The new trailer has Sam becoming familiar with every move in his repertoire, taking those skills into the real world to assure victory in situations where danger can come at him at any time. New missions unlock as you progress through the story, in case you’re gearing up to dive in on PC later this month, giving you an incentive to keep coming back to it alongside the potential “Likes” you can accumulate if you get your muscle memory nailed down.

If you’re on the PS5, it’s already live, and you can access it from your Private Room aboard the DHV Magellan. If you’re the type to keep coming back to the game for a few hours of fun even after you’ve finished the main story, it pays to keep yourself in fighting shape. Practice makes perfect, after all. Check it out below.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is available for PC on March 19th. Check out our review for the PS5 version.

We quite like worlds that set us loose right from the get go, sprinkling interesting distractions along the way to keep us exploring away until our eyes, or hands, or even our controllers demand some rest. And 2025 has blessed us with quite a few of those titles, with each experience bringing a very unique bunch of mechanics to keep things interesting.

With that being said, we have a few that are believed to be a cut above their peers. The nominees for the best open-world games of 2025 are:

1. Where Winds Meet

Everstone Studios has blended wuxia with an action RPG adventure whose sprawling lands and bustling cities are a stage for a very ambitious take on player agency and freedom. This is a world that actively encourages going off the beaten track, its systems being a reward on their own for diligent players.

But that’s not all. With the game actively including clever touches upon actual history and using that to blend in fantasy elements makes for an experience that’s a wuxia fever dream. Where Winds Meet deserves a place of honour among 2025’s best RPGs for its sheer scale, ambition, and the sense of freedom it gives you from the get-go.

2. Dying Light: The Beast

By making the Castor Woods feel like a character in Kyle’s latest adventure, this open world survival horror loop never fails to entertain. You never know what you might end up against as you leave the safety of your hideouts, while the night conceals terrors that can bring a very quick end to your strolls.

But it’s in how the world blends several activities and a well-written story together with some excellent parkour-based traversal and new powers for your character to make an experience that continues to call out to us long after we rolled the credits on it.

3. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

A worthy successor to the first title, Deliverance 2 builds on everything that was great in the first game while expanding on it in both scale and quality. Its story brings a lot of interesting twists to the tale, while the wit and charm of its characters and NPCs can be both endearing and amusing.

This is a world where exploration feels like a very entertaining trek through a world in which you can find both conflict and comedy in equal measures as you go where the roads take you on your quest to witness an end to Henry’s story.

4. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

This one definitely was a surprise when it was shadow-dropped by its developers earlier in the year, but it certainly isn’t a surprise that it has made its way back into our hearts after the many years since its original release.

A brilliant visual overhaul aside, improved animations and a revamped enemy AI made the entire adventure feel quite immersive. That’s quite an advantage in an open world like Cyrodiil, where there’s just so much to tease out through careful exploration and countless battles. This is a nostalgia fix you shouldn’t miss out on, and a must try if you happened to have missed the original game.

5. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Ancient Japan’s chapter of the Assassin’s finally made it to our hands, and Naoe and Yasuke didn’t disappoint. The Anvil Engine brought this excellent recreation of feudal Japan to life in a giant map that was both dazzling to see and riveting to explore.

With secrets to discover, targets to hunt down, fortresses to raid, and so much more, the changing seasons are a showcase of how this game continues to stand tall among 2025’s best RPGs, as resilient as the snow-capped structures it recreates so beautifully.

6. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Sam Porter’s second adventure was bound to be more ambitious than the first one, but On the Beach brings an astounding level of visual flair, engaging gameplay, and a vast world for you to work your magic on this time around.

The game’s opening hour was enough to showcase how Kojima Productions had managed to bring a sequel worthy of its predecessor in every way, while doing enough to stand out on its own as an open world title that’s unforgettable and melancholically haunting.

7. Elden Ring: Nightreign

While it can be easy to see open-world games as ones that have you gradually explore their maps and take things at a generally slower pace, FromSoftware’s roguelike debut put a timer on the exploration and gave you a set of moves and traversal methods that were built for efficient speed.

Making your way across a map before the Night begins to eat away at your life force demands strategy and skill, and taking on the many threats you find along the way with player-controlled Nightfarers at your side could lead to some truly memorable battles or some epic fails. Either way, this one’s a great option for a player who likes to pick up the pace.

