2025 has been an insane year for video games. Sitting at the tail end of December, we’re witnessing a record number of games hitting the market at every level. Whether you enjoy the biggest game releases like Call of Duty, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or games like Blue Prince, or Dispatch, there’s a laundry list of games worth playing that launched in 2025.
It’s also worth noting that AA games made a splash this year, serving as a tentpole for the industry, with titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hell is Us, and Split Fiction. It is refreshing in a time when most games pad out their playtime; other games deliver concise, shorter run times. Not having to worry about crossing the 100-hour mark is a blessing, something that fewer games did this year.
So, now as we head into the final weeks of 2025 and the holidays, the team at Console Creatures put together its list of the top games of 2025, in no particular order.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Despite former Ubisoft employees stating the company would stay clear of Feudal Japan, Ubisoft Quebec released a game set in Japan this year. It’s a setting many fans requested, and it mainly delivered a great experience. The series has faced growing pains, ones that are still very much present in Shadows, like bloated playtime, a lack of modern-day story, and far too many enemy boards to deal with. Plus, the lack of cohesion in the story of Naoe and Yasuke feels stalled and unfinished.
However, the stealth gameplay is a remarkably impressive improvement and brawling as Yasuke is brutal and a ton of fun. I’m also ready for a game that doesn’t feature dual protagonists, though, by now. As an action RPG, there are many systems to engage with and the freedom to tailor progression, but the series struggles to define a clear story.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Absolum
Abolsum, the new game from Dotemu, Guard Crush, and Supamonks, is a unique title. It’s part beat ’em up, part roguelike, and it’s got a high challenge ceiling, which makes for some incredible moments. It’s a combination that works unsurprisingly well, which I’m sorry to say should’ve happened ages ago.
Guard Crush Games blends the satisfying brawling of a side-scroller with the unpredictability of a roguelike, which will hook you from the beginning.
-Bobby
Read our review.
ARC Raiders
Extraction shooters are among the most challenging genres to succeed in. I can only name a few off the top of my head that have stuck around, like Escape from Tarkov and The Division. Embark Studios may have just broken the barrier this year, though, with ARC Raiders.
In the post-apocalyptic world of ARC Raiders, the earth has been left in shambles, and mysterious robots called ARCs landed years after civilization drastically changed. These ARCs vary in shape and size, along with a variety of weapons to take you down. You play as a Raider who lives and crafts underground while venturing onto the surface with two other teammates to scour and scavenge for anything you can get your hands on.
-Dave
Read our review.
Atomfall
Set in Northern England. The real-life 1957 Windscale nuclear disaster inspires Atomfall. It takes place five years later in a fictionalized quarantine zone encompassing rolling countryside, valleys, caves, and even a picturesque English village. Everything has changed then, and you find yourself in a very different Britain, on the wrong side of the quarantine wall. The military runs the area and is beset with factions, infighting, and a growing sense of fear. It’s up to you to unravel the mystery of what happened. You can explore the countryside, villages, and settlements and meet odd people, wicked cults, rogue government agencies, and others.
You might go in expecting a Fallout game, but Atomfall is much more than that. It’s a tense and punishing game that wants you to use your wits to survive the countryside.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Avowed
Obsidian Entertainment surprisingly caught my attention with Avowed. The long-awaited pseudo-spiritual successor to Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim showed the studio flexing its muscles, returning to a formula where fantasy can meet the morally grey. While I was familiar with the Pillars of Eternity series, Avowed made me wholeheartedly care about this universe, the world of Eora, and the cast of characters I spent over 60 hours with.
-Steve
While exploring the Living Lands with an interesting arsenal of weapons and spells, I felt as though I had agency over my version of the Envoy. Choices felt as though they mattered. Interactions with my party were layered, leading to some hard-hitting moments by the time credits rolled. While far from perfect, Obsidian Entertainment’s version of a western RPG speaks to me in so many ways that I still find myself thinking of my next playthrough of Avowed and the different choices that’ll land in my lap.
Obsidian’s been at the forefront of its craft for years now. With every new game the Irvine-based studio delivers, it delivers something extraordinary. They’ve been the maestro behind hits like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Fallout: New Vegas, Alpha Protocol, The Outer Worlds, and many other games you’ve played.
Avowed’s breathtaking art direction pulls you right in from the very first moments. The landscapes of the Living Lands, a mysterious island where the adventure unfolds, are spectacular. While the Pillars of Eternity games previously showed players the area circling Defiance Bay and then the Deadfire Archipelago, it is the Living Lands, an area found in the north of the Aedryn empire, which I found to be the most forested, with arid deserts, winding caves, and verdant valleys creating a diverse world.
-Patrick
Read our review.
Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 was everything it needed to be this year. Yes, the campaign was whatever, but the multiplayer is excellent, filled with those “only in Battlefield” moments. Storming across a warzone, with explosions popping off, a burning helicopter crashing in front of you, a building coming down on top of you – so many cinematic moments that make every match feel like no other. It’s a nonstop thrill ride that brought me back to the days of playing Battlefield 1942. It rules and is easily the most time I’ve spent with a multiplayer shooter in years.
Battlefield 6’s multiplayer is exciting, despite some launch pains, including just nine maps, close-quarter maps that don’t require classes, and the rest being impeccably great. It’s abundantly clear that the developers knew how much was on the line, and they delivered a game that’s incredibly enjoyable to play with others. Watching an apartment complex get levelled by a tank or a well-placed explosive is hard to match in other shooters, and the tactical elements the series offers are what have drawn me to it in recent years.
-Bobby
Read our review
Baby Steps
In high school, QWOP was a hit, with every computer lab running the physics-based walking game constantly. It was the talk of the school, and almost everyone I knew saw the gimmick of it all and decided it was indeed a weird-ass game. Now, Baby Steps from Devolver Digital and Maxi Boch, Gabe Cuzzillo, and Bennett Foddy have taken the crown as the most ridiculous game.
