I don’t know about you, but in a year that felt like I was just existing and trying to keep my head above water, it’s hard to actually think of a way to sum this year up in gaming, despite it feeling like a win on the surface.

The question that lingers still on my reflective brain, even as I type this at my musty ass desk, at midnight, on a Sunday, is… ‘Was it really though?’ Yes, there were undoubtedly some real bangers this year, masterclasses in storytelling, ambience and innovation, but alas, there were some wild and uniquely interesting (in a bad way) games to wade through. Regardless, you can’t deny,  there was definitely a smorgasbord of choice on offer. Here at MKAU, join us as we **mostly** celebrate our favourite games of the year.

In saying that, with a growing cast and tribe of returning reviewers this year, the annual ‘MKAU’s GAMES OF THE YEAR’ article definitely has a lot of variety, flavour, and spice as the many different gaming styles and personalities come together. This is what our lead editors Stacy, Ash, and talented reviewers, Whippy, Larry, Dylan, Sammy and Yas had to say. Categories are as follows, feel free to tell us your own favourites in the comments below or on our social media:

Stacy: ‘Hades 2’
I was obsessed with the original ‘Hades’. A sequel that lived up to and goes beyond the first one was such an ambitious endeavour that only SuperGiant Games could pull off. It doesn’t help that it’s so beautiful to look at, which is an added bonus.
Whippy: ‘Aussie Bogan Hero’
‘Aussie Bogan Hero’ was just a demo, but it instantly won me over. For a smaller indie title, it delivered a hilarious, uniquely Aussie experience packed with personality and charm. The humour, setting and over-the-top bogan energy filled my non-existent heart.
Larry: ‘CloverPit’
A rogue-lite slot machine nightmare, ‘CloverPit’, instantly hooked me for obvious reasons. Trapped in a cell with a slot machine and an ATM, you must pay off your debt at the end of each round and ultimately earn your shot at freedom. CloverPit is addictive, fun, and chaotic – the three things I crave in any game.
Dylan: ‘Blue Prince’
For years, I’ve been chasing a game that could give me the same feeling ‘Outer Wilds’ once did, and this year, I finally found it. ‘Blue Prince’ is a brilliant roguelike where every run feels different, blending clever puzzle-solving with a mysterious, slowly unfolding story as you uncover the many secrets of the Mount Holly Estate.
Ash: ‘Ball x Pit’
A huge nostalgic trip, enhanced by new game mechanics. Not since my childish eyes were graced with the joy of gaming of ‘Pong’ have I been so intrigued by a simple ball-bouncing, block-breaking game.
Sammy: ‘Gloomy Eyes’
It’s clear to see the passion of the small team behind this game with its Tim Burton-inspired style and presentation. The puzzles are creative and challenging, all while telling a spooky and wholesome story.
Yas: ‘Blue Prince’
‘Blue Prince’ was my early pick for ‘Game of the Year’, and while I could say technically ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ is my pick for best indie game, Blue Prince is unlike anything I’ve ever played. An incredibly addictive tile-building puzzle game with a rougelike twist. Technically, I finished it, but I have barely scratched the surface of all the mansion’s secrets, and each failed attempt to reach the antechamber had me saying, “Just one more.”

Stacy: ‘Little Nightmares 3’
‘Little Nightmares’ but big scares for me. I enjoyed the first one so much that for the franchise to keep telling this warped tale is such an awe-inspiring thing to watch.
Whippy: ‘Little Nightmares 3’
‘Little Nightmares 3’ masterfully blended eerie atmosphere, clever puzzles and haunting storytelling into an unforgettable experience. It’s a twisted world of childhood fears that feel more alive and terrifying than ever.
Larry: ‘R.E.P.O.’
While I’m not a fan of horror, it’s no obvious statement that ‘R.E.P.O.’ had players hooked from the jump, including myself. Combining aspects of proximity chat, horror, friends, and physics, this game was a ton of fun and had me hooked for hours on end, thanks to its endless chaotic moments.
Dylan: ‘Silent Hill f’
‘Silent Hill f’ is an exceptional survival horror game, and it’s difficult melee combat was right up my alley, making this choice a no-brainer. Combine that with terrifying enemies and haunting environments, it’s an easy pick for my ‘Horror Game of the Year’.
Ash: ‘Little Nightmares 3’
Although a new studio developed ‘Little Nightmares 3’, they understood what made its predecessors successful. It can be argued that they played it safe, but like the age-old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Sammy: ‘Silent Hill f’
Even though it doesn’t take place in Silent Hill, the 1960s Japan setting created a whole new creepy atmosphere, taking inspiration from Japanese folklore. Taking away the guns also added to the genuine fear, tension buildup and vulnerable feeling to set it apart from previous games.
Yas: “Dying Light: The Beast”
Dying Light: The Beast is a weirdly comforting entry into the ‘Dying Light’ series. The open-world survival title sees Kyle Crane return to take on the Infected once more. The real horrors set in at night when the Volatiles come out. There was a lot of screeching and crying, and it wasn’t from the game, and yet somehow, I enjoyed the trauma it gave me, even when my co-op buddy had to hear me weeping into my headset.

