2025 was an exceptional year for video games. Both big-budget titles and innovative indie games were released, creating a year full of high-quality games that critics loved.
As the year ends, it’s a good time to look back at the best new game releases. This list is based on scores from Metacritic, and only includes games that came out in 2025 with reviews from at least 25 critics. We’re focusing on brand new games, so even though The Legend of Zelda is fantastic on the Nintendo Switch 2, it won’t be included because it’s a port of an older title.
Okay, so I’ve been digging around for the best games that came out in 2025, and I’ve put together a list of the top ten highest-rated ones. Basically, these are the games everyone’s been raving about!
Top 10 Highest Rated Games Released In 2025
10. Monster Hunter Wilds
Metascore: 88
The Monster Hunter series is well-known for its exciting gameplay. Players explore large, detailed worlds, create and use strong weapons, and battle huge monsters. The goal? To get better equipment and face even tougher challenges. This core gameplay loop has been a hit for years, and it’s easy to see why – it’s incredibly rewarding.
Capcom has truly mastered the Monster Hunter formula, and Monster Hunter Wilds is a fantastic example of the series at its peak. It’s also easier to pick up and play than ever before, making it a perfect game for anyone new to the series. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious beginner, Wilds is the latest and greatest installment in the franchise.
9. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Metascore: 88
Many games released early in the year are quickly overshadowed, especially in a busy year like 2025. However, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has consistently stood out. Its incredibly immersive world and captivating atmosphere have kept it in the public eye and earned praise from critics throughout the entire year.
This game is incredibly well-made in almost every way. From its cinematic cutscenes and compelling story to its beautiful graphics and satisfying gameplay, it sets a high standard for modern RPGs. If you enjoy immersive stories and realistic gameplay, this 2025 release is a must-play.
8. Dispatch
Metascore: 89
Dispatch didn’t initially grab headlines like some of 2025’s biggest games, but it quickly became popular and is now considered one of the year’s best. Developed by AdHoc Studio, this episodic adventure features excellent writing and a unique superhero concept: you play as Robert Robertson III, a retired hero who now solves problems as a crisis dispatcher.
If you enjoyed the style of classic Telltale games, you’ll likely feel right at home with AdHoc’s Dispatch. Created by former Telltale developers, Dispatch clearly builds on that legacy with its engaging choices, quick-witted conversations, and story-focused gameplay. Each episode feels like a polished animated show, featuring excellent voice acting and confident storytelling. It’s a well-made, consistently fun experience that really showcases the power of interactive narratives.
7. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Metascore: 89
Okay, so Hideo Kojima is seriously one of a kind when it comes to game design, and Death Stranding 2: On The Beach looks like his most ambitious project yet. At first glance, it seems like you’re just walking around delivering stuff, which might sound boring, but trust me, there’s SO much more going on. This sequel takes everything from the first game and builds on it – deeper gameplay, a bigger world to explore, and you really have to think on your feet and focus on surviving. It’s way more than just a ‘walking sim’!
At its heart, Kojima has created another story about how people connect and what they’ll do to build and keep those connections. Everything you do in the game, from moving around to managing supplies, supports the story’s central ideas. Paired with incredible performances from the actors, Death Stranding 2 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful and creatively bold games of 2025.
6. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Metascore: 90
For years, fans worried the sequel to Hollow Knight, Silksong, might never be released. Team Cherry remained completely silent, and the wait became legendary. Thankfully, when Silksong finally launched, it exceeded all expectations – it was even better than anyone hoped.
What truly sets this game apart is how it flawlessly builds upon everything that made the original great. The character moves and fights with a speed and fluidity that’s exciting and unique, while still feeling true to its roots. The world is more detailed and immersive, the story is more engaging, and the levels are more creatively designed. Silksong manages to do something many thought couldn’t be done: it significantly improves upon Hollow Knight, creating an unforgettable adventure and a prime example of excellent Metroidvania gameplay.
