As a sequel to the critically and commercially acclaimed Hades, Supergiant Games’ sequel focuses on Melinoë, the sister of Zagreus. Thanks to the re-emergence of Chronos, the House of Hades has been taken over, and her entire family seized. Raised by the mysterious witch Hecate, Melinoë trains to venture to the Underworld and slay Chronos.

Of course, there’s a lot more going on than that, and unlike the first game, players can now venture to Olympus, assisting the Pantheon with the threat of Typhon. Various new weapons and aspects are available for even more combat options, and Hades 2 introduces several other new systems, including farming, incantations, and the Arcana for equipping different passives. The combat system has also seen numerous changes, including new charged abilities that require mana.

For more details, check out our review of the PC version here. You can also learn more about the first post-launch patch, which changed the True Ending after a mixed response to the original.

We’ve played them all, and picked our favorites to give you a few choices for the holidays and beyond as we wait for a new batch of great games from 2026. As it stands, our nominees for the best PC games of 2025 are:

1. INAZUMA ELEVEN: Victory Road

Intense football RPG action with a layer of anime polish can be quite appealing to either an anime or a football fan, but this one is more than that. It offers an almost endless amount of playable content thanks to a massive roster of characters, and a lot of replay value thanks to its single and multiplayer modes. There’s a lot to enjoy here, and a very rewarding journey along the way.

2. Dispatch

Joining Robert Robinson III on this charming and often hilarious take on superheroes is sure to have you very invested in its story and mechanics right off the bat. Dispatch hits all the right notes and brings a charming cast to the stage, while a riveting narrative weaves their lives together with the SDN acting as a binding thread. It captures your attention and manages to hold it long enough for this one to become endearing.

3. Hades 2

We always knew the long wait for this one was going to be worth it. Hades 2 is an absolute blast with its roguelike action-RPG gameplay loop, blending very well with its story and unique art style. Its potent combination of style, substance, and satire is sublime, while the combat does come with enough challenge to keep you on your toes. Look no further than this one for hours of quality fun.

4. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

If you haven’t gotten around to this one after playing the first game, or perhaps coming to the franchise after the live-action shows, this one is definitely going to have you invested. The remaster does a brilliant job of improving on the strengths of the original release, making it the best possible way to experience the adventure that awaits. For those of you already familiar with how it all ends, another playthrough is always on the cards anyway.

5. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Every hour you sink into this action-packed JRPG is going to be worth it, with its story, characters, combat, and general allure drawing you in and leaving you with so much to do in its world. It’s also very replayable, which is a great way to keep the story going and your characters’ stories playing out on increasingly harder difficulties. This one does its genre justice and is a world that calls to you at every turn.

6. Absolum

With a combat system worthy of a chef’s kiss, accompanied by a roguelike gameplay loop that’s very addictive indeed, Talamh is a place you might find pretty hard to leave. The battle against the Crimson Order and Azra is the perfect excuse for some good old beat ‘em up action, and this one is excellent on that front. Between all the character archetypes on offer, it’s probably going to keep you busy for a while.

7. Clair Obscur Expedition

This one’s already winning quite a few awards and nominations, and with good reason. The Continent and Expedition’s beloved cast of characters are reason enough to fall in love with The Paintress’s world. But all of the adversity and loss they have overcome have you invested in the entire journey. It’s almost as if you’re a part of the expedition too, and the one who decides its fate. It’s an experience that comes along every once in a while to show you what a great game can do.

8. Hollow Knight: Silksong

This one’s release was among the year’s most pleasant surprises, and taking over a new adventure as Hornet was an absolute treat. The combat was familiar yet fresh, while the explorable world’s size and scope were overwhelming at first, and simply delightful as we kept losing ourselves in its confines. Add a very enticing art style and excellent level designs, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

9. Blue Prince

This is among the more unique ones on this list. Helping Simon secure his inheritance of the Mt. Holly Estate might not be the most action-packed game on this list, but it certainly stretches your mental faculties in your quest to locate the mansion’s hidden room. No two days are alike, and you’re soon going to be thinking about this one even when you’re not in your gaming chair.

10. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Oh, what an RPG this one turned out to be. With a massive map full of quirky folks, mysteries, intrigue, and some good old adventures to be had along the road, it was a sequel that stayed true to its roots while building out the franchise in a number of meaningful ways. The story is top-shelf, while an abundance of things to do is going to keep you quite busy as you play it all.

