The video games readers couldn’t switch off in 2025

Happy holidays, Pushing Buttons readers! Once again, we are approaching the cherished time of year between Christmas and New Year when we might actually have the time to play some video games. I hope Santa brought you something new to play, instead of taking one look at all the unplayed games in your Steam library and putting you straight on the naughty list. Your faves … clockwise from top left: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Split Fiction, Death Stranding 2 and ARC Raiders.Composite: Sony/Sandfall/Embark/Electronic Arts ‘It has been my favourite game for years’ … Ghost of Yōtei released in October 2025.Photograph: Sony Interactive Entertainment ‘A well-written story dealing with depression in a constructive and original way’ … Silvano Cardin on Chicory: A Colorful Tale.Photograph: Chicory Illustration: Guardian Design Over the past few weeks you have been sending in your favourite games of the year. I maintain that you readers have excellent taste: there’s crossover with our own Guardian games of the year list , but also plenty here that I haven’t played myself. Thank you to everyone who sent in a recommendation, and I hope you find yet another game to add to your pile of shame among the following suggestions. I’ll be back next week with a year-in-review issue - in the meantime, go enjoy yourselves! ‘I absolutely devoured this gem of a game’ “ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 . I absolutely devoured this gem of a game; the story, setting, music, characters and visuals are all on point. I was itching to get back to playing it, while simultaneously never wanting it to end. Fantastic work from a debuting Sandfall Interactive [game] - I can’t wait to see what they do next!” Jen Baker “ Death Stranding 2 is a true masterpiece of a game. Absurd at times, deeply emotional, scary, all with an absolutely amazing score. The characters are superb. In particular, Rainy was absolutely wonderful and Higgs, the guitar-shredding Paul Gilbert look-alike villain, was insanely brilliant. And blimey ... the graphics. Just sensational stuff.” Simon White “ Avowed . I’ve started but never finished Skyrim (or any of the Elder Scrolls games), Starfield, any of the Fallouts or Outer Worlds that I think fall into the same category. But Avowed got its hooks into me with a great script and voice acting, seeing the difference my choices made and possibly the best first person, non-shooter combat I’ve tried.” Matt Froggatt “ Split Fiction is the most fun co-op I have played for ages, they have ripped off every genre going and all for the greater co-op good! Plus, it’s not an expensive game and you don’t have to buy two copies. PS: The pigs and hotdog section was beyond funny!” Simon Watson “My favourite game this year has to be a triumphant return to the Lies of P universe and the DLC, Overture . It was so brilliantly done, the storyline was so sad and thoughtful. I just loved the way the prequel developed the main game...

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