For those of us steeped in the world of games journalism, the cycle of chasing down every shiny new release can be relentless. If you’re like me and eagerly anticipate each new title, January offers the perfect opportunity to dive into that ever-growing backlog. This past Steam Winter Sale was my excuse to snag a few 2024 gems I missed—titles like Satisfactory, Trash Goblin, alongside some older classics such as Firewatch and Dave the Diver. And to top it off, I added Tiny Glade to my collection at the tail end of 2024 and finally kicked off my first adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3 last August.
Even though we’ve crossed into 2025, these games haven’t lost their luster. In fact, there’s something uniquely gratifying about diving into older games—it’s like joining an exclusive club of players who appreciate the brilliance of something like Firewatch. It’s akin to reading a timeless novel. If your backlog seems daunting, consider tackling it chronologically or revisiting a game you’ve set aside. Remind yourself of what captured your heart about a particular game, genre, or developer in the first place. And who knows? As you make your way through these past titles, you might just stumble upon your personal game of the year for 2025.
