2025 End of Year Games
- Blue Prince - This might be the best puzzle game ever made, or at least in the conversation. I have pages of notes and dozens of photos leftover. I carry a lightness in my heart from the final puzzle. Every room and detail is so intentional, and the chaos and randomness is harnessed expertly. It really goes to show that the best thing you can accomplish in a puzzle is learning something new. Any frustrations I felt from not getting the thing I needed for one puzzle or another evaporated when I learned how to control it and see opportunities to pursue other puzzles, partially dependent on what the house gave me but also from my own decisions. I can't wait to replay this in 5 years when I've forgotten everything! PS, shout out to the wiki creators and their incredibly thoughtful hint system, I couldn't have done it without you.
- The Roottrees are Dead - This time, the hints are incredibly thoughtful and built in to the game itself! What a wonderful set of puzzles, intertwined in a genuinely satisfactory and pleasant way. Obviously designed by someone who loves puzzles in their free time, maybe more so than any puzzle I've ever played. This game understands how puzzlers think, and treats them with little surprises and humor along the way. Booyah!
- The Rise of the Golden Idol - I still need to do the DLC! It's odd for a sequel to be right at the same level as the original. Looking back I think they nailed it in the first one, then went on to make a few QoL changes to the UI, twist the formula here and there, and manage to not fumble on their second outing. I can't wait for a third outing from this team, but personally I'm hoping it's not related to the Idol at all and we go back in time again.
- FTL - I've played FTL a ton in the past, probably since launch, but I never really felt like I understood what I was doing or did the heavy lifting needed to understand the systems. My strategy before this year was to rush invisibility and pray nothing too unfortunate happened. After pouring through guides and analyses I feel like I know a lot more and am more comfortable in the game's universe. I haven't unlocked every ship or defeated the flagship with every ship, but I'm close!
- Naissancee - The final scene is such a letdown, and the fan and insanity levels are neat ideas that aren't very fun. With that out of the way, this game is incredible, horrifying, haunting, thick and palpable. And the music! A complete package of experimental, immersive dread.
- Stray - There are so many good things about this game. It is a visceral, sentimental, immersive, and fully realized cyberpunk world. I don't even mind the railroading for the most part. Unfortunately I think it's strongest element is also it's biggest downside: The Slums. There are so many interesting characters and things to do in The Slums! I feel like I spent half of my gameplay there happily running across rooftops. Other inhabited zones, while just as beautiful, have much fewer side-quests or things to explore, and feel rushed. I'd still jump at the prospect of a sequel.
- What Remains of Edith Finch - When I got to the cat segment, I said out loud to myself, "Oh so it's this sort of game." Then I got to the swing-set, and the photo timer, and the packing plant, and I thought, "Oh, it's this sort of game." Affecting is an understatement, but I think I'll put this in the "Media I don't want to experience again" pile. I'm glad I played it once.
- Monster Train - I feel like it's deep enough to make better decisions than I'm currently making. However, I've been able to brute-force my way through all but one pairing. I kind of feel dizzy when I play this. Like, I'm enjoying the decision making, and it's all fine and good to feel like I'm making progress, but it feels a little too hamster-wheely to me. I don't know how to quantify it. It's extremely well made and feels balanced, but I don't think I'm having fun.
- A Good Snowman is Hard to Build - I had a wonderful snowy day doing all of the puzzles, making my way out of the garden, and enjoying all the names and fun outfits for each snowman. Then I discovered I was only halfway done, and haven't touched it since! Maybe someday I'll complete it, but it feels a little tedious and I'm not champing at the bit to 100% it. Still, a delightful set of original puzzles in the first half.
- Peak - I played it once and had a great time! Excited to get more experience under my wheels :)