That is, unless you’re a game developer with a reasonably successful title that launched many years – or even just a few. You can then go back and remake it, as so many studios have done over the past decade or more. But it didn’t always used to be like this.

In the past, some games would premiere in arcades before hitting consoles, and when they did, some would have extensively retooled graphics. From Space Invaders in the late 1970s to Ultima 1: Age of Darkness, even Super Mario All-Stars can be considered a remake, since it updated the NES titles with new visuals. As technology improved across all platforms, you would have titles like Resident Evil HD in 2002 with far higher budgets.

Despite its success – to say nothing of everything that came before and after – the trend only really became so dominant after the success of 2019’s Resident Evil 2. And for good reason – it’s generally considered one of the very best ever made, and has sold millions of copies. Its changes were well-received by fans at large, and in a way, you could argue that it drew in a whole new generation to the Resident Evil franchise. This was perfect for the developer , which was in the midst of a renaissance of sorts thanks to Resident Evil 7: biohazard.

The trend has ballooned well past simply revisiting what worked and reinventing it for a new generation. Remakes are big business – 2025 alone saw the launch of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, Yooka-Replaylee, and so on. That’s not even getting into games that had Definitive Editions or remasters like Suikoden I and II HD Remaster, Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered, and so on, or titles like Silent Hill 2 remake, which was finally released on Xbox Series X/S.

However, it highlights a more noticeable quirk about the industry thus far, one that was also observable in a different way: Sequels. Think back to some of the most well-received and/or financially successful games of last year. Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Monster Hunter Wilds, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Battlefield 6, Mario Kart World, Silent Hill f – it’s a pretty extensive range of sequels, but they’re also some of the most hyped games of this generation.

Heck, even on a smaller scale, there are the likes of Ender Magnolia, Wizard of Legend 2, Citizen Sleeper 2, etc. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance may be considered soft reboots in a way, though they’re heavily based on their predecessors (and fit within the established canon). But either way, they’re part of established IPs. And let’s not forget that the most anticipated title of the year is Grand Theft Auto 6 – yet another entry in an established IP. Don’t even get me started on sequels like Code Vein 2, Nioh 3, Mario Tennis Fever, Resident Evil Requiem, and so on.

This isn’t to say we haven’t seen new ideas and stories. Clair Obscur is the most obvious choice, but you also have Blue Prince, Avowed, ARC Raiders, StarVaders, and Dispatch, among so many others. But the number of risks taken by the big players, the triple-A publishers, is relatively lower. Microsoft may have offered up South of Midnight and Keeper, but it gave far more attention – and marketing budgets – to games like The Outer Worlds 2. Halo: Campaign Evolved is out this year, and it got far more media attention.

Sony is an even wilder case with a treasure trove of beloved IPs that it’s yet to revisit. So while they would technically be sequels, a new Sly Cooper, Resistance or Jak and Daxter might as well be exempt from the rule. And there’s no guarantee that they’ll put in the numbers that The Last of Us Part 3, Uncharted 5, and other theoretical sequels would.

Now, I’m not saying that all sequels and remakes or even reboots are bad, or that they can’t push innovation. Donkey Kong Bananza may technically be part of an established IP, but its combination of destruction and platforming is something we haven’t seen before, even with Mario. Hades 2 follows the same formula as its predecessor, but makes sweeping changes and additions to its combat system to feel significantly – but not too heavily – different. The same could apply to Ghost of Yōtei and Death Stranding 2, and they’re absolutely pushing their respective gameplay formula – and genres as a whole – forward.

However, seeing brand new ideas on such a massive scale is becoming less common. Perhaps the most notable is Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic, and based on rumors, it’s looking at games like Elden Ring – a new IP but one that draws on FromSoftware’s extensive history with Dark Souls and Bloodborne – for its world design. At times, you have to wonder if the balance has tipped too far to the other side, to the extent that new IPs struggle for visibility. For every Clair Obscur, Dispatch and ARC Raiders that becomes massively successful, there are acclaimed titles like The Drifter, which sold 13,617 units in its first week.

