Well, what did you think of the past year in your family? Was it truly wonderful as one might claim on social media? Overflowing with A-grades for the children and riotous costume gatherings for the parents? Or perhaps it was a swamp of frustration with only occasional entertaining highlights? Is any of this authentic, or is everyone now AI-generated virtual entities with unrealistic dental work?
I have gathered the family for a chat, ready or not, to discuss the most important thing in any given year: which releases we enjoyed the most. So here goes:
Game Eldest Daughter Played the Most
Horizon Zero Dawn
"Is it impossible to pick just one?"
"You can't expect my definitive list."
Meanwhile, on mobile, she’s been playing Cityscapes and "searching for decent healthcare."
"In the game?"
"In the actual world."
Game Middle Son Played the Most
Overwatch
"I refuse to play games on my phone." He took umbrage that the question was posed. Point taken.
Title Youngest Daughter Played the Most
Resident Evil Biohazard
Her goal is to get into drama school, but when she took a break from vocals, she was immersed in Resident Evil. She also went on in great detail about her accomplishments on The Sims, where the Shark has a successful utopia with infinitely better healthcare than her older sibling has in real life.
Release the Spouse Played the Most
Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time
She began the year at sixty percent completion and ended it at eighty-two percent. It’s a marathon not a sprint for her. On her phone: something called Woodle, where you have to unscrew pins.
Release I Teased My Kids About My Kids for Still Playing
Minecraft
Whenever I see my 21-year-old son playing Minecraft, I set about him like a cross between a classic comedy bit. When he objects, I reply that I am behaving this way to prepare him so he can mature and play games for mature audiences. This defines our 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 unstoppable. Even better than I was at Dancing Stage MegaMix in my prime.
Title I Played the Most
Marvel Snap
No other game compared to the hours I spent on this insanely well-crafted card game competitive game, with its regularly updated range of cards and game variations.
Game I Wish I Had Played Less
Marvel Snap
The worst thing about games that frequently update their range is you eventually realize and see it is all just an attempt to trap you with fomo-fuelled microtransactions. So enjoyment soured halfway through the year and it got uninstalled.
Game I Wish I Had Played More
Doom: The Dark Ages
Stunning reinvention of a legendary franchise. Captivating atmosphere from the beginning. I wish I could eviscerate my demons so effectively in real life.
Game I Wish I Had Played More (Thoughtful Edition)
Blue Prince
I'm unwilling to rush this stunning, original game and I just was short on the focused attention to give it what it required earlier this year. With relatives staying over the festive period, I plan to dive into this in the late night after appropriate hospitality.
Title That Kept Me Sane When I Needed It
Balatro
I know Balatro was last year's breakout game, but I was slow on the uptake. And it is remarkable. It just gets every single thing right. Crazy Poker is a fantastic concept, but the effects behind the different special cards are so inventive it has become a game I would happily play any time. Combine that with the charm of the card design, and this is an true pinnacle of gaming. I wouldn't mind being stuck in a elevator for hours just so I have nothing to do but play it.
Game I Got the Most Backlash For Criticising
Outer Worlds 2
I experienced a wave of criticism when I mentioned how a glitch in another game ruined the experience for me, but that other title is still a massive gaming achievement in terms of production values – which I valued even more after experiencing Outer Worlds 2. So thank you to the commenter who took the time to contact me to say that my Outer Worlds 2 review was "bitter, confused resentment". I share that as written, because I appreciate the effort, and they are obviously an astute judge of character.
Game Everybody Loved That I Just Didn’t Get
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Sure. Give me a punishingly tough Metroidvania-esque thing and provide little guidance on what I am supposed to be doing, except "figure it out". What a joy. I acknowledge that it is beautiful and is flawless if you are into challenging games, but I cannot think of a gaming experience I want less of in my mid-fifties. I was around back when all games were like this, and my patience is gone. It was okay when I was a kid, but the same could be said for many outdated things.
Biggest Gaming News of 2025
Close call between business deals that raised eyebrows, and expensive game releases. Both difficult to justify and unpleasant.
Games I Would Name My Children After, If I Was Ever Crazy Enough to Have More
Clair Obscur, Despelote and Bananza would all be unique names bellowed from the back door at bedtime.
Part of My Body That Aches Most From Gaming
Right Thumb Joint. Honestly. I don’t know if it’s because of video games or doomscrolling, but it aches like anything in the mornings now. I knew I should have got my thumbs looked after 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 stretch time until the cows come home.
Game I Am Looking Forward to the Most in 2036
The Witcher 4.
