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### The Fluidity of Personal Game of the Year Lists

The recollection of personal Game of the Year (GOTY) lists frequently fades swiftly post-publication, as highlighted by veteran game critics such as Ethan Gach from Kotaku. In spite of the enthusiasm surrounding these yearly compilations, the specifics often become indistinct, resulting in ambiguity regarding former selections. This article delves into the core of GOTY lists, the variability of individual taste, and an overview of remarkable games from 2025 that illustrate the intricacies of gaming experiences.

#### The Ephemeral Nature of Gaming Lists

Personal GOTY lists act as snapshots of sentiments towards games at a specific time. They can fluctuate throughout the year due to new releases and shifting viewpoints. Even after finalizing choices, uncertainties about those selections persist, as the nature of enjoyment and involvement with games develops. Prior lists may feature titles that the author perceives differently now, underscoring the subjective and often transient nature of video game encounters.

#### Purpose of GOTY Lists

These lists frequently do more than merely rank games; they aid in clarifying sentiments about the gaming landscape and can bring to light titles players might have overlooked. Readers often interact with these lists to align their own experiences and preferences with those of the author, fostering a communal space for dialogue regarding taste and enjoyment in gaming.

#### Top Games of 2025

Here are highlights from the author’s picks for 2025, listed in alphabetical order:

1. **9 Kings**
A streamlined tower defense strategy game infused with roguelike deckbuilding elements, presently in Early Access. The inclusion of a quest mode enhances gameplay and introduces unforeseen synergies, resulting in a delightful experience.

2. **Arc Raiders**
A multiplayer extraction shooter that adeptly captivates solo players. It merges immersive PvE experiences with unpredictable PvP aspects, amplifying the sci-fi environment and providing rewarding gameplay.

3. **Citizen Sleeper 2**
A follow-up to its predecessor that builds on its TTRPG elements, this game delivers a vast yet sometimes cumbersome experience. It expertly fuses dice-rolling mechanics with resource management, set against a backdrop of haunting narrative dilemmas.

4. **Clair Obscur: Expedition 33**
A JRPG drawing inspiration from established classics, featuring superb writing, performances, and a striking soundtrack, complemented by a solid turn-based combat system that sets a new benchmark.

5. **Donkey Kong Bananza**
An action platformer that, although initially chaotic and innovative, loses some pace but wraps up with an engaging conclusion. It highlights the emotional peaks of gaming rather than a thorough critique of its entirety.

6. **Elden Ring Nightreign**
This title takes the battle royale blueprint and reinvents it within an open-world framework. It provides a distinctive exploration experience intertwined with classic FromSoftware challenges.

7. **Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles**
A cherished remaster that preserves the finest aspects of the original while reintroducing players to its remarkable job system and captivating narrative, albeit with careful enhancements.

8. **Ghost of Yotei**
A title that emphasizes quality and craftsmanship, much like a consistent dish at a restaurant, maintaining its allure through expert execution rather than mere novelty.

9. **Hollow Knight: Silksong**
An impressive 2D action game that combines classic Metroidvania and Soulslike elements into a challenging yet gratifying experience, known for its ambitious design and emotional resonance.

10. **Split Fiction**
Despite a clichéd storyline, this action-adventure game excels in design and pacing, showcasing outstanding storytelling and game mechanics that engage the player right to the finish.

### Conclusion

Year after year, reflecting on favorite games reveals the capricious nature of memory and emotion in gaming. GOTY lists embody opinions that are destined to transform, promoting continuous conversations about shared experiences and personal connections within the gaming community.

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**The Craft of Photography in Arc Raiders: An Exceptional Outlook on Gameplay**

Within the domain of third-person shooters, where fierce gunfire and tumultuous settings prevail, one game distinguishes itself with a unique methodology: *Arc Raiders*. This title boasts an outstanding visual style and dynamic gameplay, yet players frequently overlook the opportunity to relish its breathtaking environments via a first-person view, due to its mechanics that limit them to a single weapon option equipped with scoping features. Nevertheless, a smart workaround exists to thoroughly immerse oneself in the game’s awe-inspiring landscapes, akin to witnessing them through a Raider’s perspective, by utilizing binoculars for a closer examination of the post-apocalyptic world.

For PC players, the functionality of binoculars in *Arc Raiders* provides an unparalleled way to capture the game’s vivid visuals. By hitting F10, gamers can eliminate the distracting HUD components and vignette effects, yielding a sharper, grainier image that resembles the unfiltered essence of real-world photography. This inventive adjustment has inspired one enthusiastic photographer, known as Topside Flicks on YouTube, to document the game’s most striking moments.

Topside Flicks, a professional photographer in real life, has recounted his experiences of exploring *Arc Raiders* through a photographic perspective. He uncovered a mesmerizing beauty within the game’s frenetic landscapes that motivated him to abandon traditional weaponry and explore the wilds with only binoculars in hand. The remarkable images he captures illustrate the contrast between tranquility and the violent clashes typical of the game’s surroundings.

Levi, the individual behind the Topside Flicks identity, expressed how the charm of his environment urged him to seize photographic chances as they arose. “I was playing with a friend and I couldn’t stop marveling at how great this game looked,” he shared in an email conversation. This enthusiasm aligns seamlessly with his photography background, enabling him to enjoy and capture the beauty of virtual spaces.

In *Arc Raiders*, every area teems with peril, presenting a unique challenge for those aiming to create cinematic screenshots. Levi admits to encountering numerous dangers, often falling victim in his pursuit of the ideal shot. Nonetheless, his method is refreshingly non-competitive; he emphasizes the artistic aspects over standard gameplay goals, seeking simply to document the enchanting allure of the game’s realm. “If I die, all I lose are binoculars and some defibrillators,” he remarked, illuminating the risk-reward nature of his photographic undertakings.

The images exhibited by Levi demonstrate careful attention to light and composition, adhering to conventional photography principles while infusing the spontaneous vigor of gameplay. The lack of heavy filters or color grading, as noted in *Arc Raiders* behind-the-scenes content, allows his photographs to resonate with genuineness, amplifying their emotional weight.

While traversing the perilous landscapes filled with foes and dangers, Levi underscores his aim to capture stunning visuals rather than engage in combat. This perspective signifies a newfound appreciation for the art of photography within a gaming context, blending two distinct fields into a novel experience.

In a world where traditional gameplay prevails, the investigation of *Arc Raiders* through a photographer’s lens reveals an unexplored layer of beauty that significantly enhances the game’s appeal. As Levi continues to chronicle his journeys, players are presented with a fresh viewpoint on the immersive landscapes and chaotic excitement that characterize *Arc Raiders*, illustrating how photography can evolve into a captivating form of storytelling within interactive experiences.

Thus, the practice of seizing the world’s vibrancy and the rawness of combat in *Arc Raiders* transcends simple gameplay, emerging as an engaging narrative in its own right.