Let’s cut to the chase: there’s already a pretty solid chance that you’re not going to read this intro and an even better chance that – as we speak – you’re skipping straight down to the list to see if a stranger (who is me) enjoyed the same games as you (who is you). The good news is, I probably liked some of the same games as you! That makes me a good person. The bad news is that I also liked some games you didn’t. That makes me pure trash.
I’d love to spend some of this column bemoaning the state of the video game industry. But, one, I actually got to appear as myself in a video game this year (Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection), so that’s enough to make my parents think things are going well. Two, if you are reading this, I assume you already know how bad things are out there. Across the world, the video game industry somehow exists in a simultaneous state of being one of the most powerful drivers of pop culture and an industry in which no human being can stay employed.
Yes, this industry is in a rotten state. But if anything, that should make all the games on all the top ten lists the more special. These games aren’t magically made in a vacuum by a studio executive. They’re made by human beings, they’re played by human beings, and maybe it’s worth remembering that there should be some sort of business relationship in which said human beings making the things can feed their families.
So here are my top ten games. Also, note that a few games like Arc Raiders, Dispatch, and The Seance at Blake Manor aren’t on the list because I only put a few hours into them. They all seem really great. If they’re your favorites, I’m glad.
10
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Was I annoyed by the residual AI left in the game? Yes, I was. Was I able to guess the entire plot and ending about halfway through it? Honestly, I kind of feel like anyone could. Somehow this game telegraphs its story beats better than it does when to parry. But even with those flaws, it kept me captivated the whole time, so onto the list it goes! Great music, great acting, great gameplay, and great writing even if I wasn’t the biggest fan of where the narrative went. I don’t know. I’m a man of contradictions.
9
Two Point Museum
God, I love a video game museum. My favorite part of Animal Crossing? Museum. My favorite scene in The Last of Us Part 2? Museum. The best part of Final Fantasy 7 Remake? Museum. I recognize that every game can’t have a museum, but at least we finally got an incredible game where you run one. Two Point Museum combines my favorite two genres: Building a structure filled with mistakes and pretending to learn while not actually learning.
8
Lumines Arise
While I’m more of a Tetris fan, Lumines Arise improves upon the Tetris Effect formula with far weirder, more interesting backgrounds and songs and pieces. Lumines was always a music-forward puzzle game, but in VR with mindbreaking imagery, it’s completely hypnotic and something I’ll come back to for years.
7
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
I’ll be honest: I was sorta torn between including this game or Death Stranding 2 for my annual category of, “It’s slower than I’d like but absolutely fulfilling once I get over my complete laziness.” It does what the best roleplaying games do: Makes me feel like I’m both free to do whatever I want without simultaneously feeling like I’m “playing it wrong” or missing the story for making a weird choice. That said, I’m definitely playing it wrong half the time because I suck.
6
Hollow Knight: Silksong
This is just a beautiful game that’s a sequel to another beautiful game. I’d reach parts of Silksong where I just wanted to stand still and observe the art of the background or the ways the characters move. More Metroidvania’s should feel this alive.
Honorable Mention: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
On one hand, I’ve put dozens of hours into this between Steam and the Switch 2. On the other hand, I’m literally a talking head in the documentary part, so it would be messed up to rank it. Don’t worry: I don’t get paid extra if this game sells or not. But it’s my list and this is probably the first and last time my literal face will appear on a Nintendo Switch, so I’ll take it.
5
Mario Kart World
I think my only complaint about Mario Kart World is that the soundtrack sounds like the opening for Saturday Night Live, except extended for hours. I like the opening of SNL! I even worked there a while back. But, like, I’m not sure I’m on board with warbly jazz covers of every single Nintendo song. Otherwise, a fantastic time. I like a big open game that just wants you to get out there and see what you can do. Less jazz and this could’ve ranked even higher.
4
Hades 2
You liked Hades? You’ll like Hades 2. I don’t know what else to say about this game that hasn’t already been said. I’ve been playing this one since the beta and I love that feeling you get halfway through a super successful run where you feel like you’re skating through enemies to the song Bulletproof by La Roux.
3
Donkey Kong Bananza
I am a man who loves seeing the credits of a game. Oh, I’ll play a New Game Plus mode, don’t get me wrong. But the first time I play through a game, I usually rush all the way to the ending. Why? No idea. I live in a Hell of my own making. But with Donkey Kong Banaza, I wanted to explore just a little more. Take my time. Grab a few more bananas. Upgrade Donkey Kong once or twice. Maybe finally complete some of those challenges that seemed impossible just a couple hours ago. It’s a gameplay loop of destruction so smooth and so fun that, at times, Donkey Kong Banaza feels more like a giant toy than a game.
2
Kirby Air Riders
Ever since Kirby Air Riders came out, I can’t stop playing. It’s so, so, so weird. Sonic and Mario’s kart racing games were both great this year. Wonderful entries. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds almost made my list, too. But Kirby’s Air Riders plays like a weird evolutionary branch of the genre that time forgot. Sakurai’s strange combination of the brake, boost, and fire button just works. Rather than competing with the more popular mascot racers, Kirby’s Air Riders is profoundly different and profoundly fantastic. It’s going to be treated like the younger sibling of Mario Kart, but lord do I love this game.
1
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
I know, I know, this is just a remaster with quality of life improvements. But it’s a remaster of one of the best games of all time and possibly my favorite Final Fantasy. The new translation keeps the dramatic tone without losing the weirdness of the game’s convoluted plot. And the gameplay. Oh my God, the gameplay. Has there ever been a tactics RPG this wonderful? This isn’t a reminder of a great game, it’s an improvement.
Game Of The Year 2025 – Editor’s Pick, Stacey Henley
TheGamer’s Editor-in-Chief offers their Game of the Year selection