Baby Steps are hard to master, and it’ll challenge you at each step (literally) as you do your best to progress and walk through a new world Nate is transplanted to. It’s an absurd premise only outdone by its absurd mechanics. In some moments, you’ll hit an excellent streak and make progress. In other moments, you’ll undo all your progress and watch as Nate slides down a slope and loses all your progress.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Ball x Pit
Remember when Vampire Survivors first took over the gaming world? I know I do because thanks to me, Steve Vegvari was hooked after we talked about it on the Creature Cast. I’d argue that Ball x Pit deserves the same collective treatment.
On the surface, it’s a Breakout-style game with “bricks” in front needing to be busted by balls and your hero abilities. The innovation is the perfect blend of familiarity and fresh and exciting ideas. The progression is as close to innovative and rewarding difficulty as you can get. If you haven’t had a chance to play it, I highly recommend you do; it’s fun, energizing, and despite the challenge, it’s a great palette cleanser.
-Dave
Read our review.
Bionic Bay
A mash-up of Limbo, Inside, and Celeste, Bionic Bay’s creators were not hiding that they grew up and were inspired by Super Mario, Mega Man, and TMNT. If you’re wondering whether Bionic Bay stands out in a time when we’re overwhelmed by choice and variety, the answer is yes.
Bionic Bay is filled with an incredible sense of momentum. You’re constantly challenged to experiment to keep moving forward. There’s much to enjoy between the campaign and speedrunning mode, which never overstays its welcome. It’s pretty clear the developers made a game they wanted to play, and their passion doesn’t go unnoticed.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Blue Prince
Every once in a blue moon, a surprising indie game comes out of nowhere and grabs our collective psyche. I think about the way back to Amnesia, Hollow Knight, OlliOlli,
Balatro, and now, Blue Prince. What sets the last of these games apart is that there very likely will never be a follow-up; you get one great puzzle game, and that’s it. But that is kind of what makes Blue Prince perfect. Whether you’ve solved the puzzles of this peculiar mansion or found yourself stuck and admitted defeat, simply put, Blue Prince is that rare indie that captures everyone’s attention — regardless of how and if you play it.
-Luke
Read our review.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 deserves every single accolade it’s sure to win this year, and then some. It’s a generational RPG that captures everything special about the genre and then pushes even harder. The combat is tight and electric, with so much depth and customization potential that building craft is its own time sink. The story and characters are some of the best in video games, with moments that will truly stay with me for a long time. The graphics and music are stunning, filled with incredible vistas and tracks that elevate everything. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is deservedly a special game.
-Matt
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is just that game, huh? Turn-based RPGs have always been the uncrowned king of gameplay in my mind, but in the hands of Sandfall Interactive, it has created something that honours the legacy of the genre while at the same time feeling like a fresh spin on it. Dodging and parrying, which I definitely did the latter more of, felt frustrating at first, but the more time I played, the better I felt, as I wasn’t just levelling up my party members but my reaction time to get that counterattack I wanted and, in a lot of cases, needed.
It isn’t just the gameplay that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is doing right; its story and characters are so exceptionally crafted, with a world that feels artistically unique to anything I’ve played before. For a game made for under $10 million, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s design, graphics, and music feel like they belong right next to any AAA game released this year. French culture always feels like it’s treated as a butt of the joke, so to see Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 not shy away from it while developers celebrate and take pride in their heritage was great while playing.
-Dennis
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a likely frontrunner for Game of the Year. For a studio comprised of newcomers, Sandfall Interactive has crafted a love letter to JRPGs and rekindled the debate over whether turn-based games have faded into obscurity. The answer, of course, is no, and not only are they more alive than ever, but they’re also not going anywhere. The video game industry must celebrate the achievement of Expedition 33, for it is one of the most unique games to grace our consoles this year, filled with melancholic moments and a desire to show that, even against all odds, the will to survive takes precedence.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector had a high hill to climb. The original Citizen Sleeper was one of my favourite games of 2022, with engaging dice-based gameplay that made each roll feel important and impactful. The sequel could’ve skated by with more, but instead, it changes the formula. The original felt lonely and isolated, stuck in one space port, while CS2 goes to the galaxy. You assemble a crew, explore the universe, and get embroiled in conflict or adventure at every turn. The dice are as crucial as ever, but so is managing your crew, your ship, and your choices. It’s a tense and white-knuckled experience, sometimes coming down to a single roll of the dice. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a must-play.
-Matt
Read our review.
Constance
A Metroidvania that could get lost in the mix, but one worth playing if you’re a fan of the genre. The deep, personal story adds a whole lot to the already excellent mechanics throughout your playtime.
Constance uses artistry at every turn to craft a unique title in a crowded genre. The traversal is tight, challenging, and rewarding. The combat is easy to understand and tough to master at times, and the overall presentation is top-tier. This is hands down one of my favourite games of 2025, and I hope it finds the audience it deserves.
-Dave
Read our review.
Cronos: The New Dawn
With Dead Space effectively put on ice after EA’s internal projections failed to materialize, we need a new leader in third-person survival horror. Bloober Team’s Cronos: The New Dawn is primed to take the lead.
From its initial reveal, Cronos: The New Dawn piqued my curiosity. A mix of survival horror, the potential of time travel, and a landscape ravaged by some curious infection. A list of checkboxes which normally pique my interest in one game. Bloober Team’s foray into the genre could go extremely well or extremely badly.
Thankfully, things went pretty well for Cronos: The New Dawn.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Dead Take
Surgent Studios’ follow-up game, Dead Take, is frighteningly good. It’s an unusual horror game featuring familiar fan-favourite voice actors who use their talents to create something unique, bizarre, and scary. It’s not every day I find myself genuinely terrified of the media I consume, but Dead Take scared the shit out of me.
