One More Go

Well, that was 2025. Before our eyes turn to the new, I wanted to take stock of the year that’s been.

Starting with what there’s been far less of – substantial posts on this blog! I’m hopeful there’s time for a few more next year – I think this might be a fun place to document progress on an upcoming project (more on that in the future!). But, I am pleased that I’ve stumbled across a format where I can record some brief thoughts and log the games I’ve actually played this year, so expect to see more Micro Reviews next year.

In terms of the games, for me, this was very much the year of Metroid, where I tried to scratch the Hollow Knight itch ahead of Silksong’s inevitable release. Backtracking as far as Super Metroid and Metroid Prime to see where this evergreen genre began. But, despite that, my true obsession this year was Blue Prince, a game that had me enraptured for a good month as I tried to wrangle its scattered rooms and clues into something I could make sense of. While, it may have left a sour taste by the end, the hours of breakthroughs were easily some of the most thrilling this year, evidenced by the pages of theories scrawled throughout my notebook. A singular experience well worthy of your time – though, just how much of it is probably on you to decide!

In the past couple of weeks I’ve been racking up a few games that I’d like to dive into next year, and it’s starting to look like 2026 might be the year of the Strategy RPG. With Demon School and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy currently sitting near the top of my list. Then there are the games I missed, Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2, Birdcage; the games on the way, Mina The Hollower, Wax Heads, Big Walk… Oh, and I still have Metaphor: ReFantazio to finish, a game I’ve been chipping through all year. So who knows what I’ll actually get to play, but I’ll do my best to keep track here and update some deeper thoughts where I can.

Thanks to everyone keeping an eye on my shouts into the void. Have a great 2026.

Rhys