Branching Path: James Galizio’s Top 10 Games of 2025

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2025 wasn’t the year for gaming I anticipated. I usually find a common thread connecting the games I enjoy each year, but this time it’s hard to pinpoint one. Several games I wanted to play, like Digimon Story: Time Stranger, unfortunately slipped past me. I might blame the time I spent raiding in Final Fantasy XIV, but I played a lot of other games too, so that excuse feels weak—especially since I said the same thing last year!

Similar to last year, I’ve compiled three lists: my top 10 games I completed, a list of honorable mentions, and another 10 games I wish I’d had more time to finish. Interestingly, I finally played some games I originally planned to play last year. While I might revisit these lists in the future, let’s focus on what I’ve finished this year. Here’s the list:

Ten Games That Didn’t Quite Make My Top Ten, But Rule Anyway (In no specific order)

I initially thought Monster Hunter Wilds had a strong chance of being my 2025 Game of the Year. However, the game launched with significant technical problems, even on powerful computers, and some fundamental issues with how the game plays. It also lacks enough content for players after completing the main story. While I’m hoping a future expansion will fix these problems, I’m not confident it will.

I really loved Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 initially, but my enjoyment has faded somewhat over time. This is partly due to some story spoilers, and also because of the discussion around its use of AI. Despite this, it remains a fantastic RPG and I can see why it’s been so well-received.

It’s unfortunate that Level-5’s focus on AI has drawn attention away from what’s been a fantastic year for them, marking a real return to their best work. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a surprisingly excellent game, successfully blending many different elements into a cohesive and enjoyable experience.

I rarely find games under an hour long that leave such a lasting impression, but this one definitely did. Arc System Works, known for fighting games, set out this year to create different kinds of experiences, and if this game is anything to go by, the future of the company looks bright. I don’t want to reveal the story just yet, but it’s a promising sign of things to come.

Time Flies asks a big question: how do you make the most of your life, and how much does your background affect your opportunities? This game isn’t just about answering that question – it puts you in the shoes of a fly with a very short lifespan, challenging you to fulfill a lifetime of goals. It’s a surprisingly thoughtful experience that will make you reflect on your own life long after you finish playing.

Okay, so I absolutely adored playing Hades 2 – everything about it except the story, honestly. I’m a little bummed I finished it before Supergiant had a chance to rework the ending, because maybe I’d feel differently now. But hey, you can’t change the past! If you were a fan of the first Hades and loved its gameplay, trust me, this sequel is a huge step up. It’s easily one of the best games I’ve played all year. If you haven’t jumped in yet, don’t even hesitate – just do it! My only regret is that I didn’t wait to see if the story would change before finishing it.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A was nearly on my top games list, but the added downloadable content actually decreased my enjoyment of it. If I were reviewing the game now, I’d likely give it an 8 out of 10. The ‘Mega Dimension’ portion is a frustrating and tedious experience, and I was surprised it was released in such an unfinished state.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a great Zelda game overall. However, it doesn’t quite stand out as one of the best in the ‘Warriors’ style of games, which keeps it from being a top recommendation. I still highly recommend it to Switch 2 owners, but I’d love to see more missions that truly capture the feeling of a fast-paced ‘Warriors’ experience.

I was pretty excited for Ys X: Proud Nordics when it came out in Japan last year, but honestly, it ended up feeling a little inconsistent. This new version, which is only available on the Switch 2, fixes a lot of those issues, and it’s a definite improvement. Still, it doesn’t quite reach the awesome level of Ys VIII, in my opinion. Now I’m hoping they’ll bring Ys IX to the Switch next!

Both Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi released in 2025 lived up to Koei Tecmo’s promise of making it “The Year of the Ninja.” While I had fun playing Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, I didn’t complete it. Shinobi was a solid action platformer with some elements of the metroidvania genre, but it ultimately didn’t rank among my top 10 games of the year.

