As the festive period offers a rare chance for dedicated gaming time, readers of The Guardian's Pushing Buttons newsletter have cast their votes for the video game releases that defined their year. The responses highlight a diverse mix of blockbuster sequels, innovative indie titles, and surprise hits that dominated playtime in 2025.
Blockbuster Sequels and Critical Darlings
Several major releases received fervent praise from the community. Death Stranding 2 was hailed by reader Simon White as a "true masterpiece," celebrated for its emotional depth, absurdist moments, and stunning graphical fidelity. The game's characters, particularly Rainy and the villain Higgs, were singled out for special acclaim.
Similarly, Ghost of Yōtei, released in October, cemented its place as a long-term favourite for Gareth Jones, who described it as "everything that Assassin’s Creed wishes it could be." Its fluid gameplay, compelling story, and high-quality side missions were noted as key strengths.
The highly anticipated Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 was declared an "outstanding" all-time favourite by Bob Watkins, while the Lies of P DLC, Overture, was praised by Tara Cooper for its brilliant storytelling and challenging, epic boss fights.
Surprise Hits and Co-op Triumphs
Beyond the expected heavy hitters, several games emerged as unexpected obsessions. Arc Raiders was a standout for Brett Bates, whose gaming life was "completely taken over" by its immersive sound design, tense gameplay, and surprisingly positive community spirit.
On the cooperative front, Split Fiction was championed by Simon Watson as the "most fun co-op I have played for ages," applauding its genre-blending mechanics and hilarious moments. For groups seeking strategic depth, Mechabellum provided the perfect autobattler fix, offering 20-minute matches that suited time-pressed players in their late thirties.
Indie Gems and Emotional Journeys
The reader recommendations also shone a light on smaller, impactful titles. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a debut from Sandfall Interactive, was "devoured" by Jen Baker, who lauded its story, setting, music, and characters.
Perhaps the most heartfelt endorsement was for Chicory: A Colorful Tale. Silvano Cardin described it as a life-changing experience, praising its well-written story dealing with depression in a constructive and original way, alongside fun painting-based gameplay and a moving score by Lena Raine.
Other notable indie mentions included the uniquely wholesome Promise Mascot Agency, the narrative-driven Dispatch, and the utterly absorbing puzzle game Blue Prince, which left Marie-Jill Landry constantly thinking about it even when not playing.
Virtual Reality and Niche Favourites
The virtual reality space had a clear winner for 2025. Ghost Town by Fireproof Games was named the top VR title by Martina Stender, celebrated for its strong 1980s-set narrative, stunning visuals, and challenging puzzles.
The list was rounded out by personal favourites spanning various genres: the rogue-like beat-'em up Absolum, the addictive card battler Monster Train 2, and Obsidian's RPG Avowed, which succeeded in hooking Matt Froggatt where other major RPGs had failed.
The collective response underscores a vibrant year for gaming, where both sprawling AAA experiences and focused indie projects found dedicated and passionate audiences. The Pushing Buttons team has encouraged readers to continue sharing feedback and suggestions for coverage in the coming year.
