Of course, one reason we haven’t heard anything is perhaps due to its sheer scale. Creative director Hugo Martin said in a recent Slayers Club livestream that it’s “massive. It’s so big. Look, guys, I know that it’s been ultimately a while since we shipped the main game and you’re waiting for the DLC, but just know that it’s freaking huge. It’s basically like a sequel. I mean, that’s what it feels like, it’s just ginormous.”

In terms of what it has to offer, it seems that players can look forward to a new spear which is capable of dashing. Furthermore, Martin said the DLC is “nothing like” the base game, implying a much higher skill ceiling. And those who hated the removal of quickswapping from Eternal should take note – it apparently returns, but as an unlockable. “It’s done in a way that you aren’t anticipating.”

The only downside is that it’s a “little way out” for the teaser trailer. Does that mean we’ll see it at Summer Game Fest, the Xbox Games Showcase or perhaps during QuakeCon in August? Either way, it wouldn’t be surprising if it arrived in early 2027, given how much id Software is hyping up its size.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC – check out our review here. It reached three million players shortly after launch, becoming id Software’s biggest in history. However, it’s also available on Game Pass, so actual sales figures remain a mystery.

The post is a the latest iteration of the Xbox Excellence Awards, which was created last year to celebrate how players engaged with various releases on Xbox. The Store Rating category lists 2025 games with the best ratings on the Microsoft Store, with an added requirement of the title having at least 500 ratings. Player Engagements is about the average number of hours spent on a game by each player within the first six weeks of a game’s release. Daily Active Users celebrates titles, expansions or updates with the highest single-day active users throughout the year. And finally Units Sold is fairly self-explanatory.

Going down the lists, you’ll find many of the biggest releases of the year, from ARC Raiders and Battlefield 6, as well as award-winning RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Indie titles have also been well-represented, with games like Crime Scene Cleaner and Satisfactory making it into the lists. There also doesn’t seem to have been a singular genre to dominate the lists, since everything from sports games like EA Sports Madden NFL 26, to fantasy adventure life sims like Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, and even fighting games like Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics are well represented.

Curiously, none of the games was present in all four of the categories. At most, we got to see titles like Borderlands 4 being able to make it on to three of them: Player Engagement, Daily Active Users and Units Sold. Even ARC Raiders, which has seen quite a bit of success, is only on the Units Sold and Daily Active Users lists.

Microsoft has also emphasized that the lists represent a diverse collection of games developed by studios of varying sizes. All in all, it represents 48 unique developers based out of 13 countries, with 24 publishers having had a hand in their release. 19 of the games were self-published. “Taken as a whole, it’s an encapsulation of development on Xbox – we want gaming to reach you wherever you are, and for the teams making those games to find you from wherever they are,” wrote the company.

Full list of games:

Store Rating:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Crime Scene Cleaner
• Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2
• Digimon Story: Time Stranger
• Dreamcore
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins
• Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
• Final Fantasy XVI
• Lies of P: Overture
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• Little Nightmares III
• Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
• Minami Lane
• Mullet MadJack
• Poppy Playtime Chapter 4
• Satisfactory
• Silent Hill 2
• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
• The First Berserker: Khazan

Player Engagement:

• Borderlands 4
• Digimon Story: Time Stranger
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins
• EA Sports College Football 26
• EA Sports FC 26
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
• Farm Together 2
• Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles
• Helldivers 2
• Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• MLB The Show 25
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• NBA 2K26
• NHL 26
• Rust
• Satisfactory
• The First Berserker: Khazan

Daily Active Users:

• Arc Raiders
• Avowed
• Battlefield 6
• Borderlands 4
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• DOOM: The Dark Ages
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Fortnite
• Forza Horizon 5
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Grounded 2
• Helldivers 2
• Marvel Rivals
• Minecraft
• NBA 2K26
• Rematch
• Roblox
• Rocket League
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Units Sold:

• Arc Raiders
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows
• Battlefield 6
• Borderlands 4
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• EA Sports Madden NFL 26
• EA Sports College Football 26
• EA Sports FC 26
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Helldivers 2
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• MLB The Show 25
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• NBA 2K26
• PGA Tour 2K25
• Ready or Not
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
• WWE 2K25

2025 has been very kind to single-player games, and we have challenged ourselves to bring you the best ones among them despite how tough it’s been to pick favorites.

But here we are, and the nominees for the best single player game of 2025 are:

1. Metal Gear Solid: Delta Snake Eater

Konami’s remake of Naked Snake’s first mission and the story that shaped the rest of his life has been a solid blend of current-gen graphics, quality of life tweaks, and a perfect recreation of the original experience for those looking for it.

Of course, its attempt to bring the game to a new generation of players saw it make additions that did have minor flaws, even trivializing a few major fights, but for the most part, this is an experience worth checking out if you’re thinking about diving into Metal Gear Solid.

2. Silent Hill f

Hinako’s story might seem puzzling the first time you play through it, but the experience is more than enough to keep you going. Konami and NeoBards did well to bring out the former’s vision of a truly Japanese horror experience while managing to retain the Silent Hill franchise’s flavor.

With a solid combat system, and layer upon layer of psychological horror to peel back over subsequent playthroughs, Silent Hill f is a welcome return to the spotlight for the iconic horror franchise. It belongs here, and more than earns its place among this year’s greats.

3. Clair Obscur

Oh, Sandfall. The studio’s pilot project had us sold on its story thanks to a very poignant, hard-hitting prologue but kept us coming back through its gameplay loop. It blended a sense of discovery with the thrill of a combat system that was both satisfying to watch while being challenging to master.

