Alright, so, in my last post I alluded to the fact that I spent most of last year ether waiting to go get surgery, or recovering from said surgery. That means playing video games a whole bunch so I can distract myself from feeling nauseous! There's also just the fact that I am in Canada, so I have no medical debt and can spend the money on video games instead, so that's cool.
10. Absolum (October)
The 10th slot was the most difficult for me to rank because, one the one hand, with any given entertainment industry there's obviously going to be a lot of "monoculture bloat" that I just don't give a shit about. I don't care about Death Stranding at all you guys, I don't get it, sorry. But 2025 was also such a stacked year for games, so... uhh... Absolum. Okay, sure! I chose Absolum because Absolum has a frog in it and I like frogs.
This is one of those games that caught me by absolute surprise because usually I'm not a huge roguelike type of person. And the thing is, I can't believe how good this game was! It is a roguelike, but combined with a Beat 'em up but it's also a Fantasy RPG. And you know, I think what it is, is that it's not so fucking braindead. You're supposed to get killed, come back, learn, and get stronger. Video games used to do that! And it's rewarding! Love that for us!
9. Split Fiction (March)
Not to be too much of an old man who yells at cloud, but can we all agree that Covid was fucking miserable? I really grew to hate the horror and cooperative multiplayer genres, just, holy shit, knock it off already, you're a loser.
The reason this one gets a pass from me, is because it's actually creative. And I mean really creative! It's like they took literally every single idea they've ever had for a game and put it in here, and I have to commend that. It's the everything burger we need in a realm full of slop.
I think what may split some people is... well, boy howdy, do Mio and Zoe sure do like to quip! Like a lot! And the villain is also really goofy and dumb in this. So, yeah, do expect to cringe, but even that you can get some ironic enjoyment out of, especially if it's with a friend.
8. Blue Prince (April)
It wouldn't be one of these Top lists without a relentlessly addicting Puzzle game. And there's just so many secrets to uncover and lore related discoveries, that in addition, helped to make this a blast to play for a very long time. I was impressed with how well it kept my attention overall, and how giddy I got over every newly discovered room type, and unearthed secret!
I don't know what else to say because it pays to go in as blind as possible, it's just a slightly unnerving, but still a pretty fun and enjoyable ride. I like it!
7. Dispatch (October?)
I've always had a soft spot for Telltale-like games, at least in theory. The problem was there was just so many after a while, and they were all based on some intellectual property, so after a while I just burnt out and lost interest.
The point being, I was really itching for something like this, I just needed something a little more original, please and thank you. It also helps if the story and your choices in it matter greatly, which it does.
There are a lot of long stretches of Dispatch that feel more like an interactive TV show than a game, which is the point, but the actual gameplay portions were simple and fun enough to make up for it, as least for me. And the banter between all these wacky goofballs was pretty endearing!
I really like the bat. Half man, half bat, all freak!
6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (April)
I've gone back and fourth on this game because it's pretty obvious that it's initial hype was just because there's a whole bunch of 40 year olds who can't stop playing Dark Souls and anything that looks like Dark Souls for some reason. Hey, aren't we done yet? Can't you guys just give it a rest?
The reason I ultimately flipped was because it turns out, it's literally just Paper Mario but it's more serious, even though it looks like Dark Souls and it's also French. It's the type of game that big studios are deathly afraid of making these days for some reason, they just don't make 'em like this anymore.
I do feel like the story could've spent a little more time in the oven, especially in Act 3, which is probably why it's a little lower. And it does feel a little weird having it on here at all. Yes, the parry system was fluid and fun to master, and some of the characters are endearing. But I guess I'd just prefer something a little more original? The Soulslike, dark fantasy aesthetic is so overdone.
It's still way better than Final Fantasy XVI though, like holy shit.
5. Kirby Air Riders (November)
This was a year with a lot of mascot racers for some reason, but speaking as someone who is the exact demographic for this game, who grew up on the GameCube and is also neurodivergent, it was a dream come true for me.
I don't know what to say, there's just so much packed into here, and it takes everything about the original and completely polishes it. I am so pleased with how much effort they put into the Air Ride and Top Ride modes, they're so much more enjoyable now.
But fucking City Trials, dude. And City Trials with online multiplayer? Oh! It's worth it just for that alone. I love it so much!!
And there is a mode where you have a gummy version of every vehicle you defeated in a race, and you can look at the gummies of them, I guess? Look, Sakurai understands us, he's got our back, he just gets us.
4. Once Upon a Katamari (October)
This is another one where it's like, not everyone's gonna understand this, but if you're of my generation and is also neurodivergent, then you're most likely gonna fall into the category of person who really likes this game.
There is a level where you can time travel to ancient greece, and you can collect philosophers, who then expose wisdom as they all get stuck to your Katamari.
If you've never played any of the Katamari games, there's a strong argument to be made that this is the best one, outside of maybe the original. So, this is an excellent place to start!
3. Donkey Kong: Bananza (July)
"Brain-rot" has become a dirty word in this day and age, but Bananza makes excellent use of such a concept. This is a game where I found it really hard to progress or stop playing because I have a strong, intrinsic need to mindlessly smash everything in my path in pursuit of every last banana.
I like to smash and get banana.
The only thing I have to complain about is that the post-game is a little disappointing, and the DLC is entirely a waste of money. Seriously, I don't know what they were thinking.
But if anything, it serves as a great launch title, if you just want to shut your brain off and simply play around with the controls. It's way better than "Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour" in that regard, that's for sure!
2: Hades II (September)
I felt that Hades II was an excellent follow-up, which doubles the content, and introduces so many new faces from Greek Mythology! Pair this with "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical", and you've got yourself a great trilogy!
I don't know what to say because it just takes all the great things the original accomplished, and doubles down on them in a spectacular fashion.
That may piss some people off if you're the type of weirdo who got on Super Mario Galaxy 2's case for, like, it's like the first game but even more now. And I understand you're not getting like a crazy evolution of the formula, but not every series needs to do that, you're getting two masterpieces regardless.
1. Hollow Knight: Silksong (September)
"What's your thing? Bugs."
Okay, so... I really loved Silksong! I felt that it delivered one of the tightest, toughest, most shockingly expansive action-adventure games that I have ever played. In fact, this might even be my favourite Metroidvania of all time!
I get that you might have to be in a certain mood for this sort of thing, it is a challenging game after all, but seeing as I already have 3 major brain-rot games in Kirby, Katamari, and Bananza, I certainly was in the mood to rise to every challenge this game threw at me.
I just had my whole teeth sunk into it. I felt the need to explore every last nook and cranny, fight every optional boss, save every last flea, and squeeze every last bit of enjoyment I could out of it. This was the best damn game of the year.