Top 10 Video Games of the Year So Far

Fans have been begging Nintendo for what feels like eons to give Thousand Year Door some manner of remaster. It’s enduring legacy as one of Mario’s best titles practically demanded it. So, when it was revealed that the pint-sized plumber’s adventure across the 2D origami landscape was getting a top to bottom remake, everyone lost their collective minds. The final verdict? Pretty damn good! Sure, the only real changes are minor quality of life updates, an obvious visual upgrade, and some helpful hints to assist with progression, but really…that’s all they needed to do. The fundamentals are still incredible, and now, multiple generations can experience it.

It has been a crazy year for Metroidvanias, and while we are certainly starting to feel the fatigue, there were a few standouts that had no reason to be this good. Not only is The Lost Crown a very solid example of the genre with its fast and flashy combat, but it finally gave this ailing series the breath of fresh air it needed while the Sands of Time remake is in development, now slated for 2026. The story may be a tad bare bones, but the spectacle of every boss fight and the vastness of its interconnected map offers a hell of a good time. A rare Ubisoft win these days!

Vanillaware are no strangers to quality, but this just might be their magnum opus. Blending real-time strategy with all the bells and whistles you’d come to expect from a classic RPG, players must chart a campaign across the realm to gather their armies and reclaim their birthright as king. With over sixty possible characters to recruit, a highly addictive combat cycle, gorgeously rendered 2D artwork, and countless customisation options for your party, it is scarily easy to bury hundreds of hours into this! And yes, there are marriage options!

You can take the boys out of the Yakuza, but not the Yakuza out of the boys! Blending together the franchise’s two most beloved along with Like a Dragon’s unique take on combat, Ichiban and Kiryu’s exploits across Hawaii has all the craziness, drama and badass brawls you could want. Seriously, there’s almost too much to do here! When you’re not trying to solve the central mystery, you’re pursuing a myriad of batshit side quests, unlocking a seemingly never-ending collection of abilities, and just marveling as these two find trouble everywhere they go!

Despite an enduring legacy as one of the pinnacle fighting game titles, it’s fair to say Tekken hadn’t been at the forefront of mainstream minds in recent years. Until now that is. Tekken 8 not only perfected its mechanics and rocketed itself back to the status of THE fighting game in the competitive scene, but also hooked plenty of non-fighting fans. Easy to learn-hard to master controls, along with a meaty roster of combatants has since made die-hard devotees out of casuals alike, so don’t be shocked if you’re decimated as soon as you dare to step into the online arena.

Another Metroidvania, and yet so much more, Animal Well is a strange, psychedelic experience that has you, as a blob, make its way through an unsettling world rife with danger and beauty. Though describing in such basic terms does it a disservice - this is one you need to dive in and soak up for yourself. The puzzles are simple in their presentation yet require all manner of out of the box thinking to solve, the visuals constantly switch between calming and truly horrifying, all the while offering plenty of literal rabbit holes for those wanting to delve deeper. Lightning in a bottle or a monumental trendsetter? Congrats to Dunky & developer Shared Memory for this huge hit!

Roguelike poker with more build-options than there are actual card games in existence is not something we expected to find ourselves addicted to, but that’s the indie scene for you. And make no mistake, this thing will become your new obsession. The premise is so simple – build your deck, play the right hand, and score enough to beat the blind. Of course, with the more decks you unlock, the more challenge and creative ways to beat your previous run become available. It’s all the fun of a gambling addiction without having to lose anything of value…except for your sleep cycle, social life and everything not connected to those Jokers.

Do you love democracy? Do you live and breathe liberty? Well, you’d better lock and load and start dispensing peace against every bug in sight in what has proven to be one of the most enjoyable co-op games we’ve seen in a long time! With a planet full of alien insects and a whole lot of friendly fire, blasting your way across every stage in the name of freedom has proven itself to be one of the defining events in the gaming sphere as of late. Third person shooting has honestly never felt like such a blast, especially with friends. Now if Sony can hopefully keep their stuff together, long may the bug-bloodshed continue!

For many, Persona 3 was often touted as the darkest, and subsequently greatest, entry in this beloved JRPG juggernaut, and thanks to this latest remake, newcomers can see it clear as day. The investigation into the Dark Hour is style and substance in equal measure. When you’re not hunting through Tartarus and strengthening your collection of Personas, you’re exploring the town and building bonds with some of the franchise's most unique and charming companions. Add to it a few alterations to increase the accessibility and diminish its more fatiguing factors, and you’ve got a game dripping with appeal.

Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions!

What Remake showed us was possible, Rebirth delivered in abundance. While one could say it slightly buckles under the weight of just how much content it offers, and yes, there are narrative changes, that doesn’t take away from just how insanely epic Cloud and company’s quest through Midgar truly is! Combat has never been bigger nor better, it would be easier to list which mini games weren’t included, and lest we forget, this game made Cloud x Tifa canon. No matter how this trilogy concludes, every moment in Rebirth was well and truly worth it.
What’s shaping up to be your game of the year? Let us know in the comments!