2025 was an excellent year for video games, with many of brilliant titles released. Social Newsdesk writer Zahna Eklund has shared their recommendations for the best six games of this year
As we bid farewell to an exceptional year of gaming, it’s clear that 2025 had something for every type of gamer. Whether you’re a fan of first-person shooters, with both Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on offer, or a Pokémon enthusiast who enjoyed Pokémon Legends: Z-A, there was no shortage of options. Role-playing game lovers were also spoilt for choice, with the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Monster Hunter Wilds.
This year, I’ve managed to delve into over 35 different titles. Some of these were live-service games that I continually return to, such as Valorant, Overwatch 2, and Destiny 2. However, others were newly released gems that quickly climbed the ranks to become some of my all-time favourites.
Of course, video games are subjective, so not everyone will concur on the definitive game of the year for 2025. But if I were at the helm of the awards, I know which six games would make my shortlist.
Here, I’ve compiled my top six games of 2025, ranked from last to first place.
6. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Death Stranding is a franchise that splits opinion. Some dismiss it as merely a “walking simulator”, but I was personally captivated by the first game. Granted, the gameplay might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the enthralling storyline, filled with unexpected twists and turns, kept me engrossed until the very end.
When the sequel was launched in June this year, I was brimming with anticipation. The trailers were spectacular, and immersing myself in the game six years after the initial title felt like a homecoming.
The sequel surpasses its predecessor in many aspects. It offers better control, an enhanced combat system, and more enjoyable traversal options. However, the storyline didn’t quite hit the mark for me, which is why it only ranks 6th on my list. The first instalment revealed so many secrets there wasn’t much mystery left to unravel about the events of the eponymous death stranding in the sequel.
Without giving away any spoilers, most fans had already predicted the major twist from the trailers alone. Despite my faith in Hideo Kojima not to make it that predictable and my belief that the story would take a different turn, it turned out to be just as obvious. Despite this, Death Stranding 2 is certainly worth a play, and its Game of the Year nomination was well-deserved. It just didn’t leave me as content as I would have liked.
5. Little Witch in the Woods
Little Witch in the Woods is entirely different to anything else on my list. The only game in my top six to not be so much as nominated for anything at the Game Awards, this adorable life-simulation game carried me through most of October as I searched for something calming and cosy to play during autumn.
I dabble in “cosy” games quite a bit most years, and 2025 was no exception. Choosing just one was difficult, and honourable mentions have to go to Strange Antiquities, Tales of the Shire, Little Problems, and Luma Island. Since these games don’t take up as much time as some of the longer titles, they can often go forgotten, but Little Witch in the Woods definitely deserves a shout-out.
You play as a witch named Ellie who is going out on her own as an apprentice witch after studying at a magic school. You must gather resources, craft potions, and help townsfolk to build up your reputation and complete your training.
If you’re looking for something relaxing to scratch that itch that Stardew Valley left behind, I definitely recommend it.
4. Split Fiction
I was honestly shocked when Split Fiction missed out on a Game of the Year nomination this year. A co-operative game developed by the same team behind the 2021 Game of the Year winner, It Takes Two, Split Fiction follows two authors who get trapped inside the world of their stories.
The game takes players through multiple genres of storytelling, including a science fiction world with anti-gravity and flying cars, as well as a fantasy land filled with dragons and trolls. As a multiplayer-only game, players must work together to solve puzzles and intricate platforming challenges to make their way through the worlds and find a way out.
Split Fiction was highly rated when it was released in March this year, and although it caused a few arguments with my friend when we decided to play it together, it was well worth it in the end. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend giving it a go – just make sure your duo is someone you trust not to get you killed repeatedly.
3. Dispatch
Dispatch is a seamless blend of an animated telly show and a video game. Released in eight episode parts throughout October and November this year, Dispatch narrates the tale of Robert Robertson III, a former superhero known as Mecha Man before his suit was destroyed.
Robert, voiced by Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul, then takes up a job as a dispatcher for a group of supervillains attempting to reform and become heroes. The game boasts brilliant and often comical storytelling, with choices that the player must make, which drastically change the course of the game.
In addition to being a narrative-driven game, the gameplay also includes strategic resource-management elements, which, as a bit of a control freak, I found quite enjoyable. The best part of Dispatch, however, is undoubtedly the story itself.
The voice acting is top-notch, the characters are engaging, and it’s one of the only games where I haven’t been utterly bored within 10 minutes of cutscenes.
2. Silent Hill f
As we approach the end of 2025’s gaming highlights, Silent Hill f clinches the second spot. I can’t sing its praises enough, truly. The narrative was outstanding, the ambience hit just the right level of eerie, and the subtle references to the original games in the Silent Hill series were enough to delight die-hard fans without alienating newcomers to the franchise.
Silent Hill f centres around high school student Hinako Shimizu as she navigates her hometown of Ebisugaoka, which has been engulfed by fog and overrun with grotesque creatures. I can’t reveal too much about the plot without spoiling it, as it’s a game best experienced completely blind to get the most from it.
My only quibble with the game is that the story isn’t fully disclosed in a single playthrough. In fact, after I completed the game, I was largely clueless about what had transpired. I’m not keen on replaying games immediately, so I turned to a YouTube playthrough to discover what I’d missed.
It appears that when you play the game a second time, some cutscenes change, and more of the story unfolds, which is an interesting concept, but not ideal for those who prefer a one-time playthrough.
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Unsurprisingly, my top pick for this year’s game has to be Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This game was the talk of the town when it launched in April this year, and rightly so. It’s the RPG that fans have been eagerly awaiting since the Final Fantasy series ceased turn-based battles, and it is impeccable.
I’ve been a devotee of turn-based RPGs for the majority of my life, spanning three decades. Final Fantasy X and Grandia II rank among my all-time favourite games, and until Expedition 33, only the Octopath Traveler games had managed to satisfy my craving.
The game isn’t designed for those seeking casual play. It took me roughly 35 hours just to finish the main storyline, and an additional 15 to explore most of the side content. In fact, even months later, there’s still one boss I haven’t managed to defeat – and those who have played the game will know precisely who I’m referring to.
Expedition 33 also boasts a brilliant soundtrack that gave me chills on several occasions, and a plotline filled with so many unforeseen twists that I found myself shedding tears twice while playing.
If you haven’t tried it yet, you really should – and avoid looking up anything about the story before you play, as there are some significant plot developments that you wouldn’t want to spoil.
That concludes my top games of 2025. I’m already eagerly anticipating what 2026 has in store, with the Fable reboot, Resident Evil Requiem, and the highly awaited Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon.