On December 18, 2025, GameSpot's team published their individual picks for standout games of the year that did not secure spots in the official top 10. These selections highlight personal favorites amid a packed release schedule, encouraging readers to explore overlooked titles. The list features diverse genres from tactical adventures to racing games.
GameSpot's annual Game of the Year deliberations reflect collective team opinions, but individual staff members often champion titles that resonate personally yet fail to reach broader consensus. Published on December 18, 2025, at 9:00 AM PST, the article by Chris Pereira, Chris Grant, David McCutcheon, Steve Watts, Jordan Ramée, Darryn Bonthuys, Mark Delaney, Jessica Cogswell, and Cheri Faulkner spotlights such games from 2025.
Chris Pereira praised The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy on PC and Switch for its audacious twist after 30-40 hours of visual novel and tactical strategy gameplay. "It's one of the most audacious games I've ever played," he wrote, noting its recontextualization of the story about kids defending a school.
Cheri Faulkner highlighted No, I'm Not A Human on PC, a 14-day experience wrestling with paranoia through investigative mechanics. "No, I'm Not A Human forces you to wrestle with human paranoia and morality," she said, emphasizing multiple endings and haunting artwork.
Steve Watts selected Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2, a 3D platformer with environmental destruction and transformations like a swole ostrich. It includes a new origin for Pauline and serves as a soft reboot.
Darryn Bonthuys chose The Rogue Prince of Persia on multiple platforms, now out of early access, blending roguelike elements with agile combat. "The free-flow state of chaining together acrobatics and the perfect build is hard to beat," he noted, praising its soundtrack and story on honesty and legacy. He also picked Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds across platforms, an arcade racer with a rival mechanic featuring Tails, full of surprises despite competing with titles like Mario Kart.
Mark Delaney favored Goodnight Universe on Switch 2, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S, from the Before Your Eyes team, casting players as a psychic baby in a four-hour emotional narrative on time and love.
Jordan Ramée's top choice was Cabernet on various platforms, a 2D vampire RPG in 19th-century Eastern Europe. "Cabernet won my heart in February," he said, lauding its choice-driven story, voiced cast, and Jim Fowler's soundtrack, with post-launch patches fixing glitches.
Jessica Cogswell enjoyed Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and Switch 2, combining number-go-up mechanics with town building and dungeon crawling in a time-jumping adventure.
David McCutcheon celebrated Once Upon A Katamari on PC, Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S as the series' best, with new objectives like rolling up yokai or philosophers, and a returning soundtrack by veteran artists.
Chris Grant picked Doom: The Dark Ages on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, appreciating its grounded yet dynamic combat with a shield bash, despite minor issues like dragon levels.
These picks underscore the abundance of quality 2025 releases, urging players to try games that might have been overshadowed.
