Silent Hill f carves a deeply memorable horror experience where the true terror lies in a crumbling sense of self. Its exceptional presentation, from the uncanny, familiar town to the twisting memories, builds a profound and lingering sense of dread. This is horror that stays with you, not through cheap scares, but through the unsettling process of watching an identity slowly unravel. | © NeoBards Entertainment
Blue Prince starts as a simple puzzle game but quickly reveals itself as a deeply engrossing and surprising experience. The constantly shifting manor, with its surreal rooms and clever spatial puzzles, creates a captivating and dreamlike sense of discovery. While its roguelike elements feel a bit uneven at times, the overall package is a uniquely haunting and intelligent must-play for fans of the genre. | © Dogubomb
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater is a great way to revisit a classic, with polished gameplay that still feels fresh and groundbreaking. The visual overhaul is stunning, adding incredible new details to the iconic jungles of Tselinoyarsk. However, the decision to leave the original story and dialogue untouched holds it back from being a true top-tier remake, especially given premium price. | © Konami
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a dark and beautiful narrative, blending the spirit of Life is Strange with deeply human, character-driven drama. Its wonderful cast, powerful voice acting, and gorgeous camcorder-style visuals make every moment feel immersive and real. While the plot has some minor pacing issues, the experience is so breathtakingly personal that its story will stay with you long after the credits roll. | © Don't Nod
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a masterclass in immersive storytelling, building a world with a human-scale narrative and meticulous detail. Its execution in writing, worldbuilding, and graphics is nearly unmatched, prioritizing profound quality over sprawling quantity. While its core story is more linear than some might expect, the depth of the experience firmly places it among the greatest open-world RPGs. | © Warhorse Studios
Keeper is less a conventional game and more a delightful, strange voyage into the unexplained. You'll wander through otherworldly sights that feel like visiting a beautiful, alien planet. It's a captivating and truly unique experience you'll think fondly about long after you've left its mysterious world behind. | © Double Fine Productions
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the visually stunning Metroidvania we hoped for, proving Team Cherry’s years of work have paid off. It lives up to its monumental expectations, standing tall at the very peak of the genre. That said, some debatable design choices and a punishing balance might be too much for players not fully prepared for its intense challenge. | © Team Cherry
Ghost of Yotei is everything a sequel should be, taking the foundation of Tsushima and building something bigger and more daring. Atsu’s story is intense and deeply human, the combat introduces new strategic depth, and its world design ranks among the most beautiful in any open-world game. Even with a few predictable moments toward the end, the overall experience is extraordinary, and a masterclass in how to evolve a beloved series. | © Sony Interactive Entertainment
Absolum carves its story not through words, but through the difficult choices and fragile ambitions it evokes with its striking aesthetic. This side-scrolling beat 'em up is a small miracle, slowing down the chaos to make you consider every move. It’s a roguelike that leaves a quiet but powerful mark, challenging you to think before you act in a genre that usually rushes forward. | © Dotemu
Elden Ring: Nightreign is a refreshing evolution that transplants the series’ challenge into a thrilling co-op format. It proves the Lands Between thrive in a social setting, with intense team-focused boss fights that might even surpass the original’s spectacle. The clever blend of roguelite elements and nostalgic callbacks creates a familiar yet entirely new adventure that’s impossible to put down. | © FromSoftware
Split Fiction stands out by focusing purely on the joy of playing together. Hazelight Studios crafts a heartfelt co-op adventure where inventive mechanics and spectacular level design constantly celebrate teamwork and friendship. It builds to a truly unforgettable finale, cementing it as a must-play experience that reminds us why we love cooperative games in the first place. | © Hazelight Studios
Donkey Kong Bananza is a brilliantly chaotic 3D platformer packed with creativity and charm. Its massive levels invite exciting exploration, powered by wild mining mechanics and transformative abilities that make every moment feel fresh. While a few hiccups hold it back from pure perfection, the sheer explosive fun and sense of discovery make it an instant classic for platforming fans. | © Nintendo
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels like a genuine marvel, a turn-based RPG that confidently bends the entire genre to its will. It’s a stunning passion project from a talented team, delivering an experience that rivals blockbusters with triple its budget. This is the kind of game that doesn’t just impress you, it might just redefine what you expect from tactical adventures altogether. | © Sandfall Interactive
ARC Raiders proves that an extraction shooter can be approachable without losing its edge. The threat of losing your gear still stings, but the dynamic combat and chaotic player interactions soften the blow in the best way possible. Its world has a tangible grit, and the weapons feel so satisfying that every tense match ends up being a blast. | © Embark Studios
Hades II isn't just a follow-up, this game sets a new benchmark. Supergiant Games has crafted a sequel where the writing, art, and characters actually surpass the beloved first game, backed by fresh mechanics that keep the action endlessly compelling. You can easily lose dozens of hours to its perfectly polished loop, making it an essential play for anyone who loves thrilling, character-driven action. | © Supergiant Games
2025 has been an incredible year for games, from long-awaited sequels to brand-new surprises. We've narrowed it down to the absolute best. These are the top video games of the year.