With a voice cast that breathed a distinct personality to each of its memorable cast of characters, and a world that remains among the most unique ones we’ve visited over the years, we can’t get its best moments out of our heads but smile fondly at the journey it took to get there.

4. Dying Light: The Beast

Kyle Crane’s newfound powers and the formidable opponent he now found himself pitted against in the Castor Woods made this one an adventure that was Dying Light at its finest. With the Infected on the loose, Volatiles that were at their most vicious prowling the night, great combat and some innovative additions, The Beast was a fantastic entertainer.

It helped that the story and world were so well-blended together that exploring it all was a great way to soak in everything that the Castor Woods had to offer while constantly learning about what had happened while Kyle was away. This is a game that rewards diligent exploring, and does so with so much style that it was bound to be here.

5. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

This sequel to the original game built on everything that was good about it while expanding well enough to stand out on its own. A more expansive map, a light tone that brought wit, charm, and some delightfully droll humor into the mix, it was easy to get lost in it all, and a pleasure to do so.

Deliverance 2 is a game that comes along every once in a while, and leaves you craving for more of it once you’re done. This one can have you hooked sooner than you’d think.

6. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Another ambitious sequel that built upon its original game quite well, Silksong brought Hornet to the center stage for an action-packed, well-crafted game that took the gaming world by storm and overshadowed any competition unfortunate enough to share its release window.

That hype was well-earned, though, and this one was an almost sublime balance of challenge and reward, bringing a very immersive world filled with enemies to take on and platforming challenges to navigate. Simple yet stylish, this one definitely deserves credit for being a sequel that hits harder on every front.

7. Donkey Kong Bonanza

When the classic character made its way to the Switch 2’s lineup, we were obviously stoked to see if the game would be worth it. And wow, were we delighted to find that it was just so much fun to play.

From Bonanza’s visuals to its gameplay, this was an experience that controlled the chaos it encouraged its players to inflict just about enough to make embracing it all and just going along become an activity that had us constantly picking up the new handheld. This is Donkey Kong as it should be, and a fine take on the iconic character.

8. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Unlike Sam Porter in the early moments of the main campaign, we were more than happy to return to Death Stranding’s latest world, and what a world it is. Exploring Mexico and Australia in Kojima’s deliciously well-crafted take on his exploration of legacy was an experience that often has you staring slack-jawed at your screen.

As a single player game, this one can have you investing many hours tracking down every detail Kojima has squirreled away in its sprawling map.

9. Mafia: The Old Country

Going back to the roots in Sicily made for an experience that’s the best of Mafia with a layer of polish that made this a great story to witness. If you’re a fan of the franchise’s explosive set pieces and authentic takes on the periods its adventures are set in, this one is going to have you grinning.

It’s a solid game with a brilliant story, and the Sicilian countryside is a beautiful place to spend a few hours in any way.

10. Ghost of Yotei

As one of two solid takes on ancient Japan, Sucker Punch’s new addition to the Ghost franchise was a solid iteration of everything that made it great while adding flourishes that took the franchise in new directions.

It’s quite hard to stay focused on your quest for revenge when there are so many different things to do, and a whole frontier to engage with. Of course, smaller stories that explore some truly complex themes on war and conflict exist, and one of them is a masterpiece in horror. And of course, there’s homage to everything that put the studio on the map too.

Ghost of Yotei is a game where you play the main story missions in any given area last, and that is probably its biggest strength.

11. Hades 2

Melinoe’s journey through the Underworld and beyond is a lot of fun and a very fun story thanks to its punchy art style, interesting level design, and a roguelike gameplay loop that ties all of its systems together. With excellent graphics, this is a game that comes with a lot of charm. We’re not going to forget the enemies coming at us with rock music anytime soon, after all.

12. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The Japanese chapter of the Assassin brotherhood has managed to stay among this year’s finest single-player titles thanks to Naoe’s unique brand of stealth, Yasuke’s natural penchant for chaotic combat, and a roadmap of content that has sustained interest in the game since its March 2025 release.

Thrown in a visually resplendent open world and a polished take on RPG mechanics and you have a game with so much to do and so many ways to do it that you might want to clear your calendars for a few days to just experience a significant portion of it.

13. DOOM: The Dark Ages

Although id Software took the Slayer back in time, the changes it brought to this one’s combat loop made this a very entertaining shooter. The Slayer’s latest entry was one that came with the usual bombastic action, memorable gun play, and action-packed mechanics. If you’re looking to kick back and take on hordes of enemies with a variety of cool weapons, look no further than The Dark Ages. The Slayer is ever at the ready, waiting to be unleashed on the hordes of enemies, after all..

14. The Elder Scrolls IV: Remastered

Among the most pleasant surprises we received this year was the chance to see Cyrodiil in a whole new avatar. This blast from the past is the original experience reworked into a current-gen entertainer that continues to stay relevant and a powerhouse in single player fun.

The nostalgia factor alone was enough to earn our goodwill, but this remaster does a lot of things right to make it all feel fresh, and is definitely worth checking out.

15. The First Berserker: Khazan

Khazan’s rage-fuelled adventure and his conflict with his rather unwelcome guest is a great game, giving you a unique art style that serves its action and discovery-oriented gameplay loop quite well. Of course, its brutal difficulty and deep combat system are the stars of the show but we found the story quite interesting too.

