Games to Play on New Year’s Eve for Gamers

“IT’S TIIIIME!” The Mariah Carey meme signals the arrival of the season. And so, there's only one thing we need: a good title to set the tone for the evening. As the end of the year approaches, choosing fun New Year's Eve games has become a cool tradition, turning Discord calls or living rooms and split-screen setups into lively meeting places.

Both professional gamers and even those who rarely pick up a controller join in on the games. And we talk about it in either solo or co-op mode. Games create a natural bridge between conversation and celebration, keeping the room engaged as the countdown approaches.

Seasonal updates also add that “cinnamon spice.” Many games release limited-time modes, themed cosmetic items, or holiday quests, and these events in online games lift the mood, adding just the right amount of festive spirit.

Source: https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2025/04/opinion-jason-hawreliak-discusses-why-video-game-movies-often-flop/

We decided to compile our top games for the Christmas holidays and winter break! We tried to include both truly themed games and simply fun titles that may ragebait someone, but are sure to make everyone laugh. So let's go!

Let's start our list of games to play on NYE with titles that convey the feeling of a merciless winter (and there are people who relate to such stories). Frostpunk creates an atmosphere of winter tension that perfectly deals with this task. The frozen environment of the 1800s, harsh Victorian technology, and the constant roar of the blizzard create a cold (not only in terms of temperature) setting. Players try to save the last hope for living in the light of a generator cutting through the snow. Their task is to build and maintain a city during a mass cooling event.

The Long Dark manages to transform this atmosphere into something even quieter. This game conveys a lonely survival experience, where the cold becomes the main antagonist and the wilderness seems endless. Survival mode places you alone in the northern wilderness with barely enough equipment to take your first steps, and the soft notes of the piano set a tone that is perfect for a winter night gathering that has not yet reached its peak of energy. The game's silence, long shadows, and constant cold make it one of those games that isn't about celebration but about holding your breath.

When it comes to winter holidays, most people imagine a table laden with food and dishes scattered around the room. That's why Overcooked! 2 is perfect for this night. Players chop, toss, cook, plate, and collide as they fulfill each order. This makes it one of the most outstanding party games for groups looking for something energetic but easy to get started with, even for those who rarely play.

Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/728880/Overcooked_2/

With its ingredient-tossing mechanics and unpredictable transitions between levels, Overcooked! 2 gets everyone talking, shouting, and laughing. So it's only natural that it's among the games for New Year's Day, when the goal is simple: fail together and destroy (fortunately, not real) kitchens together.

Fortnite even feels almost too nicely suited to New Year’s Eve with Winterfest drops and a seasonal cast. For some reason, the game feels built for a room of people waiting for midnight. The actual benefit is split-screen: two players sharing the same couch and same last-minute panic whenever a build fight goes awry. It’s one of the very rare local co-op games that remains, at the same time, full of online flexibility, letting friends spin in and out without stalling the night.

Apex Legends hits the exact tempo New Year’s Eve leans into with just enough chaos to keep everyone alert while the night builds toward midnight. Holiday skins and limited-time cosmetics give the matches a seasonal edge. However, the real draw is the pacing: jump in, take your shot, hop out, and rotate players. It keeps the room moving. It keeps the energy high. And as one of the more natural games to play on New Year's, it delivers a sharp competitive spark right when the evening needs it.

Payday 2 brings loud, reckless momentum that kicks a gathering into gear. Holiday heists were always favored among players. Themed masks do a good job adding a seasonal twist, but the core appeal stays the same: ride the adrenaline until the escape van rolls up. It’s a great fit for groups that want something messy and memorable.

Beneath Stardew Valley’s pixel-art quiet is a constant balancing act of time and priorities, which makes it a really unique sim on the market. A new farm begins quietly, yet each day expands with small decisions. The pace stays calm even when the responsibilities grow, creating a rhythm that settles naturally into the slower parts of New Year’s Eve. The title works as one of the more reliable relaxing games, offering gentle focus without draining the room’s energy.

Spiritfarer creates softness through movement. The boat drifts from one destination to another with a sense of intention that guides the pace forward. Conversations give each moment time to settle before the next step appears. The atmosphere stays tender throughout the journey, even when the narrative touches on heavier themes that we usually try to avoid. It might be a good choice for late-night deep talks and reflections.