It’s got a stacked cast, with storytelling as its focus, using the allure of Hollywood as a gateway to unconventional horror. While there are some predictable moments, the environment, the performances, and immersion make up for it. It is an emotionally charged horror experience that punches well above its weight and serves as a commentary on ambition and exploitation.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
When Death Stranding launched, it received a wildly mixed reception from critics and Hideo Kojima fans. Some could not mesh with what was happening, while others, like myself, found themselves pulled into this unique world filled with mysteries, unanswered questions, and Bridge Babies. The world was fragmented, unconnected, and on the verge of extinction. It took a porter, Sam Bridges, to reconnect America under the UCA, making his way across the country, meeting new friends and making enemies, all while trying to cause destruction.
Death Stranding 2 expands the world, adds new characters, and makes Sam’s journey personal. Mexico and Australia are filled with memorable people you’ll work with and deliver packages to, but nothing is as memorable as the stunning vistas atop a snow-capped mountain with the stars and moon hanging in the background with you.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Demonschool
Demonschool is a love letter to all the games that inspired it, with touches of Persona, Into the Breach, gothic horror, and the 90s all rolled together. The cast is full of big, memorable personalities, as they band together to discover the mysteries of the island they’re trapped on. All they know is a demonic invasion is on the way, and they need to stop it. The combat is the star of the show here, a grid where you plan out all your moves before executing them all at once. It makes every battle a bloody chess match that is entertaining all the way through.
-Matt
Read our review.
Digimon Story Time Stranger
I knew Digimon Story: Time Stranger is for all of us Digimon sickos who’ve been championing the series for years, but what I didn’t realize is just how much it would resonate with everyone else. It’s everything that’s made Digimon special for so many years: a story filled with heart, unafraid of tackling darker and more human themes and emotions. The combat is fun and building your team is exciting, with the digivolution system still as fun to engage with as ever. The bigger budget makes it the best-looking game in the series thus far, and clearly, all of these elements combined to make it Digimon’s best game yet.
Read our review.
Dispatch
Man, Dispatch really hit way harder than anyone expected. An episodic superhero management simulator made by ex-Telltale devs, Dispatch really nailed a formula that seemed to have gone the way of the dodo. With excellent animation, a tight story, and some of this year’s best characters, Dispatch was electric from the start. The voice cast, led by Aaron Paul, is a constant highlight, bringing these characters to life with personality and charm. I’m seated for whatever AdHoc Studio does next, because if they can even hit half the highs that Dispatch does, we’re in for another incredible ride.
Read our review.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
While the last two Doom games heavily focused on mobility and frenetic encounters with demon hordes of all sizes, Doom: The Dark Ages moves the series in a new direction. One that might alienate some players, it ultimately feels like a great pivot after the highs of Eternal. The prequel to both the 2016 game and its predecessor is different in some fascinating ways. Once you’ve climbed the mountain, you can only do so much to get down, and The Dark Ages intends to leave a destruction trail on the way down.
Between new weapons and skills, the Doom Slayer is a remarkable character, only held back by how little we know of him. He’s been given the tools to save a world actively trying to end his freedom, which leads him down the path that bridges the older games to the newer ones.
Read our review.
Donkey Kong Bananza
If I had to describe what Donkey Kong Bananza is, I’d say it’s a mix of Splatoon’s level design with Super Mario Odyssey sensibilities. I know, I know, that sounds like a weird combination, but not having Mario starring in a new platformer from Nintendo is fine, actually. And as it turns out, it may be even better than the last 3D Mario.
Bananza elevates the 3D platformer to new heights for Nintendo by doubling down on what Super Mario Odyssey does so well while reintroducing one of its best characters in a new game. This is undoubtedly what I wanted from the Switch 2, and Donkey Kong Bananza is a charming, elevated open-world platformer.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake
Last year’s Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D was wonderful. It is the first game in the series to introduce a party-class system and non-linear storytelling. The remake added quality-of-life improvements, making it the definitive entry.
One year later, and the same can be said about the Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remakes. However, these games, as fun as they are, still have many cumbersome mechanics ingrained in their design decisions made at a time when such mechanics were more common. The series’s earliest entries are the hardest to begin, understandably so given their age. Now, the complete Erdrick trilogy is seeing new life with the final two games receiving the remake treatment.
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D is a tribute to the enduring appeal of the Dragon Quest series’ early roots. It combines familiar elements with refreshed lighting, expanded worlds, and improved user experience to deliver thoughtful quality-of-life updates while preserving the core game mechanics of the originals. You might ask why the Erdrick trilogy is the focus of its series over the last few years, and I can tell you it’s worth sticking through to the end. The trilogy reunites the scions of Erdrick for a new generation, delivering a simple tale with bells and whistles.
Read our review.
Drop Duchy
Like clockwork, every year there’s at least one game that just eats up all my free time, one that immediately comes to mind when I think “hmm, I just wanted something fresh, fun, and a little less chaotic.” Drop Duchy was that from the moment I booted it up for the first time. The Tetris-like gameplay has several unique mechanics that make it one of my favourite puzzle games of the last decade. On top of that, it has released two great DLCs that add hours and hours of content and some really great depth with two new factions and gameplay updates.
Read our review.
Duskpunk
Duskpunk is a Citizen Sleeper-like game that smartly uses dice-based gameplay to tell its own story. Times are tough in a country ravaged by war, and survival is necessary. Do you join a gang and do whatever you can to survive? Find work, form a union, and fight back against your oppressors? Duskpunk is full of these choices, and each one feels important and makes a difference. It’s so good that it got the mark of approval from Citizen Sleeper’s creator, Gareth Damien Martin. It’s a timely game about resistance, hope, and survival, and one not to be missed.
