While there were very bright spots this year, including the creation of this very website, I am thrilled to finally put this nightmare behind us. Now we can, you know, start the next chapter in the nightmare. But before that, I need to address some problems I ran into while making this list.
I made the decision earlier this year that anything released by Microsoft, a company under boycott for their aid to Israel during their genocidal campaign in Gaza, would not be eligible for any award that I would give. And while I cannot prevent others from writing and speaking about those products, I have done my damnedest across the site and podcast to underline that the Xbox division is a top target for boycotts.
The other extremely annoying societal issue that I have had to come to terms with when writing my awards is the use of generative AI. Of course, “AI” is an incredibly messy term that often includes machine learning tech (like frame generation) that I don’t really have specific issues with, but we know for sure that at least two of these games used the unambiguously gross kind of gen AI.
To the best of my knowledge, they do not have those gen AI assets in the games currently, but my dissatisfaction remains. I beg developers to back away from using LLMs and image generation in the new year. Beg.
With all of that out of the way, let’s start cookin’.
Honorable mention: ‘Donkey Kong Bananza‘
If I had more time for games, I would have finished “Bananza,” and it’s very possible it would have made the list. As it stands, I’m about halfway through this hefty 3D platformer, and I’m having a lovely time.
The camera is wonky, for sure, but it’s charming as hell, and wildly entertaining. Good job — now let this team focus on whatever the next major “Mario” game is.
10. ‘The Berlin Apartment‘
I’m a sucker for a walking sim, so I was easily sold on “Berlin Apartment” to begin with, but I was pleasantly surprised how much variety and emotion they could fit in such a tiny space.
The narrative jumps around from World War 2 to the cold war to the present, and the game does an excellent job showcasing just how much has happened in one city in just a century.
9. ‘Lumines Arise‘
When you have to directly compare your game to “Tetris Effect,” it’s hard to come out on top, but that doesn’t mean “Lumines Arise” isn’t an excellent release. If you love the groove of the other falling block game, this iteration will keep you coming back.
I haven’t had the opportunity to play it in VR yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that makes it even better. Hopefully it ends up on the Quest sooner rather than later.
8. ‘Sword of the Sea‘
What if you could surf on the sand with a sword that is also a skateboard that lets you do sick Tony Hawk tricks? You need not wonder one day more since Giant Squid has delivered the goods.
I liked “The Pathless,” and I loved “Abzu,” so I’m not shocked that these folks made a gorgeous exploration-focused game that feels incredible to play the entire time. It does what it says on the tin.
7. ‘Old Skies‘
Time travel as a service is a fun idea, and it’s more than enough to keep the momentum up as hero Fia Quinn takes clients into the past (and back to the future). The fact that the timeline is so fluid that her biography changes sporadically throughout the length of the game invites speculation of what is possible in this universe beyond the bounds of the video game. Maybe I should take a peek at AO3.
I love Sally Beaumont’s performance as Fia, and the supporting cast is solid as well. Developer Wadjet Eye continues to keep the dream alive for point-and-click fans, and I’m thrilled to support their endeavors.
6. ‘Blippo+‘
I’ve spent much of the year wrestling with my increasing interest in soothing nostalgia as I shy away from the ongoing nightmare. Thankfully, “Blippo+” lets me dabble in those urges without just wallowing in something I’ve already experienced a hundred times.
In spite of some people seeing this alien TV simulator as anything other than a video game, I see it as one of the most delightful ways to use my Switch to date. Sometimes I want to channel surf in a different dimension, and I won’t apologize.
5. ‘Date Everything‘
If you can name a voice actor, they’re probably in here somewhere. A hundred smoochable anthropomorphic versions of household items might sound a bit intimidating at first, but soon you’ll be caught up in the oddball bi poly switch mélange. Are you gonna fuck that table? Yeah you are. That console too. All of ’em.
As horny as it sounds, it’s mostly a sweet story that relies on you being nice to people to progress. It’s hard not to find it charming even if some trysts are more fleshed out than others.
4. ‘Lost Records: Bloom & Rage‘
I’ve enjoyed the majority of Don’t Nod’s work, and “Lost Records” is no exception. Teen misfits are kind of the bread and butter of the studio, so much of the coming of age stuff works exceedingly well. What surprised me was how much I resonated with the women they become. The strong feeling of uneasiness hits me hard.
On top of the strong characters and decent sci-fi story, there’s a very novel layer of DIY documentary creation that lets you explore the world through a ’90s camcorder. It rules.
3. ‘The Roottrees Are Dead‘
It feels like this game was made specifically with me in mind. I spent years building out my family tree, and I’ve often thought about how the high highs of genealogy would make for a superb video game. Somebody finally did it!
I also played the entire game with my wife, so I want to wholeheartedly endorse this as a couple’s activity. Having a person to bounce ideas off of makes everything go so much faster.
2. ‘Dispatch‘
I went in expecting a nice Telltale-esque experience, but I could have never anticipated how much I would fall in love with the entire cast. In spite of the constant infighting and near-death experiences, it’s the feel-good game of the year.
I’d be happy to have more “Dispatch,” but more than anything, I want to see what this team can do now that they’ve had an unqualified success. Sequels are fine and all, but I’d love to see more original settings.
1. ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33‘
As strongly as I feel about the other games in the top three, there was never any doubt in my mind that “Clair Obscur” would take my top spot.
I was just as engaged with the mechanics as I was the narrative, and that very rarely happens for me. Hell, I didn’t want to stop playing once I was finished with the main campaign, and that almost never happens these days.
Add in the top-notch score and some unbelievable voice acting, and you have yourself a GOTY. There’s a reason why it’s damn-near sweeping the top ten lists this year: It’s good as hell.
Image credit: “Sword of the Sea,” “Date Everything,” “Clair Obscur,” “Blippo+”
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