I like to do this thread, every year. I'm long past the point of keeping up with new game releases, so I prefer to talk about whatever games I just happened to play in 2025. So I have a thread just for that, where the only rule is to post about the games you liked that you played for the first time (or at least for the first time for enough time to have a worthwhile opinion on) in the year 2025. I tend to just post any game I'd give at least an 8/10, from best to "worst", but you do you (especially if you've played a lot more games than I have).
1. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition: This isn't even the Xenoblade DE that came out this year lol. If I was better at playing new games, I would've considered not putting this here, but it is unquestionably my favorite game I played this year that is a new release. The original Xenoblade Chronicles is one of my favorite games of all time, it was an absurdly good JRPG by nearly any standard possible. Great music, impossible world for a Wii game, beautiful world, fun combat, fun exploration, fantastic story (...despite taking a while to live up to the hype, in true JRPG fashion), great voice acting. It has it all. And despite some improvements in the other games, it has not aged a day, as made clear by this remaster. The original already did its best to not waste your time, despite being a massive, time wasting game, and this just adds to that even more, in ways that maybe you could object to, if you're one of those weirdos mad about the swift sail in Wind Waker HD. And while I am glad I played the original first, I'm so glad for the hours I did not have to waste trying to find items this time and that made me appreciate the game all the more, when the sequel in particular made me question my fondness for long games by going too far in the opposite direction.
BTW: Future Connected is worse than Torna as far as extra campaigns go, but it is evened out by following up on a game that left me less exhausted. And that 's even though I did MORE this time percentage of the original game than I did in 2012.
2. Nier:Automata: This game is largely fantastic, which I guess is no surprise. I don't have hot takes too often, I like the games other people like, and that is true here. Combining Platinum's gameplay with some truly thought provoking, existential, emotionally exhausting almost type of storytelling is such a perfect combination, of hiding the weaknesses of different creators, that it feels like a game that was meant to be. I've felt more about parts of this game, about its soundtrack, than I've felt about almost any other video game, especially in recent years.
The only issue I have is that as brilliant and well realized a game it is, especially when I adored a lot of the early game, the hype of the late game being so much better did end up making me feel it was maybe a bit overhyped by comparison. I was invested unquestionably, there are parts that hit really hard, but some of what happens feels a bit obvious in ways that underwhelmed me a little and I didn't get as into the end as I thought I would. It feels like this game deserved an hour more just to go full existential, experimental and go all out on everything the game had been about and everything more we can get out of the characters. Yes even more than it had done. Pull an End of Eva, I don't care. Despite that though, Platinum's best game, with Wonderful 101 being the only true competition for my tastes.
3. Alien Isolation: A wonderful Switch 1 showcase, beautiful game, incredible atmosphere. I'd only seen Alien 2 times, I watched Aliens only recently, but I still adore what an incredible recreation of the world of Alien it is. And as someone who now finally "gets" stealth games, and has wanted to get non-action horror games despite being...disinterested in the retro RE/Silent Hill gameplay era, I'm pretty thrilled about how this one turned out. The first major sequence avoiding the Alien is one of the most exciting segments of any game I've played in a long time, and despite being a bit meh about...most of the story and characters, it was still a great experience almost all the way through. Though not as bad, it is a little like the last horror-ish game I played, Doom 3, where it should end and then keeps going. This one had a much better last 1/4, but it did feel a bit long, despite having played many longer games, some of which I liked a lot less.
4. Metroid Prime 4: I'm the least certain about this one, because I have not finished it but I'm like 10 hours in, I think I've played enough to have my opinion. I want to say a lot more when I do finish it, but right now, my opinion is simply that it is by a small margin, the worst mainline Metroid Prime. But it is in fact, a Metroid Prime game so I certainly will not complain. Most of its issues are not really bad things, its mostly just some meh thrown onto a winning formula. Which is arguably true of 2 and 3, but it stands out more here, despite arguably having less real low points than them. I wish it was a bit better, especially after all this time, but it is still a worthy continuation, which is what I wanted. The psychic stuff is fun, the bike is fun despite repetition, it looks fantastic even on Switch 1, and the bosses might be peak, as long as we don't have a stupid long wait next time, that's enough for now. Also tbh, its the first Metroid since Prime 3 with good, original, memorable music so that's nice.
5. A Hat In Time: I feel bad for Playtonic, they got outshone the same year from a dev that has yet to make a 2nd game. This is partially on me, especially for a game now 8 years old, I've missed the 3D platformer so much. It is just nice to play a 3D platformer that's this fun to play, this creative, and just enjoy my time with it, in a reasonable amount of time but with more to do if I want. It's exactly what I wanted and despite vaguely knowing what the levels were ahead of time, did not feel remotely spoiled (well ok yeah its a platformer not a JRPG, but you get what I mean), and had some of the more memorable levels I've played in a while. Just a charming and fun as heck game, not much else to say.
6. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: There's like three games I almost felt I had to play this month because I had so little new I played this year. Technically I had played this one a bit earlier in the year, but I spent 20+ hours just across 5 days because I had a week off and this was the main way I chose to spend it lol. So, Deux Ex: Human Revolution was a game I played a good chunk of when it was new in 2011. And then it was one of the last games I played on Wii U in 2018, and that made me fall in love with it and is more than any other game, the one that made me enjoy stealth games. It allowed me to trial and error my way, in the best way, to doing as close to a pacifist run as you can do in this game. I loved it, one of the highlights of the Wii U easily. This one...is more of the same. I kinda feel like I should've been more into it than I was, but despite hearing a lot less acclaim for this one, I'm surprised its not higher on my list. I'm honestly not sure why, like it has issues, like I'm not the most into the characters, but that was true of the last one, so I dunno. But still I do just adore, spending way too much getting every bit of lore I can in these games, for weirdly gameplay reasons and not as much story. It's surprisingly addicting to just endlessly hack computers, find the best way to take out any enemy without being seen despite constant reloads, and that remains true here. Haven't beaten it yet but it is kind of a Metroid Prime situation, especially since I dunno if we're ever getting another one, where I'm just glad to have a version of this to play at all.
7. YIIK I.V: This one's just funny to me. So there was this 2019 indie RPG called YIIK: A Postmodern RPG, it was polarizing at best, a complete joke at worst. I don't wanna get into that, because as always the internet makes things hyperbolic and weird, but the original release was one of my most anticipated games, and ended up as an all over the place game in terms of qualities that I thought was a 6/10. Quietly though, they spent ages making new versions of the game and this one is different enough to judge differently. It made some changes to the story, some additions, COMPLETELY changed the combat system and added a lot more visuals to what were otherwise long dialogue segments, among some other things.
I was undecided if I thought this version was great or just a solid improvement. Like some parts of it, like chapter 3 out of 5, is still kinda sort of not good, not fun, weird in ways that I don't think works. But ultimately I decided that because the improvements did help and they did not compromise what the game and story was going for just to pander to the haters, yeah its kinda great. It is a respectful balancing act between sincere artistic integrity and acknowledgement of your faults. And I think with the improvements, I could far more appreciates what it was going for, what is at the very least, an interesting story metaphorically (literally? both?) about clinging to nostalgia and your own ego when going back to your childhood home after college that really works for me more than it doesn't. And it always had some fantastic high points, and those remain, its a game I'm happy to have put so much time into, so that's enough for me.
8: Sayonara Wild Hearts: I kinda want to replay this one because its so beloved by some people. It is great, it is a great gameplay experience, but its on the bottom of this list because I'm not sure if I'm into the music or the music video experience in a way that others are? It's a great game ultimately, I think, but not as great an overall experience. But it is really engaging to play as a game despite that, a weird, unique, runner-ish type of experience that's a lot of fun. Some of the levels are incredible even. But despite that, I think I might end up respecting the game as a standout indie game of its era more than having it be as much of a favorite of mine.
Also the "barely making the list" choice I had last year was Gris, which I only played at the end of last year instead of this because I was not in the mood for the almost eye strain risk experience it felt like at first, so it feels fitting to end on this one.
1) Suikoden: One of my favorite games of all time yet oddly enough this was the first time I played through it since the PS 1 era. I played the HD remake earlier this year and it just reminded me why I love this game. The QoL improvements they made where great and they made the game even better. This was definitely one of the better remakes/Remasters I have played.
