January is the month that, where I live, in the south of England, everyone gets serious again. All the paraphernalia of Christmas - all the merriment and cheer and colourful lighting - is cleared away in favour of sobering goals for the year ahead. It's never something that's appealed strongly to me, making goals, but I do feel the allure of wiping a slate clean and starting again. It's like a run in a roguelike game, I like to think. Time for a new me.
43.8 million player votes later, the winners of the 2025 Steam Awards have been announced, with Hollow Knight: Silksong securing top prize, Game of the Year.
It's been another strange, difficult, and yet somehow also brilliant year for video games in 2025. Triple-A releases have been sparse again, compared to the boom times of old, with a great big GTA 6-shaped hole left in the final few months of the year. And yet once again, every gap left by the established order has been filled twice over with something brilliantly new.
2025 has gone by in a flash, hasn't it? Well, apart from the days I've spent tabulating all your Game of the Year votes and presenting the results here - that has felt like an eternity and I think has given me permanent neck pain. But, let's not worry about that. I'm sure you'll agree it was worth the sacrifice.
Mycopsychosys: Project Jupiter is mystery game where you play as a young detective working in the middle of a global zombie-like infection. I played a demo of the game at BCN Game...
HIGH Dark, gloomy atmosphere and captivating narrative.
LOW Looking for that one missing piece.
WTF Are some of these character motivations?
If one particular genre broke onto my gaming menu in 2025, it was mystery titles.
Like most things, it started off simple. The buzz around Disco Elysium became too alluring and the incredible writing quickly turned it into a personal favorite.
Shortly after, a friend recommended a little-known indie game called Outer Wildsand I joined the cult of players who now seek to vicariously relive their space venture through others.
Since then I’ve been making my way through some recent classics like Paradise Killer, The Case of the Golden Idol, Return of The Obra Dinn, and also some great releases from the current year such as The Roottrees Are Dead and Blue Prince. Needless to say, the bar has been set pretty high, and on my partner’s recommendation I booted up The Séance of Blake Manor as a potential new addition to the list.
Set in a rural Irish manor on the Halloween of 1897, the player takes on the role of Declan Ward, an investigator hired to look into the disappearance of Ms Evelyn Deane, a guest who had until recently been in residence.
At the same time, the Manor happens to be playing host to a colorful cast of characters attending a grand séance, touted as the first time that humans will manage to pierce the veil and truly talk to the deceased in the afterlife.
The initial task is to find out the truth behind what happened to Ms. Deane, but things quickly spiral into an interconnected web of intrigue and lore as the player learns more about the motives of each guest in an effort to find the culprit.
Initially, I was greeted with a small tutorial section that introduces Blake Manor’s mechanics and sets the scene for Ms. Deane’s disappearance. The player will investigate objects around the manor in order to obtain evidence, and may need to further discuss that evidence with guests in order to learn enough information to construct a hypothesis and finally confront the guilty individual.
In a move that I suspect may alienate some players, there is also an overarching time limit at play — investigating objects and talking to the manor’s patrons will burn through the limited time the player has available before the séance takes place. This also plays into the schedules of each character, who may be unavailable to speak to or located in different places depending on the time. While this adds an element of urgency, I did manage to resolve all the mysteries despite spending quite a few hours on inefficiencies. Thankfully, Blake Manor does offer hints as to what actions will progress each mystery, and does not punish the player for rechecking existing information — this adds a slightly forgiving feel, and was much appreciated!
For the first few hours I was absolutely overwhelmed with information as I rooted through the manor grounds and developed a rather unhealthy desire to break into everyone’s bedrooms, and any confusion was greatly reduced by Blake Manor nicely cataloguing all the information I found into a series of separate conspiracy boards to help track each mystery. While it might feel a bit “handholdy” compared to others in the genre, I found it to be vital thanks to the number of stories and motives simultaneously happening around the manor.
