The boomer shooter renaissance continues to ferment and flourish with great new games each year, and a standout title from 2025 was Cultic. Hailed by many, including our own explorations at Digital Tech Explorer, as “one of the best shooters of 2025,” it distinguishes itself among titles like Dusk and Turbo Overkill by executing everything at an exceptionally high level.
And for those looking to dive in, the recent holiday season brought with it the perfect opportunity: the game’s free “Cultmas” update. This festive expansion introduced a host of exciting changes and a bonus map titled “I’ll Be Home For Cultmas.”
The ‘Cultmas’ Holiday Update: New Map and Features Explored
The comprehensive Cultmas update details, shared via a Steam community news post, reveal a bonus map featuring its own unique arsenal of “new toys to play with,” alongside an entirely new enemy type. A thrilling trailer offers a glimpse into this snowy new environment, playfully echoing the dark, atmospheric charm of classics like Blood with its dynamite-tossing action and pitchfork-wielding cultists.
Gameplay Enhancements and TechTalesLeo’s Reflection
Beyond the new content, the update also brought a slew of crucial gameplay enhancements and optimization tweaks. Among the notable balance changes, burn damage has been completely reworked. It now deals direct damage, streamlining combat by eliminating the need to deplete a hidden ignite meter first. The patch notes promise a more satisfying experience, making it easier to “hose enemies with damage while burning to melt them even faster”—a darkly delightful twist for the holiday season!
As a tech enthusiast and storyteller, reflecting on the vast landscape of phenomenal boomer shooters can feel daunting yet exhilarating. The sheer volume of high-quality titles released recently ensures that even if game development paused today, a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to explore all the innovative and engaging experiences available. This constant evolution is what makes diving into games like Cultic so rewarding for both seasoned players and newcomers alike.
Ready to immerse yourself in the retro-inspired action? Both the base game, Cultic, and the Cultic: Complete Edition—which includes both thrilling chapters for the full experience—are available for purchase on Steam. The second chapter, released in 2025 as DLC, is not required to access the special Cultmas map from the “new game” menu.
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