Mid-Year Game Review 2025

We’re already halfway through the year! Soon we’ll be talking about Christmas while putting away our winter clothes and checking our fans are in good working order for another obscenely long and inhumane summer (this is not a jab at all the northern hemisphere people who act like half the world doesn't exist below the equator 😏)

Regardless of the season, I played a bunch of games! Some all the way to the credits, and others until I felt I’d seen enough. Here’s a little breakdown of them…

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

MODE: PC (Steam)

TIME: 80 hrs

STATUS: Completed (saw those credits and played act 3 twice to get all the Steam achievements!)

Ah, the long awaited 4th installment of the Dragon Age series was finally released in October 2024 and gifted to me for my birthday in December. As a fan of the previous games (I’ve talked about them a few times in previous posts 😅) I was disappointed by the reviews that started to role in upon the game’s release, as well as news of much of the staff that worked on the game being let go at Bioware, but I cleared my head of expectations and just went for it. Sure, there were things I thought were strange. For example, all of the companions were too nice! Where was the bickering? The snark? There were a couple of characters who had a little animosity between them, but it was minor and was sorted out pretty quickly. If you throw random strangers together some of them will inevitably clash and even hate each other. That's how the world works! There were other aspects I couldn't put my finger on, like what tone the writers were going for and some of the dialogue seemed out of place. All in all though, I had a good time with it. I enjoyed the gameplay, the colour palette (which has divided some players) and I was happy with the story.

This is a really great post that I think encompasses a lot of how I feel about this game. That it might be a last hurrah for us DA fans and the team did the best that they could in what were undoubtedly terrible circumstances.

My biggest upset was the soundtrack. I found it underwhelming to say the least, and not a single stand out song that I was bound to play repeatedly for the rest of the year. The soundtracks for the previous games were wonderful. The music for the Inquisition DLCs - The Descent and Trespasser remain on high rotation. Why they didn’t rehire Trevor Morris, I'll never know…

Anyway, I really enjoyed The Veilguard. I loved the player character “Rook” and being able to wrap up my own story regarding my character player from Inquisition and her beloved Solas. I just hope this isn’t the end for the series…

Stardew Valley

MODE: PC (Steam)

TIME: 135 hrs

STATUS: I’ve seen enough… for now! You know what this game is like.. You put it down for 6 months then you’re back playing 8 hours straight!

I started playing Stardew Valley in 2020 when everyone else was playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons. At the time, I didn’t own a Switch, but my PC ran games pretty well and Stardew seemed like the next best thing. If you’re familiar with this game, you’ll know there is MUCH to do! But I played it slowly, putting it down and picking it up again when I felt like it. Things really stepped up a notch when my partner got a copy and decided to co-op. Having 2 of us on the farm instead of just me meant things finally got done!

Playing together and working as a team really lifted the game for me. While I kept busy on the farm, fixing the greenhouse and community centre, my partner kept himself busy in the various mines and caves. After 100 hours, we got to the end of year five and realised we’d done everything we wanted to do. Even the cinema was now open and I didn’t want to marry any of the characters in town (although I was engaged to Elliot 😬) I don’t need to tell you that this is a wonderful game and I love that I can log out for now, but jump back in whenever I feel like it.

Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City*

MODE: Nintendo Wii

TIME: 5 hrs

STATUS: I’ve seen enough for now. I’m hanging out for Nintendo to put this on their online thingy, or I'll find other means… 🐬

I wasn’t sure whether to mention this one as I only played for a handful of hours, purely because I struggled with the Wii controls - a remote in one hand and a nunchuck in the other. What I did see I enjoyed, even though Nook was being a bit of a bully!

Hello Kitty’s Island Adventure

MODE: Nintendo Switch

TIME: 55 hrs

STATUS: I’ve finished the main story, but I can see myself ducking in from time to time

This game is the perfect remedy for anyone waiting for the next Animal Crossing game, or want something that feels like AC, but without having to start a new island. Hello Kitty’s Island is a super busy game with tons to see and do. The main story involves quests that will eventually open up hidden parts of the island and unlock the digital memories of TOPHAT - one of the founders of the island. I initially liked the gift-giving friendship mechanic, but after a while it felt like that was all I was logging on to do. However, there's so much going on, I won’t be able to include it all here. From cooking, fishing and deep diving, to solving ancient puzzles and traversing old mines in rickety carts! That’s just a glimpse into what’s available to you in this full, lush and I guess not all that cozy game. It also seems unbreakable (I tried multiple times!) It never once crashed.

Snufkin: Melody Of Moominvalley

MODE: Nintendo Switch

TIME: 6 hrs

STATUS: Completed. Saw the credits. Cried. Wished it was longer.

I picked up a physical copy for the Switch while I was in Japan last year, and as I grew up a fan of the Moomins, I was delighted to get to explore Moominvalley. You play as the humanoid character Snufkin as he thwarts an industrious park keeper’s attempts to ruin Moominvalley’s natural landscape. With an atmospheric soundtrack that features songs by Icelandic band Sigur Rós, I only wish this game was longer (I’m very excited to hear another one is coming!)

Disney Illusion Island

MODE: Nintendo Switch

TIME: 25 hrs

STATUS: Completed. Loved it!

Another one I bought in Japan! I had no idea I was going to love this game as much as I did! I thought it was going to be a platformer with not much story, but I was wrong. It’s a metroidvania (my first!) with an intriguing story and a gorgeously designed world.

I played it with my partner and we both really enjoyed the mechanics and gameplay. My favourite aspect was that when you lose hearts due to the various perils you face, just hug your team mate to gain them back!

What else?

Here are some more games I dabbled in…

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn (on Nintendo 3DS) I spent a few hours with this one.

The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings (on PC) My 4th or 5th playthrough

Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture (on PC) 2nd playthrough

The Elder Scrolls Iv: Oblivion (on PC) Currently playing the OG! Huge contender for my GOTY!

What’s next?

If I get to any of the below this year, I’ll be stoked!

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth

Fire Emblem: Engage

Pillars Of Eternity

Tales Of The Shire

The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

What have you been playing!? 👀👀👀

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