8. Tokyo Xtreme Racer

Roaming the streets of Tokyo in your quest to become a street racing legend is a very entertaining part of this game’s racing experience. Challenging racers from rival gangs or just looking to make a mark on their own is never going to get old, and this is a title that is entertaining to both pro and casual racing fans.

This is definitely worth a shot if street racing in an open world is your thing, and it is sure to give you more than a few challenging tracks to take on and rivals to beat.

9. Ghost of Yotei

Atsu took over the reins from Jin Sakai in a sequel that has cemented the Ghost franchise as a powerhouse in PlayStation’s lineup of exclusives. This is a world in which serene beauty, deadly dangers, and riveting stories are waiting to be found, the wind at your back slowly guiding you to them.

Of course, there’s the entire quest for revenge and your blood feud to tend to, but they often take a back seat when an adorable little bird flits into view, urging you to follow it to potentially new discoveries. Ezo is a world that’s a treat to explore despite the many dangers you’re going to have to face down, weapons drawn and reflexes at the ready.

10. Monster Hunter Wilds

Among the more popular additions to the open world genre, this successor to Monster Hunter Worlds was quite an upgrade, adding new mechanics, systems, and massive biomes teeming with monsters to take on for its players.

The game pulled no punches with Wilds, and the effort has made the Forbidden Lands a game map that’s going to be as entertaining now as it was when we first began exploring it. And given the heavy competition in the genre, that’s an achievement worth having.

11. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

Retracing the legend of King Arthur in this darker take on the king’s story was an interesting time, with a frankly astounding number of quests that you can find in its open world. Dealing with the Red Death and the Wyrdness is often the catalyst for smaller, more nuanced tales that tell you more about the world that once was, while also giving emotional heft to the world that now exists.

It’s a map that takes you to places you cannot forget once you visit them, while the game’s other systems and story work well to have you forgetting the hours as you immerse yourself into the adventure.

12. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (PS5)

With GSC finally bringing out the PS5 version of STALKER 2 and making great use of the console’s unique features, the experience that the studio set out to deliver is finally here. The Zone has everything you’d expect from a title in the iconic franchise, and exploring it is a gaming experience that remains unique among its peers.

This is a title that keeps you on your toes, its story and the grind for survival working well to make your character feel like the predator and the prey. This one is definitely worth checking out if you haven’t had the chance to experience a very unique flavor of mayhem.

13. Days Gone Remastered (PS5)

While the choice to remaster Days Gone might have raised a few eyebrows, this remaster is now the best way to experience the original title’s utter unpredictability and terrifying chases through uncharted territory with hordes of vicious zombies on your tail.

Deacon’s harrowing adventure is a great story and an even greater launchpad for an open-world experience that’s both chilling and engaging. It’s just you, your motorcycle, the open road, and of course, the zombies in a game that can stay with you long after you complete its story.

14. Borderlands 4

It was a joy to rejoin the ranks of the Vault Hunters after all this time and take on the Timekeeper in this addition to the Borderlands franchise. WIth laughs and a thrilling looter shooter making this one a very fun way to enjoy your gaming hours, this is an open world that can have you lost in its cel-shaded adventures.

It’s also a great option to get your buddies together for some cooperative play in a map that can have a lot of fun just waiting for you to discover.

15. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced Edition

If you’re wondering what the fuss about the STALKER franchise is all about, this one is a great way to experience the original games in all their glory and then some. With improvements to both visuals and performance on each of the three titles packed in, there’s a lot to like in this bundle, thanks to how the STALKER games are engaging enough to gain a following over the years.

These are worlds that you just cannot miss, thanks to how memorable they have managed to be despite the years that followed their release.

While each of these games brought a lot of fun and innovation to the table, we must pick a winner.

The winner of best open world game of 2025 is:

GHOST OF YOTEI

Atsu’s story and her trip across Ezo is simply too well-crafted to be ignored in favor of other games. This is an open world that engages with you just as much as you interact with it. It’s alive and humming, willing you to listen and follow its paths to your next hours of adventure. Mount Yotei and its surroundings have been a pleasure to explore, and Sucker Punch has nailed its take on the turbulent land.

