Our top pick of the week: The 2025 preview

We're back with an abridged version of the newsletter this week to bring you our big 2025 preview. From Switch 2 to Grand Theft Auto 6 to the final season of Stranger Things, it looks like the year is going to be packed with juggernauts we've been waiting on for years. And look at that art from Sonny Ross above! We couldn't let a week go by without taking a moment to show that off.

Check out the full rundown of what we're looking forward to most:

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This week on YouTube | The top 50 games of 2024, each in 7 words or less | From updates like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Stardew Valley 1.6 to challenging new puzzlers like Lorelei and the Laser Eyes and Rise of the Golden Idol, we've seen an incredible variety of games this year.

7 stories to read

Fantasy author John Wiswell explains the 'Tetris method' that can keep you productive in 2025 | "I gamified solving plot problems — that's so much easier than getting over burnout."

Infinity Nikki cosplayers show no outfit is too complicated (or too simple) to recreate | I can't believe how detailed some of these recreations are.

The 5 best Korean dramas to watch on Netflix this winter | Netflix has something for every kind of K-drama fan this winter.

Someone apparently risked taking a picture of GTA 6 inside Rockstar offices for worst leak of all time | Maybe not worth it.

Neon White helped me realize that I love drum and bass music | And now I can't stop listening to it.

Pokémon's Ash Ketchum is actually ridiculously strong | He clearly lifts, bro.

Can't find a tabletop gaming group? Try the solo version instead | Designers are adding solo rules to their games to make them playable even without a group.

Shop talk

When one of the best games of 2024 gets a strategy guide from one of the best book publishers around, it's almost a no-brainer for fans of such things to pick it up. The Metaphor: ReFantazio strategy guide is currently up for pre-order at $5 off. "If you purchase a copy at Amazon and the asking price goes down at any point before it ships, you'll be charged the lowest price on launch day," writes Alice Jovanée.