Humble Bundle revealed the December 2025 Humble Choice lineup on December 2, delivering the year’s final monthly bundle with eight games valued at approximately $199 on Steam for the standard $14.99 subscription price. The headliners are Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, the narrative bridge between Yakuza 6 and 7 that launched in 2023; Nine Sols, the critically acclaimed Sekiro-inspired 2D Metroidvania from RedCandleGames; and Streets of Rage 4, the beloved 2020 beat ’em up revival. Additional games include Lost Skies, Intravenous 2, Dungeon Tycoon, Beholder: Conductor, and Godlike Burger. Community reaction calls this the strongest Humble Choice in months, with multiple high-quality titles appealing to different genres and playstyles. All games are redeemable on Steam through January 6, 2026, when the bundle expires and gets replaced by January’s selection.
The Headline Games
Like a Dragon Gaiden – The Man Who Erased His Name
The biggest name in the bundle is Like a Dragon Gaiden, the narrative spin-off that explains what happened to series protagonist Kiryu Kazuma between Yakuza 6 and Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7). This is essential connective tissue for fans following the series’ evolving storyline, showing how Kiryu faked his death and became an agent working for the Daidoji faction.
Gameplay returns to the brawler action-adventure style of classic Yakuza rather than Like a Dragon’s turn-based RPG combat. You fight using two distinct combat styles – Agent focuses on gadgets and slick combos, while Yakuza brings raw power and heat actions. The story takes roughly 12-15 hours to complete with substantial side content adding another 5-10 hours.
Reviews praised Gaiden as a focused, emotional story that gives Kiryu proper closure while setting up Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Steam reviews sit at 96% positive from over 4,500 reviews. The main criticism is length – some felt the $40 launch price was steep for a 12-hour spin-off. Getting it as part of a $15 bundle with seven other games eliminates that concern entirely.
One important note: Gaiden is region-locked in some territories. SteamDB shows the EU key is a separate retail version (sub 938721) rather than the worldwide version. Check your region compatibility before subscribing if you’re specifically buying the bundle for this game.
Nine Sols
Nine Sols is the breakout indie hit from RedCandleGames, the Taiwanese studio behind Detention and Devotion. This 2D Metroidvania combines exploration and platforming with Sekiro-style parry-focused combat. You play as a cat-like humanoid warrior uncovering the mysteries of an ancient civilization through interconnected hand-drawn environments inspired by Taoist mythology and Asian fantasy.
The combat system emphasizes precise timing – you deflect enemy attacks at the last moment, creating openings for devastating counterattacks. Unlike traditional Metroidvanias where you can brute-force encounters with enough health items, Nine Sols punishes sloppy play and rewards mastery of its deflection mechanics. Boss fights are pattern-based challenges requiring observation and adaptation similar to FromSoftware games.
Critics universally praised Nine Sols as one of 2024’s best indie releases. Steam reviews sit at overwhelmingly positive with users calling it a must-play for Metroidvania fans. The art direction, atmospheric storytelling, and satisfying combat loop justify the $30 standalone price. Getting it in the bundle alongside seven other games is exceptional value.
Reddit discussions show Nine Sols alone makes December’s Humble Choice worth subscribing to for many players. One commenter stated “Yes! Nine Sols!” while another lamented it’s the only game in the bundle they wanted. If you’ve been waiting for a price drop on this acclaimed indie, this is it.
Streets of Rage 4
Streets of Rage 4 revived the classic Sega beat ’em up franchise after 26 years with hand-drawn visuals, smooth animation, and modernized combat that respects the series’ arcade roots. You choose from multiple playable characters – each with unique movesets and combos – then punch your way through waves of thugs across gorgeously illustrated urban environments.
The game supports up to four-player local and online co-op, making it perfect for couch gaming sessions or online parties. Multiple difficulty levels accommodate both casual players who just want to see the story and hardcore fans seeking challenging score-attack gameplay. Post-launch DLC added new characters, modes, and quality-of-life improvements, though the base game included in Humble Choice doesn’t contain DLC content.
Steam reviews are 93% positive from nearly 7,000 reviews. Critics called it the definitive modern beat ’em up that proves the genre still has life when executed properly. The nostalgia factor appeals to older gamers who played the Genesis originals, while the tight controls and beautiful art attract newcomers unfamiliar with the franchise’s history.
