Two weeks ago, we announced the winners of our inaugural GameObserver Awards 2025, where our team picked out the best games of 2025 across 34 categories. However, with only five or six nominations for each category, there were undoubtedly plenty of games this year that members of our team loved but just didn’t make the shortlist. So, here are our staff picks of games we really liked this year that just didn’t make the cut.
The Drifter – Jess
One of my favourite tropes in video games is when the developers write an explanation for why your character can respawn upon death – something so unnatural yet is standard within video games. Powerhoof’s pulp-style 2D point-and-click puzzle thriller game, The Drifter, does exactly this. It follows the story of Mick Carter who, while uncovering a plot behind homeless people going missing, discovers that every time he dies, he’ll come back a few seconds before his death to try again. The Drifter has some of the best point-and-click gameplay that I’ve seen within the genre, a storyline that intrigues throughout, and Adrian Vaughan’s performance as Mick was my personal favourite of the year.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time – Bobby
I like cozy games, but I also like a challenge sometimes. I like to have everything given to me, but I also like a tireless hard grind sometimes too. Level 5’s Fantasy Life i: The Girl who Steals Time gave me both in a way that few games typically marketing themselves as “cozy” ever do. Built around letting you live the fantasy life of your dreams, the game surprisingly accomodated all of my tastes. One minute I was building up a village Animal Crossing-style and pumping out furnite like it was nobody’s business, and the next I was fighting dragons over and over for hours on end while trying to level up my abilities and earn new gear. It’s addicting, charming and a complete labour of love.
Ball X Pit – Nirav
I missed out on the Vampire Survivors craze entirely because I didn’t think I’d enjoy a top down action game. When Kenny Sun and Friends’ Ball X Pit appeared this year touting itself as Atari’s Breakout meets bullet heaven, I felt it was my duty to find out if I too was susceptible to the allure of Survivors-style games. I was instantly addicted, logging in multiple times a day every day for a month to continue my journey to the great circle in the pit. The fusion of city-building, incremental powerups, and crazy boss battles never loses sight of its vision. No matter which of the characters you’re playing as or which of the thousands of assortments of powerups you choose, Ball X Pit never forgets that it’s all about bouncing balls.
No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files – Kate
The latest entry in Spike Chunsoft’s Somnium Files series, No Sleep For Kaname Date, was a long-awaited return to such a bizarre but compelling world. It was nice to get to return to play as the titular Kaname Date after he took a side role in the previous game. The blend of surreal Somnium and more grounded Zero Escape gameplay was wonderful (although it made me want a fourth Zero Escape game more than anything) and the cast of characters is one I would NEVER say no to spending more time with. A new Somnium Files game releasing in 2025 was a surprise, but quite a welcome one!
Ghost of Yōtei – Axel
“How did you guys drop the ball on this one?!” you may ask. Timing probably had a lot to do with it. We were kinda occupied with launching GameObserver around the time it released. And for myself, I didn’t pick it up till the nominees were all locked in. Sure, I could have nominated a game I’d never played, but I’m not built that way. Still, Ghost of Yōtei has not been forgotten completely. It continues Sucker Punch’s tradition of intense character-driven action, deep dive cultural research, and utterly gorgeous environments that feel like living places instead of static sets. It might not have won against the unstoppable juggernaut that is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but in my mind, Ghost of Yōtei is unquestionably my Game of The Year.
Guilty as Sock! – Professor Clare
While Demon Max’s Guilty as Sock! didn’t release with much fanfare, it has proven to be a delightful party game with friends. With up to nine friends, you and your fellow justice seekers (or criminals) assume a myriad of coutroom roles, from plaintiffs, to defendants, to judge and jury, and even courtroom journalist. What comes next is a wealth of chaos that will make any game night with friends a fantastic affair. While fun, Guilty as Sock! heavily relies on a group of friends with great chemistry and a willingness to delve into improv. If you have a group of friends who happen to be ex-theater kids looking to indulge in their own version of Law and Order, this game is definitely worth a pick up.
Keeper – JP
Double Fine’s newest game, Keeper, was a delight to play. Very quick and not much in the story department, but it was a visual and audible FEAST for the eyes and ears. Double Fine’s iconic wonky art style is on full display with intricate environments and fascinating creatures – every frame is a painting-type stuff. And it’s all complimented by David Earl’s trippy score that at some points began to remind me of Stewart Copeland’s scores for the original Spyro the Dragon games.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles – Walter
Since my Yakuza/Like A Dragon journey is over now that I’m up to date with the titles, I decided to continue playing the long list of Final Fantasy games. This year I played Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy X/X-2 and Final Fantasy XIV, so I was extremely happy when a Remastered version of Final Fantasy Tactics was announced and released this year. I am a big fan of its 2D and pixel art style, and it’s great to see Square Enix making these new visual upgrades. Visuals are not the only thing that got upgraded in The Ivalice Chronicles; it now has voice acting, upgraded audio and added story content as well. I hope that this art style upgrade not only expands into other Final Fantasy titles like the Final Fantasy I to Final Fantasy VI pixel games, but to their other franchises as well.
Schedule I – Fahad
TVGS’ Schedule I‘s popularity was quite sudden, and it quickly became one of the most fun games that I played in 2025. Just roaming around the town, selling and manufacturing the stuff with a squad is just the type of enjoyment we had been looking for and it’s hard to replicate. Among the exceptional titles that came out this year, it’s quite easy to miss out on one of the more fun co-op titles like Schedule I.
Consume Me – Mateusz
There are games every couple of years on the indie scene that release at an inopportune time and miss that initial wave of coverage, yet playing them around release, you just know they could have the power to affect so many people in this once-in-a-lifetime sort of way if they just had the opportunity to reach them. This is why, at any opportunity I get, I want to shout about Hexecutable’s Consume Me from the rooftops. An easily approachable simulation game overflowing with identity and energy, it is an incredible mini-biography played through mini-games that may just impact your journey with health and open your eyes to the relationships you have with different aspects of everyday life. You should try it out. Yes, even you.
Gigasword – Tim
Gigasword takes the very simple idea of “how does he move with that heavy thing” and makes an engaging puzzle platformer Metroidvania out of it. It’s got an amazing pixel art aesthetic, and the scope and quality of the game is incredible for the fact that Studio Hybrid is a single developer.
Lies of P: Overture – Adam
The Soulslike genre has really exploded the last handful of years with many failed or lackluster attempts. Lies of P is easily the best Soulslike Fromsoft alternative and its Overture DLC is no different. The music in Overture might be the most underrated of the year. The bosses, for the most part, are really well done. Typical genre frustrations aside with the enemies and bosses, there are some really well designed battles, with the final boss being so fun to learn and overcome. It adds so much for lore heads but the story overall, even for the less hardcore, is interesting and good. If you liked the base game, this DLC is an easy must-play,
What games would you include on this list? Let us know in the comments!
