As we get to the middle of winter here are a few games to play so you can sit in your cozy room with the heat on full blast and bags of chips to help you along. There were some great releases in the second half of last year. So now is a great time to go into full hermit mode to get back into action.
Nine Sols

Nine Sols came out in May and it’s the newest offering from Red Candles Games. They’re a Taiwan based studio, and their last game was a psychological horror that most people loved. This new game is more cartoonish than the last, but that doesn’t mean it’s not as good. You get to wield a sword in a lore rich world with deflection being your biggest focus throughout the entire game. If you want to play a game where speed and attention are key, this is the one you want to spend some time with.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape

The first Destiny was released a staggering decade ago, so we’re ready for the next installment and it dropped back in June. You get lots of great gun play in a sci-fi setting and no one could ever hope for more. The old Destiny formula is in full swing, and it gives you the conclusion to the Light and Darkness Saga that you’ve been hoping for. Even if the previous expansions have been pretty “meh” this one will make you happy to jump back into the universe.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

If you’ve played Persona, there might be something you don’t know about it. That game is a spinoff of Shin Megami Tensei. In fact, it happens to be a much lighter and younger version of it. This game has you recruiting demons and gods to help you fight through your post-apocalyptic world and it’s a far cry from the teenage battles of the more popular spin off. They take JRPG and give it a deviant spin that will bring you out of the childlike world of wonder and slam you into a realm of darkness and pain. Fun!
Still Wakes the Deep

Then we get to Still Wakes the Deep. This comes from the same studio that brought you Everybody’s Going to the Rapture and Dear Esther. Just like their other games, this one doesn’t have any combat, but that doesn’t mean it’s not actionless. You’ll have to make your way through an old oil rig on Christmas of 1975. You’ll be at the mercy of the elements and something less than natural. It’s ecohorror at its finest and you’ll be fully immersed in the atmosphere this game has waiting for you.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is the latest DLC for one of the most impressive games out there and it doesn’t disappoint. You’ll get to flesh out the universe and take a deep dive into the Erdtree, and finally find out how deep its roots run. Of course, that’s if you like Elden Ring lore and want to get into it. If you don’t, you just get to fight bad guys with an awesome sword. It seems like a win/win situation for everyone who wants to get involved with the game.
Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail

Final Fantasy 14 came out ten years ago but it’s still going strong with DLC and this is the latest in that lineup. In Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, you’ll explore the realm of Tarul. It’s a water world and you’re going to spend a lot of time looking at the scenery. It’s beautiful from the very beginning and you’ll also get to enjoy the story of the Tarul throne. It gets a full graphical overhaul, and you’ll even get a new dye slot to further customize your clothes. If you want an adventure game, then this is one to experience.
Frostpunk 2

Frostpunk 2 is the follow up of the last game in the series and it takes the story further than where you left it. While the last game had you build a society after the ice took over the planet and destroyed the last one, this one has you fighting to preserve it. You’ll still get plenty of building, but you’ll also have to fight against rising factions that all want to control the planet. You have to be smart and ruthless to win this game and you’ll want to spend lots of time doing it.
Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong was released on August 19th last year. It’s a Chinese video game that seems poised to ride high on the wave created by others like Naraka and Genshin Impact. This one will let you play as a monkey with a staff as you make your way thought the semi-open world. You’ll get to fight Chinese villains like Tiger Vanguard and Centipede Guai. You get a melee weapon as well as a spells system, so you’re going to have a choice when it comes to your gaming style and that’s always worth checking out.
Star Wars Outlaws

If you like Ubisoft, then you’re going to want to check out Star Wars Outlaws that came out at the end of the summer. It came out on August 27th and it drops you right in the middle of the Outer Rim. You’ll play a heist game in the Star Wars universe, and it doesn’t give you the option of using space magic. It’s a stealth game that lets you sneak around with a blaster at your side and the fate of your credits on the line. If you’re tired of laser swords and force pushing, this is a welcome reprieve.