M.O.B.G. 2025 GOTY BREAKDOWN: QUICK TAKE #6

November is always an exciting time. Not just because it's the start of the holidays (although I know plenty who will read that with plenty of disdain for the fact), but because it marks the beginning of game of the year season! With most of the year's releases now in the rearview mirror and a host of celebrations dedicated to celebrating them on the horizon, the time has come to reflect on the year of gaming that was. If you're someone who cares about year-end gaming celebrations, then you'll find yourself with no shortage of options. From the long-running Golden Joystick awards to Geoff Keighley's star-studded Game Award celebration in L.A., and everything in between, game awards season has truly risen to grandiose heights. But did you know that MylesOfBacon Games does its own game of the year celebration as well? That's right! In fact, 2025 will mark the third year of the M.O.B.G. Game of the Year celebration! For the first two years, my Game of the Year articles were top-five lists consisting of short blurbs about why I slotted each game into its respective spot. However, now that we're entering year #3, it’s time to switch it up!

GOTY NOMINEES

The M.O.B.G. Game of the Year will now be published in three parts. For the first time, I'll be publishing a M.O.B.G. Game of the Year nominees article! This article will be published as a Quick Take and will feature a non-ranked list of the 10 best games I played this year. But what about the awesome games I played that weren't released this year? That's where this next first-time-ever celebration comes in! 

BACKLOG GOTY

Introducing the M.O.B.G. Backlog Game of the Year! Throughout 2025, I plucked some really memorable titles from my backlog, and I would be remiss if I didn't shout them out. This award also allows me to spotlight the notable 2025 releases that I won’t have time to play until next year. So, a win-win!

M.O.B.G. GOTY

Now for the big one: The MylesOfBacon Games Game of the Year award. For the M.O.B.G. Game of the Year article, I'll narrow my 10 nominees down to a ranked list of the top five games I've played this year. In descending order, the five games on this list will represent the best of the best -- transformative experiences that left a deep and unforgettable impact. These games are the ones that achieved undeniable style, remarkable narrative depth, addictive gameplay, and an overall experience that left an indelible mark on gaming as a whole. 

So, are you excited? I know I am! 2025 has been a truly remarkable year in the gaming industry. However, despite that, I won't ignore that the same cannot be said for the tens of thousands of game-industry professionals, from developers to community managers and beyond, who have had their careers and lives upended by layoffs. My hearts go out to them, and I want to express that the M.O.B.G. Game of the Year celebrations are as much for them as they are for the games they poured their hearts into making. So, stay tuned for updates regarding my Game of the Year content in the coming weeks!