Alright, what did you think of the past year in your home? Did it seem truly wonderful as people post on social media? Overflowing with academic success for your offspring and riotous themed fancy dress gatherings for the grownups? Or was it a sea of letdowns with only rare entertaining flotsam? Is any of this genuine, or is everyone now digitally altered virtual entities with perfect dental work?
I have gathered everyone for a chat, ready or not, to discuss the paramount thing in a calendar year: what titles we played the most. Let's get started:
Horizon Zero Dawn
"Can’t you pick just one?"
"It’s not my personal ranking."
In the mobile realm, she's invested time in Cityscapes and "searching for reasonable healthcare."
"In the game?"
"In the actual world."
Overwatch
"I don’t play games on my phone." He took umbrage that I suggested it. Fair enough.
Resident Evil Biohazard
Her goal is to get into theatre school, but when she took a break from vocals, she was playing Resident Evil. She also spoke at length in great detail about her achievements on The Sims, where her avatar has a successful utopia with far better healthcare than her big sister has in the real world.
Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time
She began the year at 60% completion and finished the year at 82%. It’s a marathon not a sprint for her. On her phone: something called Woodle, where you have to remove pins.
Minecraft
Whenever I see my 21-year-old son playing Minecraft, I give him a hard time like a cross between a classic comedy bit. When he protests, I reply that I am behaving this way to toughen him up so he can be a man and play games for grownups. This defines our Scottish father/son relationship.
Eldest Daughter on Just Dance 2024
There was no contest for this one. She is unstoppable. Even better than I was at my peak gaming days in my prime.
Marvel Snap
It was in a league of its own to the hours I spent on this remarkably well-crafted card game competitive game, with its regularly updated range of cards and game variations.
Marvel Snap
The worst thing about games that constantly evolve their range is you have a moment of clarity and realise it is all just an attempt to lure you into fomo-fuelled microtransactions. So enjoyment soured halfway through the year and it was deleted.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Stunning reinvention of a legendary franchise. Captivating atmosphere from the start. I wish I could deal with my problems so effectively in real life.
Blue Prince
I refuse to rush this gorgeous, distinctive game and I just lacked the time or headspace to give it what it needed earlier this year. With family visits over the festive period, I aim to experience this in the wee small hours after family time.
Balatro
I acknowledge Balatro was 2024’s breakout game, but I was slow on the uptake. And it is remarkable. It just gets absolutely everything right. Its gameplay loop is a brilliant concept, but the effects behind the different joker cards are so imaginative it has become a game I literally would play at any hour. Add in the cleverness of the card design, and this is an definite pinnacle of gaming. I dream of being stuck in a broken-down lift for hours just so I have nothing to do but play it.
Outer Worlds 2
I experienced a bit of backlash when I critiqued how a specific bug in another game damaged the experience for me, but that other title is still a gargantuan gaming achievement in terms of overall polish – which I appreciated even more after experiencing Outer Worlds 2. So thank you to the individual who took the time to contact me to say that my Outer Worlds 2 review was "missing the point". I present that as written, because I acknowledge the engagement, and she is obviously an sharp judge of character.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Fine. Give me a punishingly tough Metroidvania-esque thing and don’t tell me guidance on what I am supposed to be doing, except "look around". How delightful. I get that it looks ace and is ideal if you are into this kind of thing, but I cannot think of a gaming experience I want less of in my mid-fifties. I was around back when most games were like this, and I’ve had enough. It was acceptable when I was a kid, but the same could be said for many questionable things.
Debate between business deals that raised eyebrows, and expensive game releases. Both morally indefensible and repugnant.
Clair Obscur, Despelote and Bananza would all sound good names bellowed from the back door at dinner time.
Right Thumb Joint. No joke. I don’t know if it’s because of button mashing or phone use, but it aches like hellfire in the mornings now. I knew I should have got my thumbs looked after back in the day.
Grand Theft Auto VI.
And it will come out in 2026, even if we have to make 2026 last until the cows come home.
The Witcher 4.
A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in gaming strategies and industry trends.
