We're ending the year with a handful of possible gems and more time for the 2025 backlog.

And just like that, the year is over. While 2025’s new game release calendar saw the occasional dry spell, we were never left lacking for long, and with a gauntlet of big shooter releases barely behind us, I’m ready for some downtime. I’ll need it before the new 2026 games roll in.

That’s not to say we’re totally clear of new games for the month, though. I’ve had my eye on a few holiday horror releases like Sleep Awake and Routine, because of course I want to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with tales of an insomnia plague and a haunted lunar base. Then there’s Skate Story—which is about a less-haunted, but equally weird, moon—and Unbeatable, a rhythmic adventure game set in a world where music is illegal.

December’s schedule also features the usual end-of-year shows, including our very own PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted, and The Game Awards a week after. If you’re still hurting for something to do, then keep on scrollin’ to the end, where I’ve outlined the dates for Steam’s Winter sale, games with big updates on the way, and even more new releases. I’ve been good this year, so I’m asking Santa for Octopath Traveler 0. The naughty kids have to play the first one again. Sorry.

December’s big PC release dates

Creepy stone structure in Sleep Awake that appears to be in a land filled with nothing but sand. There are a few ghostly bodies strew around on the outside, and the scene is lit with an ominous red hue.December 2Sleep Awake

Sleep Awake (Steam) is out this month with a woefully relatable horror story about fighting sleep, which somehow makes insomnia sound more scary than usual. I trust my colleague Elie with all things spooky, so when they sang praises in their Sleep Awake preview, I was sold.

An astronaut figure standing in the darkness with their back turned to the cameraDecember 4Routine

Routine (Steam) was over a decade in the making, but the '80s-themed future is finally here as the creepy sci-fi FPS launches early this month. From the looks of it, Routine’s lunar horror show is a testament to a bit of age-old internet wisdom passed on for generations: Moon’s haunted.

A strange night sky environment with a mecha-like figure on a skateboard dashing toward a low to the ground planetDecember 8Skate Story

Skate Story (Steam) makes you a demonic Tony Hawk in what I can only describe as a reverse Majora’s Mask situation, where you must eat the moon. Instead of fearing the moon, the moon fears me. I don’t know how else to explain it, but it sure looks stylish as hell.

Two young girls in a hand-drawn anime arty style. The taller one has pink hair, the shorter one has blue hair. December 9Unbeatable

Unbeatable (Steam) combines action adventure and rhythm gaming for a musical number somewhere in between. As Beat, you’ll commit a few crimes in an anime world where music is illegal and punching cops involves a whole song-and-dance routine.

December gaming events and sales

The PC Gaming Show Most Wanted 2025 logo from its YouTube channel, featuring the date highlighted on December 4 and the

(Image credit: Future)

Cyber Monday PC gaming deals kicked off the month on December 1The PC Gaming Show Most Wanted 2025 airs on December 4, featuring a list of 25 upcoming games worth keeping an eye on (so says The Council)The Game Awards returns on December 11 for its yearly ceremony and includes an Expedition 33-filled nominees listMore Steam sales continue through December and into 2026: November 24 – December 1: Black Friday SaleDecember 8 – December 15: Sports FestDecember 18 – January 5: 2025 Steam Winter Sale

Early access games and 1.0 launches in December 2025

ASCII Art enemy with wings in Effulgence RPGDecember 2Effulgence RPG

Effulgence RPG (Steam) brings its world crafted entirely from ASCII art to early access on December 2

A blonde young woman with a pink tattoo on her face pointing off camera from CloudheimDecember 4Cloudheim

Cloudheim (Steam) sends 1-4 players on a co-op crafting adventure chosen by the gods when it enters early access on December 4

A Knight-like character from Echoes of Elysium staring in the distance as an airship takes offDecember 4Echoes of Elysium

Echoes of Elysium (Steam) lets you bring up to six friends along for its survival crafting airship journey in early access on December 4

Ashes of Creation Knight-like character wearing silver armor and a colorful, feathered helmetDecember 11Ashes of Creation

Ashes of Creation (Steam) makes the jump to early access on December 11, almost nine years after kickstarting its PvP/PvE MMO

Games with major updates and events in December

Eminem's Slim Shady persona wearing overalls and looking at the screen in Hitman 3December 1Hitman 3 - The Eminien vs. Slim Shady Pack

Hitman 3 (Steam) drops its Eminem vs. Slim Shady pack on December 1, and includes the most valuable cosmetic item of our generation—a Jar of Mom’s Spaghetti

A Star Wars-looking character in Destiny 2: RenegadesDecember 2Destiny 2: Renegades

Destiny 2: Renegades (Steam) launches on December 2 with new Star Wars-themed goodies, additional story missions, and a 3-player dungeon

The Zoo area of the museum added to Two Point MuseumDecember 2Two Point Museum: Zooseum

Two Point Museum’s (Steam) Zooseum DLC adds habitat animals and terrarium critters to its exhibits on December 2

The Scholar from Elden Ring Nightreign The Forsake Hollows looking down at their bookDecember 4Elden Ring: Nightreign - The Forsaken Hollows

Elden Ring Nightreign (Steam) launches The Forsaken Hollows expansion on December 4 with two Nightfarers, more bosses, and another Shifting Earth

A viking colony piecing together a new place to live on a foggy beachDecember 4Northgard Definitive Edition

Northgard (Steam) celebrates eight years of viking city-building with its Definitive Edition upgrades on December 4 (and it’s free for anyone who already owns it)

A Hive Scum added in the new Warhammer 40,000: Darktide updateDecember 4Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - Hive Scum

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Steam) debuts its Hive Scum DLC class and their toxic talent tree on December 4

Marathon character shrouded in blue mist standing on the roof of a building. Their weapon is aiming up at the sky while they look down. December 12Marathon

Marathon (Steam) squeezes in one more playtest before the year is over on December 12, but this time it’s limited to players in North America

Monster Hunter Wilds preview of Title Update 4December 16Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 4

Monster Hunter Wilds (Steam) drops Title Update 4 on December 16, welcoming the Elder Dragon Gogmazios and more ways to die to Rathalos

More games releasing in December 2025

The HD-2D art style of Octopath Traveler 0, showing the main party all gathered outside at dusk watching as a woman cries in front of a grave.

Octopath Traveler 0 (Image credit: Square Enix)

December 1 — Marvel Cosmic Invasion - 2D Marvel beat-'em-up (Steam)December 2 — Kingdom of Night - '80s-themed isometric action RPG (Steam)December 4 — Ferocious - Solo survival FPS against dinos, mercenaries, and mechs (Steam)December 4 — Octopath Traveler 0 - New Customizable HD-2D RPG (Steam)December 5 — The You Quiz - 3 to 8-player party game quizzing you on the besties (Steam)December 8 — Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut - Yakuza’s prequel with new scenes (Steam)December 9 — Anxiety Puppy - Interactive narrative about anxiety (Steam)December 9 — Death Howl - Soulslike deckbuilding and a mother’s grief (Steam)December 12 — Terminator 2D: No Fate - Side-scrolling arcade action as Sarah Connor and T-800 (Steam)December ?? — Quarantine Zone: The Last Check - Protect humanity from biological threats (Steam)

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