December 13, 2025 — 3:40am
This year has been a tumultuous one for the video games industry. With surging prices, the looming impact of artificial intelligence, significant job losses, and a consolidation of platforms, the world’s biggest entertainment category feels less stable than ever. As we move towards a future dominated by streaming, subscriptions, and convergence, the industry stands at a crossroads.
Despite these challenges, 2025 has been a year of incredible games, showcasing an irrepressible appetite for creativity, innovation, and storytelling across experiences of all scales. The following list highlights the top 15 games of the year, each offering unique experiences that have captivated gamers worldwide.
The Drifter: A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure
The Drifter combines contemporary storytelling with the classic conventions of the point-and-click adventure genre. This Australian sci-fi noir game follows the story of Mick Carter, a haunted and houseless protagonist who stumbles into a conspiracy and a time loop that prevents his death. The stark pixelated style and Adrian Vaughan’s gravelly voice performance elevate the narrative, which balances fantastical terror with grounded tragedy.
Ball x Pit: Reinventing Classic Paddle-Ball Action
Ball x Pit takes inspiration from classic games like Pong and Breakout, integrating contemporary design elements such as a roguelite structure. Players engage in strategic ball-bouncing action, wielding the ball as a weapon against an onslaught of enemies. The game’s dynamic progression system allows players to unlock new abilities and synergies, transforming the gameplay into a satisfying and strategic affair.
Ghost of Yotei: An Epic Samurai Cinema Experience
Set in early 1600s Japan, Ghost of Yotei offers an immersive samurai cinema experience. Unlike other big-budget adventures, Yotei emphasizes free exploration and a slower pace, giving the game a soulful quality. The precise combat, personal revenge story, and beautifully detailed environments, from coastal areas to swirling leaves, create a deeply engaging experience.
Mario Kart World: A Chaotic Road Trip
Mario Kart World marks Nintendo’s latest console release, offering a kart racing experience set within a massive, explorable continent. With 30 circuits and a new Knockout mode, the game delivers a chaotic road trip feel, featuring varied locations and a genre-spanning soundtrack that enhances the racing experience.
Dispatch: An Interactive Superhero TV Show
Produced by former Telltale team members, Dispatch is a gripping interactive TV show set in a world of superpowers. Players take on the role of a former hero managing a band of reforming villains. The game’s sharp writing, excellent animation, and top-notch voice performances, including Aaron Paul and Jeffrey Wright, create a compelling narrative shaped by player choices.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – A Return to Exploration
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond continues the series’ focus on exploration and platforming. The game’s updated visuals and haunting soundtrack complement the satisfaction of discovering new gear and learning about a dead civilization. Players navigate the world of Viewros, filled with diverse and atmospheric areas, embodying the form-shifting bounty hunter Samus Aran.
Avowed: A Masterclass in RPG Storytelling
Avowed expands the Pillars of Eternity universe into an accessible swords-and-sorcery adventure. The game’s compact design and focused storytelling offer a potent RPG experience. Players progress through amazing scenery, upgrading weapons and spells while making decisions that shape their character’s place in the world.
Split Fiction: A Two-Player Gauntlet
Split Fiction evolves Hazelight’s co-operative gameplay, blending sci-fi and fantasy worlds for a modern split-screen experience. Players assume the roles of amateur writers Zoe and Mio, navigating a virtual world composed of their stories. The game’s innovative scenarios and collaborative gameplay create a unique and engaging experience.
Sword of the Sea: A Meditative Journey
Sword of the Sea bridges the gap between indie fans and art-enjoying non-gamers. The game’s cinematic experience, crafted by Giant Squid, combines stunning visuals with a meditative soundtrack. Players glide, grind, and spin through fantasy scenery, forging a connection between their movements and the transforming world.
Absolum: A Side-Scrolling Brawler
Absolum reinvents the side-scrolling brawler genre with a roguelite structure. Players earn alternate paths and new characters with each run, enhancing the game’s addictive and rewarding loop. The hand-drawn art and satisfying combat mechanics make Absolum a standout experience.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – A Classic Reimagined
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance transforms the classic Sega franchise into a gorgeous action platformer. The game’s fast-paced swordplay and progression system allow players to craft their version of ninja master Joe Musashi. The nostalgic nods and distinct levels create a compelling experience for old and new fans alike.
Octopath Traveler 0: A Turn-Based RPG Delight
Octopath Traveler 0 continues Square Enix’s tradition of turn-based RPG excellence. The game’s HD-2D graphical style and engaging combat system, centered around town-building gameplay, offer a sense of permanent progression. The narrative, focusing on rebuilding after a massacre, provides a fresh twist on classic RPG storytelling.
South of Midnight: A Magical Realism Adventure
South of Midnight blends magical realism with rich folklore and human stories. Players follow Hazel’s journey through an ethereal world, experiencing stories of the American south through magical means. The game’s faux-stop-motion animation and phenomenal soundtrack create an unmissable adventure.
Donkey Kong Bananza: A Stunning Return
Donkey Kong Bananza brings DK back to the forefront with a kinetic and aggressive platforming experience. Players explore destructible landscapes, utilizing powerful transformations and engaging in gratifying exploration. The game’s memorable finale and charming sidekick make it one of the best 3D platformers of the year.
Hades 2: A Dungeon-Crawling Masterpiece
Hades 2 delivers addictive dungeon-crawling gameplay with beautiful art, great writing, and a masterful roguelite structure. Players engage in a battle against Chronos, utilizing powers and weapons supported by the Gods of Olympus. The game’s narrative and permanent upgrades create a seamless and engaging experience.
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