High 10 Finest Video games of 2025 Checklist

The 12 months is winding down, and so it is time to look again in any respect the video games I performed in 2025 and choose my 10 favorites. Between new releases and older titles, I performed almost 200 video games in 2025, and nonetheless have just a few I need to end earlier than the 12 months is out. None of these are 2025 video games, so I can safely finalize my record of favourite video games of the 12 months.

Going into 2025, there weren’t many video games that I used to be overly hyped for. I used to be excited to see what Nintendo was going to do with the Change 2, and I used to be trying ahead to GTA 6 before it was ultimately delayed to 2026. I had loads of video games on my radar, positive, however most of my favourite video games of the 12 months got here as a shock. In the event you requested me to foretell what my prime two favourite video games of the 12 months could be initially of 2025, I positively would not have named the 2 video games that in the end took these positions on my record.

Associated

Game Rant Editor in Chief Anthony Taormina’s Top 10 Games of 2025

Recreation Rant Editor in Chief Anthony Taormina shares the ten greatest video games he performed in 2025.

Listed below are my 10 favourite video games of 2025. Earlier than studying on, please observe that I do not prefer to put video games on my prime 10 record except I’ve rolled credit, and since I have never performed a lot of Hole Knight: Silksong but and have not completed Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, they sadly did not make the reduce. It could be a controversial take, however I did not care a lot for the unique Hole Knight and so Silksong hasn’t sucked me in like it has so many others. As for KCD2, I really simply performed by means of the unique sport this 12 months and cherished it, however the sequel hasn’t clicked with me in fairly the identical method. I’ve about 10 hours to date and do plan on ending it, however that in all probability will not occur till the brand new 12 months.

10

The Seance of Blake Manor

I like puzzle video games. I like horror video games. Contemplating this, it is actually no shock that The Seance of Blake Manor has made it on my prime 10 favourite video games of the 12 months record. Developed by Spooky Doorway and printed by Uncooked Fury, The Seance of Blake Manor has gamers tackle the position of personal investigator Declan Ward, invited to a particular seance being held on the titular Blake Manor within the 12 months 1897. The purpose is to find the reality behind the disappearance of one of many seance’s visitors, Evelyn Deane, with Ward solely having three days to resolve the thriller.

Whereas not a full-blown horror sport, The Seance of Blake Manor can positively be creepy at occasions, and it cultivates an engrossing, spooky ambiance. Each main motion gamers do within the sport advances the clock, whether or not that is discussing proof with different visitors within the manor or analyzing objects, so gamers must be strategic with how they sort out every day in the event that they need to clear up the case. The sport performs like a mixture of Blue Prince and Return of the Obra Dinn, and I discovered it more and more tough to place it down. In the event you like both a kind of video games, it’s essential play The Seance of Blake Manor ASAP.

The Séance of Blake Manor Tag Page Cover Art

Programs

Launched: October 27, 2025
Developer(s): Spooky Doorway
Variety of Gamers: Single-player
Steam Deck Compatibility: Verified

9

Look Exterior

The Seance of Blake Manor is horror-flavored with out totally embracing the style. Look Exterior, in the meantime, is sort of simply one of the disturbing horror video games launched all 12 months. A retro-style RPG set in a modern-day residence the place anybody that appears outdoors is slowly remodeled into an unspeakable horror, Look Exterior is an excellent mix of survival-horror and turn-based fight. Gamers must handle their sources as they discover the residence looking for useful gadgets and social gathering companions, all of the whereas making essential selections that may have large penalties in any given playthrough. Look Outside is a must-play for horror fans, and it is an expertise that is going to stay with me for years to return.

Programs

Launched: March 21, 2025
Developer(s): Francis Coulombe

8

Donkey Kong Bananza

The best Switch 2 exclusive to date can be the most effective video games that launched all 12 months. Donkey Kong Bananza is a sprawling 3D platformer with extremely destructible environments and tons of bananas to gather. A showcase for what the Change 2 is able to, Donkey Kong Bananza is a blast from begin to end, with an explosive and thrilling ending that actually places it excessive. I do not know that the Change 2 has sufficient exclusives but to make it an absolute must-buy machine, however Donkey Kong Bananza positively makes an excellent argument for getting Nintendo’s newest dwelling console/handheld hybrid as quickly as attainable if you have not already.

Donkey Kong Bananza acquired paid DLC post-launch that added the Emerald Rush roguelike mode and DK Island.

Programs

Launched: July 17, 2025
ESRB: Everybody 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Recreation Purchases
Developer(s): Nintendo EPD
Writer(s): Nintendo

7

Sword of the Sea

Big Squid was there on the PS5’s launch with The Pathless, and now it is again with Sword of the Sea. A brief however candy journey, Sword of the Sea has gamers discover gorgeous worlds on a sword that successfully acts as a snowboard and skateboard combo. Sword of the Sea is a deal with for the eyes and the soundtrack is great — plus, it is merely enjoyable to play. It is probably not probably the most sophisticated or expansive sport on this record (in truth, it may be accomplished in just some hours), however it’s one sport that has actually caught with me and I could not provide you with any complaints about it if I attempted. Sword of the Sea was a day one PS Plus Extra game, so for those who’re curious to see what all of the fuss is about, you may strive it with out shopping for the sport outright.

Programs

Launched: August 19, 2025
ESRB: Everybody 10+ / Fantasy Violence
Developer(s): Big Squid
Writer(s): Big Squid
Variety of Gamers: Single-player

6

Ghost of Yotei

The PS5’s exclusives library has been damage by Sony porting video games to PC, however its newest console remains to be dwelling to some really spectacular unique video games. Ghost of Yotei is one of the best PS5 exclusives launched thus far, standing tall as a worthy successor to Ghost of Tsushima that, in my estimation, completely exceeds its predecessor.

