Silent Hill: The Short Message
The Short Message is the first new entry in the Silent Hill series since the PT tech demo nearly a decade ago. While the game is definitely worth experiencing, it’s not for the faint of heart. With graphic depictions of suicide and bullying, it left me with a real feeling of dread as I progressed further. That said, there are overly heavy-handed moments that make the game feel tacky at times. Combined with frustrating chase sequences, it quickly loses much of its initial charm. Still, for a free game, it’s worth checking out and sets a promising tone for the series' future.
Warcraft Rumble
Warcraft Rumble is a surprisingly fun tower defense/strategy game with a ton of free content. Its simple mechanic of sending units to attack enemy towers, while the enemy tries to destroy yours, is engaging. There’s a rock-paper-scissors element to deploying units, as some are stronger or weaker than others, and each has unique abilities you can upgrade.
Unlike many mobile games, which often feel pay-to-win, Rumble keeps a great balance. After playing for over a month, I’ve never felt the need to spend real money. The pacing of earning in-game currency to unlock new abilities and units keeps me coming back without feeling pressured. It’s a refreshing experience in the mobile gaming space.
Death Stranding (Again)
With Death Stranding 2 news slowly trickling in, I decided to revisit the original, having not played it since the COVID era. While I enjoyed it the first time, I’ve found a new appreciation for it now. This time around, the world felt different. On my first playthrough, I felt truly alone, making deliveries across the country. Now, I was greeted with bridges, transportation, and repaired roads left by other players, making traversal so much easier. It was a fascinating juxtaposition of a world seemingly alive but still devoid of people.
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is easily my top game of the year. It’s everything I wanted in a sequel to FFVII: Remake, staying true to the original while building on it. Given how "Remake" ended, I was worried "Rebirth" would go in a completely new direction. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself on the edge of my seat, wondering how things would deviate, while still encountering familiar faces, locations, and plot points.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
Inspired by the Salem witch trials, Little Hope is the second installment in the Dark Pictures Anthology. As a fan of Supermassive Games’ work with Until Dawn, I try every new entry whenever I can. While I enjoyed the first installment, "Man of Medan," I didn’t find it replayable. So when "Little Hope" was available on PS+, I was excited to dive in.
This game builds on the mechanics of Medan with improved controls and pacing, as well as cues to prevent accidentally progressing too quickly. While I enjoyed the story overall, the pacing and plot twists felt a bit recycled from the first entry, making it less impactful.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
The third installment of the "Dark Pictures Anthology," "House of Ashes," is set during the Iraq War in 2003. What begins as a militaristic story quickly transitions to haunted Mesopotamian ruins and an even crazier plot twist. While not my favorite in the series, each new entry shows improved gameplay and mechanics that leave me wanting more. However, the formulaic approach—mimicking the beats of previous entries—still holds the series back.
Returnal
I find myself coming back to Returnal whenever I have downtime and don’t know what else to play. With daily challenges and an infinite tower mode that feels like a separate story, "Returnal" is a beautiful yet brutal roguelike that keeps me hooked. On my latest playthrough, I thought I finally beat the game… only to realize I’d only finished the first act.
Life is Strange / Life is Strange: Double Exposure
When I heard about the sequel to the original "Life is Strange," I was cautiously optimistic. Before its release, I replayed the original. Hearing the opening song, "To All of You" by Syd Matters, transported me back to playing it for the first time ten years ago. This time, with a decade’s worth of life lessons, I made different decisions and was happy I did. In the end, I chose to save Chloe, as I had the first time, but I realized something new: their relationship, a toxic trauma bond if I ever saw one, was always doomed. The creators of Double Exposure seemed to acknowledge this too.
Double Exposure introduces a slightly older Max, now teaching photography at a prestigious school on the East Coast. Regardless of your previous choices, Chloe is no longer in the picture...and it’s probably for the best. Even if you shipped them in the first game, Chloe’s avoidant tendencies and Max’s anxious ones would never have worked. While the new characters feel a bit two-dimensional at first, they do eventually stand out by the end of the game. With new powers and a growing maturity, it also feels like Max is learning from her mistakes. The abrupt ending leaves questions unanswered, however, clearly setting up for a sequel, or at least some kind of DLC. The poor reception to the game leaves me wondering if it will ever see the light of day though.
Destiny 2: Final Shape
I’m not sure why I keep coming back to Destiny 2, but I’m glad I did for Final Shape. The new prismatic class has been incredibly fun to experiment with, offering fresh ways to play, especially as a hunter. This expansion also marks the end of a decade-long story, bringing back old heroes for a truly epic conclusion.
That said, the episodic adventures released afterward throughout the year feel empty and confusing. Each act left me less interested, making me wish the story had just ended with Final Shape. I’ll still check out the next expansion, but unless there’s a major overhaul to the filler content, I’ll finally have time to go touch grass.
Nobody Wants to Die
This was a release-day purchase for me, though it seemed to come out of nowhere. The trailer gave me Cyberpunk-Bioshock vibes, but the game turned out to be more of a walking simulator, akin to "Firewatch." As a fan of "Firewatch," I wasn’t disappointed. The investigative puzzles were simple but effective for world-building and advancing the narrative. For $24, it was a great experience that could have been AAA-worthy if it were longer.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil Within Me
The Devil Within Me marks the season finale of the Dark Pictures Anthology and my favorite, most polished entry so far. Following a documentary crew invited to a replica of H. H. Holmes’ "Murder Castle," the game refines the series’ staples, like QTEs and heartbeat moments. New mechanics, such as inventory systems and unique character tools, add depth to the experience. The game mechanics are all still the same, but expecting more of the same helped me enjoy this installment even more.
Animal Well
Since "Hollow Knight," I’ve been craving another Metroidvania-style game. "Animal Well" delivered with its mysteries and puzzles, reminiscent of "Fez." The difficulty ramps up the deeper you go. While the initial puzzles are straightforward, completing the game—truly completing it—requires hours of deciphering vague hints and revisiting rooms repeatedly. With its many layers and secrets, this game will likely be discussed for years to come.
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
After Destiny 2, I needed a palate cleanser, and Ghost of Tsushima delivered. Following Jin, a samurai defending his homeland from Mongol invaders, the game is a masterpiece of simplicity. Its combat offers flexibility, from stealth to direct confrontations in "standoffs." The open world invites exploration with an intuitive wind system guiding you to objectives. The mix of stunning visuals and engaging gameplay makes this a standout title.
Pokémon Trading Card Game
Tired of "Pokémon Go," I turned to "Pokémon TCG," which reignited my love for the card game. The mobile app made it easy to relearn the game and build a substantial collection quickly. I briefly subscribed to the premium service for extra booster packs but canceled after completing most of my collection. The combination of bot challenges and quick online matches makes it perfect for short sessions. However, without more frequent updates, the appeal may fade.
Final Thoughts
This year marked my biggest break from "Destiny 2" in years, allowing me to catch up on games I hadn’t had a chance to play. While I didn’t play a large number of games, those I did kept me engaged for weeks or months. Interestingly, the majority of my gaming was on the PS5 this year, with my PC usage dwindling. Subscription services like Game Pass make trying new titles so convenient that I barely visit platforms like Steam or Epic anymore. It makes me wonder—will we ever see a subscription service for Steam?