It was a great look at the early chapters of the Dungeons & Fighter universe and a title that had us losing sleep as we threw ourselves at the boss blocking our path to progress.

16. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Samus Aran’s adventure on Viewros is a great addition to 2025’s illustrious ranks, blending a solid setting with a very entertaining gameplay loop that could have you lost in its world. From its puzzles to the combat, this is a game at its finest, the 18 years between this one and its predecessor being a long wait but a worthy one.

We’re especially fond of how the newly introduced psychic powers constantly had us thinking about ways to use them creatively. For a single-player experience that does it all and does it well, this is a great choice.

17. Where Winds Meet

Everstone’s ambitious wuxia-based open world action RPG deserves a mention thanks to its outstanding take on ancient China. This is a game that truly sets its players free to explore and enjoy its world in any way that they’d like, bringing a degree of freedom that makes it very hard to put down.

If your natural curiosity leads you to investigate every inch of a sprawling map, you can’t do much better than Where Winds Meet. We’re going to be watching this one’s progress quite closely in the months to follow.

While each of these games did something special to stand out, there can only be one winner. And thankfully, that’s been the easiest part of this task.

The winner of 2025’s best single-player game is..

DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Sam’s latest adventure raises the bar for the franchise, and open-worlds, in general while Kojima’s ability to weave his themes into the very threads of the worlds he develops continues to dazzle.

On the Beach stands out as a sequel and on its own, making for a game that constantly has you marvelling at the wonders it presents, while its visuals draw you in thanks to how realistic everything looks. The Decima engine really shows off its chops in this one, as does a studio that pulled out all the stops to give us a game that takes the crown for the year’s finest work with ease.

It’s now time to look forward to 2026, and see what the year has waiting in store for us.

30. Dynasty Warriors Origins

After the terrible open-world approach of Dynasty Warriors 8, it felt like curtains for the franchise. Fortunately, Dynasty Warriors Origins goes back to basics, focusing more on the large, cinematic battles that have defined the franchise. While the ability to play as multiple iconic heroes (at least for more than a few minutes) is sorely missed, it nails the combat and the sheer wonder of systematically tearing through armies.

29. Atomfall

As much as Fallout lays claim to the post-nuclear apocalyptic crown, Atomfall offered its own unique take on the formula. Set in the aftermath of the Windscale Fire, it’s full of mysteries to pursue, but you’ll need to actually gather the clues – combing the landscape, interacting with (and maybe trusting) untoward characters, and ultimately escaping. Or just kill everyone in your path. Either approach works.

28. Mafia: The Old Country

Family matters, especially in the Mafia series, where it can both unite and destroy. Much like Dynasty Warriors – which isn’t a comparison I would have made in this life, but here we are. The Old Country doesn’t try for a massive open world, nor does it waste your time. It tells a gripping story about family, loyalty and betrayal in early 1900s Sicily, presenting complex characters with excellent performances and more than enough fun gameplay (especially the new knife fights). No more and certainly no less.

27. South of Midnight

Hazel’s journey through the Southern Gothic world of South of Midnight may not be the most memorable among this year’s stories, but it’s certainly unique. Told through stunning stop-motion visuals, its combination of exploration and combat feels solid while keeping the focus squarely on the magical realism of its narrative and characters.

26. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Leenzee’s first action RPG is heavily inspired by the first Dark Souls with its world design, and it shows. But it’s the customization, combat and mechanics – including madness – that set it apart. Wuchang’s late Ming Dynasty setting and lore also offer more than terrifying threats to combat – and more than enough options, both in melee and magic, to fight back. PC performance remains a stickler, but it’s surprisingly substantive for its price.

25. Starfield

So Bethesda’s latest doesn’t offer the best story or the best use of procedural generation or proper interplanetary or the most beloved companions – alright, I’ll stop by. But the gunplay, especially with the addition of zero gravity, is solid and that “just one more” feeling of discovering a new planet, laden with strange creatures and gorgeous vistas, is present. There’s still room for improvement, but it’s a solid base, if nothing else.

24. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

“Suffering builds character” is seemingly Senua’s arc at this point. As she ventures to Iceland to save her people, the Furies return, and the Shadow remains as oppressive as ever, but it’s all par for the course, especially when caught in desperate battles for survival. Hellblade 2 isn’t a massive overhaul of everything its predecessor did well, instead enhancing the cinematic presentation for an even bloodier narrative. And that’s alright.

23. Ninja Gaiden 4

Speaking of bloody, Ninja Gaiden 4. Thank you for coming to my pseudo-review. But in all seriousness, for a series that ended as controversially as it did after the third game, it’s just so good. The exploration, the movement, the combat, the new Bloodraven techniques – even controlling Ryu Hayabusa, limited as his weaponry was, turned out to be a lot of fun. There are plenty of nitpicks, but Ninja Gaiden is officially back, and I couldn’t be happier.

22. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

“Wake up, Sleeper,” you’ll hear when starting. A familiar phrase, carrying far more weight this time as you traverse the Helion System’s asteroid belt. The clock is still ticking on your body, and it’s all you can do to take on jobs, hire companions, roll the dice, and try to survive. Additional mechanics such as Push and Stress offer even more twists and turns, but the series’ sharp writing and characterization remain as incredible as ever.

