Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers and editors to share their own personal PS5 picks for 2025. Today, it's the turn of editor Sammy Barker.

5. Wuthering Waves

Wuthering Waves

Did I really need another gacha game in my life? The answer is, of course, no. I dabbled with Wuthering Waves when it debuted on mobile, but I only properly got into it with its PS5 release in January. And I think you can tell dev Kuro has analysed everything that’s great in Genshin Impact, and re-presented it as part of a polished package.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t put the hours into this outing that I’d like to have over the course of the year, simply because I can only juggle so much and I do still have to play other, non-live service games. But the time I spent in Rinascita stuck with me long enough to push this into my list, and I’m looking forward to returning for the new update – if I get a chance!

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4. Needy Streamer Overload

Needy Streamer Overload

I first heard about Needy Streamer Overload – originally titled Needy Girl Overdose – when it was ported to the Switch in 2022. This denpa management sim immediately caught my attention with its kitsch presentation and simulation elements, but I quickly learned it’s a lot glibber than its Windows 95-inspired aesthetic originally led me to believe.

This visual novel goes to some dark places, tackling challenging subject matter, such as mental illness, parasocial relationships, and more. Its lead character – the complicated Ame-chan, who masquerades online as OMGkawaiiAngel – has since started to pop up everywhere around Asia and Japan, with the series spawning several manga adaptations and even an upcoming anime.

If you like visual novels, tycoon titles, or even just something a little different, I highly recommend giving this game a go.

3. Silent Hill F

Silent Hill F

I was always going to love Silent Hill F for its 1960s aesthetic, but the game overall exceeded my expectations – even though I agree there’s lots to criticise about aspects of its structure and gameplay.

For me, the character of Hinako and the fictional town of Ebisugaoka pulled me in immediately, with sensational art and surprisingly relatable themes, including – but absolutely not limited to – bullying, patriarchy, and the role of women in a society that’s purposefully designed to put them down.

Silent Hill has always been good at blending psychological horror with the terrors of real-life, and I think this effort – written by the well-regarded Ryukishi07 – really gets that. It also goes places I personally didn’t expect, drawing me in more and more with its twists and deeply engaging lore.

2. Dispatch

Dispatch

The idea of a superhero management sim appealed to me the moment Dispatch was first revealed, but the final product absolutely shattered my expectations. I was immediately captivated by the quality of the animation and the Western anime-esque art style, which absolutely sings during an early scene where protagonist Robert and the Blonde Blazer fly over a sparkling city scene.

I always enjoyed Telltale’s efforts conceptually, but they felt hamstrung by their budgets and lack of engaging gameplay. I actually think running the SDN is extremely entertaining here, as the game is constantly changing the rules and applying just enough pressure to push you into making difficult decisions.

But the great character designs, outstanding voice acting, and sensational score pushed this to an entirely different tier for me. There’s such an abundance of games to play these days that it’s rare I finish a release immediately wanting more, but with Dispatch I’m already itching for a second season.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur Expedition 33

I wish I could be contrary and pick a different game for my number one, but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the most impressive thing I played in 2025 – heck, it may be one of the more remarkable titles I’ve played in years. I know it’s annoying to hear that time and time again, but it really is that good.

Truth be told, I was sold on this game within its first hour or so: the sweeping, sensational score; the fractured Parisian backdrop; the emotive voice acting; the costume designs – I fell in love with it all.

But even taking all of those aspects out of it, as a pure JRPG, I think it’s outstanding. It’s brief enough to never waste your time, and yet it manages to condense that sense of growth and mastery so essential to the genre within its comparatively slight running time.

I love the way the game empowers you to break it in your own personal way, all the while forcing you to fall in love with its cast and wider world. It’s a tremendous effort, and one of the standouts of the PS5 generation for sure.

What do you think of Sammy's personal Game of the Year picks? Feel free to agree wholeheartedly, or disagree politely, in the comments section below.