Stacy: ‘Doom: The Dark Ages’
Anytime Doom Slayer appears on the screen, it’s just pure aura. He is iconic; his games are iconic and the music is iconic. This time around, there are dragons; you can’t shit on the fact that dragons make everything cooler.
Whippy: ‘Mafia: The Old Country’
‘Mafia: The Old Country’ delivered a gripping, cinematic experience that was packed with emotion and old-school mob grit. It perfectly captured the golden age of organised crime, where it all began in the old country.
Larry: ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’
Fans of ‘Sekiro’ and ‘Dark Souls’ are sure to love this game. ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ has the perfect blend of hardcore fighting and stunning visuals. The anime-inspired graphics are what drew me to the game, and I was not disappointed. The First Berserker: Khazan is a blend of speed, precision and visual ferocity, creating an otherworldly experience.
Dylan: ‘Elden Ring: Nightreign’
FromSoftware tackling a roguelike has long been a dream for fans, but one many of us never expected to actually happen. ‘Elden Ring: Nightreign’ takes the Souls formula they’ve mastered and turns it up to eleven, delivering a faster, more aggressive gameplay loop while still featuring the exhilarating boss encounters the studio is known for.
Ash: ‘Ghost of Yōtei’
Another story of working off what came before it. If you’re like me and loved ‘Ghost of Tsushima’, then ‘Ghost of Yotei’ is a no-brainer. More of what you love with a new protagonist and a new location.
Sammy: ‘Ghost of Yōtei’
‘Ghost of Tsushima’ captured the essence of being a real samurai, and ‘Ghost of Yōtei’ brings even more of that. The realistic combat, intense battles and emotional storytelling create something that no other samurai-themed game has managed to do.
Yas: ‘Split Fiction’
Sci-fi and Fantasy games are both excellent in their own right, but what is even more excellent is a fusion of the two. ‘Split Fiction’ blends the two genres seamlessly, jumping between them at a moment’s notice. The game will really test a friendship, especially when it comes to coordinating actions, but that’s what makes Hazelight Studio’s two-player adventures memorable.

Stacy: ‘Battlefield 6’
Dear god, is this game fabulous with massive destructible maps, epic vehicles and intense gunplay. ‘Battlefield’ has never been so good.
Whippy: ‘Battlefield 6’
‘Battlefield 6’ brought back what fans loved about the series: massive battles, destructible environments, and pure chaos. It has jaw-dropping visuals, tight gunplay and unforgettable large-scale warfare. It’s Battlefield at its best, loud, explosive and endless fun.
Larry: ‘Battlefield 6’
The Battlefield series is my bread and butter. When ‘Battlefield 6’ was announced, I was sceptical after the sheer disappointment in ‘Battlefield 2042’, but I was heavily mistaken once I saw the trailer. Battlefield 6 brings back all the destruction and teamwork we so desperately missed from the ‘Battlefield 4’ and ‘Battlefield 3’ days.
Dylan: ‘ARC Raiders’
Between ‘Battlefield 6’ and ‘ARC Raiders’, this year’s shooter category was a tight race, but ARC Raiders’ just edged it out. Its moment-to-moment gameplay keeps you on edge, whether you’re teaming up with a random player to take down an ARC in solos or taking down other squads with friends in trios. The tension is always high, wins feel so damn satisfying, and then looting the spoils is the perfect cherry on top.
Ash: ‘Doom: The Dark Ages’
Unlike the rest of the MKAU team, I am not a competitive person. Consequently, my favourite shooter leans more towards a curated experience or co-op shenanigans. Growing up with ‘Doom’ in the 90s makes this one an easy pick.
Sammy: ‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’
The classic Nintendo shooter finally returns, and the wait has been worth it. Samus’ unique abilities and blasting through alien creatures of all shapes and sizes through an immersive and isolating atmosphere make this a sci-fi shooter unlike any other.
Yas: ‘Borderlands 4’
The iconic looter-shooter series is back and brings with it more loot, more kabooms and an unruly gang of new Vault Hunters. Combat feels incredibly satisfying, traversal is a breeze, and all the new ways of customising your experience make it one of the strongest in the series. While some of the humour of earlier titles seemed much more subdued, the quality of life improvements really packed that extra punch.

