Hello there, and welcome to my end of year retrospective. This has been a pretty unpredictable year for gaming, with some amazingly fun games being released, alongside some real train wrecks. There have been series revivals, continuations of existing franchises and excellent indie titles, there was even a once cancelled game finally being brought to fruition. Like last year, I will be sharing the 10 games that I have enjoyed the most over the past 12 months.
This list was hard to whittle down to only 10 games, with many excellent games that I have been able to get hands on with. So alongside the list of games that have made the short list, there will be some honourable mentions at the bottom that sadly missed the cut. This list is in no particular order, with a brief summary of each game, a few personal thoughts and a link to the full review.
So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started with the best of 2025 list.
Ai-deal-Rays
Developer – Riez-ON
Publisher – Riez-ON
This is a fast paced 3D action battle game, set in the year 2200 where AI Androids are now part of everyday human society. After the Full Intelligence “Re;ON Series” are released, the player encounters TYPE-X2 Ai-deal, becoming her owner and setting in motion events that will change the future. In this game, the player controls Ai-deal, guiding her through intense, fast paced battles against a range of androids across vibrant and varied settings.
Over the course of 10 chapters, the action is solid and simple to pick up, making it easy for players to get into the action. There is also a lot of fanservice, with various attacks and scenes being of a risqué nature, which prevents it from getting stale. The story is engaging, with a charm that matches the anime style that the game wears, which I became heavily invested in during play. This was a pleasant experience, with a lot of content to enjoy in a compact package.
Ai-deal-Rays is available on Steam as the “General Version” which is release I experienced, you can find a link to it in the review itself (HERE). Please Note, there is an R18 version of the game available, with details about it on the steam page.
Kimono Cats
Developer –HumaNature Studios
Publisher – RedDeer.Games
In this cosy adventure, take a walk through the festivals of Edo, Japan with your companion and enjoy the various stalls on each festival road. On this trip through the festivals of Edo, travel across 18 festival roads and engage in many different mini-games, all while wearing colorful kimonos. Using throwing darts, the player will engage in various activities, earning coins and rewards, with some events having effects on the characters and the stage itself.
There is also a social aspect to this game, as players can use the rewards they have earned, or bought from the shop to build their own village. There are many unique themes, sets and styles that players can use to build their village. It is also possible to visit other villages, either the ones provided with the game or through online play, with special bonuses to be obtained. This is a special and unique game that can be played with that special someone.
Kimono Cats is available on Nintendo Switch and Steam, you can find links to the game in the review (HERE)
Marron’s Day
Developer – NPCKC
Publisher – NPCKC, RAWRLAB Games
Marron’s Day is a Game Boy Color game, with the protagonist being the little bunny Marron, who is on an adventure to try and save the town festival. In order for Marron to ensure that the festival goes ahead, the player will need to solve puzzles and complete requests. These include classic mini-games, like block pushing and fishing. All of these elements make this game feel like it came out in the 90s, with all of the charm of classic hand held games.
This game has all of the charm of a classic game boy color game, with varied color palettes for the different areas, cute sprites and delightful music. There are also additional bonus materials for this game, including scans of the manual, a gallery and music player. This game is not the longest, but has plenty of content for players to enjoy and return to. This is one of if not the best modern game boy games that I have played in quite a while.
Marron’s Day is available on Nintendo Switch, Steam and also as a physical cartridge, you can find links to the game in the review (HERE)
Shooty Shooty Robot Invasion
Developer – Bubby Darkstar
Publisher – Bubby Darkstar
Set in Amerikaw, this absurdist first person shooter boasts hand drawn sprite based graphics, vibrant worlds and surreal comedy, all against the backdrop of murdering robots. As the protagonist Shooty, go on an odyssey through ridiculous settings to save the world. Players can blast away hordes of robots with a variety of weapons in each location, with dramatic set pieces that push the action forward. This is all wrapped in an over the top obscenity laden narrative.
While the game can be cleared in about 8 hours for the main story if you rush, there are several secrets in each chapter, as well as many NPCs to interact with. The side missions that appear will also add to the experience, with mini games and challenges that can be optional. Everything about this game is weird, with the jokes, references and characters all having quirks that make them stand out on their own. And it has some of the best gun play in a modern 2D FPS.
Shooty Shooty Robot Invasion is available on Steam, with a link to the game in the review (HERE)
Victory Heat Rally
Developer – Skydevilpalm
Publisher – Playtonic Friends
Inspired by the arcade classic Power Drift, Victory Heat Rally is an exhilarating retro styled racing game, offering a distinct and colorful racing experience. Take on the challenges of the Victory Heat Championship, across 12 locations with a total of 12 racers to choose from. The game starts with only 3 championships and drivers, but as the player makes their way through the game, they will have the chance to unlock more content.
The action has that arcade style, with players driving at breakneck speeds, drifting sharply around corners and going over big jumps. Players can also use drift boosts, which will give that extra burst of speed to get ahead of the competition. All of this is accompanied by stylised and gorgeous characters, with the roving reporter Sally McRally being the mascot. This is a real blast from the past, offering an experience that stands above many recent releases in the genre.
Victory Heat Rally is available on Steam and Nintendo switch, with links to the game in the review (HERE)
Death end re;Quest: Code Z
Developer – Idea Factory, Compile Heart, NOWPRO (Now Production)
Publisher – Idea Factory International
This is the latest entry in the JRPG/Visual Novel hybrid series, which blends elements of fantasy and science fiction, with brutal horror. In this latest chapter, players will engage in rogue-like dungeon crawling action, while unravelling the mysteries of the world through the narrative. This is the first of the series to use this system, making it unique, but it is also unique in another way. Death is a requirement for the protagonist to progress and grow.
