December 2025 is almost here, and there is plenty of gaming left to be done. As tends to be the case every year, October and November have been packed with goodies, resulting in arguably the best six weeks of the year. In comparison, the upcoming month will not be quite as stuffed, although it still has a good lineup that can keep people entertained for a long time. In fact, one of the biggest games of 2025 launches in December, and it will not have to carry the load on its own.
With so many projects dropping every week, you probably already have a huge backlog, so you might be tempted to skip the next month entirely. However, I recommend not completely ignoring December 2025's games, as you might miss out on some absolute gems. Let's highlight the most exciting releases coming soon, ones that will hopefully end the year on a real high.
The games are listed in release order, and an honorable mentions section is included at the end.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
The Biggest Beat 'Em Up Game Of 2025
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
- Released
- December 1, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Tribute Games Inc.
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up, Superhero, Action
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
While we have to wait to see its quality, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is positioned to be the best traditional beat 'em up of the year. Tribute Games achieved near perfection with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, and the upcoming release looks set to build beautifully on that foundation. This time around, the developer has a much wider character roster to pull from, and they are making great use of the Marvel IP by including 15 iconic heroes and a plethora of villains. You'll get to become Wolverine, Venom, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, She-Hulk, and a few more, and they should feel unique enough to make repeat playthroughs worthwhile.
If it is anything like Shredder's Revenge, Marvel Cosmic Invasion's campaign will likely last a couple of hours, and longevity comes from mastering different characters. Naturally, the game is designed with co-op in mind, allowing up to four players to assemble their ultimate hero team. An interesting wrinkle is that each player picks two characters whom they can swap between at a moment's notice, creating far more opportunities for fun team-ups. Personally, I primarily play Shredder's Revenge solo, and I always have a blast; so, I imagine Marvel Cosmic Invasion will be similar.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
The Biggest Game Releasing In December 2025
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
- Released
- December 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Retro Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Here it is, December 2025's biggest game, and by quite a margin. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has walked a long and winding road to completion, a journey that saw a change in developer and a reinvention. While development hell is usually a red flag, Nintendo would not even consider releasing the game if it was not up to the standard set by the original trilogy, which hold up as three of the greatest first-person Metroidvanias of all time. Samus Aran's latest adventure should be her biggest, both in terms of size and ambition. The legendary bounty hunter finds herself stranded on a strange planet called Viewros, and she will have to explore, solve, and shoot her way to safety.
As with the other games, Metroid Prime 4 is predominantly a first-person shooter, although the perspective can shift to third person when exploring with the bike or for certain puzzles. Oh, yeah, did I forget to mention that Samus has a cool motorcycle to help her get around Viewros' biomes? Also, she obtains psychic powers that, presumably, can be used in combat and exploration. Metroid Prime 4 cannot come soon enough, and the inclusion of a voiced sidekick has not dulled my enthusiasm.
Routine
December 2025's Biggest Horror Game
Routine
- Released
- December 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Lunar Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The phrase "sci-fi horror" should cause most ears to perk up with unbridled excitement. We do not get these types of games often, especially ones that appear to be of high quality in most areas. Lunar Software's Routine abandons players in a lunar base with very little in the way of protection, and they are not alone. Armed with a multi-functional tool that is mainly for exploration and puzzles but can be used as a last-ditch safeguard against incoming killers, you traverse through a haunting labyrinth that combines a futuristic setting with '80s decor.
Going by the available information, Routine seems to prioritize psychological terror above everything else, and that includes action. While I don't know if you eventually obtain more traditional weapons, the game seems to really push the "vulnerable protagonist" angle, where defense is really meant to be a last desperate option when running and hiding have failed.
Octopath Traveler 0
The Biggest RPG Dropping In December 2025
Octopath Traveler 0
- Released
- December 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- DOKIDOKI GROOVE WORKS, Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Octopath Traveler 0 is almost guaranteed to be brilliant. Firstly, its mainline predecessors are both fantastic turn-based JRPGs inspired by the genre's classics, albeit with an HD-2D art style that is the definition of gorgeous. Secondly, the upcoming game is loosely based on Champions of the Continent, a very good mobile prequel to the original Octopath Traveler. Finally, Octopath Traveler 0 is designed to be a traditional release and is not a port of COTC, bringing it more in line with what console and PC players have come to expect from Square Enix's series.
Once again, the gameplay revolves around 8-character parties, although Octopath Traveler 0 shakes things up by offering a wide pool of recruits rather than a fixed roster that you have to embrace. Besides a lengthy standard campaign, the game will also incorporate things like farming and town management, which should add significant time to a playthrough.
Code Violet
The Biggest "Unknown Quantity" Game Of December 2025
Code Violet
- Released
- January 10, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- TeamKill Media
- Publisher(s)
- TeamKill Media
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
I think I am looking forward to Code Violet. I mean, it is a third-person shooter & horror hybrid that features dinosaurs. That just sounds incredibly, almost like a modern take on Dino Crisis. That said, this PS5 exclusive game is still somewhat shrouded in mystery, with not all that much information being released at this point. Don't get me wrong, we know the basics and have access to quite a few screenshots and footage, so it is not like Code Violet could be just anything. However, it is hard to really pinpoint whether this release has the potential to be one of December 2025's best games, and PlayStation exclusivity is not certified quality.
Code Violet's premise is wild. Set in a future where humanity has relocated, invented time travel, and is infertile, you play as a woman who was abducted from her time to be used as an incubator. Yeah, that's gross, but it could make for a fascinating horror story. Also, like previously mentioned, dinosaurs.
TeamKill Media has worked closely with Sony over the years, with all its games being console exclusives. 2023's Quantum Error did not quite come together, but Son and Bone was solid enough. Code Violet should be TeamKill's biggest game yet, and it will hopefully also be the best.
Honorable Mentions: Other Big Games Landing In December
Unbeatable, Skate Story, Terminator 2D, & More
As we cannot cover everything, here are some other big games dropping in December 2025.
- Assassin's Creed Shadows (Switch 2) – December 2
- Destiny 2: Renegades (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One) – December 2
- Sleep Awake (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – December 2
- Let It Die: Inferno (PC, PS5) – December 3
- Cloudheim (Steam Early Access) – December 4
- Skate Story (PC, PS5, Switch 2) – December 8
- Unbeatable (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – December 9
- Yakuza 0: Director's Cut (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – December 8
- Ashes of Creation (Steam Early Access) – December 11
- Terminator 2D: No Fate (PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox Series, Xbox One) – December 12