To further assist the player, Blake Manor also limits who they can quiz about certain pieces of evidence to keep each puzzle a bit more contained. Again, this felt like a wise decision to keep the player focused on the overarching narrative, rather than asking them to test every piece of information against a guest… which I did once or twice anyway. For spoiler reasons I won’t touch on the story beyond what’s been mentioned, but rest assured I believe it to be absolutely worth playing through, and there are some great twists in store.
The dark themes of the story are complimented by Blake Manor’s muted comic book aesthetic, which gave the manor a foreboding presence. It looks fantastic, and the important story beats are often accompanied by a comic book panel-style scene depicting the events, which adds to the feeling of discovery. Honestly, I have no real criticism about Blake Manor’s presentation and especially want to praise the character designs, voice acting and one-off sequences.
So far this has been a whole lot of praise — and it’s well earned — but I would be remiss not to mention some minor complaints.
For a start, the player will be spending a lot of their time exploring the manor and re-treading old ground. Due to how the manor and grounds are segmented, this also means spending a lot of (real) time going between zones. Each zone transition necessitates a loading screen, and it can begin to feel rather tedious if the player is lacking a clear goal or direction. It’s not a dealbreaker, but I imagine the problem will be compounded for players using a HDD or weaker PCs.
Secondly, the player is not allowed to solve a mystery until they have found all the pieces of evidence. For a number of cases, I understood the character’s motives and had solved the mystery in my head, but couldn’t solve it in the game itself because I hadn’t found the last piece of information to arbitrarily allow me to suggest a hypothesis. While I understand the need for this from a gameplay perspective, I would have liked the option to make an ‘educated guess’ when I had the majority of clues.
It’s also worth stating clearly this is a narrative-focused title first and foremost, and that the puzzles the the player is asked to solve are fairly simple, with only one or two exceptions that break previous puzzle logic. Minimal mental legwork is needed to crack the mysteries associated with each character.
These are all relatively minor complaints in the grand scheme of things. For lovers of supernatural mysteries, Irish folklore or even just a good old comic book, I am happy to give The Séance of Blake Manor an enthusiastic recommendation. I greatly enjoyed getting to know the characters and revealing their dark secrets, and ultimately unearthing the mystery of Ms. Deane’s disappearance. If this mystery looks even remotely appealing, my guess is that the experience will be enjoyed.
Disclosures: This game is developed by Spooky Doorway and published by Raw Fury. It is currently only available on PC. This copy of the game was obtained via paid download and reviewed on the PC. Approximately 15 hours of play were devoted to the game and it was completed. There is currently no multiplayer option.
Parents: The game is currently unrated by the ESRB. There are no jumpscares or graphic imagery, but there are a number of spirits who may be upsetting to younger players. Various changes also happen as the player explores the manor to give it a haunted feel. Blake Manor also deals with mature themes such as suicide and murder, and also features a sequence based around hallucinogenic drugs.
Colorblind Modes: There is no colorblind mode.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: Key dialogue is voiced, but all dialogue is also communicated via text. (See examples above.) There are audio queues for certain events, however they do not impact gameplay. The text and cursor each have a “larger” option for additional accessibility.
Remappable Controls: Yes, this game offers fully remappable controls on keyboard and controller.
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Star Wars Outlaws, Resident Evil Village, and More
Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass
Welcome to the new year, friends! Happy to be back with more games and more fun. Let’s get to it!
Available Today
Brews & Bastards(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Brews & Bastards is an intoxicating, twin-stick shooter, overflowing with action-packed combat, potent brews and outlandish bosses. Select from a group of inebriated heroes and descend, drink, and destroy your way through hordes of drunken demons in search of the stolen Brew Stone.
Rediscover the dark whimsical tale of Little Nightmares, now enhanced in stunning 4K and 60 FPS. Play as Six, a lone child trapped in The Maw, a massive vessel inhabited by monstrous, distorted versions of adults. Sneak, hide, and survive in a world where your childhood fears come to life.
Coming Soon
Atomfall(Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – January 7 Now with Game Pass Premium
A survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England. Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die blends dynamic real-time action, tactical combat, and risk-reward dice mechanics for thrilling second-to-second battles. Unravel an original stand-alone story as Queen Aleksandra, the once great ruler of Random on a mission for vengeance and redemption.
