Our Favorite Games of 2025 (That Didn't Make Our Top 10)

Quick Overview

The GameSpot staff selected South of Midnight, Ball X Pit, Metal Gear Solid \u0394: Snake Eater, And Roger, Avowed, The Rootrees are Dead, and Atomfall as their favorite games of 2025 that did not make the main top 10 list, praising South of Midnight's evocative narrative and Atomfall's smart detective mechanics.

Key Points: Kurt Indovina praised South of Midnight for its incredible music, evocative vibes, and narrative that avoids feeling overtly moralistic. Steve Watts highlighted Ball X Pit as an endlessly addictive Rogue-like/Arkanoid-like game where managing ball ricochets is key. Jean-Luc Seipke selected Rootree (presumably Root Tree) because its narrative structure successfully integrates clues without forcing the player's hand, unlike some other detective games. Jessica Cogswell championed Cabernet, a choice-driven visual novel, for its strong writing and emotional payoff derived from difficult moral choices, such as pacing blood consumption. Jordan Ramee praised Atomfall for its unique blend of post-apocalyptic atmosphere and smart detective mechanics that reward thorough exploration. Tom Caswell chose Avowed for its enjoyable, non-stale combat mechanics, particularly the mix-and-match system for dual-wielding weapons and spells. Lucy James favored And Roger, an easy-to-play visual novel with a powerful story that sticks with the player long after finishing.

Context: This video presents a selection of 'Staff Picks' from GameSpot for games released in 2025 that were highly regarded but narrowly missed the official Top 10 list. Several staff members—Kurt Indovina, Jake Dekker, Tom Caswell, Steve Watts, Jordan Ramee, Jean-Luc Seipke, and Lucy Cogswell—each highlight one game they feel deserves special recognition for its unique qualities, ranging from narrative design to gameplay mechanics.

Detailed Analysis

The GameSpot staff revealed their favorite games of 2025 that did not secure a spot in the main Top 10, featuring a diverse selection of genres. Kurt Indovina chose South of Midnight, praising its evocative atmosphere, unique Southern Gothic/folklore influences, and excellent musical score, noting that the protagonist's journey avoids heavy-handed morality. Steve Watts loved Ball X Pit, a rogue-lite/Arkanoid hybrid, for its addictive gameplay revolving around managing ball bounces and character abilities. Tom Caswell highlighted Avowed, emphasizing its engaging combat system that allows for creative dual-wielding of weapons and magic. Jordan Ramee championed Atomfall, an FPS, for its excellent environmental storytelling and rewarding detective mechanics that encourage thorough exploration in its post-apocalyptic setting. Jean-Luc Seipke praised Rootree for its novel approach to clue-gathering in a detective/mystery game, which avoids forcing the player into specific conclusions. Lucy James strongly recommended And Roger, a choice-driven visual novel, noting its strong writing and the emotional weight of the decisions players must make, such as managing vampire urges. Jake Dekker's pick, Mario Kart World Tour (implied by footage), was considered over-rated by him, but he ultimately highlighted Metal Gear Solid \u0394: Snake Eater as a masterclass in bringing classic gameplay into a modern era without ruining its core appeal.