2025 was a year of incredible variety in gaming, delivering everything from long-awaited indie sequels to massive AAA adventures. The Engadget team has selected the titles that felt the most special and memorable from this standout year. ARC Raiders This sci-fi post-apocalyptic PvE shooter was a surprise favorite. Its Blade Runner and anime-inspired aesthetic, synthy soundtrack, and immersive soundscape create a compelling world. The core loop of venturing out for resources and missions, with the constant risk of losing gear, is deeply engaging. It captures a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of early multiplayer experiences like Phantasy Star Online, encouraging exploration and cooperation in equal measure. Avowed Obsidian began the year with this excellent fantasy RPG. Set in a land afflicted by a strange fungus, Avowed weaves a narrative rich with political intrigue, colonization, and spiritual themes. The writing is stellar, particularly in companion sidequests, and the game pairs its gorgeous environments with highly customizable combat and a refreshingly generous encumbrance system. Baby Steps A true walking simulator where each trigger controls a leg, Baby Steps transforms a simple concept into a rewarding challenge. The initial clumsiness gives way to a satisfying rhythm as you navigate increasingly difficult terrain. Beyond its tight mechanics, the game offers a light, touching story filled with comedic improvisation from its developer-voiced characters. Ball X Pit This addictive roguelike reinvents the classic Brick Breaker formula. Players bounce balls off waves of demonic enemies across eight levels, with numerous characters and a vast array of upgrade combinations ensuring no two runs are alike. The joy of discovering powerful ball fusions and evolutions makes it dangerously easy to lose hours at a time. Blue Prince A masterful puzzle game that consistently surprises. Blue Prince defies simple categorization, drawing players deeper into a rabbit hole of mysteries and environmental puzzles. The less said about its specific mechanics, the better; the joy is in the discovery. It is a unique and brilliant experience for anyone who loves unraveling layered secrets. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector A narrative powerhouse that resonates deeply in today’s world. This sequel improves upon the original’s systems to tell a critical story about finding hope and community in the face of corporate and governmental failure. Its polished gameplay reinforces its poignant themes, making it an essential, perspective-shifting experience. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 This French dark fantasy RPG delivers on its striking initial promise. With a unique world ruled by a god-like Paintress and a cinematic turn-based combat system, it offers a thrilling story and memorably beautiful visuals. While its narrative beats may feel familiar to RPG veterans, its specific artistic vibe and fulfilling character journeys make it stand out. Date Everything! A dating sim with exceptional wit and heart. Its clever writing transforms household objects into charming romantic prospects, blending social commentary with sincere and silly moments. The true standout is the virtuoso voice acting from a cast of industry legends, who bring an already sharp script to vibrant life. Despelote More than a soccer game, this semi-autobiographical narrative experience is a moving exploration of fandom and national identity. Players navigate a photorealistic, comics-inspired rendition of Ecuador during a historic World Cup run, using soccer as a lens to examine personal and collective memory. It is melancholic, humorous, and uniquely poignant. Dispatch A superb narrative adventure from former Telltale developers, Dispatch is a workplace dramedy set in a superhero universe. Players manage a team of reformed villains, making classic Telltale-style choices that shape their relationships and missions. Strong voice acting, sharp writing, and excellent animation make it a compelling character-driven story. Donkey Kong Bananza The Switch 2’s first true killer app is a 3D platforming masterpiece. Building on the legacy of Super Mario Odyssey, it introduces a fantastic twist: wanton environmental destruction. Donkey Kong can smash nearly everything, leading to inventive new puzzles and platforming challenges, all wrapped in a charming adventure with a young Pauline. Fast Fusion A blisteringly fast sci-fi arcade racer that successfully channels the spirit of classics like Wipeout and F-Zero. It is entirely built around delivering a relentless sense of speed, with boost pads, a persistent boost meter, and track designs that are pure spectacle. In a year full of great arcade racers, its sheer velocity is electrifying. Ghost of Yotei Sucker Punch’s return to feudal Japan is another breathtaking open-world epic. While following a brutal tale of revenge, the game offers a lush, immersive world packed with secrets and activities. The combat is stellar, encouraging weapon swapping to counter enemies, and the bond with a wolf companion is a highlight. It is a technical and artistic masterpiece. Hades 2 This sequel delivers more of the expertly crafted roguelite action the series is known for, now with protagonist Melinoe. It expands the formula with dual mission paths, new bosses, and a darker narrative tone. The core loop remains incredibly addictive, blending challenging combat with rich character interactions and a stunning artistic vision. Is This Seat Taken? A cozy, zero-pressure logic puzzle game about making people happy. Players arrange adorable shape-people in settings like buses and restaurants, matching their seating preferences and attributes to maximize contentment. Its simple, soothing gameplay, charming art, and satisfying puzzles are a perfect antidote to stress. Keeper A quiet, soul-soothing adventure from Double Fine that stands apart from their usual style. This dialogue-free game follows a sentient lighthouse and its bird companion through beautifully rendered claymation-like worlds. Its short runtime is packed with striking visuals, smooth mechanics, and a heartwarming story. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II A deeply immersive, old-school RPG that feels like a modern Morrowind. It builds a believable 15th-century Bohemia through complex, interlocking systems for everything from blacksmithing to alchemy. This commitment to simulation creates a uniquely rewarding and detailed world that few other studios attempt today. Look Outside An unforgettable cosmic horror RPG set in an apartment building after an apocalyptic event. Survivors must last two weeks without looking outside, managing resources and allies while facing wildly creative monstrosities. Its blend of survival, body, and psychological horror, paired with gripping choices and superb art, makes for a uniquely terrifying and compelling experience. Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders A physics-driven downhill skiing game that is as contemplative as it is thrilling. With no directional markers or music, just the sounds of nature, it pits the player against the mountain. The joy is in mastering the descent through interweaving routes, where crashing is part of the slapstick fun and finally achieving a clean run is immensely satisfying. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond While not without flaws, this long-awaited sequel is a triumphant modernization. It brings the series’ iconic exploration and atmosphere to modern hardware with stunning 4K visuals. The addition of companion characters can disrupt the isolation, but the excellent level design, clever puzzles, and gorgeous art direction make it a journey worth taking. Ninja Gaiden Ragebound A terrific 2D revival of the classic series. With superb pixel art, slick levels, and an excellent score, it offers challenging hack-and-slash platforming. The dual protagonists with complementary abilities and a rewarding hyper-attack system create combat that is both deep and consistently engaging. Peak A multiplayer disaster simulator about child scouts trying to climb a mountain. Its awkward first-person platforming is the perfect setup for chaotic, fun failures with friends. The proximity-based voice chat amplifies the hilarity, and ongoing developer support has kept the experience fresh and interesting. Oblivion Remaster This remaster delivers a comforting, polished return to a beloved open world. It removes many of the original’s frustrating quirks while preserving everything fans love: a world ripe for getting lost in, endless detours, and the freedom to create your own story. It is a pure, joyful RPG experience. Ooo A brilliantly constructed puzzle-platformer built on a simple, perfect concept. Players control a caterpillar and two bombs to solve increasingly clever environmental puzzles. The design is thoughtful and forgiving, with frequent checkpoints, and the game respects the player’s time while offering a significant challenge and a wonderful aesthetic. Silksong The long-awaited Hollow Knight sequel finally arrived and did not disappoint. Switching to the faster, more acrobatic protagonist Hornet, it offers a vast new world filled with challenging bosses and secrets. New mechanics like silk-based healing and weapon loadouts add variety, cementing its status as a masterpiece of the metroidvania genre. Silent Hill f A stunning return to form for the survival horror series. Set in 1960s rural Japan, it delivers on the body horror and disturbing imagery promised in its teasers. The combat is tense and impactful, escalating as the protagonist makes gruesome sacrifices. It is a beautiful, terrifying, and heart-pounding experience. Subway Builder A unique and addictive transport sim that uses real-world map and census data. Players build profitable public transit networks in real cities, facing vastly different challenges from dense New York to sprawling Phoenix. It scratches the same strategic itch as games like Mini Metro but with a compelling real-world geographical foundation. Sword of the Sea From a creator of Journey, this game combines beautiful traversal from The Pathless with the aquatic wonder of Abzu. The core joy is surfing across sands and snows on a sword, a mechanic that feels incredibly cool and intuitive. Paired with Austin Wintory’s score and breathtaking encounters with sea life, it is a serene and stylish adventure. Sworn An excellent Hades-inspired roguelite set in Arthurian legend. While the core structure is familiar, it distinguishes itself with highly varied character classes that fundamentally change gameplay, from melee fighters to engineers who deploy turrets. Its forgettable story is outweighed by addictive combat and fantastic four-player co-op chaos.
