2025
Ghost Runner II - Steam Deck
We’re jumping right into the first review of 2025. When you talk about the evolution between GhostRunner 1 and 2 I think GhostRunner 2 is good. It greatly expands on the universe of Dharma Tower and even goes so far as to show you the outside world. There is lots to love about the sequel to GhostRunner provided you enjoyed the first one. The mechanics are the same with a bunch of them being tweaked to improve their performance. The controls however are different so be aware when playing them back to back it’s a whole new learning curve. Overall the game was very enjoyable but I didn’t connect to its story all that much and found a bunch of the character interactions flat. I think I would classify this game as a one-play wonder. If it’s on sale and you want a parkour action game pick it up.
2024
Ghost Runner - Steam Deck
Another addition to the 2024 yearbook is GhostRunner the parkour cyber samurai game that will make you hate parkour and yourself. The aesthetic of this cool messed up world was gorgeous. The entire game takes place in Dharma Tower the last bastion of humanity after an apocalyptic event. However, after The Architect is overthrown Jack the GhostRunner activates and goes on a murderous rampage to kill the corrupt ruler. As you can see the story is pretty boilerplate with lackluster depth and twists. Truthfully I think the star of this game is the fast-paced movement and parkour. Those aspects are well done. From wall running to slowing time, you feel like a badass as you fly through waves of enemies and deflect bullets. But should you get scratched by a stray bullet be prepared to start over. In this game, you are always one shot and things must be done with precision. I can see this making it tough for a lot of players to get through the game. I certainly had a few moments where I wanted to quit. Despite that, the game was fun and I’m currently playing the sequel GhostRunner 2. I think if you’re in the mood for a short 8-12 hour challenge with techno music and parkour this franchise is for you.
Dredge - Steam Deck
Rocketing into the top 3 for 2024 right in the final few days is Dredge. I enjoyed this atmospheric fishing game and I found it a special delight to play on the Steam deck. I loved the art of all the fish and people you encounter on the mysterious seas. The game is very short coming in at only 8 hours for me to beat but there was so much to this game that it felt a lot longer. I think it is an impeccable example of indie game-making. It’s no wonder this game was nominated for Indie Game of the Year.
Black Myth Wukong
Black Myth Wukong is just like what it’s based on, a legend. The game is incredible from top to bottom and I love getting to see Asian myth represented in the gaming sphere. This game has shot to the top of my 2024 game of the year charts and with only 1 month left it will go toe to toe with Baldur’s Gate 3 in the arena. Like a good friend told me “this game is a gateway for Chinese developers to create some amazing AAA content”.
Death’s Door - Steam Deck
What will you see on your deathbed? According to this game a Crow with a sword. That’s right Death’s Door is a game where you play the grim Reaper, or a low-level employee of a corrupt corporation dedicated to the immortality of its traumatized and manipulative CEO. So pretty much an Amazon employee. The top-down combat is extremely fun and goes well with the light humor sprinkled throughout the game. Death’s Door was a short and quick delight that I’m proud to put on this list.
Animal Well - Steam Deck
A pixel art adventure about a little glob who navigates its way to the bottom of a terrifying well. Animal Well was an amazing small indie puzzle game that closely relates to Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight. I thoroughly enjoyed the colors and creepy atmosphere the game presented. If you’re looking for a game to play that feels like a strange watercolor come to life I’d suggest Animal Well.
Balatro - Steam Deck
A shockingly delightful roguelike that deserves every ounce of success headed its way. The game is hard to explain to those who haven’t played it. I highly recommend giving it a try. Make sure you have a friend though to pull you out of your addiction. Enough said.
Sea of Stars - Steam Deck
A hero’s journey with intricate twists and a delightful art style defines this superstar indie game. Sea of Stars is an amazing turn-based strategy game with tons of complex elements such as damage types, timers, and mid-combat character swaps. I cannot wait to play this game again to 100% it and solve its various unfinished puzzles. I highly recommend this game to anyone who has a lot of time on their hands and wants to experience some indie fun. I will say the game is left open-ended with the potential for a sequel that I hope we see soon.
Spiritfarer - Steam Deck
Saying goodbye is a part of life. This beautifully animated game reminds me of that fact. Spiritfarer is probably one of the coziest games I’ve played in recent years. Its laid-back gameplay style supports the melancholic yet peaceful theme of the game. I felt the mechanics behind the game were good and the crafting clerical work it has you do is fine but that is not where the game thrives. Personally, it shines when it comes to the characters and emotional journey. The goofy and sometimes difficult traveling companions you meet have such rich personalities that suck you in and keep you invested in their growth. Then of course when it is time to say goodbye it’s even harder. Spiritfarer is a gaming experience I think we should all have once in our lives. It is one of those rare games that makes a player reflect on their own life and find joy in companions around them. Bring a box of tissues because this one is a must-play.