Ghost of Yotei is getting a free replace in 2026 that may add the co-op Legends mode that first appeared in Tsushima to the sport.

In Ghost of Yotei, gamers tackle the position of Atsu, a vengeful samurai hunting down the Yotei Six. Ghost of Yotei‘s revenge story does retread some acquainted territory, however it’s nonetheless an engrossing story crammed with memorable characters and nonstop motion. Ghost of Yotei has perfected the swordplay of Tsushima and with Atsu’s expanded arsenal, the sport’s fight by no means will get outdated. There are dozens of hours value of quests to finish and secrets and techniques to search out in Ghost of Yotei‘s dazzling open world, and if you need a real showcase for what the PS5 is able to, that is the sport.

Programs

Launched: October 2, 2025
ESRB: Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol
Writer(s): Sony Interactive Leisure

5

Silent Hill f

After I first performed Silent Hill f, I knew that it could be the form of sport that you simply both love or hate, and primarily based on the reactions to it since launch, that evaluation was proper on the cash. Fortunately, I am within the former camp. Silent Hill f takes Konami’s beloved survival-horror franchise to 1960s Japan, however although the setting is way completely different than what followers are used to, the brand new sport remains to be very a lot a Silent Hill expertise.

Associated

Game Rant’s Top 10 Games of 2025

Recreation Rant ranks the highest 10 video games of 2025, highlighting the very best titles launched in a 12 months filled with uniquely memorable experiences.

Silent Hill f pairs basic survival-horror gameplay with a number of the greatest graphics seen in any sport all 12 months. The story and characters are fascinating all through, and the sport takes some large swings that I positively didn’t count on entering into. Silent Hill f‘s melee-focused combat system is divisive, however it clicked with me and I had a whole lot of enjoyable perfecting dodges and taking out monsters. Just like the basic Silent Hill video games that preceded it, Silent Hill f is filled with replay worth and I count on it is going to be one thing I revisit a time or two in 2026.

Launched: September 25, 2025
ESRB: Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
Developer(s): Neobards Leisure

4

Hades 2

I am tremendous late to the Hades prepare, however I am glad to lastly be aboard. I did not actually play the unique Hades a lot till earlier this 12 months, when it fully and completely consumed my life, and the very same factor occurred with Hades 2. In some ways an enormous enchancment over the already-amazing authentic sport, Hades 2 features a brand-new protagonist within the type of Melinoe, who should slaughter hordes of lethal enemies as she fights her solution to Chronos. Hades 2 is greater and higher than the primary sport, providing a well-known roguelike construction however with extra routes, new weapons, and extra to sit up for in every run.

Programs

Launched: September 25, 2025
ESRB: Teen / Alcohol Reference, Blood, Gentle Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

3

Cut up Fiction

I play video video games with my spouse mainly day-after-day, and so every time we get a brand new native co-op sport to play, it is trigger for celebration. It is trigger for even better celebration when that new native co-op sport occurs to be made by Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight Studios. We cherished A Method Out, we actually cherished It Takes Two, and we did not cease enjoying Cut up Fiction till we had unlocked each achievement that the sport has to supply.

Like Hazelight’s earlier video games, Cut up Fiction is a co-op expertise that requires two individuals to play. It tells the story of Zoe and Mio, two authors who wind up trapped in digital recreations of their tales. Cut up Fiction is stuffed stuffed with Easter eggs and genius gameplay concepts, with every stage providing one thing fully contemporary. It blends sci-fi and fantasy parts expertly and culminates in the most effective remaining ranges I performed all 12 months. In the event you want a co-op sport to play and have not performed Cut up Fiction but, rectify that instantly.

Launched: March 6, 2025
ESRB: T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language, Violence
Writer(s): Digital Arts

2

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

With Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sweeping The Recreation Awards and profitable Recreation of the Yr from numerous different reveals and publications, there’s not a lot to be stated about it that hasn’t been stated earlier than. However I’ll reiterate the consensus: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece of a game with doubtlessly the very best online game soundtrack ever. Expedition 33 makes turn-based fight enjoyable and interesting in ways in which few video games have ever managed to take action earlier than, and to prime all of it off, it has an unimaginable story that may depart you surprised. There’s one large narrative choice that I did not vibe with that retains Expedition 33 from being my prime sport of the 12 months, however it’s nonetheless one among my favourite video games of the final decade.

Expedition 33 not too long ago acquired a free replace that added substantial new content material to the sport.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Tag Page Cover Art

Launched: April 24, 2025
ESRB: Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Sturdy Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s): Sandfall Interactive
Writer(s): Kepler Interactive

1

Blue Prince

The sport I performed most in 2025 can be my favourite new sport launch of the 12 months. Blue Prince, a first-person puzzle roguelike, fully took over my life when it got here out. Though it is not a co-op sport, my spouse and I performed it collectively. We took turns doing runs and jotting down notes, filling a pocket book stuffed with clues and placing our heads collectively to assist clear up the sport’s better puzzles. This elevated my time enjoying Blue Prince dramatically, and so I extremely suggest enjoying it with a companion.

You possibly can “beat” Blue Prince in 10-15 hours with out an excessive amount of hassle. I’ve over 100 hours logged and nonetheless have not seen the whole lot the sport has to supply. It is the final word puzzle sport and my prime sport of 2025. It is a disgrace that we will never get a Blue Prince sequel, however I’m excited to see what Dogubomb does subsequent.