Rematch(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 7 Now with Game Pass Premium
Step onto the pitch in Rematch, a third-person, team-based football game where every pass, volley, and tackle matters. Designed for 5v5 online play, Rematch puts you in full control of one athlete, with no offsides, no fouls, and no downtime. Pass smart, play with purpose, and win together.
Step into the armor of a relentless Space Marine and use a combination of lethal weaponry to crush overwhelming Ork forces. Immerse yourself in an intense and brutally violent world based on the richest science fantasy ever created. Enhanced for a new generation, this edition brings quality of life and graphical improvements.
Final Fantasy– (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – January 8 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
“Earth, fire, water, wind… The light that once shone within the four Crystals was lost. Become the Warriors of Light, restore power to the Crystals and save the world.” A remodeled 2D take on the first game in the world-renowned Final Fantasy series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics. All the magic of the original, with improved ease of play.
Star Wars Outlaws(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 13 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game, set between the events of “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” Explore distinct locations across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life, along with her companion Nix. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.
Take the magic of friendship to new heights in a mystery adventure for one or two ponies. Playing as Sunny, Hitch, Izzy, Pipp, Zipp, or Misty, use your special abilities to stop the unstable magic that’s sending Zephyr Heights out of control! And have tons of fun with hilarious minigames and countless pony customizations.
Resident Evil Village(Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 20 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Resident Evil Village is the eighth main entry in the Resident Evil series. Set years after Resident Evil 7 biohazard, players follow Ethan Winters into a haunting European village, fighting for survival against brutal enemies as danger and mystery lurk around every corner.
MIO: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 20 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! A hand-crafted metroidvania set within a vast, decaying world reclaimed by nature and robots. Play as Mio, a nimble android exploring labyrinthine environments, battling rogue machines, and uncovering lost memories in a richly atmospheric adventure filled with secrets and danger.
Leaving January 15
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Jump back in to tie up any loose ends, or save up to 20% off your purchase to keep the fun going!
Flintlock The Siege of Dawn (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Neon White (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
Road 96 (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Ascent (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Grinch Christmas Adventures (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
I hope your last year treated you well with lots of high scores, achievements unlocked, and GGs. We’ll be back soon with even more games so keep it tuned here, or with us on social for Xbox and Xbox Game Pass. Talk soon!
Note: Games with a ‘Handheld’ designation represent those that are optimized for handheld play.
Readers, you disgust me. How many videogames do you need? I spend all year heaping your plate with digital comestibles, and then you rock up at the arse end of December, clamouring for a "selection box" like a flock of gannets.
Grotesque and surreal 'farming simulation' Horses has been banned from the Epic Games Store on the eve of release, a couple of years after a work-in-progress version of the game was rejected by Valve. In an alleged statement to developers Santa Ragione, the Fortnite makers explain that they've found the game to be in contravention of policies against "Inappropriate Content" and "Hateful or Abusive Content". Given that, according to Santa Ragione, Epic have had access to a build for two months and had already approved the game for publication on their store 18 days before launch, the whole thing feels like a frantic response to Valve's claims about the unfinished build, which Epic presumably haven't seen.
One of the first "moving pictures" ever created is a moving picture of a horse. In the late 1870s, the photographer Eadweard Muybridge produced a series of "chronophotographs" of horses and riders, including the famous 12-frame sequence Sallie Gardner at a Gallop. I know about Muybridge's work thanks to Jordan Peele's film Nope, which considers the historical erasure of Sallie Gardner's Black jockey, whose identity is disputed. Another thing that easily gets overlooked when considering these images is their contribution to the practice of horse-breeding.
Muybridge - who, incidentally, murdered his wife's lover, which doesn't seem wholly irrelevant here - captured the images after many years of tinkering with shutters, triggers and emulsions, but they were commissioned by the industrialist Leland Stanford, founder of the university of the same name. Stanford kept racehorses, and wanted a more precise understanding of their movements, with the obvious wider motive of being able to raise more champions; nowadays, gait analysis by means of video capture is commonplace among breeders. Muybridge's breakthrough in terms of photographic reproduction is thus an important development in control of equine reproduction. To stretch that point a little, you could argue that the moving picture has always been a way of disciplining sex - and one animal may seem much like another, once reduced to a quantity of frames.
