The Best Games Of 2025 (So Far)

 The Best Games Of 2025 (So Far)

*GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.* We've made it to 2025, and like previous years, there are quite a few upcoming games to look forward to. Last year gave us the amazing Metaphor ReFantazio and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, as well as several other GOTY contenders like Astro Bot, Balatro, and Silent Hill 2. This year, there several games that could earn high review scores, like Split Fiction, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Assassin's Creed Shadows, to name a few. On top of that, the Switch 2 is expected to be arriving this year and Nintendo typically has a few launch game aces up its sleeve whenever it brings new gaming hardware to its fans. You can also count on indie games to surprise and delight, as some of the best and weirdest games are often found in this category. Like last year, we'll be keeping track of the best of the best throughout 2025, so you can revisit this page to see which games have made the cut. As a reminder, a game has to earn a high review score ) of at least 8 to make it onto this list. That doesn't mean that games scoring below this threshold aren't worth looking at, as these titles can still be pretty great if you can overlook some of their flaws.

Split Fiction -- 10

Our first game of 2025 to earn Split Fiction is another masterpiece from developer Hazelight. The studio has crafted some of the best co-op games of recent memory, and following in the footsteps of the critically acclaimed It Takes Two, Split Fiction is a ripping yarn full of terrific levels, exciting gameplay, and likable leads.

Blue Prince -- 9

Some of the best games are the ones that test your mental muscles while offering a unique experience to savor, and this year, Blue Prince more than meets those qualifications. Approachable but challenging, it's a masterfully crafted roguelike puzzle game set inside a shapeshifting manor house full of intricate details and grand mystery. The end result is a unique architectural adventure and one of the most memorable games of 2025 so far.

Cabernet -- 9

Anyone looking to sink their teeth into a vampire story will want to check out Cabernet, as this 2D narrative-driven RPG puts a fascinating spin on the infamous monsters. Set in 19th century Eastern Europe, Cabernet is an intriguing examination of vampires through a grounded lens and narratively fulfilling character arcs.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Claire Obscur: Expedition 33 feels like a breath of fresh air in the fantasy RPG genre. While there are familiar elements here, developer Sandfall Interactive also puts a novel spin on these ideas by re-imagining the traditional turn-based structure and blending it with action to create an engaging experience. Throw in gorgeous graphics, an elegant art direction, and an emotional story anchored by a cast of captivating characters, and Sandfall's debut game is an instant classic.

Elden Ring: Nightreign -- 9

After a hit game and a critically acclaimed expansion, just how much fuel was left in the Elden Ring gas tank? Plenty, as From software subverts your expectations in this thrilling cooperative multiplayer game. Elden Rign: Nightreign condenses the core souls-like experience into an unforgettable adventure that is fast, aggressive, and ruthless in its challenge.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 -- 9

Like the best sequels, Kingdom Come 2 improves on the original game in almost every area. The journey through 15th century Bohemia features engaging quests, thrilling combat, and an incredibly polished experience overall. There are surprises around every corner in this medieval adventure, as the game expertly blends choices and consequences with deep RPG elements to create an exciting knight's tale.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage -- 9

Don't Nod has established itself as one of the best studios for narrative-driven games, and the first chapter of Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is a promising start for a new series. This coming-of-age story feels authentic and explores adolescence through a superb presentation, relatable characters, and novel camcorder-focused gameplay.

Mario Kart World -- 9

A colorful racing game that builds on the foundation of Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart World is both a joy to play and constantly rewarding. It's the first big exclusive of the Switch 2 era, and one of the best games in the long history of this beloved franchise.

The Alters -- 8

An engrossing combination of base-building, survival, and self-reflection, The Alters is a captivating experience. Managing a workforce comprised of your alternate selves while you race to avoid being fried by a looming sunrise on a barren alien planet is consistently engaging, but it's moral dilemmas and interactions with your human resources that'll stick with you after you roll credits on this sci-fi gem.

Assassin's Creed Shadows -- 8

A beautiful tour of feudal Japan, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an exciting adventure full of moments that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. Admittedly, that's if you decide to focus on Naoe for your playthrough, as co-protagonist Yasuke feels out of place in this action-RPG when compared to his shinobi counterpart. Naoe's gameplay elevates the traditional stealth experience, and while there are narrative shortcomings, Assassin's Creed Shadows is still a worthwhile entry in the series.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 -- 8

Capcom continues to raise the bar for game preservation with its compilations, and while some entries in Capcom Fighting Collection 2 haven't aged too well, this is still a rock-solid package to check out. Titles like Capcom Fighting Evolution and Power Stone are weak in comparison to gems like Plasma Sword and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, but this is still a treasure trove of classic games to check out.