Firewatch builds its calm through isolation that feels grounding. The forest opens into wide spaces that give Henry room to breathe, and that same openness draws the player into his state of mind. The story moves with a controlled, thoughtful rhythm that encourages stillness in the room. It aligns perfectly with games for the New Year that favor atmosphere over action.

Now listen! No one here is trying to split you up or ignite a “New Year’s Eve argument speedrun,” but It Takes Two has a talent for testing even the strongest duos. The game leans into cooperation with puzzles that refuse to budge unless both players stay in sync. Every area introduces a new twist, so the evening turns into a steady exchange of “wait, do that again” and “no, the other button.”

Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1426210/It_Takes_Two/

The tone stays playful, yet the challenge keeps both players alert, which makes it a surprisingly fitting choice for couples who want a shared adventure with real momentum.

A Way Out is a bit different and kinda therapeutic. The entire experience relies on two players working through tight situations that demand communication and patience. The split-screen format keeps both perspectives visible at all times, so partners stay connected even when the characters separate.

Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222700/A_Way_Out/

It’s challenging, sometimes intense. Occasionally, it might be the cause of a pointed stare across the couch. Still, it ultimately encourages trust in a way few projects manage. For couples looking for deep games on New Year's Day for a good session, this one offers a memorable path forward.

Lots of online games go into festive mode as the year ends. These updates land at the perfect moment, giving communities something seasonal to explore while groups look for New Year’s Day games that feel icy. Holiday events become small rituals for players who return each year to see what’s changed.

Fortnite: Winterfest
Fortnite takes its world to warp speed with snow-covered biomes of little places to explore, impromptu quests, and a cabin bursting with day-to-day moments of adventure. The occasion sets a calmer rhythm and appeals to groups dropping in between celebrations.

World of Warcraft: Feast of Winter Veil
When World of Warcraft invents cities, it comes encased with garlands and gifts, along with an annual visit from Greatfather Winter. It is warm in tone, not war-like as elsewhere in the world.

Genshin Impact: Lantern Rite or winter festivals
Genshin Impact uses seasonal events to shift the pace toward exploration and story moments, often through new quests or limited regions that glow with festive detail.

Overwatch 2: Winter Wonderland
Overwatch 2 is a game with a smattering of fun modes that change the regular course of competitive momentum into something a little less brutal. The event is celebratory enough that it’s not too serious compared with the core matches.

Final Fantasy XIV: Starlight Celebration
Fantasy XIV shifts to a warm, gentle storytelling format in its seasonal questline, making the cities' soft-lit spaces warm in inviting tones that take their space, if you will, out in the night, stretching into midnight, into the late hours.

New Year’s Eve games feel different when the whole setup is ready for the countdown. Start with the lights. Warm lamps create that “safe zone” glow where story games feel extra soft. Party lights flip the switch the moment the squad queues for something chaotic.

Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/overwatch-2s-winter-wonderland-event-is-back-and-actually-has-an-earnable-skin-this-time/

Add a playlist that keeps the mood alive. We already started with Mariah Carey today, but you can switch to Frank Sinatra or good ol’ Snoop Dog. Playing vinyls just gives gaming sessions a vintage feel. But bringing that volume up near midnight won't hurt anybody.

Drinks seal the vibe. Christmas cola for nostalgia. Spiced drinks for the winter theme. Hot chocolate for maximum cozy mode. And a bit of champagne is a must.

Decide on the lineup early so there’s no 40-minute “so what are we playing?” side quest. Maybe the group wants a relaxed run through holiday events in their favorite online games. Maybe they want a sweaty last-hour push filled with wild plays and loud reactions. Maybe they want a cozy story before the chaos begins. Or maybe you don’t care about the group and know better, but still give it some thought beforehand.

When the lights glow just right, the drinks are chilled or steaming, and the squad is synced up, the whole night turns into a mini-LAN party with extra confetti energy. And as the year rolls over, Argentics is right there with you. Your favorite team is cheering you on, celebrating the fresh start, and ready to help turn every wild gaming idea into something real in the year ahead.

Now back to the countdown!