At the end of each year, MindJam mentors come together to vote for their Games of the Year. It is a chance to celebrate the games we have enjoyed the most, the ones that stayed with us, sparked conversations, and brought people together. These choices are not just about popularity or technical achievement, but about how games made us feel and how they supported shared experiences.

At MindJam, our mentors use games as more than entertainment. Games are a powerful way to connect, start conversations, build trust, and explore ideas together. MindJam Mentors listen, encourage curiosity, and create space for young people to share thoughts without fear of getting things wrong. Games help make that space feel natural and welcoming.

In mentoring sessions, games give us shared experiences to talk about. They help young people practise teamwork, problem solving, communication, patience, and reflection. Whether we are playing together, watching someone play, or talking about a game afterwards, games open doors to meaningful conversations.

So without further ado, here’s our top 5 games of 2025:

 

1. Blue Prince

• Developer: Dogubomb
• Publisher: Raw Fury
• Age suitability: Best for teens and up. Roughly PEGI 12 due to themes and complexity.
• Available on: PC (Windows & macOS), PS5, Xbox Series X/S

Blue Prince feels like the kind of game you talk about long after you stop playing. You explore a mysterious mansion where rooms change depending on the choices you make. There is no rushing and no pressure, just quiet moments where you stop and think.

What makes it special is how clever it feels without being showy. The puzzles trust the player to figure things out, and that makes every discovery feel earned. It is the sort of game where friends swap theories, share notes, and slowly piece together what is really going on.

Although it is mostly single player, it is very social in spirit. In mentoring sessions, it works brilliantly as a shared talking point. Young people enjoy explaining their ideas, listening to others’ interpretations, and discussing different meanings. It encourages curiosity, patience, and reflection.

 

2. Peak

• Developer: Landfall Games
• Age suitability: Suitable for younger players. Roughly PEGI 7 to 12 depending on how it is played.
• Available on: Windows (PC)

Peak is chaotic in the best possible way. The goal is simple: climb together and do not fall. In reality, everything goes wrong constantly, and that is where the fun comes from.

You play as part of a group, and teamwork is essential. You are pulling each other up, calling out warnings, and laughing when someone slips at the worst possible moment. Even failure feels fun because it usually leads to a good story afterwards.

This makes Peak excellent for group mentoring sessions. It breaks down barriers quickly, creates shared laughter, and shows that success comes from supporting each other rather than competing. It helps young people practise communication, encouragement, and resilience.

 

3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

• Developer: Sandfall Interactive
• Publisher: Kepler Interactive
• Age suitability: Older teens. Roughly PEGI 16 due to darker themes and story content.
• Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Windows)

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is all about atmosphere, emotion, and style. Set in a beautifully strange world, it tells a serious story with characters who feel genuinely human.

Combat is turn based but never dull, mixing timing and strategy in a way that keeps players engaged. You control a group rather than a single character, and how they work together in battle reflects their relationships in the story.

For mentors, this game stands out as a discussion starter. It invites conversations about emotions, choices, teamwork, and responsibility. Even when only one person is playing, others can watch, comment, and reflect together. It is less about quick fun and more about being absorbed in another world and talking about how it makes you feel.

 

4. Split Fiction

• Developer: Hazelight Studios
• Age suitability: Suitable for teens. Roughly PEGI 12.
• Available on: PC (Windows), PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 

Split Fiction is built entirely around playing together. It cannot really be enjoyed alone, and that is its biggest strength. Two players experience the same story from different perspectives, meaning communication is always essential.

You solve puzzles by working as a pair, sharing information and timing actions together. It feels like both players are part of the story rather than just controlling characters on a screen.

This makes it ideal for mentoring pairs or small groups. It naturally encourages listening, explaining ideas clearly, and supporting one another. It is warm, creative, and well suited to building trust through shared problem solving rather than competition.

 

5. Mario Kart World

• Developer: Nintendo
• Age suitability: Suitable for all ages. PEGI 3.
• Available on: Nintendo Switch 2

Mario Kart World is pure fun from the moment you pick up the controller. It does not matter if you are very skilled or completely new, everyone has a chance to enjoy it.

Races are fast, colourful, and unpredictable. Items keep things exciting, and no one stays in last place for long. While it is competitive, it is also highly social. People cheer, laugh, and shout at the screen together.

In mentoring spaces, Mario Kart World is ideal for bringing different ages and abilities together. It helps young people practise handling wins and losses, supporting friends, and enjoying shared moments. It creates instant energy and connection in the room.

 

Final Thoughts

These games were chosen by our MindJam mentors because they:

• Encourage shared experiences and conversation
• Support teamwork, communication, and reflection
• Feel creative, thoughtful, and welcoming
• Offer fun whether you are playing seriously or just having a laugh

At MindJam, games are tools for connection, and these titles show just how powerful play can be. If you want to discover more games to share with your young people, but are not sure what’s suitable, you can always head over to https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews to see other parents and young peoples thoughts and reviews on games. You can even enter your age range, gaming platform and content preferences to help you find the right games for you.