2) Borderlands 3: This game surprised me. Although not as good as 2 especially the story it wasnt as bad as people made it out to be. Yeah I will admit the main story didnt need to be as long as it was but I understand why they did what they did. The characters were as fully developed as the ones in past games but where this game shines for me is the DLC. I enjoyed the story of the DLCs alot more then the main one and quite honestly redeemed the game for me. As I said before, not as good as Borderlands 2 but still a good entry to the series and game.
RetiredPush Square Moderator and all around retro gamer.
I haven't found a huge amount of time for gaming this year but I have enjoyed Fire Emblem Awakening, Okami HD, the new Deltarune chapters, Paper Trail, and VVVVVV. Pokemon Legends Z-A is cool too but I'll reserve judgement on it until I've finished it, it's at risk of becoming a bit samey at the moment.
Thank you Nintendo for giving us Donkey Kong Jr Math on Nintendo Music
Where Winds Meet has been the best surprise of the year for me. As an enjoyer of kung fu action moves, WWM taps into those vibes I felt when I played Sifu a couple years ago. In addition to that, Warframe is a constant in my life. Monster Hunter Wilds was great, until we got to the Omega fight, at which point I noped-out. And Against the Storm has managed to become my all-time favorite city builder.
One of my favorites released this year is the obvious Claire Obscur Expedition 33. I won’t say much more considering it’s been talked to death about; but it hit me with an emotional gut punch ten times over. I listen to its soundtrack at least once a week.
My other favorite is Hollow Knight Silksong. I didn’t really enjoy the first game. It wasn’t bad; instead, I was bad at the game. I could never figure out where to go, and the overall tone left me in a depressing state of mind. I was unsure what to expect for its long awaited sequel, and what I got in return is a top 10 game of all time. I never got “lost” in the sense that I had to look up a guide; I methodically took copious amounts of notes (which added to the fun); and the boss fights were incredible, particularly in Act 3. I don’t think I’ve ever played a game where I truly felt like I’m in a ballet when fighting bosses, and that’s coming from someone who has played every Fromsoft game and have the platinum for most of them. The dodging, jumping, striking, and conquering bosses was such an incredible feeling that I will never forget.
A few other games of note, some of which aren’t necessarily new include: Xenoblade Chronicles X (I never played this entry, but the other three mainline titles are some of my genre favorites); Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2. I got the platinum for it on my PS5 2 years back, but I heard great things about the S2 port. It’s safe to say that it is one of the best ports of a high budget game going to a smaller console. It’s truly an incredible feat, and should give hope to any owners of the S2 on what the console can be capable of.
And lastly, what I’m playing now for the first time—Divinity Original Sin 2. I’m a huge fan of BG3 (praying for that Switch 2 port), and as soon as DoS2 got a Switch 2 upgrade, I finally bit the bullet. Since that day, I have put in 75 hours and only halfway through Act 2. I’m blown away by the writing, exploration, quest lines that are long lasting and consequential, and overall, the characters.
These are just a small sample of my favorite games this year. I wasn’t expecting my Switch 2 to dominate most of my gaming time, but it has and it’s been fantastic. I can’t wait to see what next year brings for the console. I’m hopeful we will see Baldur’s Gate 3, Metaphor ReFantazio, and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Here are my favorite games that I played for the first time in 2025...
Axiom Verge - A very solid Metroidvania through and through. I'm surprised I didn't find out about it when it first came out during the Wii U era... I literally discovered it this year and I enjoyed my time with it. I also like its dark atmosphere and the pixel art. I've also played Axiom Verge 2 this year, but I didn't spend too much time with it as it didn't click with me the same way the first game did.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus - I'm not a huge Pokemon fan, but I do like this game quite a bit. I wanted to try it out after finishing Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and I got it with one of my game vouchers. As someone who has enjoyed those two games, I enjoy its exploration, and I also like its Japanese-styled atmosphere. I haven't finished it yet, but I do want to sometime.
Okami - This is such a good game. It's pretty similar to Zelda, except you're a wolf, and it's got a gorgeous Japanese art style. I like how you would draw on the game screen to make stuff happen as well. I don't love its slow beginning, but other than that, I definitely like it. I still have yet to finish it, but I do want to sometime, or at least try to. This may be my favorite Capcom game besides the Mega Man series.
