The Best Video Games of 2025 (So Far): From Good to Great

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - July 8th 2025, 22:00 GMT+2

The Midnight Walk

In a medium obsessed with cutting-edge realism, *The Midnight Walk* enchants by crafting an entire world out of clay, darkness, and imagination. This atmospheric adventure – playable on a standard screen or fully immersed in VR – comes from a team of former Zoink developers, and it invites you into a self-described “cozy horror” experience unlike any other. You play as the Burnt One, a lone soul guiding a tiny sentient lantern creature named Potboy through a realm of perpetual night after the world’s last fire has burned out. There are no weapons here; instead, survival hinges on nurturing sources of light to ward off the lurking horrors in the dark. You’ll solve puzzles by sparking lanterns and candles, listen carefully for audio clues when pitch-black darkness forces you to rely on sound, and hold your breath as unseen monsters skitter just beyond your candle’s glow. Each chapter unfolds like a stop-motion fairy tale, equal parts eerie and heartwarming, as you and Potboy venture to rekindle the moon and bring light back to the land. *The Midnight Walk’s* hand-crafted visuals and inventive mechanics make it a late-night journey worth taking – a game that manages to be chilling, charming, and utterly captivating all at once. | © Fast Travel Games

Citizen Sleeper 2 Starward Vector — Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

In an era where tabletop RPG mechanics meet digital storytelling, *Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector* delivers a haunting sci-fi tale of survival and choice. Set in the asteroid belt of the Helion System, this narrative-driven RPG puts you in the shoes of a Sleeper – a digitized human mind in a decaying android body – fighting to escape corporate control and forge a new life. The sequel expands on its predecessor with multiple hub locations, spaceship travel, and a ragtag crew, all while retaining the tense dice-roll gameplay that makes every decision meaningful. Each in-game day brings a fresh roll of the dice to determine success or failure in hacking, combat, and social encounters, capturing the thrill of “push-your-luck” strategy. Gritty cyberpunk atmosphere and empathetic writing make this journey through corporate dystopia deeply personal. The result is a one-of-a-kind RPG experience that marries tabletop-inspired mechanics with rich narrative, proving indie games can carry the emotional weight of a triple-A epic. | © Fellow Traveller

Cropped Mario kart World — Mario Kart World

After years of perfecting closed-circuit kart racing, Nintendo boldly takes Mario and friends off the track and into an open world with *Mario Kart World*. This latest entry breaks free from the traditional course format and introduces an expansive free-roam mode across a connected globe, letting players drive seamlessly between iconic racing locales. New off-road mechanics and a variety of vehicles – including ATVs and even boats for aquatic routes – inject fresh excitement into the beloved formula. Longtime fans will feel right at home drifting around corners and launching red shells, but they’ll also discover dynamic day-night cycles, massive 24-player online races, and exploration elements reminiscent of open-world adventures. The classic pick-up-and-play fun is now intertwined with a sense of grand scale and discovery. It’s *Mario Kart* as you’ve never seen it, blending the series’ hallmark accessibility and chaos with ambitious new ideas to keep players coming back for “just one more race” across its sprawling map. | © Nintendo

Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii — Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

The acclaimed Yakuza franchise sets sail on a wild new course in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*. Swapping neon-lit city streets for sun-soaked Pacific islands, this spin-off follows fan-favorite antihero Goro Majima as he becomes a pirate captain after a shipwreck leaves him marooned in the 1800s Hawaii. The tropical setting is a refreshing backdrop for the series’ signature over-the-top action, now enhanced with swashbuckling swordplay and seafaring misadventures. One moment, you’re cracking skulls in a beachfront bar fight; the next, you’re hunting for buried treasure or battling rival pirates on the open sea – all with the irreverent humor and heartfelt melodrama that define *Like a Dragon*. Combat returns to a beat-’em-up style reminiscent of the franchise’s roots, with Majima wielding dual cutlasses and pistols as new “pirate” fighting styles alongside his classic breakneck moves. It’s a bold genre mashup that pays off, delivering a delightfully offbeat open-world adventure that still feels unmistakably Yakuza at its core. | © Sega

Wanderstop

Sometimes the most profound adventures are the quietest, and *Wanderstop* proves it with a cup of tea in hand. This cozy narrative game comes from the creative mind behind *The Stanley Parable*, trading meta-humor for a heartfelt tale of personal healing in a magical forest. You play as Alta, a battle-weary former warrior who finds refuge running a mystical tea shop after burnout and defeat send her on a different path. Brewing enchanted teas and tending to whimsical customers becomes a journey of self-discovery as you help a cast of quirky characters with their troubles, one warm cup at a time. Gameplay is deliberately gentle – you’ll grow and harvest ingredients, master a Rube Goldberg-esque tea brewing contraption, and listen to customers’ stories – all at a relaxing pace. Beneath the charming hand-crafted art style and serene atmosphere lies a story that thoughtfully tackles themes of trauma, recovery, and finding purpose beyond fighting. *Wanderstop* invites players to slow down and savor an emotional, uplifting experience that’s as comforting as a warm drink on a cold day. | © Annapurna Interactive

