Archie Yates
@archieyates.co.uk
Not that one | Game Programmer | Twitch Streamer | Idiot | he/him 🏳️🌈 pfp @loobydoodles.bsky.social
My Work: https://archieyates.co.uk/
My Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/reicha7
My Work: https://archieyates.co.uk/
My Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/reicha7
So that wraps up my 2025 digest so as a wee summary here's my top 5 of 2025 as well as my GOTY picks.
Midnight Murder Club didn't appear on my 2025 digest because I covered its beta in 2024. I maybe should have added the full game to 2025 digest but oh well.
Midnight Murder Club didn't appear on my 2025 digest because I covered its beta in 2024. I maybe should have added the full game to 2025 digest but oh well.
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
So that wraps up my 2025 digest so as a wee summary here's my top 5 of 2025 as well as my GOTY picks.
Midnight Murder Club didn't appear on my 2025 digest because I covered its beta in 2024. I maybe should have added the full game to 2025 digest but oh well.
Midnight Murder Club didn't appear on my 2025 digest because I covered its beta in 2024. I maybe should have added the full game to 2025 digest but oh well.
Literally best till last and I can't help but feel strangely empty inside having now finished this.
Genuinely exceptional game with one of the best takes on turn-based JRPG-style combat I've played (even if that isn't a massive pool for comparison).
My GOTY for 2025
10/10
Genuinely exceptional game with one of the best takes on turn-based JRPG-style combat I've played (even if that isn't a massive pool for comparison).
My GOTY for 2025
10/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Literally best till last and I can't help but feel strangely empty inside having now finished this.
Genuinely exceptional game with one of the best takes on turn-based JRPG-style combat I've played (even if that isn't a massive pool for comparison).
My GOTY for 2025
10/10
Genuinely exceptional game with one of the best takes on turn-based JRPG-style combat I've played (even if that isn't a massive pool for comparison).
My GOTY for 2025
10/10
I said I'd finish this before the end of the year but I really struggle to actually pick up and play games on my phone.
It's still a great title though and if you do like the daily-puzzle style games then it'll be perfect for you. One of only a few mobile games I think is good.
Score TBD
It's still a great title though and if you do like the daily-puzzle style games then it'll be perfect for you. One of only a few mobile games I think is good.
Score TBD
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I said I'd finish this before the end of the year but I really struggle to actually pick up and play games on my phone.
It's still a great title though and if you do like the daily-puzzle style games then it'll be perfect for you. One of only a few mobile games I think is good.
Score TBD
It's still a great title though and if you do like the daily-puzzle style games then it'll be perfect for you. One of only a few mobile games I think is good.
Score TBD
Felt like a true spiritual successor to Journey with some degree of the narrative and thematic depth swapped out for some excellent moment-to-moment gameplay. The sword feels fantastic to control and really makes traversing the big open spaces a joy. Best looking game of 2025.
10/10
10/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Felt like a true spiritual successor to Journey with some degree of the narrative and thematic depth swapped out for some excellent moment-to-moment gameplay. The sword feels fantastic to control and really makes traversing the big open spaces a joy. Best looking game of 2025.
10/10
10/10
I forced myself to try and finish this game by the end (eventually giving up on the Epilogue). It's fine but it hasn't got the balance of frustration and fun nailed in my opinion. I think I was also spoiled having played Celeste the year before.
6/10
6/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I forced myself to try and finish this game by the end (eventually giving up on the Epilogue). It's fine but it hasn't got the balance of frustration and fun nailed in my opinion. I think I was also spoiled having played Celeste the year before.
6/10
6/10
I wanted my childhood nostalgia and I got it! It's bonkers with an unnecessary amount of backtracking (but without any real grinding) and plenty of frustrating platforming but for what it represented at the time: an all-out adventure game masquerading as a 2.5D platformer it really works.
8/10
8/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I wanted my childhood nostalgia and I got it! It's bonkers with an unnecessary amount of backtracking (but without any real grinding) and plenty of frustrating platforming but for what it represented at the time: an all-out adventure game masquerading as a 2.5D platformer it really works.
8/10
8/10
It's a bit of fun before Boltgun 2 which gives us some more time with Brother Caedo but I'm not super into typing games so there wasn't much for me beyond just finishing the game the once.
6/10
6/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
It's a bit of fun before Boltgun 2 which gives us some more time with Brother Caedo but I'm not super into typing games so there wasn't much for me beyond just finishing the game the once.
6/10
6/10
I really think there's something here. The concept gripped me immediately and I had a lot of fun playing. It's so macabre but so comedic at the same time.
My problem is I don't know how this game can be expanded from here or how you handle player skill gaps.
Demo: 8/10
My problem is I don't know how this game can be expanded from here or how you handle player skill gaps.
