Kotaku writer Kenneth Shepard has published his personal list of the top 10 games from 2025, reflecting on how they reignited his passion for the industry. The list highlights a mix of RPGs, adventures, and innovative titles that helped him rediscover his enthusiasm amid challenging times. Honorable mentions include Battle Suit Aces, Absolum, and After Love EP.
In his end-of-year roundup published on December 26, 2025, Kenneth Shepard, a writer at Kotaku, looks back on a year that marked a personal and professional turning point. After navigating turbulence at the site, including layoffs in prior years, Shepard describes 2025 as a time when he regained his 'spark' through gaming. He notes, 'I’m writing things I’m proud of, I’m enjoying games like I’ve regained my sense of taste.' This renewed vigor stems from titles that resonated deeply, blending innovative mechanics with emotional narratives.
Shepard's list kicks off with honorable mentions: Battle Suit Aces, Absolum, and After Love EP. At number 10, Dead Take from Surgent Studios stands out as an escape room horror game exploring the perils of competitive creative fields, where 'desperation breeds tragedy, but so does selfishness.' Split Fiction at number 9, developed by Hazelight, impresses with cooperative platforming and a bold final level blending science fiction and fantasy elements.
Higher up, Goodnight Universe (number 8) by Nice Dream builds on its predecessor Before Your Eyes with eye-tracking mechanics and tangled character connections, though less focused. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (number 7) from Don’t Nod delves into introversion and nostalgia's interplay with trauma. Digimon Story: Time Stranger (number 6) allows sentimental party-building with favorites like Guilmon and Gabumon.
Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson (number 5) revives musical muscle memory through rhythm-based deck-building. Shuten Order (number 4) by Too Kyo Games offers five distinct murder mystery routes in a multi-genre format. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (number 3) from Sandfall Interactive delivers grief-laden RPG battles with strategic depth, grappling with loss without easy resolution.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A (number 2) fosters community in a Paris-inspired setting, with real-time battles and Mega Evolutions evoking belonging. Topping the list is The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy (number 1), a Too Kyo Games visual novel/tactical RPG boasting over 90 endings, led by writer Kazutaka Kodaka's profound, existential storytelling that left Shepard in awe despite its daunting scope.
Shepard's selections underscore 2025's diversity, from experimental evolutions in monster-taming to ambitious narratives, signaling hope for the industry's future.