While most gaming outlets are handing Game of the Year honors to big-budget blockbusters, Digital Foundry’s John Linneman just released his personal best games list for 2025, and it tells a completely different story. His number one pick isn’t a sprawling open-world RPG or a cinematic action adventure. It’s Absolum, a roguelike beat-em-up that most gamers have probably never heard of. That unexpected choice perfectly captures what makes Linneman’s annual list so refreshing: it celebrates games based purely on gameplay excellence rather than hype or budget.
The Beat-Em-Up That Changed Everything
Linneman admits he was initially disappointed when he learned Guard Crush, the studio behind Streets of Rage 4, was making a roguelike for their next project. That skepticism evaporated the moment he actually played Absolum. He now calls it a masterpiece and describes it as the next evolutionary step for the brawler genre, combining the tight combat mechanics Streets of Rage 4 perfected with roguelike elements that actually enhance rather than detract from the experience.
What makes Absolum special is how it solves one of the biggest problems with traditional brawlers: credit feeding. Each run in Absolum essentially gives you one life, forcing players to engage seriously and master the mechanics rather than button-mashing their way through with infinite continues. The roguelike structure adds variety through different builds and routes while the core brawling remains incredibly satisfying with meaty impacts and gorgeous animation. Composer Gareth Coker, known for the Ori series, provides the soundtrack that ties everything together.
Nintendo Goes Big With Donkey Kong
Landing at number two is Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo’s massive 3D platformer for Switch 2 from the team behind Super Mario Odyssey. This game represents a fascinating fusion of classic Nintendo platforming with cutting-edge voxel destruction technology. DK literally punches and digs his way deeper into the planet, with each layer representing different themed worlds that can be torn apart and destroyed.
The destructible terrain could have resulted in unfocused chaos, but Linneman praises how the level design keeps stages coherent and interesting even after players tear them apart. The freedom to destroy most surfaces and climb anywhere creates emergent gameplay without sacrificing structure. Running at a mostly stable 60fps with appealing visuals and excellent music, Donkey Kong Bananza delivers that classic Nintendo polish while pushing the series into genuinely new territory with Pauline as a constant companion throughout the adventure.
The Retro Renaissance Dominates
One striking aspect of Linneman’s list is how heavily it leans on retro-inspired titles and 2D games. Nearly half his top 11 consists of games that deliberately embrace older design philosophies or technical limitations. Night Striker GEAR, a sequel to a 1989 arcade game made by M2, kicks off the list at number 11. Earthion at number 7 goes even further, being an actual Sega Mega Drive homebrew game created by Ancient and legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro that Linneman considers arguably the best horizontal shooter ever made for that console.
Neon Inferno at number 8 showcases exceptional pixel art that Linneman describes as jaw-dropping in its detail. The game combines run-and-gun shooting with the ability to shoot into the background, creating a unique blend that recalls classics like Wild Guns. Meanwhile, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound from The Game Kitchen lands at number 3 as what Linneman calls one of his favorite side-scrolling action games of the last decade, featuring some of the best pixel art he’s ever seen.
The AAA Entries That Made the Cut
Big-budget games do appear on the list, but Linneman’s reasoning reveals what he values beyond graphics and scope. Metroid Prime 4 sits at number 6 despite Linneman acknowledging its issues and criticisms from other reviewers. He defends his choice by emphasizing how much he values basic game feel, explaining that everything Samus does feels great and the precise control kept him engaged throughout. The technical execution impressed him as well, with stable 60 or 120fps options and stunning HDR implementation.
Doom: The Dark Ages claims the number 5 spot after Linneman went through a journey with it. Initially loving it, then feeling disappointed compared to Doom Eternal, he returned for a full Nightmare difficulty run and came back around completely. He appreciates how id Software evolves the series with each entry, and Dark Ages shifts toward close-quarters shield-focused combat with horde sizes reminiscent of the original 90s Doom games. The gorgeous visuals, smooth performance, and massive variety of levels make it a game he’s added to his rotation of classic shooters he loads up for quick sessions.
Kojima’s Bizarre Brilliance Returns
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach lands at number 4, with Linneman once again falling for Hideo Kojima’s unique brand of game design. He acknowledges that some expanded mechanics may have turned off original fans, but that unpredictability is precisely what he loves about Kojima’s work. The core porter gameplay returns with improved mechanics and level design, creating emergent moments where running out of fuel forces players to improvise solutions to deliver cargo.
The over-the-top storytelling grabbed Linneman throughout the entire experience, even if some of the original’s mystery is lost in this sequel. Combined with stunning art direction, excellent technical execution, and a brilliant soundscape, Death Stranding 2 creates something that genuinely stuck with him long after completion.
The Rest of the List
Rounding out the top 11 are Shinobi: Art of Vengeance at number 9, a gorgeous revival from Lizardcube that expands the classic formula with huge exploratory stages while maintaining tight action controls, and Lumines Arise at number 10, which Linneman describes as doing for Lumines what Tetris Effect did for Tetris through perfect integration of gameplay, visual design, and sound.
FAQs
What is John Linneman’s number one game of 2025?
John Linneman’s top game of 2025 is Absolum, a roguelike beat-em-up from Guard Crush and DotEMU. Despite initial skepticism about the roguelike elements, Linneman calls it a masterpiece and considers it the next evolutionary step for the brawler genre.
Why isn’t Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Linneman’s list?
Although Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Digital Foundry’s 2025 Community Awards, Linneman only includes games he personally completed in his annual list. He started playing it in the last couple weeks of the year and is enjoying it, but hasn’t finished it yet so it didn’t qualify for his personal rankings.
What makes Donkey Kong Bananza special according to Digital Foundry?
Donkey Kong Bananza combines classic Nintendo platforming with voxel-based destruction technology that lets DK tear apart and climb through levels. Despite the freedom this destruction provides, the level design keeps stages coherent and interesting, running at mostly stable 60fps on Switch 2 with Pauline as a companion throughout.
What is Earthion and why is it significant?
Earthion is an actual Sega Mega Drive homebrew game created by Ancient and legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro. Linneman considers it arguably the best horizontal shooter ever made for the Mega Drive console, praising its stage design, progression, bullet patterns, stunning visuals for the platform, and excellent musical score.
Did John Linneman initially like Doom: The Dark Ages?
Linneman’s feelings evolved over time. He initially loved it, then felt disappointed compared to Doom Eternal. After returning for a full Nightmare difficulty run, he completely came around and now considers it good enough to add to his rotation of classic shooters he loads regularly for quick sessions.
Why does Linneman’s list focus so heavily on retro games?
Linneman’s list reflects his personal gaming preferences and what he actually played in 2025. He spent significant time on the road this year, which may have influenced his choices. The list demonstrates his appreciation for tight gameplay mechanics and excellent game design regardless of budget or graphical fidelity.
What makes Ninja Gaiden Ragebound stand out?
Ragebound from The Game Kitchen features some of the best pixel art Linneman has ever seen, combining classic and modern game design. It introduces novel mechanics like double-jumping by connecting with projectiles and power-ups that require strategic enemy elimination, all wrapped in a non-Metroidvania stage-based structure.
Is Metroid Prime 4 controversial on the list?
Yes. Linneman acknowledges the game has issues and that other reviewers have criticized it. However, he defends his inclusion by emphasizing how much he values game feel and control precision. Everything Samus does feels great to him, and the technical execution with stable high framerates and excellent HDR impressed him enough to include it.
Conclusion
John Linneman’s Games of 2025 list stands out in an industry often obsessed with the biggest and most expensive releases. By championing a roguelike brawler over massive AAA productions and dedicating nearly half his list to retro-inspired or actual retro games, he reminds us that exceptional game design transcends budget and graphical horsepower. His willingness to defend choices like Metroid Prime 4 despite widespread criticism, or to completely reverse his initial impressions of Doom: The Dark Ages after deeper engagement, demonstrates the kind of thoughtful evaluation that makes his annual lists worth reading. Whether you agree with his specific picks or not, Linneman’s list serves as a valuable counterbalance to the mainstream gaming conversation, highlighting incredible titles that might otherwise be overlooked in favor of more heavily marketed blockbusters. His number one choice of Absolum particularly challenges the notion that innovation only happens at the highest budget levels, proving that a well-executed fusion of established genres can create something genuinely special.