Unfinished Business: Reflecting on 2025's Games That Slipped Through the Fingers

In the world of gaming, there's a quiet lie we often tell ourselves about some games - "I'll come back to it. I'll finish it later." However, as the year 2025 has shown, not every game earns that return trip. In this article, we reflect on some of the big releases of the year that slipped through our fingers unfinished.

Mediocre Marvels: Assassin's Creed Shadows

Assassin's Creed Shadows was one of the year's earliest heavy hitters, but despite its discourse and hype, it failed to live up to expectations. Stripped of its identity politics, the game is still painfully mediocre. The RPG direction the franchise continues to double down on just isn't for everyone, especially when wrapped in an AC skin.

Relevance to North East Region

While Assassin's Creed Shadows may not have a direct connection to the North East region, it's a reflection of the gaming industry as a whole, where expectations often outweigh reality. It's a reminder for gamers in the region to approach every game with an open mind but also with a critical eye.

Remakes with a Sour Taste: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Konami's remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater should have been a slam dunk, but initial performance issues and a lack of that special feeling left many gamers unimpressed. Despite being a very good remake, it failed to justify its existence for many, including the author.

Relevance to India

The struggle with remakes is a universal one, and it's a reminder for Indian gamers that while reverence is important, it's not enough to pull them through a full replay. It's a call to demand more from the games we play, whether they're remakes or original titles.

Looter Shooters Lost in Translation: Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 was supposed to be the triumphant return of Gearbox's looter-shooter king, but it arrived carrying baggage it never really managed to shake off. The game failed to put a dent in the author's opinion on looter shooters, and it never stood a chance after Arc Raiders' magnificent debut.

Relevance to India

Borderlands 4's failure to impress is a reminder for Indian gamers that sometimes, timing is everything. It's a call to be patient and to wait for games that truly deliver on their promises.

Ninja Gaiden 4: Arrived at the Wrong Time

Ninja Gaiden 4, while an important title for the franchise's future, just didn't hit the same nerve as previous games. The sense of escalation went away, leaving many gamers unashamed and guilt-free about walking away.

Relevance to India

Ninja Gaiden 4's arrival at the wrong time is a reminder for Indian gamers that sometimes, timing is everything. It's a call to be patient and to wait for games that truly deliver on their promises.

Ghost of Yotei: A Sequel That Felt Familiar

Ghost of Tsushima is often considered one of the greatest open-world games ever made. However, its sequel, Ghost of Yotei, felt surprisingly familiar and safe, lacking the boldness needed to stand out.

Relevance to India

Ghost of Yotei's familiarity is a reminder for Indian gamers that every sequel doesn't have to be better than the original. It's a call to demand originality and boldness from the games we play.

Letting Go: The Liberation of Unfinished Games

2025 reminded us that time is the real currency in gaming. Letting go of unfinished games feels strangely liberating. Not every release needs closure, and not every investment needs to be justified with credits rolling and a Platinum trophy at the end.