Stacy: ‘Grounded 2’
I was engrossed in the original ‘Grounded’; it was a perfect sandbox survival game. With a new and bigger map, great new enemies with cooler bosses and more constructible elements, with friends, this game is epic.
Whippy: ‘RV There Yet!’
This game was full of fun, laughter and somewhat teamwork, and it was super hard to put down, having a laugh with a couple of mates. It’s the perfect time-killing title with mates that blends comedy, cooperation and competition to see who can drive better.
Larry: ‘R.E.P.O’
Obviously, I had to choose ‘R.E.P.O.’ for the best multiplayer. Majorly due to proximity chat and playing with friends, R.E.P.O. was copious amounts of chaotic fun jam-packed into every monster-filled corner.
Dylan: ‘PEAK’
Every so often, a multiplayer game comes along and completely captures our attention. ‘Lethal Company’, ‘R.E.P.O’, and now ‘PEAK’. My ‘Multiplayer Game of the Year’, PEAK takes you and up to three friends on a climbing mission up a massive mountain, where all kinds of threats stand in your way. No matter who I played with, it constantly delivered endless laughs, pure chaos, and unforgettable moments.
Ash: ‘Elden Ring: Nightreign’
My introduction to the Souls genre began only a few years ago. Now it is one of my favourites. So, when you have the option of playing with like-minded fans, how could I not choose it and continue to draw others into the madness?
Sammy: ‘Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds’
With a growing roster of diverse characters from Sonic the Hedgehog and beyond, Sonic’s latest racer is pedal to the metal with intense and exciting racing action. With solid online and crossplay across all 7 platforms, there is always multiplayer action to enjoy, and the ranking system gives you something to strive for while bringing out the best in everyone.
Yas: ‘R.E.P.O’
‘R.E.P.O.’ is simultaneously terrifying and hilarious, and a great game to play with friends. With constant updates and a love for providing the community with ongoing updates, Semiwork have made repossessing items from abandoned buildings, whilst getting hunted by all manner of creepy creatures, a chaotically rewarding job.

Stacy: ‘Ghosts Of Yōtei’
I loved Tsushima, and Yotei was a perfect sequel. Beautiful scenery, amazing combat, and a storyline that tugged at my heartstrings. RPGs are my bread and butter, and this fed my soul perfectly.
Whippy: ‘Assassin’s Creed: Shadows’
‘Assassin’s Creed: Shadows’ is my RPG of the year because it delivers an unforgettable blend of rich storytelling, stunning world-building, and deep character-driven gameplay. It’s a seamless mix of stealth, action and RPG progression that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Larry: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
Battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG inspired by Belle Epoque France. ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ has real-time mechanics making each battle feel more immersive and addictive than ever before. You could quite easily mistake it for a movie instead of a video game.
Dylan: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
Guillaume Broche, the Game Director of ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’, has been open about his love for JRPGs and how influential they were on the game’s design. Taking inspiration from series like ‘Final Fantasy’ and ‘Persona’, the team captured the strengths of those games while also adding a unique twist of their own. The introduction of dodge and parry mechanics in a turn-based framework was so much fun, and it’s an idea I hope future turn-based JRPGs like Persona learn from.
Ash: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
Since I can no longer look to Square Enix for my fix of turn-based RPGs. At least Sandfall Interactive understands what fans like me want.
Sammy: ‘Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’
‘Like a Dragon’ creates yet another riveting story, this time centring around Goro Majima as he washes up ashore in Hawaii before becoming captain of his own pirate ship. Even for a shorter game, there are still many stories to be told and lore deeper than any buried treasure.
Yas: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ is nothing short of a masterpiece, proving that when devs have the freedom to create, works of art happen. Exploring The Continent with the Expeditioners is glorious. Expedition 33 very much deserves a place amongst the RPG greats.

