2025 (in Games)

It's that time again: New Year, new list!

As I found myself reminiscing about the past, I realised that - this time - I'd need a few more stipulations about the games that would make this list. For one, there isn't really a reason to include games that I've played before – though, exceptions have been made for games that included a larger update. Another stipulation that I found myself grappling with was the question of playtime; where I excluded games that I'd played for barely an hour – unless it was enough to grasp the gameplay or would already encapsulate most of its narrative.

Generally, I've decided to include a few quick notes regarding my own playtime, the game's state of completion, and my subjective rating for what I've experienced. These ratings mostly to function as a jump-off point. They are not to be taken as an overall statement of quality.
The rating system remains the same that I've used before, which had been based on the Goodreads star-rating:

What is it about?
It's summer vacation time! The player protagonist (Emily) - as well as her younger brother Chester - are visiting an old family member in a rural town. However, not everything is what it seems, and the siblings find themselves in the midst of the supernatural.
Why not use one's summer vacation to fight off the evil (demonic) nature that had slowly invaded the town?

Why was this on the radar?
The main reason would most likely be: perfect timing.

Like so many games, I must have come across at some point on the Steam main page, or potentially Steam recommended; And while I usually try to wait out these games – see if I remain interest in them a few months past release – there had been one major thing that made it hard to look away. Namely, I had just read 'The Book of Bill', which had reignited my interest in Gravity Falls. While this game isn't related to Gravity Falls in any way, one cannot help but note a few similarities from just the summary alone...

This certainly pushed this game into the forefront of my mind, and meant that I wanted to have a closer look. At this point, it was the presentation that truly convinced me.
I've always been a fan of pixel art and a decent soundtrack, and what the trailer and screenshots offered looked intriguing enough.
Lastly, the gameplay seemed to suggest something akin to a system that I'd liken to the Persona Series: Make connections and upgrade your team during one half of the gameplay, while exploring dungeons and fight/tame demons during the other.

Why this score?
After that much of a build up, it sort of isn't too surprising that - in the end - it just missed its mark to fully impress me.

The presentation - the art, the animations, and the soundtrack - are all lovely! It was the substance underneath that seemed to reach for something that was too far away. Now, to be completely fair, everything that I had been looking for IS actually present in the game, even if it all just felt slightly off.

The story being told had been fun, but (so far) also been quite predictable. The dialogue is passable, but felt occasionally forced and exposition heavy. It's still enjoyable, but I just felt like I've seen and played better games? Occasionally, I found myself thinking of it more like a chore than a fun means to spend my time. It never felt bad, but it just didn't quite engage me the way I had hoped it would. One potential reason for that last point might just be due to the most confusing aspect within the constricts of this game: the lack of an in-game deadline system.

Early on, it is made clear - both implicitly and explicitly - that 'time was running out' and that it was of upmost importance to safe those other children quickly...
...only for it not to matter at all?
In a way, it's a weird complaint to make; Especially as I am one of those people that really does NOT enjoy forced deadlines in most games. The inability to just do 'everything' always felt restricting to me, or just added unwanted pressure. However, I think I finally understand.
Because this just felt wrong. There's no reason to do any of the dungeons until you've worked enough afternoons to buy better gear. There is no reason to not also spend two more weeks working on the character's skills and social stats before continuing with the story. It's... far too easy to get caught up in this; In the end, it made it all feel weightless.
Suddenly, none of my decisions were of any importance. Did it matter that I had spent an afternoon working at the store for money instead of reading a book to buff my 'smarts'? No. It didn't.
This Summer won't end. Time is meaningless unless forced by the player. It is a weird complaint to have as someone that always disliked the concept of deadlines. Truly, at first, I thought that the lack of any time-gated pressure would increase my enjoyment of the game; Instead, I found myself losing interest somewhere mid-second act. My thoughts drifting away to other games, such as my unopened copy of Metaphor: ReFantazio (2024).

Overall, I did enjoy the time I'd spent with the game, even if I hadn't managed to finish the game's story. I also believe that there are people that will enjoy what this game has to offer, especially the lack of the deadline might be of interest for some! Though, I feel like it looks far more polished than it actually is gameplay-wise.