Mario Kart World - I don't care what anybody says, I love this game. ❤️ I got it bundled with my Switch 2 and I think it's a very solid Mario Kart game. I like its new mechanics like the rail grinding, and while the wall driving took some getting used to, I eventually got a good feel from it. I like a lot of its tracks, and the routes aren't too bad either - at least for the most part. Knockout Tour is a lot of fun, and I even like the Free Roam mode. I like the costumes you can get, I've unlocked all of them for each of my favorite characters... though admittedly unlocking them required some luck. The soundtrack is amazing, as well! It may not be a flawless game, but even as a longtime fan of the series, I still enjoyed it. Oh, and it has a train bike, too! 🚂
Donkey Kong Bananza - I'm honestly surprised by how good this game is, despite not being the next 3D Mario game. Before playing it, I was concerned that the terrain smashing might get too repetitive, considering you'd have to keep pressing the punch button to do it. But it isn't too bad here. I always take my time while punching through the environment. I like the exploration and stages, and I also like the Bananza transformations. It can be pretty overwhelming at times for me, and I don't really like how you'd automatically walk over Banandium Gems, but I think it's a very good game all things considered. I'd even recommend it to fans of Mario... it's made by the same team that brought us Super Mario Odyssey, after all.
And here's a game I have played earlier than this year, but did finish in 2025...
Disney Illusion Island - I didn't play too much of this game back when I first got it, but I did get more time into this game this year. It's a nice, relaxing kind of Metroidvania with a lot of stuff to collect. And this year, they made some new content for the game, which I did also enjoy. Scrooge McDuck's treasure hunting minigame is especially fun! It's honestly really good for a licensed game, and heck, I'd deem it a Switch hidden gem.
"Give yourself the gift of being joyfully you."
Favorite games: Super Mario 3D World, Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Playing: Hollow Knight
Ask if you want to be Switch friends with me, but I'd like to know you first. Thanks! ❤️
I tend to mix completing new games and revisiting old games for another play through each year, but here are my notable game completions in 2025:
Astro’s Playroom (PS5): I got a PS5 after discovering a handful of my Wii U games were worth a ridiculous amount on trade in. Astro’s Playroom is a great tech demo, showing much of the imagination of games like Super Mario 64. My kids have since played through Astro Bot and I need to get around to finishing it myself.
God of War (PS4/PS5) I haven’t played a God of War game since the original on PS2. I ended up playing it on easy, as it was frustrating just how annoyingly tough some enemies were (and I only have so many hours in the day). Wonderfully designed world, great lore and the interaction between Kratos and his son was almost tearjerking.
Space Marine 2 (PS5): my son and I are both big Warhammer fans and I enjoyed the first game on the XBOX 360. A really fun run and gun game with plenty of lore for nerds!
The Order 1886 (PS4/PS5): a very short, but satisfying game. Good lore and world building although it needed more content but for about £6 who cares?
Resident Evil Village (Xbox Series X): I’m not the biggest fan of the new direction for Resi games, but I enjoyed village. However, it just makes me hungry for Resi 9 and the return of my boy Leon!
Super Mario Odyssey (Switch): I finally sat down and completed it. My son has been nagging me for years (he has completed it several times). Wonderfully inventive, a lot of fun but still doesn’t take Super Mario 64’s cap imo.
Terminator Resistance (Xbox Series X): I’m a big terminator fan and although this was a little rough around the edges it was an enjoyable fps. I recommend it to any fan of the series, especially if you enjoyed the recent Robocop game.
Mario vs Donkey Kong (Switch): bought on a whim as it was half price, I ended up really enjoying this! Very much harkens back to the Game Boy Donkey Kong game. Great for pick up and play.
‘You swapped three different N64 games for Pokemon Stadium? Where’s your pride? Your dignity?!?
Saw a link for this is in the Chit-Chat Thread, so I thought I might as well put down a few things:
The Legend of Zelda TotK (Switch): I used to prefer BotW over TotK, but the past few months it has been the other way around. Partly because TotK doesn't have any DLC which means more of the game content is on the cartridge 😅. I also really liked the Ultrahand building mechanics even though I absolutely sucked at it and I ended up solving a lot of puzzles just by gluing together wood planks to create long bridges 🤣.
Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1+ (PS4): this was my number 1 Christmas present for 2025. I've only put in 13 hours and it's already my favorite Neptunia game (though the only other two I've played so far are just spin-offs).
