Topic: Game of the Year 2025

@kyleforrester87 There’s definitely something to that concept of overblown expectations ruining the experience. I’ve definitely had my share of popular games that ended up falling flat for me.

The opposite can be true sometimes as well. I’ve played a few games this year that I felt were actually quite good, despite the fan reception being poor or mixed (SW Outlaws, Man of Medan) And I’ve also had some games where the hype seemed to enhance my enjoyment. BG3 is actually in that bucket for me, because I might have grown frustrated with it in the early hours had I not constantly heard all the awesome things about it. The hype helped me get over the steep learning curve and once I got past that it really resonated with me.

Then, there always the ‘time and place’ phenomenon - mindset and what’s going on in life can affect how these games hit. Maybe E33 and BG3 will click for you at another time in your life, perhaps years down the road.

@Th3solution often the best moments for me in a game are when I feel like I am finding or experiencing something that gives you the impression that the developers didn’t care if stumbled across it, for example a secret area in Elden Ring that many people could naturally miss. It’s just cool to feel as though you’re not getting spoon fed everything and there is some reward if you go hunting off the beaten track. It can be the same with entire games too, it’s partly why I got such a kick out of Divinity 1. I know it sounds like I am saying “popular stuff isn’t cool” but.. I dunno, maybe that’s what I am saying 😂

Probably Shinobi in terms of pure enjoyment. Should say, I've not played some of the big hitters yet; Ghost, Expedition 33 for example.

I've also not started Silksong properly yet, and some of the verdicts it's getting in this thread are making me nervous...

Also @Th3solution I second @graymamba 's thoughts on the Dark Souls 3 DLC. Can't wait til you get to that game

@kyleforrester87 BG3 has many of those type of moments. Little (and big) side areas and activities that are very easily missed by someone taking a golden path. The joy of discovery is really great. Entire questlines and characters are intricately crafted and then just sewn into the world in some corner that is easily missed by someone trying to rush through.

Not to put pressure on you but… it does indeed seem right up your alley. 😄

@Gremio108 I am looking forward to it. DS3 was on my schedule to start this year but my 2025 plans were thwarted by life and unplanned obstacles. Will definitely drop thoughts when I get to it — probably mid 2026, maybe as early as March/April. The rumors of a native PS5 port could alter things.

@Th3solution Yeah maybe I'll give it another go. I must have had 30 hours in my first save when I gave up so it is a lot to replace. I think I am not hugely stoked on it being set in D&D either. I preferred the original system they had in the OS games. Also the combat seems to be a bit slower in general. I did enjoy BG1 quite a bit when I played through it a couple of years ago though.

Pillars of Eternity 2... now that's a CRPG I love. I've played it almost 3 times!