The holidays are a perfect time to catch up on games or replay your favorite ones. Everyone celebrates this season a little differently, whether it's exploring a winter wonderland, speeding down snowy slopes, finding the perfect present, or spending time with family. Here are five of our favorite games to get you in the holiday spirit.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla offers a lot of activities to get you into the holiday spirit, like traversing the frigid Norwegian coast, feasting (and drinking) with your Raven clan, and even exploring Jotunheim, the mythical realm of frost giants. For a specific tale of gift-giving, there's also the small side quest Warmth of Winter, which can be found in Jorvik. In the city, you'll find a young child selling toy goats for the Yule celebration. You have the option to purchase one for 100 silver (a steep price compared to other trinkets in the game) or reject the child's offer, but we recommend buying the toy and seeing this short vignette through.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
Pristine Peaks is the second planet you visit in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, a snow-covered wonderland full of wintery escapades for you to explore. When you first land, the planet is plagued by a fierce blizzard caused by Darkmess tentacles ensnaring the eponymous mountain. Many wintry adventures await as you work to clear the Darkmess, whether that means fighting off enemies that freeze you in your tracks, helping a resident rebuild his igloo, or rounding up missing penguins.
Plus, for more snowy fun on one of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope's other planets, you can equip the Cryobolide, Cryodash, Cryogeddon, or Cryoquake Sparks, which can add frostbite damage to your weapons and dashes, hurl ice from the sky at enemies, and emit frostbite shockwaves during battle.
If you love outdoor activities during your holiday celebrations, Riders Republic is a great way to experience the thrill of the slopes from the comfort (and warmth) of your home. Whether you prefer skiing, snowboarding, or warmer extreme sports like BMX and skateboarding, Riders Republic gives you the chance to race across an open world inspired by some of the most famous national parks in the US. Plus, Riders Republic's Winter Season kicked off today, bringing new season progression with new rewards, live events, weekly challenges, and themed items.
This time of year isn't all about gift-giving and snow sports; it's also a great time to bring the whole family together, and Immortals Fenyx Rising lets you do just that by reuniting the gods of Ancient Greece after saving them from the titan Typhon. Narrated by the ever-bickering Zeus and Prometheus, the game will take you across the Golden Isle as you restore Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus to their rightful seats in the Hall of the Gods. Your adventure will be full of puzzles that unlock mission items or new areas to explore, as well as challenging platforming courses and combat with creatures from Greek mythology.
Child of Light is a turn-based fairy tale story; in addition to its watercolor-like artwork, the game is unique in that all the dialogue is written in rhyming couplets, giving a storybook feeling perfect for this time of year. In the game, the princess Aurora falls ill and wakes up in the fictional Lemuria, where the Queen of Darkness has stolen the sun, moon, and stars. Now, with the help of the firefly Igniculus, Aurora must fight against the creatures of the darkness and bring back the light. Along the way, you'll meet a memorable cast of characters like the jester Rubella, the sorcerer Finn, Aurora's stepsister Norah, and more. Each member of your party has different strengths in combat, and their skills can be leveled up with experience
You can get access to all of these games with a Ubisoft+ subscription, (except for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, which is available through the Nintendo Store). Be sure to regularly check the Ubisoft Store for great savings.