Compared to the month immediately before it, December usually sees a cooldown of major video game releases. It ushers in the apex of the holiday season, after all, where fans are more focused on spending time with their loved ones than rushing out to storefronts for amazing Black Friday deals. Or they are at least playing the games they bought during the holiday rush. It’s also a time typically used to prepare for the year ahead. Keeping all of this in mind, here are the free titles that Sony and Microsoft may be willing be offer on their respective services (PS Plus and Games with Gold, respectively) this December.
December Games with Gold and PS Plus Predictions: The Big Ones
With a sequel set to launch early next year, Ubisoft may be willing to give PS Plus and Games with Gold subscribers a taste of what’s to come by offering The Division on either service this December. This online multiplayer-centric action RPG sees players take on the role of Strategic Homeland Division agents in order to investigate the cause of a mysterious smallpox outbreak plaguing the heart of New York City.
Seeing as how the game broke first-day sales records for its publisher the day it launched, there’ll definitely be no shortage of fans willing to jump into a desolate version of Manhattan this holiday.
Speaking of the season, Dead Rising 4 may also make an appearance on either platform, especially given all the holiday-themed DLC available for the game. Ever wanted to cruise around the zombie apocalypse as Santa Claus while riding a reindeer motorcycle? This fourth iteration in the series allows players to do just that. Of course, as with prior Dead Rising entries, there’ll be tons of shambling cadavers waiting for you to knock their heads in. Did we mention that zombies can dress up as elves, gingerbread men, reindeer, and snowmen? Yeah, Dead Rising 4 sure loves December (it’s not a coincidence that it takes place in a mall).
Lastly, seeing as how the highly anticipated Resident Evil 2 Remake is launching this January, it won’t be much of a surprise to find Resident Evil Revelations 2 or Resident Evil 0 Remaster joining either Sony or Microsoft’s roster of free December games. Though it isn’t Halloween anymore, the two could serve to build up momentum to Capcom’s upcoming release. It isn’t too far-fetched considering how Resident Evil HD Remake was once free on PS Plus.
Of course, Sony could always throw a curveball and finally offer some of its console exclusives on its respective service this December. The Order: 1886 and Killzone: Shadow Fall still haven’t made it to North America’s lineup of free games despite being featured in other regions around the world. We’re on to you, PlayStation.
December Games with Gold and PS Plus Predictions: The Indies
December is a time of love and togetherness. What better way to partake in the season’s joy than for Sony to offer Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star on PS Plus? Given the title’s whimsical nature and feel-good attitude, it may just be the perfect game to play in front of friends or family members. They may not talk to you very much after experiencing what Holiday Star has in store, but at least it’s worth a shot.
For those who are unfamiliar with the majesty that is the Hatoful Boyfriend series, each game is essentially a dating simulator that sees players take on the role of a human woman who’s trying her best to romance one of several lucky bird bachelors. Holiday Star takes the passion to a higher level than the original game, as this sequel features winter wonderlands and dream sequences. Everyone’s fantasy about kissing pigeons underneath lamp posts on a snowy night in mid-December may finally come true should Sony add Holiday Star to its free games lineup soon.
For those few of us who aren’t into bird romance, many hit indies that released earlier this year may make it onto either service’s offerings of free games this December. This includes titles like Fe, The Swords of Ditto, or Celeste. Given each game’s critical acclaim, Sony or Microsoft may be willing to feature one or more them on their services to end the year off with a bang and entice subscribers to stick around in 2019.
Regardless of what winds up as a free title on Sony and Microsoft’s respective services this December, it’s important that we take the time to appreciate the hard-working men and women that allow us the privilege of immersing ourselves in their highly imaginative, evocative worlds. Video games grant us a luxury that prior generations could have only dreamed about. The developers, publishers, and fans that make up this medium are all worthy of respect, as they’re all responsible for making up the beautiful industry we all love today. Here’s hoping 2019 brings us even more innovation, and that Sony and Microsoft continue offering some sweet free games on their services.
