With 2025 now behind us, it’s time to look back and start thinking about which games will make it onto our GotY list. As is often the case, things didn’t always go to plan, and several titles landed at the wrong moment to receive a full review. Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. This is a whistle‑stop tour of some of the games that really made an impression on us. There simply weren’t enough hours in the day to give them full coverage, even though we sank dozens, if not hundreds, of hours into some of them.
It also gives these games a fair shot at GotY consideration given their review, and chances are there are a few hidden gems in the mix.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
After a long and troubled development, Bloodlines 2 finally steps out of the shadows and into the snow‑covered streets of Seattle. Set in the World of Darkness, you play as an elder vampire waking into a fragile political landscape where clan rivalries, power struggles and secrecy rule everything.
Dialogue is where Bloodlines 2 shines. Conversations are dense, reactive and full of personality, letting you manipulate, threaten or deceive depending on your clan and abilities. The writing sells the idea that words can be as dangerous as fangs.
Combat is less impressive. Powers look flashy, but fights become repetitive and lack the tactical depth you might hope for. The gameplay loop does enough to keep things moving, but only just.
Visually, the game favours mood over spectacle. Snow‑covered alleys and neon‑lit streets look great, though character animations and facial expressions can feel stiff. Bloodlines 2 is far from perfect, especially for fans of the original. It tries hard to capture the spirit of its cult‑classic predecessor but never quite lands it, leaving those wanting a more narrative‑heavy RPG a bit disappointed.
2.5/5
Pros: good writing, atmosphere, choices
Cons: weak combat, dated animations, pacing issues, not what was promised
Silent Hill 2 (2025)
Remaking one of the most beloved psychological horror games ever was never going to be easy nor is writing a review, but Bloober Team’s take on Silent Hill 2 largely sticks the landing. Players once again step into the fog‑shrouded nightmare as James Sunderland, drawn to the town by a letter from his deceased wife. It remains a haunting setup that still hits hard.
The biggest upgrade is presentation. Rebuilt from the ground up, the town is thicker with fog, grime and dread. Lighting does much of the heavy lifting, making every corridor and street feel oppressive. Akira Yamaoka’s iconic soundtrack has been respectfully reworked to sound familiar yet unsettling. Character models and facial animations are vastly improved, helping sell the emotional weight of the story.
Gameplay has been modernised with over‑the‑shoulder combat and smoother controls, making exploration less clunky. Combat is still intentionally awkward to maintain tension, though some encounters drag on longer than needed. Puzzles strike a good balance, offering challenge without halting progress.
Overall, Silent Hill 2 Remake is a respectful, atmospheric reimagining that keeps the soul of the original intact while updating it for a new generation.
4.5/5
Pros: incredible atmosphere, strong audio design, improved visuals, faithful storytelling
Cons: uneven combat pacing, minor technical issues
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater
Revisiting one of gaming’s most iconic entries was always going to be scrutinised, but Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater proves there’s still plenty of bite left in this Cold War classic. Set in the 1960s, the story follows Naked Snake on a covert mission deep in Soviet jungle territory, blending espionage, survival and Kojima‑style political oddities.
The most immediate upgrade is visual. Lush jungles, dynamic lighting and detailed character models bring the world to life without losing the original’s identity. It’s still Snake Eater at its core, just sharper and far more immersive. Animations are smoother, and environmental detail makes sneaking through foliage or lying in the mud feel more authentic.
Gameplay sticks closely to what made the original special. Stealth is king, rewarding patience, creativity and smart camouflage. Survival mechanics like hunting, treating injuries and managing stamina remain intact, adding tension and a slower, methodical pace.
Boss fights are as memorable as ever, full of personality and clever design. The story still hits hard, especially as loyalties blur and ideals are tested. It doesn’t reinvent Snake Eater, but it doesn’t need to. This is a confident, respectful remake from Konami that understands exactly why the original mattered and was a joy to review.
5/5
Pros: stunning visuals, timeless story, deep stealth gameplay, iconic boss fights
Cons: some dated mechanics remain, little that’s truly new
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Marvel Cosmic Invasion wears its inspirations proudly, delivering a colourful, old‑school beat ’em up that feels ripped straight from the arcade era and was a blast to review. Facing a galaxy‑spanning threat, you team up with a roster of Marvel heroes to punch, blast and brawl through waves of cosmic enemies. The story is simple comic‑book fun, giving an excuse to bring together a wide range of characters and locations.
Combat is fast and satisfying. Each hero has distinct moves, specials and ultimates. Whether you’re smashing enemies up close or picking them off from the air, the action rarely slows. It’s clearly designed for co‑op, and playing with friends turns the chaos into pure Marvel mayhem.
Visually, it nails the retro aesthetic. Sharp sprite work, expressive animations and vibrant colours make every stage pop. The energetic soundtrack keeps the pace high. Repetition does creep in, as is typical for the genre, and enemy variety is limited. Solo play also lacks the excitement found in co‑op.
Still, Marvel Cosmic Invasion knows exactly what it wants to be and executes it well: a nostalgic brawler that’s easy to pick up and hard not to enjoy.
5/5
Pros: punchy combat, great co‑op, strong retro style, excellent Marvel fan service
Cons: repetitive at times, limited enemies, best with friends
Hollow Knight: Silksong
After a long wait, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally lets you step into the role of Hornet, and right off the bat it proves to be a worthy follow‑up to one of the best Metroidvanias ever made. Set in the fallen kingdom of Pharloom, the game sends you climbing, fighting and exploring through a beautifully hand‑crafted world full of danger and mystery.