Doom: The Dark Ages -- 8

With its medieval-inspired direction, Doom: The Dark Ages is thrilling to play thanks to its harmonious fusion of solid gunplay and heavy metal close-quarters combat. The appeal of ripping and tearing through armies of demons feels better than ever, as the game finds a satisfying balance between fast-paced action and satisfyingly brutal new gameplay mechanics.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered -- 8

It might have been one of the worst-kept secrets in gaming, but the grand remaster of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion still manages to surprise thanks to the sheer depth of the work done to freshen it up for a new generation of gamers. While some of the gameplay is admittedly still rough, the charm here lies in the incredible visual overhaul alongside numerous quality-of-life changes done by developer Virtuos and Bethesda.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves -- 8

Fatal Fury: City Of The Wolves is a colorful fighting game that offers a polished fighting system inspired by its past and some forward-thinking with the balanced REV System. Energetic and loaded with a roster that encourages experimentation, Fatal Fury: City Of The Wolves is only slightly hamstrung by its sparse selection of gameplay modes.

FBC: Firebreak -- 8

Remedy Entertainment is known for its single-player games, but FBC: Firebreak sees the studio venture into live-service territory in this Control spin-off. While its opening hours are admittedly a bit of a slog to get through, FBC: Firebreak does start to open up once all the pieces fall into place. Making class-based builds feels rewarding, the gunplay is rock-solid, and the intentional push to reject the trappings of live-service FOMO makes for a fun time with friends.

The First Berserker: Khazan -- 8

The First Berserker: Khazan wears its souls-like inspiration on its sleeve, but at the same time, it puts its own spin on the genre with a few clever ideas. A killer combo of parry-heavy combat straight from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, visuals that pack a punch, and hard-hitting action will keep you on the edge of your seat in this thrilling adventure.

Lies of P: Overture -- 8

Featuring a compelling story at its core, Overture is more of the same in the best way possible. You've got an expanded arsenal to experiment with, more enemies to test your skills, and imaginatively designed locations to explore in this meaty expansion.

MLB The Show 25 -- 8

Like other sports games, MLB The Show 25 is another fine example of incremental improvements leading to impactful changes. Tweaks have helped to further polish its captivating gameplay, resulting in a game that feels more dynamic than ever with every swing of the bat. Throw in a reworked progression system and improvements to several gameplay modes, and MLB The Show 25 is another great day out for baseball fans.

Monster Hunter Wilds -- 8

Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise did a great job in building a rock-solid foundation for the series, and with Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom's series feels more welcoming than ever to newcomers. Thanks to several clever gameplay tweaks, polished gameplay, and new systems that emphasize flexibility, Monster Hunter Wilds offers a fun time for all on its new frontier.

Old Skies -- 8

A touching tale of love and loss wrapped up in an engrossing mystery, Old Skies is an enchanting point-and-click adventure game in which you play as professional time traveler Fia Quinn. Throw in themes of fatalism and superb voice acting as you journey through various eras of New York City, and you've got a terrific story to explore here.

Revenge of the Savage Planet -- 8

While its combat could feel more impactful, Revenge of the Savage Planet is still a fun game and a sharp satire of corporate greed. It never takes itself too seriously, and whether you're on your lonesome or teaming up with a friend in co-op, exploring its diverse planets makes for an engaging mix of platforming and puzzle-solving.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII -- 8

Civilization VII doesn't reinvent its 4X turn-based wheel, but it does make some significant changes to its design. How these changes will shape up in the grand scheme of things remains to be seen--as some of them could very contentious with longtime players--but at its core, the Firaxis-developed strategy game is still as compelling as ever. Whether you're shaping civilization through diplomacy or warfare, Civilization VII has a strong foundation to build upon in the years to come.

Skin Deep -- 8

Skin Deep is a fine example of taking a genre known for being traditionally dark and injecting some absurdity into it. The oddball immersive sim is delightfully silly, but it's also a puzzle box that requires you to think on your feet, come up with clever solutions, and experiment with every tool in the environment to triumph against overwhelming odds.

South of Midnight -- 8

South of Midnight plays it safe with its gameplay, but it more than makes up for it with a fantastic story, a setting that feels authentic, and imaginative visuals. An exploration of the American Deep South, South of Midnight is mechanically sound in its construction and stunning in its storytelling.

Virtua Fighter 5 REVO -- 8

Virtua Fighter 5 has been knocking around for a few years now, but this new edition of the classic fighting game updates it for modern audiences. More than just a high-definition visual refresh, Virtua Fighter 5 REVO features fine-tuned gameplay, a balanced roster of colorful brawlers, and player-requested rollback netcode for satisfying online matches.

Sunderfolk -- 8

Like the best board game experiences, Sunderfolk is a blast when you have a few friends along for the ride. Inspired by tabletop games, this turn-based tactical RPG is a fun example of how teamwork and strategy can come together to create a grand adventure.

WWE 2K25 -- 8

This year's entry in the sports entertainment video game franchise sticks to that script, delivering an engaging Showcase Mode, a gigantic roster of superstars, and gameplay tweaks that make WWE 2K25 feel like a main-event superstar. The game also introduces The Island, a PvPvE social space heavily inspired by NBA 2K's The City, but you'll want to avoid it in case you aren't a fan of egregious microtransactions.

Every other GameSpot review in 2025

As mentioned above, not every game released this year is a winner. That doesn't mean that they're not worth playing, and if you can overlook some of their issues, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised. In case you missed them or you'd like some extra insight, we'll be running a list of the games that didn't make the cut like the other titles above did, and we've arranged them in alphabetical order so that you can quickly find what you're looking for.