However, there are a few games this year that can test even the most determined players with their immense size and scope, and more than a few on the way. To that end, in no particular order, here are a few long adventures that can chew up many hours of your time while keeping you well entertained in the process.

1. Ghost of Yotei

Slated for an October 2025 release, this follow up to Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima is primed to recapture the magic of its predecessor while taking the franchise to the next level all at once. This PS5 exclusive action adventure title follows new protagonist Atsu as she hunts down the Yotei Six, who were responsible for killing her family and leaving her for dead.

She does so by relying on her exceptional swordplay and stealth skills, along with the ability to wield multiple weapons in combat. Yotei brings a lot to do within its boundaries, with sumi-e paintings, training with bamboo shoots, bounty hunts, and so much more and is likely to take you around 60 hours to fully experience everything it has to offer.

2. Pokemon Legends: Z-A

This action RPG for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 is sure to keep you coming back for more, bringing the best of the beloved IP to the table. Set in and around Lumiose City in the Kalos region, where Pokemon are able to coexist with humans in designated Wild Zones, the game is stated to bring real-time battles via a new combat system and a host of other activities for you to take on as you craft your legend from the ground up.

With a new story and side missions also being featured in the game, this is a title that Pokemon fans will be waiting to dive into when it launches in October 2025. While little is known about the story’s runtime, this is a game that is sure to have many players returning to Lumiose City long after they have completed it, if past titles are any indication.

3. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Hideo Kojima’s latest release is one that can quickly enthrall you with its breathtaking views of Mexico and Australia, with Sam Porter embarking on a new quest to bring the Chiral Network back online in these new areas. That’s not the only thing occupying his time, however, with BTs to take down, new faces to meet, and a host of other activities that he can take up during his travels.

That’s not all! Kojima has made life after On the Beach’s explosive main story quite encouraging to take on, and there are a lot of things to do after you roll the credits on Sam’s latest adventure. That could very well take you more than a 100 hours to get through it all, making this one a no-brainer if you’re looking for a massive game to take on!

4. The Outer Worlds 2

The upcoming action RPG sequel to the original Outer Worlds takes its players to a new solar system in which they are tasked with investigating rifts in the sapce-time continuum for the Earth Directorate. With an increased focus on action and a visual overhaul to better service it, this October 2025 release is certainly one to watch out for.

While the original game took about 40 hours to experience in its entirety, Outer Worlds 2 could very well raise the bar with its branching story paths that stem from its returning dialogue tree system. Combined with its new world, this is a title that comes with a lot of replay value for those who want to experience everything it has to offer.

5. Monster Hunter Wilds

Although this action-RPG is best enjoyed with a team of your friends, it’s more than possible to get through the sprawling adventure it presents on your own. That’s easier said than done, however, with the Forbidden Lands presenting you with a plethora of monsters to hunt down across several biomes as you search for a missing expedition as part of the main story.

With meaningful improvements to crucial aspects of the experience such as its combat, RPG mechanics, exploration, and more, this game could easily take you past the 100-hour mark if you decide to track down everything you could possibly do within its massive open world. Happy hunting!

6. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

With the series finally taking to the shores of feudal Japan, Naoe and Yasuke’s adventures through its villages, and fields builds on everything good about its past instalments to bring a polished and highly entertaining experience to the table.

There’s a lot to do and see in the studio’s take on Japan, along with several targets to take down. Expect to hit the 100-hour mark if you decide to channel your inner completionist while going even higher if you decide to try out the game on its higher difficulties.

7. Clair Obscur: Expedition 

If you haven’t already travelled to the shores of Lumiere and witnessed Sandfall Interactive’s marvellous spin on RPGs, this is a title that can keep you coming back to its Belle Epoque inspired world for a while yet.

The Expedition’s charm, wit, and determination against overwhelming odds make for a very compelling story while the game’s combat can be very hard to learn but is equally rewarding to master. While it doesn’t match the staggering playtimes of other entries on this list, Clair Obscur is a game that you will want to replay almost instantly for its second ending, and a very well-implemented New Game Plus mode.

8. Kingdom Come Deliverance II

This first-person action RPG brings an expanded open-world and a host of improvements over its predecessor, making it well worth your time to dive into the immersive adventure it offers. There’s a lot of variety in its gameplay loop, with your choices affecting different outcomes across its playtime.

