Lookback 2025: The top 15 games that defined this passing year

As 2025 draws to a close, the gaming industry reflects on a year characterised by a remarkable synthesis of indie innovation and blockbuster refinement. From the long-awaited return of iconic mascots to the genre-defying mechanics of debut titles, this year has offered a diverse portfolio of experiences.

Below, we examine the top 15 game releases of 2025 that have left an indelible mark on the medium.

The Industry Leaders

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Declared the Game of the Year, Clair Obscur by Sandfall Interactive stunned audiences with its unique "reactive turn-based" combat system. Its breathtaking Belle Époque aesthetic and emotional narrative about a cursed expedition cemented it as an instant RPG classic.

2. Hades II: Supergiant Games managed to surpass their original masterpiece with a sequel that expands the Underworld mythos. Featuring Melinoë as the protagonist, Hades II refined its roguelike loops with deeper magical systems and a richer cast of Olympian gods, proving that lightning can indeed strike twice.

3. Donkey Kong: Bananza: Nintendo’s primate made a triumphant return in this vibrant 3D platformer. Bananza revitalised the franchise with inventive level design and tight controls, reminding players why Donkey Kong remains a titan of the genre.

Narrative & Atmospheric Triumphs

4. Dispatch: This tense, narrative-driven thriller captivated players with its minimalist approach. As a dispatcher handling emergency calls, players navigated a web of moral dilemmas and high-stakes drama, proving that audio-focused storytelling can be as powerful as any graphical showcase.

5. Ghost of Yōtei: Sucker Punch Productions returned to feudal Japan with a spiritual successor to Ghost of Tsushima. Shifting the focus to the region around Mount Yōtei. The game introduced a new protagonist and refined the "guiding wind" mechanics, offering one of the most visually arresting open worlds of the generation.

6. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach: Hideo Kojima’s eccentric sequel doubled down on its "strand" genre. With more dynamic terrain, a puppet companion, and a star-studded cast including Elle Fanning and Norman Reedus, it offered a surreal, physics-based delivery experience that only Kojima could conceive.

7. South of Midnight: Compulsion Games delivered a southern gothic action-adventure that oozed style. Its stop-motion animation style and folklore-rich world-building provided a fresh, magical realism experience that stood out in a crowded market.

Innovative Indie & Strategy Gems

8. Blue Prince: A sleeper hit of the year, this strategic puzzle game tasked players with drafting the floor plan of an ever-changing mansion. Its blend of architectural strategy and mystery narrative hooked players looking for a cerebral challenge.

9. The Hundred Line: Last Defence Academy: From the creators of Danganronpa, this tactical RPG combined grid-based combat with a visual novel narrative. Its chaotic energy and "100 days of defence" structure offered a gruelling yet rewarding loop for strategy enthusiasts.

10. Ball x Pit: A quirky, physics-based indie title that took the streaming world by storm. Its simple premise, navigating balls through increasingly complex pits, belied a high skill ceiling that made it a viral sensation and a critical darling.

Action, Racing, and Shooters

11. Arc Raiders: Embark Studios finally released their free-to-play extraction shooter, delivering on its promise of intense cooperative combat against retro-futuristic machines. Its distinct aesthetic and tension-filled gameplay loops made it a standout in the live-service arena.

12. Hollow Knight: Silksong: After years of anticipation, Team Cherry delivered a sequel that was worth the wait. With Hornet’s faster, more acrobatic movement and a vast new kingdom to explore, Silksong flawlessly expanded on the Metroidvania perfection of its predecessor.

13. Mario Kart World: Nintendo reinvented its racing wheel with Mario Kart World. By introducing open-world hub areas and a "Knockout Tour" mode, it refreshed the formula while maintaining the chaotic, family-friendly fun the series is known for.

14. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance: Sega’s revival of the classic Shinobi franchise brought side-scrolling action back with modern flair. Punishing difficulty, fluid ninja mobility, and stylish hand-drawn visuals made this a hit for action purists.

15. Battlefield 6: Returning to its roots, Battlefield 6 focused on massive-scale destruction and modern military combat. By stripping away hero-shooter elements in favour of traditional class systems, it won back the hearts of long-time franchise veterans.