21. Dying Light: The Beast

I’ve missed Kyle Crane and seeing him move past the righteous but naive courier of the first game into the “My anger is healthy” protagonist in The Beast feels right. Techland wisely offers much more, though, from smarter enemies and a more perilous night with much more dangerous Volatiles to silky-smooth parkour and melee combat that could give Dead Island 2 a run for its money. All this combines for a fulfilling experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

20. Lies of P

NEOWIZ took us by surprise when it revealed Lies of P, a Souls-like take on the classic tale. Perhaps even better is the fact that it went above and beyond expectations, offering incredible combat and parrying mechanics with fun weapon customization and challenging bosses. As dangerous and devious as Krat felt, it was also alive, capturing that ruined beauty that defines so many of FromSoft’s greatest.

19. Cronos: The New Dawn

A new Dead Space may never happen, yet Chronos: The New Dawn is a surprisingly solid substitute. The story of the Traveller, their eventual shift from rigid and robotic to actually feeling emotions in this post-apocalyptic landscape of Cronenbergian horrors, is a compelling one. Throw in some classic limb dismantling and time traveling, and you have one of the more underappreciated horror games of the year.

18. Monster Hunter Wilds

The successor to Monster Hunter World. The mainline Monster Hunter for current-gen consoles that we’ve all waited for. Perhaps the best-selling Monster Hunter to date in terms of controls and actual combat…is also one that’s been perpetually on fire this year when it comes to performance, end-game, lack of “Monster Hunter-ness,” take your pick. Nevertheless, it’s only improved ever since, packing tons of worthwhile challenges and rewards with even more – like its first Elder Dragon, Gogmazios – on the way.

17. The Outer Worlds 2

Taking everything it learnt from the first game, The Outer Worlds 2 is a sleeker, smarter, and arguably more entertaining role-playing game as a result. Factions and companions remain the centrepiece, whether you’re deciding who to stab in the back (and hear complaining about you on the radio) or who to give up. But between all its branching decisions and multiple quest approaches, The Outer Worlds 2 is equally content to let you go on a killing spree.

16. Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite is officially in maintenance mode – what’s a fan to do without any campaign DLC? Quite a lot, thankfully, thanks to Forge Mode, new multiplayer maps, Exchange updates, and much more. For all its faults, from the controversial reveal to launch, it still offers some of the best gameplay in the series. Best to appreciate it all now before the player counts plummet for good.

15. DOOM: The Dark Ages

Credit to id Software – even after finding a formula that inspires utter joy and mixed emotions alike, it’s not afraid to create another that somehow, inexplicably, does the same. So yes, The Dark Ages is much slower than Eternal, but the methodical gameplay, punctuated by the incredible Shield Saw and more in-depth melee combat, still feels so good.

14. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

It’s kind of crazy that Shadows turned out to be one of 2025’s most controversial releases. Once you get past all that, its depiction of Japan is actually quite beautiful, while Naoe’s parkour and stealth remain some of the best in the franchise. Sure, there are qualms over the story, voice-acting and pacing, but infiltrating castles and assassinating your target – or breaking down the front door to challenge everyone to a fight – is fun, and backed by tons of other in-depth systems.

13. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

Call it nostalgia that harks back to the days when Bethesda could craft a compelling world, but Oblivion Remastered is just such a breath of fresh air in so many ways. Interesting side quests with multiple outcomes, an intriguing story where you’re decidedly not the chosen one, numerous secrets – there’s so much to take in. Much of the quirkiness and bugs remain (with Virtuos sadly adding some new ones), yet it remains one of this year’s better open-world RPGs.

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

What is the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone if not a microcosm of humanity itself, boiled down to our most base instinct? Depending on who you are, it can be a place of wonder, of Anomalies dancing about and causing havoc. It can be a place of community as various factions, friendly and hostile, go about their business without your input. Maybe it’s all of these things, wrapped in an unforgiving veneer, but at least there’s plenty of guns to go around. Whatever your reason for venturing into the Zone, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 promises an experience unlike anything else out there.

11. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Despite all the contemporary movie flops, adventure really does have one name, and it’s still Indiana Jones. The Great Circle, is an original tale through Indy’s eye. And while that first-person perspective may seem like the antithesis to an Uncharted or Tomb Raider, MachineGames pushes stunning locales where observation is as important as platforming and reflexes. Where stealth is optional and going in, fists swinging, is as viable as whipping enemies unconscious. With a lengthy campaign, immersive environments, sharp writing and phenomenal set pieces, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a standout in gaming as a whole.

10. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

From the very first hour, Clair Obscur pulls you into its bold, beautiful world and doesn’t let go. It dazzles with its brutality, enveloping you in a combat system that’s tactical yet active and oh-so-satisfying – especially when nailing every single parry and counter-attacking as a squad. The constant push ahead accompanies phenomenal art direction, an unforgettable soundtrack, and – my favorite – ten or so new mysteries to go with every answer. Sandfall Interactive has crafted more than an ode to the greatest turn-based RPGs of yore. It introduced us to a whole new world, full of possibilities, even if all roads lead to tragedy.

9. Blue Prince

This year saw no shortage of excellent rogue-like experiences, but from out of nowhere, Blue Prince emerged with a gameplay loop that had no business being as fun as it was. The premise is simple: As the heir to a massive estate, you must find the 46th room. Easy enough, right? Except you have to create the actual blueprint to reach it, pulling from a pool of rooms like architectural gacha. Will you put down that Observatory for the sake of something good? How about a coat check to carry over a tool to the next run? With a limited number of steps and a clean slate daily, Blue Prince is wholly addictive while challenging you to ponder every single possibility.

