cross-posted from: https://ibbit.at/post/140560
When we put together our top 20 games of last year, we specifically called out Civilization 7, Avowed, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Grand Theft Auto 6 as big franchise games we were already looking forward to for 2025. While one of those games has been delayed into 2026, the three others made this year’s list of Ars’ favorite games as expected. They join a handful of other highly anticipated sequels, ranging from big-budget blockbusters to long-gestating indies, on the “expected” side of this year’s list.
But the games that really stood out for me in 2025 were the ones that seemed to come out of nowhere. Those range from hard-to-categorize roguelike puzzle games to a gonzo, punishing mountainous walking simulation, the best Geometry Wars clone in years, and a touching look at the difficulties of adolescence through the surprisingly effective lens of mini-games.
As we look toward 2026, there are plenty of other big-budget projects that the industry is busy preparing for (the delayed Grand Theft Auto VI chief among them). If next year is anything like this year, though, we can look forward to plenty more games that no one saw coming suddenly vaulting into view as new classics.
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So all the big names plus a tohou style arknoid and a geometry wars meets robotron type deal.
I personally wasn’t awwed by avowed like some others were. But putting assassin’s creed at number one seems, well lazy. I kinda get why they didn’t include Claire obscura, given the recent backlash, but it was at least a better game than assassin’s creed. And ghosts of yontei being in the middle? Yeah, sorry ars. Gunna hard disagree with ya.
(I know you’re not the author, I’m just screaming into the ether )
That makes no sense. Both of those are just arcade twin-stick shooters, and Sektori is no more Robotron than Geometry Wars was. Also, while Sektori very obviously draws a lot on Geometry Wars, it’s an amazingly good arcade twin-stick that improves so much on what GW did, and really deserves recognition. It’s niche, but it’s genuinely a top game in that niche, and I mean best in ten years top game.
You knew exactly what I was talking about.
(Not trying to sound rude) I rest my case.
Edit: sorry homie it was a good opening. I accept your down vote, and apologize. You’re chill, sorry if I upset you. 🤘
Sure, I knew which game you meant. It was just an oddly dismissive and mildly inaccurate way to refer to a legit top-tier game.
I play a lot of twin-sticks, so Robotron was a real curve to throw in. From my perspective, those are pretty different ;P
My bad for being dismissive.
It’s not #1, it’s alphabetical. 😉
You know what? That makes this list many times better!
Makes more sense now. Still wish CO:E33 got at least a mention though. But I fucking love that game.
Yeah, weird how he skipped the universally acclaimed game of the year.
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