2025 has been an incredible year for gaming — a year where studios pushed boundaries, blended genres, and delivered unforgettable experiences across platforms. From sprawling RPGs to intense action, creative indies and blockbuster adventures, these are the best games of 2025 that every gamer should try. Whether you play on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S — or across multiple platforms — here’s your ultimate guide to the standout titles of the year.
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Best Game of the Year
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Turn-based RPG
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as 2025’s defining game, taking the top spot on many critics’ lists. Its narrative depth, turn-based combat and artistic world build a compelling homage to classic RPGs while feeling fresh and modern. It blends emotional storytelling with strategic gameplay that feels both nostalgic and innovative.
👉 If you love RPGs with deep worlds and tactical systems, this title is a must-play — and arguably the Game of the Year.
2. Ninja Gaiden 4 — Best Action Game
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Action-Adventure / Hack & Slash
The Ninja Gaiden franchise returned with Ninja Gaiden 4, blending intense, visceral combat with stylish design. Released in late 2025, the game drew praise for its fast-paced enemies, satisfying combat loops, and high challenge.
👉 Fans of action titles won’t want to miss the brutal precision of this one — ideal for players who love high-skill combat.
3. Arc Raiders — Best Co-op Shooter
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Sci-fi Shooter / Co-op
Arc Raiders burst onto the scene in 2025 as one of the most exciting cooperative shooters of the year. Set in a richly imagined sci-fi world, the game emphasizes teamwork against waves of mechanized enemies. Its tactical combat, atmospheric design, and strong focus on squad-based play make it stand out among multiplayer titles. Players praised its blend of strategy and action, rewarding coordination and quick thinking in every encounter. #Rule No.1 – Trust nobody
👉 Best for groups of friends who want thrilling sci-fi battles and a strong cooperative challenge.
4. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — Best Narrative Experience
Platforms: PS5
Genre: Open World, Action
Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2 expands on the original’s surreal, cinematic exploration. With striking visuals and an emotionally rich narrative, this sequel builds on its predecessor’s themes while pushing boundaries in open-world storytelling.
👉 A must-play for fans of story-driven games and cinematic sandbox adventures.
5. Best RPG — Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Historical RPG
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continues the franchise’s dedication to realism and historical immersion. Set in medieval Europe, the game expands on its predecessor with a larger world, deeper role-playing systems, and improved combat mechanics. Players praised its attention to detail — from authentic armor and weaponry to branching storylines shaped by player choice. The sequel also introduces more dynamic quests and refined survival elements, making every decision feel impactful.
👉 Perfect for RPG fans who crave realism, historical accuracy, and a richly detailed medieval adventure.
6. Dispatch — Most Creative Multiplayer Experience
Platforms: PC, PS5
Genre: Narrative, Episodic
With its episodic structure and tight co-op focus, Dispatch delivers something fresh in 2025. Blending narrative depth with smart multiplayer mechanics, it’s one of the year’s most inventive entries and rewards teamwork and story engagement.
👉 Ideal for groups of players who want a shared story experience.
7. Ghost of Yōtei — Top Exclusive for PS5
Platforms: PS5
Genre: Open-World Samurai Action
From Sucker Punch, Ghost of Yōtei builds on the legacy of Ghost of Tsushima with refined combat, deep exploration, and a hauntingly beautiful world. Sony’s exclusive earned recognition for narrative richness and atmospheric design, solidifying its place as one of 2025’s standout console exclusives.
👉 Best for fans of action-adventure and samurai storytelling.
8. Blue Prince — Best Puzzle/Adventure Blend
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Puzzle / Adventure
Blue Prince blends immersive storytelling with challenging puzzle gameplay. Its atmospheric world and layered mystery make it a great change-of-pace from heavy action titles.
👉 A top pick for adventure gamers and puzzle lovers alike.
9. Mafia: The Old Country — Best Narrative Crime Drama
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Action-Adventure
As a prequel to the iconic Mafia series, Mafia: The Old Country offers a gritty, narrative-rich crime drama set in mid-20th-century Sicily. With strong character writing and an engaging storyline, it stands out among 2025’s story-driven games.
👉 Great for fans of crime stories and cinematic gameplay.
10. The Rogue Prince of Persia — Best Roguelike Platformer
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2
Genre: Roguelike / Platformer
Ubisoft’s The Rogue Prince of Persia reinvents a beloved franchise in a roguelike, high-action format with fast combat and rich level design. The blend of classic platforming and procedural challenge makes this a standout for both nostalgia lovers and newcomers alike.
👉 A fun choice for platformer and rogue-lite enthusiasts.
11. Monster Hunter Wilds — Best Co-op RPG
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Action RPG
Monster Hunter Wilds took the tried-and-true hunting formula and supercharged it with more fluid combat, massive monsters and a story you can sink dozens of hours into. While some players found the difficulty curve mixed, the gameplay is widely praised for its depth and replay value.
👉 Perfect for players who enjoy teamwork, strategy and battling epic beasts.
12. Cronos: The New Dawn — Best Horror/Sci-Fi Fusion
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
With a stylish blend of horror themes and fast-paced sci-fi combat, Cronos: The New Dawn earned praise as one of 2025’s most memorable releases. It combines atmospheric tension with engaging mechanics for players who like their action peppered with intrigue.
👉 Recommended for horror fans who want a narrative edge.
13. NBA 2K26 — Best Sports Game
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2
Genre: Sports Simulation
The latest installment in the NBA 2K franchise pushes basketball simulation further with realistic visuals, improved gameplay mechanics and deeper modes. While critiques about microtransactions persist, as a sports sim it still leads the pack.
👉 The top pick for basketball fans and sports gamers.
🌟 Honorable Mentions
- Borderlands 4 — Explosive looter-shooter action with humor and cooperative chaos.
- Doom: Dark Ages — Intense, action-packed shooter (multi-platform).
- Split Fiction — Cooperative adventure with emotional storytelling.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong — Critically acclaimed platformer adventure.
- Where Winds Meet — Atmospheric RPG adventure.
🧠 Why 2025 Was an Incredible Year for Games
🎨 Creative Diversity
From introspective RPGs like Clair Obscur to high-octane action in Ninja Gaiden 4, 2025 offered something for every kind of gamer.
🎮 Cross-Platform Excellence
Many games were released on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation simultaneously — making high-quality gaming more accessible than ever.
👬 Strong Multiplayer & Indie Presence
Titles like Dispatch and Borderlands 4 showcased how both indie and AAA developers are pushing shared experiences, co-op play, and narrative depth.
🏁 Final Thoughts
2025 proved to be one of the most exciting years in gaming, with standout games that pushed storytelling, combat, design, and innovation to new heights. Whether you’re building your all-time favorites list or looking for something fresh to play next, this guide to the Best Games of 2025 has you covered.