The Top 10 Games of 2025 – Investment Policy

While many predicted 2025 would be all about Grand Theft Auto 6, independent game creators actually stole the show, even before the game’s release was delayed. Every year brings unexpected hits, but what really stood out about 2025 was how many highly anticipated games delivered – and often surpassed – expectations. It was a fantastic year for gaming, with a remarkable variety of high-quality titles. Choosing just ten of the best is always tough, but revisiting the year’s games is a joy.

Here is Game Rant’s Top 10 Games of 2024.

10. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

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Most game worlds don’t feel truly alive, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance II really succeeds at creating that sense of a vibrant, populated world. The game is remarkably detailed, with complex systems working together seamlessly. Set in 15th-century Bohemia, it combines political drama with the story of an unusual hero.

Kingdom Come 2 is an incredibly expansive game, almost overwhelmingly so. It’s packed with engaging interactions with characters, diverse combat and quest options, and beautiful graphics that could easily keep you entertained for the entire year. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II significantly improves upon the original game, taking everything to the next level.

9. Split Fiction

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After the success of their critically acclaimed 2021 game, It Takes Two, Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios have delivered another fantastic co-op experience with Split Fiction. This sci-fi and fantasy blend is visually impressive and features inventive gameplay mechanics. Split Fiction keeps things fresh by constantly introducing new ideas that cleverly build on what you’ve already learned. Plus, the game includes fun optional side quests, like controlling flatulent pigs or competing for high scores while snowboarding.

While many games are starting to take inspiration from Hazelight, very few currently match their quality and innovation. Split Fiction represents Hazelight taking its game development skills to a new height.

8. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong is fantastic! After a long wait, the game unexpectedly released quite quickly. Silksong really challenges players, demanding they use everything they learned in the original Hollow Knight, especially when playing as Hornet.

The challenging bosses, detailed map, and distinctive art style fans loved are all back, but even better than before. This game is demanding, but overcoming its difficulties – whether it’s defeating a tough boss or mastering a difficult platforming challenge – is incredibly rewarding. The developers at Team Cherry jokingly suggested this game would be easier, but they’ve proven the original Hollow Knight wasn’t a one-time success. Hollow Knight: Silksong was a long time in development, but it was worth the wait.

7. Donkey Kong Bananza

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The first year after the Nintendo Switch 2 launches will likely be defined by Donkey Kong Bananza, and with good reason. This fun 3D platformer really shows off the new console’s improved power. While the game immediately grabs you with its destructible environments, it’s the constant stream of unexpected moments that will keep you playing.

With fresh gameplay mechanics and exciting new skills, Donkey Kong’s journey with Pauline is a standout title among classic Nintendo games. Its memorable music and charming visuals contribute to a truly enjoyable experience. Donkey Kong Bananza is pure, unadulterated fun, offering hours of satisfying, world-smashing entertainment.

6. Blue Prince

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Most rogue-lites released this year centered around fast-paced action, but Blue Prince was different – it focused on solving puzzles. Players who enjoyed it really got hooked, spending hours taking notes and trying to figure out all its secrets. The game’s complex, ever-changing house offered a uniquely satisfying challenge, and many players found themselves completely engrossed from the start.

Among the many successful indie games this year, Blue Prince really shone. Remarkably, it was created entirely by one person, Tonda Ros, over eight years. The game is a wonderfully complex puzzle that’s fun to unravel at your own pace. Even after completing the main story, players can continue to discover secrets, and many did—a testament to how captivating Blue Prince truly is.

5. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

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Hideo Kojima is a truly unique game developer. Even his less successful games are known for their unforgettable characters, wildly creative stories, and innovative gameplay. But when he really excels, like with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the result is an experience unlike anything else.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach improves on the original game, making it easier to understand and more enjoyable. What truly sets the sequel apart is its story and characters – it features a wildly imaginative narrative and a diverse, memorable cast. If this is Hideo Kojima’s final Death Stranding game before moving on to projects like OD with Jordan Peele, he’s ending the series at its peak.

4. Ghost of Yotei

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Following the success of Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch and Sony are raising the bar again with Ghost of Yotei. The new game features a fresh setting and character, while building upon the popular gameplay of Tsushima with innovative improvements and refinements.

The Ghost series is known for its strong stories and acting, and Yotei continues that tradition. Starring Erika Ishii as Atsu, this game delivers a thrilling revenge story that complements its gameplay perfectly. What’s especially clever is how it weaves open-world elements—which can often feel like simple tasks—into interesting side adventures. Even with a limited number of exclusive titles planned by Sony for 2025, Ghost of Yotei really shone among the many open-world games shown.

3. Dispatch

Dispatch continues the tradition of Telltale Games, offering a compelling story with well-acted characters and writing, delivered in short, accessible episodes. With Aaron Paul leading the cast, the game features a cast of unforgettable characters brought to life through fantastic performances and impressive technical work.

Dispatch is a game that respects its players and consistently surprises them. It brilliantly combines its unique concept – you play as a superhero dispatcher – with engaging gameplay. Getting to know the diverse and interesting cast of heroes, villains, and everyone in between is a real pleasure. Even with so many great story-focused games released this year, Dispatch truly stands out as one of the best.

2. Hades 2

Supergiant Games captivated players with their first game, Hades, revitalizing the rogue-lite genre. Hades 2 builds on the original’s ideas, offering a much larger and more diverse experience while remaining incredibly addictive.

Hades 2 introduces a new main character, Melinoe, and expands on the rich world of Greek mythology. It brings back beloved characters while also adding new ones, and strengthens the connections we have with them. The gameplay is also improved and offers unique ways to play as Melinoe. A great sequel should feel both new and nostalgic, and Hades 2 perfectly achieves that balance.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

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Following its huge success at The Game Awards, it’s no surprise that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been named Game Rant’s Game of the Year for 2025. Regardless of how it changes the turn-based RPG genre, Sandfall Interactive created a game that’s stunning to look at, emotionally resonant, and incredibly captivating. We predicted early this year that Clair Obscur could be a strong contender for GOTY, and it definitely lived up to our expectations.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is receiving widespread praise and is expected to continue winning awards across all categories. While it’s too soon to know its long-term influence on the gaming world, Clair Obscur is currently enjoying its success and has been named Game Rant’s top game of 2025.

Last year, I wrapped up our top 10 list predicting that Grand Theft Auto 6 would dominate everyone’s attention in 2025 – and honestly, I thought it would definitely be a contender for the next list. But things shifted, and now it looks like GTA 6 will be the biggest release of 2026. Still, it’s not the only exciting game coming up! Titles like Resident Evil Requiem, The Wolverine, and Phantom Blade Zero are all shaping up to be potential top 10 contenders next year, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they all turn out.

We haven’t finalized most of next year’s lineup yet – it’s hard to plan with the huge impact Rockstar Games has had on the industry. But a year ago, it was surprising to see how much buzz Clair Obscur was getting. We’re excited to see what other unexpected games will stand out in 2026.

2025-12-22 14:08