Our Household Unofficial Gaming of the Year Awards for 2025
Alright, how did you experience 2025 in your family? Did it seem truly wonderful as people post on Facebook? Overflowing with A-grades for the children and riotous themed fancy dress birthday parties for the grownups? Or perhaps it was a ocean of letdowns with only rare entertaining moments? Could any part be authentic, or have we all become seven-fingered synthetic personas with unrealistic teeth?
I've corralled my thoughts for a chat, ready or not, to reflect on the paramount thing in twelve months: which video games we played the most. Without further ado:
Game First Daughter Played the Most
Horizon Zero Dawn
"Is it impossible to pick just one?"
"You can't expect my games column."
Meanwhile, on mobile, she’s been playing Cityscapes and "searching for adequate healthcare."
"Digitally?"
"In reality."
Game Second Son Played the Most
Overwatch
"I have no interest in games on my phone." He took umbrage that the question was posed. I respect that.
Title Third Daughter Played the Most
Resident Evil Biohazard
She's attempting to get into theatre school, but when she took a break from vocals, she was immersed in Resident Evil. She also spoke at length in great detail about her accomplishments on The Sims, where her avatar has a successful utopia with infinitely better healthcare than her big sister has outside the game.
Release the Partner Played the Most
Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time
She started the year at 60% completion and ended it at 82%. It’s a marathon not a sprint for her. Her phone game: something called Woodle, where you have to unscrew pins.
Title I Laughed at My Kids for Still Playing
Minecraft
Any time I see my 21-year-old son playing Minecraft, I rib him like a cross between a relentless heckler. When he complains, I reply that I am behaving this way to prepare him so he can grow up and play games for adults. It’s a very Scottish father/son relationship.
Most Impressive Gaming Family Member This Year
Eldest Daughter on Just Dance 2024
She was the clear winner for this one. She is incredible. Even better than I was at classic rhythm games in my prime.
Game I Played the Most
Marvel Snap
No other game compared to the hours I spent on this remarkably well-crafted strategy wizard’s poker, with its ever-changing range of cards and game variations.
Game I Wish I Had Played Less
Marvel Snap
The downside about games that endlessly add to their range is you wake up one day and realise it is all just an attempt to suck you into compulsion-based microtransactions. So enjoyment soured halfway through the year and it went into the bin.
Title I Wish I Had Played More
Doom: The Dark Ages
Glorious reinvention of a classic franchise. Immersive atmosphere from the beginning. I wish I could eviscerate my problems so effectively in real life.
Game I Wish I Had Played More (Puzzle-Focused Edition)
Blue Prince
I decline to rush this beautiful, unique game and I just was short on the mental bandwidth to give it what it required earlier this year. With relatives staying over the festive period, I aim to experience this in the late night after evening drinks.
Game That Saved My Soul When I Needed It
Balatro
I'm aware Balatro was 2024’s breakout game, but I was slow on the uptake. And it is remarkable. It just gets absolutely everything right. Its gameplay loop is a wonderful concept, but the powers behind the different wild cards are so inventive it has become a game I could play constantly. Throw in the cleverness of the card design, and this is an absolute high-water mark of gaming. I dream of being stuck in a elevator for hours just so I have the perfect excuse but play it.
Game I Got the Most Flak For Criticising
Outer Worlds 2
I experienced a minor pile-on when I wrote about how a specific bug in another game ruined the experience for me, but that other title is still a colossal gaming achievement in terms of overall polish – which I appreciated even more after playing Outer Worlds 2. So my appreciation goes out to the individual who took the time to contact me to say that my Outer Worlds 2 review was "bitter, confused resentment". I present that verbatim, because I respect the passion, and they are obviously an sharp judge of character.
Title Everybody Loved That I Just Didn’t Get
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Fine. Give me a punishingly tough exploration-focused thing and don’t tell me guidance on what I am supposed to be doing, except "figure it out". How delightful. I acknowledge that it is beautiful and is perfection if you are into the genre, but I cannot think of a gaming experience I am less interested in in my mid-fifties. I was around back when most games were like this, and my patience is gone. It was acceptable when I was a kid, but the same could be said for many outdated things.
Biggest Gaming News of 2025
Debate between questionable alliances that sparked debate, and expensive game releases. Both morally indefensible and concerning.
Games I Would Name My Children After, If I Was Ever Foolish Enough to Have More
Clair Obscur, Despelote and Bananza would all be unique names shouted from the doorstep at bedtime.
Part of My Body That Aches Most From Gaming
Right Thumb Joint. Seriously. I don’t know if it’s because of button mashing or endless scrolling, but it is sore like the mines of sulphur in the mornings now. I knew I should have got my thumbs insured back in the 90s.
Game I Am Looking Forward to the Most in 2026
Grand Theft Auto VI.
And it will come out in 2026, even if we have to wait patiently until the cows come home.
Game I Am Looking Forward to the Most in 2036
The Witcher 4.