Its story is not to be scoffed at either, bringing wit, charm, and intrigue to the Bohemian countryside in an adventure that can keep you occupied for at least 50 hours while diving into every little detail of its world could easily push you close to about 140 hours.

9. Dying Light: The Beast

While originally envisioned as a DLC expansion for Dying Light 2: Stay Human, Techland went ahead to make a standalone title out of its upcoming survival horror title that’s slated for an August 2025 release.

While it is a more compact experience when compared to Dying Light 2, it could very well keep you very entertained for quite a while considering how immersive its gameplay and mechanics can get. Kyle Crane’s return to the helm of this new adventure is an added bonus, and this one is sure to keep its players coming back for more long after they have rolled the credits on its story.

10. Borderlands 4

Gearbox’s Software’s upcoming first-person looter shooter is set to expand on everything the wildly popular franchise has done in the past. Putting you in the shoes of the Vault Hunter in their resistance against the tyrannical Time Keeper, this title is sure to tip the scales in terms of its playtime while managing to offer a wide range of activities for you to take on.

If Borderlands 3 is any indication, its sequel could easily take you more than a 100 hours to experience fully, and perhaps even more if Gearbox manages to fulfil its ambitions for the game.

11. Metroid Prime 4

Retro Games’ upcoming action adventure title is slated to continue Samus Aran’s adventures after the destruction of Phazon on a new planet with some familiar faces and new ones making their way to the game.

With the introduction of new abilities and features, this upcoming title for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 is sure to give you many a reason to explore its world as thoroughly as you can, and perhaps even dive back in for another playthrough once you’re done.

12. Black Myth Wukong (Xbox)

If Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong slipped you by since you’re an Xbox owner, it’s well worth diving into the action this August when the game finally makes it onto the platform.

The Destined One’s rise to Sun Wukong’s greatness is an adventure that can be quite the challenge, with a fully complete playthrough taking well over 60 hours depending on how well you’re able to tackle the many threats you find along the way. There’s a lot to see and do in this visually breathtaking title that brings an excellent combat loop to its relatively linear world. For fans of the Monkey King’s adventures, this one’s a no-brainer.

13. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

The adventure that started Naked Snake’s trajectory to his time as Big Boss is well worth diving back into, with Konami bringing more than just a visual overhaul to a title that needs no introduction.

There’s about 30 hours of play in this game if the original title is any indication, but this Kojima classic is well worth the time you invest into its excellent stealth mechanics and riveting story. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, this is a remake that could very well bring the Metal Gear Solid franchise to a new generation of gamers who may not have had the chance to experience its magic yet.

14. Jurassic World Evolution 3

This sequel to Evolution 2 from the stables of Frontier Developments brings the iconic construction and management sim franchise back for another round. There are over 80 species of dinosaurs to populate you take on Jurassic Park.

What’s more, added functionality like the ability to modify the terrain and share your custom parks, enclosures, and buildings with friends can make Evolution 3 a title that you keep coming back to for a long time, with previous titles clocking in at about a 100 hours for completionists.

15. Silent Hill f

NeoBards and Konami’s survival horror title is primed to bring chills and thrills to the table in equal measures this October with a new adventure taking place in Japan, and new horrors to uncover.

Ebisugaoka is beginning to look like the perfect stage for Konami’s renewed focus on Japanese horror in its latest addition to the long-standing franchise, and while its playtime is anyone’s guess, it could very well be an adventure that you will want to replay several times over if the studio plays its cards right.

BONUS: Mafia: The Old Country

Although Hangar 13 has ditched Mafia 3’s open world for a more linear, story-focused experience this time around, The Old Country is worthy of your attention as it takes the franchise back to the early days of the Mafia for a story that could be the franchise’s flagship.

Current-gen hardware has enabled the studio to bring a visually stunning recreation of early Siciliy to the table while its new protagonist is set to bring a poignant tale of loyalty and inevitable betrayal to the table in this addition to the Mafia lineup this August. Expect a playtime of about 30-40 hours on this one.

And that wraps up our picks from 2025’s lineup of single-player titles that you could dive into as and when you need a new adventure to take on!

Of course, fancy visual styles are not the only part of a game that makes it special. But they certainly do help immerse players into the worlds that they see on their screens. With that being said, it’s time to dive into ten moments from our time with current-gen experiences that have stood out enough to make us put down our controllers and gape in awe at what we were witnessing.