8. ARC Raiders

We’ve said a lot about why ARC Raiders is so good, even if you’re not an extraction shooter fan, but it’s still fascinating. Even after so many runs top-side, you never know what to expect, whether it’s a friendly Raider who could end up stabbing you in the back or a desperate struggle for survival against a Rocketeer. As varied as the experiences can feel, the fact that it’s backed by such great presentation and gunplay is just the cherry on top.

7. Split Fiction

Like many games, Hazelight Studios’ biggest, most expensive title to date was kind of buried beneath all the other great games this year. The curse of launching early, perhaps, but regardless, this is the co-op experience of the year. Between the simply awesome co-op setpieces, spanning futuristic settings with mech suits and fantasy worlds with giants and dragons, is the simply bizarre and borderline concerning. What more do you need?

6. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Even after all the other games that have been released this year, Silksong continues to call to me, its subtle tones belying the sheer humiliation that its toughest bosses wish to inflict. Despite the abundance of two-mask damage sources, the punishing platforming, the surprisingly dangerous enemies, and the runbacks, I still want to keep exploring Pharloom. I want to take in its sights, serenade strangers and friends with the Needolin, find some solace in our shared struggle, and conquer the lands. It’s an unhealthy obsession, sure, but such is the lure of song and silk.

5. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Henry’s latest visit was more than customary – it’s also one of the freshest RPG experiences in ages. Everything in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 feels so organic and detailed, right down to identifying plants and cataloguing them or the entire blacksmithing process. There’s plenty to be had in terms of questing and testing your mettle or your sword against all kinds of opponents, but it’s just so refreshing to see a game react so naturally to your choices. The way you dress, how you address people, even whether you’re covered in blood or not – it all matters, and it’s amazing.

4. Forza Horizon 5

Racing games come and go, but only a few truly stick around, much less cement their legacy among tens of millions of players. Forza Horizon 5 is one such title, and if you haven’t journeyed to its version of Mexico, replete with stunning locales and heart-pounding races, you’re missing out. Everything about the Horizon experience feels fresh thanks to the revamped progression and Accolades system. Even if you aren’t chasing the Hall of Fame, however, there are hundreds of cars to collect and customise to your heart’s desire while rocking out to some incredible tunes.

3. Baldur’s Gate 3

The game that introduced – and reminded – millions of the magic of Dungeons and Dragons. However, it’s just so much more in every way, whether you’re seeking a reactive role-playing game where almost every decision can lead down a path of possibilities or an incredible cast of characters, penned to perfection and voiced beyond. Then there’s the turn-based combat, which doesn’t just reward build-crafting but environmental awareness and an urge to experiment. From a paragon of virtue to the truly evil at heart, from blade-singing wizards to a magical archer and everything in between, this is a role-playing title that truly lets you live out your fantasies, and then lets you loose in an unforgettable world.

2. Elden Ring

Almost four years and an expansion later, and we’re still thinking about The Lands Between. The realm where mythical figures collapsed – or did they? An easier task than most, laying claim to the Runes and ruins, but this is FromSoftware’s wheelhouse on a scale unlike anything ever seen before. It’s a journey of strength and madness – of overwhelming bosses and buried secrets. Where a simple jaunt down an elevator can lead to a vast underground city with a roof of stars and a palace devoted to blood. To say that Elden Ring is a Souls-like masterpiece would be selling it short. An experience that supplements the addictive challenge with a thirst for exploration, and an unending burrow of secrets – it’s simply essential for anyone and everyone.

1. Cyberpunk 2077

Future conversations about consumerism and technology overriding humanity to the point of utter dystopia? A typical day in Night City, where gun vending machines are found across from gangs across every corner, Arasaka owns the uptown districts, and a deranged rocker/revolutionary is running around in the player’s head. Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t deviate too much from the action RPG/immersive sim-lite genre so much as drown you in Mike Pondsmith’s vision of a completely hopeless future, and it’s an unbridled success. But even with that pedigree, that attention to detail and the oh-so-invasive advertising that’s looking less like a parody every day, Cyberpunk 2077 is a phenomenal game in its own right, with excellent combat, incredible side quests, extensive build-crafting, and a memorable story. Whether you become a legend or never fade away, the Night City odyssey is a trip and a half.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

When Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was announced as a first-person title, many fans would have understandably been skeptical as to how such an action-adventure-focused title would work within the context of a first-person game. But those skepticisms were pleasantly washed away when the game actually came out. In addition to a very engaging story with memorable characters, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle features intriguing puzzles and a great deal of flexibility in how you choose to go about quests.

Players can essentially select one of three areas, the music, and which enemies they’d like to appear. Tweak their parameters and the waves, then hop in to slay them within the time limit. id Software is looking to further adjust the Ripatorium in future updates, so this is only the beginning.

Update 2 also brings numerous balance adjustments to the campaign, Atlan mech, and Dragon mount. New options include a slider for the slow motion that triggers on melee and parries, and a setting for weapon class switching. Weapon swapping in general is much quicker, and the team has performed a pass on all the audio to ensure the correct music when things get heavy.

Check out some of the weapon changes and details below (beware of spoilers), and the full patch notes here.

