Games of 2025 – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a connection that goes beyond the game

After another year full of brilliant launches, the time has come to remember some of the moments that had the greatest impact over these 12 months of entertainment and art in the form of video games. As we did in previous years, we asked you to share your favorite games with us, so I’m here to share my favorite games.

The year 2025 was especially exciting because since childhood, Japanese experiences have stood out as the main source of support for fueling this passion. If 2024 was marked by the prominence achieved by Korean and Chinese producers, 2025 was the year of returning to some of my most beloved names, with experiences that I will remember with special affection, long after finishing them.

From experiences that reminded me how exciting it is to cooperate with other players, adventure titles whose gameplay reminded me of childhood times when fun was the only thing that really mattered, and of course, Hideo Kojima. It was this Japanese master who made me look at video games as something more than mere “toys” and so many years later, he hasn’t lost his touch.

On this page, I present my choices, Adolfo Soares, with emphasis on Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. There is a very personal side to this connection, which stayed with me beyond the time I spent playing it, because of the way it talks about human connections and persistence. It’s a game that marked me, not only because of what it is, but because of the way it made me feel:

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach conveys the message of a sequel made with full awareness of what the first game was and the impact it had. Kojima doesn’t abandon his vision or try to make it easier to interpret; on the contrary, it dives into ideas, mechanics and themes with much more confidence. Everything seems safer, more intentional, as if the game knew exactly the space it wanted to occupy and the type of relationship it wanted to establish with whoever played it.

The sequel reinforces what has always defined the Death Stranding universe: characters loaded with meaning, permanent symbolism and a story that is built as much by the answers as by the questions it raises. There are moments that call for meditation, others that directly challenge the player, and choices that are probably not consensual. But it is precisely this avoidance of easy paths that gives strength to the game and moves it away from more predictable proposals.

There is a solid balance between rhythm, progression and variety, which makes the experience more fluid without losing the weight and identity that have always characterized the series. Death Stranding 2 continues to demand time, attention and involvement, but it does so in a more refined and confident way. It is not a game designed to please everyone, but it is definitely an authentic work, made for those looking for different things and willing to go beyond what is obvious.

In addition to this choice for Game of the Year, we also present honorable mentions, titles that also dazzled each member of the team. Passion has a lot to say in the choices and experiences throughout each individual’s life, it is the mirror of the individualization of these choices, so see this as a reflection of who we are:

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – This is a demanding but extremely rewarding adventure, which stands out above all for the quality of its writing and the way in which the player’s choices determine the narrative and relationships with the world. Henry’s story unfolds at his own pace, with thoughtful dialogue and rare weight in decisions, while complex, unforgiving gameplay rewards learning and progression over time. It is an ambitious, consistent and stimulating RPG, created for those who value depth, patience and a more authentic interpretation of the genre.
• Battlefield 6 – It’s a return to the origins of the series, where the campaign is an irrelevant extra, placing the focus where its strength has always been: multiplayer. The big battles return with well-defined classes, relevant teamwork and that controlled chaos that has always characterized Battlefield. Despite some map imbalances, necessary adjustments, and questionable decisions in progression systems, the launch was very solid. The game is not perfect, but it feels like it was made with passion, something that was lacking in Battlefield 2042, and that makes Battlefield 6 an important step in getting the series back on track.