Now’s the Perfect Time to Tackle Your Video Game Backlog

Being a games journalist often means getting swept up in the whirlwind of every new release that hits the shelves. But for those of you who eagerly anticipate each new game launch, January is the perfect moment to dive into that stack of games you’ve been meaning to play. Personally, I took full advantage of the Steam Winter Sale to snag a few 2024 titles I missed, including Satisfactory and Trash Goblin, not to mention some older gems like Firewatch and Dave the Diver. I also had the chance to grab Tiny Glade at the close of 2024 and embarked on my first adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3 back in August.

Just because it’s 2025 now doesn’t mean these games have lost any of their magic. In fact, there’s something incredibly rewarding about enjoying games that aren’t fresh off the press—it’s like joining a special club that’s been raving about Firewatch for ages. It’s akin to discovering the joys of a classic novel. So, if you find yourself staring down a massive backlog, my advice is to start with the oldest games first and make your way forward. Alternatively, revisit a title you haven’t played in a while. Rekindling your passion for a game, a genre, or a developer is always time well spent, regardless of the latest releases on the horizon. And who knows? You might just stumble upon your personal game of the year for 2025 along the way.