Update 2 Notes

Weapons

• Increased speed of Weapon Swap animations

Rail Spike Impaler

Balance adjustments including:

• Reduced Impaler damage vs. Hellknight and Vagary demons
• Reduced Impaler damage vs. armored demons
• Put further emphasis on Impaler headshots by increasing headshot damage, and reducing non-headshot damage vs. various demons
• Shield Throws that deflect off of larger demons no longer drop Impaler ammo when the Stalwart upgrade is equipped
• Reduced the amount of Mace charge received from headshots with the Lobotomy upgrade

Plasma Rifle Class

• Lowered base ammo on Plasma Rifle Cycler
• Adjusted value of ammo capacity increase earned through Demonic Essence upgrades
• Lowered maximum ammo capacity of Plasma Rifle Cycler

Super Shotgun

• Reduced Super Shotgun damage vs. Hellknight, Mancubus, Pinky Rider, Cosmic Baron
• Reduced Super Shotgun damage vs. armored demons
• Player can now interrupt the Super Shotgun reload to perform executions

Chainshot

• Lowered starting ammo capacity

Dreadmace

• Executions performed with the Dreadmace equipped now drop the same amount of ammo as executions performed with other melee weapons. The amount of ammo dropped as a result of other Mace attacks has not changed
• Reduced Dreadmace AOE damage, increased Dreadmace direct-hit damage to compensate for AOE damage reduction
• Parrying a Hell Surge attack drops less Dreadmace charge
• Drops triggered as a result of Impaler headshots with the Lobotomy upgrade equipped drop less Dreadmace charge

Gauntlet

• Lowered the amount of charge received via Duelist upgrade

Shield Saw

• Removed the slight cooldown on Shield Throw after catching it from a previous throw action
• Refined Shield Saw parry detection

Atlan

Stomp

• Adjusted Stomp behavior to apply an electrical stun and shock state to enemies
• VFX and audio adjustments to accompany this change
• When attacking shocked enemies, the Atlan will punch faster
• Updated the tutorials to cover the new behavior

Encounters

• Updated Atlan encounters to account for new Stomp behavior

Dragon

• Extended empowered shot time
• Updated Anti-Dragon AI’s projectile attacks in the tutorial section to include line attacks and remove the hourglass projectile
• Improved tutorial messaging for assault mode dash directions
• Added new HUD elements to indicate when the player should initiate assault mode and dodge actions
• Shortened the delay time for AI firing projectiles after lock-on
• Players will now skip straight to the Holy City of Aratum if tutorials are turned off

Enemy AI

• Made the Kreed Maykr fight more challenging
• Extended the range on Prince Ahzrak’s spear
• The Old One’s Aerial Slam damage radius now covers the entire arena
• FX and SFX have been added
• Increased the AOE of the waveblast from the Komodo’s Graviton arm attack
• Completed a pass on AI logic events to ensure they are stopping correctly when AI pain reactions are triggered
• The Pinky bite attack has been updated with new animations, FX and audio to help the attack read better
• HP buffs have been added to the Cacodemon, Mancubus, and Armored Mancubus.
• Addressed the Chaingunner Soldier’s target acquisition, fire rate, and overall player responsiveness
• Pinky Rider leader now fires shield projectiles at the start of the flame wall attack instead of basic fire projectiles
• Increased Mancubus Flamethrower damage
• Increased Mancubus Fireball speed and size

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

With the disappointment surrounding Starfield and the hype and concern over The Elder Scrolls 6, I never imagined that Bethesda would revisit Oblivion as it did: retaining the core gameplay with Gamebryo but overhauling the visuals with Unreal Engine 5. Perhaps more surprising is how well the adventure holds up, both narratively and in gameplay, though the numerous quality-of-life changes (hurray for leveling that makes sense) certainly help. Now, if only Virtuos and Bethesda could fix the various issues on PC.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Few games this year have really left a mark like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and I don’t just mean that in terms of the story, its characters, its gorgeous aesthetics, or even its utterly broken builds that even enemies with 100 times the health can’t stand up to. I’m talking about revisiting the incredible soundtrack where every song fits and sounds amazing (“Rain From the Ground” on repeat). I’m talking about marvelling at areas that I hadn’t even seen or heard of to date. And most of all, I’m talking about seeing others’ reactions to the best moments, just to relive it all over again.

The Alters

A game that embodies the sensation of, “I hate Jan, can’t stand Jan,” then smash-cutting to me and my bestie, Jan. Except Jan is many and also yourself, but also your crew that needs to band together and ensure survival by fleeing a killer sun via a giant circular base. If that doesn’t sell you on The Alters, then the act of witnessing different Jans of fictitious walks of life coming together and either imploding, enduring, or everything in between should.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist doesn’t completely overhaul the core of Ender Lilies, instead throwing players into a different setting afflicted by the Rain of Death. Nevertheless, it’s impossible to ignore its most compelling changes and improvements, whether it’s the Homunculus customization or their very characterization. Tying it all together is yet another fantastic soundtrack by Mili, stellar art direction and incredible boss fights.

DOOM: The Dark Ages

Rip, tear and…shield bash until it’s done? DOOM: The Dark Ages didn’t deliver on all the beats I wanted, but with its gameplay, id Software fulfilled its goal for a new experience while channeling the greatness of the contemporary titles. Rapid weapon switching and aerial shenanigans are out; parrying attacks while bouncing the Shield Saw off multiple enemies, exploding shields, and bullying a Cyberdemon with rapid Chainshots is in. The slick level design and pacing keep the action flowing, as you itch for the next big battle.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Henry’s come to see us and delivered one of the best role-playing games of the year. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 improves on the original in all the expected ways – progression, combat, visuals, etc – but the quest design and immersion are on another level. There are far more choices for outcomes with so much influencing the main story path, and the extensive range of build choices is beaten only by the sheer amount of things to see and discover. Sure, there are the usual bugs, but by and large, it showcases the limits that some developers can break through to deliver a truly endearing RPG experience.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Tempting as it is to consider this “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Majima Edition,” Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii distinguishes itself in various other ways. Amnesia does little to hinder everyone’s favorite gangster, who obtains a pirate ship and crew and sails the waters, engaging in naval combat and plundering. Even the combat, making a well-worn return to real-time, thrives with new jumping attacks, summons, and the Cutlass style. Add in RGG Studio’s usual assortment of side content, and this will keep completionists busy for some time.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Eschewing a centralized location with all its back-alleys and varied stories creeping within its structures for a wider system and multiple companions, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector nevertheless maintains its role-playing narrative focus. Whether you decide to push your luck on jobs, delve into your crewmates’ pasts or settle your own scores, the weight of each decision feels beyond a simple dice roll and speech check and more like an extension – and consequence – of your own character.

