My Gaming Year in Review: 2025
Table of Contents
Ever since 1993, I’ve unconsciously judged almost every game by how well it can capture how Wing Commander: Privateer made me feel.
2025’s Most Played Games
Steam and PlayStation (the two platforms I use the most) have been doing a year-in-review summary akin to the wildly popular Spotify Wrapped for the past few years. Based on these, I can report that my most-played games in 2025 were, from most hours down:
- No Man’s sky
- Civilization VI
- Stellaris
- Factorio
- Dwarf Fortress
Why These Games?
it’s interesting to see this list coalesce. These games all share a common thread: they offer immense freedom and emergent gameplay. they aren’t about following a prescribed narrative; they’re about creating a narrative. This resonates deeply with the feeling I got from Wing Commander: privateer – a game where you weren’t a hero, but a space trader making yoru own way in a dangerous galaxy.
No Man’s Sky: The Endless frontier
No Man’s Sky topped the list, and it’s no surprise. The constant updates and the sheer scale of the universe keep me coming back. I can spend hours just exploring, building bases, and trading resources.It’s a relaxing, yet engaging experience.
The grand Strategy Trio: Civilization VI, Stellaris, and Dwarf Fortress
Civilization VI, Stellaris, and Dwarf Fortress represent my love for grand strategy. Each offers a unique challenge and a different scale of empire building.
Civilization VI is about guiding a civilization through the ages, while Stellaris focuses on galactic conquest and diplomacy. Dwarf Fortress, well, Dwarf Fortress is just… something else entirely.It’s a simulation of a dwarven colony that’s notoriously complex, but incredibly rewarding.
Factorio: Automation Addiction
Factorio. This game is pure addiction. Building and optimizing a factory is incredibly satisfying, and the constant need to improve efficiency keeps me hooked for hours. It’s a different kind of freedom – the freedom to create a perfectly optimized machine.
Key Takeaways
- Emergent gameplay and player freedom are key factors in my gaming preferences.
- I gravitate towards games that allow me to create my own stories.
- Grand strategy and automation games provide a unique and engaging challenge.
- The feeling evoked by Wing Commander: Privateer continues to influence my taste in games.
Looking Ahead
I’m excited to see what new games 2026 brings. I’ll be keeping an eye out for titles that offer similar levels of freedom and emergent gameplay. Perhaps a new space sim will finaly capture that Privateer magic. For now, though, I’ll be happily lost in my existing gaming worlds.
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