What is it about?
This is a game about classical literature and cryptograms. There is no story, it's simply a collection of encrypted excerpts, which need to be solved. According to their steam page, there are over 400 excerpts to decode, covering multiple genres and a wide variety of literature.
Additionally, the information - as well as a link to download a free copy of the book in question - will be provided after having solved the code.

Why was this on the radar?
When I find myself playing a narrative focused game, I'd often find myself with a few other games in rotation for more 'casual' aligned days. This could either include games I've played before, sandbox games, or puzzle games.

In this case, I already had my mind focused on a narrative game; but had found myself searching for something more casual that would also scratch that itch that I'd been feeling; By which I mean the itch of reignited interest in Gravity Falls, mysteries, and puzzle solving...

How could I have resisted when I came across a game that claimed to be all about ciphers? The asking price seemed fair enough, and the fact that all of this was in support of Project Gutenberg just added fuel to the fire.

Why this score?
First, I truly enjoyed the presentation of the game itself. Everything is neatly organised, which further allows the player to pick genre-specific encryptions to solve. Initially, my interest had mostly been in the cryptograms themselves – but I found myself getting quite distracted by the literature choices presented. The fact that the game includes both a synopsis and the ability to download a free e-book copy of the book just adds to the ease with which one is presented with literature.

Noticeably, I found myself far more intrigued in these works after having tried to decode certain excerpts; And even had a few fun moments where I'd recognised the encrypted quote, which meant that I'd just be bypassing the actual puzzle...

Now, the actual encryptions are very fun, though, the focus on the substitution cipher might feel slightly repetitive after a while – one of the reasons I'd find myself playing this game in short bursts only.

Lastly, while I truly appreciated the presentation of it all, it seems weirdly detrimental that the game has no in-game note-taking page. Not that I minded taking manual notes, but it seemed like a small missed opportunity.

Looking back, it is clear to me that this game isn't for everyone. Moreover, I can see people argue that this isn't much of a game at all; But really, this was my perfect alternative to solving a daily Sudoku. It's just a fun and entertaining way to engage with some codes, while also being provided with some interesting (and free) book recommendations!

What is it about?
Scarlet Hollow had left enough of an impression that I ended up writing about it and summarising its premise before:

“You, the player, have received an invitation from your cousin. Their mother, your aunt, has recently died and you are now invited to come visit the old family estate in preparation for the funeral. […] However, something seems off and just shortly after your arrival, you'll find yourself thrown into a world of horror. ”

Why was this on the radar?
By now it's clear that I'm a big fan of Black Tabby Games. I've talked (and written) about Slay The Princess (2023) quite a bit; As I'd fallen in love with its presentation and narrative. Now, I hadn't known then that Slay The Princess was the second game of theirs until I've started to look into the studio itself - and then it hadn't taken long for me to be intrigued by their early access title. I simply had to check it out for myself!

Why this score?
This game is an experience that I wholeheartedly recommend. To me, this is near perfection. Each chapter in functions as its own story - it could be considered an anthology even - and even with its last chapters missing, it felt like a complete experience; And yet there's still so much to explore!
The brilliance behind Scarlet Hollow is that I am intrigued enough to actually explore EVERY branch that is offered to me. Just like with Slay The Princess, I can easily see myself attempting the completion of this game at some point.
So many moments that I still haven't found - choices that I've yet to make... and not to forget the overarching mystery hanging above it all!

According to Black Tabby Games, the newest chapter will be released on February 13th 2026, and I can see myself returning to the Holler quite easily.

What is it about?
Our two protagonists (Mio & Zoe) arrive at a publishing company, where they try to get their respective book deals. However, with technology advancing, the proceedings seem to have changed. Apparently, their pitches will be extracted through a machine that allows for an 'immersive experience' for the subjects.
(A terrible premise for every horror fiction writer!)
Mio is unimpressed by this new technology, and does not wish to partake. An accident causes her to collide with Zoe, and the two of them find themselves in a shared simulation that switches between Fantasy and Science Fiction settings, which the two of them now have to navigate through.

Why was this on the radar?
My partner and I had previously played It Takes Two (2021) and had a pretty decent time with it. So, when we became aware of this new entry, we naturally started considering picking it up. Generally, I don't find myself playing many co-op games. However, the concept of a relatively 'quick' co-op adventure seemed fun – and the premise focusing on both fantasy and science fiction settings seemed quite the step up from the past entry's concept.

