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Games played in 2025
11
items Sometimes it can be hard to find time to play games between a full-time job, grad school and a social life but there are the titles I've managed to play in 2025. For reference, I primarily play JRPGs (Japanese Role Playing Games), retro and “Cozy” ga...
Sections
4
Switch
Playstation 5
PC
Gameboy Color
Switch
I'm a long-time Dragon Quest fan (or Dragon Warrior as it was originally known as stateside) and it's been a while since I've played the first two games. With the remakes for Dragon Quest I and II coming out later this year, I decided to play through...
They do show their age and are not perfect games (or easy though still much easier than their original iterations on the NES) but they're still fun to venture through. Dragon Quest I is quite short (and you only have the hero) while Dragon Quest II e...
You can also play these games on mobile phones (which is where these ports came from) OR wait for the remakes this fall/winter.
They do show their age and are not perfect games (or easy though still much easier than their original iterations on the NES) but they're still fun to venture through. Dragon Quest I is quite short (and you only have the hero) while Dragon Quest II e...
You can also play these games on mobile phones (which is where these ports came from) OR wait for the remakes this fall/winter.
DRAGON QUEST 1 and 2
One of my all-time favorite games, this was a replay and just as much fun as the first time around. Dragon Quest Builders is Square-Enix' take on Minecraft--with a stellar story, more options, memorable characters and better graphics.
Dragon Quest Builders 2 centers on a group called the Children of Hargon who seek revenge for the defeat of Hargon and Malroth by the descendants of Erdrick (from Dragon Quest II). Players choose a male or female character and after being caught in a...
This is also available on PC and PS4.
Dragon Quest Builders 2 centers on a group called the Children of Hargon who seek revenge for the defeat of Hargon and Malroth by the descendants of Erdrick (from Dragon Quest II). Players choose a male or female character and after being caught in a...
This is also available on PC and PS4.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Vampire Survivors is a fun and addictive rogue-lite that sees you control one of several characters and try to last as long as possible. You have various power-ups at your disposal but be careful because the enemies will only get stronger as the night progresses!
This is a game that I come back to every couple of months and try to see if I can unlock more characters, upgrades and areas. It's a ton of fun and they've added quite a few expansions since its launch.
Also available on PC.
This is a game that I come back to every couple of months and try to see if I can unlock more characters, upgrades and areas. It's a ton of fun and they've added quite a few expansions since its launch.
Also available on PC.
Vampire Survivors
Trials of Mana is a remake of the third game in the series (on the Super Nintendo) and is available on the Switch and PS4. I have played two other games in the Mana series, Secret of Mana (SNES--great game) and Dawn of Mana (PS2---don't play it, its ...
I admit that I initially picked up Trials of Mana because two of the characters who share the names of two close family members. It's a decent RPG, with fun combat and a story and narrative that feels ripped from the SNES era (which I appreciate). It...
I admit that I initially picked up Trials of Mana because two of the characters who share the names of two close family members. It's a decent RPG, with fun combat and a story and narrative that feels ripped from the SNES era (which I appreciate). It...
Trials of Mana
Playstation 5
Split Fiction is the definition of what a great co-op game should be. Featuring imaginative storytelling, innovative gameplay and design, its a mesmerizing experience that takes two to enjoy! (I had to throw that reference in with respect to the stud...
The game follows two writers, Mio and Zoe who get trapped inside eachothers idea pods (which they find were just a scheme to steal ideas). Both are on opposite sides of the personality and writing spectrum (Mio writes fantasy and Zoe Science Fiction)...
This is also available for the PC and Xbox X/S.
The game follows two writers, Mio and Zoe who get trapped inside eachothers idea pods (which they find were just a scheme to steal ideas). Both are on opposite sides of the personality and writing spectrum (Mio writes fantasy and Zoe Science Fiction)...
This is also available for the PC and Xbox X/S.
Split Fiction
I hesitated initially to play Final Fantasy XVI because it didn't feel like the other final fantasy games I played. However, my husband got it for me for Christmas and at his recommendation I decided to give it a go. I'm so glad I did.
Final Fantasy XVI isn't your typical Final Fantasy game beyond Chocobos, a character named Cid, a moogle and “save the world” storyline. What it is, however, is a mature final fantasy that sets a different tone and does so well It's not a perfect gam...
Also available on PC.
Final Fantasy XVI isn't your typical Final Fantasy game beyond Chocobos, a character named Cid, a moogle and “save the world” storyline. What it is, however, is a mature final fantasy that sets a different tone and does so well It's not a perfect gam...
Also available on PC.
Final Fantasy XVI
PC
Games that I played on PC (through Steam)
Fields of Mistria is a cozy farm game that has an 80s theme and adds a host of nice touches to the sometimes oversaturated genre.
What makes Fields of Mistria special is what makes Stardew special as well. It features a cast of great, memorable characters, plenty to do from fishing (and an easy version of it), mining to shopping and exploring. The developers are also constantly...
What makes Fields of Mistria special is what makes Stardew special as well. It features a cast of great, memorable characters, plenty to do from fishing (and an easy version of it), mining to shopping and exploring. The developers are also constantly...
Fields of Mistria
Stardew Valley is solidly in my top five games of all time list and for good reason. It's the game. It's the game I constantly go back to and play when I need a pick me up or game to lose myself in.
Stardew Valley was developed by one person and is a farming sim. You have your choice of activities from developing your farm, attending festivals and befriending or marrying villagers, journeying to the minds or exploring the game at your leisure.
Stardew Valley was developed by one person and is a farming sim. You have your choice of activities from developing your farm, attending festivals and befriending or marrying villagers, journeying to the minds or exploring the game at your leisure.
Stardew Valley
Book Bound was a fun game to spend a few hours playing one afternoon. However, after that afternoon I never picked it up again because the game felt stale, even as someone who is an avid reader.
If you do want to give it a try, there is a demo available on steam.
If you do want to give it a try, there is a demo available on steam.
Book Bound
Full disclosure I'm a huge mahjong fan (although I've never played it in real life). Every so often I'll buy a mahjong game on steam and play it while listening to a podcast.
This particular one is Christmas themed and I've picked it up off and on when the mood strikes me. It's fairly average when it comes to mahjong games but it DOES have a lot of levels. So, you'll certainly get your money's worth if you buy it (I got i...
This particular one is Christmas themed and I've picked it up off and on when the mood strikes me. It's fairly average when it comes to mahjong games but it DOES have a lot of levels. So, you'll certainly get your money's worth if you buy it (I got i...
Christmas Mahjong
Gameboy Color
Games that I played on the Gameboy Color in 2025.
Pokemon TCG2 was sadly never released outside of Japan. As you may have guessed, I played a fan translated version of this game (or a rom).
Pokemon TCG2 picks up where the first game left off and sees team GR steal your Pokemon cards and wreck havoc across the land. You will slowly rebuild your collection (with plenty of new cards) and work to defeat them and push them out of the land.
The first game was a solid game and one many remember fondly. The sequel takes what made the first game great and improves on all of it.
Pokemon TCG2 picks up where the first game left off and sees team GR steal your Pokemon cards and wreck havoc across the land. You will slowly rebuild your collection (with plenty of new cards) and work to defeat them and push them out of the land.
The first game was a solid game and one many remember fondly. The sequel takes what made the first game great and improves on all of it.
Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR