John • Gaming In The Wild
@gaminginthewild.bsky.social
Video games • Podcasts & YouTube: gaminginthewild.com • Books: Lost In Cult & Phaidon • Critique with kindness • Journalist • Social & PR • There's a patreon! patreon.com/gaminginthewild
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GOTY 2025: The Best Video Games Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
New year tip: if you'd like an easy Wrapped-style breakdown of your games, playtimes, trophies *across all platforms* at the end of the year, check out @playtracker.bsky.social. I'm giving it a go, and I can already see a breakdown of time spent per platform (Steam is winning handily so far).
Gaming In The Wild x PlayTracker
Earn rewards by tracking your cross-platform game library, achievements, stats, friend activity, and more.
playtracker.net
January 6, 2026 at 7:36 AM
New year tip: if you'd like an easy Wrapped-style breakdown of your games, playtimes, trophies *across all platforms* at the end of the year, check out @playtracker.bsky.social. I'm giving it a go, and I can already see a breakdown of time spent per platform (Steam is winning handily so far).
Introduce yourself with 4 video games
January 5, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Introduce yourself with 4 video games
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
Looking for even more new games coming out this month, with a focus on indies? Check out @gaminginthewild.bsky.social's video (which we sponsored this month):
bsky.app/profile/gami...
bsky.app/profile/gami...
It's time for the first indie game releases video of the year. January has a lot going on, including:
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
The Indie Game Guide To January '26
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Looking for even more new games coming out this month, with a focus on indies? Check out @gaminginthewild.bsky.social's video (which we sponsored this month):
bsky.app/profile/gami...
bsky.app/profile/gami...
Some of these amazing 2025 indie games have 0.01% of Silksong's Steam reviews.
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
The Indie Hidden Gems Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
January 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Some of these amazing 2025 indie games have 0.01% of Silksong's Steam reviews.
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
Won't someone think of all the 11th and 17th and 21st placed GOTY games that didn't make lists?
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
13 Indie Games You Might Have Missed In 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
January 4, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Won't someone think of all the 11th and 17th and 21st placed GOTY games that didn't make lists?
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
I liked #ManyNightsAWhisper so much, I bought it as a Christmas gift for half my Steam friends list. Play as a young archer who has to make a 1 kilometre shot into a huge huge stone chalice. If they hit, the world's dreams come true. If they miss, no such dreams will ever happen.
1.5hrs, $2.24.
1.5hrs, $2.24.
Save 25% on Many Nights a Whisper on Steam
A short interactive essay on dreams, pressure, and expectations. Take part in an ancient ritual where one shot determines the fate of a generation.
store.steampowered.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:24 PM
I liked #ManyNightsAWhisper so much, I bought it as a Christmas gift for half my Steam friends list. Play as a young archer who has to make a 1 kilometre shot into a huge huge stone chalice. If they hit, the world's dreams come true. If they miss, no such dreams will ever happen.
1.5hrs, $2.24.
1.5hrs, $2.24.
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
GOTY 2025: The Best Video Games Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
December 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
The most detailed and clarifying piece of journalism I've encountered on the Xbox BDS boycott. youtu.be/Ybj10537yi4?...
Why We're Boycotting Xbox (and Maybe You Should Too)
YouTube video by People Make Games
youtu.be
January 3, 2026 at 11:11 PM
The most detailed and clarifying piece of journalism I've encountered on the Xbox BDS boycott. youtu.be/Ybj10537yi4?...
Here's where I ended up this year:
10. Many Nights A Whisper
9. Skate Story
8. DISPATCH
7. Sword of the Sea
6. BALL x PIT
5. ARC Raiders
4. Promise Mascot Agency
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
10. Many Nights A Whisper
9. Skate Story
8. DISPATCH
7. Sword of the Sea
6. BALL x PIT
5. ARC Raiders
4. Promise Mascot Agency
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
GOTY 2025: The Best Video Games Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
January 3, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Here's where I ended up this year:
10. Many Nights A Whisper
9. Skate Story
8. DISPATCH
7. Sword of the Sea
6. BALL x PIT
5. ARC Raiders
4. Promise Mascot Agency
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
10. Many Nights A Whisper
9. Skate Story
8. DISPATCH
7. Sword of the Sea
6. BALL x PIT
5. ARC Raiders
4. Promise Mascot Agency
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
The Ghost games are odd ones. Playing both Tsushima & Yotei, I found myself looking for some kind of essence or ~soul that I never managed to find.
They're sleek, glossy, and proficient, but lacking in heft, gravity, texture, or substance, as I perceive those things, at least.
They're sleek, glossy, and proficient, but lacking in heft, gravity, texture, or substance, as I perceive those things, at least.
January 3, 2026 at 12:59 PM
The Ghost games are odd ones. Playing both Tsushima & Yotei, I found myself looking for some kind of essence or ~soul that I never managed to find.
They're sleek, glossy, and proficient, but lacking in heft, gravity, texture, or substance, as I perceive those things, at least.
They're sleek, glossy, and proficient, but lacking in heft, gravity, texture, or substance, as I perceive those things, at least.
I'm going to be contributing a monthly indie game release guide to @somanygames.co.uk this year. It's a great, well-intentioned little site that covers good games with no cookie / spam / popup / clickbait / tracker internet nonsense. Here's the first edition.
In the first of a new monthly series of articles @gaminginthewild.bsky.social runs down his most anticipated releases for January 2026!
somanygames.co.uk/articles/ind...
somanygames.co.uk/articles/ind...
January 3, 2026 at 11:27 AM
I'm going to be contributing a monthly indie game release guide to @somanygames.co.uk this year. It's a great, well-intentioned little site that covers good games with no cookie / spam / popup / clickbait / tracker internet nonsense. Here's the first edition.
Untangled: "Please stop calling our low quality product a low quality product, and instead focus on thinking about how you can use our low quality product."
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says people should move beyond calling AI 'slop'
"We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium ... that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other"
"We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium ... that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other"
January 3, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Untangled: "Please stop calling our low quality product a low quality product, and instead focus on thinking about how you can use our low quality product."
It's time for the first indie game releases video of the year. January has a lot going on, including:
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
The Indie Game Guide To January '26
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
www.youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
It's time for the first indie game releases video of the year. January has a lot going on, including:
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
Instagram you've gotta be fckn kidding me
January 2, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Instagram you've gotta be fckn kidding me
I finished 2nd in the patron #FantasyCritic league, but the crown went to @dovetail.bsky.social!
A mixed season: I started strong by calling Bananza ahead of the announcement, but a series of critical flops from renowned publishers—Skin Deep, Rematch, Shadow Labyrinth—did for me in the end.
A mixed season: I started strong by calling Bananza ahead of the announcement, but a series of critical flops from renowned publishers—Skin Deep, Rematch, Shadow Labyrinth—did for me in the end.
January 1, 2026 at 12:11 PM
I finished 2nd in the patron #FantasyCritic league, but the crown went to @dovetail.bsky.social!
A mixed season: I started strong by calling Bananza ahead of the announcement, but a series of critical flops from renowned publishers—Skin Deep, Rematch, Shadow Labyrinth—did for me in the end.
A mixed season: I started strong by calling Bananza ahead of the announcement, but a series of critical flops from renowned publishers—Skin Deep, Rematch, Shadow Labyrinth—did for me in the end.
Have a happy new year everyone, warm wishes from chilly Reykjavík!
December 31, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Have a happy new year everyone, warm wishes from chilly Reykjavík!
"Secret" unlisted playlist: interesting #ARCRaiders runs, mostly me and my pal Ciaràn being pacifist raiders on the voice chat.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
ARC Raiders - YouTube
John & Ciaran are two careful pacifist Raiders trying to knock off quests, find loot, explore, and only get into a manageable amount of trouble.
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"Secret" unlisted playlist: interesting #ARCRaiders runs, mostly me and my pal Ciaràn being pacifist raiders on the voice chat.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Update complete!
The 4-hour GITW video game music master playlist now has added @bloodcultures.bsky.social, @alphachromeyayo.com, @fingerspit.bsky.social, JOON, @amosroddy.bsky.social, @woodkid.bsky.social, and more.
music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...
The 4-hour GITW video game music master playlist now has added @bloodcultures.bsky.social, @alphachromeyayo.com, @fingerspit.bsky.social, JOON, @amosroddy.bsky.social, @woodkid.bsky.social, and more.
music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...
Video Game Music by Gaming In The Wild by Jhn on Apple Music
Playlist · 66 Songs
music.apple.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Update complete!