Additionally, the fact that one 'purchased' copy is enough to play this game with a friend is quite commendable. The ease with which one can access the Friend's Pass and enjoy all that the game has to offer was certainly one more reason to give a co-op narrative game like this a chance in the first place.

Why this score?
Just like its predecessor, this can be quite the fun experience when played with the right person. Visually, the game delivers what it had promised: one spectacle after the other. An apt way to describe games like this would be that it felt, to me, like a roller-coaster ride. It's fun, it's engaging, but really not that complex overall – and that is perfectly fine.

The story is perfectly adequate; Predictable, but enjoyable enough. It's rather campy, but that also carries with it a certain charm. I can't quite fault it for it, though, I do feel like the in-game banter between the characters were - sadly - the most frustrating bits. The whole fantasy versus science fiction debate was... mediocre at best. It did cause some fun external discussions between my partner and I at least, so not all was lost.

But really, the draw to a game like this really isn't the story, it's the set-pieces; And those were a marvel. When compared to the predecessor, the worlds just ooze more intrigue – each level being able to vary fundamentally and with ease. Additionally, this game did not include a mandatory spider section, which immediately places it above what had come before. Truly, there's no reason to include spiders in a game; Truly, anything spider-related in any video game should be heavily questioned...

What is it about?
The most important thing? Well, high numbers, of course!

Alright, maybe that might not be quite correct. It's mostly about playing Poker, but Poker with quite a few additional rules and decks that would not be accepted anywhere else. What will 'your' winning deck look like? (and how high up can that number go?)

Why was this on the radar?
This game had been on my radar since it had come out. For one, I do try to keep an eye out for interesting Indie titles, and since I am quite fond of both Roguelikes and Deckbuilders... something like this would quickly cross my feed. Additionally, due to its rather quick success, the game would also be regularly featured on the Steam Store page, further ensuring its relevancy. Then there was the rather positive coverage of it online – and a growing interest in watching others build their 'broken' decks. Honestly, it was near impossible to forget about this game!

The final nail in the coffin - after months of indecision - was the simple fact that I actually quite enjoy a good poker game. (Thank you Picture Poker from Super Mario 64 DS (2005), which taught me the rules of Five-card draw)

Why this score?
"Just one more run" can really turn into quite the powerful mantra. It's a combination of decisions in regard to the visuals and their presentation that lead to the satisfying moment where one's hand is counted.

That feeling of success when the numbers keep going up? It's such a rush. Moreover, there are so many fun builds one can play with – so many different stakes to take on! At a glance, I thought this game was a neat tiny package, only to surprise me with its many challenges.

...maybe one more run? And then you keep going, because the numbers are enticing, and with the understanding of the basics the question arises – how much higher can these numbers go?
Truly, the game is such a fun playground, and there's even an option to play through specific seeds; It's such a nice touch that it's so easy to play a run with the exact same parameters, which would allow for one to actually perfect 'a run' if they so wished! And this isn't usually how I'd be playing a game such as this, the fact that the option even exists is such a nice touch.

This game knows how to keep one at the poker table, that's for sure.

What is it about?
Dave is on vacation.
Well, he had been... until he'd received a call from a friend, who had (under the promise of sushi) managed to rope the guy into his newest business plan. What are these plans? Well, a sushi restaurant!
Dave's job is to use his diving experience to catch the fish for the restaurant during the day, and then to manage and work at the place itself at night.
The goal? To create a glorious and thriving establishment (and maybe make some more non-culinary discoveries along the way)

Why was this on the radar?
This game immediately charmed me. I remember being interested in it before it had been officially released – and then noticing the flood of videos and articles about it after it had received some glowing reviews.
It was near impossible to evade it for a while. I saw bits of gameplay, heard the soundtrack, and had appreciated the care that had been put into the pixel art. At some point, I came across some late game spoilers and that had been enough for my interest to slowly fade away. At that point, it had felt like I've had my fill already without ever having needed to play the game myself and moved on...

...until 2025, apparently.

