If you have some free time after the holidays and are looking for a game to play, here are a few suggestions to help you enjoy the start of the new year. As another fantastic year for video games comes to a close, we’ve picked out some titles that are truly captivating and will keep you entertained for hours.
These games are incredibly engaging and thoughtfully made, so you’ll likely find yourself still thinking about them even when you’re not actively playing. Let’s dive in!
1. Where Winds Meet
This wuxia RPG stands out for its incredible amount of things to do, how well-made they all are, and the sheer variety. It’s best enjoyed as an open world where you can freely explore, discovering tons of engaging side quests and stories alongside a captivating main plot.
This game offers a ton of content with its online multiplayer features and robust character customization. The exciting combat and gear systems make building unique characters for player-versus-player battles really rewarding. With ongoing updates planned, you can easily lose yourself in the game for over 100 hours.
2. EA Sports FC 26
This long-running football game remains a great choice for players who want something they can enjoy for years. It offers a deep Career mode, frequent online events, and the ability to compete against friends – either as opponents or teammates. There’s plenty to keep you engaged.
The game plays really well, offering a realistic experience that makes you feel like you’re actually in the match. It’s challenging, though – you’ll need to be at your best to succeed. Once you start playing, be prepared to invest a good amount of time, as it’s a game you can really get lost in.
3. Fortnite
Fortnite has become much more than just a game—it’s a full-fledged platform with endless things to do. Between its many different modes, constant stream of new content, fun social features, and the incredibly popular Battle Royale, you could easily lose yourself for hundreds of hours without even realizing it.
The islands offer a great chance to express yourself and have fun! Just be mindful of your spending – it’s easy to get carried away with all the cool clothes and souvenirs.
4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim + Expansions
As a huge fan, let me tell you, once you start playing Skyrim as the Dragonborn, it’s hard to stop! I honestly lost track of time exploring every inch of that massive world. Seriously, anything can happen while you’re traveling from place to place, and the RPG elements are so well done that I spent ages perfecting my character’s skills and gear. It’s completely addictive!
This RPG is incredibly popular and considered one of the best games in recent years – and for good reason! Now is a great time to play, especially with a sequel on the horizon, and it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the story beforehand. The game’s expansions are fantastic and will add many hours of enjoyable gameplay – you won’t regret the extra time spent!
5. GTA Online
With a huge player base, a sprawling map of San Andreas, and plenty to do, it’s no surprise GTA Online made this list. From planning and pulling off heists to completing quests for iconic characters and building your reputation, this game is seriously addictive and might just keep you indoors all weekend!
This is classic GTA gameplay, and if you’re disappointed about the delay of GTA VI, this might be a good way to pass the time until the next installment arrives.
6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt + Story Expansions
Even after ten years, The Witcher 3‘s quest to find Ciri remains one of the most impressive open-world games available. CD Projekt Red masterfully packed the game’s three huge maps with tons of secrets and engaging side quests, offering plenty of diversions from Geralt’s main goal of finding his adopted daughter.
The story expansions really take things to the next level. They offer compelling storylines with meaningful choices that can alter the game’s direction, plus exciting new monsters and deeper lore to discover. Honestly, you might find yourself completely hooked.
7. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
If you enjoy immersive games that offer a lot of playtime, the first open-world Metal Gear Solid is a fantastic choice. It continues Big Boss’s story, seamlessly connecting it to earlier games, and provides tons of extra content. With side missions, Metal Gear Online, and the base-building Forward Operating Base system, you’ll have plenty of hours of fun with stealth and strategy.
A large portion of the game involves carefully planning routes to your goals, making sure enemies don’t detect you. This process of stealth and strategy is lengthy but very rewarding.
8. Destiny 2
Destiny is a popular online shooter with tons of things to do. You can enjoy a story-driven campaign playing with friends, or jump into competitive multiplayer matches. The game has a deep story and offers a huge variety of weapons and ways to customize your character.
If you’re a fan of first-person shooters and looking for a game to really lose yourself in during your free time, Destiny 2 delivers. It’s packed with content and offers hours of enjoyable gameplay.
9. Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erdtree
FromSoftware has created a truly masterful open-world experience in Elden Ring, putting players on an unforgettable journey as the Tarnished. The Lands Between are brimming with secrets, fascinating characters with tragic pasts, and tons of equipment to find. As you explore, you’ll strive to become the consort of Queen Marika and shape the world to your liking.
When you’re exploring the vast world of the Lands Between on horseback, it’s easy to lose track of everything around you, and that feeling grows even stronger when you reach the new Shadow Lands in the game’s expansion. Following Miquella’s journey is a fantastic experience, and when combined with the original game, it creates an incredibly large and immersive adventure.
10. Monster Hunter: World + Expansions
It was really enjoyable to play as a Research Commission representative and travel all over the New World. There’s a ton to do, from hunting monsters and uncovering secrets to managing activities at your camp and the hub.
The game features a seamless flow of quests, much like a smooth river, and you’ll enjoy helping characters along the way. It’s a charming and visually beautiful game, making it a great choice for players. You’ll also need to be creative and strategic when battling each unique monster.
