Chris Moss
@chrismoss.bsky.social
Writer, educator, and donut expert.
GOTY 2025
#1: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
First off...punch Nazis.
Also, it's a return to the immersive sim genre which is an astonishingly natural fit for Indy. It gets the concept of a historian searching for clues but in an action film.
#1: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
First off...punch Nazis.
Also, it's a return to the immersive sim genre which is an astonishingly natural fit for Indy. It gets the concept of a historian searching for clues but in an action film.
December 26, 2025 at 1:17 AM
GOTY 2025
#1: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
First off...punch Nazis.
Also, it's a return to the immersive sim genre which is an astonishingly natural fit for Indy. It gets the concept of a historian searching for clues but in an action film.
#1: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
First off...punch Nazis.
Also, it's a return to the immersive sim genre which is an astonishingly natural fit for Indy. It gets the concept of a historian searching for clues but in an action film.
GOTY 2025
#2: Timberborne
This should be my #1. I put HUNDREDS of hours into this game. It's my perfect city builder. The water system is amazing. The beavers are adorable. It has a clear(ish) goal. The two races are divergent with wildly different strategies. I just couldn't put it over...
#2: Timberborne
This should be my #1. I put HUNDREDS of hours into this game. It's my perfect city builder. The water system is amazing. The beavers are adorable. It has a clear(ish) goal. The two races are divergent with wildly different strategies. I just couldn't put it over...
December 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
GOTY 2025
#2: Timberborne
This should be my #1. I put HUNDREDS of hours into this game. It's my perfect city builder. The water system is amazing. The beavers are adorable. It has a clear(ish) goal. The two races are divergent with wildly different strategies. I just couldn't put it over...
#2: Timberborne
This should be my #1. I put HUNDREDS of hours into this game. It's my perfect city builder. The water system is amazing. The beavers are adorable. It has a clear(ish) goal. The two races are divergent with wildly different strategies. I just couldn't put it over...
GOTY 2026
#3: Avowed
I couldn't stop playing this game. I did everything. I loved this world and the gameplay and so much about it. The story is pretty obvious, the big morality choices pretty bland, but the game was so engrossing it didn't matter. I enjoyed it enough to start the old crpgs.
#3: Avowed
I couldn't stop playing this game. I did everything. I loved this world and the gameplay and so much about it. The story is pretty obvious, the big morality choices pretty bland, but the game was so engrossing it didn't matter. I enjoyed it enough to start the old crpgs.
December 26, 2025 at 1:03 AM
GOTY 2026
#3: Avowed
I couldn't stop playing this game. I did everything. I loved this world and the gameplay and so much about it. The story is pretty obvious, the big morality choices pretty bland, but the game was so engrossing it didn't matter. I enjoyed it enough to start the old crpgs.
#3: Avowed
I couldn't stop playing this game. I did everything. I loved this world and the gameplay and so much about it. The story is pretty obvious, the big morality choices pretty bland, but the game was so engrossing it didn't matter. I enjoyed it enough to start the old crpgs.
GOTY 2025
#4: Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream
I was LOVING this game. It was more of a puzzle game than a stealth game though and once the puzzles got to a point where they weren't intuitive I fell off. I still want to go back for the story though. Was really digging it.
#4: Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream
I was LOVING this game. It was more of a puzzle game than a stealth game though and once the puzzles got to a point where they weren't intuitive I fell off. I still want to go back for the story though. Was really digging it.
December 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
GOTY 2025
#4: Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream
I was LOVING this game. It was more of a puzzle game than a stealth game though and once the puzzles got to a point where they weren't intuitive I fell off. I still want to go back for the story though. Was really digging it.
#4: Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream
I was LOVING this game. It was more of a puzzle game than a stealth game though and once the puzzles got to a point where they weren't intuitive I fell off. I still want to go back for the story though. Was really digging it.
GOTY 2025
#5: The Alters
Like frostpunk before it, this is a brilliant game I played a fair amount of, that would likely be my game of the year if I saw it through. Insightful, introspective, strange. It's a fascinating game that I just lost focus on trying to get things "right".
#5: The Alters
Like frostpunk before it, this is a brilliant game I played a fair amount of, that would likely be my game of the year if I saw it through. Insightful, introspective, strange. It's a fascinating game that I just lost focus on trying to get things "right".
December 26, 2025 at 12:58 AM
GOTY 2025
#5: The Alters
Like frostpunk before it, this is a brilliant game I played a fair amount of, that would likely be my game of the year if I saw it through. Insightful, introspective, strange. It's a fascinating game that I just lost focus on trying to get things "right".
#5: The Alters
Like frostpunk before it, this is a brilliant game I played a fair amount of, that would likely be my game of the year if I saw it through. Insightful, introspective, strange. It's a fascinating game that I just lost focus on trying to get things "right".
GOTY 2025
#6: Blue Prince
I beat this on my own and felt like a genius. I then went and read about the post game and felt like a fool. I loved this game and once I read what it would take to get the "whole story" I tipped my cap, listened to a podcast about it, and moved on. Great game though.
