2025 was a pretty good year for games, I still have plenty to try. I know I got my fill. I can bounce between games sometimes so I was sure to try a decent amount out this year. Some land, some don't. I also go back to the olds that I know just work so some old games may be in here.
According to my steam replay, I played 36 games - 27 being new ones.
Warframe
I have to start this list with what apparently is my most played game percentage wise on Steam at 20% for 2025! Revisiting this game after being YEARS away was awesome. Playing with a group of friends, most new to the game, made this revisit really special. Leveling up with friends, experiencing the new stories, having IRL money for cool cosmetics made this experience the one I wish I had when I first got into it. I played mainly on PC (keybmouse & controller) with a dash on the phone if I was away or needed a break working. The amount of content given away for free in this game is insane, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a PvE game. The grind is real though.. be aware.
Battlefield 6
My most HYPED game of the year. Not saying my favorite or best as I do have thoughts about this game, but it is still very fun and I couldn't wait to play this. It felt like forever after the disapointment of Battlefield 2042, so getting hyped with friends, family and coworkers for this game felt special. The discourse all throughout the internet during the beta and release of the game made just made you want to peak at the hype, but the gameplay made you stay. It truly is another Battlefield game which is awesome to have as an option again. While I don't think this game is perfect, I have plenty fun and cannot wait for the future content for this game.
Arc Raiders
Now this is my personal game of the year. Initially the game looked boring to me. Another extraction shooter, decent art style, servicable graphics and familiar gunplay (clear as day Star Wars Battlefront devs). Every video seemed to be only that, and I wasn't too interested. But the hype never died down and I started to see the game everywhere. I had leftover Steam money so decided to give a shot and worse case scenario I'll refund - but after a few raids I was hooked.
Loading in I could see that the graphics were realistic and beautiful looking, but what launched me into total immersion was the top tier audio. After taking a few steps, I heard gunshots out in the distant and boom I was in fight or flight - carefully listening for anything else. I noticed the Arc interacted with the player and the environment in a way I haven't seen before. The ARC fly with real quad like drone physics, or walk and trip in creepily realistic movement patterns. They search for you as if they are sentient and truly scanning for threats.
The community and other players Raider interactions felt nuanced opposed to Tarkov where everything is shoot on sight. Every time I saw someone I didn't know whether to shoot as someone playing a PVP game, or approach and try to be friendly as a fellow human. At times I feel like I'm playing a game of morality, instead of loot and extraction. When you are deep into this game, it pulls you in like 'Sword Art Online'. The lines between being a virtual character and a real person in that world gets blurred. Shooting a gun has weight and with every trigger pull you are commiting to the loud bang, echo, and harm to the world. Seeing ARC makes my heart rate increase forcing me to rethink my route or approach. Every extract came with a sense of relief as if I truly did escape from a life threatening event. I am aware this is nerdy, but when a game is capable of immersing you like this it's nothing to shrug off. Embark did something special here and despite the game looking as just another extraction shooter on the outside, I can tell you 100%.. it is not. My personal favorite game of the year and I I'd recommend it to everyone looking for a thrill.
Space Marine 2
I finally got into the Warhammer 40k Universe. I am hooked, but mainly because of space marines. The strong gothic theme blend together influences of christianity, the roman empire, and general military might to create a pretty different fighting force. One that is as religiously blind as their militaristic. I am a sucker for an armored soldiers with cool helmets and AURA (Master Chief), so liking Space Marines inside the 40k universe is not hard for me and was a matter of time. This game does a great job of allowing you to play as one of those super soldiers. Battling your way through ginormous hordes of enemies is extremely satisfying, as sometimes on your screen there are more enemies than you can count but you know you can handle them. It is a power fantasy 100%, and getting to comb down hordes of Tyranids or dispel your traitor heritic brothers all with fluid life like animations makes this game a really addicting piece to sit down and become a Space Marine.
The Finals
I initially had no interest to try this game. My first impressions were: Lame looking weapons, no real theme, store and social aspects that scream EA. WOW was I wrong on all fronts. Sure the weapons don't have in depth customization like other first person shooters, but it is for balance reasons and just as much diversiyfing roles and characteristics, as much as Team Fortress 2 weapons or Halo weapons. Each one has its personality and playstyle. It isn't a matter of lacking of weapons, but instead a matter of having individual weapons that fit to your needs. The theme of the game seemed to be another pseudo social space for G4YM3RS initially to me, but instead fit into a cooler idea of that your character is inside a game show. Plain from the outside, but getting to see the announcers, the different company "sponsors" (in game no real life sponsors) it shows that they are really gripping the idea of this being a game show - and subtle other things such as revive tokens being like a arcade machine prompt, body exploding into coins on death, and the world loading from grids to real structures shows they take this 'virtual, video game world, game show' seriously. I wouldn't call it immersive, but I found myself digging that my character was participating in a sport just as much as I was playing a video game. The store and customization was more generous than I thought. Plenty of ways to receive free cosmetics and drip yourself out head to toe. After I saw the effort this game had put into it, I had no problem giving them some $$$ for cosmetics as I believed they deserved it along with my character for getting better at the game. Its a technilogical marvel with its destruction, optimization alongside great graphics. My only downside is how sweaty and difficult it can be - making it hard to enjoy when I want to relax in an evening. I have to get into a mindset to play forsure. All around solid and fun experience. Worth a try for anyone that loves FPS games.
... did I mention its free? ;)
Honorable Mentions
Golf with your Friends
Can't go wrong. Simple, easy and fun time with friends. Such a goofy game, its guarunteed to make your group laugh. Either through rage, crazy plays, or through conversations made on the course.
Minecraft
Do I need to say anything? This summers Minecraft phase was amazing. On a custom modpack with enhanced graphics and mechanics for a Vanilla+ experience, we made the best base and community I have ever had in Minecraft. Where did I put that world though?
Team Fortress 2
A classic that my friend group is still addicted to. It's one of those games you know what to expect going into it (I mean it better... hasn't been properly updated in years). It's simplicity and carefreeness is what brings me back into this game rather than more modern versions like Marvel Rivals or Overwatch.