This is not really a GOTY list, because it’s not the best game released in 2025. It’s a list of the best games I played in 2025. Many games that I play are a few years old, because I pick them up on a sale when they become inexpensive, but that makes them just as good if not better.
This year, I think I played more games than ever released the same year. What’s also new for this year is that I didn’t play any game that I reviewed as BAD.
In total I played 22 games, the full list below.
Disappointment of 2025: Civilization VII
This is a new element to my GOTY post. Can you imagine that Civilization VII was so disappointing to me that I had to change my GOTY formula to include it? The thing that made it so disappointing is that I love the Civilization series, I have played all the titles since Civilization 1, and this is the one game that feels least finished. I remember just starting the modern age and suddenly the game ended.
I’m going to give them some time, and hope that they release a DLC in the future so I can revisit the game when they have managed to make it more complete.
Third best game I played in 2025: Horizon Chase 2
I played this game already in 2023 on Apple Arcade, but when it came out for PlayStation 5 I had to play it again, and this time I felt that I had to platinum it. It was hard as hell, but I did it. It also forced me to discover Gaming-settings on my TV which allowed for less input lag, and now I’m curious what other game I should try to play with that setting. Would that setting allow me to actually play Sekiro without failing every parry? Who knows.
Second best game I played in 2025: Hades II
It’s no secret that this game consumed me when it came out. It was a day 1 purchase and I played the hell out of it. In the beginning I was a little uncertain if it was as good as Hades 1, but then it surpassed all my expectations and it’s now the best rogue lite that I have ever played. Even if I finished it over a month ago, I still pick it up and play a round or two when I have spare time. It’s so good!
Best game I played in 2025: Astro Bot
“Oh shit!” I thought to myself playing this game. It was the second game that I played in January 2025 and I knew instantly that there would be no game surpassing it. I had found my game of the year immediately and I felt almost disappointed.
This is the best platformer I have ever played, and I have played a lot of platformers. It takes great inspiration from Mario but it does everything better. Every level has a purpose and everything in this game is fun and surprising. I should probably try to get the platinum.
The Rest
Here’s the full list of games that I played 2025 and a link to each review
Excellent: Astro Bot
Excellent: Hades II
Great: Cocoon
Great: Shadow Tactics Aiko’s Choice
Great: Horizon Chase 2
Great: Midnight Walk
Good: Ori and the Will of the Whisps
Good: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Good: Citizen Sleeper
Good: Sword of the Sea
Good: Blue Prince
Good: Dragon’s Dogma 2
Good: Mario Kart World
Okay: Disney Illusion Island
Okay: Civilization VII
Okay: Blasphemous II: Mea Culpa
Okay: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate
Okay: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
Okay: Path of Exile 2
Okay: Star Wars Squadrons
Okay: Goodbye Volcano High
Okay: Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
Happy New Year! 🎉
Replay 