Overview
- Wccftech and XboxEra published late-December roundups that consolidate a consensus favoring smaller-team and “indie-ish” standouts.
- Repeated favorites included Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades II, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, with XboxEra’s Aarsal ranking Silksong at number one.
- XboxEra writers highlighted several day-one releases on Game Pass, while Nintendo’s Switch 2 earned attention through Mario Kart World.
- Wccftech set the accolades against continued layoffs, studio closures, and a developer AI-use dispute centered on Larian.
- Individual picks diverged—XboxEra’s Gyozo placed Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 first despite mixed discussion and reported softer sales, and Wccftech noted Clair Obscur’s reported record nine wins at The Game Awards.