Tyler DeFazio's Top 9 Games of 2025
A dad-centric reset year.
I included the release dates in the image captions for each game listed below, partly because I’m a control freak and partly because I needed to show, in some way, how lost I was in the first quarter. It’s amazing how priorities can shift so drastically when your baby grows into a walking, talking toddler, not to mention the effect it has on the enjoyment of a hobby you’ve had for so long.
This year was less about novel experiences and more about going back to the basics. What fundamental things do I enjoy while gaming, and more importantly, how does that fit into my new routines?
The Cutting Floor
I reserved this spot up front to call out my embarrassment.
At the beginning of 2025, I stupidly made a New Year’s resolution to finish every game I started. Instead, I pinball’d through more games than ever—the final count was over 75 on Steam alone—and, though I’m not a math guy, I estimate an 8% completion rate. Definitely not my proudest stat.
Author’s Note: For those keeping track of my other silly resolutions, no, I did not become a fantastic mixologist. I did, however, discover my favorite rum, straight from Lil Wayne’s shelf. We’ll call that a wash.
Truth is, there could be at least a dozen different games sitting comfortably in this spot, depending on my mood or the day. But deep down, I know none of them really belong here, at least not as I played them.
What can I say? It’s been a weird year.
Borderlands 4
There comes a point (usually around the 32nd system crash) when I have to ask myself, “Does this even deserve to be here?” Yet it’s the best gameplay in the series, with decent quality-of-life improvements, and I've invested 80 hours. I can’t, in good conscience, place it any higher, but consider this my first nod to mindless fun, mostly played on mute.
Blue Prince
By the time I was done, Post-It notes were stuck all around my monitor, and my notebook was littered with scribbles. I’ll spare the Charlie Day meme use, but I knew exactly what my wife’s look meant as I tried to explain that the chess pieces are the key! Joke’s on her. We have a child and own a house together.
Dispatch
I was not expecting the writing to hit as hard as it did. (In many ways, Gearbox should take a lesson or two from this humor and tone.) Some of the best characters this year are here, paired with excellent animation that blew my expectations out of the water. I was hooked from start to finish and looked forward to each episode drop in a way that even TV couldn't match.
Battlefield 6
This list evolved quite a bit, but one thing that stayed constant was Battlefield 6 at… well… sixth. We like to say it’s a return to form, and in many ways, it’s just that. No more, no less. A solid entry and a fun time dragging the boys to safety, with an adrenaline shot to the chest.
PowerWash Simulator 2
Look, I needed this, okay? This was my safe space, my quiet place. I could put on headphones, listen to The Ultimate History of Video Games, and zone out. I won’t apologize to Gustave, Hornet, or anyone else.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
I mentioned last year that this would make an appearance, but I didn’t expect it to be so high. In a year littered with Survivor-like games, this was the one that kept me hooked with just one more run.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor →
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
While the other ninja sidescroller had me second-guessing my love of this genre, Shinobi put those fears to rest. Tight controls made combat and platforming a joy and cemented my need to return to the basics of what I love about games.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
It’s weird to say that Doom pulled me out of my funk, but after a months-long rut of not finding the fun, it turns out I just needed to shoot some medieval demons in the face. Oh, and collecting things. Your boy loves a good checklist.
Hades II
I’ve gone on the record declaring Hades II a perfect game, so it may not come as a surprise that I give it my Game of the Year. Improving on the original in every way, there is so much to love here. Over 120 hours and I’m still thinking about builds to try. Supergiant has a fan for life.