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Ben Brosofsky
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Ben Brosofsky has been writing for Screen Rant since 2022 and editing since 2024. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor's in Cinema & Media Arts. Writing serves as a much-needed distraction from tackling a backlog of Steam games that will never be surmounted.
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2025 has almost come to a close, but there's one last month of video games in store before we wrap things up. December often brings some major releases just in time for the holidays, and this year will be no exception. While the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond looks like the standard-bearer, the Switch 2 isn't the only platform with new games to offer.
Whether you're looking to occupy the holidays with co-op or curl up with the next indie hit, December should have your bases covered. If you end up overbooking your schedule, you might have a little time to catch up in the latter half of the month, which is looking a lot slower than the rush of releases on December 4.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Finally Arrives In December
Samus aiming her arm cannon in Metroid Prime 4.
Somehow, a game initially announced alongside the original Switch reveal has ended up being a cross-generation release that's also launching on the Switch 2. It's been a painful time for Metroid fans, but if previews are anything to go by, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond might be worth the wait.
Launching on December 4, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond kicks off the month in style. Lock-on aiming creates a distinct experience compared to the average FPS, placing a greater emphasis on dodging enemy fire rather than focusing on your own. Beyond the FPS action, there's also the twisty exploration and puzzle-solving that Metroid is known for.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond should be able to run well on the original Switch, presumably building on the impressive optimization of Metroid Prime Remastered. If you have a Switch 2, though, you'll be able to enjoy 4K 60 FPS gameplay, along with the option to use the Switch 2's new Joy-Con mouse controls.
Octopath Traveler 0 Could Be Another Great RPG
The Octopath series has delivered hits so far, with Octopath Traveler 2 building on the first one's promising foundation to deliver an even better experience. If Octopath Traveler 0 can up the ante again, it could end up being a modern RPG masterpiece. Luckily, there's also a free demo you can play ahead of time.
Octopath Traveler 0 is remixing the central party gimmick, which focused on eight discrete protagonists in both prior games. This time, the main character is a custom protagonist, but a party of eight characters can still be formed from over 30 options.
Like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Octopath Traveler 0 is launching on December 4. The month looks front-loaded in general, with most major releases likely attempting to leave plenty of room to pick up traction in time for Christmas.
Indie Standouts, Ports, & More
December isn't too heavy on AAA releases, but as usual, indie games are here to pick up any slack. One standout this month is Skate Story, a skating game that looks absolutely nothing like Tony Hawk. In lieu of vert ramps or city streets, Skate Story dives into the Underworld, adding a side of demon decimation to the usual kickflip routine.
I'm not entirely sure where Sleep Awake lies on the indie-AAA axis, but this Blumhouse-published horror game looks like one of the most interesting of December. Created by Robin Finck of Nine Inch Nails and Spec Ops: The Line director Cory Davis, Sleep Awake portrays a world where nothing is more dangerous than falling asleep, but the lengths people take to stay awake could be just as harrowing.
December is also a big month for ports. Games like Football Manager 26 and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader are making their way over to Switch 2, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will pop up on PS5. Finally, there's a big DLC release this month: Elden Ring Nightreign: Forsaken Hollows, coming in at $15.
Game
Release Date
Platform
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
December 1
PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1/2, PC
Assassin's Creed Shadows
December 2
Switch
Kingdom of Night
December 2
PC
Sleep Awake
December 2
PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Let It Die: Inferno
December 3
PC
Blood: Refreshed Supply
December 4
PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Elden Ring Nightreign: Forsaken Hollows
December 4
PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Football Manager 26
December 4
Switch 2
Metroid Prime 4
December 4
Switch 1/2
Octopath Traveler 0
December 4
PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1/2, PC
Routine
December 4
Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow
December 4
Quest 2/3, PSVR 2, PC VR
Angeline Era
December 8
PC
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
December 8
PS5
Skate Story
December 8
PS5, Switch 2, PC
Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
December 8
PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Death Howl
December 9
PC
Unbeatable
December 9
PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
December 11
Switch 2
Code Violet
December 12
PS5
Utawarerumono: Zan
December 15
PC
Dadish 4
December 18
Switch, PC, iOS, Android
The Last Ninja Collection
December 18
PC
It's always possible that the back half of the month will end up being fleshed out with some surprise releases, but right now, it looks like most developers and publishers are looking to avoid getting lost in the holiday shuffle. At any rate, there should be enough in the first couple of weeks to keep yourselves entertained throughout December.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Like Follow Followed Action First-Person Adventure Metroidvania
OpenCritic Reviews
Released
December 4, 2025
ESRB
Teen / Animated Blood, Violence
Developer(s)
Retro Studios
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
RUDE engine
Prequel(s)
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
6 Images
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Genre(s)
Action, First-Person, Adventure, Metroidvania
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