Gaming in 2025 is on another level. From jaw-dropping open worlds to deeply emotional narratives, this year has already delivered some unforgettable experiences across all platforms. Whether you’re into epic RPGs, fast-paced shooters, or mind-bending indie titles, there’s something fresh and exciting for every kind of player.
We’ve rounded up the 15 best video games of 2025 (so far), based on critical acclaim, player reviews, and pure buzz. Let’s dive in and see what everyone’s playing this year.
1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (FromSoftware)
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
The long-awaited expansion to 2022’s GOTY is finally here—and it doesn’t disappoint. With new bosses, zones, and lore-rich storytelling, Shadow of the Erdtree pushes the boundaries of what DLC can be.
Why It Stands Out:
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Massive, challenging new content
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Beautiful and terrifying world design
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Keeps the “Soulsborne” magic alive
2. Star Wars: Eclipse (Quantic Dream)
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Set in the High Republic era, this narrative-driven sci-fi thriller mixes rich decision-making with next-gen visuals. Think Detroit: Become Human meets Jedi: Fallen Order.
Why It Stands Out:
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Jaw-dropping cinematic presentation
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Deep choices with real consequences
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Expands the Star Wars universe in fresh ways
3. Hades II (Supergiant Games)
Platform: PC (Early Access), consoles later
This roguelike sequel keeps everything you loved about the original and layers on more: more gods, more weapons, more chaos.
Why It Stands Out:
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Fast, addicting combat
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Gorgeous art and music
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Rich character-driven storylines
4. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix)
Platform: PS5
Part two of the FFVII Remake saga expands the world in huge ways. It’s packed with fan-service, heart-wrenching moments, and polished combat.
Why It Stands Out:
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Incredible world-building
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Emotional storytelling
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Perfect blend of action and strategy
5. Avowed (Obsidian Entertainment)
Platform: PC, Xbox Series X/S
A first-person fantasy RPG with rich lore, player freedom, and immersive magic systems. Obsidian delivers again for fans of The Outer Worlds and Skyrim.
Why It Stands Out:
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Deep RPG mechanics
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Vast fantasy world
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Choices that matter
6. Marvel’s Wolverine (Insomniac Games)
Platform: PS5
From the makers of Spider-Man, this solo Wolverine game is gritty, fast-paced, and mature. It’s a brutal love letter to Logan fans.
Why It Stands Out:
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Vicious, satisfying combat
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Cinematic storytelling
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Slick next-gen visuals
7. Stellar Blade (Shift Up)
Platform: PS5
An action-packed blend of stylish combat and sleek sci-fi aesthetics. Think Nier: Automata with faster moves and tighter controls.
Why It Stands Out:
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Fast, flashy gameplay
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Stunning graphics
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Unique world design
8. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Past (Nintendo)
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo surprises again with a fresh Zelda experience built for the new Switch hardware. It’s familiar yet bold—perfectly “Zelda.”
Why It Stands Out:
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Innovative mechanics
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Nostalgic yet new storylines
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Gorgeous on upgraded hardware
9. Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
A dark and epic retelling of the Journey to the West legend with Soulslike combat and mind-blowing visuals.
Why It Stands Out:
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Unique mythology-based setting
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Crisp action-RPG gameplay
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Incredible creature design
10. Dragon’s Dogma 2 (Capcom)
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Capcom’s cult RPG returns and instantly becomes a 2025 fan-favorite. With dynamic AI pawns and intense combat, it’s a sandbox dream.
Why It Stands Out:
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Adaptive AI companions
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Epic monsters and quests
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Tons of freedom to explore
11. Palworld (Pocketpair)
Platform: PC, Xbox
This chaotic mashup of Pokémon and survival crafting is surprisingly fun, addictive, and weirdly wholesome (even with the guns).
Why It Stands Out:
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Wild open-world mayhem
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Unique “Pals” with diverse abilities
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Constant updates and community buzz
12. Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Studios)
Platform: PC, PS5
Co-op has never felt this intense. Helldivers 2 ramps up the action with large-scale missions, hilarious chaos, and team-based mayhem.
Why It Stands Out:
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Addictive squad-based gameplay
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Constant explosions and laughs
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Deep meta-game progression
13. The Wolf Among Us 2 (Telltale Games)
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox
Bigby is back. After years of delays, this long-awaited sequel continues the noir fairy tale saga with a darker tone and tighter gameplay.
Why It Stands Out:
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Excellent writing and voice acting
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Stylish comic-book visuals
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New choices and branching paths
14. Persona 6 (Atlus)
Platform: PS5, PC (coming later)
Set in a brand-new Japanese city with an all-new cast, Persona 6 explores modern youth through its signature turn-based combat and life sim mechanics.
Why It Stands Out:
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Deep story and memorable characters
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Stylish design and music
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Mix of real life and supernatural adventure
15. Replaced (Sad Cat Studios)
Platform: PC, Xbox
This pixel-art cyberpunk platformer mixes cinematic storytelling and action in a dystopian setting. Indie fans, this one’s a must.
Why It Stands Out:
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Beautiful pixel-art aesthetic
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Gripping sci-fi plot
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Tight, responsive gameplay
🎮 Gaming Trends Shaping 2025
Besides killer individual games, 2025 is also about new gaming experiences. Here are the biggest shifts happening now:
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AI-Driven Worlds: NPCs are smarter, dialogue more dynamic. AI is changing how games feel.
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Player-Led Stories: More games are letting players shape the story in meaningful ways.
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Next-Gen Consoles Fully Unleashed: The PS5 and Xbox Series X are finally being pushed to their limits—and it shows.
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Cloud Gaming Is Normal Now: Streaming games through services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now is more common than ever.
🕹️ What Should You Play First?
It depends on your vibe. Want story? The Wolf Among Us 2. Pure action? Stellar Blade. Deep RPG? Avowed or Dragon’s Dogma 2. Want to play with friends? Helldivers 2 or Palworld.
Whatever you choose, 2025 is offering something special for every kind of gamer.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Gaming is having a blockbuster year. These 15 titles prove that developers—both big and small—are bringing their A-game in 2025. Whether you play on console, PC, or cloud, there’s never been a better time to grab a controller (or keyboard) and dive in.
So, what are you playing right now? And what game are you most hyped for next?
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