lot of lessons learned from Remake and the original Final Fantasy 7, and amps things up another notch. I am not sure if I will ever find the time to finish this game, especially when I keep getting pulled back in for more Queen’s Blood and Chocobo Racing. Hope you saved room in your schedule for another massive RPG this year. (Austin)
In the current era of games, it’s rare to feel genuinely blown away by something. Somehow Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth does this every 10 hours or so. So many systems, mechanics, and mini games you rarely feel bored. It’s an Insane spectacle on a scale you rarely see anymore, buoyed by fantastic combat, and one of the greatest stories to grace the medium. FF7 Rebirth feels like the legendary Square Enix of the early aughts came back to show everyone how it’s done. You will be addicted to Queen’s Blood. (Joe)
You can read our review of the game for more information.
Slitterhead for PC, Playstation and Xbox – $50
If you’ve been itching to relive that 360 era style of game, boy do I have the one for you. Slitterhead, the debut game from new studio Bokeh which is made up of former Project Siren developers, is an action horror game where you take over human bodies to fight back against an invading force of disgusting creatures called “Slitterheads”. The game’s core gimmick is being able to possess most any human you find while exploring the streets of Kowlong, and while most humans have a weak affinity for combat, you’ll be able to find special ones that are particularly equipped to dispatch monsters. One human in particular allowed me to infuse blood bullets into my shotgun that absolutely shredded enemies, or another grew oversized wolverine claws. It can be a bit clunky, but when you’re in a good groove the combat can feel pretty hectic, in a good way, as you’re zipping across the battlefield quickly swapping human bodies and keeping the enemies disoriented. It’s a neat game that unfortunately suffers from some of that same jank of the 360 era, but for some folk that’s an appealing aspect. (Diego)
You can read our review of the game for more information.
CHEERY CARD GAMES
Magic the Gathering Foundations Beginner Box and Foundations Starter Collection – $30/$65
Magic: The Gathering recently released The Foundations Beginners Box and the Foundations Starter Collection, both ideal gifts for anyone who enjoys playing the card game. Each box contains various cards and accessories that both newcomers and veterans of the game can enjoy.
The Beginner Box can be bought on Amazon for $30.99. Players will receive access to a guide that teaches them how to play, two 20-card decks based on cats and vampires, eight themed packets that they can use to build their unique deck, two playmats, and two Life Counters. The Beginner Box is particularly great if you’re purchasing this for someone who doesn’t know too much about Magic: The Gathering because it has everything they need to get their collection going.
The Starter Collection will also go on sale on November 15 and can be purchased on Amazon for $59.99. Those who buy the Starter Collection will receive six borderless cards and 10 full-art land cards, 75 cards that are Rare or higher, and 26 Rare or Mythic Rare-grade traditional foil cards. The Starter Collection will include three play boosters, a deck-building guide, a click wheel to track the player’s health, and a storage box with dividers. Lastly, the Starter Collection will include 387 cards in total for players to use and build their deck.
Magic: The Gathering has been busy lately. Earlier this year, the company collaborated with Ubisoft to create Assassin’s Creed-themed cards and recently announced a new Secret Lair drop centered on Marvel heroes. (Luis)