Demo: 8/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I really think there's something here. The concept gripped me immediately and I had a lot of fun playing. It's so macabre but so comedic at the same time.
My problem is I don't know how this game can be expanded from here or how you handle player skill gaps.
Demo: 8/10
My problem is I don't know how this game can be expanded from here or how you handle player skill gaps.
Demo: 8/10
I WOULD DIE FOR THE FLEAS!
10/10 (what else there to say really? My more detailed review: backloggd.com/u/Reicha7/re...)
10/10 (what else there to say really? My more detailed review: backloggd.com/u/Reicha7/re...)
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I WOULD DIE FOR THE FLEAS!
10/10 (what else there to say really? My more detailed review: backloggd.com/u/Reicha7/re...)
10/10 (what else there to say really? My more detailed review: backloggd.com/u/Reicha7/re...)
It's fun to see a modern take on a NES platformer (that actually runs on the hardware no less!). @alastairlow.bsky.social is a cool guy and his games are always fun and quirky!
7/10
7/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
It's fun to see a modern take on a NES platformer (that actually runs on the hardware no less!). @alastairlow.bsky.social is a cool guy and his games are always fun and quirky!
7/10
7/10
Halfway through the demo I went "fuck it" and bought the full game and had an absolute blast. I never picked up Balatro but I think I found my gambling game with Clover Pit.
I'm not very good at it mind.
Demo: 9/10
Game: 9/10
I'm not very good at it mind.
Demo: 9/10
Game: 9/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Halfway through the demo I went "fuck it" and bought the full game and had an absolute blast. I never picked up Balatro but I think I found my gambling game with Clover Pit.
I'm not very good at it mind.
Demo: 9/10
Game: 9/10
I'm not very good at it mind.
Demo: 9/10
Game: 9/10
I normally do not like open-world games but Tsushima absolutely felt like a world worth exploring.
The fantastic combat, breathtaking visuals, and interesting story (especially on Iki Island) made me almost forget how much of a dull protagonist Jin is.
Base Game: 9/10
DLC: 9/10
The fantastic combat, breathtaking visuals, and interesting story (especially on Iki Island) made me almost forget how much of a dull protagonist Jin is.
Base Game: 9/10
DLC: 9/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I normally do not like open-world games but Tsushima absolutely felt like a world worth exploring.
The fantastic combat, breathtaking visuals, and interesting story (especially on Iki Island) made me almost forget how much of a dull protagonist Jin is.
Base Game: 9/10
DLC: 9/10
The fantastic combat, breathtaking visuals, and interesting story (especially on Iki Island) made me almost forget how much of a dull protagonist Jin is.
Base Game: 9/10
DLC: 9/10
I was super excited when I saw the visuals for this game but it's sadly not quite what I was expecting. It was a fun enough time but the demo didn't blow me away.
Demo: 6/10
Demo: 6/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I was super excited when I saw the visuals for this game but it's sadly not quite what I was expecting. It was a fun enough time but the demo didn't blow me away.
Demo: 6/10
Demo: 6/10
Whilst not matching up to the highs and character moments that similar games like God of War offers it's still a fairly fun action-adventure romp with some epic set pieces and beautiful visuals.
No idea why people thought it was even close to GOTY contender.
6/10
No idea why people thought it was even close to GOTY contender.
6/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Whilst not matching up to the highs and character moments that similar games like God of War offers it's still a fairly fun action-adventure romp with some epic set pieces and beautiful visuals.
No idea why people thought it was even close to GOTY contender.
6/10
No idea why people thought it was even close to GOTY contender.
6/10
I find Peak a lot more entertaining to play with friends than I did R.E.P.O. The spatial audio is incredibly funny when someone falls to their death a few feet away from you.
7/10
7/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I find Peak a lot more entertaining to play with friends than I did R.E.P.O. The spatial audio is incredibly funny when someone falls to their death a few feet away from you.
7/10
7/10
We all played some friendslop in 2025 right? Game was fun for the evening we played and there's some quirky mechanics to it. It knows its place and that's alright.
7/10
7/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
We all played some friendslop in 2025 right? Game was fun for the evening we played and there's some quirky mechanics to it. It knows its place and that's alright.
7/10
7/10
I picked up Mark of the Ninja way back when it came out but never quite managed to get properly stuck in until now.
I think it trailed off a bit at the end but the premise is still solid and there's some fantastic stealth gameplay.
7/10
I think it trailed off a bit at the end but the premise is still solid and there's some fantastic stealth gameplay.
7/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I picked up Mark of the Ninja way back when it came out but never quite managed to get properly stuck in until now.
I think it trailed off a bit at the end but the premise is still solid and there's some fantastic stealth gameplay.
7/10
I think it trailed off a bit at the end but the premise is still solid and there's some fantastic stealth gameplay.
