11 games you can still try out over the holidays
21.12.2017
Translation: machine translated
More than a week's holiday? Or just a few days? It doesn't matter, it's enough time to play some of this year's great games that you might otherwise have missed. Here are my suggestions.
You could use the bank holidays over the festive period to visit loved ones - or to play games you might have missed this year. It's no wonder, so many good games were released in 2017. If you don't already have a list a mile long, I've got eleven games that could make your festive season even more enjoyable.
We've written about many games before. So I'll try not to rehash old games. I hope you've already played the famous games like "Zelda: Breath of the Wild" or "Horizon Zero Dawn". By the way, for the latter, a superb expansion has been released: "Frozen Wilds". It takes place in a snowy region. Perfect, then, for the festive season. But back to my suggestions.
1. "What Remains of Edith Finch"
Bad tongues call it "Walking Simulator". Games like "Gone Home", "Firewatch" and therefore also "What Remains of Edith Finch" offer little or no interactivity and mostly tell a story. Don't be swayed by a negative term. In "What Remains of Edith Finch" you play the role of a young girl who returns to her family home, which resembles the Kunterbunt villa after many changes. As you explore the different rooms, you discover the tragic fate of your family members in different ways. Sometimes sad, sometimes happy, sometimes frightening, but always exciting. You can finish the game in one evening, but the memories you make will last much longer.
2. "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus"
The new "Wolfenstein" is a much better-known title. However, I'm still keen to highlight it. A game that started out as a simple shooter with a protagonist who was just as flat as his image in the status bar. 25 years later, "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" is not only a really enjoyable shooter, but also a game that tells one of the most exciting and crazy stories I've experienced in a game. B. J. Blazkowicz and many of the characters you meet throughout the game are complex personalities and you become interested in their fate. The story motivated me more than the battles themselves - no mean feat!
3. "Night in the Woods"
An adventure game with a distinctive atmosphere that tells a very personal story. Set in a world where all the characters are animals, you play as a cat who has been expelled from college. Back in your home town, you reconnect with old acquaintances and meet all sorts of people. But home isn't the same as it used to be, and you don't know exactly who you are any more. The dialogues with your friends and family are very authentic. It's a gripping story that should keep you occupied for 5 or 6 hours.
4. "Cuphead"
You'll need nerves of steel here. "Cuphead" looks like a Disney cartoon from the 1930s, but is super challenging. The game consists mainly of boss fights. You need excellent reflexes and plenty of agility to beat your opponents. Without knowing the attack patterns, you won't succeed. And even once you know them, the bad guys always change their tactics so that they can always hit you. But the animations, design, sound and gameplay are so perfectly coordinated that you'll grit your teeth right to the end. Can also be played by two players, which makes it a whole lot easier. Put the glasses away at the edge of the table if you don't want them to fall over when you hit it. It's never happened to me yet. I swear.
Available on Xbox One and PC
5. "Divinity: Original Sin II"
Holidays might be a little short to get through this epic role-playing game; 80 hours is pretty realistic. But, even if you don't finish it, you're still enjoying an excellent role-playing experience. Numerous tactical variations, interesting characters, an exciting story, freedom of play, excellent graphics and captivating sound make "Divinity: Original Sin II" a brilliant game. And at a totally reasonable price.
Available on PC
6. "Persona 5"
Another role-playing game that makes time fly by. The fact that you want to get to the end of the game is a testament to the quality of the game. Instead of a Western-style fantasy setting, you're presented with Japanese pop culture - but with grotesque monsters, other dimensions and talking cat-buses. Aside from the captivating story and varied combat system, the prevailing style is particularly interesting. Every menu, every event is animated with style. Even the charging screen is fun to watch.
7. "Nidhogg 2"
There's almost no better game for two-up combat. The principle is simple: you start on opposite sides and try to get to the other end of the level consisting of different playing fields. In the meantime, you try to stab each other to gain ground in the few seconds it takes your opponent to resurrect. Sometimes you jump over your opponent, sometimes you have to fight a duel and sometimes a simple arrow is enough. Frustration and joy are not far away and screams are guaranteed.
Available on PS4 and PC
8. "Hollow Knight"
At first glance, it's a simple sidescroller with good control and rather cute opponents. The game's special feature is the underground world you can discover. It's huge and looks like a gigantic labyrinth. If you talk to someone who also plays this game, you'll certainly have had different adventures. Because along the way, you discover all sorts of curious characters, find new weapons and overcome tough bosses.
Available on Xbox One, PC and Switch
9. "West of Loathing"
The less you know about the game, the better. It doesn't make much of an impression, but is packed with charm and humour. "West of Loathing" is a slapstick role-playing game with lovable characters who will often make you laugh.
Available on PC and iOS
10. "Observer"
"Observer" is far less fun. The year is 2084, Poland. In the role of a neural defective, you infiltrate the thoughts of criminals and victims. You're looking for clues about your missing son. This metaphysical cyber-polar will make your head spin.
Available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC
11. "Thimbleweed Park"
And here's another classic adventure game for last. The creators of "Monkey Island" pay homage to the old cult games. The game is a mix of "Twin Peaks" and "Akte X", allows you to play as several characters and offers enough modern conveniences not to make the game lose its pace. The puzzles are funny and the story is, as you'd expect from former LucasArts developers, really crazy. Available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, Android and iOS
What do you think? If you've got another great recommendation for the holidays, let us know in the comments.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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