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The current moment is exceptionally favorable for video game enthusiasts – considering the limited alternative entertainment options. Given the anticipation of an extended winter and potentially isolated holidays, we’ve compiled a selection of immersive games available on all leading gaming systems, offering substantial playtime.

Are you shopping for a gamer but unsure of what represents good value? Identifying their preferred gaming console is the first step, and any of the following recommendations should prove to be a successful choice.

Please note that this article includes connections to partner programs, and TechCrunch may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made through these links.

Games for All Systems

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

Image Credits: Ubisoft

While I greatly appreciated the beautiful environments and compelling protagonists in AC: Odyssey, the game’s underlying mechanics sometimes felt disjointed and lacked clear purpose. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla addresses this to a significant extent, presenting an equally expansive narrative centered on Vikings in England, but with a greater emphasis on integrating its elements into a unified experience. It retains many characteristics typical of Ubisoft titles, though its Viking setting elevates the overall experience.

Price: $50 from Amazon

Minecraft Dungeons

Initially, I found this title to be somewhat constrained in its offerings upon release. However, subsequent updates have introduced numerous additional zones and the capability for cross-platform play. Coupled with its streamlined mechanics and age-appropriate combat, Minecraft Dungeons presents an excellent choice for families seeking a cooperative monster-battling experience.

Price: $20-30 (varying by platform) from Mojang

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Critical assessments indicate that the newest installment in the Call of Duty franchise delivers a familiar Call of Duty experience. This recent addition to the realistic military-themed series is anticipated to be a popular choice among gamers for the coming year, making it a worthwhile purchase for many enthusiasts.

Price: $50-60 (varying based on the system) available at Amazon

Cyberpunk 2077

Image Credits: CD Projekt Red

Developed by the team behind the Witcher series, Cyberpunk 2077 is a forthcoming role-playing game generating significant excitement and is among the most eagerly awaited releases currently. It could be a fantastic gift for a gaming enthusiast, particularly if they’re hoping to experience it upon its initial launch. Considering the release history of titles like The Witcher 3, a recipient might prefer to wait a short period after release for any initial issues to be addressed. Nevertheless, it remains a compelling possibility.

Price: $50 from Amazon

PS4 and PS5

Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Image Credits: Sony

Serving as a continuation of the highly acclaimed 2018 Spider-Man title, this installment offers a more focused experience that many find even more enjoyable. It distinguishes itself with a remarkably diverse representation in its characters and overall atmosphere, presenting a genuinely relatable setting—a contrast to the first game, which, despite its merits, depicted New York City in a somewhat simplistic manner. An added benefit is that purchasing the PlayStation 5 edition of Miles Morales includes a free remastered version of the 2018 game. Considering its value, it’s difficult to locate a more worthwhile purchase among currently available new games.

Price: $50 on Amazon

Demon’s Souls

Image Credits: Sony

Currently, the standout next-generation title is a reimagining of a game originally released on the PlayStation 3, and it often delivers on that promise. However, it simultaneously establishes itself as a truly exceptional gaming experience available today. For someone who appreciates the challenge presented by titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and similar demanding games, this is an ideal choice.

Price: $70 on Amazon

Ghost of Tsushima

With titles like Nioh 2, Sekiro, and Ghost of Tsushima available, players have a wealth of options for experiencing samurai and ninja-themed action. However, Ghost of Tsushima stands out as the most expansive and visually stunning of these games, even if it doesn’t present the most demanding gameplay.

While it may not offer the same level of difficulty as the other two titles mentioned, the game compensates with its cohesive and aesthetically pleasing world design and interconnected mechanics. A notable example of this is the navigation system, which utilizes the direction of the wind to guide players toward their goals, rather than relying on traditional quest markers. The game’s single-player story is exceptionally well-performed, and a subsequent update introduced a surprisingly comprehensive multiplayer cooperative experience. This is a game that truly allows for immersive exploration. Be aware, though, that attempting to complete all collectible content may significantly extend your time in the initial game area.

Price: $40 on Amazon

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Image Credits: Vanillaware

This exceptionally original game appeared unexpectedly and completely captivated my attention for a full two weeks. Blending elements of adventure gaming, visual novels, and tactical action, 13 Sentinels places the player in control of a group of students who operate massive robots to defend the planet against extraterrestrial threats. (It originates from Japan.)

The premise may seem conventional, but the game consistently subverts expectations, delivering surprises until its very conclusion. Its complex storyline, unfolding concurrently across thirteen interconnected stories, represents top-tier science fiction storytelling and is thoroughly enjoyable to decipher throughout. The gameplay mechanics involving combat are also engaging and rewarding, even if they don’t offer extensive depth or difficulty. This title truly stands alone in the gaming landscape.

Price: Currently $30 from GameStop

Xbox One and Series X

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Image Credits: Microsoft

For the Halo enthusiast in your life, the delay of Halo: Infinite may be a source of disappointment, as it was initially planned as a launch game for the latest console generation and is now expected next year. However, revisiting the classic titles, now remastered and visually enhanced, offers an excellent way to pass the time. The renowned Halo multiplayer experience also provides hours of entertainment throughout the colder months.

Price: $30 from Amazon

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Image Credits: Sega

Representing a fresh installment in the highly acclaimed and extensive Yakuza franchise – a series known for its compelling, character-focused narratives centered around the lives of Japanese organized crime figures within a uniquely realized fictional district of Tokyo – this particular game introduces a shift in gameplay mechanics with a turn-based battle system and a brand new lead character. Despite these changes, many players consider it a standout title in the series.