11. ARC Raiders

This extraction shooter has been among the few games we’ve visited almost daily, not because we had to, but because we wanted to. It’s been the perfect choice for a quick session where we kick back, and set out to meet other players in a world where the community has now made identifying friends from foes a part of the fun. Its design lends itself to the chaos that such decisions can cause, and you’re going to have a lot of unpredictably fun moments with this one.

12. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

With a perfect blend of the samurai and shinobi’s ways, and a massive recreation of feudal Japan to let those two archetypes loose in, Shadows is a great addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Naoe and Yasuke are great characters, their skillsets lending themselves to some very interesting ways to achieve your goals. A stunning world and protagonists whose blades could strike from the shadows or the light is certainly an adventure worth having.

13. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Cloud Strife’s fight against the Shinra is the perfect backdrop for an explosive story, combined with some incredible gameplay mechanics that make this one’s long-awaited PC version worth playing even if you’re not a fan of Final Fantasy. We’d recommend hooking up a DualSense to your PC for this one to get the most out of its haptic integration, while enjoying all of the visual bells and whistles that it has to offer. It’s the best of both worlds, really.

14. Monster Hunter Wilds

Beautiful biomes, a wide variety of impeccably designed monsters to hunt, and a plethora of quests to keep you travelling across the Forbidden Lands make this one a fine choice for those of you looking for a meaty RPG. Excellent build variety and deep combat mechanics, along with a charming world full of things to pique your curiosity, are more reasons to jump in and enjoy yourself thoroughly.

15. Lumines Arise

Simple mechanics can often lead to complex gameplay loops, and Lumines Ares is a great example of that. No two rounds of this puzzle game are the same, and it takes the concept of Tetris to a whole new level with a very unique visual design and audio design that weaves itself into the game’s DNA quite creatively. This one’s impressive and addictive, which is quite a potent combo.

16. Battlefield 6

Among the year’s best looking shooters, Battlefield 6 might have drawn a bit of flak for its campaign, but that does not take away from the fact that its shooting mechanics are very much on point. If you’re looking for a multiplayer shooter that shows off what your PC can do while also being a great option for those extended gaming sessions, this one has everything you need and more.

17. The Alters

If a game that has you creating alternate versions of yourself to progress further in its story sounds cool to you, you’re in luck. Jan Dolski’s story might seem quirky on the surface, but there’s a surprising amount of depth on offer here, and your choices carry a lot of weight in the bargain. This one’s among the most creative titles we’ve played this year, and is going to remain among the most unique ones we’ve encountered over the years.

18. The First Berserker: Khazan

Khazan’s revenge-fuelled rampage is a stylish, well-designed game that puts its combat front and center and challenges you to play it on its terms before it gives you the satisfaction you crave from a title of its calibre. With an interesting story and characters backing up the action, along with a distinct visual style to sell it all, this one is going to have you white knuckled as you take on its many threats.

19. Bionic Bay

Atmospheric, immersive, and mentally challenging, Bionic Bay makes excellent use of a solid premise to give you an experience that’s going to have you wanting more. It’s a test of your patience just as much as it’s a test of your ability to get creative with solutions to the problem in front of you. It’s exhilarating when you get it right, while the way it all comes together is a reward on its own with this one.

20. Jurassic World Evolution 3

With Jeff Goldblum coming back to the fold as Dr. Ian Malcolm, and a very encouraging approach to setting you up for success as you manage your dinosaurs and facilities, this one gets you locked in pretty quickly. We still go back to our parks for some routine maintenance from time to time, watching the dinosaurs we’ve helped bring to life thrive. It’s quite relaxing and a lot of fun until Extinction Now rears its ugly head.

And there you have it. These are the PC games from 2025 we think deserve your attention. But there has to be a winner, right? We’ve an inkling you already know what’s coming.

The winner of the best PC game in 2025 is

Clair Obscur: Expedition

Clair Obscur: Expedition , a game that has surpassed expectations and goes above and beyond to enthrall its players.

Its visual style lends it realism while leaving room for artistic flourishes. Its cast of characters sells its material so well that you find yourself even rooting for its antagonist. You’re going to be humming its soundtrack and maybe even listening to it in the gym. Its story is going to take you to places you might not be ready to visit. Its combat might fool you into thinking it’s an easy experience with no challenge involved. In short, it’s everything a great game should be, and is one that’s going to remain close to our hearts in the years to come.

And that’s a wrap on the best PC games of 2025! We’re looking forward to doing it all over again next year, and to keep bringing more of gaming’s best to your screens.