The 4-hour GITW video game music master playlist now has added @bloodcultures.bsky.social, @alphachromeyayo.com, @fingerspit.bsky.social, JOON, @amosroddy.bsky.social, @woodkid.bsky.social, and more.
music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...
The 4-hour GITW video game music master playlist now has added @bloodcultures.bsky.social, @alphachromeyayo.com, @fingerspit.bsky.social, JOON, @amosroddy.bsky.social, @woodkid.bsky.social, and more.
music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
It’s the last day of 2025 and what better time to release our Games of the Year!
Find each So Many Games writers personal top three games and an honourable mention in this bumper size article to hopefully keep you entertained on this New Year’s Eve.
somanygames.co.uk/articles/got...
Find each So Many Games writers personal top three games and an honourable mention in this bumper size article to hopefully keep you entertained on this New Year’s Eve.
somanygames.co.uk/articles/got...
December 31, 2025 at 12:10 PM
It’s the last day of 2025 and what better time to release our Games of the Year!
Find each So Many Games writers personal top three games and an honourable mention in this bumper size article to hopefully keep you entertained on this New Year’s Eve.
somanygames.co.uk/articles/got...
Find each So Many Games writers personal top three games and an honourable mention in this bumper size article to hopefully keep you entertained on this New Year’s Eve.
somanygames.co.uk/articles/got...
I guess it had to happen sometime... a couple goons jumped my squad mate in #ARCRaiders so I finally downed another raider. Feels bad, man. Idk why people like PvP.
But hey, we downed a giant flying death machine after.
youtu.be/U48JGr3ZPYQ
But hey, we downed a giant flying death machine after.
youtu.be/U48JGr3ZPYQ
First Blood. Second Blood.
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 3:20 AM
I guess it had to happen sometime... a couple goons jumped my squad mate in #ARCRaiders so I finally downed another raider. Feels bad, man. Idk why people like PvP.
But hey, we downed a giant flying death machine after.
youtu.be/U48JGr3ZPYQ
But hey, we downed a giant flying death machine after.
youtu.be/U48JGr3ZPYQ
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
"a stellar, period-piece soundtrack that's really creative" 🥰
Man oh man, I love seeing Promise Mascot Agency on cool GOTY lists by cool people
And when the music gets a mention? OH MY HEART JUST MELTS. Thank you! 💖💖💖💖
(whole video - and channel - is a banger btw)
Man oh man, I love seeing Promise Mascot Agency on cool GOTY lists by cool people
And when the music gets a mention? OH MY HEART JUST MELTS. Thank you! 💖💖💖💖
(whole video - and channel - is a banger btw)
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
GOTY 2025: The Best Video Games Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
December 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
"a stellar, period-piece soundtrack that's really creative" 🥰
Man oh man, I love seeing Promise Mascot Agency on cool GOTY lists by cool people
And when the music gets a mention? OH MY HEART JUST MELTS. Thank you! 💖💖💖💖
(whole video - and channel - is a banger btw)
Man oh man, I love seeing Promise Mascot Agency on cool GOTY lists by cool people
And when the music gets a mention? OH MY HEART JUST MELTS. Thank you! 💖💖💖💖
(whole video - and channel - is a banger btw)
BTW if you dislike video player popovers, cookie popups, mailing list pop-overs, random "notification" popups, etc when trying to read things online, this Chrome extension is like an incredible lifesaver. chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ubloc...
uBlock Origin Lite - Chrome Web Store
An efficient content blocker. Blocks ads, trackers, miners, and more immediately upon installation.
chromewebstore.google.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:42 PM
BTW if you dislike video player popovers, cookie popups, mailing list pop-overs, random "notification" popups, etc when trying to read things online, this Chrome extension is like an incredible lifesaver. chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ubloc...
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
GOTY 2025: The Best Video Games Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
December 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
As we wrap up the year, I can't help but reflect on how special the Off the Shelf series has been to me. So, I want to take this moment to both thank and highlight my amazing guests (see more about these shows in the comments).
December 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
As we wrap up the year, I can't help but reflect on how special the Off the Shelf series has been to me. So, I want to take this moment to both thank and highlight my amazing guests (see more about these shows in the comments).
Hop in at 2pm GMT for a lil YouTube premiere of this high-effort, half-hour GOTY video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Z4...
The Best Video Games Of 2025 | GOTY 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
www.youtube.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Hop in at 2pm GMT for a lil YouTube premiere of this high-effort, half-hour GOTY video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Z4...