Five new Steam games you probably missed (December 11, 2023)

Best of the best

The Dark Urge, from Baldur's Gate 3, looks towards his accursed claws with self-disdain.

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

2025 games: Upcoming releases
Best PC games: All-time favorites
Free PC games: Freebie fest
Best FPS games: Finest gunplay
Best RPGs: Grand adventures
Best co-op games: Better together

On an average day about a dozen new games are released on Steam. And while we think that's a good thing, it can be understandably hard to keep up with. Potentially exciting gems are sure to be lost in the deluge of new things to play unless you sort through every single game that is released on Steam. So that’s exactly what we’ve done. If nothing catches your fancy this week, we've gathered the best PC games you can play right now and a running list of the 2023 games that are launching this year. 

Crossroad OS

Crossroad OS Official Trailer - YouTube Crossroad OS Official Trailer - YouTube
Watch On

Steam‌ ‌page‌ ‌
Release:‌ December 9
Developer:‌ Guy, Daisy Games

If you're like me and harbour a weird obsession with obscure operating systems, Crossroad OS will definitely appeal. It's a puzzle game set in a disturbing dungeon that looks a lot like an uncanny creepypasta take on the Windows 3D Maze screensaver. This dungeon represents the operating system itself, and contains a number of applications that take the form of mini-games. Yes, it's a puzzle game, but it's also a horror, so be prepared for that element. I didn't ever expect a game to blend The Witness with TempleOS but I'm glad it's happened.

Hollow Cocoon

Steam‌ ‌page‌ ‌
Release:‌ December 7
Developer:‌ Nayuta Studio

Set in 1980s small town Japan, Hollow Cocoon is a first-person horror with multiple endings and, dare I say it, a vague resemblance to Fatal Frame when it comes to atmosphere. Protagonist Minato Jinba receives an urgent call to visit his grandmother in the mountain town of Ichinose. He hasn't seen her for a long time and actually dislikes her, but goes anyway, and this being a horror game, presumably comes to regret it. This is a passive horror, in the sense that you'll u31 เครดิตฟรี 31 บาท spend most of your time hiding from terrifying things rather than blasting them with shottys. Still, it stands apart from your Outlasts and your Amnesias for having branching narrative paths and a mood of its own.

Blood West

Blood West - Full Game Launch Trailer - Weird West legends meet eldritch horror in a new stealth FPS - YouTube Blood West - Full Game Launch Trailer - Weird West legends meet eldritch horror in a new stealth FPS - YouTube
Watch On

Steam‌ ‌page‌ ‌
Release:‌ December 6
Developers:‌ Hyperstrange

After a stint in Early Access, this blood-spattered first-person western gets a full 1.0 release. Combining weird west vibes with immersive sim inflected stealth, it kinda comes across as Thief via Redneck Rampage, with a clean '90s approach to 3D (it kinda looks like a Quake engine game). Blood winner55 West demands a slowly-slowly approach to its puzzle-centric stealth encounters, and like all good stealth games, it rewards careful exploration and attention to your surrounds. There's a progression system that means you can go in all-guns-blazing if you want, but you'd probably miss a lot of the finer touches that makes Blood West look so cool.

A Highland Song

A Highland Song - Official Trailer - release date announcement - YouTube A Highland Song - Official Trailer - release date announcement - YouTube
Watch On

Steam‌ ‌page‌ ‌
Release:‌ December 6
Developer:‌ inkle Ltd

Here's a gorgeous narrative platformer about a girl crossing the Scottish Highlands. That may put you in mind of Celeste, but A Highland Song has some curious similarities to Death Stranding. You won't be carting parcels, but the landscape is threaded with lots of different ways to traverse difficult terrain, and weather is a huge factor that will determine, at random, whether one path is more sensible than another. Not only that, but the landscape is shaped by the musical accompaniment, so there's even a rhythm game element here.

Sledders

Sledders | Official Early Access Trailer - YouTube Sledders | Official Early Access Trailer - YouTube
Watch On

Steam‌ ‌page‌ ‌
Release:‌ December 5
Developer:‌ Hanki Games

Launched into Early Access last week, Sledders is a "realistic, physics-based snowmobile simulator". That is a niche I'm sure has a specialist audience of its own, but even to me—someone who has never given a single thought to snowmobiles nor potential games about them—this looks appealing. You're basically plowing around a big snowy open world littered with mountains, cliffs and dangerous obstacles. The game is pretty freeform at the moment, albeit with multiplayer support already, but it'll get missions, more sleds and maps, and other additions during its EA stint, which could last until 2025.

Comments (3)

SlotWizard4655

Customer support has been outstanding whenever I had any issues. They respond quickly and professionally, ensuring that any concerns with deposits, withdrawals, or gameplay are addressed immediately, which makes me trust the platform more. Sometimes I wish there were more ways to earn rewards through loyalty programs or frequent player bonuses. Adding seasonal events or special challenges could enhance the excitement even further. The variety of games is excellent, including table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, in addition to slots. This keeps the platform interesting and allows me to switch games depending on my mood.

HighRoller3339

I really enjoy playing the slot games here. The variety is amazing, from classic reels to modern video slots with interactive bonus rounds. Every spin feels like an adventure, and the graphics and sound effects are top-notch, making the experience immersive and exciting. I appreciate the themed slot games, especially those based on movies and TV shows. They make the gaming experience more engaging and immersive. The combination of storyline, visuals, and bonus features makes each game feel unique.

CasinoKing5608

The progressive jackpots are thrilling, and it's exciting to watch the jackpot amounts grow as more players spin the reels. I hope they add even more jackpot slots because it adds a lot of excitement to the gameplay. Sometimes I wish there were more ways to earn rewards through loyalty programs or frequent player bonuses. Adding seasonal events or special challenges could enhance the excitement even further. I really enjoy playing the slot games here. The variety is amazing, from classic reels to modern video slots with interactive bonus rounds. Every spin feels like an adventure, and the graphics and sound effects are top-notch, making the experience immersive and exciting.

Recommended Reading

Three New Levels Coming to The Maw Via DLC

Twisted Pixel is hard at work on three new levels for The Maw which they plan [[link]] to release on the Xbox 360 as downloadable content over the coming weeks. https://kotaku.com/the-maw-micro-review-a-frank-...

Two More Boxers On Punch-Out!! Card

Go Nintendo’s a little ahead of the [[link]] curve with a small pic, of unspecified origin, confirming two original Punch-Out!! pugilists’ presence in the forthcoming Wii-make. No surprise we’d find Great Tige...

Vandal Hearts_ Flames of Judgment Preview_ Fails To Spark Interest

It’s been over four years since we’ve heard anything about Konami’s remake of PlayStation strategy role-playing game Vandal Hearts for the Nintendo DS -– and lo and behold it’s not [[link]] a remake or on the ...