Have you ever had those after the holiday blues? You know the ones, where you’ve opened all the presents, said goodbye to family or simply the end of the giving season. Afterward, you feel sad. It’s all over, soon things will go back to their routine, people will be grouchy again, etc. Well, I have. This year, I plan on getting over it right away. I’ve come up with a list of games that can help boost your mood and some that bring an extra dose of holiday cheer.
Animal Crossing
Any Animal Crossing game will do. I don’t care if you go back to the GameCube era, or play the most recent 3DS Animal Crossing New Leaf. If you’re trying to feel a bit more cheerful, than look no further than your neighbors in Animal Crossing. They’re funny, cute and often heartwarming. Alright, I’ll admit that some animal neighbors are… Less than ideal. Fine, some are downright annoying. If you’re starting a new town then just keep starting over until you get a good batch.
To add some holiday cheer, simply set your clock to Christmas. I recommend starting towards the beginning of mid-December. You’ll get to enjoy the festivities, the snow, building snowmen, and lights! In Animal Crossing they have Toy Day, which is as lovely as it sounds. Nothing cheers people up more than virtual holiday themes, gift-giving and the signature Animal Crossing speak. If you’re not feeling too blue or if you don’t own any of the Animal Crossing games, you can always wait until Animal Crossing New Horizon releases on Switch March 20th, 2020.
Tetris Effect
For a wildly different direction to cheer up the holiday blues, check out Tetris Effect. There’s nothing holiday about it, but don’t worry this will get the job done. If you’re able, I highly recommend playing with the PSVR. However, even if you don’t own one, still buy this title as using the PSVR is optional. Do however put on headphones! The music and sights in this game are immersive without virtual reality. The music and visuals adapt as the levels are played out. This is one of the best video game soundtracks ever. Don’t worry about your Tetris skills. I’m not good, never have been. Despite that Tetris Effect never ceases to put me in a good mood. Now if they would just sell the official soundtrack I’d be one happy camper.
Apex Legends – Mirage’s Holo Day Bash
From now until January 7th inject some holiday cheer into your battle royale. In this limited event, you’ll still be trying to destroy your opponents. However, you’d be surprised how much of a holiday feeling you’ll get with the Holo Day Bash’s soundtrack. In addition, the world of Apex Legends is decked out in holiday cheer. Sure you’ll be trying to shoot everyone around you, but wouldn’t it be nice to do that while listening to a holiday tune and running past a decorated environment?
Not to mention it’s a welcomed breath of fresh air with a fast-paced mode that adds an interesting element with three teams of three. The train capturing objective combined with eliminations is honestly a mode I’ll miss once it’s gone. If you’re feeling blue, what better way to fix that then with some wins in Apex, hot cocoa, and in-game holiday music? No better way, trust me.
Beat Saber
Love VR, hate VR, frankly, I don’t care. Give someone the ability to play Beat Saber. I dare them not to have a good time. Friends, family whoever it might be, you and the old. Beat Saber is for everyone. No holiday themes here, just pure fun. The soundtrack is electric with DLC tracks that are worth adding to your library. Most recently the likes of Imagine Dragons and Green Day have made it to the upbeat title. All in all, it’s a roaring good time, by yourself or with others. Beat Saber will take you out of the sad food coma shell. It won’t hurt that you’ll get a bit of a workout after all those sugar cookies and honey ham either!
Minecraft
Minecraft is good every day of the year. After the holidays might make it an even better gaming choice. This is a game that you can truly lose yourself in. Getting started on a building or mining project at 10 am, look at the clock again, whoops suddenly it’s 8 pm! Kill creepers, mine diamonds or build a cottage.
Can’t get snow where you live in the real world (I feel that pain)? No problem, go explore until you find a snow biome. Once you do make a home base in that area, throw snowballs at everything that moves! This is another one to include with friends or family, especially ones that you can’t be within-person on the holidays. Even better, Minecraft Bedrock edition finally arrived on PlayStation! Crossplay for all and to all a goodnight!
