Devil May Cry 5 getting a Switch 2 release wouldn’t be too surprising, since the company has been bringing its games to Nintendo’s relatively new console for some time now. Its recent releases on the platform include Resident Evil Requiem and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. The upcoming Pragmata is also coming to the Switch 2. Its rating was spotted by Gematsu on the website for the Taiwan Digital Game Rating Committee. However, at the time of writing, the page seems to have been taken down. Devil May Cry 5 was originally released on PC, PS4 and Xbox One back in 2019, followed by a Special Edition release on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2020. Capcom had also confirmed, as of May 2025, that Devil May Cry 5 had sold more than 10 million copies.

The ratings for Hell Is Us and Blood West were spotted on the website for the US-based Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Both titles have gotten a Mature 17+ rating. The page for Hell Is Us cites blood, drug references, strong language, suggestive themes and violence. The one for Blood West, on the other hand, cites blood and gore, partial nudity, use of alcohol and tobacco, and violence. While both games may have been rated for release, it is still unknown when they will actually come out on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Of the three titles, Hell Is Us is the most recent release, having come out just last year. In our review, we described it as part “Souls-like, mostly action-adventure” that melds the horrors of war with supernatural horrors thanks to an event known as the Calamity. We gave the launch version of the title a score of 7 out of 10 thanks to its realistic depiction of a civil war with uncomfortable sights and well-designed dungeons paired with fast-paced and responsive combat. Our main criticisms revolved around a lack of variety in enemy types, as well as a lack of interesting boss fights.

Blood West was released back in 2023, and melds in elements of the weird west sub-genre of horror with gameplay closer to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. We gave the title a score of 8 out of 10 in our review thanks to its atmosphere, core gameplay, and the variety offered by its progression systems. Our major criticisms revolved around its levels feeling too similar to each other, along with a steep difficulty curve that starts off much harder than it should have. Ultimately, we recommended it for fans of the stealth genre as well as the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise.

So it’s all the more impressive that the video game industry, be it triple-A developers, independent studios (even with the backing of major publishers) and smaller creators, can craft such a wide range of terrifying games, year in and year out. While that also means a heaping helping of shovelware – awful releases that wouldn’t even muster a simple yawn – a select few rise above the rabble to dominate.

Here are our nominees for the best horror game of 2025, starting with…

Routine

Between development troubles and even stopping development, only to restart in 2020, it’s almost impressive that Lunar Software’s first game was released at all, much less received such positive praise. Nevertheless, it’s pretty much what we expected – a slow, methodical trip down the retro futuristic rabbit hole in a station filled with killer robots. Even if the story doesn’t quite stick the landing, being immersed in this surreal world and awkwardly feeling your way through is more than worth the price of admission.

Tormented Souls 2

Old-school survival horror with its save rooms, fixed camera angles, and tank controls – you really couldn’t ask more from Dual Effect, especially after the surprising success of Tormented Souls. However, the sequel actually improves a lot, from more intricate puzzles and exploration to far better lighting that adds the oh-so creepy mood. Caroline Walker may never really catch a break, but her escapades make for some tense gameplay, if nothing else.

The Midnight Walk

If there’s one medium that’s adept at portraying adorably terrifying creatures, it’s claymation, and MoonHood uses it to full effect here. There’s an almost Tim Burton-like vibe to this tale of The Burnt One struggling to protect Potboy, who houses an alluring flame, from the various horrors of this mysterious world. The Midnight Walk straddles a fine line between beauty and terror while remaining engaging throughout.

Silent Hill f

Of course, it’s not just about balancing beauty and terror – sometimes, you can find each in the other, as Konami’s latest mainline Silent Hill showcases. Venturing outside the US for the first time, taking place in the fictitious Ebisugaoka in the 1960s, it’s a rural horror unlike anything the franchise has seen thus far. Deeply disturbing and unrelenting with its gore, yet never descending into senseless brutality, it’s a psychological trip that’s worth taking.

Total Chaos

A Doom 2 total conversion turned full-fledged horror by Sam Prebble of Turbo Overkill fame, this essentially captures all the reality-bending horror the former strived for. Between fighting grotesque horrors across Fort Oasis and trying to discover the truth of yourself, you’re crafting rudimentary weapons to fight back – all the while diving even deeper into this surprisingly meaty nightmare.

Hell is Us

While much of the emphasis remained on dungeon diving and getting by without any hand holding, Remi’s journey through the war-torn remains of Hadea isn’t without some disturbing sights. War crimes abound, but even discovering mountains of corpses and gruesome murders all in the name of ancient practices, which all connect back to the country’s bloody history, can get heavy. You won’t have to worry about jump scares or such, but it’s a stressful experience throughout.

Little Nightmares 3

It’s a shame that Supermassive didn’t innovate much on the gameplay because, in terms of the atmosphere and aesthetic, the spiral of Low and Alone through Nowhere is delightfully dreadful. Witness the Carnevale, with its sentient puppets that won’t stop attacking until you crush their heads. Flee the Supervisor, whose smile is almost as frightening as her Candy Factory. The frights may not be as out-and-out, but the sights remain as disturbing as ever.

Sleep Awake

Imagine if sleep were the enemy – the domain of an entity known as The Hush, who spirits away those that can’t resist nap time. Now imagine being one of the last few people on Earth trying to maintain their sanity. It’s an unconventional premise, sure, and Blumhouse Games further reinforces the surreality by mixing full-motion video with some gameplay sequences. Despite the iffy stealth sections and walking sim-like nature, its narrative stands strong.

