Our Household Unofficial Game of the Year Roundup for This Year
Well, how was 2025 in your household? Could it be described as all as good as one might claim on online? Packed with academic success for the children and wild dress-up celebrations for the adults? Or was it a swamp of disappointment with only occasional enjoyable highlights? Could any part be authentic, or have we all become digitally altered AI slop beings with celebrity teeth?
I've assembled my thoughts for a reflection, whether they wanted to or not, to debate the paramount thing in a calendar year: which releases we played the most. Let's get started:
Title Eldest Daughter Played the Most
Horizon Zero Dawn
"Why can't you pick just one?"
"You can't expect my personal ranking."
On her phone, she’s been playing Cityscapes and "trying to find decent healthcare."
"Virtually?"
"In real life."
Release Middle Son Played the Most
Overwatch
"I have no interest in games on my phone." He took umbrage that I suggested it. Point taken.
Game Third Daughter Played the Most
Resident Evil Biohazard
She's attempting to get into drama school, but when she stepped away from the mic, she was immersed in Resident Evil. She also elaborated in great detail about her achievements on The Sims, where the Shark has a thriving utopia with infinitely better healthcare than her big sister has in the real world.
Title the Wife Played the Most
Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time
She started the year at 60% completion and finished the year at eighty-two percent. It's a long haul not a sprint for her. Her phone game: something called Woodle, where you have to extract pins.
Title I Found Amusing That My Kids for Still Playing
Minecraft
Whenever I see my 21-year-old son playing Minecraft, I set about him like a cross between a relentless heckler. When he protests, I reply that I am engaging in this to build character so he can mature and play games for mature audiences. This defines our Scottish father/son relationship.
Most Skilled Gaming Family Member This Year
Eldest Daughter on Just Dance 2024
There was no contest for this one. She is unstoppable. Even better than I was at my peak gaming days in my prime.
Title I Played the Most
Marvel Snap
No other game compared to the hours I spent on this remarkably well-crafted card game wizard’s poker, with its constantly evolving range of cards and game variations.
Game I Wish I Had Played Less
Marvel Snap
The catch about games that endlessly add to their range is you have a moment of clarity and understand it is all just an attempt to trap you with compulsion-based microtransactions. So enjoyment soured halfway through the year and it went into the bin.
Title I Wish I Had Played More
Doom: The Dark Ages
Excellent reinvention of a legendary franchise. Immersive atmosphere from the beginning. I wish I could deal with my demons so effectively in real life.
Game I Wish I Had Played More (Thoughtful Edition)
Blue Prince
I decline to rush this gorgeous, distinctive game and I just was short on the time or headspace to give it what it needed earlier this year. With family visits over the festive period, I aim to experience this in the wee small hours after evening drinks.
Title That Kept Me Sane When I Needed It
Balatro
I'm aware Balatro was the previous year's sleeper hit, but I was a late adopter. And it is exceptional. It just gets absolutely everything right. Crazy Poker is a wonderful concept, but the abilities behind the different joker cards are so creative it has become a game I would happily play any time. Throw in the wittiness of the card design, and this is an definite pinnacle of gaming. I fantasize about being stuck in a broken-down lift for hours just so I have nothing to do but play it.
Title I Got the Most Flak For Criticising
Outer Worlds 2
I received a bit of backlash when I mentioned how a technical issue in another game damaged the experience for me, but that other title is still a gargantuan gaming achievement in terms of production values – which I appreciated even more after playing Outer Worlds 2. So my appreciation goes out to the reader who took the time to contact me to say that my Outer Worlds 2 review was "bitter, confused resentment". I present that in the exact way, because I appreciate the effort, and they are obviously an sharp judge of character.
Title Everybody Loved That I Just Didn’t Get
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Sure. Give me a punishingly tough Metroidvania-esque thing and leave me without guidance on what I am supposed to be doing, except "explore". What a joy. I understand that it is beautiful and is ideal if you are into this kind of thing, but I cannot think of a gaming experience I desire less in my mid-fifties. I was around back when most games were like this, and my patience is gone. It was acceptable when I was a kid, but the same could be said for many less comfortable things.
Biggest Gaming News of 2025
Toss-up between corporate partnerships that raised eyebrows, and expensive game releases. Both ethically dubious and repugnant.
Games I Would Name My Children After, If I Was Ever Stupid Enough to Have More
Clair Obscur, Despelote and Bananza would all sound good names shouted from the doorstep at tea time.
Part of My Body That Aches Most From Gaming
Right Thumb Joint. No joke. I don’t know if it’s because of video games or phone use, but it burns like anything in the mornings now. I knew I should have got my thumbs protected back in the 90s.
Game I Am Looking Forward to the Most in 2026
Grand Theft Auto VI.
And it will come out in 2026, even if we have to wait patiently until the heat death of the universe.
Game I Am Looking Forward to the Most in 2036
The Witcher 4.