Combat is faster and more aggressive than the original. Hornet’s acrobatic move set encourages constant motion, rewarding precision and timing as you chain attacks, dodges and abilities. Boss fights are a clear highlight, offering tough but fair challenges that push your skills without feeling cheap. Exploration is just as strong, with clever level design that constantly teases new paths and secrets.
Visually, Silksong is stunning. The art is richer and more detailed, and the animation work gives every enemy and environment real personality. Christopher Larkin’s soundtrack once again elevates the experience, perfectly matching each area’s mood.
That said, as good as Silksong is, it could easily have been DLC for the first game. Many fans have noticed this, and it does make you wonder why it took so long to release. It’s a brilliant game, no question, just not quite what fans spent years waiting for.
4/5
Pros: fluid combat, gorgeous art and music, excellent boss design
Cons: challenging difficulty, vague storytelling
F1 25
F1 25 continues Codemasters’ yearly run and, much like recent entries, it’s once again a case of small but meaningful refinements rather than a full overhaul. Built around the official 2025 Formula One season, the game puts you behind the wheel of the fastest cars in motorsport, with authenticity and presentation front and centre.
On track, F1 25 feels excellent. Handling has been subtly tweaked, making cars more responsive through corners while still punishing mistakes, especially when tyre wear and weather kick in.
Career mode returns with welcome updates, offering more flexibility in team and driver progression. Braking Point also returns, delivering a cinematic story that adds some drama, even if it leans into melodrama a little too often.
Visually, it’s slick and polished, though improvements over last year are modest. Commentary and presentation still sell the F1 weekend well, but long‑time fans may feel a sense of déjà vu.
4/5
Pros: strong driving feel, authentic presentation, solid career and story modes
Cons: incremental upgrades, familiar structure, limited innovation
Deliver At All Costs
Deliver At All Costs takes a simple premise and cranks it up to 11. Set in a destructible, semi‑open world, you play as a delivery driver tasked with getting increasingly ridiculous packages from A to B, no matter the cost. It’s part driving game, part physics playground, and it knows exactly how silly it wants to be.
The core gameplay is all about momentum and destruction. Cars have satisfying weight, and smashing through fences, buildings and traffic never gets old.
Missions constantly mix things up, throwing tougher deliveries at you that force you to adapt. Whether you’re racing the clock or trying to keep fragile cargo intact, there’s enough variety to keep things fresh.
Visually, the game has a bold, stylised look that suits the over‑the‑top action. The physics‑driven destruction is its biggest draw, and watching the world crumble as you tear through it at breakneck speed is pure, dumb fun. Driving can feel a bit loose at times, and the humour won’t land for everyone. Deliver At All Costs is chaotic, easy to pick up and surprisingly hard to put down during our review, nailing that “just one more go” feeling.
3.5/5
Pros: satisfying destruction, creative missions
Cons: loose handling, hit‑and‑miss humour
ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders drops you into a ruined future where humanity is barely hanging on and giant mechanical threats roam the surface. You play as a Raider, heading out from underground settlements to scavenge resources, complete missions and survive encounters with deadly ARC machines and other players. It’s a strong setup that immediately sells tension and atmosphere.
Gunplay is weighty and satisfying, with a focus on positioning, teamwork and knowing when to fight or flee. Encounters can turn instantly, especially when multiple ARC units join the fight, forcing squads to adapt. The PvPvE structure works well, creating constant risk‑reward decisions as you choose whether to push your luck or extract early.
Visually, ARC Raiders looks fantastic. The world feels desolate yet alive, with massive machines stomping across landscapes that make you feel small and vulnerable. Sound design adds to the dread with distant mechanical roars.
Progression can feel slow early on, and solo players will find the experience far more punishing. Personally, this was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me with extraction shooters. I struggle to find fun in spending 25 minutes looting and fighting bots only for someone hiding in a treeline to gun you down at extraction and steal everything.
Even with two friends, it’s a genre that isn’t for me. I prefer short, intense rounds on small to mid‑sized maps rather than wandering a huge one only to be shot in the back half an hour later. That said, I can respect it as a solid extraction shooter that fans of the genre will enjoy. It’s simply not for me.
3/5
Pros: strong gunplay, excellent atmosphere, tense PvP moments
Cons: steep learning curve, grindy progression, tough solo play
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Saving the best for last in many people’s eyes, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those games that grabs your attention with its premise alone.
Set in a surreal world where a mysterious figure known as the Paintress erases everyone of a certain age each year, you join Expedition 33 on what feels like a doomed mission to end the cycle. It’s a striking setup that leans heavily into mood, mystery and emotion.
Combat blends classic turn‑based RPG mechanics with real‑time elements, keeping battles engaging without slowing them down. Timing attacks and defences adds a layer of skill that makes every encounter feel involved.
Each character brings unique abilities, encouraging experimentation and smart party composition as difficulty ramps up.
Visually, the game is stunning. Environments look like living paintings, and creature designs are both beautiful and unsettling. The soundtrack complements this perfectly, reinforcing the melancholy tone that runs throughout.
Exploration is mostly linear but well‑paced. The story is compelling, though it occasionally leans too hard into exposition early on.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as a confident, stylish RPG with a strong identity and plenty of heart.
5/5
Pros: striking art direction, engaging hybrid combat, strong atmosphere and music
Cons: slow early pacing, some exposition‑heavy moments, limited exploration