December 2025 has some genuinely exciting PC releases. Marvel Cosmic Invasion is great for couch co-op with friends, while Octopath Traveler 0 brings stunning next-gen visuals to the series’ signature style.
Frostpunk 2: Fractured Utopias gives you more of those tough survival choices the series is known for, and Routine delivers creepy isolation horror on an abandoned moon base. Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut wraps things up with improved graphics and extra content for one of the best games in the franchise.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Marvel Cosmic Invasion | 2025-12-01 | Arcade | Tribute Games | |
 | Octopath Traveler 0 | 2025-12-04 | Role-playing (RPG) | Dokidoki Grooveworks | |
 | Frostpunk 2: Fractured Utopias (DLC) | 2024-09-20 | Strategy, RTS | 11 bit studios | |
 | Yakuza 0: Director's Cut | 2025-12-08 | Action, RPG | Ryu ga Gotoku Studios |
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
- Release Date: December 1, 2025
- Developer: Tribute Games Inc.
- Publisher: Dotemu, Gamirror Games
- Genre: Beat ’em up, Action, Co-op
- Platform: PC (Windows, SteamOS, Linux)
A side-scrolling arcade brawler with full-color pixel art and 15 Marvel heroes. Switch between two characters mid-level using the Cosmic Swap system to build combos and chain special attacks.
It supports local and online drop-in drop-out co-op. Reviews from early access describe it as a tight homage to 90s arcade games and a hit with both retro and comic book fans. System requirements are very low, just 4 GB RAM and any basic GPU, making it perfect for older laptops or holiday travel rigs.
Why it stands out: Lightweight, fun, and highly replayable. Good pick for social gaming over the holidays. Easy to run, easy to jump into.
Octopath Traveler 0
- Release Date: December 4, 2025
- Developer: Square Enix, DOKIDOKI GROOVE WORKS
- Genre: JRPG
- Platform: PC (Windows 11 only)
The next installment in the HD-2D RPG series. Combines hand-crafted pixel art with 3D lighting and depth. This entry introduces a full character creation system: choose voice, look, and favorite food.
You can build a town from scratch, invite allies, and manage relationships. Combat uses the familiar Break and Boost turn-based setup, and your party can grow to eight members from over thirty possible recruits.
Why it stands out: Great for fans of classic RPGs who want something with depth and customization. It’s a slower game, built for long sessions and exploration.
Routine
- Release Date: December 4, 2025
- Developer: Lunar Software
- Publisher: Raw Fury
- Genre: Sci-fi Horror, Indie
- Platform: PC (Windows)
A first-person horror game set in a retro-futuristic 1980s moon base. You explore, hide, and survive with no waypoints and minimal HUD. Core gameplay involves reading data, following clues, and using the C.A.T. device for basic tools and limited defense.
The atmosphere leans into tension and helplessness rather than jump scares. Uses diegetic sound and light design to build immersion.
Why it stands out: Not for the impatient. If you liked Alien Isolation or want something quieter and more cerebral, this is December’s most haunting release.
Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
- Release Date: December 8, 2025
- Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher: SEGA
- Genre: Action RPG
- Platform: PC (Windows 11)
Expanded version of the cult hit prequel. Set in 1988 Japan, you switch between Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima with three unique fighting styles each.
The Director’s Cut adds previously unreleased scenes and a multiplayer mode called Red Light Raid, where up to four players face enemy waves using any of sixty unlocked characters.
Why it stands out: Strong pick for story lovers and fans of cinematic, character-driven games. A good reason to revisit the series or start fresh.
Frostpunk 2: Fractured Utopias (DLC)
- Release Date: December 8, 2025
- Developer: 11 bit studios
- Genre: Strategy, Survival, Simulation
- Platform: PC (Windows)
- Note: Requires base game Frostpunk 2
This expansion overhauls Utopia Builder mode with eight new ideological factions. Each one brings its own set of buildings, laws, and long-term goals.
Once you resolve the ideological tension, your society locks into a permanent direction. There are over 100 new story events, adding depth to the political and ethical decisions you’ll have to make.
Why it stands out: It reshapes how you run your frozen city. If you’re into slow-burn strategy, branching outcomes, and tough moral calls, it changes the whole game.
Quarantine Zone: The Last Check
- Expected Release: December 2025 (date unconfirmed)
- Developer: Brigada Games
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Genre: Survival Simulation, Strategy, Post-apocalyptic
- Platform: PC (Windows)
You play as a checkpoint officer in a quarantined zone after a viral outbreak. Every person who approaches is a potential threat or survivor.
You decide who gets in, who goes to isolation, and who gets turned away. Gameplay blends simulation, resource management, and pressure-based choices.
Why it stands out: It flips the zombie genre on its head. Instead of shooting your way through hordes, you control the front line of humanity.
Which December Game Fits Your Style?
Want instant co-op action? Go with Marvel Cosmic Invasion. Craving a story-heavy RPG for the holidays? Octopath Traveler 0 or Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut will deliver dozens of hours.
For slow-burn psychological horror, Routine is your pick. Returning Frostpunk 2 players will find genuine depth in Fractured Utopias, while fans of bleak decision-making should watch for the indie sleeper Quarantine Zone: The Last Check.