Cropped DELTARUNE — Deltarune

Fans of indie RPGs have waited years for more of Toby Fox’s magic, and *Deltarune* finally delivers with the release of its next chapters in 2025. This spiritual successor to Undertale returns players to a world of whimsical characters, poignant storytelling, and inventive gameplay that flips RPG conventions upside down. *Deltarune* brilliantly blends turn-based combat with bullet-hell dodging mechanics, encouraging creative approaches to encounters – whether you choose to fight, act goofy, or show mercy to monsters. Chapters 1 and 2 built a passionate following with their clever puzzles, infectious soundtrack, and laugh-out-loud moments, and the new Chapters 3 and 4 expand the adventure’s scope and emotional depth even further. One moment you’re dodging absurd attacks from a giant arcade machine, and the next you’re absorbed in a tender conversation that tugs at your heartstrings. Throughout it all, *Deltarune* maintains a charm and unpredictability that make every scene memorable. It reaffirms Toby Fox’s unique talent for crafting games that make you laugh, think, and maybe even cry, all in the span of a single, delightfully strange journey. | © Toby Fox

ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN — Elden Ring: Nightreign

FromSoftware pushes its own boundaries with *Elden Ring: Nightreign*, a daring spin-off that reimagines the Lands Between as a cooperative roguelike gauntlet. Rather than another sprawling open-world, *Nightreign* drops a team of up to three players into a procedurally generated realm engulfed in eternal night, where they must survive escalating challenges over three in-game “days” to dispel a looming curse. The hallmark elements of *Elden Ring* – intricate lore, punishingly skillful combat, and breathtaking art direction – are all here, but now each run is a fresh test of strategy and teamwork under intense pressure. You’ll coordinate with allies to tackle hordes of grotesque enemies, scavenge for relics and upgrades, and fortify your refuge before the final night falls and a brutal boss descends. In true roguelike fashion, each defeat sends you back to the start stronger and wiser, ready to push further into the darkness. *Nightreign* brilliantly blends familiar dark fantasy with new ideas like a shrinking battle arena and class synergies, offering Soulsborne veterans a thrilling new way to experience the world of *Elden Ring*. | © Bandai Namco Entertainment

The Alters

*The Alters* poses a fascinating question: what if the key to survival was meeting alternate versions of yourself? Developed by 11 bit studios (creators of *This War of Mine* and *Frostpunk*), this thought-provoking sci-fi game strands players on a hostile alien planet as lone engineer Jan Dolski, then forces them to think outside the box – or rather, outside the self. With time and resources running out, Jan uses experimental technology to create “Alters,” cloned versions of himself who each lived different lives and developed unique skills and personalities. Managing a crew composed of your own divergent selves adds a compelling layer of strategy: one Alter might be a brilliant scientist while another is a handyman or a charismatic leader, and keeping them all working together (and emotionally stable) is vital. As you expand a mobile base to escape a lethal sunrise and scavenge for resources, you’ll face gut-wrenching choices that explore themes of regret, identity, and sacrifice. *The Alters* stands out as one of the year’s most original titles – a survival simulation on its surface, but underneath, a deeply human story about second chances and the roads not taken. | © 11 bit Studios

Skin Deep

*Skin Deep* proves that stealth action can be both smart and seriously silly at the same time. This first-person “immersive sim” from Blendo Games (the indie creator behind *Quadrilateral Cowboy*) tosses you onto a hijacked starship crawling with space pirates and challenges you to save the day using brains, bullets, and an unhealthy amount of slapstick. Nothing is off-limits: you might disable a security system by deliberately sneezing to distract a guard (yes, your character’s allergies can be a weapon), or take out an enemy by luring them onto a well-placed banana peel. The game’s sandbox design rewards creativity and experimentation, letting you approach each objective in absurdly inventive ways. One minute, you’re silently crawling through vents with only a single bullet and a bar of soap for protection; the next, you’re blowing open an airlock and tumbling out in zero-G to evade pursuers. With its witty tone and open-ended gameplay, *Skin Deep* delivers a refreshing jolt of humor and surprise to the shooter genre – an experience that feels like *Deus Ex* by way of a Looney Tunes cartoon, in the best possible sense. | © Annapurna Interactive