Escape The Backrooms
This review comes a little late since I’ve played the game but I wanted to review it nonetheless. Backrooms was a terrifyingly hilarious experience that my friends and I were not prepared for. The game was creative in so many ways with its various puzzles and monsters and none of us left disappointed except when the game finally ended. Escape the Backrooms has stolen my heart this year and is very well gunning for the Indie Game of the Year. The game is perfect in its own way and there’s not much left to say. So gather your friends, check some IDs, and good luck. You’ll need it.
Viewfinder - Steam Deck
A short artistic game that plays with reality and perception and strives to remind us that without proper care our planet will turn into a ball of ruin. It was an indie game masterpiece and I loved every puzzle the designers threw in. Every level was innovative and interesting and some of them were downright hard. Quite possibly my favorite indie so 2024 so far but there are lots more to come. Definitely a recommendation.
Lego Builder’s Journey - Steam Deck
My first Steam Deck game. It was cozy and sad and perfect in every way. Builder’s Journey has a very simplistic plot that features the pains of being an adult, the wonder of children, and how to reconnect with our inner joy. The gameplay is an easy click and place (but pieces can be hard to see sometimes). The art style and color are stunning and I cannot believe such a simple game contains so much power. If you have 3 hours I would recommend this game wholeheartedly.
Stellar Blade
Stellar Blade was a gorgeous game with tons of heart and soul. I know when most folks look at this game their minds go to a very specific place but if you can look beyond that you’ll discover that Stellar Blade has some extremely entertaining qualities. The characters are fun, unique, and interesting and the world gave me enough mysteries to keep my attention. However, I think the real superstar of Stellar Blade is the combat. It is so much fun and stupidly satisfying. The production team behind this game nailed what it feels like to be a powerful monster slayer. I would highly recommend this game to anyone especially if you’re looking for something different creatively.
Mortal Kombat 1
Someone call the TVA because Liu Kang needs some help. Seriously though he needs them on speed dial. I have always had a love for Mortal Kombat’s world and story. 2024 is the year I own that love. Mortal Kombat 1 (for me) may very well be a top contender for Best In Class 2024. I felt the way they expanded on the characters I’ve learned so much about was unique and added a lot of value to the overall universe of MK. The twists of the game were frankly surprising and I was left guessing where the game may end up a few times. In the end, I was happy with how the story concluded and it was nice to see how mature the violent fighting game has become. If you’re someone like me who loves unique worlds, characters, and concepts then MK is for you. It may take some wiki reading for YouTube videos to get caught up (plus maybe playing MK 10 and 11) but it’s well worth it for the roughly 4 hour-long movie this game is.
Hogwart’s Legacy
While not the biggest fan of The Wizarding World I was actually excited to play this game. I’ve always loved the aesthetic, magic, and scenery of Harry Potter but I never quite connected with the story. The same can be said for this latest iteration in the genre. Hogwarts legacy boasted a large open world and fully explorable Hogwarts castle and I have to say it delivered. I really enjoyed running around Hogwarts, Hogsmead, and the various small towns. The developers spent time making these places feel alive and immersing you in all things magic. I’ve never felt as excited to explore a castle as I was uncovering all the nooks and crannies of Hogwarts. But sure the world is great but what about the magic? There’s no good game without good magic. Well, let me tell you the creators of Hogwarts Legacy delivered. The combat and utility magic of this game is super entertaining. You can tell extra love was spent recreating all the lovable spells from the movies. Not only that but the choreography while using spells just flows so well. It is arguably the strongest point of the game. But yet something still causes a disconnect and unfortunately it’s the narrative. Hogwarts Legacy plays out more like a high school fan fiction than a triple-A title. While it started out interesting and I really enjoyed the subplots and side characters none of the actual main quests resonated with me. You start school as this new kid in 5th year and have a super special talent that makes you better than everyone else and is the only person who can save Hogwarts, aside from that you are constantly aiming to stop a villain who shows up a maximum 3 times and just has zero substance. All of this is a shame because there are some truly poetic subplots about friendship, love, and death that make the game worth playing. Personally, I would have liked the game a lot better if you started Hogwarts as a 1st year and played through 5th year with no real aggressive core plot other than going to school and building meaningful relationships that may or may not cause love, friendship, pain, death, etc at the end of the game. I think a game structured like that would reflect what Harry Potter is all about, growing up.