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut

Is this technically a port of a 2015 title with a few added story scenes and an online PvE mode with optional co-op? Yes, but it’s also Yakuza 0, which many consider the best game in the franchise. The origins of Kazuma Kiryu and how he became the famed Dragon of Dojima, and the story of Majima Goro before his Mad Dog status are framed against late 80s Japan with its unique fashions and overinflated land prices. Each side story felt compelling and memorable – nearly every corner felt like it offered something new – and it’s all backed by stellar combat and storytelling.

Bionic Bay

Some of Bionic Bay’s monochromatic visuals and platforming might initially remind you of Limbo, but the reality is more…tenuous. Set in the ruins of a biomechanical civilization, survival is just as much about swapping places and manipulating gravity as it is about controlling time and desperately avoiding projectiles. The surreal environments belie an intriguing setting while the gameplay keeps you guessing.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

Out of nowhere, Team Ninja showed up and announced that Ninja Gaiden was back. However, it also dropped Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, with improved visuals and quality-of-life changes but the same brutal combat (that too with ample gore). We could debate endlessly on how it’s still not the definitive version of the original and how Sigma’s influence still lingers. And yet, as a throwback to simpler hack-and-slash times with challenging difficulty and masterful combat, it was everything we could ever want.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Speaking of throwbacks, Dynasty Warriors: Origins redeemed the series, casting it out of its long-running rut by doing the obvious: Going back to its roots. That means big 1v100 battles and no open-world mechanics alongside an original protagonist and a different perspective on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Granted, there’s no traditional free mode where you can play as any of your companions without restrictions, but as a clean slate, with each weapon class feeling distinct and the presentation going above and beyond previous titles, it’s a marked improvement.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The dust will probably never settle on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but it still stands as one of the more compelling action RPG entries in the franchise. On top of the gorgeous depiction of Japan, the stealth and parkour are wonderfully expanded, finally fulfilling the ninja fantasy that so many AC fans have wanted for years. That combat feels significantly expanded and more responsive, with Naoe and Yasuke offering different compelling options, which also doesn’t hurt.

Lies of P: Overture

Overture does what any good Souls-like expansion should do – humble you. Sometimes it was a little too effective (necessitating some adjustments), but on the flip side, it also offered everything else that fans of the base game could want. New Legion Arms and weapons. New boss fights that look as awe-inspiringly brutal as they play. What more could you want?

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

“Delivery simulator,” “walking simulator”, “UPS simulator,” “Empty world” – you can probably lobby all these complaints and more at Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. However, the actual experience is a massive leap over the original in every possible way, with environmental hazards, new enemy types, more varied firearms and better structures, leading to vastly expanded approaches. If nothing else, the story is both much more emotionally resonant and chock-full of Kojima’s weirdest ideas (and dance numbers) yet.

It’s also become the 11th best-selling title of the year to date. Monster Hunter Wilds still rules the roost, followed by The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The other big new release of the month, id Software’s DOOM: The Dark Ages, ranked in second place on its debut.

The first-person shooter became the developer’s biggest launch in history, and also ranked second in physical and digital sales for PS5 and PC in the US. Despite also launching on day one for Game Pass, it ranked third on Xbox sales charts.

Total projected spending rose by one percent to $4.1 billion year-over-year, but year-to-date trails 2024 by six percent at $21.8 billion.

The studio has also noted that quite a few of these changes are from a previous set of Tunables – smaller balance changes that don’t usually require a full patch. These have been marked as being (*PT). Before this update, the most recent tunables were from the end of May, which also consisted of a host of balance changes.

DOOM: The Dark Ages was released on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S just last month. For more details about the title, check out our review. Also check out the fact that DOOM: The Dark Ages has been the biggest game launch in id Software’s history, garnering more than 3 million players across the different platforms. Compared to the previous title – DOOM Eternal – DOOM: The Dark Ages hit the 3 million players milestone seven times faster.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Update 1 Patch Notes:

Improvements and Adjustments

• Adjusted audio mix so music and sound effects are more balanced at Default levels (For best results we recommend you reset audio settings to Default)
• Reduced the amount of time health drops remain active during Atlan missions
• Sprint VFX are now disabled for auto-sprint

Atlan

• (*PT) Reduced how long health drops linger in the world when in the Atlan
• (*PT) Updated the Atlan combo system so that after using a Finisher, the player can still use the previous one
• ㄴPlayers were paying too much to use a Finisher, which led to holding on for the most powerful attacks and then cashing out. This creates a more dynamic combat experience that rewards building up multiple Finishers for extended combos and more strategic decision-making