Stacy: ‘JDM: Japanese Drift Master’
Ok, I am not a sports person at all at MKAU I am barely even a fighting game person. I am, however, into cars, so JDM was right up my alley, and I loved the integrated story stuff that tied Japan and all the import cars together in a nice little bow.
Whippy: ‘skate.’
‘skate.’ is taking the top spot this year for sports/fighting game of the year, whilst it does not quite grip the nitty gritty of the skate scene, it has joy, flow and creativity which keeps you going back for more.
Larry: ‘Just Dance 2026’
Who doesn’t love a bit of ‘Just Dance’? Just Dance is back with the 2026 version and is jam-packed with songs you know and love to bust a move to. Stunning new music videos are sure to have you bust this gem out after a long pub crawl or wild night.
Dylan: ‘Mario Kart World’
It’s a racing game, and racing counts as a sport, so ‘Mario Kart World’ takes my pick for Best Sports Game of the Year. It provided countless hours of fun, whether I was racing friends, competing in online lobbies, chasing faster times in time trials, or exploring the open world to uncover its many secrets. It was also the perfect game while hanging out on a voice call with mates.
Ash: ‘Mario Kart World’
Not one that is big on sports or fighting games, I typically don’t pay attention. So, with the general theme I seem to have this year of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. ‘Mario Kart World’ will take my pick.
Sammy: ‘Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’
SNK went all out with promoting the long-awaited ‘Fatal Fury’ sequel, and even though it didn’t quite capture the interest of the general public, it quickly became one of the premier games in the fighting game community. With a colourful cast of characters, a wide range of martial arts and deep combat mechanics, it’s helped create some of the most exciting and intense matches at major eSports around the world.
Yas: ‘Mario Kart World’
‘Mario Kart World’ was a strong release title for the Nintendo Switch 2. If you’ve played Mario Kart games, there’s all the usual content we know and love, but with new stages, open-world free-roam capabilities and some new powerups and perks. Perfect for parties and some friendly (or not so friendly) competition.

Stacy: ‘Oblivion: Remastered’
How could I not? It’s actually my number 1 favourite game of all time, and I never thought this time would come. I have so many memories attached to this title that I was so happy when it got a spit shine and polish, and boy did it shine.
Whippy: ‘Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy
‘Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy’ beautifully revitalised a classic adventure with modern visuals and refined mechanics while staying true to the heart of the original. It feels like rediscovering a forgotten gem, now polished.
Larry: ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4’
I never played ‘Tony Hawk’ and was more of a fan of the ‘Skate’ series. This remaster of ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4’ was all over the news. Players of the series were thrilled to relive their childhood when this was announced.
Dylan: ‘Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake’
The only remake I played in 2025, and it’s a good one. A fantastic way for new players to experience the first two games for the first time, or a way for old players to relive the journey of this legendary Square Enix franchise.
Ash: ‘Final Fantasy Tactics’
With two great picks for me to choose from of either an RPG genre or a tactics genre, I was conflicted. At any time, my choice with turn on a dime. Do I pick ‘Oblivion’ or ‘Final Fantasy Tactics’? Ask me in a week, and I will probably pick the opposite.
Sammy: ‘Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater’
2004’s ‘Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater’ was and still is one of the greatest games of all time and is the true origin story of the Metal Gear franchise. This classic game only got better with the remake, showing what an already amazing game could be in the modern day. Hopefully, Konami will give the Delta treatment to the other ‘Metal Gear’ games.
Yas: ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4’
The ‘Pro Skater’ series holds a special place in my heart, with many a year as a youngin’ hitting the virtual streets to do things on rails, flips and kick-pushing my way through various settings. The quality-of-life improvements, updated graphics, and additional challenges of ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4’ and better controls make it a must-play for fans of the originals and newcomers. Also, you can play as Doom Guy if you’re feeling super badass.