Why this score?
For one, I could have realised sooner that an awareness of the narrative wouldn't really take away from the experience. While a decent narrative is certainly helpful, it is the gameplay loop that will keep people engaged; And truly, this game was just as charming as it had presented itself.

The story told doesn't take itself too seriously, while still allowing for a few more emotional moments to shine through. The characters are lively and weird, and I mean that in the best way. The absurdism and the escalation of the events surrounding Dave and his friends was fun to witness in full, but they are more or less the cherry on top of everything else.

Throughout the runtime, a routine will slowly establish itself. First, there is the diving – resource management and exploration - which is then followed up by the restaurant management and service segments.
Though, these segments can and will be interrupted by smaller events and story beats, which will introduce a new mini-game. They often appear without much fanfare, and disappear just as quickly. On the one hand, that's perfectly fine and certainly entertaining, but on the other... I do feel like it is also evidence of the game's one weakness. These moments tend to be 'one-and-done' deals. I can't quite call it missed potential, but I did find myself saddened and slightly disappointed with that realisation.

And yet, playing the game itself, slowly improving Dave's gear, and venturing ever deeper into the ocean – It really does feel very rewarding.

What is it about?
The player takes control of the former Queen of the Fae. She'd been exiled, by her own daughter, as she'd brought forth a radical concept to help her realm prosper: to fight the capitalism of humanity with their own new brand of capitalism.
This setback isn't enough to stop her, even with nothing at hand, she'll do her best to bring her plan to fruition.

Why was this on the radar?
At this point, I had just completed Dave The Diver, and was searching for something already in my steam library that would lead to a similar feeling of progression and success.

While this game didn't quite cover the same aspects of a simulation game – it still fell into the category of shop simulators; and thus felt appropriate enough.

Why this score?
It is obvious that the people working on this game cared quite a bit about it, as well as the message it wants to convey. Conceptually, it really does what it set out to do.

The gameplay loop, too, was quite fun. Restocking and amassing your products already make it quite clear that - in this world - profit is the most important aspect for success. Moreover, narratively speaking the game actually includes quite a few scenes that drive its main talking points home rather succinctly...

...however, it just didn't quite click with me. The cut-throat world and ones own viciousness are an important byproduct of most of the player's actions, and I just didn't feel accomplished afterwards.
From what I've seen from my rather low playtime, the game certainly offers a lot - and has an interesting story to boot - but I just couldn't quite get myself to keep playing. I might revisit it someday, but for now I'll let it rest.

What is it about?
Thousands of years ago, Dracula's ambitions caused an uprising. A power-hungry being ready to fight both humans and vampires alike to establish his rule. Thus, the great war began.
At the verge of extinction, humankind prayed and was blessed with the power of holy light, which was enough to obliterate Dracula and the multiple vampire legions in the land. The few vampires that had survived, had to retreat - leading to their deep slumber.

The player takes the role of one of these vampires; Now, freshly awake and hungry for both blood and dominion.

Why was this on the radar?
First and foremost: I'm a sucker for suckers... by which I mean vampires. This game certainly seemed to reflect the Wicked Weave approved question: "If evil, why hot?"

However, it wasn't just the appeal of playing a vampire that had intrigued me, but the gameplay loop as well. The concept of a base builder with an isometric view and adaptive combat was more than enough to win me over. The visuals truly are to die for.

Now, the reason I picked the game up again in 2025, was due to the Invaders of Oakveil update. New fights, new territory, more vampires! It sounded great.

Why this score?
Now, I really do enjoy this game; Be it alone or with friends, there's so much to love about it. The powers, the building, the fact that this game allows for so much fiddling with the settings to ensure that your experience is a good experience is just peak.

However, the fact that most of the 'fun' cosmetics are locked behind separate DLCs is frustrating. To me, that just seems quite predatory, considering that the game sells itself partially as a 'castle builder'. Additionally, there is one frustrating issue with the way the game handles its save files; Because with each larger update (as well as the initial switch from early access to the full release) the old save would turn obsolete – One has to start fresh. Which, isn't too bad per se - until it becomes apparent that one has to fight the darned spider queen in her darned cave filled with more spiders once more.