Mario Kart World

The best Mario Kart in the series? Your mileage (pun fully intended) may vary, but it is by far the most feature-packed. Free Roam in an open world with P-Switch challenges and cosmetics to gather; new moves like hopping and wall-riding for a higher skill ceiling; brand new tracks that seamlessly link together; and new modes are just some of the things long-time fans can look forward to, and it all works well.

Kirby Air Riders

21 playable characters and 22 machines, each with unique abilities and stats respectively; brand new tracks and remasters from the first game; the return of Top Ride and City Trial, with the latter turned into a faux battle royale mode of sorts; boss fights; and a full-fledged story mode. But even if you want to hop on for a simple race or two, it’s pure unfiltered fun – just like the original.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

While there’s plenty of criticism to be had for its visuals, Game Freak’s latest mainline Pokémon title manages to capture that same monster-collecting magic. Lumiose City is full of unique sights, sounds and Pokémon to collect, and new elements like the Z-A Royale and Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon, alongside simple delights like traversing the rooftops, make it stand out.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Catacomb-like levels, progressively unlocking new abilities and backtracking to uncover new areas, that expectation of something incredible around every corner – even after all these years, Retro Studios still knows how to capture that feeling. The new additions in Beyond, like Vi-O-La, also seamlessly slot in, and wouldn’t you know it, even the NPC companions, despite concerns pre-launch, aren’t terrible. More importantly, experiencing it with such fidelity, complete with mouse controls, elevates it to a new whole level.

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2

Technically not a native Switch 2 release, experiencing two of the greatest platformers of all time in 4K is hard to resist. The new Storybook Chapters offer a bit of new content, but really, it’s all about scouring the galaxies once more, reliving the wonder of each planet and the discoveries they hold.

Donkey Kong Bananza

It almost seemed impossible that Jumpman’s worst nightmare would get his own starring role once more, but Bananza delivers on that and then some. Excellent platforming and bombastic visuals were a given – this is from the Super Mario Odyssey team after all – but the destruction elements work so well in tandem, resulting in a 3D platformer that’s more than worthy to stand side by side with Mario’s greatest adventures.

Hades 2

Supergiant follows up one of the best rogue-likes in years with – surprise, surprise – an incredible sequel. Between the sheer amount of stuff to do, whether you’re venturing into the Underworld or ascending into Olympus, the challenging and unique boss fights, or the sheer depth that each new weapon offers, Hades 2 feels like a massive step forward in every single way.

Split Fiction

Hazelight’s latest is one of the best co-op experiences of the year (and many before it), and feels tailor-made for Switch 2. Even if it’s not the most fully-featured port, being able to GameShare with local players or engage in cross-play, alongside the Friend’s Pass (which means not having to buy an extra copy), is still great.

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road

You wouldn’t believe this took more than nine years and multiple delays to release, but that seems to be a theme for 2025. Regardless, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road isn’t the most realistic adaptation of football so much as the best adaptation of the anime, complete with MAPPA’s cutscenes and over 5,400 recruitable characters. It’s truly unlike anything else out there and a blast once you get into it.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Team Cherry’s long-awaited sequel is infuriating, frustrating, and challenging, but it’s also mesmerizing, addictive, and oh-so-good to control. The gameplay loop remains as finely crafted as ever, enhanced all the more with Hornet’s movement abilities, and the sheer attention to detail in areas, from their art to their secrets, will keep you coming back long after. It’s a tough bug to love, but Silksong is a stellar game.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

The prospect of Cyberpunk 2077 running on the original Switch was laughable years ago, and yet, here we are more than five years later, experiencing it on the Switch 2 in all its glory. From the excellent base game to the stellar Phantom Liberty, this is still one of the best RPG experiences, and the addition of touch screen gestures for the UI and gyro aiming makes it feel that much better on the Switch 2. Also, shipping the entire package on an actual cart instead of a Game-Key Card? Chef’s kiss.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Truth be told, the new features – like the phone maps and QR codes for sharing Zonai machines – weren’t the most game-changing for Nintendo’s masterpiece. Nevertheless, it’s still a masterpiece, and being able to play it in 1440p/60 FPS with improved fidelity and faster loading is what we’ve always wanted. For that reason alone, it’s worth picking up.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World

For those who didn’t get their fill from Air Riders, the Switch 2 version of Kirby’s acclaimed 2022 adventure is well worth diving into. Star Crossed World offers a brand new storyline with new sections in old stages alongside new abilities, Mouthful modes and enemies to tussle with as you investigate a mysterious meteor. And of course, it’s a significant upgrade over the original’s already gorgeous visuals.