Dying Light: The Beast

What’s there to be afraid of when my boy Kyle Crane, making his return after years in exile, can now rip apart zombies with his bare hands? As it turns out, when the sun goes down, everything. Volatiles are more ruthless, intelligent and brutal than ever, and we couldn’t be happier. It’s finally an achievement to survive the nighttime, which now looks properly foreboding and oppressive (the makeup of Castor Woods helps as well).

Cronos: The New Dawn

If Bloober Team was under immense pressure to deliver with Silent Hill 2 remake, then you have to wonder how much higher expectations were afterwards. Lo and behold, Cronos is another compelling survival horror – different, sure, especially with its post-apocalyptic body horror, sci-fi leanings, and unique premise, but still unrelentingly, stressfully frightening.

And the winner of the Best Horror Game of 2025 goes to…

Silent Hill f

Much like when Bloober Team was announced to remake Silent Hill 2, many were skeptical that NeoBards Entertainment could deliver a new mainline Silent Hill. Going back to the past is one thing, but forging a new experience forward, especially for a studio known for flops like RE:Verse and Resident Evil: Resistance? It seemed like Konami had lost its mind.

But it also announced that Higurashi no Naku Koro ni writer Ryukishi07 was penning the narrative while the brilliant kera handled the characters and creatures. Slowly and surely, despite skepticism surrounding its combat, Silent Hill f morphed into a compelling product. None of this could prepare anyone, even fans of the series, for what they would expect when stepping into the shoes of Shimizu Hinako. Heck, even Konatsu Kato, her Japanese voice actor, continues to be traumatized in her playthrough (to the entertainment of thousands, of course).

Suffice it to say, this is a masterclass in terror and pacing with grotesquely beautiful creatures that you couldn’t tear your eyes from. It offers a strong narrative with even stronger characterization (and a surprising number of layers thanks to its multiple endings). Did we mention the fantastic sound design and soundtrack? And as noted before, everything that you see, regardless of how brutal and cruel it can be, serves a purpose. It’s not unlike the symbolism seen in the series’s best games – just tackling new and undeniably uncomfortable themes.

I could go on, but the result is a powerful horror experience that makes you almost forget about the above-average combat. As a result, Silent Hill f is our pick for the top horror game of 2025. Walk in with as few spoilers as possible – you won’t regret it (maybe).

But which is the absolute crème of the crop? Let’s dive into our nominees for the best graphics of 2025, starting with…

Ghost of Yōtei

Everything about Sucker Punch’s sequel is a massive improvement over Ghost of Tsushima, and that especially applies to the visuals. Much greater draw distance with almost no noticeable pop-in, more details, higher quality textures and materials, improved effects – there’s even seamlessly implemented ray-traced global illuminations. All in all, whether you’re in the throes of combat with swords clashing and mud splashing or speeding through fields of flowers, Ghost of Yōtei doesn’t disappoint.

Silent Hill f

Between the expressive facial animations and grotesque environments, Silent Hill f is a nightmarishly stunning experience. Its environments are packed with incredible texture work and backed by realistic lighting and shadows that accentuate every gruesome reveal. Then there are the monsters, designed by kera, which strike a nauseating fine line between beauty and dread.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

After pushing the limits of the Decima Engine in the original, Kojima Productions somehow goes even further beyond in Death Stranding 2. Gazing upon mountain ranges with nary a hint of slowdown or pop-in, the phenomenal character models with realistic skin textures – it’s a feast for the eyes, and only gets better as you progress further in. For instance, the entire first encounter against Neal and his soldiers? Simply amazing.

DOOM: The Dark Ages

Count on id Software to take technology like ray-traced global illumination and make it a core part of its game while still delivering incredible optimization. Like its predecessors, DOOM: The Dark Ages focuses on brutally fast, though definitely more methodical, combat, but it still packs some fantastic sights like projectiles reflecting off glossy surfaces, more realistic environmental destruction and stellar atmospherics. All of this results in easily one of the best-looking shooters of all time.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Another excellent showcase of RTGI, Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings late Sengoku-era Japan to life in surprisingly stunning ways. However, it’s all the other details that help the experience come together so well, from the physics-based weather and realistic wind to the environmental destruction (especially when destroying a stand and watching dozens of fruit tumble onto the street). The depiction of various cities and castles is also incredible, making this feel like a lived-in world.

Clair Obscur: Expedition

No, Sandfall Interactive’s debut role-playing game isn’t the result of only 32 people and a dog, but you have to admit: Its visuals stretch the definition of “double-A” to an obscene degree. While balancing its fantastical painterly art direction with realism, it delivers some truly surreal environments and moments, packed with detailed shadows and lighting. Even the world map with its diorama-like layout looks incredible.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

If you played the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance, then the sequel’s outstanding visuals shouldn’t be a surprise. However, the universal leap in quality is mind-boggling, especially considering the increased scale. The composition of the cutscenes and facial expressions of its cast are only the start as you’re treated to realistic fire, rainfall, and excruciatingly detailed foliage. And it all runs like a dream.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Having more detailed and realistic character models and environments than the original is only the start. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater goes to extensive lengths to look drop-dead amazing – extensively complex skin meshes, a physically based material system for the clothing, Lumen GI for realistic lighting and shadows, the list goes on. Of course, even with the improved facial expressions, Konami retained every single element of the original’s quirky presentation, and we couldn’t be happier.

F1 25

Say what you will about its improvements over previous games, F1 25 still highlights the sheer beauty of the racing sim series. LIDAR technology results in more realistic tracks, but the implementation of path tracing, which enhances lighting, reflections and sheer detail, especially during various weather conditions, is excellent. Of course, Codemasters’ penchant for painstakingly crafting its F1 vehicles remains as praise-worthy as ever.