5. Donkey Kong Bananza
Metascore: 91
Ever since Super Mario Odyssey came out on the Switch, fans were eager for a sequel. However, Nintendo decided to go in a different direction and created Donkey Kong Bonanza. While inspired by the fun of Odyssey, Bonanza is its own unique game with a distinct personality.
Okay, so playing this new Donkey Kong game, it’s immediately clear this isn’t a Mario game trying to be something it’s not. It fully embraces being a DK adventure! Instead of Mario’s graceful moves, you’re controlling a much heavier, more powerful Kong, and honestly, it makes the platforming feel so good. But the team didn’t just make it about brute force; they took everything that made Super Mario Odyssey amazing – that smooth, flowing movement – and built on it. The levels are designed with tons of verticality, you really need to build up momentum, and interacting with the environment is key, all perfectly suited to DK’s strengths. It’s a really vibrant, creative, and honestly, incredibly inventive 3D platformer. Seriously, it’s one of the best I’ve played in years, and it’s easily a top contender for game of the year 2025.
4. Split Fiction
Metascore: 91
Hazelight Studios is known for creating amazing co-op games, and Split Fiction continues that tradition. The game is designed entirely around teamwork – you absolutely need a partner to play! This isn’t just a feature; it’s what makes the game so good, forcing players to talk, work together, and share the experience.
Split Fiction isn’t just a great co-op game; it’s a standout example of creative game design. The game constantly surprises you with its incredible variety – you might be flying a dragon over a fantasy world one minute, then racing a motorbike through a futuristic city the next. Every section feels new, original, and full of character. It’s a truly imaginative and consistently fun experience.
3. Blue Prince
Metascore: 92
Blue Prince quickly became a popular indie game in 2025, combining mystery, strategy, and the challenging, replayable elements of roguelike games. Players take on the role of Simon P. Jones, investigating the mysterious 46th room hidden within the constantly changing Mt. Holly Estate. Every day, the mansion rearranges itself, meaning you’ll need to rediscover paths, explore new floor plans, and gather clues to understand the complex layout.
Blue Prince is truly engaging because it transforms its random nature into a rewarding mystery. Each playthrough uncovers new story details, different room layouts, and unexpected events, making the mansion feel dynamic and real. It’s a creative, immersive game with incredible replay value, and it’s earned a spot as one of the best games of 2025.
2. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Metascore: 92
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the year’s best games—not because there aren’t reasons, but because there are so many! This fantasy RPG combines a beautiful, old-world art style with a deeply moving story, and it reinvents what turn-based games can do. Its combat, detailed world, and unique visuals all work together to feel both innovative and classic.
It’s unusual for a new studio to release a game that feels so complete and aims so high, but Sandfall Interactive has done just that. The French developers have created a game that’s truly striking, gorgeous, and memorable—one that stays with you even after you finish playing. It’s no surprise that it received more nominations at The Game Awards than any other game in history.
1. Hades 2
Metascore: 95
The release of Hades 2 in 2025 was highly anticipated, and Supergiant Games didn’t disappoint. Building on the success of the original, the sequel confidently expands the gameplay with a new hero, a more detailed world, and even more intricate mythology. The core gameplay remains as exciting and engaging as before, but now feels more refined. Combat, character progression, and the story now blend seamlessly, making each playthrough feel rewarding and impactful.
Hades 2 truly stands out because it expertly blends what players loved about the first game with exciting new ideas. The beautiful art style and compelling stories are back, but the game also features a larger cast of characters, improved gameplay, and completely new locations. It’s a bigger, more ambitious, and often more surprising experience than the original—which is saying a lot, given how good the first Hades was. In a year full of excellent games, Hades 2 has earned the title of the highest-rated release of 2025.
Here’s a list of the 10 best games of 2025, based on Metacritic scores. Do you agree with the choices? Let us know what you think in the TopMob Discord!
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2025-12-31 15:20