#10. Horizon Forbidden West’s Stunning World

From the very first frame of Aloy’s latest adventure, it was obvious that this was a world that was designed with a lot of care and attention. The Decima engine powered a world in which the flora, fauna, weather, and terrain all came together to create an experience that was sure to catch the eye and showcase the PS5’s graphical prowess in all its glory.

And don’t even get us started on the machines! The Tremortusk blew us away when we found one in the wild, while the Thunderjaw’s deadly ferocity was all the more resplendent with its next-gen makeover when compared to Zero Dawn.

Guerilla Games’ smart use of its opening credits to showcase the new world it had created for Aloy to explore was a display of sheer creativity and attention to detail that continues to be among our most memorable moments in recent years – it helps that it was made even better by a somber, haunting melody to accompany the montage of what the Forbidden West was set to offer.

#9. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End’s Madagascar Set Piece

Nate and Sam’s adventures found a new lease of life when Uncharted 4 was remastered for the PlayStation 5 as part of Naughty Dog’s Legacy of Thieves collection. The studio certainly knows its way around a grand set piece, but the sequence but Nate and Sam’s desperate attempts to shake off an entire convoy of armed vehicles while on a motorcycle is one that we could replay over and over again.

With the improved graphics and a buttery smooth framerate courtesy of next-gen hardware, this chase sequence was an incredible showcase of what next-gen hardware could do even on older games. Every busy street, muddy road, or exploding vehicle was rendered in perfect detail while the tension of the chase added to the scene instead of being a distraction.

The flames from Nate’s crashed vehicle seemed all the more dangerous on next-gen systems, while Naughty Dog’s penchant for charming banter between its characters despite overwhelming odds made this sequence one that we will talk about for a long time to come.

#8. Ride 5 On A Rainy Day

Although we recommended that owners of the previous game give this one a pass, that does not take away from the fact that Ride 5 was an absolutely stunning addition to the next-gen lineup. It can be hard for any studio to truly nail down a first-person point of view considering the amount of detail that it would need to include in order to create an immersive and authentic experience.

Thankfully, Milestone s.r.l. was up to the task, crafting a motorcycle racing simulator that was perhaps easier on the eyes that it was on our hands considering its steep learning curve. However, taking a bike out for a spin was a treat, especially when the game’s excellent visuals and weather systems came into play.

Riding out in the rain with the game’s first-person view enabled gave us enough reasons to stop and take in the sights, racing be damned. Drops of rain bounced off our helmets, droplets impacting visibility, while the track shimmered with reflections just like a wet road would in real life. It continues to mesmerize us anytime we decide to hop on a fast bike and get to a race on its authentically designed tracks.

#7. Enter the Sandman in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

As if taking control of not one but two webslingers wasn’t enough, Insomniac Games’ new and improved take on New York City was an absolutely stunning sight to see in the early moments of Peter Parker and Miles Morales’ new adventure.

Taking on the Sandman meant that the Spider-Men would need to make each swing and leap count, and the game did not hesitate to showcase its incredible particle physics and ray-traced reflections at every turn. It was almost too good to be true, making us marvel at how far next-gen systems could raise the bar for visual flair and graphical fidelity in modern gaming.

It was on par with Uncharted 4’s bike chase, and perhaps even more thrilling considering that we were in control of actual superheroes in a game that truly made us feel like them as early as its opening sequence.

#6. Aiming For the Sky In Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2024

Honestly, this list would be incomplete if we didn’t include Microsoft Flight Simulator 24’s breathtaking visuals that brought a lot of technical wizardry to the table in an experience that would thrill even the most seasoned pilots while completely baffling newcomers with its level of detail and realistic take on what piloting aircraft would feel like.

Microsoft’s extensive attempts to establish authenticity certainly paid off with a level of detail that had us wanting to stay up in the clouds for as long as we could, admiring the world below us in a way that no other flight sim has managed to replicate in the years since its release.

For anyone looking to show off their next-gen setup, this game is definitely one that can do it justice.

#5. Akira Kurosawa’s Magic in Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut

Despite Ghost of Tsushima making its debut on last-gen hardware, Sucker Punch’s rendition of Tsushima Island contrasted the poignant and desperate tale of Jin Sakai with a beautiful world that was worth every drop of blood that the honorable samurai shed for it. Perhaps it was even worth his gradual abandonment of honor and tradition in favor of tactics that brought the Mongol army to its knees.

