Top 10 Best Games of 2025: A Year of Triumphs, Surprises, and Innovation

2025 has been an absolute banger for gaming—one of the strongest years in recent memory. From long-awaited sequels finally delivering to indie darlings stealing the spotlight, the industry served up creativity, polish, and pure joy. Here’s my subjective top 10. These picks prioritize innovative gameplay, storytelling depth, technical wizardry, and that elusive “just one more run” magic. Scores pulled from Metacritic/OpenCritic aggregates for context.

10. Battlefield 6 (EA/ DICE)

The franchise roared back with massive maps, destructible everything, and Vince Zampella’s visionary touch before his tragic passing. Best-selling launch of the year—pure chaotic multiplayer bliss.

9. Silent Hill f (Konami)

Horror returned with psychological dread, fog-shrouded nightmares, and a soundtrack that haunts your dreams. Top marks across PS5 lists—a modern classic for scares.

8. Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios)

Josef Fares’ co-op genius shines in this narrative-driven adventure splitting realities. Hilarious, heartfelt, and replayable—perfect for couch sessions.

7. Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch)

Tsushima’s spiritual successor amps up the open-world samurai action with volcanic vistas and deeper customization. Fluid combat and a gripping tale of revenge.

6. Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo)

DK’s banana-fueled platformer frenzy: tight controls, wild levels, and co-op mayhem. Nintendo’s charm at peak—91 Metacritic for a reason.

5. Blue Prince (Dogubomb/Raw Fury)

A mind-bending puzzle roguelike in a ever-shifting mansion. Procedural genius meets emotional depth—PC’s surprise hit at 92.

4. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions)

Kojima’s weirdness evolves: delivery sim meets cosmic horror, with stellar performances and traversal that’s oddly addictive. Polarizing? Yes. Brilliant? Absolutely.

3. Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)

The decade-long wait ended with a metroidvania masterpiece: silk-slinging combat, haunting lore, and exploration that rivals the original. 91 everywhere—worth every second.

2. Hades II (Supergiant Games)

Roguelike perfection refined: godly combat, branching narratives, and that addictive loop. 94-95 scores, early access phenom turned full triumph.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive)

My GOTY. Turn-based RPG innovation with real-time twists, jaw-dropping art, and a story that wrecked me. IGN’s top pick, 92-93 aggregate—2025’s pinnacle of ambition and execution.

Honorable mentions: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (immersive RPG glory), The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy (tactical surprise), Dispatch (co-op shooter rush), and ARC Raiders (extraction mastery).