Here we are at the end of 2025, which means I’m ready to take a look back at all the games I played this year – no matter when they came out – and rank the top 5 I enjoyed the most.
I’m breaking my own rules this year. I never include games I haven’t finished yet. This year, one made the list anyway.
So, let’s get started.
Honorable Mentions
Let’s kick things off with three honorable mentions this year. First up is Metaphor: ReFantazio, which didn’t get on last year’s list because I didn’t finish it until early this year. It’s great, and a strong contender, but it didn’t make the final 5. Fate/Stay Night is another strong contender and nearly earned itself a spot on the list, but in the end the other games overshadowed it. Finally, Shuten Order turned out to be a fantastic game that I loved every minute of… just not enough to get into the top 5.
Which games did make the list, then?
5. Trails in the Sky the 3rd
I went back and forth on whether Trails in the Sky the 3rd or Fate/Stay Night should have this 5th spot on the list; in fact, I started to write a paragraph for Fate before I changed my mind and switched it to Trails. Like I mentioned in my review, Trails in the Sky the 3rd is much more character-focused, which makes the main plot feel weaker in comparison. However, it had so many great moments, emotional scenes, and intriguing pieces of setup for future games that I’ve been itching to play Trails from Zero ever since. Some of its scenes made a definite impact on me, enough that I had to give it a spot.
But while Fate might have narrowly missed getting on my list, what about something from the same writer?
4. Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon
Did I really only finish the Tsukihime remake earlier this year? It feels like it was much longer ago… probably because my memories of doing Arcueid’s route last year are so strong. Anyway, Arcueid alone made such an impression on me that it deserves this spot for that alone, never mind all the great moments from Ciel’s route.
Looking forward to hearing news about the remake of the other half of the game. Any minute now. Any… minute… now…
……
3. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Right at the end of the year, I finally finished playing Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, aka Yakuza 8. I haven’t had time to write my full review yet, so you can expect that soon. For now, all I’ll say is that for me, it has one of the weaker main stories of the series, but it makes up for it with emotional character moments, addictive side content, and Yamai.
There were a lot of times while playing it when I thought I wasn’t enjoying myself, but then I’d encounter one of its brilliant moments or spend the whole afternoon on Dondoko Island or see a new Yamai scene, and then it felt like the best thing ever. In short, while I have mixed feelings about it that I’ll discuss in my review, I feel confident giving it the third spot on this list.
2. The House in Fata Morgana: Reincarnation
Yes, you read that right, Reincarnation. The short sequel included with the console version. “But Sam, what happened to Requi–” I haven’t played Requiem yet. I went out of order and played Reincarnation first. That’s why I haven’t reviewed it yet, because I’m waiting to cover it and Requiem together. Now, it’s basically impossible to discuss it without spoilers, so all I’ll say is it’s lighthearted, funny, and so much better than I expected after seeing its divisive reputation online.
If you want me to say anything more than that right now, you’ll have to go play the original The House in Fata Morgana, which is amazing and one of my all-time favorites.
Now, for our last entry on the list, it’s time to break my own long-standing rule.
1. The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
As a rule, I never include a game on this end-of-year list unless I’ve actually finished it, no matter how much I’m enjoying it. But I’m going to make an exception for The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, because I’ve played it for almost 90 hours and seen 24 endings, and even though I still have 76 endings to go, I feel qualified to declare it to be the best game I’ve played this year. My rule against including unfinished games is because a game could fall flat on its face in the end, but the way this game is structured makes that a little different. If all 76 remaining endings are terrible, that might make me reconsider, but I’ve seen 90 hours and 24 endings of the best game I played this year, so I’m counting it!
I went into The Hundred Line viewing it as basically Not-Danganronpa, and while it definitely has Danganronpa DNA running through it, it’s also its own unique thing.
The characters, humor, gameplay, and even the structure itself have all come together to make it an incredible game for me, and I absolutely intend to see all 100 endings before I finish. Also, “even though I still have 76 endings to go” is an absolutely insane statement and stands as testament to how ambitious the game is.
Does that mean The Hundred Line could qualify for next year’s list too? Heh… we’ll just have to see.
Conclusion
In a year where I didn’t finish as many games as usual, mainly because I picked several gargantuan ones to play, Trails in the Sky the 3rd, Tsukihime, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, The House in Fata Morgana: Reincarnation, and my first 90 hours of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy stood out to me the most!
Strange… every game that made this list has a character who took up permanent residence in my brain, except for Trails in the Sky the 3rd. Maybe I should have given the 5th spot to Fate/Stay Night after all, since I keep having thoughts about a character who shall remain nameless it’s Kirei.
Anyway, what are your favorite games you played this year?