11. Dragon’s Dogma 2
This sequel is a fantastic addition to Dragon’s Dogma. It’s enjoyable to play as the Arisen again, and each character class offers a unique experience. However, the game truly shines when you start uncovering the world’s secrets and learning more about its lore.
Think carefully about where you place your teleportation points. While the world moves around you, you’ll be traveling along established routes, and unpredictable events can make those journeys dangerous. This game offers a rich, memorable experience with plenty to discover, but it doesn’t hold your hand – you’ll be driven to explore the world and its inhabitants.
12. Red Dead Redemption 2
Arthur Morgan’s journey in Red Dead Redemption 2 is incredibly expansive – it’s amazing one character experiences so much. The game offers everything from relaxing side activities to strange and unpredictable storylines, fully immersing you in the life of a Wild West cowboy.
This game is truly one of the best around today. Its incredibly detailed world is so captivating that you’ll happily spend hours exploring, easily losing track of time.
13. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla + Expansions
As the biggest game in the series, Valhalla offers a compelling experience of living as a Viking leader and unraveling a mystery throughout England – it’s a truly immersive world to explore.
The game’s expansions primarily build upon the existing world, but they also offer exciting new quests for Eivor, including tracking down members of secret groups. It’s a long and engaging story with plenty to keep you occupied. You might even lose track of time while simply sailing and enjoying the scenery with the cinematic camera activated!
14. No Man’s Sky
Wow, this game is seriously one of the best comeback stories I’ve ever seen! It’s got incredible staying power – I can just keep playing and playing. The story is so good it totally holds up to replaying, and honestly, every time you start a new game, the world feels completely different. Once you get hooked, it’s really hard to put down!
No Man’s Sky is a game that focuses on the experience of exploration, keeping you excited about what discoveries lie ahead. It’s the kind of game that will make you lose track of time, filled with a sense of wonder that keeps you wanting to see what’s next.
15. Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studio’s latest game is a hit, boasting a fantastic cast of actors who play memorable characters and a captivating story inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. The game’s world feels dynamic and connected to your choices, offering incredible replayability with diverse character builds and unique stories that unfold differently each time you play.
The game offers several ways to play, including an extra-challenging Honour Mode, the ability to use mods across different platforms, cooperative and online multiplayer, and a particularly grim storyline. While the world of Faerun is fascinating to explore, be warned – its darker aspects might stay with you long after you’ve finished playing.
16. Stardew Valley
Okay, seriously, no way could I leave Stardew Valley off this list. It’s just one of those games you can play forever. I keep finding myself drawn back to my farm – watching it grow from nothing is so satisfying. Plus, seeing the town develop as you put in the work, and getting to know all the quirky people who live there? It’s addictive, honestly. You’ll be hooked!
This valley offers a constantly changing experience, and adding an online element really enhances it, especially with such a passionate and active community. You’ll quickly feel at home here, and it’s the kind of place you’ll want to keep coming back to.
17. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
This life simulation game always gives you something to work towards, with plenty of activities to help you get there. A standout feature is the Nook Miles system, and the game’s appealing world and retro art style make it really special. Building and customizing your space is a big part of the fun, and you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time arranging and upgrading your buildings, constantly returning to see your progress.
Honestly, this game is just so relaxing! I find myself coming back to it all the time because it’s genuinely fun and really satisfying to play. It’s the kind of game you can really lose yourself in.
18. Gran Turismo 7
If you’re a PlayStation owner looking for a thrilling and realistic racing experience, this game is a fantastic choice. You’ll get to drive high-speed cars on famous tracks around the world, and with support for PSVR2 and stunning graphics, it feels incredibly immersive. The game accurately replicates how each car handles in real life, and offers plenty of ways to customize your racing experience. Get ready to spend hours behind the wheel!
The game’s incredible graphics combine with its well-integrated features to create a realistic racing experience, encouraging you to push your limits on every turn. Get ready to accelerate and enjoy countless hours of thrilling gameplay.
19. Satisfactory
This game lives up to its name and offers a truly engaging experience. You’ll quickly find yourself lost in building and expanding your space base as the Pioneer. The factories you create are so compelling, you’ll be thinking about them even when you’re not playing, and the game offers a huge amount of freedom to customize and express your creativity.
Although the game world is huge, players who enjoy exploring and completing challenges will find a lot to love in Satisfactory. Building impressive factories and contributing to the growth of the company is incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, it’s a visually appealing, well-made game that’s just plain fun.
20. Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Experience all three classic games like never before with enhanced graphics and smoother performance. This collection includes all DLC and expansions, a shared character creator, and a single, easy-to-use menu to launch any of the games.
If you’ve played the Mass Effect games, you know they’re incredibly immersive and take a long time to complete. They’re also highly replayable – it’s easy to get lost in the rich universe and spend countless hours creating memorable experiences, almost like a vacation in itself.
So, that’s my list of some seriously huge games! I really had a blast playing through them, and I hope you find one you love and make some awesome memories with too.
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2025-12-05 17:15