As the player makes their way through the game, death will be following them closely, with grotesque and highly descriptive “Death Ends”. The gorgeous yet disturbing art and narrative is through a collaboration between Kei Nanameda, the artist for many Idea Factory games and Makoto Kedouin, the creator of Corpse Party. This game is the most intense of the series, and possibly one of the most violent and graphic JRPG titles released on consoles.
Death end re;Quest: Code Z is available on PlayStation and Steam, with links to the game in the review (HERE)
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
Developer – WayForward
Publisher – WayForward, Limited Run Games
This adventure is the latest entry in the long running magical adventure series, which was originally planned for the Game Boy Advance. This was cancelled long ago, but was revived last year for the handheld, then brought to modern platforms. Like the other games, this follows the same platforming adventure formula, with metroidvania and puzzle solving elements. But this game has its own unique gimmick, the power of world rotation.
Sequin land has been changed by Risky Boots and the Tremor Engine, which has caused the landscape to change. The player can use this to switch the stage around, allowing for puzzles to be solved and new areas to be explored. This makes for a very special adventure, which stands out on its own from the others. As the console release is an enhanced port, there is a version with updated visuals, the original version and a special multiplayer mode.
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is available on all console platforms and Steam, with links to the game in the review (HERE)
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
Developer – Adglobe, Live Wire
Publisher – Binary Haze Interactive
Ender Magnolia takes place in the Land of Fumes, a once prosperous land where magic was used to create Homunculi, but the toxic fumes turned them into mutants. In this side scrolling action RPG, with Metroidvania elements, the player controls Lilac, an amnesiac girl who can harness the powers of Homunculi. Wielding the powers of the Homunculi she encounters, lilac uses them for combat, puzzle solving and challenging platforming action.
The narrative for this game is engaging, with a world that is both beautiful and haunting, which is atmospheric in its presentation. The action is smooth and responsive, with a good flow to the exploration, with fluid animations throughout. This is a satisfying game experience, and the soundtrack which is composed by Mili (the artist responsible for the Goblin Slayer theme) evokes many emotions during play.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is available on all console platforms and Steam, with links to the game in the review (HERE)
Gal Guardians – Servants of the Dark
Developer – Inti Creates
Publisher – Inti Creates, PQube Games
As the demon maids Kirika and Masha, set out on a quest to restore your beloved Demon Lord Maxim. This is the second entry in the action adventure spin off of Gal Gun, offering an expanded experience from the previous game. This time the player has a full map that can be explored, with designated areas that players will explore and open up during the adventure. As the two demon maids, use their unique skills to battle the powerful foes of the demon realm.
In this title, players will be able to take on the dangers in single player, freely switching between the two girls to take on the challenges. But for those who want to engage in the chaos with another, there is a co-op option, where both are active at once. This gives two distinct experiences, with a balanced challenge and exciting action, which is wrapped in a pixel art style, offering players a vibrant yet grim adventure through the demon realms.
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is available on all console platforms and Steam, with links to the game in the review (HERE)
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero
Developer – Nippon Ichi Software, NIS America
Publisher – NIS America
After many Years Phantom Brave Returns, with Marona, the girl who can communicate with phantoms as the hero. After being attacked by ghost ships, Marona is separated from her friend Ash, washing up on Skullrock Island. Here she meets the phantom Apricot, and together they set off on a new adventure. This Strategy JRPG boasts vibrant 3D graphics, using the Disgaea engine to great effect, which evolves the Phantom Brave series.
There is a delightful experience, with many similarities to the more recognisable sister series, but features unique gameplay mechanics that really elevate it. This game also has that distinct NIS charm, with a heart warming and emotional story, with gorgeous art, adorable characters and plenty of fun to be had. This is a really strong title, which is another in a long line of high quality Strategy JRPGS, and a wonderful revival of a game from 20+ years ago.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Steam, with links to the game in the review (HERE)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
These are titles that I really enjoyed, but they just missed out on being included on the main list. However, I still want to share them, so here are the ones that sadly didn’t make the cut.
Maiden Cops – a vibrant and challenging arcade style brawler with an all-female cast, where the Maiden Cops take on a criminal syndicate to save their city. From Pippin Games and Eastasiasoft, with the review (HERE)
Mado Mongatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy – the newest entry in the legendary JRPG series that was the predecessor to the Puyo Puyo franchise. As the aspiring great mage Fia, embark on a dungeon crawling adventure to achieve your dream. From Compile Heart, STING, Idea Factory and Idea Factory International, with the review (HERE)
Disgaea 7 Complete – the definitive edition of the latest entry in the cult Strategy JRPG series, offering enhanced performance, visuals and additional gameplay/story content. Players can also enjoy all of the DLC that was previous released included. From Nippon Ichi Software and NIS America, with the review (HERE)
Neon Inferno – in a dystopian New York, take on the role of an assassin, taking down targets in various neon soaked locations. This retro style shooter is a mix of side scrolling shooter and gallery shooter, with buckets of blood to spill against the vibrant backdrops. The game is from Zenovia Interactive and Retroware, with the review (HERE)
Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos – this fast paced spin-off of the Neptunia series has the characters riding special motorcycles, which they use to capture Dogoo that are trying to take over the world. as one of the CPU goddesses, take on the enemy riders to capture the Dogoo before the enemy does. From Compile Heart, Idea Factory and Idea Factory International, with the review (HERE)
Trouble Witches Final!: Episode1 Daughters of Amalgam – the latest iteration of the horizontal scrolling bullet hell shooter, with all of the content from all other version, enhanced visuals, extra gameplay modes and the witch Cotton as an extra DLC character. From Rocket Engine, Studio SiestA and ININ Games, with the review (HERE)
W.Kohaku Media 