It’s hard to believe that 2025 is nearly halfway over, especially given all the amazing games that have come out so far. With unexpected GOTY contenders such asClair Obscur: Expedition 33and surprise releases such asOblivion’sremaster catching everyone in the gaming world off guard, this is still only the beginning of what will prove to be a monumental year for the industry at large.
The following games are among the best-rated and most beloved games of 2025, spanning across multiple genres and taking into account Metacritic scores, overall reception, and the general consensus within the community. With so many incredible games to choose from this year, you’re more than likely not going to have time to play them all before the next significant one drops. Luckily, you really can’t go wrong with any of the 2025 games listed here, and they’ll all be well worth your time.
Monster Hunter Wildsis a wildly popular follow-up toMonster Hunter World(2018) andMonster Hunter Rise(2021).Wildsintroducesnew mechanics like the Wound system,which allows players to target specific monster weaknesses for increased damage, and the Seikret mount, which offers enhanced mobility and combat options. The addition of NPC companions and Focus Mode further enriches the single-player experience.
While the story lacks depth and many main missions are a bit boring or overly linear,Wildsis considered a significant evolution of the series, appealing to both newcomers and long-time fans. Screen Rant givesMonster Hunter Wildsan 8/10, noting therefined combat, open-world design, and immersive atmosphere.Wildshas a Metacritic score of 88, ranking it among the top games of 2025 so far.
Civilization 7launched early this year to extremely mixed reviews, but there’s no denying that it is a beautiful and faithful re-imagining of the classic Sid Meier’s experience. With a new Ages system that has fans largely divided,Civ 7effectively overhauled its core gameplay loop toreduce micromanagement substantially, which was one of the core complaints about its predecessor.
WhileCiv 7isn’t perfect,developers at Firaxis are hard at work,and since launch, they have constantly been pushing new updates, QoL improvements, and even introducing features based on player feedback, with a clear roadmap in place for the rest of the year and beyond. I’d argue thatCiv 7’ssuccessful features outshine its shortcomings, which is part of the reason Screen Rant givesCiv 7a well-earned 9/10, despite a Metacritic score of just 79.
Avowedis Obsidian Entertainment’s action role-playing game set in the Pillars of Eternity universe and was released earlier this year. Players assume the role of a resurrected Envoyinvestigating a plague known as the Dreamscourge in the Living Lands, and will travel across four main regions that are equal parts beautiful and terrifying. Recently, theyintroduced an arachnophobia modethat makes the game more accessible to anyone with a fear of spiders.
The game offers a flexible combat system that blends melee and ranged fighting as well as unique casting skills, with a straightforward yet very entertaining character-building system thatlets you freely select skills from each of the main classes however you see fit.Avowed’sstory is shaped by player choices that have a real impact on the world.Screen Rant givesAvoweda 9/10, while it sits at an 81 Metacritic score.
Split Fictionis a cooperative action-adventure game by Hazelight Studios thatrequires two players to experience its narrative. Zoe and Mio are two aspiring writers who become trapped in simulations of their own stories after an experiment by Rader Publishing goes awry. The game alternates between Zoe’s fantasy world and Mio’s sci-fi universe, offering diverse gameplay mechanics in each.
Visually, Split Fiction impresses with its use of Unreal Engine 5, delivering vibrant and dynamic environments.The game supports both local and online co-op play, with a Friend’s Pass system allowing one player to own the game while the other joins for free. While the story occasionally leans on clichés, the innovative gameplay and engaging cooperative experience make it a standout title for co-op enthusiasts, withScreen Rant giving it a 10/10and an impressive Metacritic score of 91.
If you asked me for the best Soulslike experience on the market right now,The First Berserker: Khazanwould be my first, second, and third recommendation. This game is action-packed and has a straightforward yet intricate class and leveling system, witha range of skills that you absolutely have to masterto defeat the game’s toughest bosses. Recently,Khazanintroduced a boss-rush mode that truly rounds out the entire experience.