We dived back into Tsushima with glee when the Director’s Cut was released, and leaping on to Nobu (as we will always remember him) to rush through a field of flowers was even more breathtaking considering the PS5’s buttery smooth framerate and penchant for enhancing last-gen experiences.

Ghost of Tsushima continues to be among our favorite art styles and is a visual treat for anyone looking to experience Jin’s adventures for the first time, or perhaps dive back in for another bout with Kotun Khan’s forces.

#4. The Crushing Darkness of Hellblade: Senua’s Saga’s Opening

Ninja Theory’s follow up to the innovative and harrowing experience it brought its players with Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice showcased a new level of visual fidelity and even more ambition than its predecessor in terms of how it aimed to present Senua’s declining mental state and her determination to bring justice to the Northmen who wronged her.

While every other entry on this list had us staring with excitement and wonder at our screens, this one brought deep blacks and incredible moonlit reflections to an opening sequence in which the sea and night created an atmosphere that was so oppressive it gave us the shivers despite us being safe and sound in our coziest chairs.

Senua’s struggles against the violent tides that sank her ships and her subsequent, desperate attempt to get to safety as the opening credits played out were a benchmark for how next-gen hardware could be used to bring realistic visuals to life in modern gaming. It helps that the game’s incredible audio design and a poignant narrative worked in tandem with its graphical grandeur to bring an experience that we wouldn’t hesitate to dive into again, chills and all.

#3. Death Stranding 2’s Introduction to Sam and Lou

We all knew Hideo Kojima’s latest masterpiece was going to make it to this list. But the manner in which it did continues to astound us. After a brief recap of events in the first game presented largely in black and white, grand and sweeping vistas that showcased the Decima Engine at its finest worked well with Kojima’s cinematic chops, creating an opening sequence that brought us back to Sam and Lou as they rested atop a mountain.

Taking control of Sam as he attempted to navigate the treacherous terrain to reach his new hidden home was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing the size and scope of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach right off the bat while allowing Kojima to introduce aerial cameras and an honestly astounding level of detail to the world he created for his players.

It will continue to be an opening sequence that has us smiling each and every time, not just for the nostalgia it brings but for the immense beauty and spectacle of it all.

#2. The Dimensional Rifts in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

With our titular heroes being sucked into a journey that literally takes them across the space-time continuum thanks to Dr. Nefarious’ attempt to take control of the Dimensionator, Insomniac’s take on Dimensional Rifts in this vibrant title earns it another place on this list.

The worlds between worlds shine with colors that pop out at players while innovative puzzles ground their visual flair in a solid gameplay loop that made us slack-jawed at just how far next-gen hardware had taken one of our favorite franchises.

Rift Apart is the perfect blend of light-hearted humor, charm, and graphical flair, making each Rift we tackled a very memorable experience.

#1. The Matrix Awakens and Its “Unreal” Showcase

Epic Games gave us one of the most authentic recreations of The Matrix when it utilized the power of Unreal Engine 5 to showcase just what it could do given the right tools. The city that the demo took place in, along with faithful recreations of chase sequences had us wondering if we were simply watching footage from the original movies instead of a digitally recreated version of those events.

The demo blurred the lines between the real world and video games in a way that only Death Stranding 2 has managed to imitate with success. It is what keeps us very optimistic that next-gen gaming hardware is only getting started with what it can eventually bring to the table.

And that wraps up our picks for moments in recent years that had us stunned at what next-gen hardware could bring to life. Here’s to many more of those moments, and a whole lot of fun to be had as we bring them to you!

Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered

Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered packs 3 of Lara Croft’s adventures namely The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness in one handy package – complete with redone visuals and quality of life upgrades. It looks like a fun way to revisit these classics in a new light, or better yet experience them for the first time so do check out this one when it releases on 14 February 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Insomniac Games has been pumping out hit after hit this generation with Ratchet and Clank and Spider-Man, and the developer is hard at work on its next project Marvel’s Wolverine. Not a lot has been revealed at this point, but the reveal trailer does paint a grim tone for the story which has us salivating to know more. No release has been revealed as of yet, but it will be coming out for PS5 sometime in the near future.

