The Christmas season is upon us and the year is coming to an end much faster than we are ready. But with Game of the Year now crowned, the next day on gamers' calendars is the new year, where we look forward to all the big releases coming in 2026.
The team here at Game Rant won't take our time as we're committed to keeping you up to date with all the latest news from around the industry, but we'll make some time for our loved ones (which of course means our favorite gaming systems). So we asked the team here at GR what they'll be playing over the holidays, and as expected, the results were mixed.
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With many impressive games under the RPG banner in 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, The Outer Worlds 2 and other excellent experiences.
Casey Muir-Taylor
Social Media Coordinator
After The Game Awards and the terrifying and exciting Divinity trailer, I returned to the world Divinity Original Sin 2. Although it plays pretty similar to Larian Baldur's Gate 3it's different enough in its combat to keep it interesting. I highly recommend playing this if you enjoyed BG3.
On the other end, I always play Overwatch 2 with my friends. I know this gets a lot of hate in the very crowded hero shooter landscape, but in my opinion, it does it best. I'm also finally making my way through The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy. It's a hidden gem from earlier this year that combines so many aspects of gaming that I love. If you're into Persona, Fire Emblem, Danganronpa, or just JRPGs in general, I think it's worth a try
Dalton Cooper
Managing Editor
I will play during the holidays Blake Manor Seance. I didn't even know it existed until the reviews started coming in and it suddenly became one of the top rated games of 2025. Then when I found out it was a first person puzzle game Return of the Obra Dinn and Blue Prince vibes, I was instantly sold. I was hooked ever since.
I'm still working on my first playthrough, but it's the kind of game I can see myself going through more than once, so I might play it a few times over the holidays. Of course I will also be spending time playing games with family friends, so there will be plenty of that Overwatch 2, ARC Raidersand Battlefield 6 sessions too.
Greysun Morales
Editor of Master Guides
As boring as the city is, I'll probably spend the holidays continuing to grind Pokemon Legends ZAMega Dimension DLC. I'm over 60 hours into the game and I'm still only halfway through the new story missions, with plenty of side missions to wrap up.
If I'm really bored, I might try to finish the entire Pokedex, but we'll have to wait for that. I also plan to spend some quality time with my partner and get started Mario Kart World, Super Smash Bros. Ultimateand maybe Kirby Air Riders. With a lack of big new December games, there's not much to dig into unfortunately!
Jake Fillery
Evergreen editor
I will play during the holidays Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. While it's by no means a festive cheer to slay some worm-addicted zombies, it's certainly a jolly time for all involved (except the zombies themselves). I've been enjoying Black Ops 7 for over a month now, and aside from my addictive multiplayer enjoyment, I can't seem to stop riding trains and blasting the high wheels of Zombies mode.
Ashes of the Damned and Astra Malorum are treats I wasn't expecting in my Christmas stocking, but they are more than welcome to stay. I've racked up over 100 hours in Black Ops 7 Zombies and I'm afraid I can't stop. Shooting the undead, drinking perks and listening to Richtofen's hilarious lines never gets old. The loyal nostalgia I've felt for the series since I opened my first door on Christmas Eve in 2008's Nacht der Untoten from Call of Duty: World at War remains strong 17 years later!
Jeff Brooks
Evergreen editor
This year was absolutely packed with so many amazing titles that I just had to leave some unfinished along the way. Usually at the end of the year I like to replay one of these flip games (or a few if I can). The game I most want to get back to right now is Ghost of Yotei. i loved Ghost of Tsushima in 2020, but it always had a bit of that ludonarrative dissonance with the main story – the invasion was such a huge priority for Jin that every stray fox or relaxing bath in a hot spring seemed to trample on the urgency of that main story.
Ghost of YoteiThe structure of the assassination list really lends itself to going out of your way to do anything and everything along the way. Atsu has been on a quest for revenge for over a decade, and it provides enough space to capture these smaller moments without affecting the pace of the overall story. I doubt I'll actually do everything the game has to offer, but it's such a fun game that I'm happy to spend more time in the beauty of Ezo. I'm excited to give the game a little bow at the end of the year.
Joshua Duckworth
Executive Editor
My “main” game is now Fallout 76. It's been a few years since I last played it, like before Wastelanders, so I wanted to go back and see the changes. I started a brand new level 1 character so it will be a while before I get to Burning Springs, but so far I'm really enjoying this view of Appalachia. It definitely clicks a lot better now than the last time I played it.
I also have a few co-op games with my buddies on rotation. Phasmophobia it basically never leaves the rotation, making it easily my most played game of the year. The icing on the cake is the Winter's Jest update, which adds three new ghosts. We're going hard again. Tanglewood hates to see us coming lol. We also have a late game save Satisfactory we are trying to beat it, but I assume it will be done by the new year. Oh, and my wife and I have savings Baldur's Gate 3 here we go, we just need time to play it!
Finally, I have a Dragon Age: Veilguard a character I started for DA Day. I played her slowly (she's a dwarf villain) and she romances Davrin. But I will probably wrap it up before the end of the year. Depending on the timing, especially since 2026 really doesn't have anything for me until February, I feel like a Dragon Age marathon will come sooner rather than later.
Mark Sammut
Managing Editor
While the exact game isn't set in stone at this point, I'll be playing as well It takes two or Marvel Cosmic Invasion on holidays. I visit my family every Christmas and recently started a tradition with my younger brother where we play a co-op game. Since there's quite a big age gap between us, we didn't get a lot of opportunities to play together, so it was fun.
Paul Woodward
Interactive map editor
I plan to play over the holidays The Witcher 3. I put it down a few years ago and never beat it, but now I'm going to take the time to finally beat this fantastic game. I also have the DLC so I'm looking forward to trying it out for the first time.
Tim Lord
I'm not sure how much gaming I'll have time for over the holidays, between work and parenting, but when I do, I'll be playing on the couch Paley with my wife. We like to play cozy games together and this genre is perfect for relaxing after a busy day.
The recent game update really got me into the holiday season, so I'm excited to check out the new content when I have time. And of course contribute to the huge snowman community!
Tom Bowen
Managing Editor of Evergreen
As I tend to do most years, I will repeat the first one Shenmue a game about Christmas holidays. It made a huge impression on me when I first played it in December 2000, and I've associated it with Christmas ever since. Over the years, returning to the streets of Yokosuka started to feel like coming home, so Shenmue it's also a great way to deal with the homesickness that sometimes creeps in during the holiday season.
Happy Holidays from everyone here at Game Rant!
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