Dead Island 2
A short addition to the completed list but one that had a lot of potential. Dead Island 2 was easily a top 5 favorite zombie game mechanically. The feel of cracking a skull with a giant hammer was quite entertaining and I found the skills doled out during the campaign to be a refreshing addition when gameplay started to get stale. I wish however Dead Island 2 had a bigger world. The confined and divided maps did not allow for much exploration. I felt a majority of the time I was running from objective to objective with no real desire to do anything else. Sure the maps were pretty to look at but they lacked any substance that could truly make this SoCal zombie apocalypse stand out. In addition, I felt the story was frankly nothing special. The characters were good for a laugh or two but I never ended up caring for them. All in all, I respect the Dead Island franchise for paving the way for other zombie survival games but I’ll stick to Dying Light.
Baldur’s Gate 3
I think this game has the wrong title, it should be called Dungeons and Dragons Simulator. Baldur’s Gate made me feel like I was playing a tabletop game minus last-minute canceling and no one ever being free. The content in the game was astounding and left me speechless. The ability to create any character with tons of combinations made my playthrough feel unique. I also found the ability to respec any playable characters at any time really drove home the diversity of play styles. I was taken aback by how lively the world felt. It seemed like they captured the spirit of adventure and made me feel excited to get on and play every time. I believe this game deserved every award that came its way and I’m excited to see how the game grows in the future. As it stands now I’d highly recommend Baldur’s Gate for any DnD lover or fantasy connoisseur.
2023
Starfield
Starfield had trouble keeping my attention from the start. The game has a less interesting introduction than Skyrim which drags. Once you’re free from the main story, the world you think will be vast and interesting turns out to be bland and empty. Unfortunately, I have yet to finish the game but that fact speaks to my opinion.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores
I felt that Burning Shores followed the same path as the core game but to a much smaller degree. The story of Burning Shores is interesting to the world of Horizon but as an expansion, it just felt like one big side quest. Important plot points and characters felt rushed and the villain was underwhelming. I still conclude Burning Shores is important to play for the future story of Horizon but as far as expansions go it feels very average.
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is the titanic sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn and has an extremely unique world. Dinosaur Robots was not something I thought I’d ever get in an open-world game but boy did I sink loads of hours into both games. Forbidden West thrives on the quality of its lore and world-building. Not only that but the game’s protagonist is someone players can connect with. These aspects I would say are the highlight of Forbidden West’s storytelling. The heart of the game, its main story, is intriguing and gripping but fails to meet the scope of the world and does not shine as brightly compared to the game’s exploration. I am not saying the story is bad, far from it. The exploration and world-building portion of the game just simply outshines its narrative. I will say however the twists of the game do compel the players and drive forward the characters’ motivations.
God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla
Valhalla is another master class from Santa Monica Studios. I have yet to play a DLC that adds as much heart and character to a game since Blood and Wine in the Witcher 3 but Valhalla met that bar. It really is the true epilogue to the two new God of War games and gives us a nice window into what could happen next for Kratos. This expansion answers several lingering questions left over from the core game and does a great job of making the player feel satisfied. The Roguelike gameplay to Valhalla was an interesting choice for God of War. I wasn’t sure how I was going to enjoy their approach but in the end I loved it. Santa Monica Studios did a good job making their decision make sense narratively and justified it using the rules of the world. On top of that they made dying over and over again feel like progress. They also changed the skills and upgrades menu making it feel like there was more to do beyond running around the black shores of the afterlife. My closest comparison to the feeling of playing this expansion is like playing a Hades and God of War baby.
Spider-Man 2
Honestly, there is not much to write about Spider-Man 2. The game was amazing in so many ways and remains the gold standard for character development, gameplay, and narrative twists. I was concerned going in that Spider-Man 2 could not live up to its predecessor but I truly had nothing to be worried about. The game masterfully builds off Miles Morales and Spider-Man. It also opens up New York to a new degree and makes the city feel more alive
God of War Ragnarok
God of War Ragnarok is a masterclass in storytelling. Every inch of the narrative is compelling, interesting, and emotional. I don’t think I found a single second where I wasn’t interested in what I was doing. Even during exploration and side quests. The characters of Ragnarok are in-depth and extremely well-written. You end up caring about every single one of them including the villains. I must also take a minute to give props to the cast for their stellar performances that are truly Oscar-worthy. God of War Ragnarok does an excellent job growing from its predecessor and making the game feel more like an evolution of the story and less of a sequel. This is because God of War Ragnarok really built on the foundations that 2018 God of War laid out. It vastly improved the skills trees making them more engaging and more worthwhile. Ragnarok expands on the skills of Kratos’ companions and gives them new and interesting ways to fight. But the cherry on top is the expansion that Santa Monica Studios gave to the world. Not only does Kratos return to some well-loved Realms but all 9 of them are open to exploration. The Gameplay of Ragnarok is probably the only thing that stayed relatively the same. There are some excellent additions to both climbing and combat that make the game feel fresh. But overall Santa Monica Studios did not need to divert from their original recipe to be successful. There are some wonderful additions that I won’t spoil but at its core, the gameplay of Ragnarok is everything we know and love from 2018 God of War.