Battlefield 6

With the amount of time and resources invested in Battlefield 6’s development, it’s somewhat surprising that it looks this good despite the lack of ray tracing and other advanced features. Nevertheless, the presentation is off the charts, whether you’re running through an active battle with jets screaming overhead or watching buildings torn apart, their debris realistically scattering. The fact that it achieves all this while still offering buttery smooth performance is yet another win.

Dying Light: The Beast

Speaking of not offering ray tracing and still looking incredibly good is Techland’s Dying Light: The Beast. Lighting is a core element of the franchise, and its implementation is especially impressive here, as is the extensive range of parkour animations (which play out seamlessly) and revamped damage model. Striking enemies with melee weapons creates realistic cuts and deformations to a gruesome degree, giving melee combat that extra bit of edge.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

Virtuos opted for an intriguing dual-engine approach here, retaining the original code base and core while overhauling the visuals in Unreal Engine 5. Sure, it’s resulted in some problems, but Cyrodiil comes to life like never before. Emperor Uriel, with his realistic wrinkles and excruciatingly fine cloth textures, is only the start as the environments and NPCs are brimming with details.

ARC Raiders

Several Unreal Engine 5 titles come under fire for their poor optimization and performance issues. Then you have ARC Raiders, which offers exceptionally peak performance. Achieving this meant opting away from the likes of Lumen and Nanite, but the fidelity is still surprisingly strong. Reflective surfaces on ARC, realistic-looking weather, detailed destruction – it’s almost enough to make you forget that this is a multiplayer shooter.

Borderlands 4

Once you surmount the various technical problems on PC, there’s no denying that Borderlands 4 is a great-looking game. Gearbox’s signature cel-shading style looks more nuanced than ever, and it’s impressive given the scale of its environments, the seamless exploration, and the surprisingly complex character designs (especially the enemies).

Hell is Us

There’s an eerie atmosphere to Hell is Us, made all the more tangible with the presence of Time Rifts and otherworldly creatures in otherwise realistic, war-torn environments. While it required further optimization at launch, discovering Lake Cynon’s lush field of blue flowers or exploring the sleek interiors of Auriga Museum still made for some startling moments, further bolstered by the excellent texture quality, lighting and reflections.

And the title with the Best Graphics of 2025 is…

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Let’s be real – this generation hasn’t exactly been brimming with titles that push the graphical envelope. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is, of course, the exception and it becomes apparent in the opening minutes. Quick cuts of Mexico, the first location, look almost identical to real life. The skin tone on the characters, alongside details like realistic sweat and retinas, also makes them feel that much more alive. And mind you, this is before Australia, where the sheer breadth of the world is unveiled, from the different biomes to the real-time weather effects (including dust storms).

We mentioned the battle against Neal and the impressive use of lighting, reflective puddles and effects, but it’s even more incredible how this is achieved with screen-space reflections rather than ray-tracing. If all of this wasn’t enough, seamlessly going from the main menu right into the game underscores just how ahead of the curve Death Stranding 2 is of the competition. For that reason and many more, it’s our pick for the best graphics of 2025.

But as with every other genre we’ve covered, some games have just surged ahead of their peers thanks to unique features and gameplay innovations that make the experience they offer unforgettable and very entertaining to play. And of course, one of them does the job so well it’s our favorite one of the year.

Without further ado, here are the nominees for the best action-adventure game of 2025.

1. Mafia: The Old Country

Going back to the early days of organized crime, this romp through the Sicilian countryside in a story that was quite interesting brings everything that’s good about the Mafia franchise to the table. Its visuals were outstanding, complementing the narrative while the gameplay remained as exciting as it has always been in the franchise.

Enzo’s tryst with the Torrisi family is a title worth checking out if you happened to miss it earlier this year. If we were to complain, it would only be to lament that there isn’t more of it to play.

2. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

Blending the best of the original experience and Sigma 2, this one took us right back to fond memories of the game, while getting to revisit any of Ryu’s adventures is always going to draw us in. But having three new characters to play, while New Game Plus mode is an option, makes this an action title that can have you very invested in its systems and mechanics.

It’s also quite rewarding, with the combat system allowing you to pull off some spectacular combos in battle, provided you know how to wield your weapons effectively. Give this one a go for some old-school fun.

3. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Hunting down the Shinbakufu across ancient Japan was an absolute delight in the game’s take on a very interesting time period. With a world designed for Naoe’s unique brand of parkour and combat that allowed Yasuke to truly shine as a great take on a tank character, this was among our favorite ones to explore to its fullest.

The new and improved stealth mechanics can have you clearing out entire castles without anyone even realizing you were there, which is always welcome in an Assassin’s Creed title. We recommend making the most of its Exploration Mode if you’re looking for an authentic experience.

4. Split Fiction

Mio and Zoe’s excellently written story is definitely something you want to bring a friend along to. Split Fiction ticks all of the right boxes with some incredible level designs, great bosses and enemies, and a premise that sets the stage for the game to truly shine.

It’s full of wit, charm, emotional heft, and references to some very popular names in modern entertainment for you to tease out. While the AI does allow you to experience the game fairly well, this one shines when there’s a second player at your side. It’s a game that’s so much fun you’d probably just dive right back in for the heck of it.

5. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Playing as Samus in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a complete blast, and despite a few unwelcome enemies on your journey this time around, this is a game that blends an excellent world with an intriguing setting that sucks you in with an explosive introductory sequence and then sets you on your way to a lot of fun.

Samus gets some powers, too, and using them to navigate the world around you and also in combat could be the recipe for a lot of fun evenings if you decide to give this one a go.

6. Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater

Konami did well to bring a near perfect remake of the original Snake Eater, allowing an entirely new generation of gamers to learn more about why this franchise enjoys the almost reverent respect that it does. Naked Snake’s first foray with forces beyond his world view is a pleasure to play through, and of course, there’s always FOX Hunt for some multiplayer fun.

