Showing 1-10 of 39 items
Forget the gambling conversation, Balatro is my favorite drug of the year. From its warmly woozy visual treatment and looping jazz grooves in 7/4 time, to the deep contemplation over minor decisions that inevitably trigger butterfly effects, easily digestible runs that satisfy while leaving you wanting more, and that hit of dopamine when a final hand or joker sequence falls into place, due to manipulation of the layered mechanics and strategies or through sheer dumb luck. With pages of game changing unlocks to target while progressing, it's an instant classic with a singular vision at a fair price that nails pretty much everything it sets out to accomplish.
The best puzzle game since The Witness. I knew next to nothing going in but it became immediately apparent that this was a game crafted for my tastes, evoking the gameplay of Device 6, the style and obfuscated storytelling of Killer 7 and the atmosphere of The 7th Guest. Simogo does not miss.
Having not followed development closely at all, and not even really being a fan of the IP since I was a kid, this one was a pleasant surprise indeed. A big budget adventure with interesting puzzles, a compelling story, stellar visuals and voice acting, and immersive sim gameplay where your gun is your last resort and sneaking around Hitman style is both entertaining and effective.
50 small games that would feel right at home on the NES is a neat idea, but the execution and the amount of enjoyment I got out of this one was so much more than I anticipated. Each game was a new present to unwrap, with new and often innovative gameplay ideas to explore, new songs to get stuck in my head, and a big ass smile on my face the entire time. It's a love letter to the medium with something for everyone, and the subtle worldbuilding via description text, credits and endgame secrets were just the icing on the cake.
2025 was a stellar year for RPG's, and while Unicorn Overlord definitely has its share of fantasy tropes and dry characterization, the highly customizable strategic gameplay quickly won me over, kept me invested from start to finish and lingered in my head long after. This one is for those that love pouring over complimentary abilities and theorycrafting unit combinations as you liberate a 2D open world map one battle at a time. Loved the pleasing artwork, cozy music and quality voice acting throughout as well.
Add this one to the pantheon of platformer greats, alongside its VR predecessor. Astro Bot may owe its DNA and many of its ideas from a familiar mustachioed plumber, but it's still deeply enjoyable, highly polished, finely tuned and undeniably fun, particularly if you have nostalgia for the history of PlayStation it celebrates.
It's the more mature Persona that many have been clamoring for, with interesting twists to the formula, style for days and a compelling story that kept me guessing for the majority of my time. While it may not stick the landing or make good on all of the ambitious themes it introduces in my opinion, it's still well worth the voyage, the combat system is on point and the cast has some of my favorite characterization and voice acting of the year.
One of the most memorable Sci-Fi narratives in years. A psychological thriller that's equally personal and heartfelt, with a clever system for exploring memories both past and present as you peel back its layers. The less known going in, the better.
If RGG Studios keeps on cranking them out, I will keep on playing and enjoying them. Infinite Wealth one doesn't quite reach the narrative heights of its predecessor, but Hawaii is an inspired setting for Yakuza hijinks, the more somber aspects of the story are treated with dignity, and I spent way more time on DonDoko Island than I care to admit.
Admittedly I've been on a big 40K lore kick this year, so this one hit at just the right time and scratched that itch for an accurate and immersive interpretation of the setting. It's also endearingly an Xbox-era TPS at heart, with chunky and satisfying gameplay to match, and old school multiplayer modes that are still fun to mess around in.
