The Best Christmas Games (That Aren't About Christmas)

[@jasonbond5213]

The first few hours of Mafia II are my personal Christmas time mood setters. I play them every december. And then I play the rest of the game in the spring because once the 1950s hit its a super springy game

[@LazerzZ]

That’s so true, that whole first half of Mafia 2 is so good for the Christmas vibes, all the 40s music, the snow, just total vibes

[@jasonbond5213]

@@LazerzZ It's really all that it takes to get me into a Christmas mood, driving a 1940s car through the icy roads of Empire bay while it's snowing and "Let it snow" plays on a rusty car radio. Perfection.

[@jimaco0312]

I wish they could remake the game with the last of us/rdr2’s snow physics and graphics. Although i’m still happy with how mafia 2 looks, imo it’s almost as visually impressive as a ps4 game

[@jasonbond5213]

@@jimaco0312 It is a very good looking game considering its age, bur yes seeing this game remade with even better grafics and better physics and maybe some gameplayupdates would be a dream come truw

[@emil4445]

Haha, I literally also played that once between Christmas and NYE a few years ago

[@mtmjr]

I always like to play Skyrim around Christmas. Just roaming around the world gives me a very comforting kind of vibe. I also agree with you with The Witcher, especially since the next gen update came out around mid december last year. Played the hell out of it last year and it was soooo much fun.

[@SpectralDivisionIHM]

The true christmas vibe only arrives when LazerzZ makes a video about christmas, honestly

[@tacobaco6460]

My favorites to go back to are Tales of Zestiria and P5R, I started both of those around Christmas and have been a comfort game since

[@wolf1nsoul]

Red Dead 2's Hateful 8-like opening is a phenomenal christmas mood setter imo. The vibe hits every time for me :)

[@jasnotta519]

For me, nothing hits as hard for the Christmas period than Halo Combat Evolved. I remember playing it on the big fuck off original Xbox in december, when I was little. Always scratches that itch.

[@m4tthew_]

Assassin's creed III is my absolute Christmas gem

[@benjamindry3516]

The game that I always play during Christmas is assassins creed black flag. it started when I got it for Christmas when I was a kid and played it obsessively throughout the second week of the Christmas holidays. The following year I unintentionally re played the game a week before Christmas and since then I make it a point to play through the game every year during Christmas. Playing the game gives me just as much of a rush of Christmas nostalgia as watching a classic Christmas movie like Home alone. The sea shanties make me think of Christmas just as much as Christmas carols do. It's pretty strange I know but (combined with the game's somewhat christmassy themes of ridding yourself of your selfishness and coming together with your friends + family) if any one game defines Christmas to me, it's assassins creed black flag.

[@jackvaraly3478]

I'm sorry you put yourself through playing battlefront 2 every Christmas lol. I always felt like Skyrim and it's Nordic tones always brought a sense of Christmas for me, that might just be because I grew up with it and it feels like home but idk, it always gets me in the holiday spirit.

[@lamarcio7370]

As a Brazilian AC Black Flag might be one of my fav Christmas game 😂

[@LewisisAlexander]

The division to me is the perfect Christmas game, every year since release I’ve hopped on and played, always playing from the start seeing the city, the people, the decorations is beautiful it’s the overall vibe just feels amazing. Hope everyone has a jolly Christmas.

[@simonvetter2420]

Oh my god I half-heartedly looked into the comments to see if there was a single comment saying this but never expected to find one. Absolutely same. Although 3-2 years ago it was a little spooky with what was going on irl...

[@edwardsuou]

The one present I got for Christmas when I was 10 was Super Mario Galaxy 2. I remember People called me to stay with the family but I was not going to move. What a game. Ps. I guess I always come back to Ace attorney (either one). That's probably because several cases are set in winter and of course there's the iconic line "almost cristmas means it wasn't cristmas"

[@bardiaozzie]

God of War 2018 I only started playing in Christmas 2018, half a year after it released. That and Ragnarok I also played around the Christmas holidays. Those games will forever mean a lot to me and they do give a winter/Christmas vibe because it’s set in the Nordic Saga obviously

[@zeda9072]

I started Kingdom Hearts 1 for the first time on christmas day, and have never been able to shake the christmasy vibes from that game since. I try and make it a tradition to at least replay the first game every time christmas rolls around.