The Supporting Cast
Lost Skies
Lost Skies is a cooperative survival crafting game set among floating sky islands. You explore procedurally generated environments, gather resources, build bases, and fight hostile creatures alongside friends. The game emphasizes vertical exploration using gliders and grappling hooks to navigate between islands suspended in the clouds.
Steam reviews are mixed at 67% positive from over 1,800 reviews. Players praise the unique setting and satisfying traversal mechanics but criticize repetitive gameplay loops and grindy progression systems. It’s currently in early access, meaning content updates are ongoing but the experience feels incomplete. If you enjoy survival crafting games like Valheim or Raft and have friends to play with, Lost Skies offers decent entertainment. Solo players might bounce off quickly.
Intravenous 2
Intravenous 2 is a top-down tactical stealth shooter where you infiltrate enemy compounds using shadows, silenced weapons, and careful planning. The game emphasizes realistic consequences – getting spotted often means instant death, forcing methodical approaches over run-and-gun chaos. You plan routes, disable lights, distract guards, and eliminate targets without raising alarms.
This is the sequel to the well-received original Intravenous, expanding on the stealth mechanics with new tools, enemy AI behaviors, and mission variety. Steam reviews are very positive with players comparing it favorably to classic stealth games like the original Splinter Cell. If you miss old-school tactical stealth that demands patience and planning, Intravenous 2 delivers.
Dungeon Tycoon
Dungeon Tycoon flips the traditional dungeon crawler formula – instead of playing the hero, you’re the dungeon master designing deadly dungeons to kill adventurers. You place traps, spawn monsters, design room layouts, and watch as parties of heroes attempt to survive your creations. Think Dungeon Keeper meets tower defense with roguelite progression.
The game features a campaign mode where you unlock new traps and monsters, plus endless modes for experimenting with sadistic dungeon designs. It’s relatively lightweight compared to deeper management sims, making it accessible for casual play. Reviews are positive with players enjoying the humor and twisted satisfaction of watching heroes die to their elaborate death traps.
Beholder: Conductor
Beholder: Conductor continues the dystopian surveillance series where you play as a government-appointed landlord spying on tenants in a totalitarian state. You install cameras, search apartments, report suspicious activities, and make moral choices about who to betray for personal gain versus protecting innocent people from oppression.
The Conductor subtitle suggests this entry focuses on orchestrating events and manipulating outcomes rather than just passive observation. The series has always been about uncomfortable moral dilemmas in oppressive systems, and this installment apparently doubles down on that theme. If you enjoyed Papers, Please or This War of Mine’s exploration of ethical compromises under authoritarian regimes, Beholder: Conductor offers similar thought-provoking gameplay.
Godlike Burger
Godlike Burger is a cooking management sim with a dark twist – you run a burger restaurant that serves alien customers, but the secret ingredient is murder. You manage the kitchen, prepare orders, and strategically kill customers to use as burger meat while avoiding detection by alien health inspectors and police.
The game combines time management mechanics from cooking games like Overcooked with stealth and strategy elements as you decide which customers to kill, when to harvest them, and how to dispose of evidence. It’s darkly comedic rather than genuinely horrifying, with cartoonish graphics and absurd scenarios. Reviews praise the unique concept and satisfying gameplay loop but note that it can become repetitive after several hours.
The Value Proposition
The December 2025 bundle’s combined Steam value sits around $199 according to multiple sources, though this figure includes full retail prices that might not reflect actual player value. Here’s the breakdown:
– Nine Sols: $30
– Like a Dragon Gaiden: $40
– Streets of Rage 4: $25
– Lost Skies: $25 (early access pricing)
– Intravenous 2: $20
– Dungeon Tycoon: $15
– Beholder: Conductor: $15
– Godlike Burger: $10
For $14.99 monthly subscription or roughly $12.92 if you subscribe annually, this represents substantial savings. Even if you only want three of the eight games, you’re getting a better deal than buying them individually during Steam sales. And unlike traditional bundles where you choose which games to unlock, Humble Choice gives you all eight automatically.