I did not like it the first time. I LOATHED it the second time; and I absolutely DESPISED it the third time.
It's not even satisfactory to beat her! Each time, the spider queen is THE boss fight that has me drop the game, because I need a breather afterwards. It should mean that I'm fine to continue, but instead it just removes any enjoyment that I've had and I drop the game until the newest update, which has me play until I fight (and kill) her again. Spiders and games CLEARLY shouldn't go together. There's no way that this could work out in any form whatsoever.

What is it about?
Eugine McQuacklin has returned, and he's ready to quack that new case! He's still not over his divorce, he's still behind on rent, and he really just needs something to keep his life from spiralling further.

Why was this on the radar?
The first game in the series had been the reason I wished to write my opinion piece on 'detective' games. While I mentioned my few gripes with the entry itself, I also made sure to state how much I enjoyed the atmosphere that the game had set. Now, it was clear to me that I'd be playing any potential follow-up in the series - which was why I had actually been anticipating this release quite a bit; And this time I knew exactly what to expect.

Why this score?
This game - for the most part - is exactly what I wanted it to be. The passion behind this game is tangible; It's just fun in a neat package. Truly, the animations, the voice acting, and just the whole case itself is charming and keeps you hooked through its run-time. The story and mystery, too, is a fun one.

What is it about?
The player is given a boat. The one can fish or - like the title suggests - dredge materials. Sometimes, the fish look weird. It's fine. Nothing to worry about.

Why was this on the radar?
The concept of a 'fishing horror game' intrigued me the moment I had heard about it back in 2023. Similarly to Dave The Diver, I sort of stumbled upon far too much information about it during its release window, which had pushed my interest aside. Though, like with many other games, the mixture of visuals, soundtrack, and implied themes was enough to reignite my interest occasionally. Add a random, but very effective fandom crossover project and suddenly I found myself unable to resist the temptation, and finally played it for myself in 2025.

Why this score?
Playing this game had me constantly on edge. The open ocean is beautiful and terrifying, and I found myself appreciating both the beauty and the horrors immensely. The exploration of the archipelago and the slow build-up and improvements of your tiny vessel are satisfying to witness. To me, this game was a beautiful mixture of moments of quiet and moments of terror. This is mostly due to the way the time of day will not only influence any potential catch, but also the player's sanity. I've come to appreciate and dread this game's night-time excursions.

Visually, this game is a marvel. The gameplay was neither too complicated nor too simple - it hit a perfect balance. Moreover, all of this was underlined by a beautiful soundtrack created by David Mason, who managed to create music pieces that perfectly encapsulate both a sense of calm, melancholy, and lurking terror.

What is it about?
The player's spaceship, the UES Contact Light, has an unfortunate end; but the player manages to survive by jumping into the escape pod and landing on a planet filled with beings that wish to end that streak of survival.
The goal? To escape the planet and return home.

Why was this on the radar?
This was another game that my partner had brought to my attention. He'd been enjoying it for quite a while and then mentioned that the game itself allowed for multiplayer. Thus, I ended up looking into it - and once again, the interesting art-style and mechanics started to intrigue me. So I decided to occasionally play a round with the other.

Why this score?
The gameplay is really smooth, and it's a lot of fun. Be it a solo run, or with multiple players. The fights themselves were fun and the terrain, or planets, interesting and varied. The way the time spent on the planet slowly increases the 'difficulty' of the mobs that you're fighting leave the player with a few interesting choices. Stay on the planet and loot as much as possible, while the enemies grow in strength and numbers? Or rush through it, take only the bare minimum, but keep the 'difficulty' lower? (And this doesn't even touch on the additional three difficulty stages from which you choose at the start!)

Now, I absolutely loved looting in this game; Because whatever item I'd pick up - my character would be seen wearing it. It's such a fun visual indicator and with items such as a plush teddy, antlers, and more... The character will always look visually interesting. It was a tiny thing, but it was one of my favourite 'unnecessary' details.

Overall, this game, too, manages to reach that spot where one can only repeat that all too familiar "just one more run" mantra.

What is it about?
You find yourself in quite the large labyrinth somewhere underneath the earth. Explore, solve puzzles, and uncover this place's many secrets.

Why was this on the radar?

