December is upon us! While most people are hyped for the holidays, a handful of new video game releases are giving gamers even more to look forward to.

Between the annoying Mariah Carey Christmas song that gets overplayed every year and snow that is beautiful until it becomes hazardous enough to kill you, winter and the holiday season can get pretty annoying.

Everyone around you tries to force their faux joy and holiday spirit down your throat as they worship at the altar of an obese man in red that never shaves and keeps little people as slaves.

Then, they judge you when the whole thing makes you want to puke.

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And let's be honest: the idea of that portly fellow breaking and entering into your home late at night to steal your cookies and leave you presents isn't necessarily cute or fun, it can be just downright creepy.

Fortunately, there is a silver lining for game geeks across the universe: the holiday season is great for gaming.

You can always expect a few good titles come this time of year, as companies often plan their releases for December. Because that holiday spirit everyone loves also makes them trample each other at Walmart to get the latest video game for their bratty kids.

While this particular December isn't packed with a ton of games, it does offer several that you'll definitely want stuffed in your stocking.

All Role Playing Game (RPG) fans know that Square Enix makes the best games in the genre, right behind some of the greatest franchises, like Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, and the Nier games.

Another classic series the studio has in its impressive cannon is the Dragon Quest games, which saw its first game released in Japan back in 1986.

The series has brought about several spinoffs, such as Dragon Quest Treasures, which will drop on December 9.

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Treasures follows brother and sister duo Erik and Mia, who dream of traversing the world as treasure hunters.

After encountering a pair of otherworldly creatures, the two are transported to a world filled with treasures and mysteries to explore.

The Dragon Quest series doesn't quite have the intricate story telling of Final Fantasy titles or the philosophical depth of the Nier games. It's known for offering a more light-hearted, family friendly RPG experience – which is perfect for the Nintendo Switch.

Facts:

• Game: Dragon Quest Treasures
  
• Genre: RPG, Action & Adventure
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• ESRB: Everyone
• Price: $59.99

The original Final Fantasy VII (FF7) from 1997 is arguably one of the greatest RPGs of all time.

Another gem developed by Square Enix, it has since had a handful of spinoffs and remakes that have all been surprisingly well done.

Their latest effort is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Reunion, which is a remaster of the original Crisis Core game that came out on the PSP (anyone remember the PSP?!) in 2007.

The story, which serves as the prequel to FF7, follows Zac Fair, a Shinra soldier that is tasked with tracking down a First Class operative named Genesis Rhapsodos.

Zac eventually stumbles upon some of Shinra's darkest secrets, and meets a bunch of characters from FF7 along his adventure.

This remake promises a slew of updates including next-gen console level graphics and a reimagined battle system.

Square Enix rarely, if ever, disappoints, and the Crisis Core Reunion is sure to be no exception.

Facts:

• Game: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Reunion
  
• Genre: RPG, Action & Adventure
• Platform: PlayStation 5/4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
• ESRB: Teen
• Price: $49.99

High On Life is created by Justin Roiland, one of the weird minds that co-created, and also voices the titular roles of, Rick and Morty.

On the surface, the game looks like a combination of No Man's Sky, mixed with The Outer Worlds, and a bad batch of hallucinogenic drugs.

The weapons in the game are called Galatians and are actually questionably cute little creatures that talk trash to you while you blast away at alien life forms.

The voice acting cast is stacked with some familiar names, including Roiland, Tim Robinson, comedian J.B. Smoove, and even Tom Kenny – the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants

The colors and setting of the game world look vibrant and fun. High On Life definitely seems like a game that won't ever take itself too seriously, and will offer a ton of laughs along the way.

Facts:

• Game: High On Life
  
• Genre: First-Person Shooter (FPS), Action Adventure, Sci-fi
• Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PC
• ESRB: Mature
• Price: $59.99

Based on a classic Slavic folk story, Blacktail tells the story of a 16-year-old girl named Yaga, who is exiled from her hometown after she is accused of dabbling in witchcraft.

Whether you want to take revenge or help the charming local inhabitants is left up to you.

Blacktail promises dark storytelling, which absolutely shows in the trailer and early screenshots of the game.

Yaga's world looks like a beautiful fairy tale, until evil arrives, bringing feelings of doom, gloom, and despair.

What truly makes this game stand out is its promised intense archery combat system. It will be interesting to see how its developers on The Parasight team go about keeping combat balanced and engaging.

Facts:

• Game: Blacktail
  
• Genre: Action & Adventure
• Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
• ESRB: from 16 years
• Price: $29.99

The one game that has had gamers buzzing for some time now is The Callisto Protocol.

Striking Distance Studios has teamed up with Glen Schofield, co-creator of the classic series Dead Space, to create a survival horror game experience that will give you nightmares.

Players take on the role of Jacob Lee, an inmate at Black Iron Prison, located on the moon Callisto.

Lee awakens one day to find the prison overrun by ravenous inmates who are infected with some sort of disease.

The Callisto Protocol seems to do what the Dead Space games are so well known for, which is to be absolutely terrifying.

If you are looking for something to scare out the holiday spirit, this will definitely be the game for you.

Facts:

• Game: The Callisto Protocol
  
• Genre: Survival Horror, Third-Person Shooter
• Platform: PlayStation 5/4, Xbox Series X/S
• ESRB: Mature
• Price: $59.99

These games are perfect as you begin to hibernate through winter in an effort to avoid that infectious holiday spirit. Game on!