[@JoeBloggs42069]

I got Assassin’s Creed for Boxing Day (I know it’s a small thing for most, but in our family it’s a second Christmas Day with just as much weight and joy attached) 2008 as a young 16 year old. I fell in love. I played it non-stop. I know that you know how very special it is, and it’s still my favourite of them all. My own personal association, and the heavy ties to 20/12/2012 (when I first played it, I thought they were mere days away and the tension was almost too much to handle ha) makes this 100% a Christmas-but-not-Christmas game for me!

[@SuperDoctor9]

The spirit of the advent calendar lives on! Always helps to get me in the Christmas mood. The two games that come to my mind are games that I think I only associate with winter and Christmas because I played them in December a few years ago, The Outer Wilds and Hollow Knight. Two excellent games that in different ways have cozy elements and atmospheres. Being able to sit by a campfire and roast a marshmallow in the madness of a space exploration game is always a calming moment before you step back into your ship

[@Rayman_Budgie84]

Death stranding was amazing for me in Xmas 2020, stuck on me own during lockdown, every year I'd meet up with the family but this was the first time on my own. Having the goal of Sam delivering and making that world be as efficient as possible was such a soothing and worthwhile experience. And was humbling to have deliveries at mybdoor and presents arriving even though I couldnt see the fam we felt connected. An amazing experience

[@LazerzZ]

Yeah, there’s something about Death Stranding’s isolation that feels peaceful and during a time where a lot of people were sadly forced to be alone, I can imagine the game really helps you to be content in that isolation more so than you would be otherwise.

[@moritakaishida7963]

My favourite game to always go back to in winter is horizon zero dawn, i know its not really a christmas game or even set in winter but it was my first ps4 game that I ever got for christmas 2017, (and by that i mean first game i got that wasnt just me borrowing what my brother already got) and i spent the entire break playing it over and over again, my 14 year old self loved just walking around and experiancing the beauty of the world guerilla made, and the snowy areas at night with the stars out and snow falling as a stormbird flew by in the distance gave me a sense of comfort and peace that i really needed at that time

[@martin2289]

Thanks so much for reminding me of "Little Inferno" - the perfect thing for a Christmas-time evening of cosy fun.

[@Wighafoc]

Skyrim is the game I always go back to around Christmas time

[@SkandiTV]

Minecraft is always a cozy time around Advent, but for me personally, all of December feels like the *perfect* time to hop back into Skyrim. The ambience, the music, the calm winter vibes. It does help that I live in Norway and the outside world looks very much like Skyrim itself to me anyway haha

[@dgamer0949]

Undertale is one that feels incredibly wintery to me! From the cozy feel of the whole game, to the amazing soundtrack, to all the lovely characters and more! Also I had an incredibly varied childhood in gaming growing up being able to play almost everything so one of the ones that also sticks out to me oddly enough are some point and click Nancy Drew games.

[@MyztikalForcez]

When you enter a snowy area in Death Stranding you will hear Christmas bells ringing 😊

[@MrPezsaab]

Ever think the early prologue Of Revelations does this? When you're wandering through masyaf in the blizzarding cold going through Al Mualims study interacting with items to see Altairs ghost, gives a real Christmas Carol vibe, at least to me since i first played it on Christmas Day

[@FallingWhales6294]

My Main Christmas game has got to be Skyrim. Whereas Oblvion has got to be the perfect Summer game. Not entirely Christmas, more winter in general, but i always want to pay Dishonored around winter.

[@LazerzZ]

I can totally see that, I suppose it’s the difference in weather between Skyrim and Cyrodiil. Skyrim definitely is a great game to jump into a Christmas, honestly wish I’d included it here

[@spenkerdetanker9067]

finally, someone who gets me. I do this every year with rewatching the last kingdom because the 1st season in particular, gives me the christmas winter vibes fr

[@Comicbroe405]

Death Stranding as a Christmas game isn't smtg I thought but does make sense with its message of connecting ppl.

