2025 in Review: Top Games of the Year

As 2025 draws to a close, we're revisiting a cherished tradition: selecting the standout games of the year. With thousands of new releases, our list showcases the games that left a lasting impression on us. Here's a toast to another exceptional year in gaming, with high hopes for 2026. This year was marked by an unusual trend - balls. Games like Ballionnaire and Ball X Pit took the classic mechanic and infused it with modern unlock systems, demonstrating the timeless appeal of traditional games and the power of contemporary design. Another highlight was uncovering a sprawling family history in The Roottrees Are Dead, which explored the idea of digging through dial-up era websites. Although Seance at Blake Manor had a similar structure to Return of the Obra Dinn, it didn't quite live up to expectations. However, ARC Raiders was a true standout, boasting impressive visuals, audio, and NPC design, making it the most compelling PvE experience of the year. The game's drone enemies were a masterclass in balance, being both easy to defeat and easy to die to, while larger enemies posed a satisfying challenge. Human encounters were a delicate balance of risk and reward, with moments of generosity and betrayal keeping the game exciting. The setting, too, felt refreshingly new, offering a unique blend of exploration and combat. After decades of generic apocalypse settings, harvesting resources in a ruined Mediterranean landscape was a breath of fresh air. Ghost of Yōtei was highly anticipated, and it exceeded expectations. The game's strong female lead, Atsu, and its beautiful, zen-like world, crafted by Sucker Punch Productions, captured the heart. The game's ability to appreciate the beauty of solitude and nature was a highlight, and the addition of a wolf companion and interactive foxes made it even more endearing. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector kicked off the year on a high note, with its thought-provoking sci-fi world and evolved dice-rolling mechanics. Donkey Kong Bananza was a wildly different experience, offering a colorful and frantic ride, but its sheer silliness was a welcome change of pace. Ball X Pit, with its modern take on Arkanoid, was another standout, launching a constant stream of new ideas at the player and keeping the game exciting. The Horror at Highrook, an eldritch horror-themed card-crafting RPG, generated a tremendous amount of atmosphere and story through its simple mechanics, making it hard to put down. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was another highlight, with its haunting beauty and strong narrative. Blue Prince, a puzzle game, was a phenomenal experience, with its intelligent, roguelike puzzles and deep storytelling. The game's ability to shift and change, with more layers than an onion, made it a true masterpiece. Every aspect of the game was carefully crafted, making it a must-play experience. Clair Obscur swept the 2025 Game Awards, but it was Blue Prince that left a lasting impression, with its emotionally devastating opening and strong narrative. Monster Hunter Wilds was a challenging experience, with frame rate and performance issues, but when it worked, it was truly wonderful. The world felt alive, with endemic life and monsters going about their days, until a hunter inevitably disrupted the ecosystem. Easy Delivery Co, described as 'Silent Hill meets Animal Crossing', started as a cozy delivery sim but descended into surreal psychological horror, making for a deeply unsettling experience.