10) Katamari Damacy: Rolling Live

This year saw the release of two new Katamari Damacy games, and I believe the Apple Arcade exclusive was the stronger of the two. I feel this way because it was simply a better experience – Once Upon a Katamari was just alright, while Rolling Live felt like a solid, if slightly dated, entry reminiscent of the classic PlayStation 2 games. It even boasts what’s likely the best soundtrack the series has seen in years, alongside some really creative level designs. The bath house level and the light stick concert – where you roll everything into a giant, glowing ball – were particularly inspired. Here’s hoping it comes to other platforms in 2026!

9) Lumines Arise

Lumines Arise has been the best VR game I’ve played all year, even though many people likely won’t experience it in virtual reality. I’ve always been interested in the Lumines series and tried playing it before, but this new version – created by the team behind Tetris Effect – is exactly what I needed to finally get hooked. It’s amazing that this incredible soundtrack comes with a full video game, complete with stunning visuals for each level – think dancing iguanas, eggs hatching into flying birds, and even train crossing signs! If you enjoyed Tetris Effect, definitely check this one out, especially if you have a VR headset.

8) Look Outside

I recently finished playing Look Outside, and I’ve included my thoughts in our upcoming best games of 2025 article. It’s an RPG that I highly recommend – truly one of the standout games this year, and worth checking out.

7) Silent Hill f

When I heard Ryukishi07, the creator of When They Cry, was working on Silent Hill f, I had a really good feeling about it – and I wasn’t wrong. It turned out to be one of my favorite games of the year. I actually hadn’t played any Silent Hill before; I grew up with a GameCube and by the time I got a PlayStation 3, the series’ prime was over. I’ve been wanting to dive into the Silent Hill games – and horror in general, especially after playing Alan Wake II – and f seemed like a great place to start. The combat wasn’t amazing, and doing multiple playthroughs got a little repetitive, but the true ending really delivered and solidified it as a top game for me this year.

6) Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

I shared my thoughts on Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter earlier this year, and I don’t have much more to add. Despite a few problems with the updated translation, this remake is remarkably faithful to the original game and is one of the best I’ve ever played. It’s so good, it almost makes the long wait for Trails Beyond the Horizon’s release – likely not until 2027 – feel worthwhile. Almost.

5) Kirby Air Riders

As a kid, I spent countless hours playing Kirby Air Ride on GameCube, so I never expected a sequel – let alone one that’s so much better than the original! Kirby Air Riders is a dream come true, offering tons of content, and the new City Trial mode is wonderfully chaotic. I almost ranked it as my favorite game of the year, alongside the other titles in my top 5. In fact, it was the best game I played on my new Nintendo Switch 2 this year, and a fantastic way to launch a new console.

4) Lies of P: Overture

I’ve already covered this game, and I’m excited to talk about the new Lies of P: Overture DLC! It’s fantastic and really solidifies Round8 Studio as one to watch. While we may not get Bloodborne on PC, this is the closest experience we’re likely to get, and I’ll definitely be first in line to play whatever Round8 creates next.

3) Peak

It’s Peak.

The biggest gaming trend of 2025 was something people jokingly called “Friendslop,” and honestly, playing those games with friends has been a highlight of my year. Of all the “Friendslop” titles, Peak really stood out. I’ll never forget the time I accidentally stumbled to the end of a level ahead of everyone else, had a surprisingly intense encounter with a creepy character called the Hat Man, and then got sent right back to the beginning – while yelling the whole way down. It was perfectly chaotic and a lot of fun.

2) Hollow Knight: Silksong

Silksong is a fantastic sequel to Hollow Knight. While I enjoyed the first game, Silksong improves on it in all the areas that matter, making it my preferred title. I especially appreciated the stronger emphasis on storytelling and the chance to really get to know Hornet as a character.

Considering how massive and detailed the game is, I’m actually surprised it only took seven years to make. You can really tell how much time and effort Team Cherry put into every aspect of it – it’s a true masterpiece.

