Top 10 Games To Look Forward To - December 2022

Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered - $24.99

The original Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- included many of the SaGa series trademark elements, such as the Glimmer and Combo mechanics and was considered to be the epitome of the series when it first released. The free scenario system that lets you create your own storyline remains at the core of the game, letting you select one of eight protagonists with completely different origins and backstories, then set off on a unique journey. This remastered edition has evolved in all areas, featuring upgraded HD graphics and numerous enhancements to improve playability. This makes it highly recommended for both fans of the original and newcomers to the SaGa series.

• In addition to a full HD graphical upgrade, various new features expand the gameplay even further.
• The sorceress Aldora can now be recruited! The sorceress Aldora, who once traveled together with the legendary hero Mirsa, appears in her original form. Experience new events where she recounts the journeys of Mirsa first hand.
• Unique and interesting characters now made playable! Fan-favorite Schiele finally joins your adventures and characters such as Marina, Monica and Flammar can now also be recruited.
• Enhanced bosses! Several bosses now appear as super powerful enhanced versions! Take on these terrifying adversaries to a new arrangement of the battle music score.
• Improved playability! Various new features have been added to make your play experience even more convenient, such as a high speed mode, mini maps, and a “New Game +” option that lets you carry over your progress when you play through the game again.
• New classes to expand the breadth of gameplay.

Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered is coming to PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on December 1, 2022. 

Marvel's Midnight Suns - $59.99

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is the ultimate crossover event combining the rich story, character relationships, customization and progression of an RPG with the tactical strategy and combat mechanics of a revolutionary new card-based tactics game. Set in the darker side of the Marvel Universe, you will forge unbreakable bonds with legendary Marvel Super Heroes and dangerous supernatural warriors in the fight against the world’s greatest threat yet…the demonic forces of Lilith and the elder god Chthon.

• Your Marvel Adventure You are the Hunter, the first fully-customizable original hero in the Marvel Universe. Personalize your appearance, choose your reactions to situations, and build friendships with Marvel legends spanning The Avengers, X-Men, Runaways, and more. Decide who to take with you on missions, which missions to embark on, and a host of other options to make this a unique experience. 
• Fight and Think like a Super Hero From the creators of the critically-acclaimed tactical XCOM series comes an engaging and deeply customizable card-based battle system that rewards clever thinking with Super Hero flair. Deploy a squad of Super Heroes on tactical turn-based missions to thwart the forces of evil. Use your environment, move around the battlefield lining up the perfect shot or combo, and then launch devastating hero abilities to gain the advantage in each epic encounter. The combat leverages the best elements from tactical games and card-based combat in a truly unique and thrilling experience. 
• Live Among the Legends Spend time exploring what Super Heroes do in their off hours. Explore The Abbey—your very own mystical secret base—to discover powerful hidden items and secrets to aid you in the conflict against Lilith and her minions. Befriend and get to really know some of your favorite Marvel heroes as you interact with them in ways beyond the comics or the films.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is coming to PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on December 2, 2022.

The Callisto Protocol - $69.99

In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter's moon, Callisto. When inmates begin to transform into monstrous creatures, the prison is thrown into chaos. To survive, Jacob must battle his way to safety to escape Black Iron Prison, while uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets buried beneath the surface of Callisto. Using a unique blend of shooting and close-quarters combat, Jacob will need to adapt his tactics to combat the rapidly evolving creatures while scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear, and abilities to outrun the growing threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter's Dead Moon.

• HORROR ENGINEERING The Callisto Protocol is a next-generation take on survival horror from the mind of Glen Schofield. Blending atmosphere, tension, and brutality with terrifying moments of helplessness and humanity, The Callisto Protocol immerses players in a pulse-pounding story where unspeakable horrors lurk around every corner. 
• UNCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNITED JUPITER COMPANY Set on Jupiter’s dead moon Callisto in the year 2320, The Callisto Protocol casts players as Jacob Lee, an inmate in Black Iron Prison. When a mysterious outbreak throws the moon into chaos, Jacob must face his darkest fears to defeat the bloodthirsty creatures that stalk him as he unravels the dark mysteries at the heart of the powerful United Jupiter Company. 
• MASTER BRUTAL, STRATEGIC COMBAT The Callisto Protocol challenges players to master a thrilling blend of hand-to-hand and ranged combat, including a unique gravity weapon once used by Black Iron guards to control the prison population. Players will be forced to get up close and personal with their grotesque opponents, hacking off limbs, blasting off legs, and getting creative with whatever is at their disposal to survive each life-or-death encounter. 
• EXPERIENCE THE ISOLATION OF JUPITER'S DEAD MOON One of the most hostile, isolated environments in the universe, Callisto looms large over Jacob’s desperate struggle to survive. Players must not only contend with the horrors of Black Iron Prison, but also the centuries-old secrets that plague Jupiter’s long-dead moon, both above and below the surface.

