December chill is in the air which can only mean one thing. It’s time for the top five new game releases that are hitting our libraries this month. Each of these games has been paired with our favourite gaming PC or laptop to ensure you’ve got everything you need to start playing.
The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology
The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology is a narrative puzzle-adventure based on the classic Redwall book series. The once peaceful Mossflower Wood is being invaded by unlawful searats and it’s up to the Lilygrove Scout Corps to put an end to their crimes. Play as one of their latest recruits, Sophia or Liam, on a journey to Redwall Abbey. You must work to save their home and defeat the ruthless pirates that are threatening to destroy it.
The original story is split into three different acts which takes place the winter before the events of the first book. Alongside your journey through the Mossflower Wood, there will be a series of puzzles and side stories for you to explore, along with plenty of charming critters to meet.
Official PC System Specification
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 7500 or AMD FX-9370 | Intel Core i5 10500H or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon R7 360 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon R9 290 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 11GB available space | 11GB available space |
Top PC to Play The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology
MSI Katana GF76 Gaming Laptop
Equipped with the MSI Katana GF76 Gaming Laptop you’ll have everything you need to save Mossflower Wood. This gaming laptop includes an Intel i5 12450H CPU and 16GB DDR5 RAM to deliver ultra-fast performance and enhanced efficiency with virtually zero latency. Plus, the NVIDIA RTX 3050, built with support for Ray Tracing and AI DLSS, will render your adventures in realistic quality, complete with smooth frame rates. This is further boosted by the 17.3’’ FHD display and 144Hz refresh rates. Enjoy crisp high-definition visuals and quick response times.
- 17.3” display
- Up to 144Hz refresh rates
- Intel i5 12450H CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3050
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
Since writing this article, the developers have announced that The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology has been delayed until January 2024.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – December 7th
Explore the rich landscape of the Western Pandora in the first-person adventure game, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Set straight after the events of the first film, play as a Na’vi who has recently escaped the grips of the RDA. After being abducted, you are finally free to return to your homeland.
You’ll be able to reconnect with your heritage, discover what it means to be a true Na’vi, and join other clans to protect Pandora from the deadly RDA.
Official PC System Specification
| Minimum | Recommended | Enthusiast | Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10-11 | Windows 10-11 | Windows 10-11 | Windows 10-11 |
| Processor | Intel i7 8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel i5 11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | Intel i5 11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | Intel i7 12700K or AMD Ryzen 5800X3D |
| Memory | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 90GB available space | 90GB available space | 90GB available space | 90GB available space |
Top PC to Play Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
OcUK Gaming Zirconium Configurable PC
Become immersed in the stunning world of Pandora with the OcUK Gaming Zirconium PC. Harness the Intel 14th Gen CPU, crafted with a hybrid core architecture, to unlock blisteringly fast processing speeds and seamless multitasking. Both of which are backed up by the integrated Intel Thread Director, ensuring the best core is assigned to the job. What’s more, thanks to the NVIDIA RTX 4080, you can play Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora on ultra settings at up to 4K resolutions. Utilise the cutting-edge RT and Tensor cores for that distinct in-game edge over your RDA enemies.
In addition to this, the OcUK Gaming Zirconium is a configurable system, which means you can adjust the base hardware specification. This includes upgrading the processor, memory, and graphics card, along with opting for additional storage if you need it.
- Configurable gaming PC
- As standard includes an Intel i7 14700KF CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4080
- Up to 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Flexible storage options with secondary SSD
The Sims 4: For Rent – December 7th
Bring your neighbours together in The Sims 4: For Rent expansion pack. Live out your property ownership dreams or experience life as a tenant in a multi-family lot. As a property manager, you can opt to live among your tenants or a separate residence. Whatever you choose, you’ll need to ensure you keep your tenants happy otherwise you’ll have a Tenant Revolt on your hands…
Living in a multi-family lot means you are bound to get caught up in some neighbourly drama. Events such as potlucks allow you to get to know them, their lives, and, of course, to find the perfect opportunity for some classic snooping.
The Sims 4: For Rent is DLC, therefore it requires the free-to-play base game, The Sims 4.