This is a game that’s legendary, and Delta is certainly the best possible way to experience it. That’s partly due to several quality of life changes that Konami made, which make it feel like a more modern Metal Gear Solid experience.

7. Hell is Us

Remi’s travels across Hadea and his search for his parents might not be the most cheerful of adventures, but this is a game whose systems work very well to reward curious players with lore drops and useful items. However, only the most observant players are going to get to see more of its world, as this one has a lot to discover but almost no way to track it all other than your own wits.

It’s nice to see a game that’s as opaque as this one, and slowly peeling back the layers of its world and the events that transpired in the past is harrowing yet satisfying to progress through.

8. Echoes of the End

Although Ryn and Abram’s adventure hasn’t managed to capture as much of the spotlight as Deep Silver might have hoped, it’s still a solid game with a story that has many memorable moments, along with mechanics that make for fast-paced, satisfying combat. There are many memorable moments to experience in your time with this one, both part of its main story and the ones you get to make along the way.

Its voice actors do really well to sell the material they’re working with, while the entire experience comes together reasonably well enough to make this one entertaining the first time you play through it.

9. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Getting Goro to go on a swashbuckling adventure where he takes command of his own crew of pirates competing with a ship is every bit as fun as you’d imagine, and then some. It’s a great story that sets the stage for Ryu Gya Gotuku to bring an experience that is a great showcase of Like a Dragon’s popularity.

The combat is a treat, and finally having a jump button is a nice way of acknowledging player feedback. The story is quite a rollercoaster, while a plethora of optional activities via side content means this one is going to keep you occupied for many an entertaining hour.

10. Shadow Labyrinth

It was a delight to join Puck and Swordsman #8 on their adventure across a mysterious world that seems intent on hindering their journey at every turn. It’s a punishing world that can push you to the limits of your skills and tactical ability, but it’s all the more worth it as a result.

The level design is top-shelf, as are the enemies and bosses you find, making this one a game that’s so good you’re going to keep coming back for more. There’s also a bunch of tongue-in-cheek references to other successful Bandai Namco titles and franchises if you keep a sharp eye out.

11. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

There’s a lot of action to be found across Mexico and Australia in this new adventure from Hideo Kojima, and a story that’s going to leave you gaping at what the current generation of games can achieve both visually and narratively. Everything that was good about the original Death Stranding is here, along with ambitious new additions that take the franchise forward in ways that must be seen to be believed.

It’s a game that will have you completely invested from the very moment it begins, and we’d probably leap at any excuse to start up a new playthrough just to enjoy as much of it as we can another time.

12. Ninja Gaiden 4

With enough of the franchise’s best features in it to make it a nod of respect to veteran players, while adding enough new content to make it welcoming to newcomers, Ninja Gaiden 4 has done well to bring the franchise back into relevance with style.

With Ryu taking on the Dark Dragon yet again, joined by a new protagonist who brings interesting new twists to the game’s combat, this long-awaited new addition to the franchise does a lot of things right, making it one of the year’s finest action titles whose main narrative can have you increasingly curious to know how things pan out.

13. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Silksong took the world by storm this year, and with good reason. Putting Hornet front and center of the story this time around allowed the game to take a new approach to its combat and traversal, while increasing its size and scope over the original Hollow Knight by a significant amount.

The result is a game that’s a near-perfect blend of exploration, traversal, combat, and story beats, which is just sublime to play despite survival being a challenging affair in its world.

14. Ghost of Yotei

The land of Ezo has turned out to be a great place for you to leap onto your horse and go out seeking adventure and any excuse to draw your weapons against deadly foes. Atsu’s story of revenge is certainly compelling, but it’s in the way you guide her towards rediscovering the home she left behind while making her a legend to be feared among the land’s villains that makes this one as endearing as it is.

Of course, its beautiful landscapes and brutal combat encounters make for action that’s probably going to be something we keep revisiting from time to time. This is a PlayStation exclusive that might even sell a few consoles this holiday season.

15. Dying Light: The Beast

Boy, was this one good! Kyle Crane’s latest tale might be darker and grittier than his past appearances, but that only serves to make this game more immersive as a result. The Beast is designed to balance exploring its excellent world against encounters with the Infected that could take nasty turns if you’re not smart about how you use your limited supplies.

The story is a perfect example of a Dying Light game, and franchise fans are quite happy with the cliffhanger it sets up. This is definitely a game that you can take on if you’re looking for some nail-biting action and a great story to frame it all.

While each of these titles has been special in its own right, we’re handed the challenge of picking one out of them all as a winner.

The winner of the best action-adventure game of 2025 is:

Ghost of Yotei

Atsu’s adventure is just so intricately crafted that wandering the lands of Ezo leads you to new things to engage with so organically that you could almost forget that there are numerous systems working behind the scenes to bring them to you. This one’s a masterpiece whose many systems click together in place to bring you an open-world experience like no other, while its combat is a deadly dance of blades that ends with only one of its practitioners standing around the devastation of those incapable of defeating the onryo.

And that’s a wrap on our list of the best action-adventure games of 2025. In the aftermath of a year that’s been this good, we can only grin with anticipation as we think of what’s to come in the next one!

If that’s appealing to you, you’re probably as much of a sucker for punishment as we are, and are going to love the ones that are on this list. Each one of them is going to test you in its own way, but the journey is certainly worth it as they are experiences you’d not want to miss.

Let’s dive in, and let the battles begin.