Cronos: The New Dawn

Bloober Team made a big impact with last year’s Silent Hill 2 remake, but its newest title channelled an altogether different survival horror vibe. A post-apocalyptic future with mutating monstrosities, time-traveling, a more enigmatic pace and protagonist, and more kept Cronos from feeling like a Dead Space rip-off. Even in handheld mode on the Switch 2, it’s a tense, terrifying ordeal.

Star Wars Outlaws

Ignored at launch, Massive Entertainment’s Star Wars scoundrel had a quiet but notable redemption this year, aided by its Switch 2 port. How the development team (in collaboration with Red Lynx) managed to deliver such great performance and ray tracing while retaining image quality, even with DLSS, is fascinating to behold. The fact that the game itself still looks so gorgeous while playing better than ever also doesn’t hurt.

And the Best Switch 2 title of 2025 goes to…

Donkey Kong Bananza

Did you really expect anything else, especially when a Donkey Kong game lets you rip chunks out of the environment to toss at enemies or surf on them with utter abandon? Bananza is more than just the Mario Odyssey formula, but with more destruction and a different protagonist. It’s a masterclass in pacing, deftly balancing the collect-a-thon aspects and real-time destruction with superb level design. Donkey Kong controls like a dream; the new Bananza Powers are as ridiculous as they are fun; and there isn’t an ounce of filler or unnecessary padding. For that reason, and many more that we could spend all day listing, it’s our pick for the best Switch 2 game of 2025.

Let’s dive into the most amazing games of this year that can offer 50 to 100 hours (maybe even more) of great gameplay.

Ghost of Yōtei

Returning to your birthplace to avenge your brutally murdered family is cool and all, but discovering all the puzzles? Bonding with your ferocious wolf by slaying poachers? That’s where it’s really at. Ghost of Yōtei is excellent at seamlessly weaving optional activities into its exploration – be it Bamboo Strikes, Sumi-e Paintings – and making every single one feel unique. But maybe you’d fancy earning some new armor that can deflect bullets by stealthily infiltrating a teahouse for Ginji the Armorer. Perhaps earning an incredible Charm by assisting Ran the Bowyer. Slay Takezo’s disciples for the privilege to face him in a duel. And probably engage in some bounty-hunting on the side.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Mysteria Ecclesiae is out, meaning Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has wrapped up all its DLC, but even if you didn’t venture off the beaten path, Henry’s journey is still one of the best open-world RPGs of all time. Starting from nothing, slaving away in menial jobs, finding your calling as a blacksmith (or a hunter, or an herbalist, really, take your pick), and slowly building yourself back up, Bohemia is simply bustling with things to see and do. Lead a noble life, beloved by all, or become a no-good criminal, destined only for the guillotine. It’s your choice, and the sheer reactivity of the world is something to behold over the course of 100+ hours.

Jurassic World Evolution 3

The biggest and perhaps most satisfying game in the series yet, with 90 species of dinosaurs with juvenile variants added for the first time. And that’s not even including the dinos from Evolution 2, added for free post-launch. But even with the extensive campaign, community creations and challenge modes, the real time sink is in Sandbox Mode, as you perfectly craft the dinosaur park of your dreams, optimizing every single aspect…or watching it fall into chaos. It even features a custom island generator for when you (inevitably) have to start over.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

For all the ways that Ghost of Yōtei surpasses Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the former is missing one thing: Base building. Or more accurately, hideout customization, where you can adjust the very moss on rocks to cultivate your league in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible. Of course, Shadows has plenty of other content, from castles to attack, skills to master, loot (weapons and armor) to plunder, and so on. In fact, there are even new story quests, collaborations, parkour improvements, and Corrupted Castles to challenge.

Clair Obscur

On its own, the story is an absolute rollercoaster, especially when optimizing builds and employing the most broken techniques possible. Act 3 is where all bets are off, however, and Clair Obscur unveils the full gamut of its post-game. A painted serpent in the skies; the Flying Manor where a familiar foe awaits; the Endless Tower with multiple sets of challenges – there’s just so much to discover, especially if you’re circling back and wiping the floor with previous Act bosses. It would all be for nought without a superboss waiting at the end, but don’t worry – Clair Obscur has that too.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

There’s nothing quite like wrapping up Silksong after years of waiting, going online and then asking out of pure bafflement, “Wait, Act 3?” Because you can explore the world of Pharloom, ascend to the top, defeating its toughest bosses, and yes, maybe rescue a few Fleas along the way. But there’s so, so much more, beyond what you’d even expect (or prep for). So go and complete those wishes, discover even more incredible characters, and if you’re feeling especially masochistic, there’s the one-hit KO Steel Soul Mode for a true challenge.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

Technical problems aside, the Oblivion remaster is a treasure trove of content, even without accounting for mods. You get the massive base game – a heroic quest to stop the Gates of Oblivion from manifesting in Cyrodiil, with all its side quests, quirky NPCs, and dungeons to plunder. There’s also various DLCs for even more adventuring (and arguably superior narratives). Play multiple builds, approach quests from different angles and most importantly of all: Endurance, endurance, endurance.

