Which games to get for Christmas? That's the question many of us are stumped by nowadays: choosing gifts is hard! However, if the person you're buying a gift for - including yourself - is a gamer, we do have a few ideas on what you probably should be aiming for.

Today, we're taking a step back from the newest and most hyped-up releases of 2020. Our job is to present you with a list of 8 phenomenal bang-for-your-buck games that have the potential of keeping just about anybody busy for dozens of hours at a time. Some of these are new, some of them are old: all of them, however, are awesome.

The way we picked these entries out is simple. We wanted to ensure that each of them offers loads and loads of content and that they could play the role of a Christmas gift for someone who doesn't yet have them. To that end, we've got some MMOs, some action-adventures, some shooters, and some RPGs. The usual suspects, really!

What are the Best Games to get for Christmas?

As we said: bang-for-buck was our prime concern with these. To best clarify our process, we'll be including completionist playtimes under each entry, as well as other assorted data on post-story activities you can engage in later on. That way, you'll be able to ensure that the recipient of your gift has plenty to do over the coming days. Longevity matters, does it not?

Monster Hunter: World + Iceborne

Monster Hunter World Iceborne Nargacuga

Perhaps the most obvious entry on this list, Monster Hunter: World and its phenomenal Iceborne expansion are a must-have for anyone with even a passing interest in this franchise. The game is a highly-technical action RPG where grinding for better and cooler gear comes first and foremost. What helps is that its gameplay is incredibly engaging, its creatures are amazing to fight against, and there's just so much stuff to do wherever you turn.

What makes it particularly relevant is the fact that there's no new PC Monster Hunter game in sight, so players are bound to stick with this one for quite a while now. While the base Monster Hunter: World game is plenty fun, its Iceborne DLC is pretty much a must-have at this point. It not only doubles the amount of content available but also adds a variety of quality-of-life improvements and important features, like armor and weapon transmog. Fun!

Get Monster Hunter: Iceborne Master Edition today!

Dishonored: Complete Collection

Dishonored: Complete Collection is precisely what it says on the tin. Everything Dishonored that you could possibly wish for! This wonderful offering bundles the two mainline game releases alongside all of their DLC into a gaming experience that's downright monumental. We're talking about the very pinnacle of immersive sim gaming here, so make no mistake: this is an amazing deal.

Quality-wise, Dishonored: Complete Collection is downright impeccable. Far as playtime goes, we're still talking about a very impressive product. Or, rather, a collection of products. Even if you rush through all the different campaigns and stories, it will still take you 40-50 hours for a single playthrough. Add bonus modes, the franchise's unprecedented replayability, and Dishonored 2's awesome New Game + mode, and what you've got is a game that just keeps going. Perfect for a gift!

Get Dishonored: Complete Collection today!

ESO: Expansion Pack

Some might scoff at this entry on our list, but Elder Scrolls Online has proven its worth time and again. Most of those who don't actively play the game don't actually know how its content is spread out, but it's simple: the ongoing yearly DLC includes everything that came out before it. Oh, that's right - buying Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor nets you the entirety of Elsweyr, Summerset, Morrowind, and the base ESO game, too. How's that for longevity?

Even cooler still, Greymoor is set in the northern part of Skyrim, which means fans of the Elder Scrolls franchise will - again - get to visit popular locations they are already familiar with, centuries before they ever had the chance to before. All in all, a great deal, and ESO's uniquely solo-friendly orientation guarantees that even the most antisocial of us have plenty to enjoy in this wonderful MMORPG.

Get Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor today!

Borderlands 3 + Season Pass 1

games-to-get-for-christmas-borderlands3

We know, we know - Borderlands 3 has been getting plenty of attention this year, but look, it's for good reason. Questionable as its main narrative might be, you're just not going to find a better looter-shooter when it comes to sheer gunplay and loot quantity. The game is fun!

Perhaps more relevant, however, is the fact that there's a lot to do in Borderlands 3. You'll notice that our recommendation is to get the base game and Season Pass #1, and that's for good reason: you get 4 extra mini-campaigns as part of it! Season Pass 2 we're still unsure of. We enjoy what it's offered so far, but most of its content remains a total mystery still. Its predecessor is a safe bet, however, and will keep you busy for quite a while.

