amanda mcarthur dec 9, 2025 2025 was a truly magnificent year for gamers everywhere —particularly ones who'd been waiting for years for the sequels to some of their favorite games of all time. We were certainly among them, and we were delighted to find that these new games didn't just live up to our wildest expectations, but in fact exceeded them in every way. We're feeling reflective in this last month of the year, and it's about time to look back on all of the video games that consumed all of our free time and stuck with us most. Keep scrolling to discover the games that defined 2025 for us. (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 via Kepler Interactive) UFO 50 Yes, UFO 50 actually released in September of 2024, but we though this collection of 50 retro-inspired indie games would be best enjoyed on a handheld, which is why we're glad we waited for the Nintendo Switch release in August. UFO 50 truly is unlike anything else we've played, not just consisting of pseudo-retro games, but weaving them together in a way that reveals the history of the fictional UFOSoft dev studio, with the titles becoming gradually getting more complex and modern over time. They've all got retro aesthetics, from the captivating pixel art to the music and sound effects, but are clearly crafted with more modern sensibilities. We've spent more than 50 hours in UFO 50 and haven't even touched half of the games yet (and we blame the seriously addictive Party House, wishing it had a dozen more levels and modes to try out). Donkey Kong: Bananza Donkey Kong: Bananza was the first 3D Donkey Kong title since Donkey Kong 64 all the way back in 1999, and we have to say that the wait was worth it. Bananza has the things we've come to expect from a Donkey Kong title, from precise platforming across fascinating and colorful worlds to animal transformations and collecting plenty of goodies, while leveling things up with dynamically destructible levels. Donkey Kong's new ability to destroy pretty much everything in sight and use different kinds of terrain to get away in new ways added ways for skilled players to get even more out of the game, and we think DK and Pauline's friendship—and some of the revelations toward the end of the game—to be some of our favorite Nintendo storytelling in recent history. Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Donkey Kong Bananza's Powerful Bananza Transformations Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time The first Fantasy Life game kind of took over our lives when it came out on the Nintendo 3DS in 2014, and its sequel, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, did it all over again for us when it released this year. It's an RPG with elements of life simulation where players swap between different 14 Life classes—Paladin, Mercenary, Hunter, Magician, Miner, Woodcutter, Angler, Cook, Blacksmith, Carpenter, Tailor, Alchemist, Artist and Farmer—and work on leveling up all of their skills across their lives to get strong and skilled enough to survive your time-traveling journey. To be honest, we spent a lot less time focusing on the story and way more time working to unlock every piece of craftable equipment and furniture, leveling up our combat skill trees so we could gather even more materials to build even more items. It's a super addictive gameplay loop where everything you do supports your other actions, and your to-do list never shrinks, turning "five more minutes" into hours more gameplay every time. Silent Hill f Silent Hill has been one of our favorite horror franchises for a long time, and we weren't quite sure what to expect from Silent Hill f, moving away from the series' typical western settings for a story based in Japan. The game is proof that you don't need to be rooted in the town of Silent Hill to feel like a classic Silent Hill title, playing with psychological aspects and the heroine Hinako's struggles with conforming to the expectations forced on her as a young woman in rural Japan in the '60s. We don't want to reveal too much, but we will say that the game requires multiple playthroughs to truly appreciate, with the story shifting and revealing its true colors based on the routes you take. The ways it connects to the other games in the series are subtle yet impactful, with plenty or great scares along the way. Hollow Knight: Silksong We first got out hands on a review of Hollow Knight: Silksong at E3 back in 2019 , so to say we'd been waiting a while for this highly anticipated sequel would be an understatement. It's clear that developer Team Cherry took their time with this one, because everything about the game, from its gorgeous art and soundtrack to its expansive map and perfectly choreographed boss fights feel picture-perfect. As many complaints as we've heard that it's too challenging or punishing, we loved every minute of the process of learning with every attempt at a tough platforming section or battle and getting a little better each time. The hero Hornet's movement is so fluid and fun, as well as highly customizable, and the enormous Metroidvania map gives you ever opportunity to explore your own way and have an entirely different experience from the next player. It may be out all-time favorite game in the search-action genre, and we are so curious to see what Team Cherry might have in store for us next. Hades II September truly was a legendary month for gaming sequels, seeing not just the release of Silksong but also the equally anticipated Hades II. The first Hades game perfected the roguelike formula, with each run seeing Zagreus, the prince of the Underworld, accepting different favors from his Olympian family members in order to increase his strength and best his father, Hades, in combat. This time around, players take on the role of Zagreus's sister, the witch Melinoë, with a brand new set of powers and abilities, and a compelling story as she tries to conquer her grandfather, the Titan of Time, Chronos, to save her kidnapped family from his clutches. This time around, it feels like there's more to do of everything, with not just one route through the Underworld, but another above ground to Mt. Olympus Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Where do we even start with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? In addition to possibly having the most beautifully written and captivating video game story of all time, it's also got one of the best-designed turn-based RPG systems we've seen, allowing for a ridiculous amount of customization and personalization as the story unravels. That really is important, because it makes this already personal story feel even more rich and immersive. The story takes place in a world where 67 years ago, an unknown entity called the Paintress started painting a number on a far-off rock formation. On this date, called the Gommage, everyone 100 years old or older suddenly disappeared. Each year, the number she paints decreases by one, and now, it's all the way down to 33. Players take control of members of Expedition 33, a group sent out to slay the Paintress before the next Gommage, though that journey through the beautiful fantasy world inspired by France and its culture will prove to be anything but simple and straightforward. The storytelling in this game truly is heart-rending and evocative, and packed with twists you won't see coming, while the turn-based combat is intricately complex, with tons of variation based on the party members you choose and how you build your characters. Plus, its rich and emotional soundtrack full of enchanting French vocals has set a new standard for music in gaming. Source: https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/video-games-that-defined-2025-120925