Frostpunk 2 – Sept 20th

Frostpunk 2 takes the gritty moral dilemmas of the first game and turns them up a couple of notches. You’re given the task of keeping New London afloat as it struggles to survive the consequences of the catastrophic “Great Storm” from the first game. Yes, that technically means you manage a city set in a post-post-apocalypse in Frostpunk‘s sequel. Frostpunk 2 expands the series’ scale with the ability to build districts rather than mere buildings and the inclusion of a new “Utopia Builder” sandbox mode. We’re looking forward to seeing what horrific circumstances you can put your city through when Frostpunk 2 drops on September 20th.

Crimson Desert 

Currently in development at Pearl Abyss, Crimson Desert is an open-world game brimming with unrivaled ambition and vast swaths of potential. The game puts you in the shoes of a warrior who must battle insurmountable odds to save his kingdom from peril, and that journey is characterized by varied missions and complex game systems that are closely knit with one another to create something that looks truly mesmerizing and fresh. 

Death Stranding 2 

Death Stranding was not everyone’s cup of tea when it was released, but many fans eventually warmed up to this peculiar kind of cargo-hauling experience and came to appreciate its design and the meaning behind its world. Kojima is hard at work on Death Stranding 2, a sequel that will most likely showcase the true potential of a Strand game with its gameplay innovations and narrative developments. The teaser is chock full of questions waiting to be answered, and we are definitely excited to see what’s in store.

War of the Worlds 

Developed by FlipSwitch Games, War of the Worlds is a game that tells a story of humans trying to survive against an alien onslaught. It features shades of both action and horror as you slowly tiptoe around urban neighborhoods in search of a safe haven from all the commotion happening outside. It looks like a pretty open-ended game that allows different forms of gameplay ranging from driving to exploration and much more, and the multiplayer aspect also allows you to assume the role of aliens and experience the narrative from a new angle.

inZOI 

inZOI is a new life simulator that lets you live out a virtual life to the fullest as you try to keep tabs on hunger, happiness, and other meters of each individual that you control. It boasts incredible levels of fidelity thanks to the power of Unreal Engine 5. inZOI has definitely managed to impress us with its vast array of gameplay options and the sheer breadth of choices you get within its sandbox elements.

Mouse 

Mouse’s concept of creating a violent first-person shooter with the jovial art style of cartoons might sound like something straight out of a fever dream, but it all surprisingly works while looking absolutely bonkers. The animation work is immaculate, and the gunplay seems really fun. Add to that a noir-inspired story that would most likely have morally gray characters and twists and turns galore, and Mouse becomes a really interesting game that’s worth keeping an eye out for.

Zoochosis 

Clapperheads is hard at work on the upcoming Zoochosis, a game that puts you in the shoes of a zookeeper of a very peculiar zoo. As the only person with the responsibility of keeping the animals safe and sound, you must keep inspecting these creatures for signs of mutation or infection – and deliver rapid response vaccines to keep things in check. Zoochosis also manages to throw in shades of horror with its dark and dreary aesthetic, and fierce mutations that can lead to scary outcomes. 

Screenbound 

Screenbound is one of the most creative ideas we have seen in recent memory, combining a 3D world with a 2D world in a very interesting fashion. Certain elements of the game world are only visible in the 3D realm, while others like the enemies are only visible on a 2D screen glued to the hands of the protagonist. There’s definitely some inherent jankiness or frustrations that might come from such a gameplay mechanic, but it would be interesting to see how the developers tackle those challenges and create something that’s as fun as it is unique.

Unrecord 

It’s easy to mistake Unrecord’s trailer for actual real-life footage, and that statement alone speaks volumes about its spectacular attention to detail. Everything from the texture work to the lighting and the animations has been created with extremely high levels of fidelity, and it makes great use of Unreal Engine 5’s graphical feature set to deliver something that genuinely feels like a step up from current-gen games. In addition to the visuals, Unrecord also provides an interesting gameplay loop that combines action elements with tactics to create something that’s both thrilling and engaging.

