As a games journalist, it’s easy to get swept up in the flurry of new releases, but I think many gamers share that excitement of anticipating each fresh title. January, though, is a perfect moment to revisit our gaming backlogs. This year, the Steam Winter Sale was just the excuse I needed to grab a few games from 2024 that slipped past me, like Satisfactory and Trash Goblin, along with some older gems such as Firewatch and Dave the Diver. My gaming roster also saw the late addition of Tiny Glade at the close of 2024, and in August, I finally embarked on my first run of Baldur’s Gate 3.
The transition into 2025 hasn’t diminished these games’ brilliance one bit. There’s a certain joy in diving into those not-so-new titles, a bit like joining a club of enthusiasts who already appreciate the magic of games like Firewatch. It’s akin to discovering a classic novel for the first time. If you’re staring at a daunting backlog, I recommend starting with the oldest game and working your way forward. Or maybe pick up a game you set aside for a while. It’s a wonderful opportunity to rekindle your passion for a beloved title, genre, or developer, regardless of what new releases loom on the horizon. Who knows? You might just stumble upon your personal game of the year for 2025 in the process.