But it’s clear to see why so many studios are focusing on remakes and sequels, besides the fact that they’re part of familiar brands, which means guaranteed audiences and less risk. Development costs only continue to rise, and publishers, the ones with the money, don’t just want the best return on their investments – they want games that drive growth.

There’s a reason franchises like Dead Space, Titanfall and Dragon Age are on ice – the return on their investments didn’t fulfil any of the conditions that Electronic Arts sought. Despite several Assassin’s Creed titles in development, there’s a reason why the developer has games like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Splinter Cell Remake and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake in the works. They’re safe bets, and if they blow up as Resident Evil 2 remake did, then they might drive renewed interest in dormant IPs, thus spurring even more remakes (and potential sequels).

Of course, the biggest reason we’ll continue to see sequels, remakes, reboots, remasters, and whatnot is because of those who buy them: Gamers. Time is limited, and the sheer number of choices in the triple-A, indie and free-to-play spaces is immense. Why not spend it on something familiar that’s also fun? It’s not the most unreasonable expectation, but the knock-on effect could result in huge shifts down the line. Would games like Keeper receive any attention if Double Fine weren’t part of Microsoft, or if it weren’t on Game Pass? Would developers even still be around if they weren’t acquired in the first place? What happens when their titles fail to perform well?

Whatever the case may be, the fixation isn’t going to end anytime soon, especially if it pays dividends. The only thing we can hope for is that innovation eventually breaks through, regardless of audience, brand name and studio size, as we’ve seen so many times this year.

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.

The title is a ground-up remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which was originally released on PS2 back in 2004. While it features enhanced visuals and gameplay that take advantage of modern-day hardware on PC and consoles, the storyline has been left untouched, with many of the original voice actors returning to play the game’s beloved characters once more.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater takes place in the 1960s. Protagonist Naked Snake has been tasked with extracting a defecting Soviet scientist, but as he gets close to the completion of his mission, finds himself betrayed by his long-time mentor, The Boss, and the fact that the Soviet Union has been working on a super weapon of its own, dubbed the Shagohod.

After being allowed a few days to recover from the injuries he sustained during the initial mission, Snake is once more sent into Soviet Russia to take down this super weapon. Along the way, he also has a secondary objective of taking down The Boss and her specialized super soldiers, known only as the Cobra Unit. The story is filled with several plot twists mixed in with over-the-top boss fights and intense stealth gameplay. For more details, take a look at our review, and check out our thoughts on how it acts as a love letter to action movies.

Director Yuji Korekado and producer Noriaki Okamura had spoken about working on the remake of Snake Eater back in December, and how it was a matter of “now or never” for the developers.

“Because the series has been around for a long time, we have a wide variety of fans,” said Korekado. “And we are conscious of being respectful to the previous games in the series. With this remake, we thought about how it would be best to bring the game to modern players, while respecting the thoughts and concepts of the original creator. However, if you reproduce the original work exactly as it is, some aspects can be difficult to play [for today’s gamers], so we adapted them.”

Okamura went on to discuss the state of the Metal Gear franchise after the departure of series creator Hideo Kojima back in 2015.

“With losing the original staff, it was challenging figuring out how to continue the series,” he explained. “We would start and stop talking about developing something new all the time. However, given our age, and how the number of developers with knowledge of the Metal Gear series was decreasing, we decided that if we didn’t resurrect the series now, it would become difficult to do so. Because it’s such an incredible series, I decided that now was the time.”

In the meantime, Konami has also confirmed that it has been working on a new set of remasters for the Metal Gear franchise, with the company having recently announced that Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 will be coming to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2 on August 27th. The collection will include Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

Silent Hill has also seen a rise in sales, totalling up to 14 million units. This marks a growth in sales by a million, since Konami had previously confirmed 13 million units sold for the franchise back in October. These sales were likely helped by the critical acclaim seen by Silent Hill f, alongside anticipation for future games in the horror series.