Light No Fire 

From the developer behind No Man’s Sky, Light No Fire feels like the natural evolution of the formula found in Hello Games’ debut title. Light No Fire is set against a massive open world that’s about the size of the Earth built to scale, and that vast space is filled with procedurally generated map geometry and a diverse cast of flora and fauna spread across multiple biomes. It truly feels like a world ripe for exploration, and it would be interesting to see Hello Games’ morphing its past learnings into an entirely new universe. 

Project TH

Heavily inspired by the likes of Splinter Cell or Hitman, Project TH is an upcoming action-adventure stealth game that puts you in the shoes of a covert operative who must make his way through enemy-infested mazes and complete objectives without raising alarms or commotion. Project TH impresses with its photorealistic visuals and smooth-flowing animations, making it a perfect showcase for the power of current-gen gaming systems.

Europa 

Set against the backdrop of an alien world, Europa is a tale about the last human alive trying to survive in a world that plays by its own rules. It features a cartoony aesthetic that has a distinct charm to it, and that also lends a really relaxing vibe to the overall experience. The gameplay entails exploring the many biomes spread throughout its world, solving puzzles, and taking part in missions that will test your survival skills to the fullest. 

Exekiller

Exekiller is a game that presents an interesting dichotomy of the past and the future. It takes the familiar setting of the American Wild West that is usually associated with horses and cowboys, and meshes those elements into a futuristic dystopia ruled by capitalism and technology. Apart from the more aesthetic elements, Exekiller also features a complex gameplay that prioritizes player freedom with the ability to craft your own narrative in a world brimming with choices and an open-ended combat loop. 

Paranormal Tales 

Built using Unreal Engine 5, Paranormal Tales does a great job of actually seating you into the horror. It showcases multiple horror vignettes from different perspectives like a bodycam or a VHS tape, but the more impressive part of the game is how it plays on the fear of the unknown with a stunning atmosphere and appropriately ominous sound design. 

Black Myth Wukong 

Game Science’s upcoming Black Myth Wukong remains one of the more interesting takes on the Souls formula, and that largely boils down to how the developer meshes those ideas with its own and in doing so creates something that’s just as recognizable as it is fresh. With a beautiful art design and compelling fast-paced gameplay, Black Myth Wukong has no shortage of impressive elements to its presentation. 

Pragmata

Currently in development, Pragmata looks like a wonderfully eccentric experience that raises more questions than it answers. The short teaser trailer showcases lunar travel, otherworldly beings, and an astronaut who apparently has to save Diana. While it’s difficult to make sense out of such visuals, they are definitely enchanting to say the least. While details about the gameplay remain shrouded in mystery for now, it is apparently inspired by modern action games so that’s something to look forward to as well.

One of them is rumoured to be Death Stranding 2, and director Hideo Kojima seems to be all but confirming those rumours in the lead-up to the event. Over on Instagram, Kojima recently posted about the State of Play, while also retweeting Sony’s official announcement tweet on Twitter. Clearly, the man wants you to watch the presentation.

Leaks have claimed that Death Stranding 2 is set to be part of the State of Play showcase, and that the game’s full, official title is going to be revealed as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

Other major titles that have been rumoured for the show are remasters for Until Dawn and Sonic Generations, a VR-exclusive Metro game, and Silent Hill 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Judas.

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A post shared by Hideo Kojima (@hideo_kojima)

This was followed several minutes later by Xbox Era co-founder Nick Baker hinting at the appearance of Rise of the Ronin, Death Stranding 2, Silent Hill 2 and Judas, among other titles. He indicates that this will all happen “on the 31st (roughly)”, adding further fuel to the slowly building fire of rumors.

It’s worth noting that this follows a report from notable leaker billbil-kun on January 23rd, stating that Death Stranding 2 would receive a new trailer within 15 days. That falls within the timeline of the rumored State of Play. The sequel’s official title will also allegedly be revealed as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

Coupled with the photo of creator Hideo Kojima editing what seems to be a new Death Stranding 2 trailer a few months ago, an announcement could be inbound sooner than later. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Revision time: sounding better than it did last week.

— NateTheHate2 (@NateTheHate2) January 28, 2024

On the 31st (roughly), Ronins will Rise, we’ll die stranded, have a rebirth and Kojima will fulfil his dream. Sonic will live in the shadow of his generation while the hills will remain silent until the dawn when you’ll need to catch the metro. Just don’t be a Judas about it.

— Balatro Nick  (@Shpeshal_Nick) January 28, 2024