Price: $35 from Amazon

Gears Tactics

Image Credits: Microsoft

Few anticipated that the Gears of War franchise would transition successfully into a tactics-based game mirroring the gameplay of XCOM – and even fewer predicted it would surpass many titles within the genre to become a top-tier offering. While it doesn’t replicate the immediate, intense action typically associated with Gears, this installment proves to be a remarkably intricate and captivating experience.

Price: $38 from Amazon

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Following the highly acclaimed “metroidvania” title, Ori and the Blind Forest, this continuation is available on a number of systems, though the Series X delivers the definitive experience. Boasting stunningly enhanced visuals and exceptionally fluid animation, the game will showcase its gorgeous 4K HDR presentation remarkably well, often surpassing the graphical fidelity of titles built specifically for the latest generation of consoles. However, the appealing and charming artistic design shouldn’t mislead you into believing this is an easy undertaking. As with its predecessor, successful completion of this platforming adventure demands considerable skill and precision.

Price: $30 from Moon Studios

A Potentially Risky Purchase: Preordering Halo: Infinite

The upcoming Halo installment, representing the franchise’s debut on next-generation platforms, has generated some uncertainty regarding its ultimate quality. A postponement of its release until early next year has done little to ease these concerns. Nevertheless, a significant number of players are eager to experience the newest chapter in this long-standing series immediately upon its launch, making a preorder a viable option for those without other compelling gaming prospects.

Cost: $60 at Amazon

Switch

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

Image Credits: Bryce Durbin

In essence, this product functions as a physical toy, featuring remote-controlled carts that navigate a custom racetrack built within your own home, enhanced by augmented reality. We found it to be a highly enjoyable experience, offering a unique method of bringing the excitement of video games from the television screen into a more tangible, real-world setting. It’s important to note, however, that each participant will require their own kart and Nintendo Switch console to play.

Price: $99 from Best Buy

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Approach this game understanding it’s not a traditional, story-driven Zelda experience, and you’ll likely enjoy it. It’s fundamentally an action-focused title, and a large-scale, fast-paced one at that. However, the appeal of controlling Link, Zelda, or any of the Champions featured in Breath of the Wild while defeating large numbers of foes is quite strong.

Price: $50 on Amazon

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Image Credits: Ninendo

I initially expressed some disappointment to Nintendo regarding the straightforward approach taken with this compilation of exceptional titles. I had been anticipating revisiting Mario 64 for quite some time and hoped Nintendo would implement some minor enhancements – however, it, along with Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy, remain largely unaltered within this classic collection. The inability to offer a widescreen display is a notable omission. Nevertheless, for many players, the opportunity to experience these games once more (or discover them for the very first time) on the Switch justifies the cost entirely.

Price: $60 from Amazon

PC

Spelunky 2 and/or Hades

The “roguelite” genre, characterized by its randomly created stages and intricate, interconnected mechanics, has experienced increasing acclaim and refinement over time—and these two titles represent excellent instances of how the genre can be approached in distinct ways.

Spelunky 2 represents a more conventional approach, in some respects. As a follow-up to a highly regarded game, it introduces greater diversity, increased strangeness, and heightened difficulty to the demanding platforming action of its predecessor. As with the original, each demise (and you can anticipate many) is preventable, and although some attempts may be brief, it’s difficult to become discouraged knowing that with a bit more focus, conserving your explosives, or choosing an alternate path… you’ll want to try just one more time. (Helpful hint: Purchase a few copies for companions and enjoy collaborative gameplay.)

Hades merges procedurally generated environments with a strikingly gorgeous visual presentation and a remarkably inventive narrative and advancement structure. Attempting to break free from the constantly changing realm of Hades will inevitably result in repeated failures, but as a fledgling deity, these are more of a minor setback than a true impediment. With each death and every step forward, you draw nearer to unraveling the enigma of your origins in a contemporary and intelligent reimagining of Greek mythology. It is genuinely difficult to conceive of ways to enhance Hades in virtually any aspect.

Price: $20 for Spelunky 2 on Steam | $25 for Hades on Steam

Crusader Kings III

Image Credits: Paradox

The highly anticipated strategy game places you at the head of a medieval European dynasty, granting you the freedom to pursue virtually any course of action to achieve dominance. From orchestrating assassinations and engaging in covert proxy conflicts to imposing harsh taxation, practicing unconventional religious customs, and arranging advantageous marriages, all strategies are viable. This game functions as a remarkably detailed and compelling story generator, offering substantial enjoyment after overcoming its initial complexity. It wholeheartedly embraces its niche appeal and caters to dedicated strategy enthusiasts.

Price: $50 on Steam

Other options

Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros

Image Credits: Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch

This compact device features the very first Super Mario Bros. game, its follow-up title (avoiding the unusual version known as “The Lost Levels”), and a reimagined game designed for LCD play. It’s a delightful piece of technology, and the included games offer a satisfying experience. Furthermore, the ability to save your progress and continue playing at any time greatly enhances the overall gameplay.

Price: $50 (however, locating a unit currently available for purchase may prove difficult.)

Backbone One for iPhone

If you know someone who enjoys mobile gaming on their iPhone, the Backbone One is an excellent choice. This controller easily attaches to the device, adding physical buttons and analog controls – and they are high-quality components – to the experience of playing games on iOS. It also features a well-designed accompanying application that allows users to capture their gameplay, as well as edit and share memorable moments. While compatibility is currently limited to certain iOS games, the number of supported titles is continually increasing. Matthew Panzarino, Editor-In-Chief at TechCrunch, provided a review in October and enthusiastically recommended the product with few criticisms.

Price: $99 directly from Backbone