It’s the most wonderful time of year, and for many, this means traveling. Some people visit friends and family, while others take a trip to experience holiday traditions around the world. The All Access Arcade team is going to take a break from games and spend Christmas in Florence this year. If you’re stuck at home but dreaming of a white Christmas, take a virtual trip and explore some video game holiday destinations!
Many popular holiday locations are enshrined in your favorite games, offering all the splendor of their real-world counterparts with none of the drawbacks. Arguably, this is the superior way to enjoy places like New York City during Christmas, as you don’t have to deal with crowds or unpredictable winter weather. So, grab some eggnog and get in the Christmas spirit with these games!
Spider-Man: Miles Morales
New York City is one of the world’s most popular destinations for Christmas. Enjoy the city during the holiday season in Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Web-sling your way around NYC as Harlem’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and take in the festive sights and sounds. The game is full of Christmas lights and decorations, including the iconic tree in Rockefeller Center. Make sure to swing by a take a social-media-worthy selfie! Cap off your video game holiday tour of New York with a cozy Christmas dinner at Miles’ house with friends and family.
The Division 2
The iconic monuments of Washington, D.C., are the backdrop for The Division 2. While this game isn’t always festive, one month a year, the halls (and streets) of the U.S. capital are decked out for Christmas. The Division 2 faithfully recreates many parts of Washington, D.C., including the city’s iconic holiday markets. Sing some Christmas carols for your teammates while you search for The Hoarder, a named NPC with a bag full of seasonal loot. Extend your holiday stay in D.C. and complete the Winter Projects for 14 holiday-themed cosmetic gifts.
The Winter Projects is a seasonal event available until January 9th.
Hitman: Holiday Hoarders Mission
Spend Christmas in the City of Lights with Hitman’s seasonal “Holiday Hoarders” mission. Take on the role of “Santa 47” and save Christmas from a pair of famous holiday bandits all the way from New York City. In between sneaking around and hiding bodies in Baroque furniture, take time to admire the beauty of Paris in the winter. Hitman also features the “Hokkaido Snow Festival” mission, giving you two video game holiday destinations to choose from. The Hokkaido mission features gorgeous snow sculptures inspired by the annual Sapporo Snow Festival.
The Holiday Hoarders and Hokkaido Snow Festival missions are seasonal events available until January 8th. The Hokkaido Snow Festival mission will be available starting on December 21st.
Yakuza 5
Many games feature Christmas in Japan, but none do it quite like the Yakuza series. Several of the Yakuza games take place during December and they often include references to the holiday season, including decorations, festive background music, and holiday-themed quests. However, Yakuza 5 stands out as the most holiday-centric game. A portion of the game takes place in Sapporo during the snow festival and includes a snowball fight mini-game. There’s also a substory that has you running around the city dressed as Santa Claus.
Assassin’s Creed 3
Take a trip to Christmas Past and explore 18th-century colonial America. Assassin’s Creed 3 introduced a season cycle mechanic to the game, which blankets the map in snow during certain story missions. While there are no explicit references to Christmas, the winter season brings a general “holiday” feeling to the game. The frontier area is full of snow-covered pine trees, and the cities feature charming period-accurate architecture straight out of a Christmas card. Visit real-life historical locations in Boston and New York and enjoy the wintry setting.
Uncharted 2
For those who prefer more adventurous holidays, a trek through the Himalayan mountains might be preferable to checking out Christmas lights or singing carols. Uncharted 2 takes you on a trip to Tibet and includes some of the series’ most thrilling set pieces. The game doesn’t feature any holiday elements, but it does most accurately capture the feeling of travel. Explore a village tucked high in the mountains and traverse the Himalayas for a high-adrenaline version of Christmas.
Staying home for the holidays doesn’t have to be boring. Whether you’re looking for a cozy Christmas in New York City, an adventure through the Himalayas, or a snowy escape to Hokkaido, there’s a video game holiday destination out there for everyone. If you do get a chance to travel, gear up with our favorite picks for traveling gamers. Happy holidays and merry gaming!
Add comment