Other console game franchises listed by Konami include Pawafuru Puroyakyu, which has sold 26.3 million, Yu-Gi-Oh!, which has sold 32.5 million, and Momotaru Dentetsu, which sits at 19.9 million. Free-to-play mobile games Jikkyu Pawafuru Puroyakyu and Professional Baseball Spirits A (Ace) have been downloaded 53 million and 66 million times, respectively. Titles available on consoles and mobiles have also been listed; eFootball sits at 950 million downloads, while Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has been downloaded 90 million times.

The latest entry in the Metal Gear franchise has been a remake – Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Having launched in August 2025 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the title has seen critical acclaim by veterans of the series and a new generation of gamers. You can check out more details about it in our review.

In December, series producer Noriaki Okamura spoke about this being the ideal time to have remade the seminal Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and how much respect he and director Yuji Korekado have for the original creators.

“Because the series has been around for a long time, we have a wide variety of fans,” said Korekado. “And we are conscious of being respectful to the previous games in the series. With this remake, we thought about how it would be best to bring the game to modern players, while respecting the thoughts and concepts of the original creator. However, if you reproduce the original work exactly as it is, some aspects can be difficult to play [for today’s gamers], so we adapted them.”

As for Silent Hill, the title has seen continuous support through the release of free updates. One of these, released in November, brought with it a new difficulty mode and the ability to skip more things during a New Game+ run. Writer Ryukishi07 also spoke earlier this month about why it made sense to use the fictional town of Ebisugaoka as the main setting for the game rather than its traditional setting of the eponymous Silent Hill.

“I discussed a lot of things with series producer Okamoto in a meeting after I received the request [to write Silent Hill f]” said Ryukishi07. “Like ‘Why is it set in Japan?’ and ‘What exactly is Silent Hill?’ In the end, we came to the conclusion that Silent Hill is not just the name of a place; it is a phenomenon. Looking back, I think I was able to create a pretty satisfying base for the story and world from this.”

For more on Silent Hill f, check out our review. It is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

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.

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

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Improving on one of the more universally agreed upon “greatest games of all time” isn’t easy. Thankfully, Konami didn’t seek to mess with the bones of Metal Gear Solid 3 when it made Delta: Snake Eater. Even with the overhauled visuals, the cutscenes retain every bit of emotion – even the goofiness – right down to the core. Everything just feels so robust and vibrant, like you’re venturing into the jungle and consuming snakes for the first time (in-game, of course). All the quality of life features – hurray for quick dial and the optional compass – don’t hurt either.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

The years come and go, but even with a different protagonist, Sniper Elite: Resistance maintains the same gameplay loop: Perch in a good location (preferably one where you can muffle sounds), aim, shoot and watch the extravagant X-Ray Kill Cam. There’s the whole mess of escaping without getting caught, not to mention the Hitman-like formula of overhearing enemies and gathering information on targets. You can even choose to forego sniping entirely for some good ol’ fashioned sneaking, but the real challenge and reward is in that perfect kill. In that vein, Resistance is as engaging while presenting all kinds of fun new environments to explore.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

Arriving out of nowhere, Eriksholm immediately made a huge impression with its incredible art direction, Scandinavian architecture and gorgeous cutscenes. The story of Hanna, who’s on a quest to find her missing brother Herman while evading the police, is one told through an isometric perspective, as you’re slowly exposed to the highs, lows and sights of the city. And while it may feel straightforward at first, things take a turn when more characters are thrown into the mix.