This was one of these games that I had noticed the moment it had come out - thanks to that one video; Just one quick look and it was clear to me that this game did certainly hit all my typical points of intrigue: interesting (pixel) visuals, interesting soundtrack, exploration, and environmental puzzles.

It was enough to immediately place this game onto my wishlist, but I wanted to wait until I've worked a bit through my gaming backlog; This worked out somewhat well, but at some point I really wanted to play through it before I'd come across major spoilers.

Why this score?
The game is simply amazing. There is so much to say about it, but I really do not wish to spoil this in any way. To me, it was a marvel to experience - better than I had hoped even! I've never felt truly stumped, though, I did spend some time in certain places trying far too many things. The game does not hold your hand, but it's not mean. It felt freeing to just play it on my own and make my way through it.

Overall, this clearly was a passion project - and I loved playing it. The one thing that has me consider going back is the fact that I've only finished the game - I've yet to uncover all of its secrets...

What is it about?
This anthology follows homicide detective Dale Vandermeer as he investigates the death of a woman.

Initially released as flash games, this collection functions as a means to preserve their old works - the game itself including nine titles.

Why was this on the radar?
I don't quite remember how I've come across the series, but my best guess would be that it was a miscellaneous google endeavour. As a fan of the podcast The Magnus Archives by Rusty Quill... I can see how I'd have come across a video series by Rusty Lake at some point.

However, what kept my interest was the surreal presentation and the promise (once again) of a mystery to be solved. The mixture of eerie and charming imagery within a limited space were also quite fascinating, and with its rather low price point there was no reason for me not to give this series a go. Now, while I've had multiple of the Rusty Lake games in my Steam library, it took me far longer to actually play any of them - as I'd found myself unsure where to even start.

Why this score?
There is beauty in simplicity. There’s intrigue in the weird; and then there’s my fascination with the fact that there seems to be such a vast and overarching plot that I've yet to experience fully.
The puzzles very much remind me of classic point & click adventures, which is both a blessing and a curse. It never feels impossible to solve, but occasionally I feel like it's just expected to use everything with everything (and to potentially brute force a solution).

As previously mentioned, the larger mystery fascinates me, but it is also quite daunting; It remains one of the reasons I've yet to finish this anthology. Additionally, I had considered writing about this series at some point, which would mean that I'd not be playing this in slow and short sessions, but larger 'junks' for analysis' sake. In the end, I'd dropped the ball on that idea, while simultaneously having missed the window to continue my shorter gameplay sessions... Maybe now would be a decent time to pick it up again – just for myself for a start.

What is it about?
This is a story about family, culture, love, and loss – all packaged quite neatly and told through cooking.

Why was this on the radar?
I've heard good things about this game from a few friends, and noted its impact as it had been repeatedly nominated for multiple awards back in 2023 and 2024.

However, my personal intrigue was both the story and gameplay - it was rather clear that the heart of the game had been placed in its narrative. The medium of choice being a video game was also of interest to me; There is certainly an additional layer of 'connection' when one is interacting with a game. In the end, I had been quite excited to give this experience a chance.

Why this score?
This game is beautiful.

It manages to tell its story succinctly and uses the meals one prepares perfectly well to accentuate its points. The story itself certainly felt authentic and it managed to tell quite the tale in a decent runtime.

The gameplay elements themselves were very interesting and the puzzles were fun to solve. I found myself wondering - more often than not - how believable it all was. As someone that has played a few cooking games before, this one ended up feeling more 'realistic' than many others. Though, that might just also be my own unfamiliarity with some of these meals shown.

It's not like I can find a flaw in the game itself, it does exactly what it set out to do; and it did it very well! Regarding its runtime, I can't help but think that I'd enjoyed maybe one or two more instances of cooking...
And yet, the most interesting part in ‘shorter’ experiences is the knowledge that each of these moments were deliberately picked. There are no filler moments; It’s something I’ve come to appreciate quite a bit.

What is it about?
It's all about building museums. Unlock new exhibits and place them in the perfect place; Research and improve until the museum has gained its perfect reputation.

Why was this on the radar?
In this case, I was already familiar with the studio - having played both predecessors: Two Point Hospital (2018) and Two Point Campus (2022) - and I'd enjoyed both titles. Initially, it had been the more comically inclined presentation - and its wordplay based humour - that had caught my interest. So, when I've heard about their newest entry, I'd decided to keep an eye out and see how well it was received.