The First Berserker: Khazan

There’s more to The First Berserker: Khazan’s story than the revenge quest, least of all the retries required to best its bosses. Embarking on side quests and finding all the fragments of Ozma’s Diary is the route towards the best ending. But even if you’re content to explore or replay on higher difficulties, there’s also New Game Plus, which carries over all armor, skills and weapons, increases the level cap and lets you craft Epic and Legendary equipment. Best of all? Transmog for the true endgame – fashion.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

230 Pokémon to catch and 65 Mega Evolutions only scratch the surface of Z-A’s content. There are dozens of side missions to complete, the Z-A Royale to grind through (complete with promotion battles), and online multiplayer, including the new Battle Club for four players to duke it out. And that’s without factoring in Mega Dimension, a completely separate realm where the true end-game, full of level 100+ threats, awaits alongside even more Mega Evolutions.

Donkey Kong Bananza

An out-and-out blast from start to finish with a story that can be finished in less than 20 hours. But if you’ve played a 3D Mario game, you know that’s not the end – it can’t be. There are 1000 Banadium Gems, and what’s a King of Kong to do but collect them all? DK Island and Emerald Rush add even more with the latter’s rogue-like structure offering even more replay value, and that’s before diving into the limited-time events each month for new statues.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

When you can spend dozens of hours simply delivering packages, building bridges and ziplines, and admiring the sights, you know it’s something special. Fortunately, Death Stranding 2 offers more beyond that, from a healthy selection of weapons and targets to unleash them on to side quests with cameos from your favorite personalities to Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii as a Pizza Chef, no less. Otherwise, plan out your optimal routes and just have fun with the community.

Elden Ring Nightreign

With eight Nightlords and several other bosses in between, there’s room for plenty of killing in Limveld. Choose your Nightfarer, optimize that playstyle with different Relics and – if you like them enough – complete their personal quests for even more power. That’s the base Nightreign experience, not including all the Shifting Earth locations to explore. However, you can also challenge the Everdark Sovereigns, even tougher versions of the Nightlords, or venture into the Deep of Night for longer expeditions with cursed loot. And if that isn’t enough to keep you busy, attempt to solo everything. The Forsaken Hollows DLC adds even more content in the form of new Nightfarers, and new bosses.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

The original Trails in the Sky FC takes about 66 hours if you’re aiming for everything – recipes, side quests, perfectly optimized Orbments. The remake is just shy of six hours, but even if you’re focused purely on the story and side content, it’s a long journey, made all the more fulfilling with expanded cutscenes and more combat depth.

Where Winds Meet

Everstone Studio makes no bones about wanting you to get lost in its massive world, offering thousands of NPCs to interact with and dozens upon dozens of hours of content. Even outside of the multitude of weapons, mystic techniques and Martial Arts to master, there is such a rich plethora of optional activities to indulge in. Engage in Shuai Jiao (the Sumo before Sumo became a thing), venture into dungeons, or just run around and explore the massive world while helping those in need. It’s a truly expansive experience that’s only going to get bigger once other regions launch globally.

Hades 2

There’s a moment in Hades 2 when you think you’ve understood everything that the game has to offer – its various Boons, the systems governing its weapons, the Incantations. Then the way to Olympus opens, and a brand new game is laid bare. Of course, you’ll still be growing crops, optimizing your Arcana, maxing out Keepsakes, upgrading weapons and unlocking their Hidden Aspects, and most importantly of all, discovering pets to assist you in runs. And even after the ending, there’s yet more to discover and greater challenges to conquer the Oath of the Unseen.

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.

Just to clarify, though: This isn’t a precursor to our own Game of the Year Awards or any sort of hint at what could win. Any title at this point is still fair game. We’re just discussing all the major contenders and their chances of winning across the industry as a whole. With that said, there is one that many consider to be a shoo-in for The Game Awards, if nothing else – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

And how could it not be? It was the highest-rated new game among critics for months at a time – and no, those Switch 2 versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom don’t count. For many gamers, it’s an experience that’s near and dear to their hearts in terms of narrative and characters; a success story that we hadn’t seen in a while from a group of developers who separated from a big triple-A publisher to pursue their creative vision.