When I first caught a very quick glimpse at Into the Fire, the kind of glimpse where you more just see a character design amidst a bunch of fire, I thought it was a new simulation game. A fireman sim, that kind of thing, the kind of game I'm sure exists already without needing to Google it. Into the Fire is not that at all. There is fire, and there is rescue, but there are also ancient mysteries amongst natural disasters, fiery, destructive jellyfish-esque spirits, and a tantalizing mix of science-fiction, folklore, and the supernatural.
Saturnalia and Wheels of Aurelia developers Santa Ragione have announced that they will "wind down operations and face a high risk of closing the studio", following Valve's refusal to allow their upcoming horror game Horses on Steam, PC gaming's largest digital storefront by some distance. They say they have the funds to support and update Horses after launch for around six months, but claim they "will not be able to start new projects unless Horses somehow recoups its development costs without access to more than 75% of the PC gaming market".
Yokai Landlord: Monster Mystery, published by Fine and developed by Shadow Glove, has finally received a release date for Nintendo’s console. The game is set to launch on December 25, with English support confirmed. Yokai Landlord: Monster Mystery is a social deduction adventure inspired by Werewolf-style gameplay. Players take on the role of an apartment landlord trying to identify which...
Saturnalia developer Santa Ragione's first-person narrative horror Horses has received a last-minute ban from the Epic Games Store. Epic was one of several storefronts confirmed to have approved a build for release when news of Horses' ban from Steam emerged, but it has now reversed its decision, citing what Santa Ragione calls "broad and demonstrably incorrect claims".
One thing that's probably got a bit lost in all the controversy preceding Horses' release is the fact it's surprisingly funny. Its humour is pitch black, yes, and its comedic moments often dance on a knife's edge between laughter and revulsion, but writer and director Andrea Lucco Borlera's first-person narrative horror - his debut game, created in close collaboration with Saturnalia developer Santa Ragione - is a fascinatingly singular vision. It's singular enough, in fact, that it's not an easy thing to effectively describe, but if you can imagine a sort of thematic reinterpretation of Animal Farm by way of Pier Paolo Pasolini's Salo on one side, and a meme-able Garry's Mod video on the other, then Horses gleefully oscillates between them, landing somewhere in the middle.
Yokai Landlord: Monster Mystery, published by Fine and developed by Shadow Glove, has finally received a release date for Nintendo’s console. The game is set to launch on December 25, with English support confirmed. Yokai Landlord: Monster Mystery is a social deduction adventure inspired by Werewolf-style gameplay. Players take on the role of an apartment landlord trying to identify which...
80 Days and Heaven's Vault developers Inkle are making a new "narrative deduction game" and audio drama called TR-49, in which you fiddle with a bunch of creepy old machines. It's based - or so they tell us - on a family connection to World War 2 espionage, and takes inspiration from Return of the Obra Dinn and The Roottrees Are Dead.
Video games don't have mysteries any more. There are too many people and too much internet to allow for such a thing, anything without an answer can, must, and will be solved by someone, often in a timeframe faster than developers expect. So I appreciate when developers refuse to divulge details, or indulge individuals in their desire to know exactly how much they have on their checklist, one such developer being Tonda Ros of Blue Prince developer Dogubomb.
Celebrated indie gem Blue Prince won't be getting a localisation or a direct sequel, as its creator wants all his projects "to be able to stand up on their own and be unique things".
Renowned British indie studio Inkle - the creator of Heaven's Vault, the Steve Jackson's Sorcery! series, A Highland Song, and many other glistening treasures - has just announced a new game. It's called TR-49 and it's part audio-book, part narrative deduction, based around a found-footage idea of cracking codes from a series of previously undiscovered and secret World War 2-era books.
