The Best Video Games of 2025: Deep Dives, Surprises, and Hidden Gems (2026)

The Best Video Games of 2025: A Review

The year 2025 brought a diverse range of video games, from long-running series to new releases, each offering unique experiences. Here's a curated list of the best games, showcasing the variety and innovation in the gaming industry.

1. Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter

   • A turn-based RPG masterpiece, offering over 50 hours of gameplay and a rich narrative. The remake enhances the experience, providing an excellent entry point to the series.

2. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

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   • A bold and eccentric game, featuring pizza-based martial arts and a compelling narrative. It's a confident take on the masculine power fantasy, with a unique and memorable gameplay experience.

3. Mario Kart World

   • A fun and chaotic racing game, offering a focused design and a sense of chaos. The Knockout Tour mode adds to the excitement, making it a great addition to the Switch 2 library.

4. Despelote

   • A first-person narrative adventure set in Ecuador, focusing on the country's soccer journey. It transports players to a specific time and place, offering a unique and immersive experience.

5. Donkey Kong Bananza

   • A 3D platformer with a charming redesign and a new best friend, Pauline. It's a fun and destructible environment game, perfect for those who enjoy punching things.

6. Ghost of Yotei

   • An open-world samurai adventure with seamless side quests and exploration. The game offers a rich lore and a well-designed open-world format, making it a standout title.

7. Hades II

   • A thrilling roguelike game with excellent art direction and audio design. While it may not have the same lasting appeal as the original, it's still a solid addition to the genre.

8. Baby Steps

   • A physics-based movement game with a unique and strange appeal. It challenges players with mundane tasks, turning them into profound obstacles, and offers a rewarding experience.

9. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

   • A highly anticipated game, proving that the Metroid Prime series can still work in a modern context. It features rock-solid level design, a haunting desert hub, and a great sense of atmosphere.

10. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

    • A Switch remaster of a Wii U exclusive, offering a gargantuan open-world RPG experience. It boasts one of the best open worlds in any video game, with thoughtful design and a unique sense of scale.

11. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

    • A turn-based RPG with a bleak tone and excellent combat. The game offers a unique blend of turn-based battles and real-time dodge mechanics, resulting in a memorable and engaging experience.

These games represent the diverse and innovative nature of the gaming industry in 2025, offering something for every type of player.