Summary of "The Many A True Nerd 2025 Awards"

Many A True Nerd 2025 Awards Recap

In the Many A True Nerd 2025 Awards, John delivers a witty, no-nonsense game awards show that skips the usual industry fluff—no trailers, ads, or celebrity cameos—just a straightforward list of his top 15 games of the year, plus some honorable mentions.

He begins by explaining why some notable games like Hades 2, Dread Delusion, and Oblivion Remastered didn’t make the list this year, mainly due to release timing or being remasters.

Highlights from the Top 15 Games

Dispatch (#15) A surprising and charming “dating simulator in disguise” featuring superheroes and light-hearted mini-games. It defies expectations of dark superhero plots with its playful tone.
Borderlands 4 (#14) Despite a rough launch and an unremarkable plot, John praises its ludicrous gunplay and addictive gameplay, which kept him coming back repeatedly.
A Ball Pit (#13) A fresh twist on the Vampire Survivors-style game, combining Breakout mechanics with dungeon crawling and colorful, chaotic ball-bouncing action that John found deeply enjoyable.
The Outer Worlds 2 (#12) & Avowed (#10) Both solid Obsidian RPGs. Avowed edges out slightly due to its more interesting setting and fast-paced combat, though John wished for more experimental innovation in both.
Civilization 7 (#9) John admits to sinking nearly 400 hours into it, praising its combat and civics but criticizing the age transition system and the underwhelming modern era.
Silk Song (#8) Beautiful and sonically stunning, but hindered by precision platforming and frustrating runback mechanics, limiting its appeal for John.
Atom Fall (#7) A “British Fallout” set in a rural post-apocalyptic UK, notable for its freedom to kill faction leaders and its engaging open world.
Clare Obscure Expedition 33 (#6) Stunning visuals, an intriguing story, and a fantastic soundtrack make this a standout, though John places it slightly lower due to other personal favorites.
Europa Universalis 5 (#5) Praised for its strong economic systems and promising launch state. John anticipates it will improve with future DLC.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (#4) Lauded for its deep immersion and intricate systems like alchemy and character routines, with memorable moments such as carefully hiding bodies after crimes.
Blueprints (#3) A roguelike that revitalized John’s interest in the genre by combining house-building with challenging puzzles and a compelling mystery, demanding serious player attention.
A Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon (#2) John’s “best open-world action RPG” of the year, embracing a slightly silly and broken magic system with a rich, grimdark King Arthur setting and a beautifully designed world reminiscent of Morrowind.
Keep Driving (#1) A surprise top pick, this minimalist side-view driving game captures the essence of a memorable journey with its atmosphere, quirky hitchhiker interactions, and humorous moments. John admits it’s unlikely to win mainstream awards but it resonated deeply with him.

Tone and Presentation

John’s tone throughout the awards is engaging, self-aware, and humorous. He often acknowledges the subjective nature of his list and pokes fun at both the games and the award show format itself. He also includes jokes about “hiding in a bunker” from fans of certain games who might disagree with his rankings.

Personalities

John (Many A True Nerd) – Sole presenter and commentator.

This recap captures the essence of John’s thoughtful, entertaining, and personal take on the best games of 2025, highlighting his favorites, critiques, and the unique charm of his awards show.