We’re back for the most prestigious awards ceremony that has no Geoffs involved! Pay no attention to the dancing bananas out front as they’re just here to entertain the kids. Instead, come on in and have a drink on the house!
Did I say on the house? I meant in the house. They aren’t free. We have to recoup some of the lawsuit money we expended after last year’s Agent 47 incident. Anyway, we’re back for more awards for 2025’s best games! Donkey Kong’s put on his best tie, Kratos once again graces us with a beautiful ballgown, and Monoco is eyeing up everyone’s toes, so let’s get going!
I’ve played far fewer new releases this year than in previous ones, which I think is mostly down to putting more time into bigger games rather than more, quicker offerings. As ever though, this is purely based on games I’ve played, so if you feel Hades 2 is missing, that’s because I haven’t got around to it yet. I will though. First up:
I defy anyone to create a game of the year list and not include this literal masterpiece. If it weren’t for Baldur’s Gate 3, I’d call this the best game created in years, and even then it’s a pretty close race. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is near flawless in my estimations. A wonderful story, visuals that rival the highest budget games out there, and a soundtrack that I still listen to. All that wouldn’t count for much though if it weren’t for the incredibly engaging gameplay. You may fight a lot of battles, but you never tire of them. The tight tank/dodge/parry playstyle options combined with a party each of whom plays very differently means you’ve got plenty of approaches to consider.
It’s more than that though, as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is another game that reminds you of how this industry that is swamped with live service, AI ridden drivel can still produce utter gold. And whilst another Concord plops onto the floor and the next bloated budget Call of Duty does the same annual dance, something like this with a smaller budget and team that really knows what they want to do and has the talent to back it up reminds us of just what games can be. Regardless of what you think of single-player only games, this is one of the most important releases in years. Oh, and Monoco and Esquie are the best characters in anything.
I am Your Beast
Technically a 2024 release on PC, but the console version came out this year so I’m allowing it. I’m disappointed in myself for not picking up the review offer for I am Your Beast, because once I finally got around to playing via Game Pass, I found it to be a tremendously tight and enjoyable first person movement shooter. From the same solo developer behind El Paso, Elsewhere, another game I really enjoyed, I am Your Beast is a breakneck sprint around arenas, taking out anything and everything nearby. If you want to feel like John Wick in a forest, this is it.
Starting each stage with a pistol if you’re lucky, you’ll need to fight to the exit as quickly as possible, utilising what resources you can find on the way. No reloading here, no sir. You’ll empty a clip, throw the gun at an enemy to stun them, grab the shotgun they dropped and finish them off before blowing up a gas canister to dispatch his two friends. It reminds me quite a lot of Mullet Mad Jack, but with you constantly having to adapt to weapons that you find rather than the one you’ve picked. You’ll finish most levels in under a minute by the time you know what you’re doing, and every second of it feels incredibly satisfying.
A tabletop RPG without all the tabletop is the idea behind Sunderfolk. This feels like a proper Dungeons & Dragons session but simplified to the point that pretty much anyone can play it. The brilliance here is that you can play it in person with everyone connecting to, and controlling the game via their phone or smart device. Between missions, players will chat with townspeople on their own devices rather than having to wait for the story to play out one at a time, meaning the pace is quick before diving into another battle.
Missions are fun too, with a simple to use but potentially deep card system, where you go into combat with a few options and a deck of modifiers that will randomly be drawn as you play. Depending on the characters everyone is playing, you can have some really deep tactical options that can result in you decimating an enemy force through careful planning and positional manipulation. The story is well told, if pretty trite by modern standards, and the voice acting is excellent throughout. There’s even a nice feature where players can drop in and out, having others take over control of their characters in their absence. This is a well thought through local co-op game that doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as it should.
Powerwash Simulator 2
I really wanted to put the console release of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor here, but I simply cannot tear myself away from this stupid, simple, yet inexplicably satisfying and addictive washing game. It’s the same as the last game, but with a few tweaks and a greater emphasis on co-op, but more of something enjoyable is hardly something to complain about.
Once again you are simply washing stuff around a town whilst a pretty meaningless plot plays out in the background. You’ll earn money by completing jobs and spend that money to make future jobs more efficient. There’s nothing else to it, but the act of washing a building or vehicle is unbelievably satisfying and I simply cannot explain why. If you know, you know, and if you don’t then go and try it to find out.
There was no doubt in my mind that this would end up on my end of year list within half an hour of playing Monster Train 2. This is another perfect example of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The sequel to Monster Train is more of the previous game, but tightened up and with an even greater array of potentially broken builds to utterly run rampant through the game. With five new factions, a slew of returning characters, and even regular substantial, free updates, there’s a heap of content to enjoy as you fight from floor to floor of your train carriage.
Players of the original will feel right at home, and newcomers will find themselves quickly addicted to the immensely satisfying loop and quick roguelite runs. Throw in a brilliant soundtrack and fantastic card art and you’re onto a winner. I’m looking forward to when this ends up as a board game because I’ll be on board the second it hits shops.
And that’s the end of tonight’s show! The fascinating Luto and addictive gamble-’em-up Clover Pit were in close contention, but with some genuinely special games coming out this year, it was hard to compete. I’m sure there will be plenty of excellent releases next year for us all to enjoy. But for now, I recommend you leave quickly before Monoco gets a little too interested in your feet. We’ve seen him looking at you…