#6: Blue Prince
I beat this on my own and felt like a genius. I then went and read about the post game and felt like a fool. I loved this game and once I read what it would take to get the "whole story" I tipped my cap, listened to a podcast about it, and moved on. Great game though.
December 26, 2025 at 12:55 AM
GOTY 2025
#6: Blue Prince
I beat this on my own and felt like a genius. I then went and read about the post game and felt like a fool. I loved this game and once I read what it would take to get the "whole story" I tipped my cap, listened to a podcast about it, and moved on. Great game though.
#6: Blue Prince
I beat this on my own and felt like a genius. I then went and read about the post game and felt like a fool. I loved this game and once I read what it would take to get the "whole story" I tipped my cap, listened to a podcast about it, and moved on. Great game though.
GOTY 2025
#7: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Just like Hollow Knight I played the crap out of this...right until the final boss, which I attempted twice and felt like I got what I wanted. To be clear, I mean the boss of act 2. I wasn't doing that Act 3. Nope. I enjoyed what I did but felt done.
#7: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Just like Hollow Knight I played the crap out of this...right until the final boss, which I attempted twice and felt like I got what I wanted. To be clear, I mean the boss of act 2. I wasn't doing that Act 3. Nope. I enjoyed what I did but felt done.
December 26, 2025 at 12:52 AM
GOTY 2025
#7: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Just like Hollow Knight I played the crap out of this...right until the final boss, which I attempted twice and felt like I got what I wanted. To be clear, I mean the boss of act 2. I wasn't doing that Act 3. Nope. I enjoyed what I did but felt done.
#7: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Just like Hollow Knight I played the crap out of this...right until the final boss, which I attempted twice and felt like I got what I wanted. To be clear, I mean the boss of act 2. I wasn't doing that Act 3. Nope. I enjoyed what I did but felt done.
GOTY 2025
#8: Ball x Pit
This was a novel, fun game. Half Vampire survivor and half breakout it was a shockingly fun mix. My favorite was breaking the between round mini game. It wasn't difficult. It wasn't exciting. It was mindless, fun, and exactly what I needed at the time.
#8: Ball x Pit
This was a novel, fun game. Half Vampire survivor and half breakout it was a shockingly fun mix. My favorite was breaking the between round mini game. It wasn't difficult. It wasn't exciting. It was mindless, fun, and exactly what I needed at the time.
December 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
GOTY 2025
#8: Ball x Pit
This was a novel, fun game. Half Vampire survivor and half breakout it was a shockingly fun mix. My favorite was breaking the between round mini game. It wasn't difficult. It wasn't exciting. It was mindless, fun, and exactly what I needed at the time.
#8: Ball x Pit
This was a novel, fun game. Half Vampire survivor and half breakout it was a shockingly fun mix. My favorite was breaking the between round mini game. It wasn't difficult. It wasn't exciting. It was mindless, fun, and exactly what I needed at the time.
GOTY 2025
#9: Stray Path
This game is so good!!! Rogue-lite solitaire! Each deck/character is a bit unique and the flow is fun and different. Bosses are a bit of a puzzle which feel so different when you change decks. Finally winning a run was one of the best feelings of the year! Play it!
#9: Stray Path
This game is so good!!! Rogue-lite solitaire! Each deck/character is a bit unique and the flow is fun and different. Bosses are a bit of a puzzle which feel so different when you change decks. Finally winning a run was one of the best feelings of the year! Play it!
December 26, 2025 at 12:44 AM
GOTY 2025
#9: Stray Path
This game is so good!!! Rogue-lite solitaire! Each deck/character is a bit unique and the flow is fun and different. Bosses are a bit of a puzzle which feel so different when you change decks. Finally winning a run was one of the best feelings of the year! Play it!
#9: Stray Path
This game is so good!!! Rogue-lite solitaire! Each deck/character is a bit unique and the flow is fun and different. Bosses are a bit of a puzzle which feel so different when you change decks. Finally winning a run was one of the best feelings of the year! Play it!
GOTY 2025
#10: Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirates Treasure
I love this game so much. This DLC was so cool. It added tons of end game activity I never played through but the actual story content was so incredibly fun...right until the end. It felt unfinished. Sad this will likely be the end of it.
#10: Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirates Treasure
I love this game so much. This DLC was so cool. It added tons of end game activity I never played through but the actual story content was so incredibly fun...right until the end. It felt unfinished. Sad this will likely be the end of it.
December 26, 2025 at 12:37 AM
GOTY 2025
#10: Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirates Treasure
I love this game so much. This DLC was so cool. It added tons of end game activity I never played through but the actual story content was so incredibly fun...right until the end. It felt unfinished. Sad this will likely be the end of it.
#10: Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirates Treasure
I love this game so much. This DLC was so cool. It added tons of end game activity I never played through but the actual story content was so incredibly fun...right until the end. It felt unfinished. Sad this will likely be the end of it.
GOTY 2025
Honorable Mention #2: Citizen Sleeper 2
Man, this game was incredible right up until I stopped playing after an hour. It set off my stress something fierce and I just wasn't in that place at the time. This is likely the "game I'll want to go back to but never will" of the year.