Stacy: ‘Siege X’
Yeah, yeah, I know it’s technically an expansion, sue me. It really is such a refreshment of the core game.
Whippy: ‘Farming Simulator 2025: Highlands Fishing Expansion’
The ‘Highlands Fishing Expansion’ is my DLC of the year because it adds a whole new layer of depth and relaxation to the game, blending farming life with immersive, scenic fishing spots. It expands the world in a meaningful way.
Larry: ‘Atomfall: The Red Strain DLC’
Bringing a new location, new enemies, characters and quests, ‘The Red Strain’ DLC builds on the game’s folk horror with a storyline centred around a quarantine zone. While I haven’t played the game, this DLC is all the rage as fans of the game say it’s expanded on Atomfall while keeping its unique charm intact.
Dylan: ‘Elden Ring: Nightreign – The Forsaken Hollows’
‘The Forsaken Hollows’ arrived right at the end of the year as a free DLC for Elden Ring: Nightreign, and it made a strong case for Best DLC. It introduced two new bosses, two new characters, alongside new weapons and fresh world events that helped the world feel alive again. Even better, classic bosses from past FromSoftware titles return, including Artorias from Dark Souls, which made this DLC especially dear to my heart.
Ash: ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order Of Giants’
More Indiana Jones, need I say more?
Sammy: ‘All Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds updates’
It’s only been three months since its release, but Sonic’s latest racer continues to grow its popularity with regular updates, seasonal events and new characters and tracks from the ‘Sonic’ franchise and beyond. Seeing the likes of other SEGA icons, Minecraft, Hatsune Miku, SpongeBob SquarePants, TMNT and more joining the race and new tracks representing them, it’s always exciting to see who and what will be added next.
Yas: ‘Lies of P: Overture’
‘Lies of P: Overture’ was a surprise update, expanding the lore of Krat before the Puppet Frenzy, adding new areas and quests, more badass weapons, extra bosses and a slew of quality of life improvements. Overture also introduced multiple difficulties, great for players like me, who tended to get sprung by puppets and automations quite regularly. 

Stacy: ‘Doom: The Dark Ages’
This was really tough for me as ‘Battlefield 6’ had such great sound effect designs, but I had to go with actual music for my final choice, as it feeds the soul.  It is no Mick Gordon, but dang, ‘Finishing Move Inc’ have done their utmost best to create that awesome rip and tear feel to the slasher soundtracks.
Whippy: ‘Battlefield 6’
It’s not just about the explosive realism, but also because Limp Bizkit brought the noise in the best way possible. The mix of roaring gunfire and Fred Durst’s iconic energy hit harder than a frag grenade. It’s the kind of soundscape that keeps you rollin, rollin, rollin through every firefight.
Larry: ‘BALL x PIT’
BALL x PIT was something I wasn’t expecting to be so good for a brick-breaking rogue-lite, but I was heavily mistaken. Not just because of how addictive it was, the soundtrack really had me hooked. Greeted by a medieval-like soundtrack in the menu to a futuristic EDM style had me on the edge of my seat.
Dylan: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
Before ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’, the entirety of Lorien Testard’s discography lived on SoundCloud. Sandfall Interactive took a chance on him, and it paid off in a big way. The result is an emotional soundtrack that still gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. Renoir’s theme, in particular, has become a regular listen, and it never fails to hit me just as hard.
Ash: ‘Lumines Arise’
Ignore all other choices from my fellow teammates. If you’re not picking a game that specialises in synesthesia as its core game mechanic, then you don’t really understand how sound design works. P.S. I still love you guys. **editor note: LOL, thanks man..**
Sammy: ‘Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds’
‘Sonic’ games have a long history of banging soundtracks, and many of them can be heard in the Blue Blur’s latest racer, along with various new tracks. The sound effects also add so much excitement and intensity to each race, building up hype like never before.
Yas: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”
‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ has some of the best sound design I’ve ever heard in a video game. I knew the sound design was exceptional when I was able to crack the code for parrying and dodging, with my telegraphing of attacks relying on sound cues. I can do most fights with my eyes actually closed, of course, the super satisfying sounds of parrying, the world ambience and who can forget Lorien Testard’s incredible soundtrack weave together to create auditory bliss.