[@DuskinCBC]

Aussie here, -_- Nice video, love seeing the different Christmas vibes. Harry Potter has always been a go to for Christmas vibes for me too. I find that I always feel an urge to play Nintendo games around Christmas. It’s probably because I’m thinking back to playing with DS’s or the Wii with my siblings growing up, but yeah. Definitely going to break out mario kart again for the build up.

[@CMW003]

For some reason the star wars old republic mmo always hits the spot around Christmas for me. No clue why just always feels so cozy to make a new character and level it up around the holidays

[@LazerzZ]

I can definitely see that, the vibe of just wandering around, doing quests, sinking your time in and what not, definitely a nice cosy vibe

[@i.e.4427]

My personal favorite christmasy video game is saints row 4. That christmas dlc is pretty much a dead giveaway

[@sonicexereaper6814]

In my book, Far Cry 4 is without a doubt the best game to play while the Christmas season is strong. Truth to be told, Kyrat’s Himalayan settings flows extremely well with the holiday season theme. Blasted some Jackson 5 bangers, along with old school, iconic Christmas bangers, and you have yourself a real Christmas gaming experience.

[@scottfisher1311]

For me its changes in phases 2010 - 2015 - I got Assassin's Creed every Christmas so that feels festive to me, I remember playing Revelations so long when I got it I fell asleep controller in hand. 2014 - 2016 - I played Batman Arkham Origins every year on Christmas eve start to finish, one year my brother watched and we customised our controllers to be batman and joker themed and made masks out of paper. 2016 - present - My now fiancee (only been together a few months at the time) got me The Last Guardian for christmas, I played it for the first time that christmas and it replaced Arham origins as my christmas eve game each year. 2022 - present - Inspired by the christmas maze series on Playstation Acess, I started to make my own version for my fiancee to play through each year. It consists of a set of 7 challenges in different games that I prepare in secret. Each challenge wins her one of her gifts. I like to craft alot of props for these things and if you'd like, here are some examples of challenges I have written... - Simple stuff like completing a Crash level without breaking boxes - A treaure hunt in AC4 Black Flag which ended with a meta twist where the final clue was in the room the whole time to reference coming out of the animus - Having to find and cook ingredients to comlete resteraunt orders (fake menus by me) in Breath of the Wild - JoJo all Star Battle R but the oponent is decided using a custom guess who board. Each match can be interupted by stand abilities such as The Worlds time stop meaning you cant move for 10 seconds or Killer Queen: Bites the Dust undoing the AI's first loss. - Best one ive worked on so far is one from this year which is based on Alan Wake 2 - it begins with a basic challenge but when she opens her gift its a manuscript page from Alan Wake describing her opening and finding the page. Each other page has a mini challenge and some have lore which leads to a whole story about performing a ritual created by the cult of the word to bring back Alan, Scratch stopping annother attempt by Alan to escape the dark place before the events of the second game and creepy visuals I have set to play on the TV which over the course of the challenge shows Scratch getting closer and closer before arriving in the room with us and having to be banished by the clicker. If anyone read all this, thank you and I hope you have an amazing Christmas.

[@Joshmh96]

Intro to Fable 2, the atmosphere just rings Christmas to me. Good childhood memories ❤

[@rasmus6199]

I always play through Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 every year around Christmas

[@matthijsweststrate5552]

for me Euro Truck Simulator 2 with the grimes winter mod. It just looks so peacefull driving around the countryside and highways

[@theguyinthere]

The original Star Wars Battlefront games were always my christmas games because that's when i'd get them. matter of fact i've been playing the 2004/2005 versions of battlefront on steam the last few days.

[@GreyGamesYT]

The Christmas game for me has to be The Sims 4. Just always find myself installing it again around winter due to the homely feel. Even if said home is a barron waste of nothingness unless you suck the toes of your EA overlords. But other than that, it's just become something I do, sometimes, without even realising it. Also, seeing Halo Reach in the background reminds me of when me and my brother got that for Christmas. Good times.

