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Better late than never! 2025 has been an absolute whirlwind for the industry. From the quiet, snowy peaks of the Yotei mountains to the chaotic, mud-caked battlefields of medieval Bohemia, this year has proven that whether it's a massive AAA sequel or a tight, experimental indie, the bar for "immersion" has been set higher than ever before.
How do you follow up a game that redefined its genre and was universally praised as a modern masterpiece? In Hades II, Supergiant Games has answered that impossible question with a resounding success. The original Hades perfected the rogue-lite formula with kickass combat, endless procedural mechanics, and clever, character-driven storytelling. Yet, incredibly, Hades II has managed to top every single aspect of the first game and made them better.
Ghost of Yotei, the newest installment in the acclaimed feudal Japan action series, shifts the stage to Ezo/Hokkaido Japan, introducing a new protagonist, Atsu, and a razor-sharp revenge narrative. Set during a tumultuous period, the game follows Atsu as she embraces the path of the Ghost to hunt down her targets. While built upon the foundations of its predecessors, Yotei immediately distinguishes itself by prioritizing refined gameplay flow and anti-fatigue design over overwhelming map density, setting it up as a truly modern open-world experience.
Better late than never! 2025 has been an absolute whirlwind for the industry. From the quiet, snowy peaks of the Yotei mountains to the chaotic, mud-caked battlefields of medieval Bohemia, this year has proven that whether it's a massive AAA sequel or a tight, experimental indie, the bar for "immersion" has been set higher than ever before.
How do you follow up a game that redefined its genre and was universally praised as a modern masterpiece? In Hades II, Supergiant Games has answered that impossible question with a resounding success. The original Hades perfected the rogue-lite formula with kickass combat, endless procedural mechanics, and clever, character-driven storytelling. Yet, incredibly, Hades II has managed to top every single aspect of the first game and made them better.
Ghost of Yotei, the newest installment in the acclaimed feudal Japan action series, shifts the stage to Ezo/Hokkaido Japan, introducing a new protagonist, Atsu, and a razor-sharp revenge narrative. Set during a tumultuous period, the game follows Atsu as she embraces the path of the Ghost to hunt down her targets. While built upon the foundations of its predecessors, Yotei immediately distinguishes itself by prioritizing refined gameplay flow and anti-fatigue design over overwhelming map density, setting it up as a truly modern open-world experience.
Split Fiction is an exclusively two-player experience defined by its literal split screen. One player navigates a high-fantasy setting of elves, dragons, and ancient ruins. The other exists in a neon-drenched, chrome-plated sci-fi world full of robots and laser grids. The brilliance lies in how these two separate realities constantly overlap, making it arguably one of the most creative level and game mechanic designs for a co-op game, or any video game, ever.
Death Stranding 2 refines the unique, contemplative gameplay of its predecessor with polished mechanics, an epic story, and a bold, niche approach that challenges mainstream gaming norms.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 builds on the immersive medieval RPG experience with deep roleplaying, branching quests, and a richly detailed world, despite some quirks in combat and bugs.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 reinvents turn-based RPGs with a unique blend of story, lore, and a mix of turn-based and real-time combat, backed by strong voice acting and soundtrack.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is an RPG that practically bursts with style and confidence. It takes the familiar tropes of high fantasy—kings, curses, and a sprawling magical world—and infuses them with Persona energy.
Final Fantasy XVI delivers a dark, complex story far removed from nostalgia, with strong cinematic action, a dynamic combat system that grows over time, and impressive medieval-themed visuals.
A look back at the five games that defined my year, based on hours played and unforgettable moments.
For the past few months, there is only one game that has mostly kept me busy playing throughout sleepness nights and weekends, and you're probably tired of hearing about it. Helldivers 2. A coop shooter with hardcore elements and action-packed cinematic gameplay.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues the saga with a more open world, refined combat, and a story leaning heavily on nostalgia and fan service, delivering a solid experience for longtime fans.
Better late than never! 2025 has been an absolute whirlwind for the industry. From the quiet, snowy peaks of the Yotei mountains to the chaotic, mud-caked battlefields of medieval Bohemia, this year has proven that whether it's a massive AAA sequel or a tight, experimental indie, the bar for "immersion" has been set higher than ever before.
Persona 5 Royal is the definitive edition of Atlus's award-winning JRPG, thrusting players into the double life of a high school student in modern-day Tokyo. By day, you navigate the complexities of teenage life – exams, part-time jobs, and relationships. By night, you are a Phantom Thief, entering the Metaverse to steal the distorted desires of corrupt individuals. This enhanced release expands the original with a new arc, new characters, and refined mechanics.