-Matt
Read our review.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
I think, for me, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is the surprise game from this year, as I didn’t know I liked it as much as I did going in. Never having played the original game, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, and, thankfully, you don’t really need to. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist takes place in the same universe, it’s a few decades later, in a brand new setting with only a few references to the first game sprinkled in. I was absolutely enthralled by Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, a more challenging, almost Bloodborne-like difficulty spin to the 2D metroidvania formula that’s all anchored by its Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure-like stands that help not just in combat but through traversal.
-Dennis
Read our review.
The First Berserker: Khazan
It’s pretty clear by this point that Soulslike is experiencing some sort of renaissance. The golden age has delivered incredible experiences, like Lies of P, Remnant 2, and Nine Sols. Sitting out on most of these games is also becoming more challenging. Now, Nexon wants in, and its next game is not an entry I’d gloss over. It’s punchy, demanding, and thrilling.
The First Berserker: Khazan was designed to be a great standalone experience, making it an excellent entry point for those new to Nexon’s (Dungeon & Fighter) DNF franchise. It will surely attract fans eager to discover what transpired between Khazan and the Empire, and it has likely piqued the interest of many Soulslike enthusiasts as well. I was worried about how The First Berserker would use its spot as a prequel in the DNF universe, but thankfully, the story is mainly self-contained.
Read our review.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
This game earns its place in my Top titles of 2025 by masterfully blending nostalgia with meaningful modernization, delivering an experience that feels both faithful and revitalized. The emotional weight of its narrative, with its political intrigue, the betrayals, the moral dilemmas, and the constant tension between ideals and ambition. It remains just as gripping today, reminding me why its story is considered one of the most memorable in tactical RPG history. The strategic depth is still unmatched: every choice in positioning, abilities, and job progression matters, and each battle demands genuine thought, adaptation, and patience. Yet the updated interface, smoother pacing, and thoughtful quality-of-life improvements make these complex systems far more accessible without sacrificing depth.
Visually, the enhanced sprites and environments strike the perfect balance between honouring the original charm and presenting a polished, modern look that breathes new life into Ivalice. Added voice acting strengthens character moments, and the improved flow of battles makes victories feel even more satisfying. And that’s ultimately why the game stands out in 2025: every hard-fought win feels earned, every story moment resonates, and the entire adventure showcases how a true classic can be elevated for a new era while preserving everything that made it legendary.
-Patrick
Read our review.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Level-5’s output over the past few years has been uneven, with delays making it difficult to keep track of the studio’s current titles and their expected release dates. Fantasy Life I: The Girl Who Steals Time was delayed several times before launching in May.
The original on the 3DS was such a charming little game, one that I remember spending an entire summer playing before ultimately moving on. Thankfully, the series gets a second chance with a new generation of people to sit down and enjoy this niche series, which is currently doing well thanks to word of mouth.
There is a lot to do in Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time with tons of jobs, tons of tasks, and lots of cooking, puzzles, and combat to keep you engaged. If you want an Animal Crossing experience with a mix of combat, look no further.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson
Fretless feels like a game from yesteryear. It’s not too long, has a fun and complete story, and uses humour and art wonderfully. The action-RPG and rhythm mechanics all work to near perfection, weaving in gameplay moments I won’t soon forget. Strumming the acoustic guitar, wailing on an epic synth, or slappin’ da bass always paid off with incredible battles and enjoyable variation. I found myself jamming out and smiling for hours and hours as I completed this game, one that I’ll likely come back to from time to time for a lighthearted take on an incredible mashup of genres.
-Dave
Read our review.
Ghost of Yōtei
Ghost of Yōtei is badass, through and through. I loved Ghost of Tsushima when it launched, a novel take on the samurai genre that had me engaged from the drop. The sequel takes everything that made Tsushima special and plays with it. Atsu, brought to life incredibly by Erika Ishii, takes no shit, hunting the Yotei Six relentlessly, accidentally finding her humanity along the way. The combat is more brutal than before, with tossing weapons being such a simple addition, but it is so satisfying every time. It’s also a graphical marvel, truly one of the best-looking games I’ve ever played. I can’t wait for whatever Sucker Punch does next.
-Matt
Read our review.
Hades 2
I don’t know if I can articulate just how much I adore the work that Supergiant Games does. Every one of their games is full of originality, tight gameplay, and excellent writing. The first Hades blew me away and has become one of my favourite game experiences of all time. The studio’s first sequel is bigger and in many ways, better!
Hades 2 is a challenging joy to play with striking god combinations, another remarkable story, perfect art style and design, and mechanics that are balanced, difficult, and rewarding. The 70+ hours I’ve played aren’t nearly enough, and it’ll continue to be a favourite of mine as 2026 comes around.
-Dave
Read our review.
Haste
This is another game that has gone under the radar. But if you want to really feel a sense of speed and smooth traversal, Haste has you covered!
Simple controls lead to a game that is easy to understand, challenging and exciting to master. Biomes may seem familiar, but the procedurally generated stages make sure that no two runs or retries are the same. High scores, collectables, a psychedelic story; Haste has it all! It’s not the longest game, but it’s some of the purest fun you can have in a 2025 action game.
-Dave
Read our review.
Hell is Us
Hell is Us is an interesting game to make my list this year. It’s not a game I’d suggest everyone play. It’s a very particular game that demands a certain amount of respect and attention from the player. Going into Hell is Us is a jarring experience. Without a traditional minimap, journal or quest log, studio Rogue Factor puts so much trust into the player. Whether you’re willing to lean into the game’s hands-off approach to puzzle solving and progression ultimately determines your enjoyment.
