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2025 was a standout year for gaming in a variety of genres and as the year winds down, I love reflecting on the titles that brought me joy, comfort, and inspiration.

The best games of 2025 didn’t just impress with their mechanics and visuals, they helped me slow down, create, and connect. I’m grateful for the experiences that offered me space to breathe, to imagine, and to play with intention. Together, they reminded me that games can be more than entertainment; they can be a restorative hobby that shape how we spend our days.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time revived the series’ beloved blend of adventure and life simulation, offering a world where freedom and creativity are always within reach. Each time I play, I choose a Life, whether farming, crafting, questing, or exploring, and shape the experience to match my mood. Some days I tend crops and enjoy the quiet rhythm of village life; other days I set off across new lands, chasing quests and uncovering secrets.

What makes The Girl Who Steals Time so compelling is its seamless adaptability. Switching Lives is effortless, keeping the experience fresh and rewarding every time. The art style and soundtrack create a cozy, immersive mood, while the progression system encourages exploration without pressure. It’s a game that grows with the player, offering both quiet reflection and grand adventure. In many ways, The Girl Who Steals Time feels less like a single story and more like a canvas for personal expression, where every choice becomes part of a larger journey.

Bits and Bops

Bits and Bops turned rhythm into relaxation, transforming cheerful tunes and whimsical mini-games into a playful retreat. Each session felt like opening a toy box, bright, colorful, and full of surprises. Bits and Bops leaned into simplicity and charm, providing joy from tapping along to music and embracing lighthearted creativity.

What stood out to me about Bits and Bops was how approachable it was. In a year full of complex releases, Bits and Bops offered delightful experiences that were easy to pick up and put down, yet satisfying enough to linger with. Its design encouraged play without pressure: no scores to chase, no timers to beat, just the pure fun of rhythm and motion. That freedom made Bits and Bops a restorative experience, reminding me that sometimes the best games are the ones that invite us to enjoy without overthinking.

The Wandering Village

The Wandering Village asked players to build a settlement on the back of a gentle giant, Onbu, as it wandered through a changing world. The premise alone was captivating, but the execution made it unforgettable. Every expansion required care, and every decision carried weight, not just for the settlement, but for Onbu itself.

The Wandering Village‘s strength lies in its balance between strategy and empathy. You’re not simply managing resources; you’re nurturing a living creature and adapting to its journey. That unique symbiosis made the experience restorative rather than draining, while still offering challenging gameplay. Watching Onbu traverse new biomes while your village grew felt like sharing a story together, one of resilience, trust, and cooperation. Few city-builders have ever felt so alive.

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game

Instead of epic battles, Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game focused on the everyday joys of hobbit life. Gardening, cooking, fishing, and decorating a cozy home became the heart of the adventure. It was a game about slowing down, savouring small moments, and finding meaning in community.

What I loved most about Tales of the Shire was how it re-framed Middle-earth. Rather than a land of war and peril, Middle-earth became a retreat filled with warmth and connection. Sharing meals, tending the land, and building relationships in a welcoming village felt magical in its own right. Tales of the Shire showed that comfort and companionship can be just as powerful as heroism, offering a different kind of epic, one rooted in everyday life.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Pokémon Legends: Z-A reimagined the Kalos region with fresh mechanics and a vibrant new take on Lumiose City. By blending nostalgia with the innovations introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it offered both familiar comforts and surprising discoveries.

Lumiose City itself was the star. Alive, dynamic, and full of secrets, it felt like a true urban ecosystem rather than just a backdrop. Exploring its districts, uncovering hidden stories, and rediscovering Mega Evolutions gave Z-A a sense of depth that kept me returning. For longtime fans, it was restorative in its own way, reconnecting us with a beloved region while expanding its possibilities. Z-A reminded me that even familiar worlds can feel new again when approached from a different perspective.

Final Thoughts

For me, the best games of 2025 that encouraged creativity, reflection, and joy. Each title offered a different way to slow down and savor play, whether through rhythm, community, survival, or exploration. Together, they proved that the most restorative experiences often come not from complexity, but from the simple act of playing with intention.

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