Lost Records Bloom Rage — Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Mixing ’90s nostalgia with raw emotional storytelling, *Lost Records: Bloom & Rage* hits that *Life Is Strange* sweet spot while carving out its own identity. Developed by Don’t Nod Montréal, this two-part narrative adventure rewinds to the summer of 1995, where four teenage girls form an inseparable bond through their DIY punk band (aptly named “Bloom & Rage”) – until a mysterious tragedy rips them apart. The game then jumps between timelines, following the girls in their youth and 27 years later as they reunite to confront the long-buried secret that shattered their friendship. Gameplay unfolds like an interactive indie film: you’ll explore cozy small-town locations, film your own in-game camcorder diary entries, and make tough dialogue choices that shape how each chapter plays out. The writing shines with authentic, relatable characters and heartfelt themes of identity, memory, and the tumult of growing up. By the end of this bittersweet journey, *Lost Records* delivers a poignant coming-of-age tale about friendship and forgiveness that lingers like a beloved mixtape from summers past. | © Don’t Nod

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 — Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

*Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* is that rare RPG that feels comfortingly classic and strikingly new all at once. Set in a dark fantasy take on the Belle Époque era, this French-developed adventure follows a band of volunteers on a desperate quest to stop a supernatural event called the Gommage – a yearly “wiping” that erases anyone over a certain age. It plays like a love letter to JRPGs of old, complete with turn-based battles, an ensemble cast of six playable heroes, and a sweeping narrative, yet it spices up combat with modern, real-time twists. During enemy turns, you’re not just watching; you’re dodging and parrying attacks in real time, then nailing quick-time events to power up your party’s special skills. These reflex-driven flourishes make every encounter thrilling and interactive in a way traditional turn-based games rarely achieve. Meanwhile, the game’s lavish art direction and haunting orchestral score bring its world to life, from gas lamp-lit city streets to otherworldly battle arenas. Critically acclaimed for its innovative battle system and rich storytelling, *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* shows that the JRPG formula can evolve in exciting ways without losing its soul. | © Kepler Interactive

Blue Prince

Leave it to a singular indie vision like *Blue Prince* to completely reinvent the puzzle-adventure genre in 2025. Developed almost entirely by one person over eight years, this genre-bending game places you in a mysterious mansion that rebuilds itself differently every single day. Your task? Find the secret 46th room hidden somewhere in the estate to claim your inheritance – a seemingly straightforward goal, complicated by the mansion’s constantly shifting layout. Each in-game “day” you open doors and are given a choice of randomized room blueprints to attach, essentially drafting the mansion’s design like cards as you explore. The result is part escape room, part roguelike: every run presents new puzzles to solve, new lore to uncover, and new room combinations that demand you think on your feet. *Blue Prince* refuses to hold your hand, but the satisfaction of an “aha!” moment – when you finally crack a cipher or engineer the perfect route to the elusive hidden chamber – is second to none. It’s no wonder this brain-teasing adventure has become one of the year’s best-reviewed games. *Blue Prince* is an unforgettable blueprint for how to do puzzle games right, offering challenge, intrigue, and a true sense of discovery around every corner. | © Raw Fury

Split Fiction

Grab a friend (or a willing sibling) and get ready for a co-op adventure that leaps between genres in *Split Fiction*. Hazelight Studios – the masterminds behind *It Takes Two* – have crafted another gem that must be played with two players, either together on the couch or online. This time, you and your partner are two authors, complete strangers, who become literally trapped inside the pages of their own unfinished stories: one an epic sci-fi saga, the other a high-fantasy tale. What follows is a delightfully unpredictable journey where each chapter shifts the gameplay and setting in drastic ways. One moment you’re solving puzzles on a futuristic spaceship level; the next you’re platforming through a storybook medieval kingdom, riding a dragon and wielding magic. Every section introduces unique mechanics and requires true teamwork – communication and coordination are key as each player often has different abilities that complement the other. Through all the wild twists, *Split Fiction* weaves a heartfelt narrative about creativity and collaboration, with the two protagonists bonding over their shared fight to escape. With its split-screen innovation, imaginative set pieces, and emotional undercurrents, *Split Fiction* cements Hazelight’s reputation for delivering co-op experiences that are just as moving as they are fun. | © Electronic Arts

