![\"Assassin\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SEI_292691219-1a17.jpg\")
\n\t\tAssassin\u2019s Creed Shadows \u2013 not quite making the cut (Ubisoft)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tAssassin\u2019s Creed Shadows \u2013 not quite making the cut (Ubisoft)<\/p>\n
2025 might be long over but one reader has only just got around to playing some of its most acclaimed games, as he lays out his top five from last year.<\/p>\n
The sun is starting to shine; spring is just around the corner (we hope), so what better time to review the year just gone. I know it\u2019s very late, but I\u2019ve only just managed to get to a point where I\u2019ve played some of the more notable titles.<\/p>\n
The games that didn\u2019t make the cut I also didn\u2019t finish Metroid Prime 4<\/a>. I enjoyed it at first but after I found the third area on the map a bit dull compared with the previous two levels the game became a bit of a chore.<\/p>\n Honourable mentions Assassin\u2019s Creed Shadows<\/a> just, I think, loses out on the top five. The stealth and combat are fun, but I got distracted by other games. I need to come back to it at some point. I\u2019ve also played The S\u00e9ance Of Blake Manor<\/a>, albeit for an hour or so. Seems promising so far but I need to come back to it.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tExpert, exclusive gaming analysis\t\t\t<\/p>\n Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter<\/a> for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.<\/p>\n My top five video games<\/a> of 2025<\/p>\n 5. Sword Of The Sea<\/p>\n A game I subscribed to PS Plus<\/a> for the month so I could play. Sword Of The Sea<\/a> is hard to describe but in many ways is kind of a skating game. A unique game which can be completed in a few hours, which adds to the charm.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n 4. Donkey Kong Bananza<\/p>\n For me this was a slightly disappointing game. The first half of the game was very good, and the mechanics were what I expected and wanted. However, for me some of the levels seemed less inspired than the earlier levels. I\u2019d have preferred less levels that were a bit bigger to encourage more exploration. Despite that I still think Donkey Kong Bananza<\/a> a must play game for Switch 2 owners and a lot of fun.<\/p>\n 3. Mario Kart World<\/p>\n I know for many Mario Kart World<\/a> was a letdown but for me it surpassed Mario Kart 8. The game looks very pretty, the Knockout Tour mode is a winner, especially with the greater number of players, and I enjoy that there\u2019s a mix of point-to-point races and the traditional three-lap structure. My only slight issue is that I wish there was a more detailed map in free roam mode, to locate new P-switch locations.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n 2. Ghost Of Y\u014dtei<\/p>\n Somewhat superficially I bought Ghost Of Y\u014dtei because I had new TV and wanted to get a game that would look impressive on the new screen. And my oh my is it a beautiful game. Surprisingly though, I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d like it as much as I did; even getting the platinum trophy, which I\u2019ve only done a couple of times before. I kind of agree with your review<\/a>. Ghost Of Y\u014dtei is in someways quite vanilla and safe and doesn\u2019t really take any risks but I still had a great time.<\/p>\n I was invested with the main character and the narrative even though it was fairly rote one. The combat never got boring and I felt compelled to find all the collectables and complete side quests. The game was also I massive bargain. I bought it for \u00a335 on Facebook<\/a> then sold it for \u00a330 after I\u2019d finished. 50 hours of play for a fiver!<\/p>\n 1. Dispatch<\/p>\n I was unsure at first whether to put Dispatch<\/a> in pole position. Mainly it\u2019s a passive experience with some interactive elements, so not a video game in the traditional sense. However, everything is just so well done. The characters are flawed yet likeable, the writing and dialogue is great, and at times very funny. And the voice-acting and animation is also excellent.<\/p>\n So there you have it, my rundown of 2025. I\u2019ll have my review of 2026 sometime around early 2027.<\/p>\n By reader matc7884<\/p>\n \t\t The reader\u2019s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.<\/p>\n You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.<\/p>\n Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk<\/a> or use our Submit Stuff page<\/a> and you won\u2019t need to send an email.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow
I\u2019m sorry to say that I didn\u2019t enjoy Clair Obscur: Expedition 33<\/a>. I wanted to, I really did. I can tell it was made with a great deal of skill and love. The graphics and art style was beautiful, the story and narrative was engaging, and I genuinely wanted to know what would happen next. However, I couldn\u2019t get on with the gameplay and wasn\u2019t engaged enough to carry on for another 20+ hours, so traded it in after playing only about two or three hours.<\/p>\n
Star War Outlaws<\/a> is obviously an older game, but I played it for the first time on the Switch 2<\/a>. Personally, it\u2019s probably the game I enjoyed the most last year. The gunplay and combat is solid if unspectacular and the stealth is pretty forgiving if you are a bit naff like I am. But the real star of the game for me is the exploration. Sneaking through Empire bases or speeding across Tatooine never lost its magic.<\/p>\n![\"Dispatch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SEI_289037465-ca4a.jpg\")
\n\t\tDispatch \u2013 semi-interactive entertainment (AdHoc Studio)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: I still play my favourite ZX Spectrum game 38 years after it came out – Reader\u2019s Feature<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Nintendo GameCube is my favourite console even though I know it\u2019s not the best – Reader’s Feature<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: We must demand worse graphics to save the video games industry – Reader\u2019s Feature<\/a><\/p>\n