Stacy: ‘Indiana Jones – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order Of Giants’
Troy Baker encapsulated everything that is right about Indiana Jones. Everything this man touches turns to gold, and I applaud him for his awesome portrayal of the treasure-hunting, dungeon-crawling adventure we all know and love in the base game and the DLC this year.
Whippy: ‘Claptrap – Borderlands 4’
I’ll forever love Claptrap, and he did an awesome job in ‘Borderlands 4’ with his perfect mixture of comic relief and chaos. His quirky personality, hilarious one-liners, and unshakable confidence make every moment fun.
Larry: ‘Dunks Watson – Borderlands 4’
Clearly, I had to choose Dunks Watson, first meeting Dunks in ‘Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel’, as he attempts to complete the ultimate slam dunk. In doing so, he jumps so high that he escapes Elpis’ gravitational pull, and after a long 14-year journey, I was thrilled to see him complete the ultimate slam dunk on Kairos.
Dylan: ‘Maelle (Jennifer English) – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
2025 was full of brilliant characters and performances. Troy Baker as Higgs in ‘Death Stranding 2’, Ben Starr as Verso in ‘Expedition 33’, and Judy Alice Lee as Melinoe in ‘Hades 2’. But it was Jennifer English as Maelle in ‘Expedition 33’ who truly made me feel things. Maelle is a character shaped by immense pain and suffering, and Jennifer brought that emotion to life with insane realism.
Ash: ‘‘Indiana Jones – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order Of Giants’
Potentially unimaginative, I know. However, Troy Baker has brought his A-game again with Indiana Jones in the ‘Order of the Giants’ DLC.
Sammy: ‘Goro Majima – Yakuza/Like a Dragon’
Majima has been a fan favourite character since the original game in 2005, and after 20 long years, he finally gets his own long-overdue exclusive solo adventure. The Mad Dog of Shimano holds nothing back, whether he’s hacking and slashing at enemies or blasting and sinking enemy pirate ships. Despite his unhinged personality and natural pirate skills, he also gets to show his soft side and dedicated loyalty to the friends he makes along the way.
Yas: ‘Esquie – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
Esquie from ‘Clair Obsur: Expedition 33’ is the kind of character that makes me, in Esquie’s words, feel more “whee than whoo”. Endearing, wholesome and the most powerful being on The Continent, Esquie is an absolute unit with a heart of gold and a belly full of wine.

Stacy: ‘Hollow Knight: Silk Song’
The game came out of the gate like pure fire. Everywhere I looked, it was ‘Hollow Knight: Silk Song’, and it was reeking of success and praise. I’m proud that a little indie game can garner so much hype and amass so many accolades.
Whippy: ‘Arc Raiders’
‘Arc Raiders’ will need to take the spot for this. It came out of nowhere and took the world by storm, and every man and his dog ended up playing the game. From the intense firefights, atmospheric world, and surprisingly tight gameplay loop, it was super surprising.
Larry: ‘Split Fiction’
Stunning visuals, engaging story and co-op? ‘Split Fiction’ combines all these aspects to create a wonderful experience for you and your friends to lose track of time. Split Fiction perfectly brings you genuinely challenging experiences that aren’t overwhelmingly frustrating like other titles.
Dylan: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
What an incredible win this game was for the industry. ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ proved that players don’t want soulless slop; we want games made with heart. By giving a small team a chance, Sandfall Interactive showed that creative risks can truly pay off. In the process, they single-handedly convinced a new generation to give turn-based games a shot, creating an entirely new wave of fans along the way.
Ash: ‘My second diploma’
Yes, I know, it’s not exactly something that relates to the gaming industry. However, in eight months, I not only completed one diploma but also completed a second one within the same time frame. Consequently, I had little time to play games or keep my fingers on the pulse of the gaming industry.
Sammy: ‘Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds’
‘Mario Kart’ has always been the king of kart racers since 1992, and to everyone’s surprise, it has actually been dethroned by its longest rival. Having crossplay across 7 platforms opens it up to an even bigger player base, and guest characters from other franchises joining the race give newcomers a reason to get in on the action. That success is likely to continue for a long time with regular updates and DLC support.
Yas: ‘Escape from Duckov’
Playing an extraction shooter as a squad of ducks was not on my 2025 bingo card as a breakout success, yet Escape from Duckov managed to prove the naysayers wrong. Taking the extraction-based shooter style gameplay of Escape from Tarkov and giving it a quirky and quacky touch is what players want.