Cropped Death Stranding 2 On the Beach — Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Hideo Kojima’s surreal post-apocalyptic saga continues to defy convention in *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*. Set roughly a year after the first game, this sequel finds courier Sam Porter Bridges washed up in a devastated Australia – a new frontier of collapsing societies, eerie Beaches, and otherworldly phenomena. Sam’s mission to reconnect humanity carries on across breathtaking, desolate landscapes, but *On the Beach* raises the stakes with even harsher environments (think endless coastlines and sweltering outback terrain), new traversal tools and vehicles, and yes, even a companion or two to ease the loneliness. The core gameplay still centers on forging pathways and delivering precious cargo under dire conditions – balancing towering backpacks, plotting routes, and braving supernatural BTs and rival raiders – but every trek feels meaningful, almost meditative, in its solitude and risk. The sequel doubles down on the original’s innovative “Social Strand” system, subtly linking players online: you’ll discover bridges, shelters, and signs left by others, forming a quiet camaraderie across worlds as you help each other endure. True to Kojima form, the narrative is both enigmatic and deeply emotional, blending personal moments of loss and hope with mind-bending sci-fi lore about time, life, and legacy. Love it or find it baffling, there’s nothing quite like *Death Stranding 2* – a big-budget, art-house odyssey that transforms delivering packages into an epic journey about rebuilding a broken world. | © Sony Interactive Entertainment

Kingdom Come Deliverance II — Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Medieval life has never felt more authentic or engrossing than in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*, a sequel that doubles down on historical realism while delivering a sweeping new adventure. Picking up after the events of the first game, it once again casts you as Henry – a blacksmith’s son turned knight – navigating the turbulent politics and battlefields of 15th-century Bohemia. Warhorse Studios has clearly leveled up their craft: the world is larger and even more detailed, from bustling towns and dense forests to grim war-torn castles, all rendered with stunning realism. Combat, already praised for its realistic swordplay, is further refined; you’ll feel every parry, arrow shot, and armored clash, and mastering techniques like perfect blocks and horseback fighting is immensely satisfying. Beyond the clanging steel, *Deliverance 2* offers a deeply branching storyline filled with nobility intrigue, tough moral choices, and multiple ways to solve quests – be it diplomacy, deception, or outright force. The RPG systems are delightfully crunchy: you must eat, sleep, and maintain your gear, and even a simple act like reading in-game takes practice, reinforcing that sense of immersion in Henry’s world. Whether you’re hunting game for supper, debating theology with a monk, or leading soldiers in a pivotal siege, the game demands thought and preparation. For players seeking an RPG with grit instead of dragons, *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* delivers an unrivaled medieval sandbox – one where living through history is its own kind of epic victory. | © Deep Silver

Two Point Museum

If you thought hospitals and college campuses were chaotic, just wait until you run a world-class museum in *Two Point Museum*. The latest tongue-in-cheek management sim from Two Point Studios lets you design, curate, and manage every wacky aspect of a museum in the goofy world of Two Point County. In classic Two Point fashion, education quickly gives way to entertainment: one exhibit might showcase genuine dinosaur fossils that occasionally come to life and roam the halls, while another wing houses a cursed ancient sarcophagus that randomly scares your guests (and staff) witless. As the museum’s curator and manager, you’ll build themed galleries, set up interactive displays, hire a staff of eccentric experts (from bumbling security guards to rockstar archaeologists), and keep the crowds – or sometimes unruly school field trips – satisfied. The gameplay finds that sweet spot between strategy and silliness: you’ll obsess over optimizing exhibit layouts, café placements, and ticket prices for profitability, all while laughing at absurd emergencies like a yeti escaping the ice age exhibit. With its bright, cartoonish visuals and endless sense of humor, *Two Point Museum* transforms the traditionally stodgy museum experience into a lively, hilarious playground. It’s a business simulation that never takes itself too seriously, making learning and managing equally fun as you strive to build the most popular (and peculiar) museum in the county. | © Sega

Monster Train 2

Card-game enthusiasts have a wicked new obsession in *Monster Train 2*, a sequel that takes the award-winning deck-building formula of the original and kicks it into overdrive. The premise remains gleefully bonkers: you’re defending the last pyre of Hell from angelic forces by assembling a deck of monster cards and fighting battles on a multi-tiered demon train. *Monster Train 2* brings back the deep strategic gameplay fans loved – juggling unit placement across three train floors, managing mana for spells, and anticipating enemy waves – while introducing new clans of monsters and dozens of additional cards, upgrades, and artifacts to experiment with. No two runs ever feel the same, and the path to victory is paved with constantly evolving decisions: Do you merge cards to create a super unit, invest in your pyre’s defenses, or take risky detours for powerful relics? Between runs, an expanded hub area (the Covenant Outpost) lets you plan and power up for your next journey, offering meta-progression that feels rewarding without undermining the roguelike challenge. Visually, the game delights in its over-the-top hellish imagery and vibrant card art, making each battle a fiery spectacle of imps, demons, and divine retribution. *Monster Train 2* is fiendishly difficult and endlessly replayable, striking that perfect balance of strategy and luck that keeps players saying “just one more run” into the late hours. | © Devolver Digital