The cel-shaded art style offers a unique aesthetic, blending dark fantasy with anime influences. While the story is a little basic at times, it serves as a backdrop to the engaging gameplay. The game has receivedwell-deserved praise for its combat mechanics and visual design, though there are notable issues with loot progression and level design. Overall,The First Berserker: Khazanstands out as a Soulslike, withScreen Rant giving it a flawless 10/10, while it has a current Metacritic score of 79.
Blue Princeis a genre-defying puzzle-adventure game set in the enigmatic Mt. Holly mansion.The game challenges players to navigate ever-shifting rooms, each crafted based on your individual choices. Players aim to uncover an elusive 46th room, with each day resetting the mansion’s layout and introducing new challenges and mysteries.
As if there weren’t enough amazing games to choose from in 2025 already, Bethesda decided to drop a remastered version of one of it’s most beloved titles,TheElder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.Revitalizing the 2006 classic in Unreal Engine 5 with enhanced visuals and gameplay,the remaster preserves its original charm.It introduces quality-of-life improvements such as sprinting, an updated third-person camera, and streamlined UI, making the experience more accessible to modern audiences.
Despite these upgrades, some performance issues persist, including frame rate drops. Some critics argue that the enhanced graphics detract from the original’s unique aesthetic. Overall,Oblivion Remasteredoffers a nostalgic yet fresh experience,giving players a new way to experience this classic, with a strong Metacritic score of 82.
Doom: The Dark Agesreimagines the franchise with a medieval twist, providing some long-awaited answers to fans of the DOOM originals.The Dark Agesbridgesthe classicDOOMinstallments and the modernDOOM(2016) storyline, set in the period between the two. The game brings back staples such as the Super Shotgun but also includes new weapons, including the Shield Saw, a personal favorite, as well as the Ravager and Chainshot.
“Despite these few negatives, DOOM: The Dark Ages delivers a visually stunning and action-packed experience, and is a must-play for any fans of the epic franchise.”
The game is a bit longer than previousDOOMentries, and while some think it can feel excessive or repetitive, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The absence of Mick Gordon’s iconic soundtrack is notable, asthe new score doesn’t have quite the same intensity.Despite these few negatives,DOOM: The Dark Agesdelivers a visually stunning and action-packed experience, and is a must-play for any fans of the epic franchise.Screen Rantalso ratesThe Dark Agesat a 10/10, while it holds a Metacritic score of 85.
Assassin’s Creed Shadowsoffers a visually stunning portrayal of 16th-century Japan and mixes up theAssassin’s Creedformula, giving us two protagonists: Naoe, a stealth-focused Shinobi, and Yasuke, a powerful Samurai warrior. While Naoe’s story is engaging,Yasuke’s role feels a tad underdeveloped, and the dual-protagonist system could use a bit of refinement.
However, the stealth mechanics are enhanced with a dynamic system and stunning environments. The open world, though beautifully rendered with seasonal changes, doesn’t significantly alter gameplay strategies. However, updates are coming in the future to balance these issues, such as an NG+ Mode, improved Parkour functions, etc.The game also reintroduces settlement-style mechanics with the Hideout, offering customization and light strategy.Shadowssucceeds in evolving the franchise’s formula, providing an engaging experience for fans of both stealth and action.
Admittedly, I didn’t know much aboutClair Obscur: Expedition 33when I was first introduced to it just a few weeks ago, but after playing for a short while, I was hooked.Clair Obscuris unlike anything I’ve played before, combining classicFinal Fantasy 7-styleturn-based RPG combat with modern Soulslike parrying/dodge mechanics. To boot, it’s one of the best stories I’ve experienced in a game sinceBaldur’s Gate 3,making it nearly impossible not to empathize and fall in love with each of its main characters.
Honorable mentions this year so far includeKingdom Come: Deliverance 2,South of Midnight,Schedule 1, andCitizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector,among others; there are simply too many great 2025 games to cram into one list.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is a front-runner for GOTY 2025, even with juggernauts such asElden Ring NightreignandGhost of Yoteion the horizon. If you haven’t had the chance to play this yet, you’re in for a treat, and it’s one of those games I wish I could experience for the first time again. Screen Rant givesClair Obscura well-deserved 9/10, while it currently holds the highest Metacritic score of all 2025 games at 92.
