A household round-up: the year’s most played and most notable games
As the year closed, a family-wide inventory assessed which video games occupied the most time and attention in one household. The review covers each family member’s favourites, personal awards and grievances, and broader notes about the industry and upcoming releases.
The eldest daughter split her time between rhythm, open-world and strategy-lite titles. She spent most time on Just Dance 2024, Horizon Zero Dawn and Pikmin. On mobile she has been playing Cityscapes and described searching for “decent healthcare” in the game — and, separately, in real life.
The middle son’s choice was Overwatch. He plays on platforms other than mobile and was clear that he does not play on his phone.
The youngest daughter, who has theatrical ambitions, played Resident Evil Biohazard extensively when not rehearsing. She also reported significant activity on The Sims, where she has created a version of society with stronger healthcare than the real-world situation described by the household’s eldest.
The wife focused on a single platformer: Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time. She began the year partway through the game at 60 percent completion and ended it at 82 percent, describing her progress as a marathon rather than a sprint. On her phone she played a puzzle title called Woodle, which involves unscrewing pins.
One recurring family amusement came from seeing the 21-year-old son play Minecraft. His father reported teasing him about it in a longstanding, jocular way that referenced a toughening-up dynamic typical of their relationship.
On Just Dance 2024 the household identified one clear standout. The eldest daughter was described as a machine when it came to performance, outclassing the father’s former rhythm-game prowess.
The father’s most-played title was Marvel Snap, which dominated his time for much of the year. He praised the game’s design and the variety offered by its evolving card pool, but later regretted the time spent. He said that the game’s constant introduction of new cards and variations created pressure that felt designed to drive microtransactions; his feelings about it shifted from affection to frustration.
Several other games earned special mention from the father. Doom: The Dark Ages was a title he wished he had played more, describing it as a glorious reinvention with strong atmosphere. He also singled out Blue Prince as a beautiful and unique experience he intends to return to when he has the headspace for a deliberate playthrough.
A game that the father credited with rescuing him during a difficult period was Balatro, which he described as a high-water mark of contemporary design. He praised its card mechanics and imaginative powers, and called it a game he would play at any hour.
Not all critical responses were serene. The father noted he received a strong reaction after criticising Outer Worlds 2, specifically a bug in the Paintress boss battle in the Clair Obscur section that, in his view, undermined the experience. He nevertheless acknowledged the game’s strengths in art direction, sound, acting, combat and ambition. He also shared an explicitly worded reader email that accused him of being unable to understand modern games and insulted his son; the email was presented as written.
A title that he did not connect with was Hollow Knight: Silksong. He described it as a demanding Metroidvania-style experience and said it was not the sort of challenge he wanted in his mid-fifties, noting that games of that style felt familiar from his youth.
The year’s biggest controversies, in his assessment, were twofold: a reported commercial relationship involving a major publisher and high-profile political and sovereign investors, and the retail pricing of Outer Worlds 2 at the equivalent of £70. Both issues were described as morally problematic.
On a lighter note, he listed three game titles he would consider naming hypothetical future children after: Clair Obscur, Despelote and Bananza.
He also reported a physical downside to gaming: persistent pain in his right thumb joint, which he linked to extensive play and mobile device use.
Looking ahead, two major releases were flagged as the most anticipated: GTA 6, expected in 2026, and The Witcher 4, which he noted as a long-term highlight for 2036.
This household retrospective blends casual family play, single-player appreciation, critical frustration and industry concerns. It highlights how varied gaming habits can be within a single home and how individual experiences range from rhythm-game mastery to dissatisfaction with monetisation and technical issues.
Key Topics
Family Gaming Retrospective, Just Dance 2024, Horizon Zero Dawn, Pikmin, Cityscapes Mobile Game, Overwatch, Resident Evil Biohazard, The Sims Healthcare Simulation, Crash Bandicoot: It's About Time, Minecraft Family Play, Marvel Snap Microtransactions, Balatro, Outer Worlds 2 Bug Controversy, Gaming Thumb Pain