Across 45 hours, Hell is Us wracked my brain and patience. So late-stage puzzles made me wonder if I would ever see the final credits roll. Persistence and patience paid off, because after each painstaking puzzle I pushed through, the rewards scattered across Hadea were well worth my time. Remi’s story of discovering his place in a war-torn country was engaging, though at times incredibly dark. It challenged me mentally with some of the most vivid visuals I’ve seen in a game in a long time. Hell is Us isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a game that stands out in 2025.
-Steve
Read our review.
Hollow Knight: Silk Song
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the long, long, long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight. Going into the game, I knew it would likely capture my attention. Though I was pleasantly surprised by how much juice Team Cherry still has. Silksong reinforced the idea that Team Cherry not only fundamentally understands Metroidvania games but also elevates the genre with its own ideas.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is familiar in all the ways it needs to be, but is different at the same time. Hornet plays faster and more aggressively than Hollow Knight. The world of Pharloom and its many secrets operates similarly to Hallownest but features a complex layout with seemingly endless areas to explore. While there’s a difficult spike that often frustrated me, Silksong kept me engaged with its gameplay systems, beautiful soundtrack and world I can’t step away from.
-Steve
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is unlike anything else you’ll play this year. It is part visual novel, part strategy RPG, and it has over 100 endings to unlock.Each ending provides something new, some good and evil, but you can craft a story catered to your standards if you push through. You don’t need to replay the game each time, though, as branching story paths let you start from that point on.
Takumi Sumino lives in a dystopian Tokyo, protected by a dome that prevents him from observing the sky. The Tokyo Residential Complex has life unfold as well as you’d expect given the circumstances, and it’s like nothing is different, but there’s this lingering feeling that something is off.
You’ll have 100 days to protect the Academy alongside your friends as you work to learn why you were brought to this place and why this group was chosen as defenders. Thankfully, the cast is incredibly likable, so it’s generally easier to dive into the mystery because it is so well put together. Most students are given enough to do and are featured enough to stand out.
-Bobby
Read our review.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a canon prequel that positions itself as a central narrative bridge in Zelda lore while retaining the Musou series’ chaotic battlefield spectacle. The game reframes the Imprisoning War as a large-scale conflict that forges the alliance between Zonai, Gorons, Rito, and Hylians against Ganondorf’s rising darkness.
Whereas Age of Calamity is an alternative tale featuring familiar characters, Age of Imprisonment builds upon one of the stronger plot points from Tears of the Kingdom and runs with it. Establishing what the princess was doing after being thrown back into the past thousands of years allows for an entirely new (but familiar) world to showcase Hyrule as we’ve yet to see it in the Calamity Ganon titles. The premise allows invested players to gain a deeper understanding of the lore and what Zelda was doing while Link was busy in the present, trying to restore order to Hyrule.
Read our review.
Keeper
Keeper feels like a game made only by a studio like Double Fine. Quirky style and design is only the tip of the odd iceberg here, but one that you’d fully expect to come from the studio that brought us so many classics over the years. It’s an eccentric title that feels like it could only come from Double Fine’s creativity. With its shorter play time and touching story, along with numerous surprises, this makes for an easy recommendation.
-Dave
Kirby Air Riders
After the smash success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, director Masahiro Sakurai decided his next project would be a sequel to Kirby Air Ride, a niche GameCube title that I don’t recall much about. It was a bit of a surprise to learn that a sequel was in the works, given how few people I remember playing it or even mentioning it throughout the years, but I guess I was wrong about the game’s longevity.
The sequel, Kirby Air Riders, builds upon its predecessor and showcases the ingenuity of its creator through sleek menus, numerous in-game rewards, and satisfying racing elements that are challenging to master yet easy to learn. In the last week alone, I’ve spent a ton of time doing my best to learn the ins and outs of Air Riders and still haven’t mastered the nuance behind this game.
The simplistic controls might not be for everyone, but if you can look past that, you’ve got a competent racer that does its own thing instead of attempting to battle it out against Mario Kart World. Air Riders’ penchant for speed and chaos unfolds dramatically at times as races’ unpredictable outcomes unravel in humorous ways. I fully expect Air Riders to be divisive just like its predecessor, but as a sequel, you’re getting something unique. All of this might sound familiar, and it is, but it’s built on the foundation established two decades ago and delivers a fully realized vision from Sakurai.
Read our review.
Lego Voyagers
Look no further than LEGO, a brand synonymous with imaginative play for years, to expand into the games market and deliver, well, a clever game. That’s precisely what LEGO Voyagers is, and it’s a bold departure from previous games, this time focusing on exploration and interstellar adventures.
LEGO Voyagers is designed for play with a friend in co-op mode. If you’re thinking that’s fine and you can pair up with an AI companion to play through the campaign, I have some bad news for you. This game is designed for shared experience. Thankfully, this experience is brief, lasting between five and seven hours, but it is a must this year. And to sweeten the pot for potential players, a Friend Pass allows you to play with a friend so long as one of you has a copy of the game.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is just fun. Something about the ridiculous idea of turning series favourite Majima Goro into an amnesiac pirate and setting him free on the seas around Hawaii works. The boat action is so arcadey and wild that it made me, someone who doesn’t care for boating video games, actually excited for each new expedition. The combat is fast and frenetic, the story is heartfelt, and that post-credits scene, man. The quality work that RGG pumps out is genuinely staggering, and I hope they keep playing with the formula in stupid and ridiculous ways.
-Matt
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Lumines Arise
Lumines begins as a simple game where 2×2 blocks drop onto a sweeping Timeline with music-driven skins that change with each stage. In the two decades since its inception, the series, conceived by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, has fused rhythm and puzzles into an addictive and tactical experience. Audio and visuals form into 2×2 squares, and timing them to the moving Timeline creates a series of satisfying chain reactions and combos.
Lumines Arise is sensational in every sense of the word. It will wow you with its audio-visual cues and dance across your screen in a way that’ll make you feel emotions. It feels almost otherworldly, and yet, it’s one of the most calming and memorable experiences I’ve had with video games this year.