Some loved exploring its Belle Époque world and taking in the stunning art direction. Others relished in its combat challenges, even though it was easy to over-level and unlock some truly broken builds by the end. Many found it to be the contemporary Final Fantasy that they’ve always wanted. Others, like me, felt like it set a new bar for $50 releases while sending a message to the utter messes that dared charge even $70.

It’s no surprise then that it would sweep the Golden Joystick Awards, winning Best Storytelling, Visual Design, Soundtrack, Supporting Performer, Lead Performer and Studio of the Year before nabbing the Ultimate Game of the Year prize. With 12 nominations at The Game Awards, the most in the show’s history, it’s a clear favorite to pull a Return of the King and dominate this awards season.

The only real competitor that truly comes to mind at this stage is Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Granted, when the first game was released, its unorthodox gameplay, bizarre narrative and strong performances were enough for multiple nominations but only a few wins. Blame it on the inherent friction of the design, or whatever or just the fact that it was unlucky to release in the same year as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Either way, it was a dark horse.

Not so with the sequel. It’s among the highest-rated new titles of the year, and the second-highest-rated among exclusives. It redefined visual standards for the generation with its gorgeous landscapes and impeccable character models. And while it’s always a toss-up how the story could turn out, Kojima Productions surprised us with some genuinely emotional hits on top of the usual twists, expanding on Sam’s story in so many welcome ways.

That’s before even getting to the gameplay, which accommodated so many other styles of play, resulting in a much more enjoyable experience. Long story short, it’s not just the prestige of Hideo Kojima’s name – Death Stranding 2 stands as a strong, well-rounded experience. No wonder then that it’s tied with another exclusive for the second-most nominations at The Game Awards, but we’ll get to that.

Instead, now would be a good time to talk about the truly beloved darlings that more than deserve to be in the Game of the Year discussion, but who are unlikely to win the big one. Blue Prince, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Split Fiction – it’s a shame because each of these games is incredible in what they do, be it in KCD 2’s world design and sheer immersion, or Split Fiction’s range of gameplay experiences within its co-op framework. And then there’s Blue Prince – a truly innovative take on the puzzle genre with enough mysteries to keep players running around, even after hundreds of hours. If any of these games had been released last year, they may have taken the crown, but 2025 is too packed.

Unfortunately, that may also apply to Ghost of Yōtei. Now, I loved Ghost of Tsushima to bits, flaws and all. To say that I had high expectations for Yōtei, even before it was announced, would be an understatement. And yet, it surpassed almost every single one of them. The combat, exploration, visuals, overall presentation and narrative – it all felt personable and pitch-perfect. So while it’s yet another title that I could see earning numerous awards for its soundtrack, performances, visuals, and whatnot, Game of the Year may be out of its reach.

The same goes for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Years and years of anticipation punctuated by endless memes of “Where Silksong?!” during showcases resulted in one of the greatest side-scrolling action-adventure games ever made. Heck, it’s perhaps the only title that managed to crash nearly every major storefront as soon as it launched. But while many were enthralled by Pharloom and its multitude of secrets on top of the unforgiving bosses, there were a scant few who weren’t feeling the magic or the challenge. Which is a shame for many reasons that I’ve discussed before, but I can see those many moments of frustration, even if they made victory taste that much sweeter, bringing the experience down for some players.

Then we come to the wildcards like Donkey Kong Bananza. For all the talk about how Xbox hasn’t been nominated for The Game Awards’ grand prize since 2010, it’s almost as surprising that no Nintendo exclusive has won since 2017 (with Breath of the Wild understandably taking the industry by storm). As much fun as Donkey Kong Bananza is, I can see it suffering the same fate, simply because of all the other contenders on the field. That doesn’t take away from how incredible a 3D platformer it is, and it’s probably guaranteed to mop up all the Nintendo-specific awards, even with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond coming up.

Hades 2 is a dark horse in many ways, exiting early access several weeks after Silksong and delivering a fantastic evolution of the original’s formula. The ending wasn’t nearly as well-received, but as a rogue-like, it remains at the tippity top of such experiences to play. Will that be enough to elevate it above the others? Probably not, even with its stellar combat, characters, and presentation, but the fact that it’s become undeniable brings a smile to my face.

Of course, you also have games which have much lower chances of claiming a ton of awards, despite leaving their own mark. I can see AdHoc Studio’s Dispatch winning some awards for its performances and writing, but it likely won’t go much further beyond that, which is a shame considering it’s one of the best narrative adventure games in years and years. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is as faithful a remake as you can get, but whether it’s due to the lack of boundary-pushing or the sheer number of other contenders, it may have to be content with winning top honors for remakes.

