This year’s Advent Calendar was a fascinating experience, particularly from my viewpoint. Among the numerous games highlighted, my top four selections were prominent: “Arc Raiders,” “Silksong,” “Clair Obscur,” and “Hades 2.” Each of these titles drew my attention and received high rankings, reflecting their charm and quality.
“Arc Raiders” stood out with its lively gameplay and strategic components, making it a perfect pick for action fans. “Silksong,” the eagerly awaited sequel to “Hollow Knight,” continued to captivate gamers with its elaborate universe and demanding platforming. “Clair Obscur” provided a distinctive narrative adventure, merging mystery and exploration in an enthralling manner. Finally, “Hades 2” expanded on the triumph of its predecessor, offering a gripping roguelike journey with rich storytelling and engaging gameplay mechanics.
Nevertheless, despite these triumphs, none of my other chosen games reached the final selection. In reflecting on this, I realized that perhaps a more tactical positioning of these games might have boosted their likelihood of being included. It’s somewhat akin to gaming the system, grasping how to maneuver through the selection process to guarantee your favorites receive the acknowledgment they merit.
For those keen on delving deeper into these games and others that made an impression this year, you can discover further insights and analyses in the RPS Selection Box, Ollie’s bonus games of the year 2025.