7/10
Any DLC to my 2024 GOTY will be appreciated and both the Vicious Void updates delivered.
Whilst not possessing the loveably whimsy of the OG they offer some genuinely great challenges and felt like a nice way to cap off the game.
DLC: 8/10
Whilst not possessing the loveably whimsy of the OG they offer some genuinely great challenges and felt like a nice way to cap off the game.
DLC: 8/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Any DLC to my 2024 GOTY will be appreciated and both the Vicious Void updates delivered.
Whilst not possessing the loveably whimsy of the OG they offer some genuinely great challenges and felt like a nice way to cap off the game.
DLC: 8/10
Whilst not possessing the loveably whimsy of the OG they offer some genuinely great challenges and felt like a nice way to cap off the game.
DLC: 8/10
Berserk or Die is a really cool game but I value my keyboard too much to be able to play it at any great length.
8/10
8/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Berserk or Die is a really cool game but I value my keyboard too much to be able to play it at any great length.
8/10
8/10
A cool concept from a company with a close relationship to my sister studio. Deckbuilders and Roguelikes aren't really my thing so combining them was probably not going to capture too much of my attention sadly.
6/10
6/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
A cool concept from a company with a close relationship to my sister studio. Deckbuilders and Roguelikes aren't really my thing so combining them was probably not going to capture too much of my attention sadly.
6/10
6/10
The Nostalgia is strong with Oblivion remake. I haven't sunk as much time into this as I'd like but all my mods are "manual update" so going back is daunting.
Nostalgia is a powerful drug and if the game didn't run like ass it could have ridden that nostalgia all the way to the bank.
9/10
Nostalgia is a powerful drug and if the game didn't run like ass it could have ridden that nostalgia all the way to the bank.
9/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
The Nostalgia is strong with Oblivion remake. I haven't sunk as much time into this as I'd like but all my mods are "manual update" so going back is daunting.
Nostalgia is a powerful drug and if the game didn't run like ass it could have ridden that nostalgia all the way to the bank.
9/10
Nostalgia is a powerful drug and if the game didn't run like ass it could have ridden that nostalgia all the way to the bank.
9/10
My workmates said that having a platinum on the remake "didn't count" and wanted to proof I could beat the OG so I did (getting all the gems too).
In terms of linear progression I think it's great even if mechanically it's a bit simpler than the sequels. Love the world map.
Replay: 8/10
In terms of linear progression I think it's great even if mechanically it's a bit simpler than the sequels. Love the world map.
Replay: 8/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
My workmates said that having a platinum on the remake "didn't count" and wanted to proof I could beat the OG so I did (getting all the gems too).
In terms of linear progression I think it's great even if mechanically it's a bit simpler than the sequels. Love the world map.
Replay: 8/10
In terms of linear progression I think it's great even if mechanically it's a bit simpler than the sequels. Love the world map.
Replay: 8/10
Tomb Raider II does hold a special place for me as it's the first game I ever played (well hit the space bar as my dad played). Getting to finally finish it was a fun experience.
Some sections maybe go on a bit long but other than that it's solid. Absolutely adore Venice.
Replay: 8/10
Some sections maybe go on a bit long but other than that it's solid. Absolutely adore Venice.
Replay: 8/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Tomb Raider II does hold a special place for me as it's the first game I ever played (well hit the space bar as my dad played). Getting to finally finish it was a fun experience.
Some sections maybe go on a bit long but other than that it's solid. Absolutely adore Venice.
Replay: 8/10
Some sections maybe go on a bit long but other than that it's solid. Absolutely adore Venice.
Replay: 8/10
I loved the original game jam FlyKnight released back in 2023 (shout out @wabbaboy.dev 💜) and was delighted to get to play a fully fleshed out title in the universe.
Love the aesthetic, love the janky gameplay, and loved seeing how the original got adapted into this new version.
9/10
Love the aesthetic, love the janky gameplay, and loved seeing how the original got adapted into this new version.
9/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I loved the original game jam FlyKnight released back in 2023 (shout out @wabbaboy.dev 💜) and was delighted to get to play a fully fleshed out title in the universe.
Love the aesthetic, love the janky gameplay, and loved seeing how the original got adapted into this new version.
9/10
Love the aesthetic, love the janky gameplay, and loved seeing how the original got adapted into this new version.
9/10
Played the demo of Bloodthief and it was super cool to see a game target speedrunners at its core. I think there's a lot of potential here but it's a bit too fast and high skill for me lmao.
Demo: 8/10
Demo: 8/10
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Played the demo of Bloodthief and it was super cool to see a game target speedrunners at its core. I think there's a lot of potential here but it's a bit too fast and high skill for me lmao.
Demo: 8/10
Demo: 8/10