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Mario Kart World
Nintendo dropped the greatest kart racer of all time with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so how do you follow up on such a popular game? Well, you introduce an interconnected world, double the player count, and add a battle royale to the mix, apparently.
Mario Kart World is a great game fit for both veterans and newcomers. Pick your favourite character, pick your ride, and take it to the track for an insanely fun time. There are many changes from older titles, like free-roaming to collect items, meet up with friends, and unlock new costumes. Knockout Tour is easily the best addition to the formula as it lets you play through multiple tracks while trying to knock out other racers from winning.
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MainFrames
MainFrames is flat out one of my favourite precision platformers in years. Its engaging level design, art style, music, and hilarious meta commentary are spot-on throughout its entire playthrough. I don’t recall seeing too many people talk about this game in 2025, but it’s one of the first I played and reviewed this year , and I haven’t stopped thinking about it.
It has so many entertaining aspects and a perfect level of difficulty that I would recommend it to absolutely anyone who’s even vaguely interested in the genre.
-Dave
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Mafia: The Old Country
You play as a new protagonist, Enzo, as he works through Sicily as a childhood labourer in the sulphur mines. He will join Don Torrisi’s family and do whatever it takes to get a better life. Now, Enzo deals with a code of honour and the power and hardships that come with it. Moving from the fictional cities of Lost Heaven, Empire Bay, and New Bordeaux to Sicily is a bold move for the series, but it is one that ultimately counts the most. Despite Sicily still being a fictitious take on the Italian island, the location feels like it was pulled from the past, with incredible scenery.
Mafia: The Old Country is a no-nonsense, back-to-basics experience, and its dedication to authenticity serves as its best attribute. By sticking to a tight, linear experience, The Old Country allows the performances and writing to do the heavy lifting without losing the allure of the Sicilian countryside. By bringing to light a specific place in time that few movies or games have gone before, there’s a wealth of details you’ll come to appreciate.
-Bobby
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Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds may have had a rocky post-launch ride, but there’s no denying how intense the game really is. The greater focus on narrative actually made me care more about the world and its inhabitants, even amid the massively cinematic fights, though those ruled, too. The new focus and wound system introduced a new approach to fights, giving the player greater control and agency than before. The open world is also gorgeous, with each new area a visual spectacle. Hopefully, Monster Hunter Wilds can recapture what made it so good at launch, because there’s so much potential here.
-Matt
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Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
If it weren’t for a select few games on this list that don’t have ninjas in them, I’d declare 2025 as the Year of the Ninja. That began with the excellent Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound.
This fantastic 2D platformer is a perfect blend of current and retro mechanics, combining to create something new, challenging, and a ton of fun. It takes the player back to the days of precise enemy timing and traversals, resulting in some incredibly epic and fun stages. While I’m not a skilled enough player to perfect speed runs, this is a game that allows that to happen in every level you play. Tough challenges, incredible boss battles, cool unlockables; Ragebound has it all if you want a great taste of retro action-platforming.
-Dave
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Octopath Traveler 0
Octopath Traveler is a series I’ve always wanted to get more into, so the prequel seemed like the perfect opportunity. Instead of a brand-new game, Octopath Traveler 0 is an adaptation of the franchise’s mobile entry, Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, with the gacha mechanics removed from the PC and console releases.
Octopath Traveler 0, at its core, is still a beautiful-looking game with stunning HD-2D graphics. While Octopath Traveler 0 feels more of the same as what I played in the first Octopath Traveler, the franchise’s usual four-party member setup in gameplay adds a back row of party members. With now eight characters on screen, you’ll be able to switch characters when things get tough, adding a new level of strategy to the gameplay loop that feels so natural that it’s hard not to see an Octopath Traveler 3 not having the same setup.
Instead of featuring major story campaigns of past games’ eight party members, Octopath Traveler 0 takes that approach to the game’s multiple villains in the narrative of a singular, silent, customizable protagonist in the returning Orsterra setting. Difficulty unexpectedly ramps up in mid-game finale, feeling like such a hump to overcome when you’re in it, but after, it becomes easier in the later campaign. One welcome feature of the game is its town-building section, which lets Stardew Valley sickos build their dream JRPG town.
-Dennis
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OFF
OFF is the game that would go on to inspire Toby Fox to create Undertale, although it wasn’t a very accessible game to play until the release of Fangamer’s 2025 remake. Even after 17 years, OFF still feels like a game worth picking up, as it’s a stellar RPG that maintains the legacy of the original’s still-fantastic yet dark narrative, alongside its grotesque psychological horror art style, puzzles, and the very world that, at times, is slowly OFF-putting. Even though the soundtrack is not on the same level as the original, it’s still a good listen.
-Dennis
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Persona 5 The Phantom X
I’ve tried to get into gacha games time and time again, never successfully. I’ve liked some, Genshin and Honkai both grabbed me to some extent, but I always fell off within a week or two. Who knew it would take my favourite gaming franchise, Persona, to make me finally connect. Persona 5 The Phantom X has become my daily addiction and is just great. The story, especially in its most recent chapter, is excellent. The characters are great additions to the Persona universe, ones I genuinely enjoy hanging out with. I keep coming back because it nails the gacha gameplay loop, and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon.
-Matt
Pokémon Legends Z-A
I really hope Pokémon, Nintendo, and Game Freak make more games like Pokémon Legends Z-A. This weird little entry took some massive swings for a franchise that’s been so comfortable being what it is for almost 30 years. The new action combat is solid, making positioning and dodging a more integral part of the encounter sandbox than just hitting the correct type of effective move. The story and characters are great as well, and Lumiose City could really be Pokémon’s answer to Yakuza’s Kamurocho. Make this city a living, breathing, changing part of the world, and bring players back while expanding on it. It may not be perfect, but it’s new and exciting, and the most engaged I’ve been with Pokémon in years.
