The Secret Lives of Games

151: Games of the Year 2025

9 snips
Jan 8, 2026
The hosts dive into their favorite games of 2025, highlighting unique picks and community contributions. Zach revels in the design and nostalgia of Hollow Knight: Silksong, while Doug explores the political depth of Don't Rank Cuomo. Sarah shares the emotional impact of Consume Me, and Laura delves into the puzzle mechanics of The Root Trees Are Dead. The fun continues with discussions on family-friendly games, narrative ambitions in Death Stranding 2, and a heartfelt look at Caves of Qud as the overall favorite. It's a lively celebration of gaming's creativity!
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ANECDOTE

Remembering A Gaming Pet

  • Rob dedicates the episode to his cat Fernando who passed after 16 years and remembers gaming with him.
  • Hosts share personal pet stories and ask listeners to post pets playing games in the Discord.
INSIGHT

When A Game Becomes A Life Event

  • Doug and others felt UFO 50 was hard to compare with typical GOTY lists because it was woven into their lives.
  • Shared, prolonged community play made UFO 50 feel like an experiential year rather than just a release.
ADVICE

Honor Short Games Equally

  • Normalize short, focused games on GOTY lists instead of privileging only the biggest releases.
  • Treat shorter experiences as full, meaningful works worth recognition.
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