1. Bionic Bay

If you’re raising your eyebrows at the thought of a 2D platformer being among the hardest games of the year, allow us to warn you that this one comes with a lot of moments where you’re going to be feeling despair at the seemingly impossible challenge in front of you. That’s a sentiment that never fully leaves you as you try to navigate the complex pathways to your character’s ultimate escape that serves as the narrative framing for this adventure.

It takes a determined player to get to the end of this one, and if that’s you, strap in for a hell of a good time.

2. Elden Ring: Nightreign

Although I’d personally recommend you bring a couple of friends along to Limveld, playing with complete strangers might just be a natural part of the challenge on offer in this roguelike debut from FromSoftware. From planning the perfect route and being as efficient as possible when you take on the many threats you’re going to find along the way, this one is a rush through risky lands that can get quite addictive.

Of course, the bosses at the end of each run are going to be absolute walls that require multiple runs before you can even begin to formulate a strategy to take them down that can work with different combinations of weapons. We could go on, but you get the point.

3. Haste

While its premise, gameplay loop, and control scheme are deceptively simple, Haste is so unpredictable and reliant on precision for the best rewards that it becomes quite challenging to play it the way it wants you to. For a game that’s about running as fast as you can before you try to stick a perfect landing to preserve your momentum, it sure brings a myriad of ways to bring you to a sudden halt.

But if you’re the type to keep getting back up and trying again, you’re going to have a lot of fun (and digital concussions) with this one.

4. Escape From Tarkov

No matter the mode you pick on this extraction shooter, things are going to be challenging as you begin to trade damage with enemies and pick up a few injuries along the way. That’s thanks to the game’s emphasis on being a realistic tactical shooter, requiring you to be very cognizant of your presence in the world, and ever on the lookout for signs of life from your enemies, too.

Things can get tense with this one, especially against players who know what they’re doing with it. Approach it with caution and pay attention to its mechanics, as they could mean the difference between life and death.

5. Wuchang Fallen Feathers

This fantasy, based on the end of the Ming Dynasty, is a great example of a game that encourages you to try different approaches to insurmountable challenges until you find one that works. Its combat mechanics are sublime, with each of its weapon types coming with distinct mechanics that make them very special.

Its enemies and bosses are all excellent adversaries, while some of its harder enemies had us grinding our teeth in frustration at the errors they forced us to make. For a visually stunning world teeming with difficult fights to pick, this one is a no-brainer.

6. AI Limit

Life as a Blader isn’t easy, and Arissa is no stranger to the challenges that come her way in this sci-fi ARPG. But she’s only as good as the player guiding her actions, and the combat loop on offer makes things quite challenging to stay on top of. This game’s Soulslike trappings are proudly on display, and its enemy types make it quite hard to predict potential attacks and form strategies.

The result is an experience that needs you to think on your feet, and comes off all the more rewarding as a result.

7. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

Henry’s adventure in this sequel can get quite challenging if you don’t make good use of its excellent combat mechanics. While you can make things easy for yourself by exploring as much as you can, things are designed to remain a challenge throughout the experience in this title.

Its Hardcore mode takes the realism it presents to a whole other level, removing a lot of important assists that you might otherwise rely on. You’re going to want to master the basics of this game’s combat system and practice as much as you can to make the most of it.

8. Hollow Knight Silksong

As a worthy sequel to the original game, this one’s expanded size and scope make both exploration and combat work very well together to present a gameplay loop that constantly has you on the back foot if you’re prone to making errors in combat. Hornet’s improved agility and new moveset are a valuable addition to a game that brings a very troublesome rogues’ gallery to its levels.

You’re going to want to be precise and attack with intent if you want to survive this one’s toughest battles. To hesitate is to die, and this game does not let you forget that.

9. Blue Prince

This one is a great test of your wits for those among you who prefer that kind of a challenge. Finding the hidden 46th room in a mansion whose layout is ever-changing is going to have you thinking about potential solutions even while you’re at work. It’s maddeningly simple and yet quite hard to nail down.

When considered alongside a gameplay loop that’s designed to keep you bamboozled, this is a game that can send you in circles before you find that a solution was right in front of you all along.

10. The First Berserker: Khazan

For an exhilarating combat system backed up by a great story and some very unique visuals, Khazan’s battle is going to hit all the right notes and then some. The combat system gives you all the tools you need to face down any threats standing in your way, but makes each of those threats so memorable and challenging that you can’t help but get up and try again when they take you down.

This one’s so good that giving up on it isn’t an option, as you’re going to find out when you dive in.

11. DOOM: The Dark Ages

The Slayer might be feared by the forces of Hell, but he’s only as good as the one who wields his mighty arsenal of weapons. This prequel can get overwhelming if you don’t take full advantage of its new mechanics, and even that might not save you on its harder difficulties.

This is a game that needs you to be quite tactical as you take on enemies, planning a bloody path through their ranks with the brutal efficiency that only Earth’s mightiest defender can wield against the forces that threaten his world. The Slayer’s latest adventure is a deadly one, but it’s totally worth it if you’re up for the challenge.

12. Warriors: Abyss

Although the massive roster and a great combat system are the main draws of this one, it can get quite difficult to take on the armies it throws at you in the heat of battle. You’re going to have to master your moves to get the most out of your build, and the game’s enemies are no pushovers, ready to slice and dice you into oblivion if you allow the momentum of a battle to slip away.

While the story could have been better, it does manage to give you a reason to take on as many enemies as you like with almost reckless abandon, provided you earn your mastery through practice and perfection.

13. Ninja Gaiden 4

The new Ninja Gaiden does very well to preserve the franchise’s trademark challenge, with both Ryu and Yakumo having their abilities pushed to their limits over the course of the story. Taking on enemies with its combat system might be familiar if you’re a returning veteran, but it can get a tad challenging to master for a newcomer.

