Best Video Games of 2025

2025 has emerged as a landmark year for gamers, offering a rich tapestry of titles across genres, platforms, and budgets. From high-octane AAA exclusives to emotionally charged indie narratives, this year’s crop reflects both creative ambition and technical innovation. With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, massive sequels, and pioneering AA titles, there’s never been a more exciting time to be a player. In this article, we highlight ten standout games of 2025 that define the present moment and are likely to remain relevant far into the future.

1. Donkey Kong Bananza

Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Bananza is already being hailed as a launch-size masterpiece for Switch 2, showcasing inventive platforming and destructible terrain mechanics. Developed by the team behind Super Mario Odyssey, this marks Donkey Kong’s first major outing in over two decades, blending nostalgia with fresh ideas.

Players guide DK in animal-inspired transformations, using unique abilities to navigate subterranean worlds, solve puzzles, and rescue Pauline. The depth of its collectible upgrades and customizable cosmetic options keeps exploration rewarding. Critics, including IGN and Eurogamer, praise the game’s inventive pacing and joyful play—despite minor performance hitches—with scores averaging over 90 on OpenCritic and Metacritic.

·         Rich platforming with layered secrets in destructible environments

·         Transformation mechanics offering varied gameplay styles

·         Extensive collectible and cosmetic system

·         Strong critical reception affirming its status as a flagship Switch 2 title

2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Stepping into feudal Japan with sharp stealth mechanics and narrative depth, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has rapidly become a standout of 2025. With over a million players at launch and top-tier sales in the U.S. and U.K., its reception surpasses even Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

The game offers an intricate open world filled with nuanced characters, detailed environments, and robust stealth-combat systems. Its fast rise in sales reflects a rewarding fusion of historical immersion, narrative quality, and gameplay innovation.

·         Immersive feudal Japan setting with lush landscapes

·         Enhanced stealth systems and fluid combat

·         Rich narrative with culturally anchored characters

·         Breakthrough sales and acclaimed reception

3. Doom: The Dark Ages

Dropping May 15, Doom: The Dark Ages takes the visceral intensity of the Doom franchise into medieval territory. Emphasizing raw power over nimble acrobatics, the game gives players a “tank” sensation, complete with new melee weapons and mechanized combat options.

With vehicles like dragons and mechs, layered storytelling, and strategic melee gameplay, it rewrites expectations while maintaining the fast-paced brutality Doom is known for.

·         Gritty, strategic melee combat with new weapons

·         Mythical and mechanized vehicles for dynamic battles

·         Deepened lore and storyline for the Doom Slayer

·         Strong launch traction with 3 million players in a week

4. Split Fiction

Hazelight’s latest title, Split Fiction, continues the studio’s streak of creative co-op excellence following It Takes Two. Featuring dual protagonists in a genre-blending narrative adventure, it stands as a high-quality mid-budget contender.

With inventive level design and an emphasis on collaboration, the game has garnered critical praise, calling it a masterpiece and a leading contender for Game of the Year.

·         Innovative co-op experience with genre fusion

·         Obvious creativity and strong narrative focus

·         Elevated quality in the AA space

·         Widely praised by critics as one of 2025’s best

5. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

From AA studio Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur is a turn-based RPG celebrated for its emotional depth, hand-drawn visuals, and precise combat mechanics.

Anchored in mature themes and a haunting atmosphere, it delivers a cinematic RPG experience that has resonated with players and critics alike.

·         Visually striking hand-drawn art and immersive soundtrack

·         Deep, strategic combat and compelling narrative

·         Mature, poignant storytelling

·         Strong critical acclaim and Game of the Year buzz

6. Monster Hunter Wilds

The next mainline Monster Hunter entry, Wilds, delivers expansive co-op hunting across dynamic ecosystems. With bigger beasts, improved visuals, and smarter AI, it delivers the franchise’s signature blend of skill and spectacle.

Perfect for social play and strategy-focused gameplay, it stands out as a co-op triumph of 2025.

·         Immersive, expansive hunting environments

·         Cooperative gameplay for up to four players

·         Tactical monster tracking and combat

·         Celebrated as a standout co-op title

7. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

This sequel follows the narrative-rich, philosophical journey of synthetic beings striving for autonomy, expanding on its predecessor’s soul-searching gameplay.

Its emotionally resonant writing, contemplative pacing, and deck-building mechanics combine to offer a unique and lasting experience.

·         Emotion-driven narrative with emergent gameplay

·         Deep themes of identity and freedom

·         Rich decision-making and replayability

·         Praise from narrative-focused game critics

8. Cubic Odyssey

A sandbox survival hit, Cubic Odyssey blends Minecraft-style exploration with an alien-infection storyline. A demo score of 93% on Steam Next Fest hinted at its success, which the full release confirmed.

Its procedural generation, survival complexity, and RPG mechanics make it a standout among sandbox adventures in 2025.

·         Voxel-based worlds with infinite exploration

·         Survival mechanics against an evolving alien threat

·         RPG-style progression and gear crafting

·         High early reception and critical momentum

9. Mario Kart World

Launching June 5 on Switch 2, Mario Kart World revolutionizes kart racing with open-world design, large player counts, and online play support.

Its expansive tracks, off-road mechanics, and massive roster create the most ambitious Mario Kart to date.

·         Open-world kart racing with 24-player races

·         Elimination modes and off-road dynamics

·         Massive track variety and character customization

·         Positive critical and community support

10. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Set for release on July 23, Wuchang is a Souls-like action RPG praised for its combat innovation and atmosphere.

Players navigate plague-ridden worlds, mastering clash mechanics, magical systems, and complex boss fights in a test of skill and strategy.

·         Unique clash-based combat and weapon systems

·         Magic trade-offs demanding tactical balance

·         Gritty, narrative-driven soulslike atmosphere

·         Anticipation and preview acclaim

Conclusion

2025 offers an extraordinary blend of gaming experiences: from innovative AA titles and co-op marvels to blockbuster sequels and genre-redefining initiatives. This diverse lineup highlights a maturing industry where creativity and technical prowess intersect, delivering unforgettable play. Whether you’re exploring pixelated trials or racing through open worlds, the best games of 2025 are already setting new benchmarks—promising rich stories, engaging gameplay, and technological triumphs that will shape gaming’s future.