We’re entering the final month of the year and are almost ready to start looking ahead to what 2026 has in store for us, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, we’ll take a look at the final stragglers of 2025. December has a few highly anticipated games for us, with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond leading the pack as Nintendo’s last big release of the year.
Sleep Awake – December 2
The first release of December is one you shouldn’t lose sleep over… In the last known city on Earth, people are disappearing in their sleep. Those who remain attempt reckless experiments to stay awake. Keep your senses sharp as you navigate a world full of people drifting in and out of madness.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – December 4
Metroid Prime is Nintendo’s own “first-person shooter” series, but with the expected Metroidvania-like exploration mixed in. We’ve been waiting years for the final release, and this might just push the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware to its limits very early in its lifecycle. There were some concerns when people saw the empty open world you’ll be biking through, but that just seems like traversal to move between more detailed closed spaces full of secrets to discover. My biggest question for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is how many players will actually use the JoyCon 2 in Mouse mode for better aim? And will physiotherapists soon make a killing on everyone’s wrist hurting like crazy?
Octopath Traveler 0 – December 4
Octopath Traveler 0 is a spin-off of a mobile release that never made it to the West, but instead of simply porting it over, they’ve decided to overhaul the experience entirely. This is partly to ensure it doesn’t feel like just a mobile re-release, but also to give existing players a reason to explore this new escapade in the Octopath traveller universe. We’re excited for this one, but the “over 100 hours of gameplay” works more like a deterrent than a pull these days, with so many games releasing and so little time to play them.
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut – December 8
Wait, I hear you say, isn’t Yakuza 0: Director’s cut already out? Yep, but it was a Nintendo Switch 2 release title and is now coming to Xbox, PlayStation 5, and Steam. And from the sound of it, the original Yakuza 0 is already delisted everywhere. Meaning, you can still download it if you own the game, but it’s no longer possible to buy the original release. Small confession, but I’ve never played a Yakuza game in my life (Robby speaking) and I’ve been told this is the one to start with. So maybe December will finally bring me my first-ever Yakuza experience.
Skate Story – December 8
This isn’t your regular skate game. In Skate Story, you play as a demon made of glass and pain, where a single mistake means the end of you. The Devil has given you a skateboard with a simple deal: Skate to the Moon and swallow it, and you shall be freed. Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of the Emptylands as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Learn to master your weight and motion to conquer the weeping concrete. Savour the ritualistic beauty as you set your feet to pop the perfect kickflip.
UNBEATABLE – December 9
UNBEATABLE is a rhythm adventure where music is outlawed and if that’s the case, you’re willing to live a life of crime. Follow the story of Beat and her band on the run in a narrative experience full of big emotions, powered by arcade-flawless rhythm gameplay.
Terminator 2D: No Fate – December 12
Terminator 2D: No Fate lets you play the story of the second film in a side-scrolling 2D adventure. My first experience with the cult movies in game form was actually a Game Boy title, so this is a return to form for me. The pixel art looks incredible, and we can’t wait to relive the set-piece moments from the movie again. Ending the year in style!
Robby lives and breathes video games. When he’s not playing them, he’s talking about them on social media or convincing other people to pick up a controller themselves. He’s online so often, he could practically list the internet as his legal domicile. Belgian games-industry know-it-all.