Either way, this is a game where you need to use all of the skills you learn in order to stay on top of everything it throws at you. Oh, and of course, you have to do it all with style. Otherwise, what’s the point?

14. Hell Is Us

While this game’s combat might not be too much of a challenge, it’s in how the game’s very design is aimed at making it all as opaque as possible that gets you. Hell is Us can get quite complicated if you’re not paying attention, with so much of its content hidden away behind a veil of obscurity that seems to cover its world.

Uncovering it all is going to require the best of your sleuthing skills, and of course, a bit of talent with your blades whenever the need arises. Even that might not be enough to see all it has to offer in a single playthrough. Approach this one with a suitable notepad in hand.

15. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Joe Musashi’s fight against the ENE is a great action-platformer that can have you retrying portions of it more often than you’d like to admit. While you do enjoy Musashi’s agility and a solid arsenal of skills and tools to make fights easier as the adventure goes on, its enemies ensure that you’re always kept on your toes and that no victory feels cheap.

It’s a deadly dance of attacks and dodges that can have you spending hours just enjoying its balance between simplicity and depth.

And that’s a wrap on the hardest games of 2025 that caught our attention. We can only wonder what the year ahead has in store for us, but no matter what, know that we’re going to be there for it all alongside you!

Of course, size isn’t everything. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Like a Dragon have earned recognition for smaller worlds packed with plenty to do, leading to the term “semi-open world.” While it could mean many things – like several moderately sized areas that aren’t seamlessly connected – it has resulted in some contemporary classics.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the best semi-open world games from 2025.

Hell is Us

The poster child for non-handholdy games this year, Hell is Us scaled its environments based on the needs of its story. Senedra Forest was fairly straightforward but accommodated a mid-game dungeon/tower. The Acasa Marshes are one of the biggest areas, accommodating a town, underground tunnels, and various smaller mysteries to unravel. And then you have locations like Lake Cynon, which consist exclusively of a dungeon (with far more awaiting once you’ve progressed enough through the story). It’s an intriguing mix, and even if some areas are smaller than others, they each feel unique and packed with things to discover, including the many horrors of the civil war.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Capcom’s approach to the latest mainline Monster Hunter is odd for any number of reasons. You’re still relying on fast travel to go from one region to another, but you can now seamlessly transition from one hunt to another with no need to return to base. Camps are now of the pop-up variety, letting you place them anywhere. It’s all very dynamic, borrowing elements of open-world titles while remaining within the typical hunter gameplay loop. Post-launch updates have enhanced it further, adding tougher challenges and more rewards (like random Talismans). Master Rank is probably what’s going to elevate it beyond previous entries, but for now, The Forbidden Lands are worth losing a few dozen hours in.

Mafia: The Old Country

Hangar 13 made no bones about what it wanted to offer with Mafia: The Old Country – a linear, narrative-driven experience with some wiggle room for completing missions your own way. Which is a nice way of saying “Stealth or guns-blazing”, but it worked well regardless. Those who wanted to explore the extensive vistas of Sicily on horseback or poke around different shops to purchase new items could do so at their own leisure. Admittedly, it’s not the most feature-packed world, but the focus remains squarely on the story and characters, and for this price, we’re more than satisfied with the results.

Atomfall

“Quests” aren’t the impetus behind your character’s journey in Atomfall. Instead, it’s all about the leads, but to what end? Well, take your pick in this post-Windscale disaster landscape. What is the Voice that speaks through the mutated horrors? Who or what is Oberon, and why have you been tasked with killing it? What are factions like Protocol really after? That constant drive for answers is what carries much of the intrigue, and you never know when an unassuming discovery could lead to something far bigger (and more dangerous). Then again, you may opt to ditch it all in favor of wanton murder. The choice – and where it could lead – is yours.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

While the franchise has made many strides over the years, one of Sniper Elite’s strengths is delivering on its core formula: Hunkering down, killing targets with ultra-long-range shots without getting caught and exfiltrating. To that end, its maps are massive sandboxes that offer multiple objectives and approaches alongside collectibles. Should you decide to go even further, there are Kill List objectives that bestow additional rewards and the new Propaganda Mode, which has you controlling a freedom fighter and completing unique challenges. While there are many different ways to play, Resistance only further improves on what it’s good at.

Clair Obscur: Expedition

By now, we don’t really have to explain everything that Clair Obscur: Expedition does well. But how about the world design, complete with an old-school RPG-style world map? Where you can encounter Chromatic Nevrons and wipe the expedition just as easily as discover Gestral Beaches with wacky mini-games (including an Only Up-style platforming challenge). Maybe you’d fancy testing your skills in the tower, finding out what happened to Lune’s parents or discovering more doors that lead back to the Manor. The sheer amount of variety is noteworthy, but the fact that all of this is enjoyable to engage with while expanding on your party’s capabilities to a massively broken degree makes it that much sweeter.