Dragon

• Dragon combat experience has been updated to allow players to move more swiftly through the experience
• ㄴMost enemies faced when on the Dragon will now only fire Hell Surge projectiles, allowing for more opportunities to empower the Autocannon
• ㄴThe Empowered state for the Dragon’s Autocannon now lasts longer
• ㄴ(*PT) Empowered shots from the Dragon’s Autocannon after a perfect dodge will go through projectile shields

Combat Encounter Updates

Village of Khalim

• Courtyard Encounter
• ㄴAdditional Imps added Two Imp Stalkers added
• Beach Encounter
• ㄴAdded Imps and additional Pinky Rider to fight
• ㄴMusic state adjustments

Hebeth

• Gore Deck Encounter (Leader Intro)
• ㄴAdded maintains for Pinky Rider Leader support

Sentinel Barracks

• Tomb Arena Encounter
• ㄴNightmare Imp added
• ㄴStone Imp wave added
• Exterior Burning Tree Encounter
• ㄴHell Knight maintain added
• ㄴLost Souls Added
• ㄴStone Imps added
• Vagary Into
• ㄴAdded Mancubus maintain

Holy City of Aratum

• Tutorial
• ㄴReduced number of Hell Tanks on pillar to 3
• ㄴHell Tank 1 shoots only Up/Down Hourglass projectile variant
• ㄴHell Tank 2 shoots only Left/Right Hourglass projectile variant
• ㄴHell Tank 3 shoots only Up/Down Hourglass projectile variant
• General
• ㄴDoubled the length of time the Empowered shot is active
• City Sandbox
• ㄴRemoved Titan Sentry immediately after Hell Carrier exit
• Final Arena
• ㄴMancubus maintain added for Vagary
• ㄴChaingunner Soldiers added

Siege – Part 1

• Vagary Encounters
• ㄴAdded 2 Hell Knights and small Imp maintain for Trenches Vagary
• ㄴAdded 2 Hell Knights and small Imp maintain to River Shore Vagary encounter
• ㄴAdded Imp Stalker and small Imp maintain in Canyon Vagary Encounter

Siege – Part 2

• Hangar Final Encounter
• ㄴAI spawn placement adjustments
• ㄴPickup placement adjustments
• ㄴAdded small Hell Knight maintain
• ㄴAdded Nightmare Imp
• ㄴAdded Arachnatron support for Battle Knight

Resurrection

• Dragon Flight to Maykr Ship
• ㄴMusic adjustment from ambient to light music state

Bug Fixes – All Platforms

Achievements

• Resolved an issue in which some users could not unlock the Berserker Achievement/Trophy upon obtaining the necessary upgrades. This should resolve retroactively for affected users

Audio

• Fixed an issue with music potentially pausing when transitioning between levels
• Addressed an issue in which VO was getting cut off during ending cinematic for The Holy City of Aratum

Ultra-Nightmare

• Difficulty Settings – adjusted the modified (M*) tag to persist after reverting to Default Settings in Ultra-Nightmare
• Fixed an issue in which the Death Marker did not display the correct enemy name when killed by an armored Leader or Enforcer
• Addressed the Death Marker so it no longer displays “???” when the player is killed by the ground spike AoE attack from any Cyberdemon variant
• Updated the Death Marker so the Mancubus (who fires acid hazards) name now displays correctly

Cinematics

• Fixed an issue in which the sound effects were not consistently playing during the interstitial sequences in The Old One boss fight
• Fixed an issue with music potentially dropping out during cinematics
• Addressed issues with subtitle timings for multiple languages

Crashes

• Fixed rare crash after destroying the gore portal in Siege – Part 1

Gameplay

• Resolved an issue in which the Shredder could lose functionality after performing an execute move
• Addressed a bug where the Shield Saw could lose functionality after being caught, then melee attacking a dazed enemy
• Fixed an issue with upgrade functionality not working when re-equipping a shield rune after maxing out the upgrades

Menus

• Fixed an issue in which some players were unable to select and enter The Holy City of Aratum via the level select menu
• The Battle Knight codex is now obtainable and will appear in the Codex menu
• Addressed issues in which the Chapter Selection text and the Command Bar UI element would flicker
• Fixed an issue encountered by some players where Campaign map completion was reset to 25% after the previous update
• Resolved an issue in which players could skip to future levels by highlighting them in the Level Selection menu
• The Arachnotron Codex page now appears consistently within the Dossier
• Addressed an issue in which the “Field Of View” menu slider could lose functionality after cutscenes or Shield bashing through a wall
• Resolved issues in which opening/closing the Dossier and reloading Checkpoints could cause the Shredder Barbed upgrade to unequip itself and the Pincushion and Ricochet upgrades would be equipped simultaneously
• Menus – the (M*) marker is now present on Campaign Save Files that have been modified

Rendering

• Added an additional control to customize image contrast when using HDR to fix issues where the image appeared washed out for some users

It’s seemingly become id’s biggest launch in history, as it reached this total seven times faster than DOOM Eternal in 2020. The latter sold three million digital copies in its first month, according to SuperData. Since The Dark Ages is available on Game Pass, it’s likely to have contributed many players.

Even compared to peak concurrent Steam players, Eternal surges ahead, reaching nearly 105,000 compared to The Dark Ages’ 30,232. We’ll need to wait for more sales data, but at least in the UK, the latter topped physical charts for the week ending May 17th.

Check out our review for DOOM: The Dark Ages here, where we gave it a nine out of ten. You can also watch the accolades trailer for other critics’ thoughts. In June, it will receive a free update, adding Path Tracing and DLSS Ray Reconstruction support on PC.