December looks a bit different; rather than chasing AAA blockbusters, the focus shifts to hidden gems and titles with distinct identities and cult followings. From the star-studded chaos of Marvel Cosmic Invasion to Don't Scream Together—where even a whisper spells game over—and the Soviet-inspired extraction shooter Pioner, there is plenty to keep an eye on. It feels like a moment to catch our breath before the next big cycle, but let's see what December has in store.

Kicking things off on December 1st is Marvel Cosmic Invasion, a side-scrolling brawler. You’ve got 15 heroes—think Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Storm—taking on Annihilus, who’s trying to spoil the planet. With four-player co-op and a pixel-art aesthetic, it hits that arcade nostalgia sweet spot while adding modern flair. The standout mechanic? A 'tag team system' allowing you to swap between two heroes on the fly, cancelling recovery frames to weave your own bespoke combos.

As the name suggests, Don't Scream Together is a co-op horror simulation where keeping quiet is your only lifeline. You’re stuck in a pitch-black forest trying to survive until 8 AM, and your microphone is listening for everything—your gasps, your coughs, even your heavy breathing. Depending on the mode, one scream can trigger a collective game-over, or worse, turn the shouter into a 'Hunter' tasked with tracking down their friends. If you’re looking for a cheeky horror experience with mates this holiday, look no further.

Dragon Nest, the 2010 action darling, is making a comeback. It brings back the classic quartet of Warrior, Archer, Sorceress, and Cleric, alongside the original story beats and dungeon designs. It’s all about manual combat and weight—no auto-play here. While the visuals are a throwback to the original era, which might feel dated compared to today's graphical titans, I’m sure there are plenty of players who will find that vintage look quite charming.

The Elden Ring: Ruler of the Night DLC, 'Abandoned Void', drops on the 4th. It introduces the new 'Abandoned Void' zone and two fresh classes: the Scholar and the Undertaker. The Scholar, obsessed with the Lands Between, leans into Arcane stats, while the Undertaker—a nun hunting the Night King—favours heavy, strength-and-faith-based combat. Expect a massive new boss fight tucked away in a cursed crystal cavern deep beneath Limgrave.

The mobile title Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent is making the jump to console and PC. Set in the past of Orsterra, it retains that signature HD-2D aesthetic. They’ve ditched the loot-box mechanics, opting instead for a 'Character Creation' system—a first for the series—and a 'Town Development' feature to rebuild your home. With command battles now supporting up to eight characters, the strategy runs deep, and the field command interactions with NPCs are as free-form as ever.

Routine is a first-person survival horror game dripping with 80s sci-fi retro-future vibes. Stranded on a desolate moon base, you rely on a single tool—the 'C.A.T.'—to uncover the truth. The UI is virtually non-existent, stripping away ammo counters and health bars to dial up the tension. Combat takes a backseat to hacking systems and dodging robots. The clunky CRT monitor aesthetic mixed with the isolation of space makes for a genuinely nerve-wracking experience.

Cloudheim is a survival action RPG set in a Norse-inspired world. You’ll be gathering resources, building bases, and upgrading shops to craft the gear needed to brave the wilds. It’s all about visceral, combo-heavy combat where mixing skills is the key to clearing waves of monsters. With support for up to four-player multiplayer, it’s a solid choice for a gaming session with friends.

Pioner is an extraction shooter set against the backdrop of a collapsed Soviet society on a mysterious island. You’re fighting to survive across a 50km² map packed with radiation, mutants, and hostile factions. It’s got that distinct, eerie atmosphere that will remind many of the STALKER series. There’s depth here too, from fishing and gambling to hyper-detailed gun customization. Sadly, there is no Korean language support, but if you’re after a hardcore shooter, it’s worth a look.

Blue Protocol, which saw its service end last January, is returning from the dead. It keeps the original anime-style aesthetic and lore but expands its reach across PC and mobile. Pick one of six classes and fight to prevent the collapse of civilization against a third race. Expect all the trimmings: massive boss raids, crafting, fishing, housing, and an array of adorable mounts.

Half Sword is a physics-based combat simulator that casts you as a 15th-century knight. Your mouse movements dictate the trajectory of your blade, with combat grounded in historical fencing techniques. The damage system is brutal—get hit in the arm and you lose the limb, take a blow to the head and it’s lights out. Yet, in contrast to the realism, the physics engine often results in hilariously floppy character movements. It’s a strange, compelling mix of high-stakes duelling and slapstick comedy.

Quarantine Zone: Last Check puts you in the shoes of a checkpoint officer in a zombie apocalypse. You’re tasked with scanning citizens with UV lights and scanners to sniff out infections. The dilemma is real: let an infected person through and the base is toast, but quarantine an innocent, and you’re wasting precious resources. It’s a constant balancing act, punctuated by mini-games where you’ll need to chase down runners or fend off hordes with drones.