The festive season is upon us. With it, comes days and days of time away from work or school that you can fill with merriment and mayhem. The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to fire up your yule-tide gaming spirit and immerse yourself in the digital world. So what are the best games to play at Christmas?

2018 saw an absolute plethora of grade-A titles released for consoles across all platforms and genres. From stunning new FPS games to puzzle-solvers and platformers, there is definitely something out there to satisfy any gamer’s tastes this Christmas:

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Completing the trilogy after two well-received and critically acclaimed installations of the rebooted franchise, the insane and tough-as-nails adventurer, Lara Croft, is back in Shadow of the Tomb Raider for one final and blood-thirsty whack at religious cult Trinity. Another epic outing, this time set primarily in the vicious and untamed wilds of South America, the game features everything we’ve come to expect from the latest evolution in the Lara saga. From dynamic combat and stealth Gameplay to intuitive exploring, tomb raiding and problem-solving, Shadow of the Tomb Raider keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

• Where to Buy USA: Xbox One – PS4
• Where to Buy UK: Xbox One – PS4

Fifa 19

What can be said about FIFA 19? Sure, it doesn’t feature the in-depth stories of Red Dead or God of War, or the dynamic gameplay of Tomb Raider or Spider-Man, but there is a reason that. There is often a beauty in sheer simplicity. Year after year, the FIFA games feature near the top spot of most played titles on all consoles. FIFA 19 is yet another wheel in the FIFA cog, and we’re all the better for it. Featuring enhanced gameplay and development of the classic modes like Ultimate Team that have made the series so popular, this game is another easy, pick-up-and-play classic that brings you closer to friends, fans of the sports genre and just lets you dig in for some good old-fashioned football fun. What could be better around the Christmas holidays?

• Where to buy: US/CA 
• Where to buy UK: Xbox One – PS4

Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee

Get ready for some serious nostalgia with Pokemon: Let’s Go. Or, get ready to experience the best Pokemon has to offer for the first time; it all depends on when you were born, really! Pokemon: Let’s Go is an enhanced remake of the classic title that started it all, Pokemon Yellow. It takes the old game and brings it into the 21st century, with updated graphics, gameplay and new features. For those who played the original, this loving tribute is utterly unmissable. Everything about the old game you loved is here. Just sharper, leaner and better looking. And, for those who never got to play the original game, this is your chance to turn back the clock and jump into a real piece of gaming history.

• • Where to Buy: US/CA 
  • Where to Buy UK: Switch

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 may be one of the most highly anticipated games of the entire decade. Rock Star’s legendary take on the Old West has been in development for years and finally made its way to our homes in 2018. Picking up Game of the Year awards left, right and centre, it’s fair to say RDR2 isn’t a title you can just sweep under the rug. A deep and immersive gaming experience that allows you to dive into the world for hours at a time without ever running out of things to do, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a must-play game of 2018. This is one that really requires time and effort to get something out of, which is why it is the perfect game for the Christmas holidays!

• Where to Buy USA: Xbox One – PS4 
• Where to Buy UK: Xbox One – PS4

God of War (2018)

PS4 is known for some truly high-quality exclusives and perhaps none have been finer this year than God of War. A return to Kratos’ epic world steeped in Greek Mythology, this reimagining of the classic Hack and Slash genre sees players indulge themselves in both incredible stories worthy of cinematic development and high-octane action to get the pulse pumping. God of War 2018 really is an unmissable title. It’s so rare these days to see single player experiences get this sort of love and attention from big developers. While Red Dead Redemption 2 is getting all the attention for Game of the Year from critics, primarily because of the hype factor, if you strip back what’s really on offer, for us there is no doubt that God of War is the best game of 2018 and a must-play this Christmas.

• • Where to Buy: US/CA 
  • Where to Buy UK: PS4

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the Ying to Red Dead Redemption 2’s Yang. If RDR2 is an in-depth story-telling masterclass that takes hours to really get into, then Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a surface-level multiplayer romp that can be soaked up in bite-sized chunks. But that doesn’t make it any less of a title. Black Ops 4 is what some are calling a return to form for the Call of Duty franchise. Featuring new twists on old online gameplay, the return of classic Call of Duty Zombies and their own take on the Battle Royale game modes of Fortnight and PUBG that are sweeping the globe, Black Ops 4 is a rich and enjoyable gameplay experience. If you’re in and out during the holidays, are looking for a real social gaming experience or just fancy jumping into a game for a 20-minute shoot-up, then Black Ops 4 is the one for you this Christmas.

• Where to Buy: US/CA 
• Where to buy UK: Xbox One – PS4

Marvels’ Spider-Man

Everyone’s favourite web-slinging hero is back, and this time it isn’t on the big screen. Spidey takes to the streets of New York in the latest in a long line of gaming adventures. Previous iterations of Spider-Man on consoles have been well-received, but as the years went by, the quality started to dip, and fans wondered if they’d ever get another good Spider-Man game. This latest title, however, proved a massive hit, with gamers praising everything from the story to the fluid gameplay and, of course, the web-swinging action that takes you from building to building. A one-of-a-kind game, Marvel’s Spider-Man has got to be on your list this Christmas.

• Where to Buy: US/CA 
• Where to Buy UK: PS4

Super Smash Bros Ultimate 

There is no game quite like Super Smash Bros. Without trying to offend, this game is an absolute clusterf*** of pure insanity. Featuring iconic characters like Mario, Link, Kirby and Pikachu, all tearing around randomly outlaid battlefields as they attempt to annihilate each other with combat moves that range from standard sword swinging to swallowing your opponent, this Switch exclusive is some of the most fun you’ll ever have on a console. Super Smash Bros Ultimate is the ultimate Christmas game. It’s suitable for everyone. It’s a great multiplayer, family experience. It’s an easy, pick-up-and-play title. It’s lighthearted. It’s just what you need to get everyone in a bouncy, festive mood.

• Where to buy US/CA
• Where to buy UK

The post The Eight Best Games To Play This Christmas & Where To Buy Them appeared first on FinalBoss.io.