-Matt
As a game franchise, I’ve been so out of the Pokémon game bubble the last decade that I was okay leaving it all behind and just enjoying it as a thing I watch go on without me. After giving Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! another try and beating it this time, earlier this year, I was in the mood to engulf myself in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. I was honestly surprised by how good it was to play. Taking the gameplay from turn-based to real-time action gave the franchise the real kick in the butt it needed, making it feel more like the anime than anything. Although the lack of voice acting in the somewhat experimental Legends spinoff games is still weird, a Ben Starr fan dub of one scene gave the game more personality than what Game Freak and the Pokémon Company are willing to put into the billion-dollar franchise.
-Dennis
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Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
From the beautiful pixel art style to the classic adventure gameplay loop, it all feels like a throwback to an age gone by. It cleverly adapts many of the formulae seen in 2D The Legend of Zelda titles, centring on the titular Pipstrello and their yoyo. It’s a fun experience, even if not all of its systems hit the mark. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a fun and clever experience. Each new area to explore and boss to fight is a joy, as it nails an old-school gameplay loop with new twists. The yoyo is the star of the show, being used in creative and inventive ways that constantly make the player rethink their approach and loadout.
-Matt
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Promise Mascot Agency
I don’t think I’ve played a weirder game than Promise Mascot Agency, and I say that entirely with love. This off-the-wall mascot management simulator rode its shoddy little truck into my heart and parked it there. Starring an ex-yakuza sent to bring a formerly thriving mascot agency back to life, his relationship with the loveably sadistic severed thumb Pinky is centred here, as they strive to reclaim past glory while also uncovering a mystery at the heart of the little rustic town. I could never predict what was around the next corner, let alone the next strange mascot I’d meet, a constant surprise that didn’t let go. This is a blaring reminder that people make video games, the sometimes stranger recesses of our minds made manifest. AI could never.
-Matt
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Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
We’ve seen so many remasters and remakes over the years, but sometimes, one comes along that just gets it so right. The Trails series is one of my all-time favourites, built on heart, character, and political intrigue. It also spans 13 mainline entries, all interconnected to some degree, making it a hard one to parse and enter.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter rectifies that, a remake that captures the magic of the original while adding meaningfully to it, drawing on lessons learned since its original release more than 20 years ago. The added action combat makes movement through the world feel better-paced than before, while the turn-based combat still bubbles under the surface. It’s stupidly gorgeous as well, full of charm as it’s always been. Bring on the 2nd Chapter as soon as possible.
-Matt
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Time Flies
Time Flies is a brief but fun title that focuses on reflection and choice. It might not resonate with everyone due to its simplicity, but don’t let that deter you. It’s a game that reminds us that time cannot be reclaimed, so make the most of the time you have.
I hate flies. Despise them in my home, buzzing around being a nuisance that won’t stay away from me. When they sneak in while I’m bringing in groceries or bringing a package inside, I sigh, knowing I’ll have to eliminate them. And for some reason, Playables and Panic thought that recreating a fly’s life is something worth playing. And you know, the developers may have nailed a bizarre idea.
The premise is simple: you play as a tiny fly with a simple goal: make the most of your short existence before time runs out. Time Flies is a short game, and it doesn’t ask a lot from you, but it does pack an amusing game.
-Bobby
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The Outer Worlds 2
Obsidian Entertainment has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Of course, being acquired by Microsoft has been helpful. The studio has launched some of my favourite games in the past few years, including Pentiment and Avowed. In 2018, though, we saw The Outer Worlds land, and it reminded me of Obsidian’s Fallout: New Vegas. To say I was enamoured would undersell the grip the original had on me. Obsidian’s a studio that continues to shine in its craft. Each new game shows significant improvement over the last, and it’s refreshing to see one of the most consistent studios showcase its storytelling talent.
The Outer Worlds 2 is Obsidian firing on all cylinders, and its refined combat, storytelling, and builds will lead to multiple playthroughs.
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Rematch
In an industry where 2K, EA Sports, and Madden dominate the charts, it’s been refreshing to see a new contender enter the ring. We’re missing arcade sports games these days, and I’m glad someone noticed that this was an issue that needed to be resolved.
There is no denying that SloClap has another excellent game for you to play with Rematch. Rematch provides a challenging but rewarding online sports experience. Once you get a handle on the pace of the matches, most of the controls, and how to play as a team, you’ll be scoring epic goals and celebrating your success.
-Bobby
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Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Lizardcube has been at the forefront of nostalgia for what feels like forever. They’ve been on the frontlines handling some iconic franchises like Streets of Rage, and now, they’ve gone and added another fabled series to their belt.
Like a ninja, Shinobi: Act of Vengeance quietly delivers one of this year’s best 2D action games. It smartly and stealthily showcases its brutal, spectacular mechanics, consistently raising the stakes. While the story is the weakest aspect, the stylish action shows how promising 2D action games can be today.
-Bobby
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Silent Hill f
Silent Hill f is one of the scariest games I’ve played in 2025, and it’s hard to find anything like it. The use of Japanese horror elevates the rest of the game, which I found the likes of combat to be lacking. Essentially a less impressive take on Soulslike combat, Silent Hill f has you play as Hinako, a schoolgirl caught up in a supernatural disaster plaguing her small rural town.
Set in 1960s Japan, you play as Shimizu Hinako, whose secluded town of Ebisugaoka becomes enveloped in a fog, leading the village to a transformation made of nightmares. Hinako must explore Ebisugaoka and discover the truth about the town she grew up in. The town is filled with puzzles and monsters you’ll need to avoid. Against the backdrop of rice paddies, remune soda stalls, and nature-covered shrines, Hinako’s story focuses on her plight alongside her friends Shu Iawai, Rinko Nishida, and Sakuko Igarashi as they fall prey to the deadly fog enveloping their village. This leads to Hinako’s search for answers and to find her missing friends.