DOOM The Dark Ages — Doom: The Dark Ages

*Doom: The Dark Ages* drags the iconic FPS franchise back in time – literally – for a hellish medieval prequel that tells the origin story of the Doom Slayer. Long before wielding plasma rifles on Mars, our famed Slayer was a knight of the Crusades, and this game drops you into his sabatons during an unholy war against the legions of Hell on Earth. The change in era is more than cosmetic; alongside the classic shotguns and chainguns, you’ll brandish swords, crossbows, and other era-appropriate armaments (augmented by demonic tech, of course) as you rip and tear through Gothic castles and plague-ridden villages. Despite *The Dark Ages* trappings, id Software has masterfully preserved Doom’s signature breakneck action – you’ll sprint down torch-lit corridors, perform gruesome glory kills with a broadsword, and dodge fireballs from cacodemons swooping amid the battlements, all without missing a beat. The game also dives deeper into lore than ever before, painting a grim, epic picture of how the Eternal War between humanity and Hell began, complete with bombastic cutscenes and a suitably metal orchestral score (don’t worry, there’s still plenty of electric guitar shredding in the mix). *The Dark Ages* is a bold twist on a beloved formula that pays off big: it proves that even armed with a crossbow in a world of knights and sorcery, *Doom* can still deliver some of the most satisfying, adrenaline-pumping chaos in gaming. | © Bethesda Softworks

FANTASY LIFE i The Girl Who Steals Time — FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Sometimes you want to save the world, and sometimes you just want to live in it – *Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time* lets you do both at your own pace. This charming life-sim RPG from Level-5 revives and expands the formula of the 2012 cult classic *Fantasy Life*, dropping you onto a lush island you’re free to rebuild and explore across different eras. As always, the game’s magic lies in its flexible class system: you can switch between a dozen “Lives” (job classes) on the fly, mastering each trade from knight and wizard to cook, miner, angler and more. One hour you might be delving into monster-filled forests as a brave Paladin, the next you’re peacefully fishing off a pier or crafting furniture to decorate your customizable home. The new twist hinted by the title involves time travel – you’ll uncover a mysterious portal that sends you centuries into the past, where your actions (say, planting a sapling or founding a village) can transform the island’s future in the present day. With its colorful art style, gentle quest-based progression, and virtually endless side activities, *Fantasy Life i* is the ultimate chill-out game. It offers a little bit of everything: upbeat adventure, creative crafting, town management, and heartfelt storytelling, all wrapped up in a lighthearted package that welcomes gamers of all ages. | © Level-5

Cropped Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition — Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Few gaming worlds inspire awe quite like planet Mira, and now a new generation can experience it in *Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition*. This definitive release takes the ambitious 2015 Wii U RPG – often hailed as one of the best open-world JRPGs – and brings it to modern platforms with enhanced graphics, improved UI, and a bounty of quality-of-life updates. You play as a member of BLADE, a human survivor tasked with exploring Mira’s vast, alien landscapes after Earth’s destruction, and the sense of scale is just as breathtaking today as it was then. Lush continents stretch out for miles, populated by towering creatures that could crush you in an instant or become valuable allies if approached wisely. The game’s hallmark feature – piloting transformable mechs called Skells – still delivers an unmatched thrill; there’s nothing like earning your Skell license, hopping into a giant robot, and soaring above jungles and cliffs that once took hours to traverse on foot. The Definitive Edition makes this journey smoother by refining some of the original’s complexities (like an overhauled map and navigation system) while preserving the deep combat and extensive customization that hardcore fans adore. Whether you’re a newcomer or a returning colonist of New Los Angeles, *Xenoblade Chronicles X* in its definitive form offers an epic, engrossing adventure. It’s not just a game; it’s a massive sci-fi odyssey about exploration, survival, and forging a future on a wild new frontier – now finally accessible to everyone. | © Nintendo

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2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years in gaming history. With groundbreaking releases across every platform – from indie surprises to AAA blockbusters – there’s no shortage of incredible experiences to dive into. Whether you're hunting for a new RPG obsession, a mind-bending narrative adventure, or a multiplayer hit to play with friends, this year's lineup has delivered something for everyone.

In this list, we highlight the best video games of 2025 (so far), ranking them from simply good to truly great. These are the titles that have captured players’ attention, dominated sales charts, and earned critical acclaim – making them the must-play games of the year.