Today’s Advent calendar window has a real cult within it. Also an alcoholic knight who speaks in thick prose between schnapps and porridge. What could be more Christmassy than alcohol and porridge? Not much, we bet. You could pour the alcohol In the porridge maybe? You could call it “fervor”!

Or you could just play Felvidek!

Nick: Felvidek was the best surprise of the year for me. Like pulling your hand out of a stocking and finding a baby alligator chewing on your fingers and then becoming your best friend for life, Felvidek hides a surprising amount of heart beneath his jagged exterior. Like having your fingers bitten off by said baby alligator, Felvidek also really makes you want a drink, as the unfortunate but steadfast protagonist Pavol makes life as a miserable alcoholic seem both cool and funny.

As far as genre goes, it’s a JRPG. You can’t argue with me because the Steam page says JRPG. Discuss it. Actually the game is set in 15th century Slovakia, but you’ll be doing some familiar JRPG things like turn-based combat. The fact that all progression here is gear-based and there’s no leveling up could be a problem in a longer game, but Felvidek clocks in at a svelte four hours – an absolute balm in a genre that’s given us some brilliant, if intimidatingly long, games this year year has brought entries.

In fact, Felvidek’s brilliance lies in the story it tells, which seems like a very elaborate stage play. It’s both surreal and set in the Middle Ages, with bizarre demonic cults taking the stage alongside internally conflicting priests. On the one hand it’s tongue-in-cheek baroque because the language is sometimes confused and archaic, but on the other hand it’s also quite chatty and friendly in the two-man buddy comedy of errors. Aside from the occasionally deadly battles, it really gives a unique take on medieval life that’s deadly, silly, and heartfelt all at the same time.

Go back to the Advent calendar to open another door!