Why this score?
I enjoy some fun wordplay, and these games love their puns. Thus, my initial impression of the game were already really positive. Add to this the different museum wings and the slow - yet rewarding - process of unlocking more and more throughout the campaign. Overall, I found myself quite happily spending my time with this game.

Out of the three of them, I've certainly enjoyed this entry the most. Admittedly, the 'Supernatural' museum had me enamoured quite a bit. Who doesn't love a whole museum filled with ghosts and haunted exhibits?

Then again, I haven't quite explored all the different museum themes that this game had to offer, as something else sort of captured my attention quite abruptly...

What is it about?
Captured off-screen and freshly freed at the start of the game, Hornet finds herself in the Kingdom of Pharloom, far removed from her home. She quickly decides to remain and to explore this new place and – most importantly – to confront the forces behind her kidnappers with her unyielding needle.

Why was this on the radar?

Why this score?
Ok, all my previous points about how spiders and games don't work have been disproven. This game is ALL about spiders and it remains the best game I've played in 2025 no questions asked. No one is surprised.
Just writing this section has me wish to replay the game. I'm that far gone.

I've been brainstorming far too many potential writing drafts about this game, and one day I'll actually write something serious about it; But for now? To me, this was the perfect follow-up to Hollow Knight. Hornet's agility felt freeing and the whole game felt like a natural evolution of the already familiar. It was all that I've ever wanted! (Though, I could have done without the scuttling animations...)

One thing that I did end up missing, but can't fault the game for, was something akin to Hollow Knight's 'Godhome'. Many of these boss fights were fights that I'd love to easily re-experience. Then again, I do not mind replaying this game either; as I'm currently still working through these last few achievements...

What is it about?
As princess of the underworld, you're returning to the home that was taken from you to save your family and kill Time. Death to Chronos.

Why was this on the radar?
Well, I'd already played bits of the Early Access release in 2024 and I've previously enjoyed many Supergiant games. Thus, I did keep an eye on any updates and the potential release date for this entry.

With its 1.0 release, I couldn't help myself but return to the underworld for a bit just to enjoy the narrative, visuals, and music once again.

Why this score?
While I haven't yet seen all that the game has to offer, I find myself absolutely enamoured. Just like with Hades, the game offers an interesting take on mythology and tells a story that keeps you engaged, with a cast of characters (both new and returning) that are fun to be around with.

There's still so much to uncover, but each run has been a treat. The princesses' weapons are swift and deadly. Also, where else is it possible to fight that harpy that is holding the Adamant Rail? Kill Time? Eh.... I'm switching targets; Eris had it coming after what she did. SHE is my one true rival.

What is it about?
The player character accepts the invite to move to a quiet and bereft town, where they take over the local farm - and sell their goods during the weekly bazaar. Is it possible to reinvigorate this place?

Why was this on the radar?
Nostalgia.
This is a remake of Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar (2011), and while I've never played the original – I did play most games within this series. Thus, my interest in this felt inevitable.

The trailers leading up to the game's release were never enough to convince me fully, but I knew I'd keep my eye on the game's reception post release; And that led me to get a physical copy for my Switch during a sale in December.

Why this score?
So far, I've been enjoying it immensely. Nostalgia paying off greatly. One thing that this game has over most of these other farming simulators? Well, it does have voice acted cutscenes (a lovely surprise), and more importantly: It has the bazaar. Gameplay wise the concept of keeping track of the crops' freshness, as well as the many ways that one could process these goods is a fun addition to the 'farm' routine. I've certainly been enjoying it.

However, I do think that the game - even with its many improvements for today's consoles - remains quite expensive. While pricing isn't usually a point I'd like to highlight too much, I felt it was necessary in this case. Mostly because Stardew Valley (2016) still exists.

...And with that, I've covered most of what I've played in 2025. It was interesting to look back; I found myself surprised by how few of these games I'd actually completed. Especially, since I'd been thinking quite a bit about game completion throughout last year - a topic which I'd hopefully be covering soon.

And maybe by the end of this year I've at least completed both Silksong and Hades II. (One can hope!)