The 20 best video games of 2025
This has been a particularly busy year with excellent titles, among which many independent releases stand out.
The video game industry is unstoppable in terms of the number of titles released, but unfortunately, this growth is not guaranteed at the business level, with layoffs and closures becoming commonplace. Nevertheless, 2025 was a spectacular year, with a significant number of video games standing out for their quality. This list includes major productions, but also independent titles that have garnered attention and international acclaim.
Puzzle
A very welcoming and polished puzzle game that, as an added bonus, has been developed by a Catalan studioPoti Poti Studio presents very fun mechanics in which the player must choose the correct distribution of seats for some cute characters in order to beat the levels.
'Shoot 'em up', 'roguelike'
One spin-off of Deep Rock Galactic and one of the best iterations of the genre dubbed as survivor-like either bullet heaven, born as a result of the success of Vampire Survivors (2022). The proposal features the automatic trait mechanics characteristic of the genre and a gradual and interesting progression. Furthermore, its strength lies in its inspiration from the fun science fiction universe of the mining dwarves of the original title:Rock and stone!
First-person action
The long wait and the anticipation it generated have led to some disappointment, especially for the franchise's biggest fans, mainly due to the game's overall structure. Even so, the game It's coming to both versions of the Switch With well-optimized graphics, it provides a first-person experience with an intriguing and highly immersive atmosphere.
Interactive Adventure
One of the most recent releases is this comedy set in a world filled with superheroes, where the player takes on the role of a retired superhero relegated to a tedious office job, managing other superheroes' crime-fighting efforts. The engaging narrative and voice acting have won over many players worldwide.
Terror and survival
One of the best survival horror games of the year is this new installment in the saga Silent Hill, which was quite well received by critics. This time, however,spin-off It takes the adventure to rural Japan in the 1960s. The protagonist, a high school student, must find her way through the fog that has engulfed the population and fight macabre monsters to survive.
Action and adventure
The new installment of the famous Ubisoft saga It has been very interesting in several aspects, but this year it has coincided with very tough competition from the feudal Japanese setting and the dynamics of a large open world. Shadows However, it stands out for the fluidity of movement during the parkour and in stealth mechanics, such as the use of light and shadow.
Survival
The protagonist's objective in The Alters It's about surviving on a hostile and inhospitable planet, but to achieve this, the space miner, initially alone, will have to create alternate versions of himself to help him. This original science fiction story has received positive reviews since its release.
Puzzle
Puzzle game lovers cannot miss this hidden gem. Blue Prince It takes the player to a mansion that changes every day, influenced by the player's decisions and filled with codes, secrets, and surprises that escape initial notice. The objective is clear: reach room number 46.
Cooperative Adventure
Hazelight Studios' new cooperative hit doesn't shine as brightly as the spectacular It Takes Two, which won many awards in 2021. However, the new proposal maintains the studio's wacky tone and moves within a constant and visually very interesting dichotomy in its setting: Fantasy and science fiction constantly coexist throughout its levels.
'Roguelike'
Other indie It blends genres to create a new and highly entertaining type of game. The game is based on the premise of the classic ArkanoidIn this game, the player must destroy blocks by bouncing a ball, but then takes it to the next level. An upgrade system. roguelike, highly polished progression, base and resource management, pixel art worked, etc. A frenetic and addictive madness that is very pleasurable.
Action and adventure
A new installment of Pokémon within the series Legends which seeks to experiment with new mechanics in the games of the most powerful media franchise in the world. The real-time combat is very entertaining And the Switch 2's graphics engine has improved the experience, but there's still room for improvement in the sequel.
Reason-seeker, 'roguelike'
Absolute It has the peculiarity of mixing unusual genres. In this case, the brawling genre (beat 'em up) takes the random component of the roguelike to give rise to a very interesting new type of game. The fantasy setting and the handcrafted art direction and animation have also earned it global acclaim.
First-person features
We are certainly not facing the best. DoomAnd it wasn't easy to take the next step after the frenetic and praised Doom Eternal (2020). Even so, The Dark Ages manages to package a very well-rounded experience, like the protagonist's new shield.And it's an excellent game for those fans of first-person shooter games eager to annihilate several demons.
Role
Considered one of the best role-playing games of the year, it's a first-person medieval life simulator. The sequel is set in an even more realistic and vibrant world than the original, in the Kingdom of Bohemia during the year 1403, and offers thousands of possibilities and dialogue options. The protagonist's point of view, combined with the player's decisions and the reactions of other characters, allows for total immersion in the adventure.
Action and adventure
The new work from visionary Hideo Kojima is a visually spectacular display, and the improvement in action and stealth is very noticeable compared to its predecessor. The only downside is the loss of the element of surprise from the first game. Death Stranding and a more twisted narrative—if that were even possible—that may not convince everyone. Even so, The sequel does justice to the original work and is one of the most interesting games to have arrived in 2025..
Action and adventure
The second installment of Sucker Punch's feudal Japan anthology is a new benchmark in terms of visual quality and combat fluidityThe narrative sparks divided opinions, especially in comparisons with the first one. Ghost of TsushimaBut even so, Atsu's spiral of revenge has captivated many players and established itself as the great PlayStation 5 exclusive of the year.
Platforms
Bananza It wasn't the first exclusive for the new Switch 2, but it was the first to truly test the new console's capabilities. The charismatic protagonist is the perfect link, and it's a very fun and original experience, in which The basic premise is clear from the beginning: everything can be destroyed! Fans of more family-friendly three-dimensional platform games can be pleased with the new batch of quality titles in the genre, reminiscent of Sony's friendly robot last year.
'Metroidvania'
After a long wait, a period in which Team Cherry's first success has established itself as a benchmark of the genre metroidvania Worldwide, the sequel has lived up to expectations. The adventure of the Hornet, the new protagonist, takes on epic dimensions, and the kingdom of Pharloom It never ceases to amaze with its elaborate and polished level design. The platforming and combat are challenging but fair. Furthermore, the gorgeous visual design and traditional animation make it Hollow Knight: Silksong be one of the most amazing releases of the year.
Action role-playing, 'roguelike '
Although each new game Supergiant Games has released is different – and very good – the studio chose to break with that philosophy by making a sequel to its biggest hit: Hades. He roguelike Inspired by the Greek pantheon, this new installment features a new protagonist, meticulous attention to detail, frenetic and exhilarating combat, and an exceptional narrative that always leaves the player wanting more. Without a doubt, one of the most important titles of 2025.
Role
This year's French revolution is undoubtedly Expedition 33The game, straddling the production values of AAA titles and the creative risk of AAA games, indie, he has hit the nail on the head with his proposal. Sandfall Interactive's debut is a turn-based role-playing game with stunning graphicsThe game boasts striking art direction and is technically very polished. Furthermore, the narrative has captivated and moved players worldwide, featuring outstanding voice acting and a breathtaking soundtrack. All of this, combined with a community of millions of players around the globe, has made it a global phenomenon. Clair Oscuro in an unstoppable snowball effect that champions the message that the enthusiasm for video games made with love and passion is still alive.