Atomfall is a brilliant and fresh mash-up of Fallout-style exploration and tense souls-like survival, set in a hauntingly beautiful rendition of the Lake District. It masterfully makes you feel like the true architect of your own story, with compelling mysteries waiting around every twist and turn. While it has some minor flaws, this sci-fi horror adventure stands as Rebellion's finest work, and you're best off going in knowing as little as possible. | © Rebellion Developments
South of Midnight is a stunning work of art, bringing the folklore of the deep south to life with incredible stop-motion visuals and a jaw-dropping soundtrack. While its combat can feel repetitive and the platforming occasionally frustrates, those flaws hardly diminish its overall charm. It’s the engaging characters and captivating story that make this journey so memorable. | © Compulsion Games
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a brilliant return that feels like a perfect evolution of the series' legendary combat. It maintains that fast, bloody, and breathtaking intensity while incorporating smart, modern design for better accessibility. Even with the occasional camera gripe, carving through enemies is so fluid and satisfying that it easily reclaims its spot as the gold standard for 3D action. | © PlatinumGames
ARC Raiders is a fantastic, more approachable take on the intense extraction shooter genre. The combat is streamlined, and the world is full of texture, but it still carries that satisfying, gnarled edge where defeat stings and victory feels earned. It proves that a casual-friendly loop and engrossing, visceral systems can absolutely go hand-in-hand. | © Embark Studios
Battlefield 6 is a confident return to form, delivering the large-scale chaos and phenomenal gunplay that first defined the series. While its campaign is a fast, cinematic ride, the real thrill is in the spectacular multiplayer, where dense maps and the returning class system create unforgettable coordinated battles. Led by Vince Zampella, it successfully recaptures the tactical, explosive heart of what makes Battlefield great. | © Battlefield Studios
Elden Ring: Nightreign is a bold and surprisingly successful evolution of the original, shifting the focus to thrilling co-op play. FromSoftware proves the Lands Between thrives in a social setting, with teamplay and roguelite elements adding a fresh twist. While streamlined and different, its presentation and boss fights are so sharp they might even rival the masterpiece that inspired it. | © FromSoftware
Avowed solidified itself as a top Obsidian release this year, quickly building a dedicated cult following thanks to its day-one launch on Game Pass. While some noted its RPG systems could feel shallow, its minor missteps are easily overshadowed by its triumphs in world-building and inventive combat. Experimenting with wildly different builds across its rich fantasy landscape makes for an experience that truly rewards your time. | © Obsidian Entertainment
The Outer Worlds 2 is an epic sequel that takes everything you loved about the first game and goes bigger in nearly every way. With more expansive worlds, greater build variety, and improved replayability, it’s a massive step forward for Obsidian’s sci-fi RPG formula. As a day-one Game Pass release, it easily stands among the year’s best RPGs, even if it flew under the radar for some at launch. | © Obsidian Entertainment
Keeper is a beautifully atmospheric indie game that's perfect for anyone seeking a cozy, low-stakes adventure. Its stunning art design creates a truly original world, though its light puzzles are more about mood than challenge. Go in expecting a breezy, story-driven experience, and it will likely blow you away. | © Double Fine
BALL x PIT became an instant indie hit with a deceptively simple and relentlessly addictive gameplay loop. The fun comes from leveling up your ball, finding powerful synergies, and evolving it into a wildly overpowered build. Its day-one release was a massive success, earning wide critical acclaim and a passionate player base that keeps coming back for more. | © Kenny Sun
Split Fiction is a brilliant co-op adventure that pairs inventive storytelling with razor-sharp design. Hazelight’s signature split-screen mechanics constantly reinvent themselves, creating puzzles that demand true collaboration from two distinct perspectives. It’s more than just clever, it's a heartfelt story and immaculate level design make it a genuine homage to the power of gaming. | © Hazelight Studios
DOOM: The Dark Ages masterfully bridges the classic and modern eras of the franchise, blending old-school inspiration with the refined chaos of recent titles. New mechanics like the shield add a fresh, brutal layer to the iconic combat, earning it perfect scores from critics. It’s a non-stop action ride that sharpens everything you love about tearing through hell. | © id Software
Blue Prince is a truly special puzzle game that feels less like solving levels and more like unraveling a grand, personal mystery over many runs. It’s the impressive eight-year project of a solo developer, using smart RNG to make each attempt feel fresh while you slowly piece together a heartfelt story. If you’re looking for something completely original on Game Pass that rewards your curiosity, this is an easy recommendation. | © Dogubomb
Hollow Knight: Silksong landed this year as a brilliant surprise, proving to be an enthralling and faithful sequel to the indie classic. Its combat is some of the absolute best in any 2D platformer, constantly overwhelming you in the best possible way. You can dive right into this rich adventure without playing the first one, and having both on Game Pass makes it incredibly easy to get lost in its world. | © Team Cherry
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 went from being a total unknown to a Game of the Year winner almost overnight, and its day-one launch on Game Pass played a huge part in that. The continent is so richly detailed that even after hundreds of hours, it still feels like it has secrets to share. What truly makes it special is how it crafts a personal, unique story that makes every player feel like the protagonist of their own legend. | © Sandfall Interactive
Xbox delivered an incredible lineup in 2025, defined by both blockbuster sequels and original games. Many of the year's best titles landed on Game Pass from day one, making it easy to dive into everything from deep RPGs to surprise indie hits. These 15 games defined the year.
