Gaming Editor Muskaan Nore

Date Everything!

Date Everything! might not be the most groundbreaking game from this year, but it is still one of my favourites. The game never promises to be flawless, but proudly presents itself as a chaotic, comedic twist on the dating simulator genre.

The plot revolves around the ‘Dateviators’ — glasses worn to perceive house objects and abstract concepts as sentient beings. The human designs are charmingly distinctive, but also appeal to a variety of tastes so every player feels acknowledged. Ever wanted to flirt with the manifestation of your existential dread? Well, now you can!

Character introductions may initially feel absurd, especially as their personalities directly correspond with their traits. However, by spending time with the characters and uncovering their deeper feelings, the tone gradually shifts from satirical to sincere.

Although Date Everything! is built upon an objectively ridiculous concept, the depiction of each dateable character feels genuinely profound. Beneath the absurdity lies an insightful commentary on love, intimacy, and the value of romantic relationships.

In a year of highly anticipated releases, Date Everything! was perhaps overlooked in favour of more polished games. However, its eccentric charm and compelling characterisation have captivated many fans, including myself.

Gaming Editor Hanna Rumowska

V Rising

Is there anything you could desire more than to run around as a vampire, fight bosses, and build yourself a castle? V Rising may not have come out in 2025, but the ‘Invaders of Oakveil’ update revolutionized the game completely. And while I am not much of a PvP enthusiast, V Rising shines just as well with a local server, solo or with friends.

The game is beautiful, particularly in the sunlight, which, while unfortunate for your vampires, does make for some stunning screenshots. The regions differ in appearance enough that the player knows where they are at a glance.

I could talk about the variety in combat builds, the sheer expansion potential, or even the well-crafted boss fights that took me five hours to complete at their most difficult — but I will not have the space for any of that here.

Instead, I will admit that once I got my hands on this game, it took a good few weeks of doing nothing else before I even somewhat let go of it. I built some gorgeous castles in that time. And killed Dracula a few times, I guess. I cannot overstate: this game was everything I wanted.

Gaming Writer Tilly Hollyhead

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the long-anticipated addition to SEGA’s most well-known franchise. It needed no introduction at its September 2025 release. On the surface, it is a racing game meant to rival Nintendo’s Mario Kart. However, if you look a bit deeper, you will find a game that is a love letter to the fans who made its success possible.

CrossWorlds features a roster of characters from every corner of the franchise, bringing even the more obscure ones into the spotlight and showing their interactions with the other racers. As if that weren’t choice enough, the game also allows players to select and customise their vehicles.

From cars to hoverboards, there really is something for everyone! Personalisation extends beyond aesthetics, too. Smaller upgrades are available to players just before races begin, offering boosts in areas such as speed and drifting.

The crowning jewel of this game is its namesake. The CrossWorlds mechanic turns what should be a typical three-lap race into something brilliant.

Every second lap, the player has to choose between one of two portals that will force them to adapt to a new track for the duration of that lap.

SEGA threw everything but the kitchen sink into this game, creating a frenzy of action that will certainly have many fans eagerly waiting for more.

Film & TV Editor Jasmine Davies

Tiny Bookshop

Tiny Bookshop is every dream a book-lover has ever had, packed into one cosy game. Leave your old life behind (think Stardew Valley, but with a lot less farming) and arrive in Bookstonbury, a quaint seaside town where you set up your very own mobile bookshop.

You travel across different parts of the town, meet and interact with the locals, and recommend them their next favourite read.

The shelves are packed with everything from Shakespeare to Sarah J. Maas. There’s something for everyone — and get ready to scream ‘I know this one!’ when you spot your favourite book.

To make things even more adorable (if that’s even possible), you even get to adopt your own dog, who unofficially becomes the bookshop’s mini mascot. Just make sure you begin every day by petting him.

Ultimately, Tiny Bookshop highlights the joys of a quiet and peaceful life, and in doing so serves as the perfect escape after a long, hectic day.

Looking for more favourites? Check out last year’s Editors’ Picks: