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Every year, I do a list of 10 games I loved that year -- this is 2025! My guess is you'll know some of them, and also that you won't know some of them. Please let me tell you about these fine video games!! (Links are mostly to Steam, but some are on console too.) /thread

Past years' round-ups, for reference: 2024: bsky.app/profile/konk... 2023: x.com/konklone/sta... 2022: x.com/konklone/sta... 2021: x.com/konklone/sta...

First is Öoo, a brilliant puzzle action game whose name is a screenshot of the protagonist. It takes a seemingly simple idea about pushing yourself along via bombs, and takes it down one weird rabbit hole after another. Deeply clever, and adorable. store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/...

Mind Diver is a 3D detective game about repairing memories, built out from a Danish student project. I was completely taken by the native Danish actors, writing, art, and novel concept. A very fresh take on the Obra Dinn model - and deserves more eyes! store.steampowered.com/app/2259330/...

Strange Jigsaws (sequel to 20 Small Mazes by @flebpuzzles.bsky.social) is a short, $5 game that optimizes for variety and surprise. I was delighted the whole way through, even when it was tricking me. Come on!! You can't afford *not* to play this game! store.steampowered.com/app/2702170/...

Rise of the Golden Idol was on my 2024 list, but the four(!) DLC they made since then, with 17 even weirded detective cases, stand as another whole entry. They're designed by 4 different teams, each with their own flavor, and license to go wild. Do it!! store.steampowered.com/app/3333860/...

I have to impress upon you that Sudokuvania is a fully realized Metroidvania. It is merely expressed as 20+ integrated variant sudokus. There is nothing else like this. Solving it is one of my proudest achievements. It is a $0 website. Use a laptop. sudokupad.app/6u61fsw0di?s...

I virtually never play text games. But Type Help is a (free) arresting detective mystery with wild twists: william-rous.itch.io/type-help And it was such a break-out success that 2026 will see a commercial graphical remake! I hope it helps more people see it: store.steampowered.com/app/3641000/...

The Electrifying Incident is a bite-sized puzzle game, by Draknek et al. It's at a more accessible difficulty than their others, but with the same level of design and charm they always bring. This was a joy to play with my 5yo, who loved the whole thing. store.steampowered.com/app/3352300/...

Not a puzzle or detective game! There's now a big action incremental subgenre. For many, the action is a bit throwaway. But Astro Prospector actually cares about both - it's a genuinely solid incremental and bullet hell (without hellish difficulty). A+ store.steampowered.com/app/3503440/...