Thanksgiving Day is finally arriving! The day when families get together to catch up and share memories, eat food, watch football, eat food, argue, eat food, watch movies, eat more food, give thanks, and, more importantly, eat food. Of course, given the tumultuous political landscape and the results of the 2024 Presidential elections, some family members are reluctant to attend or host Thanksgiving this year. An attitude spurred on by one side of the political spectrum that would exacerbate family division. But video games can help change all that and provide a twist to your family Thanksgiving Day in 2024. Which is why we are recommending 10 PC video games to play on Thanksgiving Day to help bring your family together that won’t break your bank or your PC this year for $30 or less.
Games that will provide collaborative adventures, will cause chaotic mayhem, be competitive, or even get you to think about some of the issues which revolved around the 2024 elections. So move your PC, or laptop, to the living room, hook it up to the TV, grab some extra controllers, and get ready to be the family therapist in one of the only instances where it is okay for everyone to be a backseat gamer!
Stardew Valley
This farming simulation game is as wholesome as pumpkin pie and is a great reminder of what it took to make America great. You, along with the help of your family, can work together to decide what crops to grow, animals to raise, and what sections of land to clear in order to turn an unkept farm into a thriving one.
Stardew Valley is perfect for families who want a laid-back game that fosters teamwork and creativity. It’s a great vibe for the family and a wonderful way to remind everyone what it takes to get their food from the farm to the table.
Price: $14.99 on Steam and GoodOldGames
Portal 2
If you want something a bit more action-oriented, challenging, and will provide a ton of laughs, then look no further than Portal 2. The game’s co-op mode is a masterclass in teamwork which requires players to solve puzzles using the portal gun. This hilarious, mind-bending game is perfect for families who love problem-solving and sharing a good laugh.
So long as you all have a strong stomach and don’t suffer from issues such as vertigo!
Price: $9.99 on Steam
Minecraft
While one of the most expensive recommendations on this list, it is worth the price. After all, Minecraft provides endless possibilities for creativity and adventure. Whether you and the family want to build a turkey-shaped house on top of a mountain, explore caves, shape and mold the landscape to your ideal version of paradise, or recreate your house, this game has something for everyone – from kids to grandparents.
Price: $29.99 (Standard Edition)
Vertiginous Golf
Perhaps the family wants to tone things down a bit with a game that is more simple and relaxing. Well, you won’t get all of that with Vertiginous Golf. This quirky, steampunk-inspired mini-golf game adds a fantastical twist to the game of golf.
It will spark plenty of laughs and outrage as everyone attempts to navigate its whimsical and insane courses.
Price: $9.99 on Steam
Overcooked! 2
There is a reason why you can’t have too many chefs in a kitchen. So there is no better game to capture the chaotic energy of a Thanksgiving meal prep than in Overcooked! 2! Just like in real life, your family will have to work together to prepare meals under increasingly absurd conditions.
It’s frantic, fun, and perfect for lightening the mood after the Thanksgiving Dinner meal prep is done. Just make sure you and the family clean their hands before touching the keyboard and controllers.
Price: $24.99 on Steam (the Gourmet Edition is currently 80% off for around $9.99 on Steam and GoodOldGames)
Plague Inc: Evolved
For families with a darker sense of humor, Plague Inc: Evolved offers a more strategic experience where you and the family can design and evolve a pathogen to infect the world. This is definitely a conversation starter which can provide a unique, though ironic, way to spark discussions revolving around the pandemic, vaccines, and global cooperation.
By the way, did you know that China banned Plague Inc: Evolved during the pandemic crisis because player could name their viruses Corona or COVID-19 and make China the starting point?
That is another discussion to have with the family! A discussion that could even talk about Trump’s tariffs and the issues with China being a major manufacturing hub for America. Maybe even talk about China and the video game industry.
Price: $14.99 on Steam
Cities: Skylines
Perhaps the family doesn’t want to talk about politics or foreign affairs. So why not have everyone help build and manage a sprawling city in Cities: Skylines? In this sim game, the family can take turns shaping their dream metropolis or work together to design the ultimate Thanksgiving-themed cityscape.
Cities: Skylines is perfect for aspiring urban planners and anyone who enjoys building games. But it can also be a great lesson in teaching everyone, in some small part, what it takes to design and run a city. Perhaps it can even shift the discussion to what is happening in American cities where crime and other issues are prevalent.
Price: $29.99 on Steam
Mutant Football League
We know that football is a Thanksgiving tradition. And we could make the boring recommendation of EA Sports Madden NFL 25. But we don’t want to because it is an expensive franchise that gouges its customers with yearly releases, requires a third-party account, and third-party DRM. Issues which are big “NOs” on this website and part of the topic regarding game ownership.
Instead, you should play Mutant Football League which offers a hilariously over-the-top spin on this American sport. It features undead players, ridiculous plays, and chaotic fun that will be a hit for families who enjoy watching football and looking to enjoy some lighthearted competition that you can play before and after Thanksgiving dinner.
And if the NFL Blitz franchise was still around, we would have recommended that too.
Price: Base game is $14.99 on Steam
Complete Bundle for $29.99 on Steam
Dynasty Edition $19.99 currently on sale for $5.99 on Good Old Games
Democracy 4
Here is where things can get pretty heavy for the family. There are a lot of people who are upset with the 2024 elections and there will be plenty of discussion over how the campaigns were run and how things will progress in America.
So why not check out Democracy 4? It’s a political simulation game that encourages strategic thinking and decision-making. You and the family could debate policy choices together and see how those decisions shape the country. It’s a fantastic way to bond over shared goals and see how things play out if certain policies are enacted while enjoying a bit of friendly debate.
After all, there are multiple ways to tackle the same problem. Democracy 4 could give you all the opportunities to explore them.
Price: $26.99 on Steam, currently on sale for $9.17 on Good Old Games until 12/04
Papers, Please
While there were many issues that were contentious during this Presidential 2024 election, illegal immigration was one of the top issues for a plethora of reasons. So rather than debate the topic, why not have everyone step into the role of an immigration officer in Papers, Please?
While it doesn’t explore the topic of open borders, this is still a thought-provoking indie game that will task you and the family with managing an immigration checkpoint in the fictional, dystopian country of Arstotzka. You will have to verify papers and identities in a game that offers a unique way to discuss moral dilemmas and issues of immigration as a family.
As you experience the issues from the point of an officer on a controlled border, it will be up to you and the family to decide whether or not to let people into your country. But it is made more difficult as the character you play is also a parent with a family to support. Suffice to say, Papers, Please’s storytelling and challenges is going to provide plenty of topics to reflect on during Thanksgiving dinner.
Price: $9.99 on Steam and Good Old Games
A Papers, Please short film is also available for free on Steam or you can watch on YouTube
President Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 Presidential election has affected a lot of people in a big way. To the point where they are being told and encouraged to cut off family members, cancel Thanksgiving, and stop communicating with friends and family. This cultish behavior is highly destructive and damaging for the individual who listens to such advice that is being promoted by Leftist cult leaders that includes mainstream media, journalists, celebrities, and politicians.
The games we are recommending this year, unlike other video game news outlets and journalists, is to try and help families repair those bonds and return to the point where everyone could have civil discussions about politics and the topics that are the focus here in America and the rest of the world. To help you connect with your family and introduce them to your hobby.
This Thanksgiving Day, let video games bring your family closer together. After all, no one wants to spend Thanksgiving alone. Shared experiences are what the holiday is truly about and being together under the same roof is something to truly be thankful for.
And let us know what other games you would recommend for Thanksgiving?
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