The subscription also includes:
– 10-20% discount on Humble Store purchases (increases with consecutive months subscribed)
– Access to the Humble Trove DRM-free game library (being phased out but still contains hundreds of games)
– One month of IGN Plus subscription
– Various discount coupons for other games
Community Reception
Reddit discussions show overwhelmingly positive reactions to December’s lineup. Multiple commenters called it the best Humble Choice in months, with some saying it’s the first bundle in over a year that actually interests them. The combination of a major Yakuza title, a critically acclaimed indie, and a beloved beat ’em up creates broad appeal across different gaming tastes.
One commenter noted “I would assert that this is significantly superior to the latest bundles,” though another replied “Unfortunately, that’s not setting the bar very high.” This reflects frustration with Humble Choice’s declining quality over 2024-2025. Earlier bundles featured more recognizable AAA titles and deeper cuts from publishers’ back catalogs. Recent months leaned heavily on indie games and older releases that had already been deeply discounted elsewhere.
December’s bundle feels like Humble trying to end the year strong. Like a Dragon Gaiden is a relatively recent 2023 release. Nine Sols launched in 2024 and hasn’t been heavily discounted yet. Streets of Rage 4 remains popular five years after release. This combination of recent, critically acclaimed, and evergreen titles creates genuine value rather than just clearing out publisher backlogs.
How Long Do You Have
The December 2025 Humble Choice remains available until January 6, 2026, when it’s replaced by the first bundle of 2026. You can subscribe at any point during December to claim all eight games. Keys must be redeemed on Steam before January 6, 2027 – you have a full year from bundle expiration to actually activate your keys.
The auto-charge date for existing subscribers is December 30, 2025. If you’re currently subscribed and don’t want December’s bundle, you must pause or cancel before that date to avoid being charged. New subscribers can join at any time and won’t be charged again until the end of January if they stay subscribed.
FAQs
What games are in Humble Choice December 2025?
Nine Sols, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Streets of Rage 4, Lost Skies, Intravenous 2, Dungeon Tycoon, Beholder: Conductor, and Godlike Burger. All are Steam keys.
How much does Humble Choice cost?
$14.99 per month or $154.99 annually (works out to $12.92 per month). Regional pricing varies – UK pays £11.49 monthly, EU pays €12.99 monthly.
Do I get all eight games?
Yes. Unlike old Humble Bundle models where you chose which games to unlock, Humble Choice gives you all included games automatically when you subscribe.
When does the bundle expire?
January 6, 2026. You have until then to subscribe and claim the games. Keys must be redeemed on Steam before January 6, 2027.
Is Like a Dragon Gaiden region-locked?
Possibly. SteamDB shows the EU key is a separate retail version. Check your region compatibility before subscribing if you’re specifically buying for this game.
Can I pause my subscription?
Yes. Existing subscribers can pause to skip December’s bundle if they’re not interested. You must pause before December 30 to avoid being charged.
What’s the best game in the bundle?
Subjective, but community consensus highlights Nine Sols as the standout indie, Like a Dragon Gaiden for Yakuza fans, and Streets of Rage 4 for nostalgic beat ’em up action.
Does it include DLC?
No. All games are base versions without DLC or expansions. Streets of Rage 4’s post-launch DLC is not included.
Is this better than recent bundles?
Community reaction suggests yes. December 2025 is considered the strongest Humble Choice in several months, ending the year on a high note after a mediocre stretch.
Conclusion
Humble Choice December 2025 delivers the year’s best monthly bundle in months with a carefully curated selection appealing to multiple gaming demographics. Yakuza fans get essential series lore through Like a Dragon Gaiden. Metroidvania enthusiasts finally get a discount on the acclaimed Nine Sols. Beat ’em up lovers can revisit or discover Streets of Rage 4’s excellent arcade action. And the five supporting games provide depth across stealth, management sim, and survival crafting genres. At $14.99 for eight games worth nearly $200 combined, the value proposition is undeniable even if you only want three or four titles. The bundle expires January 6, 2026, giving you over a month to decide whether to subscribe. Based on community reception calling this the first worthwhile Humble Choice in ages, December might be the perfect time to jump back in or try the service for the first time. Just remember to check region locks on Like a Dragon Gaiden if that’s your primary motivation for subscribing.