The Callisto Protocol is coming to PC via Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on December 2, 2022. 

Need for Speed Unbound - $69.99

The world is your canvas in Need for Speed™ Unbound. Prove you have what it takes to win The Grand, Lakeshore's ultimate street racing challenge. Across 4 intense weeks of racing, earn enough cash to enter weekly qualifiers, beat the competition, and make your mark on the street racing scene while outdriving and outsmarting the cops. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your unique style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack led by A$AP Rocky and AWGE that bumps in every corner of the world. Express yourself to the fullest with the freshest new art styles and signature tags that represent what you're all about. With separate single- and multiplayer campaigns, this latest edition in the Need for Speed franchise from Criterion Games™ delivers hours of electric, adrenaline-pumping action.

• The world is your canvas — Graffiti comes to life in Need for Speed Unbound with an all-new, unique visual style that blends elements of the freshest street art with the most realistic-looking cars in Need for Speed history. Access a brand-new toolkit of high-energy visual and sound effects to express your driving skills, including Burst Nitrous, a new boost tactic that delivers a dizzying rush of speed. 
• Start at the bottom, race to the top — To get to the top, you gotta take risks. Choose how and when to put it all on the line, pulling huge drifts on the street, outdriving the cops, or placing side bets with your own earnings against rival racers. Time is money, so find the fastest way to earn enough cash to enter the weekly qualifiers and make it to Lakeshore's ultimate race, The Grand. 
• Run these streets — The more you race, the more you build heat. While the cops pile on the pressure, you gotta make tactical decisions using new escape mechanics to take control of the chase. Do you outrun the cops, battle them head on, or hide out in Lakeshore's underground? Run these streets, and you'll reap the rewards. 
• Express yourself with full capabilities — Pull up to a Meetup and show off your unique style with hundreds of cosmetic items to choose from, including exclusive gear from some of the world's pioneering fashion innovators. Extend that look to your ride, transforming your cars with unique wraps and cutaways for the ultimate legendary custom. And when you take first, don't forget to stunt on the competition with your own personal win poses.

Need for Speed Unbound is coming to PC via Steam, Xbox Series S|X, and PlayStation 5 on December 2, 2022. 

Chained Echoes - $???

Chained Echoes is a story-driven JRPG where a group of heroes travel around the vast continent of Valandis to bring an end to the war between its three kingdoms. In the course of their journey, they will travel through a wide array of diverse landscapes spanning from wind-tanned plateaus and exotic archipelagos to sunken cities and forgotten dungeons. Take up your sword, channel your magic or board your Mech. Chained Echoes is a 16-bit SNES style RPG set in a fantasy world where dragons are as common as piloted mechanical suits. Follow a group of heroes as they explore a land filled to the brim with charming characters, fantastic landscapes and vicious foes. Can you bring peace to a continent where war has been waged for generations and betrayal lurks around every corner?

• 30 - 40 hours of play time 
• Fast paced turn-based battles 
• No random encounters; enemies can be seen running around 
• Tons of items to be looted, stolen or crafted 
• Complex skill and equipment system 
• Customize your own airship 
• Travel and fight by foot or in your Mech 
• 16-bit SNES style graphics 
• Music inspired by PSX RPGs

Chained Echoes is coming to PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 on December 8, 2022.

Samurai Maiden - $59.99

A temple in flames. Swirls of black smoke rise high into the sky. The angry shouts of soldiers can be heard all around. Before you stands a bearded old man... Wait, is that Nobunaga Oda?! 

A young woman from the 21st century with sharp swordsmanship skills finds herself in Honnō-ji during the Sengoku period! Together with a trio of newfound ninja friends, she races through the Underworld beneath Honnō-ji, confronted by enraged corpses at every turn! Nothing can stop this all-female powerhouse team, as the young woman turned samurai slashes up enemies while the ninja wipe them out with their fierce ninjutsu! 

And when things get tough, activate the Devoted Heart technique to have samurai and ninja lock lips to enhance their abilities! There are so many exhilarating, epic battles to take on! Slay the Demon Lord of the Sengoku period and forge everlasting bonds with your ninja friends! A brand-new female-led sword-fighting action game is here!

Samurai Maiden is coming to PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on December 8,  2022.