[@DonPasquale_]

Animal Crossing will always be the most nostalgic Christmas game for me

[@tuckerkeith9951]

Ark survival evolved has such a fun Christmas event. 2 Christmases ago, I was able to take a 3 week vacation and my gf and I just played it nonstop and since then there’s always been a touch of Christmas when I play it

[@fungamezplayer7215]

I like going back to mafia 2, sky: children of the light, and my old childhood classics like knack 2 and the Lego movie video game.

[@elisha2358]

There's a game called "Gris". It's a platformer with breathtaking visuals and the most cumfy soothing music. I would highly recommend it for the festive season.

[@LostSoulNo301281]

For me every Assassin's Creed game is a "Xmas game" because I've always received them as gifts for Xmas. Also, Syndicate feels very Xmassy, I think, because of the Victorian setting as the Victorian era has a lot of films linked to Xmas.

[@scarabyt]

There's three certainties in life - Death, Taxes, and the KZbin notification system not working properly

[@LazerzZ]

When KZbin notifies me I assume it’s a scam

[@Ingisen]

My Top 5 for the holidays, in no particular order: - Journey - Jak & Daxter TPL - Kingdom Hearts 1 - ICO - Nier Automata They are full of charm and mystery, and they're sheer power displays of great talent

[@PhilipePXF]

Cozy, winter feeling during Xmas. Me, in Brazil, almost having heatstroke while at home: tell me more....

[@sizeable-cult3169]

I played Red Dead Redemption 2 for the first time around Christmas and I feel like personally it gives that Christmas vibe, for the first missions at least

[@tyleroutland435]

I love death stranding I'm excited for the sequel.

[@SkyeTheNerd]

Skyrim and Assassin's Creed Rogue are 2 games that always gave me the feelings of Christmas or winter.

[@joshpayne6119]

For me I agree with one of your points, The Lego games are what i like to play up to and around Xmas, Lego star wars or Lego batman

My christmas games are less about the winter vibes (because I'm from South America so technically not Australia haha gotcha) and more about games I remember playing after the Christmas eve celebrations were over. Games like AC2, resident evil 3, Age of Empires 2 and more recently Monkey Island 3, are the ones I love to go back to. I remember when the Resident Evil 3 remake came out and waited until everyone in my house went to bed and did a full playtrough of the game (which took my about 5 or 6 hs). I got to see the ending with the morning sunrise of Christmas day and got very emotional about it.

[@pedersennicklas99]

Another banger from Dr. Gaming.

[@captainhook1911]

Skyrim definitely has that Christmas feeling to me, but for me personally, the first three Harry Potter games on the PS2 are my favorites to play at Christmastime. It could be because of the winter/Christmas scenes, maybe the design of Hogwarts and it's grounds are reminiscent of something Christmas related, or perhaps the score by Jeremy Soule evokes that cozy Hogwarts feel. Whatever the reason, those early Harry Potter games feel the most like Christmas to me in terms of gaming.

[@TomZilla22]

Shadow of Mordor is a huge one for me. I also always watch the Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit around Christmas time. But more than that, I got the PS4 for Christmas from my parents back in 2014. And I also got Shadow of Mordor. Some lovely memories. ❤️

[@Sun-Eater616]

For me personally, Skyrim and The Division 1 get revisited every Christmas 👌🎄🎁

[@adamkc]

For the passed few years me and the boys hop on gta when it’s snowing and go for a lil road trip. Such a good time! Thanks for the vid James!

[@harrymackay9833]

i felt the christmas vibes in this vid ngl

[@emil4445]

Mines are Uncharted 2 and Far Cry 4. Uncharted 2 purely because of nostalgia as I remember playing it the days up until Christmas when you were playing the last parts of the game in the snowy environments. The same goes for Far Cry 4 which which I got for Christmas and one of my first PS4 games back in the day. Also, RIP advent calendar - but even videos like these spread throughout December is still awesome.

[@TheKryce]

Final Fantasy 7 and all of its spinoffs/remakes feel really Christmasy to me, can't explain why.

