So, what did you think of 2025 in your home? Was it entirely positive as one might claim on social media? Full of top marks for the kids and riotous themed fancy dress birthday parties for the parents? Maybe it felt like a swamp of letdowns with only rare fun flotsam? Could any part be authentic, or is everyone now seven-fingered AI slop beings with perfect dental work?
I've assembled everyone for a reflection, willing or unwilling, to discuss the paramount thing in twelve months: what titles we enjoyed the most. Let's get started:
Game Oldest Daughter Played the Most
Just Dance 2024
"Is it impossible to pick just one?"
"This isn't my personal ranking."
On her phone, she's invested time in Cityscapes and "trying to find reasonable healthcare."
"In the game?"
"In the actual world."
Game Second Son Played the Most
Overwatch
"I don’t play games on my phone." He seemed insulted that I suggested it. Fair enough.
Release Youngest Daughter Played the Most
Resident Evil Biohazard
Her goal is to get into acting, but when she took a break from vocals, she was immersed in Resident Evil. She also went on in great detail about her achievements on The Sims, where her character has a thriving utopia with infinitely better healthcare than her big sister has in real life.
Title the Partner Played the Most
Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time
She began the year at sixty percent completion and ended it at 82%. She's in it for the long run not a sprint for her. Her mobile diversion: something called Woodle, where you have to unscrew pins.
Release I Found Amusing That My Kids for Still Playing
Minecraft
Every time I see my adult son playing Minecraft, I set about him like a cross between a relentless heckler. When he objects, I reply that I am doing this to toughen him up so he can be a man and play games for mature audiences. This defines our Scottish father/son relationship.
Most Notable Gaming Family Member This Year
Eldest Daughter on Just Dance 2024
There was no contest for this one. She is a machine. Superior than I was at Dancing Stage MegaMix in my prime.
Game I Played the Most
Marvel Snap
It was in a league of its own to the hours I spent on this insanely well-crafted strategy digital pastime, with its regularly updated range of cards and game variations.
Title I Wish I Had Played Less
Marvel Snap
The catch about games that endlessly add to their range is you wake up one day and realise it is all just an attempt to suck you into fear-of-missing-out driven microtransactions. So love turned to hate halfway through the year and it was deleted.
Game I Wish I Had Played More
Doom: The Dark Ages
Stunning reinvention of a classic franchise. Engrossing atmosphere from the start. I wish I could eviscerate my demons so effectively in real life.
Game I Wish I Had Played More (Thoughtful Edition)
Blue Prince
I refuse to rush this gorgeous, distinctive game and I just didn’t have the mental bandwidth to give it what it deserved earlier this year. With holiday guests over the festive period, I aim to experience this in the wee small hours after family time.
Title That Was a Lifesaver When I Needed It
Balatro
I acknowledge Balatro was the previous year's breakout game, but I was a late adopter. And it is remarkable. It just gets absolutely everything right. Its gameplay loop is a fantastic concept, but the abilities behind the different special cards are so inventive it has become a game I would happily play any time. Throw in the wittiness of the card design, and this is an true high-water mark of gaming. I wouldn't mind being stuck in a small space for hours just so I have an opportunity but play it.
Game I Got the Most Criticism For Criticising
Outer Worlds 2
I received a bit of backlash when I critiqued how a glitch in another game ruined the experience for me, but that other title is still a gargantuan gaming achievement in terms of overall polish – which I recognized even more after playing Outer Worlds 2. So thank you to the reader who took the time to send a message to say that my Outer Worlds 2 review was "bitter, confused resentment". I mention that in the exact way, because I appreciate the effort, and she is obviously an sharp judge of character.
Game Everybody Loved That I Just Didn’t Get
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Fine. Give me a bastard-hard Metroidvania-esque thing and leave me without guidance on what I am supposed to be doing, except "explore". What a joy. I get that it has great art and is ideal if you are into challenging games, but I cannot think of a gaming experience I am less interested in in my current stage of life. I was around back when all games were like this, and my patience is gone. It was okay when I was a kid, but so was many outdated things.
Biggest Gaming News of 2025
Toss-up between questionable alliances that raised eyebrows, and high launch costs. Both morally indefensible and concerning.
Games I Would Name My Children After, If I Was Ever Stupid Enough to Have More
Clair Obscur, Despelote and Bananza would all make interesting names shouted from the garden at dinner time.
Part of My Body That Aches Most From Gaming
Right Thumb Joint. Seriously. I don’t know if it’s because of console gaming or endless scrolling, but it aches like the mines of sulphur in the mornings now. I knew I should have got my thumbs insured 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 stretch time until the end of days.
Game I Am Looking Forward to the Most in 2036
The Witcher 4.
