As this year draws to a close, and we have some time to reflect, we wanted to share our thoughts on the Best Games of 2025. Seeing as this is also the year we decided to launch Checkpoint Couple, it only seems appropriate that before we dive into our picks, we stop and say a heartfelt Thank You to everyone who has accompanied us on our gaming journey for the year.
FieryAmpharos shares her favorite games of 2025
This year, I didn’t finish as many games as I originally planned — but that’s because I like to take my time and really live in the worlds I play. That said, a few games stood out and stuck with me long after I put the controller down.
These are my Games of 2025 — listed in no particular order, just pure vibes and lasting impressions.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami earns its place here because not every great game needs to be massive or made by a huge studio. Sometimes, it’s the smaller indie titles that leave the strongest impression — and Eugene McQuacklin absolutely did. It’s clever, charming, and proof that personality can carry a game just as far as production value.
Disney Cursed Café was pure cozy comfort. I’d grab my Switch, curl up under a soft blanket, surround myself with pillows, and just relax. The game mixes drink-making mechanics with surprisingly fun conversations with modern-day Disney villains, and it’s a perfect example of a chill game that doesn’t need high stakes to be enjoyable.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a must-play for farming RPG fans. It takes familiar farming mechanics and elevates them in ways that genuinely surprised me. Everything feels refined and intentional, and I happily lost hours to it without ever feeling bored.
Mario Kart World also deserves a spot here. It takes a big leap forward from previous entries and improves on an already excellent formula. It’s still the go-to racing game when friends come over — even if it didn’t quite reach “Game of the Year” status for me personally.
Honorable Mention: Helldivers 2 — because this game just keeps on giving. As you probably know by now, I’m an avid Helldiver, and even after 700+ hours, it’s still fun. Whether I’m helping new divers or playing with friends, it continues to deliver chaotic, memorable moments.
And now… my Game of the Year 2025 is: Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar.
I’ve just finished the main story, but I’m still actively playing — and even without a full review (yet), I can confidently say this game is something special. The concept of selling directly to customers and villagers adds so much charm, and I genuinely don’t think there’s a single character I dislike.
Farming, resource gathering, refining products, caring for animals, building friendships — I love all of it. The events are cute and engaging, and I especially appreciate the heads-up before storms, giving you time to protect your fields.
What really excites me is what this means for the future of the series. Will they keep the bazaar concept? Return to the classic formula? Or try something entirely new? Whatever comes next, I’ll be eagerly waiting for the announcement.
metroid02 reflects on the best games of the year
Going into 2025, I was sure that I would have a very clear idea of which game would be the highlight of the year for me. Even though it was not confirmed until spring of 2025, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond just had to launch with the Switch 2. I mean, we had already waited for ages! And not only that, it would be fantastic and easily take my GOTY 2025. Well, it came, I really liked it, but it was far from my GOTY. But one thing at a time.
Instead of doing a classic ranking, I want to talk about the games that left a real impression on me and consumed me like few others. In that sense, the year started similarly to how it ended last year, with recurring Helldivers 2 dives. Helldivers 2 is just the gift that keeps on giving, with some really incredible warbonds (such as the Halo crossover) and meaningful expansions. Then the big release finally happened. With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, a slew of new games and experiences flooded our living room. We were graced by the newest Mario Kart, were given the phenomenal Donkey Kong Bananza, and even got meaningful upgrades to Kirby and the Forgotten Land. From a Switch 2-Player perspective, we got some real bangers. Hades 2 saw a physical release on the system, and I got to play Exit 8 for the first time (optimized for Switch 2). For a system that “doesn’t have any games,” I definitely found a lot to play and enjoy throughout the year. Heck, there were even some amazing blasts from the past: with games like Raidou Remasered The Mystery of the Soulless Army and the stunning remake of Trails in the Sky.
Outside of the Nintendo-sphere what stuck with me was the rise of an old FPS-giant with the release of Battlefield 6, which, although lacking in some areas, appears to be an imperfect return to form. Being a wingman to one of my best friends as they pilot their helicopter across a scorched desert never felt this immersive. It’s no wonder then that the game dominated our Steam playtime well into December.
There is, however, one game that stood proudly above the rest: Clair Obscure: Expedition 33. To say this game came out of nowhere would be a bit misleading. I vividly recall it being shown in a previous Xbox Showcase, where it sadly did not get much recognition, and there was next to no buzz surrounding it until its release in the spring. I knew, when I booted up the game and played through the opening sequence, that I was in for a special time. The special kind of game that sticks with you for years to come.
The peculiar thing about Expedition 33 is that, for all that it does so well, from a gameplay perspective, it is a fairly standard turn-based RPG with a parrying mechanic as you may know it from the Paper Mario games. What makes the game so special is not one single thing, but rather the overall package. It has a very solid, gameplay-focused core that is strengthened by an emotional story about loss and the struggle to survive, and a breathtaking soundtrack that accentuates the game’s many twists and turns. It has been a long time since a game has left such a lasting impression on me, which is why Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 handily takes my Game of the Year 2026.
These are our Games of the Year 2025. Some overlap, some don’t, and that’s because we’re two different types of gamers. Do you agree with our list? Did we miss some? Let us know in the comments!