Arc Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter that drops players into a sci-fi post-apocalyptic world dominated by ruthless ‘Arc” machines. Unlike the grueling marathons of its contemporaries, it offers a refined, high-stakes experience that respects your time, blending intense PvPvE combat with a satisfying loot-and-extract loop that feels fair for solos and squads alike.
How is it possible that a short game like Dispatch is this jam-packed with absolutely cool, hilarious, and outright epic moments? A lot of “short” narrative games feel like extended demos or proof-of-concept experiments. Dispatch feels like a short but fully realized eight-episode season that just happens to be interactive.
Timeless classic, modernized. An indie game that will give you a sense of familiarity if you have a broad knowledge on various JRPG franchises, notable references include Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, to name a few.
How do you follow up a game that redefined its genre and was universally praised as a modern masterpiece? In Hades II, Supergiant Games has answered that impossible question with a resounding success. The original Hades perfected the rogue-lite formula with kickass combat, endless procedural mechanics, and clever, character-driven storytelling. Yet, incredibly, Hades II has managed to top every single aspect of the first game and made them better.
The series fell hard, but Battlefield 6 has managed to pull off an undeniable turnaround, leading to one of the biggest selling launches in the franchise's history. It’s a massive comeback, succeeding where its predecessor failed. However, behind that success, Battlefield 6 still doesn't quite hit the notes required to be considered the ultimate Battlefield experience.
Ghost of Yotei, the newest installment in the acclaimed feudal Japan action series, shifts the stage to Ezo/Hokkaido Japan, introducing a new protagonist, Atsu, and a razor-sharp revenge narrative. Set during a tumultuous period, the game follows Atsu as she embraces the path of the Ghost to hunt down her targets. While built upon the foundations of its predecessors, Yotei immediately distinguishes itself by prioritizing refined gameplay flow and anti-fatigue design over overwhelming map density, setting it up as a truly modern open-world experience.
Split Fiction is an exclusively two-player experience defined by its literal split screen. One player navigates a high-fantasy setting of elves, dragons, and ancient ruins. The other exists in a neon-drenched, chrome-plated sci-fi world full of robots and laser grids. The brilliance lies in how these two separate realities constantly overlap, making it arguably one of the most creative level and game mechanic designs for a co-op game, or any video game, ever.
The stars finally lined up, and I was able to play Cyberpunk 2077 almost five years after its release. Honestly, I didn’t even know what to expect. My hype and expectations for the game have been on a rollercoaster these past few years, but I can honestly say the experience of playing it for the first time in 2025 was still beyond what I expected, given its history.
Haven is a compelling, highly stylized adventure that excels as a genuine slice-of-life romantic story in a unique science fiction setting. Though often classified as an RPG or survival game, its true appeal lies in its cozy atmosphere and rhythmic flow. You follow two fugitives, Yu and Kay, as they glide across beautiful, fragmented alien landscapes to survive and strengthen their bond.
Octopath Traveler is a game that allows you to explore the world of Orsterra featuring the eight travelers - each with their own stories to tell. Its soundtrack and its gameplay is a spiritual successor of the likes of Final Fantasy, developed and published by Square Enix and Acquire.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is a triumphant action RPG built on a foundation of compelling systems. The game's addictive Nemesis, Follower, and Fortress systems create a cycle of conquest and personal narrative that makes every encounter feel unique. The fluid free-flow combat and deep progression mechanics combine for a deeply rewarding experience.
Disco Elysium is a masterclass in storytelling and role-playing, combining deep, witty dialogue with a haunting atmosphere and innovative mechanics that redefine what RPGs can be.
Doom: Dark Ages refines classic fast-paced combat with streamlined mechanics and tight level design, delivering a solid and satisfying experience despite some simplified visuals.
The Alters surprised me as one of the most compelling strategy/survival games this year. At first glance, it reminded me of Fallout Shelter or XCOM, but it quickly reveals deeper, thought-provoking themes wrapped inside an addictive base-building experience.
Death Stranding 2 refines the unique, contemplative gameplay of its predecessor with polished mechanics, an epic story, and a bold, niche approach that challenges mainstream gaming norms.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 builds on the immersive medieval RPG experience with deep roleplaying, branching quests, and a richly detailed world, despite some quirks in combat and bugs.