The same goes for Silent Hill f but in the horror category. As uncomfortably disgusting yet disturbingly compelling as it is, I don’t see it getting much mainstream recognition beyond the art direction and story. And as much as I like Absolum with its mix of rogue-lite mechanics, beat ’em up action and gorgeous 2D visuals, it’s unlikely to even win out in the indie category.

Regardless of all the above games’ chances and how many awards they accrue, they’re all fantastic titles that you should experience. Which one is your favorite to claim Game of the Year? Sound off in the comments and let us know.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Alongside the complete story, the launch version includes visual improvements (and new effects), decorations for the Crossroads, new Keepsakes, alternate Familiar styles, and 50 Steam Achievements. There’s also new music, improvements to various Nocturnal Arms, balance adjustments, and much more, with Supergiant inviting players to discover “the rest.”

Check out our review for more details on Version 1.0 of Hades 2, which we awarded a nine out of ten. Among the new releases of 2025, it’s currently the highest rated according to Metacritic with a 94 Metascore based on 35 reviews. Its Steam rating is also “Overwhelmingly Positive” with 95 percent of the currently 66,484 user reviews recommending it.

Now, after a lengthy early access period, comes Hades 2. It’s bigger in almost every sense, going beyond the original with its enhanced mechanical depth, extensive content, and advanced progression systems. And while it probably won’t influence a new generation of rogue-lites, Hades 2 is still a finely crafted, excellently hued work that’s a class above the vast majority in terms of aesthetics and gameplay.

"As before, various characters lend their aid, wrapped up as they are in their own war on the surface against the Titan."

Melinoë is the star, this time, raised from an early childhood by the witch, Hecate, to slay Chronos. The latter has inexplicably risen from the dead and enslaved the House of Hades, effectively capturing her father, mother and brother, Zagreus. With the only one left with the authority to venture into the Underworld, it falls on Melinoë to bring death to Chronos.

Of course, things rarely unfold as neatly as one would like, and it’s not long before she ventures to the surface, ascending to Mount Olympus in a venerable odyssey. The narrative can become a bit muddled at times (and Melinoë, while a very good lead, is nowhere near Zagresus’s charm), especially when accounting for various schemes in the background. Nevertheless, it’s engaging enough to fuel that urge for one more run, either to see things settled or to learn more about the overall scope of the conflict.

As before, various characters lend their aid, wrapped up as they are in their own war on the surface against the Titan, and despite some returning figures taking a relatively minor role, newcomers bolster the cast in many welcome ways. Odysseus, a master tactician who’s as charismatic as he is cunning; Nemesis, who’s as angry as she is loyal to the cause. I won’t spoil the entire cast, but even the roster feels slightly less memorable than the first game, which is a nigh-impossible feat given how well-rounded it was – they still make for excellent interactions, supplanted by hundreds of thousands of incredibly voiced dialogue. It also doesn’t hurt that the character designs and portraits are simply fantastic, even if some redesigns (like Artemis) may prove a tad divisive for some.

Of course, all these characters aren’t here to just stand around and look pretty. They offer benefits to help Melinoë in her journey. This usually manifests in the form of Boons, which can alter her abilities in various ways. Melinoë’s skills are much deeper than Zagreus, from channelling casts in a circle to unleashing powerful Omega attacks with different properties. Couple this with a brand new set of weapons, the Nocturnal Arms, each with its own Hidden Aspects to alter their forms and properties, and you have a diverse set of Titan-killing tools. Initially, I felt a bit whelmed by the likes of the Witch’s Staff and the Umbral Flames, but venturing deeper into Hades 2 showcased their potential and how they can be leveraged in insane ways.

"Everything eventually clicks in place, before you’re likely obliterated and sent back to the Crossroads, trying to figure out the places to dodge when you should’ve sprinted."

Take the Black Coat, Xinth, perhaps my favorite weapon in the game. On the surface, it serves as the ultimate counter-attacking tool, blocking most hits from the front while charging up a huge hit. However, it also unleashes missiles that can seek out foes with its Omega Special. A One Punch-Man Style build that could deal massive damage made the most sense for the former, but by dashing, you can unleash it early, effectively keeping up with faster-moving foes. Couple this with a few Boons for a chance to trigger the same punch twice, hit farther (or in a wider area), and so on, for even more big damage potential.