The Outer Worlds 2

Where Starfield opted for hundreds upon hundreds of randomly generated planets, with a few hand-crafted locations, The Outer Worlds 2 narrows its focus on a handful. Fortunately, they go well in hand with the branching quests and decisions, where one wrong move could alienate you from both companions and entire factions. And while pursuing the story is recommended, there are so many side areas, optional quests and hidden approaches that reward you for exploration. Again, however, you could opt to just kill everyone. The Outer Worlds 2 even provides dedicated Perks for those who would rather shoot first and never ask questions later.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Leave it to Retro Studios to innovate on its established Prime formula, even if some of the results may not agree with long-time fans. Ignoring the new side characters (the less said about Myles, the better), Viewros is truly a unique location – one with multiple massive regions with convoluted layouts, puzzles, unique challenges, and, of course, boss fights. However, you’re also traversing the open desert on Vi-O-La, shooting down foes and harvesting resources. Despite initial apprehensions about the setting, it’s an intriguing mix that combines the genre’s best with something entirely new.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

An underrated yet solid action RPG, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is also surprisingly packed in terms of content, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the world design. Developer Leenzee took significant inspiration from Dark Souls in terms of connecting key locations, and while it doesn’t boast the largest scale, a lot is waiting off the beaten path. Optional bosses, NPC quests, new weapons – the list goes on. Of course, there’s also a lot to discover about the Land of Shu, and its cursed history, if you’re so interested. It may not push the envelope when it comes to Souls-likes, but Wuchang’s world is certainly compelling in its own right.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

An amnesiac Majima Goro, who decides to be a pirate, commandeering his own ship and waging war on the high seas, including against the likes of Raymond Law (played by none other than Samoa Joe). What more could you really want? Of course, the world design, a bright spot in almost every RGG Studio title, is the highlight here with numerous islands to explore. And when you’re tired of waging war and acquiring Briefcases in Madlantis, why not stop by Honolulu, which is carried over wholesale from Infinite Wealth, complete with numerous play spots and quests?

We’re here to give them the spotlight they deserve, and perhaps give you a great new game to pick up and play. Join us as we take a look at a few excellent titles that deserve your attention. There’s something for everybody, and you’re sure to find a title that joins your list of favorites!

1. Blue Prince

With a rather unconventional premise, and a whole lot of entertaining puzzle-adventure gameplay to stretch your brain power to its limits, this is a gem of a game that did not get its due in a year crowded with huge releases. But Simon P. Jones’ surreal trip through the Mt. Holly Estate and the discovery of its story make for an unforgettable adventure.

If you enjoy solving puzzles and are the kind who doesn’t like to leave any loose ends in their games, this one is going to have you occupied for quite a while.

2. Dispatch

It can be jarring to be relegated to a desk job after an exciting stint in the field even for the best of superheroes. But Mecha Man, aka Robert Robinson III, faces a frustrating twist to his career and having to manage a team of reformed supervillains is the perfect recipe for a story that’s told with heart and charm.

A stellar voice cast elevates the experience, and Dispatch is a game that you enjoy from the very beginning right up until you navigate a roller coaster of decisions whose varying outcomes could have you wanting to dive back in for another playthrough. That’s certainly a game that’s easy to recommend.

3. Tormented Souls 2

Caroline Walker (or Emma, if you’re familiar with this one’s predecessor) just can’t catch a break. This sequel builds on the first game’s strengths while telling a grim, chilling story about a cult that seems intent on continuing Noah’s work.

But Caroline has never been one to sit around and wait for fate to play its hand, and you’re going to be navigating dark hallways and dangerous places with bated breath. This is an excellent horror experience that does well to bring forgotten genre trappings back with style.

4. Keeper

It isn’t everyday a game gives a lighthouse the ability to walk, and puts its players behind a character as unique as the one in Keeper. As the lighthouse, your travels aren’t as lonely as they could be thanks to Twig, and the bond that forms between them as they tackle the scourge that’s affecting their home is a lovely story.

This one’s bizarre premise lets its creators come up with some very inventive designs in their levels, and navigating its world isn’t going to be easy. But we can tell you it’s definitely worth it.

5. Atomfall

An action survival gameplay loop set in an alternate, post-apocalyptic version of the British countryside into a radioactive zone was always going to be a blast, and our time with Atomfall had us chuckling away at the humor that it has managed to bake into an otherwise grim world.

The story is definitely gripping enough to make this a rewarding experience while the side content brings some top-shelf writing into the fray. This is a world that’s going to be very worthwhile to those of you who like ferreting out secrets and leaving no missions incomplete.

6. Cronos: The New Dawn

The Bloober Team cemented its reputation as a talented horror studio with its take on a time-travelling survival horror adventure. As the Traveller, every step you take into the game’s world makes you feel the weight of its desolation, while its threats can have you missing perfectly aligned headshots thanks to their raw aggression and feral rage.

However, for those of you who learn the art of survival in this bleak world, you get to find very creative ways to turn the tables in a deadly dance of tactics, strategy, and skillful shooting. It’s a slow-paced ride but a wild one nonetheless.

7. Hell is Us

Although this one did gain a fair bit of traction, it can be hard to put the allure of a world that staunchly refuses to reveal its secrets to none but the most diligent of players into words. But Hell is Us does just that, leaving you scribbling furiously away on a notepad just so that you get to experience all that it has to offer.

It can be quite a disorienting experience at first but the story and combat can have you quite invested. If exploration and lore hunting sound like hours of fun to you, this one is going to have you very content with how it presents its best features.

8. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Fast, stylish, and well-paced, Joe Musashi’s battle against the ENE Corporation is a great game. The story moves along at a breakneck pace, giving you new ways to dish out damage in your 2D platforming adventure. Musashi’s agility and the fact that the stakes are literally about life and death with a dollop of vengeance thrown in make this a shinobi adventure with all the good stuff.

Just be ready to bring your best fighting skills to the table as you take on the ENE’s hordes of soldiers, yokai, oni, and imposing bosses.

9. Echoes of the End

Although Ryn and Abram’s journey didn’t get the start that developer Myrkur Games might have wanted, the studio has done well to release an enhanced edition of Echoes of the End as a free update, fixing a significant portion of its launch issues and making it a very enticing offering.

The combat is now quite good, while the story has several great moments in the second half of the adventure. Stick with this one and you’re going to find yourself quite invested in how things turn out.

