Wow, what a strange world we continue to live in. Still recovering from the most challenging year in living memory for people but especially so for our small businesses. Ballmer Peak Distillery continues to thrive in a post-pandemic world. We stopped making hand sanitizer, and I even got to go on a trip to Kentucky to meet a ton of awesome distillers for the annual ADI conference. We also unleashed our love letter to Malort onto the world… Oh yeah, also there was plenty of good times to be had with video games.
8. Metroid Dread
It’s been nearly two decades since we last got a new Metroid in the classic 2D style, but Metroid Dread made the wait worth it. MercurySteam nailed the fluid movement, tight shooting, and eerie atmosphere that makes Metroid so special. The E.M.M.I. encounters brought a genuine sense of fear, the boss fights were intense, and the exploration was endlessly satisfying. If this is where 2D Metroid is heading, I’m more than happy to keep running for my life.
Best Moment: Realizing that Nintendo just put out a good-looking 2D Metroid game.
7. Death’s Door
Death’s Door is an indie masterclass in action-adventure design. Its world is melancholic yet charming, its combat is precise yet forgiving, and its cast of oddball characters brings a surprising amount of heart to a game about reaping souls. Throw in some satisfying puzzles and a stellar soundtrack, and you’ve got a game that lingers in your brain long after the credits roll.
Best Moment: Finally taking down the Lord of Doors after many failed attempts
6. Deathloop
Arkane Studios delivered yet another unique, systems-driven shooter with Deathloop, blending Dishonored’s immersive sim DNA with a slick ‘70s aesthetic and a time-looping murder mystery. The interplay between Colt and Julianna kept things unpredictable, and the freedom to experiment with different assassination routes made every loop feel fresh. It took some time to click, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down.
Best Moment: Pulling off a run that kills multiple visionaries for the first time.
5. Psyconauts 2
Double Fine finally gave us a sequel to one of the best platformers of all time, and it absolutely delivered. Psychonauts 2 expands on everything that made the original great—hilarious writing, creative level design, and some surprisingly deep emotional storytelling. Every mind you enter is packed with personality and visual flair, and the platforming feels smoother than ever. If you slept on this one, wake up and start jumping into some brains.
Best Moment: The tooth level.
4. Loop Hero
Loop Hero took roguelike progression and flipped it on its head, turning players into dungeon architects who shape their own looping paths. It’s a dangerously addictive mix of deck-building, strategy, and passive combat, wrapped in a wonderfully retro aesthetic. The sheer depth of its systems kept me experimenting for hours, proving that sometimes, the best way forward is just going in circles.
Best Moment: Modifying every tile to increase the challenge, earning all of the bonus loot.
3. Returnal
Returnal is punishing, haunting, and absolutely stunning. The blend of tight, arcade-style shooting with roguelike progression made for one of the most exhilarating action games in years. Every run felt like a fight for survival, and the game’s cryptic narrative pulled me deeper into its eerie, ever-shifting world. Plus, it made me terrified of biomechanical tentacle monsters, so thanks for that, Housemarque.
Best Moment: Having all of the right player modifiers and achieving the perfect run.
2. It Takes Two
Hazelight continues to redefine co-op gaming, and It Takes Two is their best effort yet. Every level introduces a brand-new mechanic, keeping the gameplay constantly fresh. The writing is packed with heart (and a bit of cringe), the puzzles are clever, and the sheer creativity on display makes it one of the best co-op experiences ever made. If you have a friend, significant other, or even a nemesis willing to play with you, this one’s a must.
Best Moment: Every next WTF moment. This game goes some weird directions and surprised me a lot after the first chapter.
1. Halo Infinite
After years of uncertainty, Halo Infinite reminded us why Halo is special. The campaign brought back the sandbox-style combat that made Halo legendary, giving players the freedom to tackle encounters however they wanted. The grappling hook? A game-changer. The multiplayer? Classic Halo fun with modern refinements. Sure, it launched with some rough edges, but at its core, Halo Infinite is a fantastic return to form for the Chief.
Best Moment: Hitting the top skill rank in multiplayer and retiring from ranked immediately after.