Get Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe today!

Far Cry 5 Gold Edition

After Far Cry 6 got pushed back well into 2021, we thought taking a look back at the latest mainline Far Cry title might not be a bad idea. Lo and behold: Far Cry 5 Gold is an awesome bang for anyone's buck! At its core, this is a classic Ubisoft game, with plenty of optional activities and collectible items. This incurs a specific kind of gameplay loop that not everyone will enjoy as much as we have, but trust us when we say that the game is pretty darn great.

Since this is the Gold or ultimate version of the game, you do also get three mini-campaign DLCs, as well as a variety of items to use in the main campaign mode. These aren't nearly as good as the base game, but they're fun diversions as you progress through the main narrative. All in all, if it's a nice open-world shooter you're looking for, you could do way worse than Far Cry 5.

Get Far Cry 5 Gold Edition today!

Resident Evil 2 Remake + Resident Evil 3 Remake

The two most high-profile Resident Evil remakes - RE2R and RE3R are pretty darn awesome, each in their own right. Whereas Resident Evil 2 leans way more heavily towards its horror roots, Resident Evil 3 offers a reimagination of Jill's legendary final adventure in Racoon City. It's way more action-packed, as a result.

Bundled together, these two games are like a high-end window into the late 90s, because Racoon City itself finally feels more like an actual (formerly) living city, rather than as a series of vaguely interconnected combat 'n' puzzle arenas. While some critics felt that RE3R wasn't quite as good as RE2R was, we think it's just different enough to have garnered a different sort of feedback. Far as zombie-themed games go, though? It's hard to get anything better than this, we promise.

Get Resident Evil 2 Remake & Resident Evil 3 Remake today!

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War Definitive Edition

Another game that was swamped in strange controversy at launch, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War did eventually prove that it's a quality product. By the time that happened, however, its hype seems to have petered out. If you're even remotely interested in the game, LOTR lore be damned, you really ought to re-add it to your radar.

Shadow of War's campaign is a pretty lengthy ordeal all of its own, but if you add the infinitely-scaling Shadow Wars endgame to the mix, as well as its two post-launch campaign DLCs, you're likely to get dozens of hours out of the game easily. Of course, the Nemesis system works hard to keep you engaged with your ever-growing Orc army at all times. Why it's not praised more often for managing to do so, we'll never know. Oldie but goldie!

Get Middle-Earth: Shadow of War - Definitive Edition today!

Sunset Overdrive

games-to-get-for-christmas-sunset-overdrive

Night City might be all the rage these days, but relatively few people ever remember Sunset City, in our experience. This is a darn shame, too, because Sunset Overdrive is an incredible game that's yet to be topped. Developed by none other than Insomniac Games of Ratchet & Clank and Spider-Man fame, Sunset Overdrive is a completely over-the-top open-world action-adventure. Players get to use ridiculous weapons to kill ridiculous monsters, and all is well in the world.

What makes Sunset Overdrive really special is the fact that Insomniac made it. These guys' signature is all over the game, and since we can't get Spider-Man on PC, we have to make do with what we've got. It does help that Sunset Overdrive is a rather big game, granted, with plenty of stuff to do, collect, and destroy.

Get Sunset Overdrive today!

Are these the Games to get for Christmas?

If it's sheer breadth and width of content you need, but without sacrificing quality, the eight entries on our list of games to get for Christmas should be a safe bet! Whether it's for yourself or as a gift for someone else, these games will easily keep anyone busy and entertained for quite a while, and that's as grand a gift as any.

However, if you're not too keen on any of these, and would prefer to keep looking, don't despair! Our Winter Sale went live just yesterday, and we invite you to check it out when you get the chance. Alternatively, we've also got a number of different game features and showcases you might be interested in. Find them using the links below:

Have a great weekend, and happy gaming!

Which games to get for Christmas? That’s the question many of us are stumped by nowadays: choosing gifts is hard! However, if the person you’re buying a gift for – including yourself – is a gamer, we do have a few ideas on what you probably should be aiming for. Today, we’re taking a step back from […]