Simply sneaking by isn’t enough – you need to coordinate each person’s unique ability, whether it’s knocking out enemies from afar or venting, all while keeping track of noise levels and enemy vision. It’s easy to get into and quickly ramps up the tension but never feels overwhelming – all while delivering a compelling story.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Has Hideo Kojima really been remaking Metal Gear 2 for decades? Your mileage may vary, but there’s no denying the series’ influences on Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, even more so than the original. More combat with more accessible weapons is one example, but stealth is perhaps the biggest winner. Sneaking around bases and dispatching enemies is one thing, but tossing a decoy hologrenade for distractions or tossing Dollman to scope out the terrain makes it feel so much more enjoyable. Plus, you can now take down enemies without having to equip a Strand.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

We finally got Assassin’s Creed in Japan before GTA 6, and the development team didn’t skimp on all the potential of playing as a proper ninja. Yasuke is…Yasuke, when it comes to stealth, but Naoe’s moves feel like an evolution of everything in the series thus far. Stalking the rooftops, vaulting backwards to land seamlessly, clinging to ceilings when the opportunity arises – her entire kit is simply incredible to control. The fact that even more was added post-launch to improve her parkour abilities and further bolster enemy AI difficulty (if you so choose) also helps.

Alien: Rogue Incursion – Evolved Edition

Alien: Rogue Incursion VR, but without the VR, is perhaps the best way to describe Survios’ survival horror first-person shooter. And make no mistake – there’s a lot of shooting to be done, especially given the target-rich nature of Purdan. But if you close your eyes and stow those weapons, relying on the motion tracker while keeping your head low, Alien: Isolation might just manifest in all its glory. Or not. Either way, stealth is viable and arguably makes for a more compelling experience in the Evolved Edition.

Steel Seed

Another surprising new IP, Steel Seed, dazzles with its fast-paced platforming, combat and post-apocalyptic setting. It’s when the action takes a minute and presents you with the opportunity to sneak around, laying traps and assassinating foes, that it shines differently. Granted, the limited number of enemy types and tools is a downer, but each stealth section feels uniquely crafted and fun.

Little Nightmares 3

It’s not quite at the level of its predecessors, but Supermassive’s Little Nightmares 3 still presents plenty of terrifying scenarios. And who would guess that sneaking about is the best way? It could be evading Monster Baby’s massive hands or trying to wake the wooden puppets of the Carnevale (and if you do, trying to destroy them by coordinating attacks between Low and Alone). While it won’t win any awards for innovation, the creepy atmosphere and stealth fundamentals are solid enough that you’ll want to keep pushing through the darkness and beyond, to see what’s next.

Ghost of Yōtei

Stealth in Ghost of Tsushima was kind of a meme, which is a nice way of saying it made clearing some camps stupidly easy. Ghost of Yōtei’s foes are thankfully smarter, and it’s a tougher journey to maximise your killing potential. In a way, stealth is pretty much the best means for survival on Lethal difficulty, given how easily Atsu can be killed.

Upgrade enough of your tools, discover the right armor and equip the best Charms, and it’s not long before you’re dragging enemies to execute them with the kusarigama and slinking away, searching for your next victim. And if that wasn’t enough, the mysterious wolf can eventually unlock skills to assassinate enemies whenever you do, and immediately kill Brutes and Leaders with its abilities.

Commandos: Origins

With Shadow Tactics developer Mimimi Productions officially closed, we had to look to an old killer to accommodate our team-based real-time tactical needs. Commandos: Origins serves as a prequel, outlining how the iconic unit is formed, but it still sticks to the formula that fans know and love. Each character has their own skills and tools, yet how they’re utilized is completely up to you. Create distractions, take out enemy guards stealthily or bypass them entirely to complete objectives. It’s challenging, but being able to experiment so extensively makes victory that much more satisfying.

