The 10 Best Video Games of 2025

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Another year of gaming has flown by, and my hands are definitely feeling the strain! It seems games are getting incredibly long these days, often taking 60 to over 100 hours to finish. While that’s good value for the money – after all, new games aren’t cheap – sometimes a shorter, 12-15 hour experience feels like a welcome relief, especially with so many games to play and the next big release always just around the corner. Thinking back on the year, time itself seems to be the central theme. This applies to how long games are, when they’re released, and how much time we actually spend playing them. Many of the games this year really made me think about time – where it goes, what we sacrifice for it, and even what we’ve lost to it. Like, remember how excited we all were for Elder Scrolls VI? It feels like ages ago, and the latest news suggests it’s still a long way off.

The video game industry experienced significant challenges this year, with many companies laying off employees and closing studios. This trend has continued since 2022, as the surge in gaming popularity during COVID lockdowns began to fade while game development became increasingly expensive. Several high-profile games were canceled as a result. Warner Bros. Games shut down Monolith Productions, scrapping the anticipated Wonder Woman game. Electronic Arts canceled its Black Panther game after layoffs and the closure of Cliffhanger Games. Microsoft cut 9,000 jobs, closed The Initiative studio, and canceled a reboot of Perfect Dark, which was being co-developed with Crystal Dynamics, the studio behind the recent Tomb Raider games. Rising costs impacted both game makers and players. Even the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is facing issues, with preorders being canceled and the price expected to increase next year due to tariffs.

Despite challenges in the entertainment industry, several video game franchises continue to thrive. Super Mario Bros. marked its 40th anniversary, and Pac-Man celebrated 45 years. Minecraft had a particularly successful year, remaining popular with younger gamers and launching a hit movie starring Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Danielle Brooks. While it didn’t quite reach the billion-dollar success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, A Minecraft Movie still earned $957.9 million, becoming Warner Bros.’ biggest film of the year. Sony’s Until Dawn also performed well, earning $54 million on a $15 million budget and demonstrating a new approach to adapting video games for the screen. Netflix released an animated Splinter Cell series with Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher in October, quickly renewing it for a second season. Later in December, fans can look forward to Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and the second season of Fallout on Prime Video. Next year promises even more video game adaptations, including Return to Silent Hill, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Mortal Kombat II, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, The Mortuary Assistant, and surprisingly, The Angry Birds Movie 3.

But for now, we’ve got some video games to delve into. Here are TIME’s favorite games of the year.

10. Marvel Rivals

This year, millions of players jumped into Marvel Rivals, turning it into a huge success. Though it launched in December 2024, it didn’t qualify for that year’s Video Game Awards, and really needed a full year to show what it could do. Developed by Marvel Games and NetEase Games, the game lets you choose from 45 Marvel heroes and fight on 13 different maps. Players earn experience, unlock new abilities, and customize their characters with alternate costumes. Gameplay is similar to Overwatch, with various modes like Domination (a capture-the-flag style game), Resource Rumble (where teams fight over resources), and Convoy (a push-the-cart mode). While these modes sound simple, mastering them is challenging. Like many online games, players range from hardcore veterans who’ve invested countless hours, to casual players. Competitive and Casual modes are perfect for those who don’t want to commit too much time. However, the game truly stands out thanks to its huge roster of characters and maps inspired by iconic Marvel comic events. From classic heroes like Captain America and Iron Man, to newer faces like Jeff the Landshark and Peni Parker, there’s something for every Marvel fan – and the game is constantly adding more. While optional costumes cost extra, that hasn’t stopped players from enjoying the game. Marvel Rivals’ popularity has even led to a spin-off comic, influenced costume designs, and brought back long-forgotten characters and concepts, like Sue Storm’s Malice persona and the breakout star, Jeff the Landshark. Overall, Marvel Rivals has had a significant impact on Marvel’s presence in pop culture – the kind of influence usually seen with major movies.

Available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

9. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

As a big Sonic fan, I’ve been having a blast with the newest kart racing game! It’s a really fresh take on the genre, and it’s great whether you’ve been following Sonic for years or just know him from the movies. The goal is simple – win the race – but the way they do it is super fun. There’s this system called CrossWorlds that actually changes the track mid-race, sending you to different maps! Plus, your kart can transform into a plane or a boat depending on where you are, which is a cool twist. You can customize your kart to make it faster, easier to handle, or better at drifting, too. The tracks are a bit trickier than in the last Sonic kart game, so you really need to focus on your driving. They launched with 24 characters, all the classics, and they’ve added even more through updates – SpongeBob, Patrick, even some Minecraft characters! Each new character comes with their own themed kart and track, which makes the CrossWorlds feature even crazier. And get this – next year, they’re adding characters and tracks from Pac-Man, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! With all the downloadable content and the option to play with friends online or locally, there’s tons to keep you racing for a long time.

The game is available on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, all PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and Windows computers.

