Christmas is coming around faster than we can keep track of, and if you have any friends or family who enjoy video games, your Gaming Editors have compiled a list of gift ideas so that you know exactly what to get them.
To start with, some of the most anticipated games from the last year or two – we’ve chosen a few that we recommend from personal experience, and a few that we’re really excited about!
Baldur’s Gate 3: A fantasy, plot-rich RPG for those who like D&D or high fantasy. It features a detailed character creator and companions that you can get emotionally attached to quicker than you can imagine! You don’t have to know any Dungeons and Dragons context to enjoy designing your perfect character and making choices that determine how your story ends. From visually stunning graphics to a lore-rich plot, hours will be spent exploring the land of Faerûn with absolutely zero regrets.
Spider-Man 2 PS5: If you see Spider-Man and Miles Morales around your friend or loved one’s home, they may be missing the third instalment of the series. Spider-Man fans have commended this game, as well as its predecessors, for how it effectively weaves into its narrative lore from across Spider-Man’s history paired with inspired gameplay as you swing around New York.
Until Dawn: Remastered: Originally released in 2015, this remaster of the famous choose-your-own-adventure game updates the visuals alongside the new tech of the PS5. The plot remains the same as the original, but if stunning visuals are your loved one’s priority, this version is the perfect one to choose. Alternatively, the same developer – Supermassive Games – has collaborated with Dead by Daylight to create The Casting of Frank Stone. Both of these games are perfect for someone who likes a horror game that won’t be giving anyone nightmares – or perhaps they will and that’s what you’re looking for…
Dragon Age: The Veilguard: Another single player fantasy RPG that allows you to lead a group of NPCs through a dangerous quest. It features another detailed character creator and incredible visuals that really immerse you into its universe. A must for your fantasy obsessed gamer. Note that this game follows the prior Dragon Age games, so the whole series may be worth looking into as well!
The newly released S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 is a thrilling survival horror game set in Chernobyl. Made by a Ukrainian game development team, this game has a distinctly Eastern European setting, allowing gamers to be immersed in and carve their own path through a post-apocalyptic world. The gamer chooses how to explore a dangerous world that is filled with enemies, artifacts and even anomalies. If your gamer is adrenaline seeking or maybe enjoyed playing the Metro series, this modern open world sequel might be for them.
If you’re looking for a fun game to play together at Christmas you could consider getting a game like Overcooked 2 or Castle Crashers. Overcooked 2 allows you to work together (or compete against if you would prefer that) in order to complete orders. This game is a race against the clock and lots of fun.
Castle Crashers is a game where you and your friends team up, using magic to defeat monsters in order to defeat a dark wizard and save some princesses. If your gaming-inclined friend laughs a little too much at a bit of toilet humour and enjoys a silly adventure game, this could be the perfect present.
Now, onto smaller, more varied gifts!
Everyone likes to customise their belongings, and whether your loved one has a Nintendo Switch or a console controller, there are various themed joystick covers and cases in a countless number of themes! Additionally, there are console and controller wraps and skins available, from Spider-Man to galaxy prints (which 2016 loved), there’s something for everyone.
If you want something more creative, getting some gaming-inspired art is the way to go! Redbubble has lots of different art prints, stickers, t-shirts and even tote bags inspired by games. Stickers can be a great gift, as they are relatively inexpensive and allow for fun customisation. If you’re looking for something more unique, Etsy has art prints and posters as well, but it also has figurines, lamps, and even jewellery inspired by games! If you’re looking for jewellery inspired by The Legend of Zelda you should check out @aptfiive on Instagram for creative designs.
Of course, games don’t necessarily have to be online; you could consider buying the gamer in your life a card game or even a board game. Board games can be something fun to do on Christmas day (dependent on how competitive and argumentative you and your family are).
If you’re looking for a game that will probably end in an argument, Uno: No Mercy Edition could be perfect. Escape room board games and Cryptic Killers: Cold Case files can also be entertaining to try out if you’re looking for something less specific that your gaming-inclined loved one will enjoy.
For the detectives in your life, 221B Baker Street is essentially Sherlock Holmes inspired Cluedo! My favourite feature of this board game is the taxi cab service. If you and a friend solve the mystery at the same time, it doesn’t matter if they are closer to the final location if you’re only one space away from the cab that will drive you there in one turn! A brutal strategy for a tense game of gathering clues and using your logic.
Your family will spend the entire day skeptical with Don’t Get Got!, a game from Big Potato that gives each player a set of missions that they must complete, ranging from “Mention a song. Later, have that song play in the background. If a player comments on the coincidence, they got got,” to “Adopt a wide-legged power stance, have another player imitate you. Ask if they feel powerful. Then tell them they got got.” The first player to complete five without anyone calling them out for fooling them wins.
If you’re still not sure what your loved one would like, and you still want to get them a game-related gift, a gift card might be the way to go. If you know what they play on, either a console or PC, then you can get them a voucher. While they may seem boring, giving someone the option can be very thoughtful as it allows them to buy something for themselves that they usually wouldn’t.
We hope this has been a helpful guide! If you’re shopping in York, the best shops to visit would include Travelling Man and CEX, located on Goodramgate and Church Street, respectively
