Listmas is here again at last, and here at the outset I’m already thinking about the games I want to give out to my friends and family members who game. It was kind of hard to determine which games would make good gifts since everyone’s tastes are different, but I think the following would be fun for just about anyone who’s even a little interested in the genres they belong to.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

While I was hopeful that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 would be good, I was absolutely unprepared for just how good it turned out to be. I don’t think I have even a single complaint against, not even about the endgame, which some felt was a little too long. I thoroughly enjoyed all the time I spent exploring its impossible world and getting to know each of its multifaceted characters. The story too was thoroughly entertaining, due in no small part to my inability (for once) to predict what was going to happen next. 

I also loved how malleable the combat system was thanks to the pictos system. Once you understand how it works, you can essentially make the game as easy or as difficult as you want, and there’s practically no bad way to build your team. Of course, there’s also a very easy mode for those who are either casual players or just aren’t very good at turn-based combat, so there’s practically nothing standing between even very new players and Expedition 33’s fantastic world, music and story. It’s practically a no-brainer of a video game gift.

PowerWash Simulator 2

This one might not be as widely appealing as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but I’m convinced that PowerWash Simulator 2 is a game that almost anyone can enjoy. The trick is just to not play it by yourself. Yeah, playing this alone can get pretty boring, but it’s almost the opposite when playing with friends, especially if you lean into the inherent silliness of its world and just how filthy everything is.

PowerWash Simulator 2 is the game to play when you want to just kick back and have something fun to occupy yourself with as you catch up with your buddies. Or, maybe you do just want to enjoy a podcast by yourself as you wash away all the dirt and grime of a long day. Whatever the case, I’m sure it’ll make a fun gift.

Balatro

Balatro is another game that might not have very wide appeal, but for those that give it a chance it can become ridiculously addictive. I’ve talked about my own experience with it here at least a couple of times already, but if I had to boil down its appeal to the essentials, I’d say that it’s about potential. There are so many ways to accumulate points and get around roadblocks that you can’t help but want to see where the next run will take you. It’s also simple enough that even non-gamers can pretty quickly get in on the fun.

There’s no multiplayer or leaderboards in Balatro, but I don’t actually think they’re needed. This is one of the rare games where it’s just super fun to see how much further you can push your own limits. 

Animal Well

Animal Well is probably the anomaly of this list, as I’m not sure that most of my gaming friends would like it. For one, it’s already a bit niche in that it’s a metroidvania (which is pretty much an indie-only genre at the moment). Also, it’s that rare sort of game that offers zero explanations to its players. Nothing. Nothing about where to go, what to do, how to do it, what items do (or are for) or even the overall goal. You have to discover it all for yourself.

I love this game because to me it is pure discovery. You piece everything together, one discovery at a time, until you eventually reach the end. It’s somehow all very intuitive too, which I think shows just how masterful its designer is. In short, Animal Well is for the gamer who’s seen it all and often feels like they’re being treated like an idiot. I dunno about you, but I know at least a few people like that.

Metaphor ReFantazio

I’ve been looking for another reason to bring up Metaphor ReFantazio for a while now, so I’m taking the chance here. It’s practically essential for anyone who enjoys JRPGs even just a little bit. Or, hey, maybe you’ve only ever liked Persona? Either way, this one is something such fans just shouldn’t miss. It doesn’t break the mold or anything, not really. Rather, it presents the best possible version of the genre as we’ve known it until now.

It’s got the generic JRPG plot, but with a great twist! It’s got the usual character archetypes, but shows that there’s more underneath. It dials every facet of presentation up to its maximum setting and offers an even further refined version of the already updated JRPG combat seen in Persona 5.  It’s pretty much everything a JRPG fan could want, which is why I wanna give it to JRPG-loving friends who are still somehow on the fence about it.

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There were some others I was considering including on this list, but they were titles that have already been around for quite a while or were just more of a “my taste only” kind of experience. What games would you like to give out this year? Let’s talk about them below, and be sure to come back for more Listmas in a day or so!

Image is Metaphor ReFantazio Steam Splash Art