It’s the end of 2025, gamers and some of the writers at GamEir have locked in their favourite games they played this year. Check out the list below and let us know what you’ve been playing this year.
Graham’s GamEir Game of the Year
I’ve been wrestling with this decision for a minute. There have been so many titles this year, many RPGs, many AAA and indies, but when it came down to it, I chose a game that stuck with me, not because of its gameplay or graphics, but because of the impact of its story. I chose Digimon Story Time Stranger. The gameplay of Digimon Story Time Stranger is rudimentary, a simple turn-based combat system complemented by a rock, paper, scissors system to spice up combat. It’s nothing new if you’ve played previous entries or other games in the monster-battling genre.
However, what Digimon Story Time Stranger and the whole Digimon franchise have over other titles is their emotional weight. The narrative of Digimon Story Time Stranger is powerful, transcending time and universes, having so much to say about friendship, love, and society. All of this is wrapped in a powerful 60+ hour game packed to the brim with side quests and memorable characters. It brings you to tears, I know it did for me. I could go on and on about Digimon Story Time Stranger, but suffice to say this is a must-play for fans of RPGs and Digimon.
Niall’s GamEir Game of the Year
I realise I’m becoming a bit of a cliché as the “resident Nintendo guy”, but I’m going to stick with my guns to talk about Mario Kart World as my game of the year! Although maybe a controversial choice with the much-discussed price tag and disagreements over the online mode, it often ignores the classic three-track circuits in favour of road trips between courses. Yet the latter is key to the brilliance here. Forget the old school way, the new Knockout tour, a 24-racer road trip battle royale, may be the greatest innovation to the series since the jump to 3D. A truly madcap gauntlet that brings you across vast stretches of the open world, it’s hysterically funny, utterly maddening and deliriously fun.
Though the open world may not be the best in the actual free-roam mode, the possibilities for racing are truly ingenious. An unbelievably comprehensive soundtrack of classic Mario tunes remixed, an OST ranging from bombastic big-band performances to trad Irish tunes that really sell this as the eponymous World it proclaims to be. It’s been a great year for games, but this is easily the title I’ve revisited most, and I hope it’s supported for a long time yet.
Merry Christmas, all! Happy New Year! Hope all of our writers and readers get a nice, quiet time to pull the brakes and play some games.
Lewis’ GamEir Game of the Year
Bonjour! Je m’appelle Lewis et mon jeu de l’année est Clair Obscur: Expédition 33… Sorry, this game just oozes French. It’s hard not to let it rub off on you. After its sweep of numerous awards this year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has set the world on fire.
Using a palette of gorgeous visuals, a stunning soundtrack, a fresh but familiar take on the turn-based formula with characters and a story that keeps you gripped from start to finish, Sandfall Interactive have painted their magnum opus straight out the gate. While there are some blemishes on this artwork, they all just come within the final stretch of the title.
I’ve poured over fifty hours into this title, and I am still pouring more into this game as I clean up secret superboses and endgame locations. The soundtrack is on repeat in my headphones, and I wish I could forget everything about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, so that I could experience this amazing game again. This was easily my pick for my 2025 GOTY.
Jack’s GamEir Game of the Year
“Don’t forget. This is your story now”, the final line that came from my GOTY nomination, Lies Of P: Overture. I’ll be the first to admit that I personally don’t typically agree with DLC’s being nominated for GOTY, but after my time with Overture, while brief, left me excited to see where Neowiz and Round8 are going to take the world and characters in the future.
Overture is set before the events of the main game and features a few familiar faces, but also some new, yet familiar faces, new weaponry, new enemies, all accompanied by an incredible soundtrack, (the final boss theme, and The Clear Blue Sky being some personal standout favorites) and absolutely packed with lore and references to base game friends and foes.
If you haven’t played Lies Of P yet, do it now and then go play this. If you have played Lies Of P and enjoyed it, but you haven’t played this yet, please go and play it.
Paddy’s GamEir Game of the Year
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (KCD2) was my GOTY. I was jumping back and forth from Expedition 33 and KCD2, but there was something about KCD2 that I loved more. I loved the world, the characters, Henry is a great protagonist, and the world is so immersive and real. Choices matter in the game and can lead to big outcomes for characters. I enjoyed the fact that the game and world react to your decisions and how you play.
For example, if you play as a bandit and kill and steal, you are judged if caught and can be branded, which leads to townsfolk not engaging with you for a while. Proper punishment. The brand even stays on Henry for the whole game. Great detail. Keep breaking the law, and you will be executed in a cutscene. Multiple playstyles for all players.
You can be a noble knight and protect the innocent, or maybe a stealthy assassin. It’s up to you. This is why I love KCD2, and with all the DLC finally out, there are hundreds of hours worth of content to enjoy. I believe it deserved Best RPG over 33 at The Game Awards. KCD2 is brilliant and with a good story, an immersive open world and memorable characters, I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t played it yet. Truly a fantastic game.
Thanks for checking out our annual article, guys. Leave your games of 2025 in the comments and let us know what you’re looking forward to in 2026. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year from all of us here at GamEir. We will see you in the new year.
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