Official PC System Specification
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 3220 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or better |
| Memory | 4GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or ATI Radeon X1300 or better | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 or AMD Radeon 7750 |
| Network | Broadband Internet Connection required | Broadband Internet Connection required |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 26GB available space | 26GB available space |
Top PC to Play The Sims 4: For Rent
MSI Pulse 15 Gaming Laptop
Let your creativity run wild in The Sims 4: For Rent with the MSI Pulse 15 Gaming Laptop. Equipped with an Intel 13th Gen CPU, utilise the combination of P- and E-cores for ultra-fast performance and enhanced efficiency in gaming and streaming alike. The NVIDIA RTX 4070 has been built with Ada Lovelace architecture, to deliver hyper-realistic visuals and silky-smooth frame rates. All of which is kept cool and quiet by the integrated Cooler Boost 4 thermal solution. Lastly, with both a 1TB PCIe SSD and 16GB DDR5 RAM, enjoy quick in-game loading times with minimal latency or input lag.
- 15.6” display
- 165Hz refresh rates
- Intel i7 13700H CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4070
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD
Pioneers of Pagonia – December 13th
In Pioneers of Pagonia, travel to fantastical islands and lead your group of pioneers to create settlements and uncover secrets. Unite with the tribes by helping them to solve their problems, fulfil their desires, and gain their trust. As you work on your relationship with the inhabitants, you can also explore the rich procedurally generated maps. There are hidden resources, enemies, and secrets waiting for you to uncover.
With over forty buildings and seventy different goods you can export, work to build a flourishing economy. Your settlements will need protecting, as the islands are full of deadly animals, hostile bandits, and mythical creatures who threaten to destroy what you’ve built.
Official PC System Specification
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Quad Core CPU or better | Hexa Core CPU or better |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 470 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
Top PC to Play Pioneers of Pagonia
Refract Gaming Jade Pre Built PC
The Refract Gaming Jade Pre Built PC has been fine-tuned to deliver outstanding performance in mid-tier gaming and streaming alike. Thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, this pre built PC will be able to effectively handle any single- or multi-threaded task you throw its way. What’s more, the NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti, with support for Ray Tracing and AI DLSS 3.5, will render your favourite gaming landscapes in stunning photo-realistic quality.
In addition to all of this, the Refract Gaming Jade comes armed with a three-year warranty which covers the cost of parts and labour. Perfect for if you need to send your PC back to use for any much-needed repairs.
- Pre built gaming PC
- Designed for mid-tier gaming and budding streamers
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB M.2 SSD
- Windows 11 Home
House Flipper 2 – December 14th
Dust off your hammer, House Flipper 2 is hitting our gaming libraries. In the second instalment of the series, you can buy and renovate rundown houses or even build new ones from scratch. Set in the world of Pinnacove, the town is full of homes and residents who are desperate for your help. There may even be a secret or two hidden in their walls…
As the foreman, it’s up to you to decide what the gameplay is like. For those who enjoy the freedom of building, there is the dedicated sandbox mode. Here you can build the houses of your dreams from the ground up. Alternatively, for those who prefer cleaning and decorating, check out the in-depth story mode. Delve into big construction projects or small quick jobs, whichever takes your fancy!
Official PC System Specification
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel Core i7 7700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 580 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 or AMD Radeon RX-Vega 64 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 6GB available space | 6GB available space |
Top PC to Play House Flipper 2
OcUK Gaming Frosty MK2 Configurable PC
With the OcUK Gaming Frosty MK2 PC in your toolbox, you’ll have everything you need to build and renovate in House Flipper 2. This includes an Intel i5 11400F CPU for fast performance and multitasking. You can game, stream, and watch without any interruptions or latency. Plus, the NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU delivers immersive visuals thanks to realistic lighting and shadows along with buttery-smooth frame rates. Lastly, with both a 500GB M.2 and optional SSD, you’ll have all the storage space you need for your expanding gaming library.
In addition to this, as a configurable PC, you can choose to customise the case and braided cables, upgrade the memory, along with opting for additional storage drives or a Wi-Fi adapter.
- Configurable PC
- As standard includes an Intel i5 11400F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060
- Up to 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Optional secondary storage drive
Will You Be Playing Any of These New Game Releases?
Are you planning to spoil yourself with an early Christmas present by purchasing any of these new games? Which one are you most looking forward to playing? Let us know in the comments below.
- 9 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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