Stacy: ‘The Annual Game Awards lacking diversity’
It was a glorified yawn fest. Diversity is not the same game game-winning every single award while other games got completely snubbed, like ‘Indiana Jones’ (despite it coming out in December last year and missing that award show too), ‘Kingdom Come Deliverance 2’ and ‘Arc Raiders’. Unpopular opinion: a game can be great and not clean every single thing up.
Whippy: ‘GTA 6 Delayed’
‘Grand Theft Auto 6’ being delayed once was enough of a punch in the gut, but for it to be delayed a second time is upsetting. Rockstar teased us and left us with high expectations, and pulled it away just as quickly.
Larry: ‘GTA 6 Delayed, again’
While I can understand ‘GTA 6’ being delayed the first time and there is no confirmation of it being delayed again from the initial May 2026 release. Many insiders are saying an October 2026 release is highly likely. I’m usually not one to care, but the constant delays do disappoint me only because we have been waiting a decade for the next GTA instalment.
Dylan: ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’
Following on from the success of ‘Black Ops 6’ last year, they decided to try and follow up with a direct sequel this year. I won’t go into my exact thoughts cause I’ll be here all day, so let’s just say it failed so poorly that it made Call of Duty finally change its business model and will move away from Black Ops and Modern Warfare. Instead of focusing on new stories, some good news came out of a very bleak situation.
Ash: ‘Microsoft Rewards Restructure’
I supplemented my Xbox Game Pass with Microsoft Rewards. With the restructure of the reward system to align with the price increase of Game Pass, the value has decreased exponentially.
Sammy: ‘WB Games giving up on their franchises too early’
If even WB Games is giving up on their franchises, it gives very little reason for players to stick around. This also extends into the movie industry, and even if something has true potential, they prioritise corporate greed over paying their staff and giving the people what they want. Hopefully, this will change with Netflix’s recent acquisition of them, but only time will tell.
Yas: ‘Premature release of the Nintendo Switch 2’
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy some of the quality life improvements of the Nintendo Switch 2, but its release was premature. With a minimal library of new games at launch, it took some time to feel like the purchase wasn’t premature as well. Being able to carry over games and their progress from the Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 with better performance, as well as a host of ports and remakes, has been handy, but I could use much more in my completely new library.

Stacy: ‘Xbox increasing the price of Game Pass’
Hey, what screams out of touch? Maybe during a global economic crisis, a mega corporation like billionaire giants, Microsoft, hiking Game Pass prices to ridiculous prices, while having nothing exclusive anymore. I dunno, it seems wild to screw over your community like that, I for one, cancelled mine.
Whippy: ‘Overuse Of AI-Generated Content’
Studios have leaned into using AI to cut costs, but instead of enhancing development, it often just replaces humans, which has brought mass layoffs from those bigger companies. Performances have started to feel flat, and the  art style has lost its identity
Larry: ‘Xbox increasing the price of Game Pass’
Honestly, I don’t pay much attention to anything going on within the industry, but Xbox deciding to increase the price of Game Pass is one I’ve been hearing about a lot lately. While I don’t agree with increasing the price, as most don’t, I’m not surprised by the decision, as everything else nowadays is increasing, so hearing this news was no shock.
Dylan: ‘Xbox increasing the price of Game Pass’
Thinking about this category was quite simple, really. It’s easily Xbox increasing the price of Game Pass and then absolute daylight to other bad decisions. What was once the best deals in gaming can’t quite be called that anymore, I’m afraid, and that’s disappointing because it’s something I believed in for a long time. I understand costs go up, but that doesn’t make it any less of a kick in the stomach.
Ash: ‘Value to consumers of Xbox Game Pass’
As consumers, we’ve had a great run with Xbox Game Pass, and I knew one day the structure would change. 2025 has brought that change, and though I cannot complain about the price being brought in line with other platforms. I can complain about the lack of value afforded to its consumers.
Sammy: ‘Constant layoffs and studio closures’
This has become way too common in the industry; not even award-winning games can prevent a studio from being shut down by greedy higher-ups who have no passion for gaming. Hopefully, more studios will wise up and not let themselves be bought out, only to be shut down.
Yas: ‘Games releasing before they’re ready’
The curse of games releasing before they’re ready was very noticeable in 2025. Games were released with bugs, poor optimisation and subpar graphics to the point where some titles almost felt unplayable. Officially released games, like Borderlands 4 and Monster Hunter: Wildsands, had their fair share of performance issues on release that didn’t necessarily set a good first impression, even though they are great games that just needed that extra touch-up before they were released.

