Here are the top 7 video games we loved in 2025

From bold experiments to genre-defining sequels, 2025 felt like a year where studios swung for the fences. Games tackled heavier themes, refined classic formulas and embraced distinctive styles—without sacrificing pure fun. Whether you craved aching horror, razor-sharp action or sprawling RPGs that bend to your choices, this year delivered seven standouts that stuck with us long after the credits.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S)

   Set in a dreamlike world painted in delicate brushstrokes, Expedition 33 follows a doomed journey against an inescapable fate. What begins as a striking fantasy gradually folds into an intimate meditation on memory, purpose and the weight of time. Its turn-based battles are modern and kinetic, rewarding planning without losing momentum, and every party member feels mechanically unique and narratively essential. With its evocative score and fearless pacing, this is a game that invites you to slow down, listen and feel—and it pays off in unforgettable fashion.

2. Hades II (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S)

   Supergiant’s follow-up finds the sweet spot between reinvention and refinement. Each run is a rush of slick combat, clever upgrades and mythic personality, where new weapons and magical options constantly refresh your approach. The story blossoms organically as you play, weaving humor and heart into character moments that never overstay their welcome. It’s endlessly replayable—equally satisfying for a quick session or a late-night marathon—and proof that a great roguelike can be both welcoming and wickedly deep.

3. Silent Hill f (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

   Relocating the series to 1960s Japan, Silent Hill f opts for creeping dread over cheap jolts. Everyday spaces bloom into elegant nightmares, and the terror sinks in through suggestion, silence and uneasy detail. Themes of guilt, isolation and social pressure simmer beneath the surface, unfolding in fragments you piece together at your own pace. It’s a horror experience that respects patience and curiosity—unsettling, thoughtful and hard to shake once it settles under your skin.

4. Assassin’s Creed Shadows (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

   At long last, the series steps into feudal Japan—and makes the wait feel justified. Dual leads offer radically different toolkits, letting you slip in like a ghost or duel head-on with satisfying precision. The world hums with life, weather and historical texture, while parkour moves smoothly through layered spaces. Crucially, the story stays focused on character stakes and consequences, tightening the series’ scope without losing its sweeping allure. It’s a confident evolution that honors stealth roots while polishing modern RPG edges.

5. The Outer Worlds 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

   Sharper satire, bigger choices and worlds that talk back—this sequel doubles down on what made the original beloved. Sprawling new systems and factions react meaningfully to your builds, dialogue picks and moral gymnastics, creating playthroughs that feel truly yours. Combat is snappier, skill trees dig deeper and conversations crackle with wit and bite. If you want an RPG that prioritizes agency and writing over bombast, this is one of the year’s brightest stars.

6. Ghost of Yōtei (PS5)

   Sucker Punch trades windswept islands for the stark snows beneath Mount Yōtei, and the shift transforms everything. Duels remain crisp and cinematic, but new stances, enemy types and environmental hazards turn each clash into a measured dance. Exploration is slower, moodier and more reflective—less about checking boxes and more about inhabiting solitude. The story favors restraint over spectacle, exploring legacy and ambiguity in quiet, powerful beats. It feels like a mature companion to Tsushima rather than a copy, and it lingers.

7. Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2)

   The year’s sunniest surprise brings back classic platforming with a modern spring in its step. Color-drenched stages brim with secrets, playful gimmicks and smart twists that reward curiosity without punishing newcomers. Movement is silky and responsive, turning every bounce, grab and barrel blast into a grin-inducing rhythm. It’s a polished, joyous reminder that sometimes the most memorable adventures are the ones that simply feel great in your hands.

Seven games, seven different flavors of excellence—each a testament to how expansive and daring this medium has become. If 2025 had a message, it was this: there’s no single way for a game to move you.