[@JoeBloggs42069]

I can’t watch this yet, but am excited to do so. Thanks for the literal years of fantastic content, dude. Merry Christmas ❤️

[@LazerzZ]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@miguelitoreyes5514]

Red Dead Redemption II is intrinsically linked to the holidays for me. It launched in late October 2018, and, as the massive game it is, it took me well into the new year to complete. I have very fond memories of playing it during Thanksgiving and Christmas time. And I've made it an annual thing to start a replay the week of Thanksgiving, and while it typically doesn't take me all the way until Christmas to finish, I'm always playing into December and it sets the mood. I'm currently in chapter 4 right now, in fact. I also heavily associate Lego Star Wars with Christmas, as I got both OG games for 2 Christmases in a row as a kid. I might finally go back and finish the Skywalker Saga this year during winter break (I work with kids in a local school district so I get all of their breaks as well). The last of my big 3 Christmas games has to be The Witcher III. I got it with Christmas money in 2015, and ever since, the entire IP has been a favorite of mine to revisit. Re-reading the books, avoiding the terrible Netflix show, and replaying III are some of my favorite things to do around the holidays, even though I don't always have time to revisit III. I never finished my replay when the next gen upgrade dropped, so I do plan on doing that this year during break, though. Honorable mentions are 007 Agent Under Fire, Everything or Nothing, and Bloodstone. Bond also does hand in hand with the holidays in my family haha

[@Luxaron]

It is indeed Summer over here.

[@grubfilms9043]

I hate that Christmas games have just become games I haven't had time to play the last few months because of work/school pain (merry christmas)

[@zathurnox3783]

I had a feeling that something was missing this month and I've finally found it. I forgot James announced that the advent series was no more... I loved watching the somewhat no effort video every night, I always looked forward to watching the daily uploads, it had certain charm to it. I understand that making the advent series must feel like hell but those were the shit, i'd say that i enjoyed them more than the high effort vids. God the fucking syndicate videos were iconic. I hope there would be more videos for 2024(Alan wake 2 and Disco Elysium eh?)

[@Sneaky_racoon_sly]

Crazy today I thought about death stranding today and that i should play it right now again. I also played it 2021 in december and every person had christmas hats on their head.

[@aspacelex]

Personally my favorite Christmas game is Die Hard: the Videogame, which - not many people know this - is actually set during Christmas.

[@LazerzZ]

I had no idea that existed

[@capsule2323]

One game I associate with Christmas recently would be Hollow Knight. My friend recommended me that game in december 2021 and I sunk hours and hours into that game through the entire month

[@capsule2323]

That reminds me there is an area in the game reminscent of snowing but im pretty sure thats ash 😅

[@fpsashh]

This was a fun vid, one game thats a christmas game to me is final fantasy 15. I remember getting on christmas eve the year it came out cuz my mum knew how excited i was for it, I don't replay it every december time but I do every other December

[@mattbailey7832]

For me the bungie era Halo games are “Xmas Games”. Which is odd as I rarely play them at Christmas time but they always give me a cosy Christmas feeling. Probably due to me having immense nostalgia of being a kid when I play them which I connect to family and togetherness which is pretty much the vibe of Christmas. Also, don’t know if u plan to do it but would love to hear ur take on GOW Valhalla when u get around to it. I enjoyed it A LOT more than the base game and wonder if u feel similar.

[@ajax3748]

What's this Greenie?

[@LazerzZ]

Assassin Christmas?

[@NuStiuFrate]

I forgot why i unsubbed but when december came, i knew i had to come back to get some greenie christmas. Also, my suggestion would be Frostpunk. It's a strategy game where everyone is freezing to death and they all gather around a big furnace to survive. It also involves coal as a vital resource, which would ironically be seen as a pretty good gift to receive in that world.

[@dappercrook6238]

This hit me in my bones I 100% agree, great mix of vibe and nostaliga make for that great christmas vibe. Shoutout to Skyrim too, a big one for me

[@clawstruckwizard9847]

Let’s hope Tyler doesn’t see that intro

[@reecenotryhs]

I'm sorry to say that every year, without fail, Assassin's Creed Fever comes back with a vengeance to consume my thoughts and force me into dusting off my Xbox. Revelations in particular, since I first got into the franchise around Summer 2011 meaning I spent Christmas that year playing the newest game, Revelations. That being said, I'm considering either a Skyrim replay or a first playthrough of Death Stranding this year, so that'll be fun.