1) Angeline Era

Angeline Era is a game clearly made for fans of titles like Ys I and Ys: Oath in Felghana – and, as the developers admit, other games too. While it draws inspiration from those classics, it’s much more than just a copy. It’s a confident game with original ideas, and a playful approach to familiar concepts. One brilliant example is how you discover levels – by carefully observing the overworld for hidden clues. This playful spirit perfectly complements the game’s fantastical, fairy-filled setting.

It’s hard to say much about the game’s story without giving things away, but the protagonist, Tets Kinoshta, represents a compelling story about how his beliefs, heritage, and personal experiences all come together. While Angeline Era isn’t specifically a Christian game, it definitely deals with religious themes. Ultimately, it’s a game about faith – what we choose to believe in.

Ten Games That Could’ve Been On My Top 10, And It Physically Pains Me That I Didn’t Play Them

As a gamer, it feels like every year there are way more games I want to play than I have time for! This year was no different – I had at least ten titles I really wanted to get through, but just couldn’t. It was tough even picking out a few to focus on. I’m hoping I can tackle more of my backlog in 2026, but honestly, I’m not super optimistic about it.

  • The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy – It’s crazy that a game I put 50+ hours into I didn’t play enough of it to feel like I could drop it on my main list; I beat the prologue, and a number of routes, but I have yet to see the “truth” ending, let alone the ending locked behind story locks. Maybe I’ll get around to that in the new year.
  • Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake – I (basically) finished Dragon Quest I, and started Dragon Quest II, but I just didn’t have enough time to finish it in time for the new year. Once again, this is one I sincerely hope I can get around to in the new year; and, hey, I did end up finishing Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, so maybe that’s a good sign that’ll happen again!
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – I started this up and played about 20 hours as a bit of catch-up for the RPG of the Year deliberations, but I wasn’t able to finish it. That all being said, I very much liked what I played, and I could have seen it ending up on my full list if I’d managed to finish it.
  • Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist – I’d loved Ender Lilies, and I know I’ll end up enjoying this whenever I get to it. I do believe it will happen eventually, but no promises that will be in 2026. Hopefully it won’t take too long.
  • Split Fiction – I loved It Takes Two, and I fully intended to play this follow-up – I just never got around to it, and everyone I knew that did want to play it, ended up doing so with someone else. No clue when I’ll be getting to this one with that all considered, sadly.
  • Baby Steps – I played a few hours of this earlier in the year, realized I wanted to play the full game on stream, and haven’t picked it up again since. Definitely quite enjoyed what I played, and there was absolutely a chance it would have ended up on my list.
  • The Midnight Walk – This looked like a delightful game, especially for VR. I wanted to play it several times during the year, but I just never quite got around to it; maybe next year.
  • Digimon Story: Time Stranger – One of these days I will finish a Digimon RPG. That day is not today, but sometime in the future; I sincerely hope 2026 will be that year. I’ve loved what I played, but it just released at a bad time for me.
  • Sektori – I absolutely loved what I played of this, but I haven’t actually cleared a run yet, and so not only is my list marred by its absence, but also my shame at as of yet being unable to do so.
  • Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road – In my defense; I am an American. I have enough to be ashamed of this year, but also I don’t know much about Football (Soccer). What I played at Tokyo Game Show got me interested, and I’ll maybe get around to it eventually, but as of now it’s yet another game that I might have ended up enjoying enough to put on my list.

2025 was packed with great games, and 2026 is shaping up to be just as busy! I’m already behind on older games and will likely struggle to keep up with everything new coming out – thankfully, I’ve finished all the recent Falcom titles. To make things even more challenging, a new Final Fantasy XIV raid is launching next week, with a difficult Ultimate raid planned for later in the year. I’m going to need a lot of luck to manage it all, and I wish everyone else the same in 2026. Seriously, what was I thinking when I decided to play every Square Enix game from 2022 this year?

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2026-01-02 02:59