1. Outer Wilds. I played this game through PS Plus, and it is the best game I have ever played in my life. The gameplay, the puzzles, the music (!!!), the characters, the story, the ending. Just a masterpiece. I’m not even sure if it was this year or last year that I finished it, but the soundtrack was number 4 in my Spotify wrapped, so clearly it was still present in my life. 10/10

2. Slay the Spire. I don’t play long games, and I don’t play a single game for long… usually. I have more than 150 hours of this on Switch, and another 300 hours on steam. This game does not give me the emotional highs of other games in this list, but if this isn’t the most perfectly crafted and balanced strategy roguelike out there, then I don’t know what is. Also, Snecko Eye is the best relic, no discussion. 10/10

3. Undertale. I even made an earlier post in this community about finally finishing this game. The story and people in this game are so charming, the music is amazing and the messages about self love and kindness are so pure. Also, this game is seriously funny at times! No genocide run though, I value my time and sanity. 10/10

4. Death Stranding. Another game I made a post about after finishing it. Absolutely bonkers game. Some parts of it are so immensely stupid, but other parts are just incredible. I loved the idea of connecting people and the overall positive messages of this game. 9/10

5. Tenet. I know, most people would be quick to dismiss this as a movie and a mediocre one at that. I myself saw it on release and gave it a 7/10. But this isn’t actually a movie, it’s a puzzle game that you’re meant to play at home hammering the pause button while frantically trying to understand what is happening. This also increases your time with it by at least a factor of 2. 9/10

6. Death’s Door. Little bird fighting hard. Incredible art direction, good writing, great (if a bit repetitive) music. Maybe it tiny bit to long, but honestly a great game. 9/10

7. The first 20 hours of Ghost of Tsushima. This game is absolutely amazing on all fronts. It’s just way too long with not enough variation. 9/10

8. The Gardens Between. Absolutely lovely little puzzle game about 2 childhood friends. I really liked the rumble in my Dualsense while solving these puzzles. 9/10

I am leaving 2 empty spots for all of the amazing games I experienced that I forgot and that will probably come to me the second I press send. To anyone still reading, thanks, this year has been a year of slowly getting better from a really dark time. When you’ve been a the absolute bottom it’s nice to see the beautiful stuff you’ve been able to experience since. I’m still recovering and there are tough moments, but my life is also filled with lots of beautiful experiences and I am grateful for that. <3