8. Doom: The Dark Ages

Get ready for intense action! That’s the core of Doom: The Dark Ages. This eighth installment in the Doom franchise and third in the rebooted series takes the fast-paced shooting to a medieval setting. The game is a prequel, taking place long before the events on Mars and Earth, and sends the Doom Slayer to the alien planet of Argent D’Nur to battle Hell’s forces. He teams up with the Night Sentinels and the Makyrs to stop Prince Ahzrak from seizing the powerful Heart of Argent. However, this time, the Doom Slayer isn’t acting on his own – he’s controlled by the Makyrs, making him feel more grounded and less agile than in previous games. He has access to brutal new weapons like the Shield Saw, iron mace, and Skull Crusher, and can even pilot a giant mech or dragon during boss fights. Dark Ages trades some of the breakneck speed of its predecessors for a richer story and deeper lore, revealing more about the Doom Slayer’s past. While fans expecting the same non-stop action might find the longer cutscenes and slower pace a bit different, the game remains incredibly graphic and rewarding, offering a unique blend of first-person shooting and RPG elements.

Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

7. Lost Records: Bloom and Rage

If you’re like me and love shows like Yellowjackets and I Saw the TV Glow, or films like The Craft and Stand by Me, and you even appreciate the vibe of Hole’s Live Through This, then let me tell you about this game! It’s called Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, and it’s from the creators of Life is Strange, so you know it’s going to be story-focused. You play as Swann, a budding filmmaker in 1995, and the game follows her and her friends – Autumn, Nora, and Katt – over one unforgettable summer. These girls are outsiders, and they quickly form a really tight bond. What’s cool is you get to shape those relationships through dialogue choices – you can really get to know them, share secrets, and even explore romantic connections. A big part of the game is Swann documenting everything on her camera – local spots, making music videos, just hanging out with her friends. You then edit this footage, and it becomes central to the game’s themes of memory and things we try to forget. It starts as a pretty typical coming-of-age story, but it slowly gets creepier and more supernatural as the girls start playfully calling themselves a coven. As you play, it really builds this sense of unease, especially as summer ends and you realize one of the girls is hiding some serious, potentially dangerous anger. Then, the game jumps to 2022, and the now-adult women reunite after one of them receives a strange package. They’re forced to confront what happened that summer, the events that led them to swear they’d never speak again. Your choices from 1995 really matter in 2022 – some characters are more willing to remember than others, and the consequences of your decisions are huge. Honestly, it’s not a straight-up horror game, but the atmosphere is incredible, and it’s given me some genuinely chilling moments – definitely one of the most atmospheric games I’ve played all year.

Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

6. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Following the huge success of Hollow Knight (2017), Team Cherry, the indie developers, initially intended to create downloadable content for the game. However, the idea grew into something much bigger, eventually becoming a full sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, after years of anticipation from fans. The result is a game that’s just as enjoyable as the original, but with a larger world, a more compelling main character, and a noticeably higher level of challenge. Players control Hornet, a skilled warrior and former princess, after she’s captured and taken to the decaying kingdom of Pharloom. There, she learns that Pharloom was once a devout religious center before being ravaged by the “Haunting”—a deadly, silk-based plague that kills bugs and turns them into undead creatures. As Hornet explores the kingdom, she solves platforming puzzles, completes optional side quests called “Wishes,” and battles infected enemies. Throughout her journey, she’s challenged by a mysterious figure named Lace and begins to unravel the secrets of her past and her connection to Pharloom. Silksong offers a diverse range of environments, combat scenarios, and challenges. It’s beautifully designed with incredible detail, features a fantastic soundtrack, and includes some surprises I won’t spoil. The long wait for Silksong was definitely worth it, and it’s already got fans wondering if and when a third Hollow Knight game might be released.

As a critic, I’ve had the chance to play this game on just about everything! You can find it on the newest Nintendo Switch 2, as well as the original Switch, both PlayStation consoles (PS5 and PS4), Xbox One and Series X/S, and even if you’re a PC gamer, it’s available on macOS, Linux, and Windows. It’s impressively accessible, no matter your platform of choice.

5. Silent Hill f

The latest installment in the Silent Hill series takes a fresh approach, developed by NeoBards Entertainment and Konami, and written by renowned Japanese horror author Ryukishi07. This new game, Silent f, aims to recapture the series’ Japanese roots after Konami felt it had become too focused on American styles—a valid point, considering the increasing use of guns in previous titles. Despite the name, Silent f is a standalone story, separate from the town of Silent Hill itself, though it still references past games and their lore. Set in 1960s Japan, the game follows Shimizu Hinako, a rebellious teenager frustrated by the traditional expectations of her time and village. After experiencing terrible migraines, she blacks out and awakens to a horrifying scene: a dead friend, a field of red spider lilies, and her village shrouded in fog. Like previous Silent Hill games, Silent f centers around a mystery that explores both external and internal horrors. Hidden local history, repressed memories, and ambiguous characters all contribute to the unsettling atmosphere, along with terrifying creatures that relentlessly pursue Shimizu until she can break line of sight—offering brief moments of respite. Expect plenty of backtracking, as escaping monsters often means encountering them again. A major change from last year’s Silent Hill 2 remake is the complete absence of guns. Shimizu must rely on melee weapons like wooden boards, pipes, a knife, and eventually an axe. Combat is deliberately challenging, as running and dodging quickly drains stamina, making it difficult to navigate the maze-like environments or fight off the horrors lurking around each corner. The result is a truly terrifying and exhausting horror game—one that I both dreaded and couldn’t stop playing, which, for me, is the mark of a truly great horror experience.

Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

4. Split Fiction

Hazelight Studios, the creators of the popular game It Takes Two, are back with Split Fiction, another innovative cooperative game. This time, two authors, Zoe and Mio, find themselves trapped inside their own novels – a fantasy world and a sci-fi world – after a virtual reality machine malfunctions. When a glitch merges their stories, they must work together to escape as their worlds become increasingly dangerous. I don’t usually enjoy games that require two players, especially when playing with strangers online can be frustrating. However, Hazelight consistently delivers truly cooperative experiences. In Split Fiction, both players are equally important throughout the entire game. You’ll need to work together to overcome challenges like battling dragons and engaging in aerial combat – these aren’t things one player can handle alone. The developers put a lot of effort into making Zoe and Mio feel distinct, ensuring neither character overshadows the other. The game also handles split-screen surprisingly well; even though it takes some getting used to, it’s designed to keep you fully immersed in the vibrant worlds without feeling limited or missing key details. With creative visuals, unique movement mechanics, and a surprisingly touching story about loss, Split Fiction is a fast-paced, funny, and enjoyable game for anyone, even if they’re unsure about cooperative gameplay.

Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Windows.

3. Ghost of Yotei

Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Tsushima (2020) was a huge success, praised for its beautiful visuals and realistic take on history. Now, the highly anticipated standalone sequel, Ghost of Yotei, delivers on that promise. Set in 1603 Ezo, Japan, decades after the events of Tsushima, Yotei follows Atsu, a mercenary seeking revenge on the Yotei Six – the samurai who murdered her family. Players explore the open-world mountain region of Yotei as Atsu, tracking down her father’s killers and helping the local people with various side quests. While there are a lot of side quests—some better than others—the main story is a compelling revenge tale that hits all the right emotional notes. It’s hard to say whether Yotei is better than Tsushima, as they both offer distinct experiences, but they are equally strong in terms of storytelling and skillful, nuanced combat. Ghost of Yotei also includes the popular black and white Kurosawa mode, and adds new modes inspired by filmmakers Takashi Miike and Shinichirō Watanabe, making it a must-play for fans of samurai films, anime, or anyone looking for a challenging sword-fighting experience.

Available on PlayStation 5.

2. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Hideo Kojima treats video games as a true art form, and while they’re often overlooked in discussions of art, his work deserves recognition. He openly shares his inspirations and designs games that build community and connection, even when played solo. This has established him as a leading creative force in game design, known for both storytelling and gameplay. With each new game, he innovates and challenges players to think about the past, present, and future of gaming.

His latest, Death Stranding 2, like the original Death Stranding (2019), is a profoundly human story about finding purpose and the strength of relationships. Players once again control Sam (Norman Reedus), a delivery person tasked with connecting Mexico to a global network. Following a personal tragedy, Sam is asked by a friend, Fragile (Lea Seydoux), to reconnect with Australia. Along the way, he’ll team up with both returning and new characters to heal the world and himself, confronting past traumas, a powerful newcomer named Tomorrow (Elle Fanning), the enigmatic Neil Vana (Luca Marinelli), and his old enemy, Higgs (Troy Baker), who is more dangerous than ever.

Death Stranding 2 features new tools, vehicles, and unexpected twists that blend the supernatural with science. It’s a game that rewards careful exploration and encourages players to become invested in its world and characters – and perhaps even carry that connection into their own lives. Ultimately, the game tackles themes that are too large to be fully contained within the video game format.

Available on PlayStation 5.

1.  Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Sometimes a game comes along unexpectedly and becomes the best of the year, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is exactly that. Developed by a small, 30-person independent French studio, Sandfall Interactive, this game is a true labor of love, built by a team assembled from longtime friends and industry connections. What sets Expedition 33 apart is its unique setting: a fantasy world inspired by the Belle Epoque era of France, a refreshing change from the typical medieval-inspired RPGs. The game follows Expedition 33, a group of explorers who volunteer for a dangerous mission to defeat The Paintress, a powerful being who causes the Gommage – an event that erases people from existence at a certain age. After the 34th Gommage wipes out everyone aged 34, Gustav, a 33-year-old engineer voiced by Charlie Cox, leads the latest expedition. The game immediately grabs you with a powerful emotional moment – the 34th Gommage – that truly resonated with me. What follows is a beautifully crafted story exploring grief and its impact on morality. Expedition 33 offers stunning landscapes, unique creature designs, an incredible score by Lorien Testard and Alice Duport-Percier, and engaging, varied combat. It’s so much more than a typical fantasy RPG. Without giving away any spoilers, the game delves into uncharted territory, creating a rich and rewarding lore that encourages exploration and building relationships within your expedition team. Interestingly, it pairs thematically well with Death Stranding 2, as both games were created during the pandemic and highlight the power of art. Sandfall Interactive and Guillaume Broche have made a significant impact on the gaming world with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, rightfully earning it TIME’s Game of the Year award.

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2025-12-06 04:08