In the first episode of our three-part GOTY extravaganza, we scientifically deduce which ten (or, well, eleven) games were our collective favorites of 2025. Where does Hades II end up? Is Baby Steps better than Expedition 33? Will we even SAY the word Silksong?! Tune in to find out!

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/07/behind-the-next-battlefield-game-culture-clash-crunch-and-colossal-stakes/

https://thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/how-the-effort-and-cost-of-human-voice-actors-compares-to-generative-ai/

https://thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/concept-artists-in-games-say-generative-ai-references-only-make-their-jobs-harder/

Chapters:

0:00:00 - Intro 0:06:12 - Thanking our Patreon supporters! 0:08:25 - Our GOTY 2025 Plans 0:11:23 - Elden Ring: Nightreign 0:19:26 - The Seance of Blake Manor 0:25:43 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach 0:33:43 - Absolum 0:42:21 - Sol Cesto 0:44:48 - Abiotic Factor & Schedule 1 0:47:46 - Mars First Logistics 0:54:18 - No, I'm not a Human 1:00:43 - Look Outside 1:02:28 - Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii 1:05:14 - Donkey Kong Bananza 1:09:59 - ARC Raiders 1:34:17 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 1:44:51 - The Games of 2025 Returns After No Messages... 1:47:40 - PIGFACE & Baby Steps 1:58:56 - WWE 2K25 1:53:55 - The Alters 2:01:48 - Silent Hill f 2:06:37 - Monster Hunter Wilds 2:08:43 - Keep Driving 2:14:26 - Ooo 2:21:04 - White Knuckle 2:26:14 - Once Upon a Katamari & Ghost of Yotei 2:31:46 - Split Fiction 2:36:28 - and Roger (SPOILER WARNING!) 2:45:36 - Despelote 2:56:26 - Consume Me 3:05:14 - Battlefield 6 & Beatmania IIDX 33 Sparkle Shower 3:13:13 - Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 3:36:46 - Formless Star 3:38:00 - BIRDCAGE 3:44:16 - Blue Prince 3:51:43 - Rematch 3:55:04 - Ninja Gaiden II Black 3:56:51 - Dispatch 4:08:53 - Reviewing the "Maybe" Category 4:39:11 - And our Games of 2025 are... 4:41:52 - Noclip Updates