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2025's Best Video Games: Hidden Gems You Missed

12/25/2025

26 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In 2025, several standout video games earned praise but did not achieve broad recognition.
The Alters earned a 9/10 for its engaging gameplay and existential themes.
Lumines Arise, likened to Tetris, impressed with its soundtrack but was overshadowed by its predecessor.
Time Flies offered a unique, replayable experience about a fly's short life, yet went unnoticed.
Grounded 2 also deserved more attention for its enjoyable co-op gameplay.

History

Historical Context

The 1983 video game crash devastated the North American market, with sales plummeting from $3.2 billion in 1982 to just $100 million by 1985. Oversaturation and poor-quality games, particularly from Atari, led to widespread bankruptcies. In contrast, Japan's industry thrived, with Nintendo's Famicom selling 2.5 million units by 1985, setting the stage for its dominance in the following years.

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Story summary

In 2025, several standout video games earned praise but did not achieve broad recognition.
The Alters earned a 9/10 for its engaging gameplay and existential themes.
Lumines Arise, likened to Tetris, impressed with its soundtrack but was overshadowed by its predecessor.
Time Flies offered a unique, replayable experience about a fly's short life, yet went unnoticed.
Grounded 2 also deserved more attention for its enjoyable co-op gameplay.

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