Game of the Year 2025
Here are our favourite games of the year!
What a wild year 2025 has been for gaming! We ended up playing almost everything; from cozy little indies to massive action-packed blockbusters and honestly, this year delivered some truly standout experiences!
Just like last time, a quick note before we dive in:
These are our personal favourites among the games we played this year.
If your picks look different, that’s completely okay. Gaming hits everyone differently and that’s what makes it fun ❤️
Alright, let’s get into our favourite games of 2025!
Best Gameplay
Hades II
No surprises here! Hades II absolutely stole the show when it came to pure gameplay satisfaction. Supergiant took everything we loved about the first game and refined it to near perfection. Combat was sharper, builds felt deeper and every run gave us that “okay wait, one more” itch.
Melinoë brought a fresh energy to the underworld, with spells, new weapons, and magic mechanics that made every encounter feel weighty and exciting. It’s not just a sequel for us - it’s a smoother, more confident version of the original. A total gameplay masterclass.
Best Narrative
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
One thing you already know about us, that we love a good story. And Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 delivered one of the most emotional narratives we’ve experienced in years. The themes of grief, loss, hope and pain are portrayed with such honesty and beauty that it stayed with us long after playing.
Every character feels layered, every moment feels intentional and the writing never shies away from its darker tones. It was an experience that hit us right in the heart, and we genuinely appreciate games that aren’t afraid to go there.
Best Art Direction
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Visually, the game is breathtaking. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the worlds feel magical and alive, with painterly lighting and character designs that feel straight out of a fantasy art book.
I don’t know if I could add this here but here it goes - What impressed us most was the optimisation. These days, seeing a UE5 game run smoothly on PC is… rare, to say the least. But Expedition 33 pulled it off beautifully. It’s not just pretty; it’s polished. And that deserves love.
Best Soundtrack
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This one isn’t even a debate. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has the best soundtrack of the year. No notes. Truly.
The music elevated every scene, with soft, haunting pieces during quiet moments and powerful orchestral tracks during emotional peaks. It resonated so strongly with players (like us) that the composers are already touring Europe with a full live orchestra!
When a soundtrack leaves the game and becomes a movement, you know it’s special.
Best Multiplayer
Split Fiction
Split Fiction was such a fun surprise this year for us. A fast-paced multiplayer brawler that didn’t take itself too seriously but delivered chaotic, laugh-out-loud sessions every time. It’s stylish, it’s energetic, and it’s the kind of game that instantly became a favourite for us.
✨ Game of the Year
And now… our Game of the Year.
It wasn’t even a tough call.
We’re already playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on PC (via Steam) and we’ll be sharing a detailed review soon. But even just from our time with it so far, we can confidently say - it has been our best gaming experience of 2025, and honestly, one of our favourites in years.
Every year, there’s that one game that hits all the right notes: the story, the art, the music, the world-building; everything just clicks.
For 2025, that game was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
It’s magical, emotional, beautifully crafted, and something truly unforgettable.
A masterpiece.
🔥 Reader’s Best Game of 2025