Humanity
Humanity was certainly a surprising 2023 indie game. I was not sure how I was going to like it and frankly only picked it up because of the goofy people. However, I finished that game because it was awesome. The story was a little flat and existential but it wasn’t the main core of the game. The puzzles of the game were entertaining and often had twists. Humanity was an excellent indie game that I would recommend 9/10
Dave the Diver
Dave the Diver was an interesting experience and by interesting I mean addictive. The narrative of the game was certainly not at the forefront although it was entertaining. Dave the Diver managed to turn a very simplistic concept into a rich and hilarious world. Every character I encountered was unique and had my belly laughing for hours. I absolutely loved Dave the Diver’s short and sweet story and I can not wait to play it again.
Tears of the Kingdom
The Story of Tears of the Kingdom is entertaining, to say the least. It brings back some old characters from Breath of the Wild and really makes Hyrule feel alive. Having spent my summer hours as Link I can also say the game’s main story does not compare to its wealth of side quests, errands, and world events. Tears thrive with how full and inviting Hyrule is. At every corner, it felt like there was something new to do. Lots of fun puzzles to solve. That fact made the game all the more entertaining and incredibly long. It wasn’t until I got back to the main story that I realized I could finish the game extremely quickly.
Jedi Survivor
Jedi: Survivor… Yet another fantastic addition to a galaxy far far away. The game follows up with Cal Kestis after a brief time jump from Jedi: Fallen Order. Getting back into this game series with Survivor was a wonderful experience. The development team did an excellent job introducing new characters and flushing out old ones. The entire story of the game I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Most importantly, however, the twists of this game really sell it. The many moments in the game that make you say “Oh my god” and “What’s going on” really push it beyond the first one.
Pokemon Legends of Arceus
Legends of Arceus felt like a very fresh Pokemon game. From a narrative standpoint, I felt the time period of the game gave it a lot of intrigue and opportunity to develop the foundation of future Pokemon games. The story really makes you feel like you’re contributing to the future of the Pokemon universe and also stopping a classic Pokemon villain at the same time. I would definitely recommend this game to anyone searching for a breath of fresh air in the Pokemon franchise. The gameplay mechanics of Legends of Arceus were my favorite part of the game. Instead of the classic tall grass battle and over-the-top hunting for your favorite squad the game allows you to find Pokemon more easily. However, catching these Pokemon also requires a lot more strategy. This new mixture proved to be very entertaining while I plotted out how I was going to catch this Pokemon so many levels higher than me.
Dead Space
Dead Space? More like spooky space. I don’t normally play horror games (unless it’s October) but Dead Space was an exception. The story of the game was actually quite good but don’t get me started on the atmosphere. Out of all the things in the game that is what really sold it and what kept me coming back for more. The eerie and deathly atmosphere of the Ishimura is a prime example of how to keep players on their toes. Throughout the entire game, I jumped out of my chair at the slightest sounds and my eyes were glued to the screen. Dead Space does an excellent job creating a captivating horror game that I highly recommend playing next October.
Pokemon Violet
Pokemon Violet is the latest and most up-and-coming Pokemon. There’s not much to say for the narrative of the latest installment since it follows the same path almost every other game in the franchise has followed. However, the characters of the game were unique and the new Pokemon additions were fun. The main draw of this Pokemon game is definitely the mechanics and the open world. Mechanically the game brought a new to battle Pokemon, quickly level your party, and hunt for shinies without having to engage in tedious battle screens for hours on end. In fact, this is the first Pokemon game I found myself trying to catch a shiny. The ability to hit one button and quickly battle a Pokemon felt revolutionary. But the open world is where things get very interesting. Now to start, I did feel that the map was a little empty and graphically not the best but I can see how this game will evolve into something so much more for the franchise. Personally, I really enjoyed not just having routes, caves, and towns. Although these things are a staple it felt more freeing to be able to explore the world at my leisure. This new Pokemon game is definitely worth the time and money whether you are a long-term fan or just getting into it.
A Plague’s Tale Reqium
This is a game that came out of left field. I had always seen some things about it online but they were very minimal things. Just that it had come out and was on game pass. However, the concept caught my curiosity and I actually ended up playing both of them. Needless to say, I loved them. You won’t find a review for the first game here but I do highly recommend it. The gameplay and story are extremely captivating and the second game only builds on both these features. Requiem added some much-needed improvements to the first game making it feel more fresh and more realistic. It also really dove into its cast of characters and left my mouth agape at the end. I honestly think this game might rank in my top 100 of all time and quite possibly my top 10 emotional journeys of all time. If you’re looking to play a semi-stealth, puzzle, story game this year then I would look no further because you found it.