Or make it so that successfully blocking hits unleashes those same seeker missiles. Or, invest fully into seekers, taking a boon from Hephaestus that causes big explosive damage with each hit and reduces the cooldown as much as possible. It’s not quite Panzer Dragoon Orta, but locking on and decimating groups of enemies from afar, sometimes channelling Selene to slow down time, felt extremely satisfying.

These are only a few options for a single weapon, and it doesn’t even account for casts, which have their own level of insane builds to leverage. Of course, none of this would matter if the core gameplay of Hades 2 wasn’t so satisfying. Admittedly, it takes a hot minute to get used to the new sprinting mechanics, especially when transitioning from a dash into a sprint (and vice versa).

Everything eventually clicks in place, before you’re likely obliterated and sent back to the Crossroads, trying to figure out the places to dodge when you should’ve sprinted. The same goes for the Omega Attacks and casts, or chaining together Omega Combos for more damage. Fans of the first game who want to dash around and smack fools have plenty of avenues to do so, ignoring the deeper mechanics entirely, but they still offer a wealth of strategic depth (and several tactics that could make one’s run that much easier). That said, I did wish some abilities would flow into each other a lot better than others.

One build involved pressing F to activate a diving slam, either for invincibility frames or quick repositioning on enemies, but the delay after unleashing a big punch with Xinthe would literally and figuratively tear me apart, despite mashing the button for dear life. It’s all the more baffling considering some moves – simple slash from the Moonstone Axe into a charged spinning Omega Attack while simply holding the button down – feel so natural. And while the wealth of available Boons and upgrades sometimes feels like being spoiled for choice, I am a tad disappointed at how Dionysus ended up.

"Suffice it to say that if you’re a fan of rogue-lites, Hades 2 is well worth your time."

Regardless, the combat is delightfully on point more often than not – hits feel satisfying while the controls become second nature matched by an incredible variety of enemies and some truly astounding boss fights (with certain foes augmented even further courtesy of the Oath of the Unseen, to a sometimes hilariously insane degree). But the excellent level design can’t be discounted either. From the Fields of Mourning, with its extensive space and treating rewards as mini-objectives or Mount Olympus, with its ascending jumps used to dive bomb onto unsuspecting enemies, each region brings something new and interesting to the table. The overall difficulty is beyond that of the first game, which can lead to extensive frustration, even before recklessly stacking Fear levels, but it makes exploiting the various tools available that much more satisfying.

Of course, the visuals are simply stunning. Environmental design, animation work, effects, character design, bosses – it all comes together so incredibly well. So does the music, from the solitary plucks while wandering the undead City of Ephyra to epic boss tracks that are simply fantastic (and that’s not even including Scylla and the Sirens, who received some new tracks throughout early access). Even if you’re jumping in for the story alone, the presentation doesn’t disappoint in terms of sheer detail and the excitement it brings.

Hades 2 is, bluntly, more of Hades 1, sure, so if you couldn’t really get into the latter, it may not exactly change your mind. But even with the addition of more regions, Boons, build opportunities, enemies, bosses, and so on, I’m impressed with how deeply it feeds into the run-based progression that made the original so endearing. Whether it’s a failed or successful attempt, I’m eager to see how the Crossroads has evolved, or if someone has something new to say or venturing to the Cauldron to see what new incantations have become available or retooling my Arcana for the night ahead or undertaking the Chaos Trials with their specific loadouts.

Suffice it to say that if you’re a fan of rogue-lites, Hades 2 is well worth your time, building on everything that made the original so wonderful and expanding on it in fresh new directions.

This game was reviewed on PC.

While the developer didn’t outline everything that we can expect, it confirmed cross-saves between Nintendo Switch consoles and PC. Fans can also expect the true ending and additional bug fixes. It currently retails for $29.99 on PC, which will remain the same for Version 1.0’s release.

As for Switch 2 players, they can look forward to 1080p/120 FPS in Docked Mode and 1080p/60 FPS while playing in Handheld Mode. Compared to the Switch 1, it offers improved texture quality and visual effects.

Check out our early access review of Hades 2 for more details. You can also learn more about the latest content update, The Unseen, which added more challenging bosses and Hidden Aspects, here.

But that’s not all. Nintendo DE also confirmed on Twitter that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Hades 2, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, Borderlands 4, EA Sports FC 26, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and more will also be playable. Considering many of the above either lack release dates or launch later this year, it’s a good opportunity to go hands-on early.

Before Gamescom kicks off, Opening Night Live will return on August 19th with two hours of announcements and updates. Nintendo isn’t confirmed to be showcasing anything, but it could drop a surprise or two out of nowhere. Stay tuned for more details and live coverage of the event later this month.