Continuing onward with our 2025 recap, let’s move onto the best games that I enjoyed this past year! Like always, this list will include games that I played for the first time this year (whether or not they actually came out this year), as well as games that have received significantly noteworthy content expansions within the past twelve months.
Let’s jump into it!
Honorable Mentions: The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe, Clair Obscur Expedition 33
10) Pac-Man World 2 RePac
I’ve been pretty blessed in recent years to have random games from my childhood remastered/remade for modern generations (like that Spongebob Battle for Bikini Bottom remaster from a few years ago). That grand tradition continued here with the unexpected-but-welcome return of Pac-Man World 2. While it’s still not a revolutionary force-of-nature within the world of platformers, it’s an extremely solid game that is even better now in this new remastered form. Tons of new levels, revamped boss fights, refined controls for Pac-Man, a plethora of new awesome tunes, and even a strange-but-fun Sonic DLC pack. It’s a good time.
9) Monster Hunter Wilds
A part of me has forgotten that this game even came out this year, since it peaked back in the Spring and has kind of just been (unfortunately) puttering along ever since. But a roughly-handled post-launch period doesn’t stop the core experience from being pretty fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this game earlier this year. It’s the most story-heavy Monster Hunter game thus far, which I appreciated (even if I love the Gore Magala rivalry of MH 4 a little more), and the characters were entertaining (with a Nata-sized exception). And, of course, the monster-hunting gameplay is as fine-tuned as always, spiced up with the addition of this horse-like creature you can ride around and launch jumping attacks from. It’s not a grand reinvention, but it’s fun.
8) Honkai Star Rail
Honkai Star Rail had a bit of a strange year in 2025 (and it’s about to get stranger due to some real-world political circumstances impacting the game’s development cycle). The entire year focused around the Amphoreus storyline, which is essentially Space Greece. Throughout the year, each update ranged from kinda middling, to interesting but way too long, to actually amazing. It was a real roller coaster, and that’s not to mention the unexpected and hit-or-miss story pivot from fantasy to hard sci-fi in the back half. But, we also got a plethora of truly fantastic characters, both in terms of great writing and engaging gameplay. And the soundtrack still slaps, so it was ultimately a worthwhile year for this unforgettable JRPG.
7) Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ)
Though it feels weird to put ZZZ above Honkai Star Rail (in a competition, I vastly prefer the latter game), ZZZ simply had the stronger year of new content and characters. An extremely strong year, I might add, which I feel they may have difficulty topping in 2026. A bunch of fun new characters joined in alongside a new exploration-heavy game mode that introduced light puzzle-solving activities and a lot of incentives for poking around for secrets. Other fun events were sprinkled throughout the year, like the excellent summertime resort event. And it was all topped off with a genuinely great central story (and supporting mini-arcs) filled with stellar moments and thrilling villains and boss battles. Like I said, it’ll be hard to have a more impressive year than this, but I’d be happy if it happened!
6) Triangle Strategy
For decades, video games have touted that “freedom of choice” that they allow players to indulge in, especially RPGs. And while something like Baldur’s Gate 3 can certainly back up that claim, Triangle Strategy is the first time I’ve ever truly felt the weight of my choices, and the consequences of my decisions. On the surface, Triangle Strategy seems like a simple grid-based tactical game not unlike Fire Emblem or the like. But, frequently, you’re forced to make dramatic decisions that will upend the entire fate of the story path you’re following, creating unforeseen ripple effects. These moments are nail-bitingly anxiety-inducing, with some really harrowing decisions you have to make. It adds up to an unforgettable experience rich with detailed worldbuilding.
5) Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition
Yes, Xenoblade Chronicles X is my third-favorite game of all time, and yes this definitive edition is an even better version of it. But I couldn’t just put a remaster in the #1 spot on this list, even if, objectively, I guess that’s where it should go. I just wanted to give other games a chance to shine, okay?
I mean, what else do you want me to say? It’s an even better version of the single-greatest open world RPG ever made…something I hadn’t believed could be actually possible. There’s quality of life changes (faster loading, better quest markers, easier menu systems, the super-neat quick cooldown feature for using skills), the graphics have been overhauled and improved, and you can now play the game on-the-go! Sprinkle in brand-new party members and their associated quests, plus a lengthy post-game story with some jaw-dropping interconnectedness with the rest of the Xenoblade Chronicles series, and you have a masterpiece of a package.
