The 10 Best Video Games of 2025

2025 was undoubtedly a memorable year for gamers, filled with an exceptional lineup of high-quality video game releases. These impressive titles included major sequels with stunning visuals and surprising independent games that pushed the boundaries of innovative gameplay and even completely changed gamers’ expectations across genres. To celebrate this outstanding year, we look back at the 10 best game releases of 2025 — all of which set the bar for immersive entertainment and shape gaming culture for years to come.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Release date: February 4

2025 began with the sequel to one of the best historical Action RPG series that offers an incredibly immersive experience in medieval Europe. The sequel continues the story of the first installment, setting players back in 15th-century Bohemia amidst the civil war. Players navigate a vast open world from a first-person perspective, with gameplay centered on realistic sword combat, meaningful role-playing decisions, and intricate medieval systems, all underpinned by high historical accuracy. For gamers interested in realistic role-playing as a knight in a medieval European setting, this title is an absolute must-play.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Release date: February 28

As a direct sequel to World from seven years ago, Wilds was undeniably one of the most hyped games of 2025. This new installment refines World’s formula by introducing a seamless open world, quicker combat, and larger multiplayer lobbies, making Wilds a more fluid and modern hunting experience. For newcomers, the core of the Monster Hunter series involves undertaking perilous missions to track and defeat immense, powerful monsters in expansive, dynamic environments, utilizing a wide array of complex weapons and customizable gear. Wilds offers new players an excellent opportunity to dive into the excitement of the hunt.

Split Fiction

Release date: March 6

Following It Takes Two and A Way Out, Hazelight Studios has once again delivered a co-op adventure masterpiece, quickly being hailed by gamers as the best in its genre. The game requires two players to constantly work together, solving complex, physics-based puzzles and navigating platforming challenges, which are now seamlessly integrated with intense action and shooting sequences. Progression is impossible without constant teamwork, setting an unprecedented benchmark for sophisticated, story-driven co-op design.

Blue Prince

Release date: April 10

Continuing the list, Blue Prince is a genre-defying roguelike puzzle adventure that showcases independent innovation. It uniquely blends the traditional roguelike formula with architectural and mechanical elements. Players navigate a magically shifting mansion by drafting room tiles to construct paths, solve environmental puzzles, and unravel a central mystery. A core mechanic is the limited number of daily “steps” before the house resets, emphasizing strategy and discovery. This design creates an intellectual experience where the puzzle itself feels dynamic and alive.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Release date: April 24

The biggest winner of The Game Awards 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is another surprising standout from a small indie team. Since its release, the game has earned praise for its unique combination of classic JRPG elements and modern, skill-based real-time combat. Beyond its polished mechanics, the game is also celebrated for its stunning art, deep emotional exploration of mortality, and a memorable story supported by fantastic voice acting. This compelling fusion of deep themes and refined gameplay makes it a must-play for JRPG lovers this year.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Release date: June 26

As Hideo Kojima’s long-awaited action-adventure sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has been widely lauded for its refinements from the original’s core delivery gameplay. This installment introduces significant quality-of-life upgrades, better graphics, and more action-oriented combat, making it more fun and accessible. The central objective of the series remains Sam’s journey across a massive, post-apocalyptic landscape to reconnect with civilization. With stunning next-gen visuals, an emotionally rich story with great characters, and all the new refinements, it is definitely a game that you don’t wanna miss.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Release date: July 17

Donkey Kong‘s return in Bananza is definitely a favourite for Nintendo fans. This 3D sandbox platformer features the gorilla and his companion, Pauline, on an adventure. A core element is the satisfying destruction mechanics, allowing players to smash environments. Players can also utilize unique animal transformations to solve puzzles, fight enemies, and explore extensive underground areas. The game’s emphasis on destruction, creativity, and exploration makes a significant and memorable contribution to the classic Donkey Kong franchise.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Release date: September 4

The long-awaited Metroidvania sequel, arriving years after the 2017 original, fully delivered on its every promise. Stepping into the role of the new protagonist, Hornet, players navigate a mysterious, expansive world that significantly exceeds the scope of its predecessor. The core gameplay is built around fluid, acrobatic platforming and refined combat with complex enemies and challenging boss fights. The game even achieved artistic masterclass by showcasing stunning hand-drawn visuals in-game and building characters with rich lore, captivating players globally with its depth.

Hades II

Release date: September 25​

This Supergiant release perfected the genre, delivering the highest-praised roguelike action RPG of the year. It significantly refines its predecessor, offering deeper combat mechanics, a greater variety of character builds, and stunning art. The narrative focuses on the new protagonist, Melinoë, daughter of Hades, detailing her compelling journey through Greece to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time. Acclaimed for its versatile combat and captivating characterization, the game carries exceptional replayability and a rich post-game content system.

Ghost of Yōtei

Release date: October 2​

This sequel to Ghost of Tsushima continues to captivate audiences with its beautiful 17th-century Japanese setting and engaging gameplay, which seamlessly blends stealth, combat, and exploration as a samurai. To fit the new timeline, new items like firearms and a spyglass have been introduced, adding more diversity to the gameplay experience. Compared to its predecessor, this iteration excels by ensuring a large variety of side activities feel distinct and engaging, rather than repetitive filler. This commitment to varied gameplay has made it one of the best PlayStation 5 exclusive releases of the year.