[@RealHorsen]

Assassin's Christmas?

[@LazerzZ]

What’s this greenie?

[@damiengolder3278]

Ac revelations just because snow and I played it during Christmas time. Oh simple brain things

[@Yilue]

13:41 I fucking knew it 🤣

[@wickdaline8668]

My pick would definitely be TW3. Love to see Geralt and Yennefer under a missile toe.

[@ChaseBuck]

The Witcher 3 is usually my go to for this time of year- sinking into hunts, exploring small islands or coves, and the music man… funny you mention winter 2019 with Death Stranding, TLOU2 hit me hard November-December 2019 so it sticks out every year- would replay it if it wasn’t so emotionally demanding😂

[@neals2955]

I remember playing Uncharted Lost Legacy couple years ago. I get so much nostaliga from that game. It got me in the christmas/winter mood. Plus, the fact that the game is short and I completed it in more or less a day just makes the experience more memorable as it was like a movie :)) Loved the video. Might check out assassins creed syndicate and replay a bit of death stranding xD

[@jax_wildguess]

My list: 1. Frostpunk 2. The Division 1 3. Spiderman MM

[@tarpsoff57]

It’s the Uncharted series for me

[@MLGcoworker]

Oy what’s this Greenie A LAZZERZ’ UPLOAD

[@docnod2]

Tell me your a communist without telling me your a communist. This guy wins in 14 seconds. All the while benefiting from capitalism. Bravo mate!

[@LloydGhee]

ik we're not getting an advent calendar this year, but will we still get an assassin xmas vid?

[@LazerzZ]

This video sort of doubles up as the assassin Christmas video. But what I’ll likely do is repurpose advent calendar stuff and just do them on stream over the next month 👌🏻

[@GLB223]

3:03 great music indeed

[@jasminejou1273]

omg ac odyssey burning in the fireplace XDD okay but seriously loved this video, made me feel all warm inside :#

[@tyleroutland435]

Ac syndicate is one of my favorite ones in the frozen

[@tyleroutland435]

Franchise

[@SaltyDylan]

Yule Log lookin like a California gender reveal

[@brandonjeffries5604]

When you brought up Minecraft and your reasoning for it I really thought any of the Kingdom Hearts games would be next😂😂

[@LazerzZ]

Kingdom Hearts is a classic but it doesn’t feel particularly Christmassy to me, maybe DDD is though

[@brandonjeffries5604]

@LazerzZ Honestly if I had to pick one of the games it'd be KH1 or 2. I'm curious to know why DDD??😂

[@brandonjeffries5604]

@LazerzZ Maybe 3 because of Frozen but I really didn't like that world. Oh, also Toy Box is in it which is to me in my Top 3 levels and worlds in that series

[@LazerzZ]

Could be because of around when I played DDD I guess? There’s also this sense of isolation to it because of the sleeping worlds, just feels so relaxing to me idk why that is, just a really nice vibe for Christmas.

[@brandonjeffries5604]

@LazerzZ I mean that's understandable. DDD is a VERY underrated game in the series😂. Speaking of Christmas I hope yours was great and that you have a great new year!!!

[@sellenjunk]

I'm a but late but love the vibe and intention of this video!

[@tyleroutland435]

I love witcher 3

[@StudioQuinnOfficial]

Subnautica is goated

[@WarriorStarXI2005]

Marry Christmas to everyone ❤🥰

[@SomasAcademy]

What's this James-ie - Assassin Christmas?

[@wickdaline8668]

Dead Rising 4 is another Christmas game.

[@liamkelsall1180]

Been over a month. Missed you james!

[@lockejohnex]

Yakuza, it's always Yakuza

[@unicorntomboy9736]

Where is that Assassin's Creed Black Flag 10 year retrospective?

[@HegartyMath]

Merry Christmas

[@hilariousstuntsinc8827]

Skyrim should have been on this list