Honorable Mention #2: Citizen Sleeper 2
Man, this game was incredible right up until I stopped playing after an hour. It set off my stress something fierce and I just wasn't in that place at the time. This is likely the "game I'll want to go back to but never will" of the year.
December 26, 2025 at 12:34 AM
GOTY 2025
Honorable Mention #2: Citizen Sleeper 2
Man, this game was incredible right up until I stopped playing after an hour. It set off my stress something fierce and I just wasn't in that place at the time. This is likely the "game I'll want to go back to but never will" of the year.
Honorable Mention #2: Citizen Sleeper 2
Man, this game was incredible right up until I stopped playing after an hour. It set off my stress something fierce and I just wasn't in that place at the time. This is likely the "game I'll want to go back to but never will" of the year.
GOTY 2025
Honorable Mention #1: Clair Obscur: expedition 33
I played the first 6 hours a week ago and then accidentally deleted the save. I was having a blast and love the set up, characters and world, may be my game of 2026 when I start it again next week.
Honorable Mention #1: Clair Obscur: expedition 33
I played the first 6 hours a week ago and then accidentally deleted the save. I was having a blast and love the set up, characters and world, may be my game of 2026 when I start it again next week.
December 26, 2025 at 12:31 AM
GOTY 2025
Honorable Mention #1: Clair Obscur: expedition 33
I played the first 6 hours a week ago and then accidentally deleted the save. I was having a blast and love the set up, characters and world, may be my game of 2026 when I start it again next week.
Honorable Mention #1: Clair Obscur: expedition 33
I played the first 6 hours a week ago and then accidentally deleted the save. I was having a blast and love the set up, characters and world, may be my game of 2026 when I start it again next week.
Alright! It's time for my favorite yearly tradition of creating a GOTY list that everyone will disagree with and think is absolutely crazy! Love it! Remember this list is completely arbitrary to what I played this year and my taste - not a list to determine an objective measure of "best".
December 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Alright! It's time for my favorite yearly tradition of creating a GOTY list that everyone will disagree with and think is absolutely crazy! Love it! Remember this list is completely arbitrary to what I played this year and my taste - not a list to determine an objective measure of "best".
Watching Weapons for spooky day. I have all the lights on, coffee at hand, and plenty of potential distractions.
I'm not even through the opening VO and I already regret this choice.
I'm not even through the opening VO and I already regret this choice.
October 31, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Watching Weapons for spooky day. I have all the lights on, coffee at hand, and plenty of potential distractions.
I'm not even through the opening VO and I already regret this choice.
I'm not even through the opening VO and I already regret this choice.
Oh man, this Lily Allen album is absolute fire. Also...wowsa. I want to hide under the bed. The pain and embarrassment is REAL.
October 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Oh man, this Lily Allen album is absolute fire. Also...wowsa. I want to hide under the bed. The pain and embarrassment is REAL.
Lackawanna Station in Hoboken has stalactites. This is fascinating! I need an 8-part docuseries on this!
October 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Lackawanna Station in Hoboken has stalactites. This is fascinating! I need an 8-part docuseries on this!
Real question: Why do dudes throw paper in the urinal? Is it a power move towards the people who have to clean it or an advanced peeing technique to prevent splash back?
October 15, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Real question: Why do dudes throw paper in the urinal? Is it a power move towards the people who have to clean it or an advanced peeing technique to prevent splash back?
I didn't have "explaining toilet seat hemorrhoids" to my daughter at 9 years old on my bing card yet here we are.
October 2, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I didn't have "explaining toilet seat hemorrhoids" to my daughter at 9 years old on my bing card yet here we are.
Look, I really want the cubs to win the WS but it might be worth the loss to avoid the "do it for Charlie" storyline.
October 2, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Look, I really want the cubs to win the WS but it might be worth the loss to avoid the "do it for Charlie" storyline.
How did we do movies before this?
August 31, 2025 at 9:27 PM
How did we do movies before this?
I feel like I've hit the end of what I can(or maybe want?) to do in Timberborne but I've got the itch for city builders now. Any recommendations for what's out there?
The weirder the better!
The weirder the better!
August 31, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I feel like I've hit the end of what I can(or maybe want?) to do in Timberborne but I've got the itch for city builders now. Any recommendations for what's out there?
The weirder the better!
The weirder the better!
Work/life balance is hard when you get to count this as work
July 8, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Work/life balance is hard when you get to count this as work
Talking with people who grew up in my town, talking to my wife about her experiences, and looking back on my past...I feel like I finally understand the difference between "good" and "bad" schools.
July 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Talking with people who grew up in my town, talking to my wife about her experiences, and looking back on my past...I feel like I finally understand the difference between "good" and "bad" schools.
Riri covering her super suit in a Cubs flag so nobody takes it is hilarious.
July 1, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Riri covering her super suit in a Cubs flag so nobody takes it is hilarious.
Just started Ironheart and I'm really enjoying it. It's a bit too similar to the Ant Man plot to start but the performances are great and I'm liking the thematics.
July 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Just started Ironheart and I'm really enjoying it. It's a bit too similar to the Ant Man plot to start but the performances are great and I'm liking the thematics.