Stacy: ‘MoistCr1TiKaL’ (YouTube)
Charlie has been my backbone and background for most of this year. His dry humour and disposition to things in pop culture are very entertaining.
Whippy: ‘Channel 199’ (YouTube)
Channel 199 and Travis Pastrana are my Content Creator of the Year because they perfectly capture adrenaline, creativity and pure fun. From the insane stunts to the behind-the-scenes of Travis’s insane mind, it keeps me wanting more the entire time.
Larry: ‘CboysTV’ (YouTube)
Consistently hitting millions of views with each video, it’s easy for me to pick CboysTV as content creator of the year. Videos rammed with dirt bike content and other random ideas from the boys never leave a dull moment, and honestly, who doesn’t love dirt bikes?
Dylan: ‘Kinda Funny’ (YouTube)
I’ve been watching Kinda Funny for years, and besides tuning into their daily news show, I also want to shout out their seasonal trivia game show, ‘Game Showdown’, hosted by Blessing. He’s joined by Tim Gettys, Greg Miller, and Andy Cortez or sometimes Mike, depending on the day. It’s always good for plenty of laughs, especially thanks to Greg’s constant shenanigans at Tim’s expense.
Ash: ‘Nick Calandra’ (Second Wind: YouTube)’
I love the team at Second Wind, and this year I have to award my pick to Nick Calandra. It was a tough choice this year, until Nick created a beautiful, reflective piece on YouTube about the fall of the Escapist and the rise of Second Wind.
Sammy: ‘VIPERFOXE’ (Twitch)
A super talented artist, competitive gamer and all-around fun and entertaining variety streamer. VIPERFOXE has built a solid following of like-minded people and has also been accepted into the Twitch Black and Twitch Pride Guilds. Whether she’s working on an art project, gaming with her community or commentating on a hilarious dating show, her streams are something to look forward to every week, full of laughs and good times.
Yas: ‘KingWoolz’ (Twitch)
I am not brave, especially when it comes to exploring creepy houses at night, outrunning large animal-shaped animatronics or investigating strange activity. What I am good at is living vicariously through other gamers’ pain. KingWoolz’s super charming commentary and the ever-entertaining screech before damn near falling out of his gaming chair make his horror streams just hit different. 

Stacy: ‘Ghosts of Yōtei’
Sorry, I really can’t fault it on anything other than the fact that it was very similar to the last game. The question, though, is how do you improve on perfection anyway? Sucker Punch Productions are the masters of storytelling, and that is the key to my gaming taste.
Whippy: ‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’
This is my game of the year because it refused to dumb anything down and fully commits to its story with deep role play, grounded realism and meaningful choices, and there was no live server online nonsense. Any game that can drop a one-liner like “You are yanking my official pizzle” wins in my books.
Larry: ‘How to Train Your Cock’
‘How to Train Your Cock’ is an idle game that runs in the background while you complete other tasks. Long story short, it’s a little chicken that sits on an island pumping reps, which you can use its gains to upgrade, making it stronger and stronger. I genuinely got addicted to this and haven’t felt this much excitement over a game in ages.
Dylan: ‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’
My Game of the Year 2025 goes to ‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’. I loved the first game, and the sequel expands on it in nearly every way. People call Kojima crazy for the gameplay he’s chosen, yet for me, being a post-apocalyptic delivery man remains as addictive as ever, so much so that it’s almost a therapeutic experience. Plus, its epic, larger-than-life narrative is set in Australia, who doesn’t love that?!
Ash: ‘PowerWash Simulator 2’
When I’m not playing it, I want to play it. After a long year of long days, coming home and just washing away the stress of the day is cathartic, with its recognisable accomplishments and rewarding dings of a job well done.
Sammy: ‘Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds’
If it wasn’t already obvious, this is the game I’ve been obsessed with since its release, being able to just jump in and race against opponents no matter where they are in the world or what platform they’re on. It feels surreal that we live in an era of actual good ‘Sonic’ games after its long run of terrible games. The franchise has truly found its footing once again, as we’re always looking forward to getting back on track and seeing who will join the race next. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has officially raised the bar in kart racing games and is living up to its motto, “Come Race on Our Level!”
Yas: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’, to no one’s surprise, is my game of the year. A heartwrenching tale of loss, love and hope unlike any other. It set a new standard for storytelling and worldbuilding for “those who come after”. I can’t wait to see what Sandfall Interactive do next.

MKAU Gaming would also like to thank all the developers, publishers, fans and our amazing community members for all the love, support and amazing opportunities you have provided us this crazy year as content creators and media. We wish you all a happy holiday and a prosperous, merry and safe New Year, gaming into 2026! – The MKAU Review Team and CEOs Lance and Kurt

Editors: To our amazing review team, thank you for all your outstanding hard work and dedication this year. We couldn’t do it without you, new and old! – EIC Stace and Senior editors Ash and Matt