-Bobby
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Skate Story
Skate Story, man. What a game. What a strange, cerebral, acid trip of an experience, all around a skater made of glass as he skates for his soul, his mission simple: eat the moon. Skate Story is a game I was in love with since I first saw it years ago, and I’m so happy it stuck the landing as it dropped in on the proverbial half pipe. The absolutely incredible music by indie pop band Blood Cultures, along with the gorgeous visuals, makes it a distinct experience unlike anything else. Skate Story is one of my favourite games this year.
-Matt
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South of Midnight
South of Midnight is an exciting look at the American South. It showcases a location video games rarely visit and delivers a relatable tale about a young woman. However, some issues stem from mismatched mechanics, like shoehorned combat. The rest of the experience is impressive and another excellent Xbox Game Studios title.
South of Midnight has a lot to love, from the incredible use of stop-motion to the sweeping score and accompanying blues music to the personal story of Hazel and the American South setting. While not everything connects on a deep level, the surface-level combat is unmatched. Using the American South to explore a space so rarely visited helped me understand it better at a time when I have so little crossover with it. If anything, Compulsion’s attention to detail is a testament to the incredible style and a great way to get more people to look at Southern Gothic.
-Bobby
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Split Fiction
Josef Faras and the rest of the crew at Hazelight Studios have cemented themselves as undisputed champions of co-op gaming. After the massive success of It Takes Two, I was nervous about whether Split Fiction could really achieve the heights. Not only does it, but it also exceeds them, with some of the best sequences in gaming this year. The co-op gameplay remains as inventive and creative as ever, and I liked the story and characters here much more than It Takes Two. My wife doesn’t game much, but loves these games, and experiencing them with her means a lot to me. I can’t wait for whatever experience this crew dream up next.
-Matt
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is Sega’s latest entry in its kart racing series featuring the blue blur, and it’s the most ambitious Sonic racer yet. Made by Sonic Team, CrossWorlds attempts to overthrow Mario Kart in part due to its deep, customizable, and multidimensional mechanics.
How do you make a racing game where the faster hedgehog doesn’t need a vehicle to go fast? That’s something I’ve always asked myself. Thankfully, he does have friends who need a ride to keep up, so it all comes down to that, right? CrossWorlds arrives just months after a certain Italian plumber’s latest kart racer, showing that you can have the best of both worlds this year.
While I had a lot of fun playing Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, it is a formulaic game. A typical mascot racer, gimmick characters, maps, and power-ups are just part of the package at this point. Yet, it’s so well put together this go-round that despite feeling like we’ve been here before, it’s satisfying each time you hit the track.
-Bobby
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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 Remaster was what rekindled my love for skateboarding, and, like many who played the originals, I felt a massive wave of nostalgia when they arrived. Since then, significant changes have occurred in the gaming industry, including the Activision Blizzard merger, the closure of Vicarious Visions, and numerous layoffs.
Now, Iron Galaxy Studios picks up where Vicarious left off and delivers Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, which have been given the same treatment as its predecessors. Do these titles stand the test of time and hold up decades later? Well, mostly I feel like they do, and it feels great to have the spotlight shine on skateboarding video games once again. It is nearly impossible not to sit down with this series and walk away feeling good about what you’ve just played, as the arcade-style action that defined a whole generation feels modern once again.
These games, which teeter between full-on remake and remaster, have been tweaked for release. Many of the original tracks have been replaced with new ones, levels have been removed and new ones added, and even the fourth game has been reworked to feel like an extension of the previous three games.
-Bobby
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RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is an alternate-history take on Taishō-era Japan set in 1931, starring a young Devil Summoner. Along with his talking cat Gouto, Raidou joins the Narumi Detective Agency to investigate and solve paranormal disturbances that look to destroy the balance between the human and demon realms.
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a standout example of what bringing an older title to modern consoles should be. It addressed concerns the original held directly, but changed the combat to feel and play better. On top of that, the unique setting and the ability to call upon demons in large numbers make exploration fun, as they lend their powers to solve puzzles, speak to people, and fight in battle.
-Bobby
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Rue Valley
I still go back to that motel room, now and again. A time loop that trapped me in its rotation, one where I had 47 minutes to try and find something new about a situation that wouldn’t let go. Rue Valley is very clearly inspired by Disco Elysium, one of my favourite games of all time, and it feels like a cousin to that experience. Each loop brings some discovery or potential lead to the reason why the sky alights at 8:47, and uncovering those narrative threads was a fantastic ride.
-Matt
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Ruffy and the Riverside
There’s something about the childlike nature of games like Ruffy and the Riverside that breathes fresh air into the industry, one that has grown dark and grittier over the last couple of decades. This game immediately stands out with its whimsical presentation, funky beats, unique characters, and colourful world. I found it hard to look away from even the smallest detail crafted by Zockrates Laboratories UG.
You play as the title character, Ruffy, a bear-like creature with a big smile, joyful exclamations, and a desire to help those in need around them! The story here is not as simple as some of the titles that inspire it; there’s a bit more going on here, it’s not just a simple “rescue mission.” A lot of thought has been put into the world-shattering stakes in Ruffy and the Riverside, and it pays off.
-Dave
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Wanderstop
Wanderstop is so wonderful. A reminder that slowing down is as important as moving forward, a gentle embrace that made me feel seen and appreciated amidst all the noise that life brings. I think of that little tea shop in the clearing every few days, with the cheerful caretaker who told me it was okay to just…be. The gameplay loop of helping each new person that came into the clearing, making them whatever tea they needed at that moment, brought a warmth that no other experience did this year. Few games are as special as Wanderstop, and I’m so thankful it exists.
-Matt
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