Dragon Quest Treasures - $59.99

Erik and his sister Mia live on a Viking longship, dreaming of the day they can explore the world in search of grand treasure. One night they encounter a pair of otherworldly creatures, Porcus and Purrsula, and are whisked away to a mysterious place known as Draconia - a legendary land full of treasures just waiting to be discovered. The adventure Erik and Mia have always dreamed of is finally underway! 

With the vast world of Draconia to explore and tons of tantalizing treasure to find, Erik, Mia, and their cute companions will need some help. The team soon befriends and recruits a veritable variety of well-mannered monsters. By making use of these monsters' magical visions of hidden treasure and their unique treasure-hunting abilities, our heroes will race over open fields, scale cliffs with a single bound, and glide over gaping chasms to locate loot in even the most fiendishly inaccessible spots! 

Venture into a vast, varied world where twists, turns, and mysteries lie hidden on your path to discovering the legendary treasure of Draconia!

Dragon Quest Treasures is coming to Nintendo Switch on December 9, 2022.

Choo Choo Charles - $???

Navigate an open-world island in an old train, upgrade it over time, and use it to fight an evil spider train named Charles.

• Navigate a massive play area in your trusty old engine. These winding tracks are treacherous, so you'll need to plan each mission carefully. Be wary when traveling on foot, or switching the track's direction; Charles might be waiting for you. 
• Upgrade your train to fit your needs. Go looting or complete missions to find "Scraps", which can be used to turn your train into a death machine on wheels. 
• Get help from the townspeople. Help out the settlers in return for high powered weapons, and other items vital to Charles' destruction. 
• Fight Charles to the death. Complete the main questline, and summon Charles to a mortal duel. If you’ve gained enough strength, firepower, and skill, Charles may finally meet his match.

Choo Choo Charles is coming to PC via Steam, on December 9, 2022.

Crisis Core –Final Fantasy VII– Reunion - $49.99

CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION is the HD remaster version of the smash hit prequel to FINAL FANTASY VII. 

In addition to all graphics being remastered in HD, fully voiced dialogue and new soundtrack arrangements make for a dynamic new retelling of a beloved classic. 

CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION follows the story of Zack Fair, a young warrior admired by the boy destined to save the world, trusted by men renowned as heroes of legend, and loved by the girl who holds the fate of the planet in her hands. The tale of Zack's dreams and honor—the legacy that connects him to Cloud—is revealed in full in this grand saga that has broken the limits of an HD remaster.

New Features 

• All graphics fully remastered in HD, bringing the game to the latest console generation- Renewed 3D models, including characters and backgrounds, enriching the visual experience
• Improved battle system providing a vastly smoother gameplay experience
• Fully voiced dialogue in both English and Japanese
• A newly arranged soundtrack from the original composer, Takeharu Ishimoto

Crisis Core –Final Fantasy VII– Reunion is coming to PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on December 13, 2022.

Blacktail - A Witch's Fate - $29.99

Become the guardian of the woods or the terror nightmares are made of. Forge the legend of Baba Yaga and live out its origins in BLACKTAIL, a one-of-a-kind blend of intense archery combat, magic and dark storytelling set in a vibrant fairy tale world. 

You play as Yaga, a 16-year-old girl accused of witchcraft and expelled from a medieval Slavic settlement. When living memories of your past return as foul, walking spirits, you are left with no other option than to hunt them down in hopes of unravelling your own mystery.

• Decide the fate of the land and its inhabitants, witness the impact of your decisions on your skills through BLACKTAIL’s Morality system. 
• Track down elusive spirits with your trusty bow and gauntlet, engage in thrilling boss fights. 
• Craft arrows and potions, hunt wild game, and gather resources to survive in the ominous woods. 
• Find hidden treasures to learn more about your surroundings and history. 
• Collect lost recipes and brew elixirs to improve your abilities and shape your playstyle.

Blacktail - A Witch's Fate is coming to PC via Steam, Xbox Series S|X, and PlayStation 5 on December 15, 2022.

Honorable Mentions

Kynseed - $24.99

PC via Steam on December 6, 2022.

Hello Neighbor 2 - $39.99

PC via Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on December 6, 2022.

Firefighting Simulator - The Squad - $24.99

PC via Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on December 6, 2022.

Wavetale - $29.99

PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on December 12, 2022.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Next-Gen) - $39.99

PC via Steam, Xbox Series S|X, and PlayStation 5 on December 14, 2022.

***Disclaimer: this list is not ranked in order of preference, but in order of their release date. Game descriptions are taken from official press releases or game store pages.