My 2025 Gaming Year So Far
A look at my year so far
The halfway mark for the year is getting closer, and I decided to write about how I feel about it so far. Before it started, I predicted that 2025 would be a sucky year for world news and the economy, but that gamers would have one of the best software-based gaming years they’ve ever had. I would argue that my prediction is looking more and more true, especially the sucky world and economic news part. So, for such a packed year, how has it been for me and the industry as a whole?
Gaming is Getting Expensive
The biggest development for the industry this year so far is the unfortunate trend of gaming becoming a more expensive hobby. Gaming has always been a pricey hobby, but we’ve been in a golden age where enthusiasts like me could stretch out our finances to have the “big three” platforms. That era is ending. Thanks to inflation and tariff policy, gaming is getting as expensive as it was when I was a kid, and as a result, people like me who have families to think about are going to change our habits. I wrote about this. I’m already planning out how my gaming finances will go in the next few years, even planning to take a break from PlayStation when PS6 comes out, potentially. A lot of gamers are going to have to really think about what matters to them before they pull the trigger on gaming purchases in the near future. For now, I got Game Pass, and that’s been a home run from the green guys.
Nintendo Switch 2
As a big-time Nintendo fan, there’s nothing more exciting than a new Nintendo console launch. After eight long years of a revolutionary and near record-breaking console in the Switch, Nintendo is going to release its successor. The company is already tracking to shatter the launch day units sold record. Despite the high entry point of $450, I expect this system to be another 100+ million units selling device. I don’t think it’ll reach the Switch’s success, which has it among elite territory with PS2 and Nintendo DS in terms of sales, but it’ll be a success. There’s been a lot of debate about the system's power, but all you need to know is that so-called “impossible ports” will come from both the Xbox Series consoles and PS5 to the system, and Nintendo will work their magic and deliver some beautiful titles. As for me? If I see the chance to grab one before the year ends, I’m taking it, but until then, I won’t actively be looking for one until next year. The lineup looks promising already and I know there’s going to be a lot of “holy crap!” announcements coming but as long as I play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, that’s good enough for me as my primary Nintendo experience planned for 2025.
My Favorite Games So Far
So, I have a goal to see if I can make the top fifteen list at the end of the year, and I’ll admit I can do a little better. That being said, my output over the last two months has been promising, and I’m almost done with what would be my sixth game of the year. I have two games as potential next play sessions, and then comes the stacked summer. Avowed was the first game I really liked this year; it delivered what I was expecting for the most part. I loved the combat, and while the main story wasn’t anything to write home about, it did have an interesting concept, and there’s a specific side mission with one of your companions that was surprisingly haunting and deep. South of Midnight was the first game I gave my gold medal score to. Admittedly, I’m higher on this one than critics and other fellow gamers, but I fell in love with everything in this game, from the story to the characters to the music. The combat didn’t bother me as I personally didn’t find it boring, just very basic. So far, the top game of the year is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is turning into an event game for the year. While I’m still mixed on the two possible endings, I came away from his game seeing it as a piece of art that will stand the test of video game time. Currently, I’m playing Doom: The Dark Ages, which has been phenomenal but has some downsides, and I think I like Doom Eternal a tad bit more. Either way, I’m having a blast with it.
So far, of the six games I’ve played, these are my rankings. Doom: The Dark Ages could change spots when I finish it. The rest have links to my full reviews:
Doom: The Dark Ages (still playing)
Summer 2025
The next phase of the year is going to be STACKED! I’m considering playing Blades of Fire, as I’ve mostly liked past projects from MercurySteam, and there’s a chance I’ll be higher on it than the critics. I also may finally give Blue Prince a try, even if it does sound like a game I may not like. However, I did give Balatro a chance and liked it a lot. Death Stranding 2 is going to be a big one, and I expect to play it slowly but surely through the summer and early Fall, considering the word is that it’s a long one. I loved the heck out of the first one, and Kojima is one of my favorite developers in the industry. I’m also cautiously interested in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, which could be a surprise hit this year. Mafia: The Old Country has my interest after discovering it won’t be an open world or too long, according to the devs. Lastly, I feel something could get shadowdropped that could take over my summer as well. Dare I say… Silksong? Wait, let me get my clown makeup.
Be Nice to All