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake and XI: not much I need to say about these. They're just some awesome classic turn-based JRPGs. I'm still not even close to being done with XI, but it's kind of on hiatus while I'm still playing a lot of Neptunia.
Doki Doki Literature Club (mobile): peak visual novel. Definitely not recommended for anyone who can't handle a bit of scary stuff, but if you can, I highly suggest it, especially since the original version is free on both Steam and mobile.
My top 5 favorite games:
1: Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1
2: Pokémon Violet
3: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
4: The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening (2019)
5: Animal Crossing New Horizons
Mario Maker 2 Maker ID: MNH-8JB-PKG
Switch Username: Blanc
Here's my favorite games I first played in 2025
Digimon Survive: I finally dipped after 3 years (it didn't interest me) and its my favorite VN ever (Granted I've only played 2, the other is Murder of Sonic). Pacing at start is iffy, but it picks up so hard
Mario Kart World: Despite the criticisms, I love this. Only complaint is free roam, but the perfect controls save even that
Yo-Kai Watch 2 and 3: Technically I have played 2 as a demo a lot, but my first full playthroughs have been nothing but pure joy. 2 of my favorite rpgs, and I'm not even done with 3 yet!
DK Bananza: Perfect. Everything down to the last, minute details
Ocerina of Time: This is pretty fun, but haven't gotten far
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds: Genuinely my favorite kart racer, its really fast and fun with awesome references
Hey guys I'm a gamer, student, sorta youtuber, but most of all NERD
Just want to say that I think I'm switching Hat in Time and Prime 4 on my list. I'm not shocked but man...those crystals...not worth 100% the game. That's just tragic for a Metroid game.
My favorite game for 2025 was without question Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I think I'd go as far to say it completely revived my interest in gaming. In 2024 I only finished 7 games and one of those was a replay lol. I think I went on a spree of games that just weren't hitting for me and I slowly started to burnout. So, going into 2025 I was still kinda burnt out.
I started the year with Unicorn Overlord which was actually a very enjoyable game. Despite the bare bones story, the gameplay itself had me hooked from start to finish. It was probably the first game that I enjoyed in almost a year.
I also tried to play Prince of Persia The Lost Crown in January but this game just wasn't hooking me at all and after about 7-8 hours I just decided to drop it. I also tried playing Octopath Traveller II at some point in 2025 but wasn't really hitting either. I played for 15 hours and just couldn't push myself to keep going.
I didn't really play anything else until Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition released in March. As a huge Xenoblade fan I had some very high hopes for this one. But honestly, I was quite disappointed with the new chapter 13 they added. It's also a solid title but it doesn't hit for me the same way the other Xenoblade games did. I did a lot of the side content but I just wasn't motivated enough to reach 100% completion like I did for the other titles.
I didn't play anything else until late June which is when I finally played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I know everyone talks about this game like crazy so there isn't much I can say that hasn't been said already. But I loved this game so much, and admittedly it stole my attention away from XCX. Its been a long time since I had that feeling where I was excited to get off work just so I could play more, and this was the game that brought the feeling back. I think I finished it in just over 1 week. (By comparison it took me 3 months to finish XCX because I was going at such a slow pace).
I ended up going on a pretty big binge again after that. In the months that followed I finished Final Fantasy XVI, The Quarry, Final Fantasy V, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine, Elden Ring, and finished up the year with Spider-Man Remastered. Those last three in particular were top notch as well.
@Vortexeo I was/am a little late to the party on E33 - just wrapped up Act3 yesterday.
Absolutely loved it, and can see why it has amassed so much love from so many outlets.
One thing about it that really blew me away is the quality of the VA work involved. Since playing Baldurs 3, I now have a new-found respect for great VA work - with Neil Newbon's performance as Astarian being remarkably good IMO.
I think that Jen English does a wonderful job as Maelle - but the standout for me was absolutely Ben Starr as Verso, managing to bring such a range/depth of emotions to the character (especially during Act3!). I wonder if Larian will approach Ben Starr for the next Divinity game? I'd hope to see English and Newbon on the VA roster for Divinity also.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was clearly and obviously GOTY last year but the more I play Elden Ring Nightreign, the more I enjoy it. Over 400 hours on it now and no intention to stop. It's not the best game of 2025 but it's undoubtedly my favourite.
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Topic: Favorite games you played in 2025
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