10. The Rogue Prince of Persia

If you’re a fan of roguelites, this one might be right up your street. Playing a Prince who is on the run from an army of possessed soldiers is a great way to spend a few hours exploring well-designed levels with mechanics that are quite engaging.

Evil Empire has done well to capture the look and feel of a Prince of Persia game a action adventure game, and you should definitely give this one a shot. Its recent Switch debut should see it get some well-served attention, too.

11. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

This side-scrolling hack n’ slash spin-off of the popular franchise is definitely up there with the best ones of the year. Kenji Mozu’s inspired effort to defend the Hayabusa village from demonic threats, leaving Ryu free to live out his legend in America, is a very entertaining take on the Ninja Gaiden universe.

Its slick combat and challenging platforming make it a pleasure to play too. This is a great choice for those of you who love to let your blades do the talking.

12. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

If you’re a Soulslike fan and have somehow missed this one from Leenshee Games, it’s worth checking out. Bai Wuchang’s mission to save her sister quickly turns into an exploration of sinister events against the background of a failing dynasty.

That premise does very well to set up battles that can test your reflexes and ability to improvise in the field. Combat is an art in this game, and you’re given a wide set of tools to use as you paint a bloody canvas that tells an epic story. Expect to be challenged, and this one is going to take your breath away.

13. Shadow Labyrinth

Bandai Namco’s refresh of the classic character was such a blast we almost forgot our initial scepticism of the entire exercise. The swordsman and Puck are quite a duo, navigating a treacherous world that leaves a very interesting trail of information about its history and denizens.

With challenging enemies and mechanics, Shadow Labyrinth is a game that has you always on the lookout for a detail that you missed, and can take a long time if you’re intent on teasing out all of its secrets.

14. Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

While it can be difficult to handle the emotional weight that this excellent story brings to the table, Hanna’s desperate journey to rescue her brother, and the people she meets along the way make this one a worthy addition to our list of 2025’s underrated gems.

This is a game that brings some great stealth mechanics in a world in which the shadows are your biggest strength, and a story that underlines the importance of staying unseen through the eyes of a young orphan. This one’s a winner for all of you stealth nuts out there.

15. Steel Seed

Bringing excellent stealth action, robust platforming, a dark sci-fi-world, and a relatable protagonist and companion duo, there’s a lot to like about Steel Seed. Although this one did draw a bit of flak on the critical front, its story and excellent world building are compelling reasons to dive into this title.

Zoe’s sassy yet earnest nature wins you over quite quickly, and her proficiency with her weapons make her fun to embody in this tale of redemption. Despite a relatively shorter runtime, this game has its charms, and the journey is definitely worth it.

And that’s a wrap on our best single-player sleeper hit titles that you might have missed out on this year. Here’s to a fresh new batch of winners as we look to 2026 and beyond.

Gears 5

The Gears series was always at the forefront of modern rendering techniques, and Gears 5 is obviously no different in that regard. Released in 2019, Gears 5 continues to impress with its gorgeous level of detail present in every aspect of the presentation, including but not limited to the environment, characters, and the sheer spectacle of the firefights on offer.

This is a complete guide to the locations and effects of every single Glyph in Hell Is Us.

Ecstasy Lymbic Sphere

Grief Lymbic Sphere

Neutral Lymbic Sphere

Rage Lymbic Sphere

Terror Lymbic Sphere

Finding five Glyphs of any tier or variant from each Lymbic Sphere will unlock the trophy/achievement “Emotional Damage”. However, all 25 unique Glyphs of any tier or variant, are required for the trophy/achievement “Emotional Warfare”.

Those are all 75 Glyphs that you can find and slot into your weapons in Hell Is Us.

In an episode of the Friends Per Second podcast, Jacques-Belletête spoke about how the release impacted several other games in the same time frame, calling Hollow Knight: Silksong as the Grand Theft Auto 6 of indie games.

“When you know you’re that big, I think a shadow drop is a bit like… wow,” said Jacques-Belletête.

“As the ‘GTA 6 of indie’… to shadow drop something like this is a little callous,” he continued. Despite this, however, he also noted that there were “emails and texts and messages back and forth between a lot of people, between us and our publisher — it was a real thing — we decided to keep the date, and I’m happy that we did.”

Rogue Factor’s decision to stick to its release date for Hell is Us came down to the studio being bigger than the typical indie developer, and having the support of a publisher like Nacon. This, according to Jacques-Belletête, gave the studio the confidence that it would be able to weather the storm of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release.

“We’re still much bigger than some of the smaller ones who would have gotten a lot more affected and who decided to change their dates — changing the date of Hell is Us would have been a pretty big endeavour,” he explained.

“The real pain in the ass is that you have to refund your pre-orders when you do that, right? That’s the real, ‘How you gonna do this?’ — now you need to rebuild them. We didn’t say, ‘Oh my god, we have to do it, but we can’t because of that.’ We were like, ‘No, I think we can get through the storm’.”

Jacques-Belletête doesn’t quite put all the blame on Hollow Knight: Silksong, since September onwards tends to be a pretty busy time of the year for video game releases. He also noted that Bloober Team’s Cronos: The New Dawn also came out at around the same time.

“Honestly, it’s not just Silksong, there was Cronos, it was a busy time,” he admitted. “That’s the thing nowadays, honestly — getting a window where you’re pretty much alone is almost impossible. 15 years ago, the mid-end of the summer was always a dead period. But there’s no such thing anymore. It’s just constant madness.”

Hell is Us, Cronos: The New Dawn, and Hollow Knight: Silksong all came out at around the same time. Hell is Us and Cronos: The New Dawn are both available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Hollow Knight: Silksong, on the other hand, is available on a wider assortment of platforms – PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2. All three titles have also been critically-acclaimed.