4) Donkey Kong Bananza
If you’d asked me whether I would have preferred a new Mario-centric platformer, or a DK-focused one, I’d have picked Mario in a heartbeat. Sure, Super Mario Odyssey wasn’t my favorite, but I grew up on juggernauts like Galaxy, 64, and Sunshine. Yet maybe that would’ve been too hasty, because Donkey Kong Bananza proves that the big tie-wearing ape is great at bringing the fun!
There’s just something inherently “fun” about playing this video game. You roll around, climb walls, throw rocks, and smash stuff. There’s more to it than that, but what I just described is the core essence, and it’s a blast! And the addition of transformation abilities and a skill tree keep things fresh, alongside a bevy of new mechanics thrown at you. On top of that, the varied biomes you explore are filled with secrets and treasures, and boss fights that really make you feel powerful. But even more than that, Pauline (and her relationship with DK) really steal the show. It’s such a cute and wholesome buddy duo!
3) Borderlands 4
Though the writing quality of each entry in the Borderlands series varies wildly, one thing that has remained shockingly consistent is that each new entry improves the gameplay by leaps and bounds. You’d think a series might get stale by its fourth entry, yet somehow Borderlands 4 is the most fun one yet (and ultimately, might just be the best game in the core series).
Every Borderlands game iterates on the previous installment, refining the gameplay that came before it into an even better package. We’ve now reached a sort of apex in Borderlands 4 thanks to the ability to glide, hookshot, and summon a vehicle wherever and whenever. Plus, this group of playable Vault Hunters might be the most diversely structured ever. Vex (my chosen character, pictured below) on her own can be built in so many different ways, no two Vexs will ever seem like the same character. It’s pretty crazy!
Add in the series’ most mature and serious story yet (something that always appeals to me in any video game), and Borderlands 4 really wows. The open world style is maybe not so preferrable to the large-map structure of the previous game, but that’s the only real blemish on an otherwise standout experience.
2) Pokémon Legends Z-A
Apparently it’s a controversial take these days, but I am loving every second of the modern era of Pokémon games. Sure, it’s laughable how poor the graphics and performance can be on occasion (though by-and-large this entry looks solid), and you’d think the highest-grossing media franchise of all time could spare a few more bucks on polish and visual appeal. But in terms of gameplay, these recent entries have been fantastic, and Legends Z-A is no exception.
A big change this time is shifting the combat system from turn-based to real-time, making battles significantly faster, as well as more chaotic, hectic, and reaction-focused. It can become a bit of a cluttered mess, but it’s still really fun, and it does wonders in speeding up the process of catching Pokémon and battling random trainers. This game also has a big emphasis on exploration, with tons of goodies and secrets to find with the help of some new traversal techniques, and also a lot of silly side quests and entertaining NPC dialogue.
It’s biggest strength is the story and characters, though. It doesn’t quite hit the high of Scarlet/Violet, but the tale being told here is a really engrossing one. And all of the new characters have such memorable designs, fun personalities, and hummable battle themes. This game definitely oozes with charm.
1) Trails Through Daybreak 2
Please try to contain your shock and disbelief that the new installment in a JRPG series I love that I have already written a glowing review of made it to the #1 spot. I know it was probably quite surprising, so I’ll give you a second to regain your composure.
Jokes aside, I had a feeling from the minute the credits rolled on this game that it’d find its way to this top spot on my end-of-year list. I still rank the first Trails Through Daybreak a bit higher, but this was an exceptionally worthy follow-up that is still one of the strongest entries in the series, and a fantastic JRPG in its own right. In every way that matters, it builds upon the foundation of the first entry to dive deeper into these characters and their struggles, while picking up lingering plot threads from the previous adventure and introducing brand new ones.
I’m going to sound like a broken record here, but I really like that this game isn’t afraid to get dark. It’s not oppressive or anything, but we touch on some pretty heavy stuff, whether it’s real-world-relevant (racism, immigration, technology’s rapid advancement) or character-relevant (feelings of guilt, imposter syndrome, depression, unrequited emotions, etc.). And, just like the previous entry, it’s all handled far better than almost any other JRPG out there with some stellar writing and equally impressive voice acting.
It’s difficult to say that you should drop what you’re doing and embark on this 12+ game series just to get to these two Daybreak games…except that’s absolutely what you should do. They are that good!
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
The Contrarian Corner 