And the Best Stealth Game of 2025 is…

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Standing out as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, in a legendary tactical stealth series isn’t easy, but it was just another day in the jungle for Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Much bigger, sandbox-like environments with a lot more room for experimentation; a camouflage system that required adapting to the level to stay hidden; and, of course, the CQC system all made for a ground-breaking stealth experience.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Konami’s long-awaited remake, doesn’t change any of that. Rather, the new over-the-shoulder perspective offers a unique twist on everything, while camouflage can be affected by mud and other environmental factors, which is a lot more dynamic. Seeing Snake’s injuries develop into scars that remain till the end of the game and telling a story of their own? An incredible touch, among many others.

You could argue that it doesn’t innovate much on the original, but Metal Gear Solid 3 already revolutionized the genre – this is just the victory lap (and a potential new beginning, if more remakes are incoming). For that and many other reasons, it’s our pick for 2025’s best stealth title.

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!

Electronic Arts would also announce that it’s shutting down servers for Anthem, which is the first reminder in a while that it still exists. Microsoft’s Halo Infinite recently entered maintenance mode – a far cry from plans to become the initially promised “start of the next ten years of Halo.” Of course, even newer titles weren’t safe. Remedy’s FBC: Firebreak debuted disappointingly, resulting in heavy losses and the studio’s CEO stepping down.

Even on a smaller scale, games like Wildgate and Jump Space, despite launching with some positive buzz, have since fallen by the wayside in player counts. Granted, games like ARC Raiders and Battlefield 6 remain standouts; the former offered an excellent extraction shooter experience in a pretty barren market. Meanwhile, the latter marked the first mainline Battlefield title in years that fans actually enjoyed, despite its many warts (including a single-player campaign).

Titles like PEAK and R.E.P.O. went on to become massive co-op successes. There’s also Split Fiction, which showcased Hazelight’s talent in once again delivering a compelling co-op story with fun gameplay.

However, the past year, perhaps more than others, has reinforced the importance of single-player games.

Despite selling PS5 consoles by the tens of millions, Sony outright promised a major triple-A single-player title each year because – surprise – it’s a major selling point for the console. Thankfully, it delivered with not one but two incredible titles: Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding 2 and Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei. Both games were building off already established titans, and yet, they managed to exceed expectations.

Death Stranding 2 confirmed that Hideo Kojima’s signature brand of quirkiness/madness when it comes to storytelling was still intact. However, it also improved on so many other fundamental aspects from the original, including the world design, gunplay, stealth, and pacing. Meanwhile, Ghost of Yōtei, while retaining the same combat fundamentals, spiced it up with new additions like multiple weapon types, disarming, and throwing weapons. Its open world also received excessive praise, as activities were naturally laid out and seamlessly connected in ways that made it feel alive.

Then again, it wasn’t just Sony that realized it had to return to what brought it to the dance. Konami released not one but two well-received and successful titles in its long-running franchises – Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Silent Hill f. It also reaffirmed its commitment to the long-term future of both series, whether it’s the desire to remake more Metal Gear Solid games or its announcement of a Silent Hill 1 remake from Bloober Team.

Of course, some of the other highly rated games of the year have been single-player titles. Clair Obscur took the industry by storm, and even if there are arguments about how “indie” it really is, it’s received universal praise for its combat, storytelling and world. The fact that it received the most nominations in The Game Awards history and won more than its fair share is just the cherry on top.

However, it’s not alone when it comes to other nominees, which are also predominantly single-player, like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which is packed with memorable quests, personable characters, and tons of ways to role-play your version of Henry. It’s still unbelievable how the development team effectively beat Bethesda at its own game in terms of attention to detail, reactivity and fidelity with fewer resources. Of course, for those who wanted something more light-hearted, there’s Donkey Kong Bananza, a magical 3D platforming experience from the Super Mario Odyssey team, which mixes the traditional collect-a-thon gameplay loop with the absolute freedom to destroy everything.

And the crazy thing is that these don’t even represent a fraction of the best single-player games this year. You have indie efforts like Blue Prince, which is unlike anything seen before – a rogue-like puzzler where you arrange the layout of a house from a selection of rooms to reach the mythical 46th room. Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong arrived more than six years after its initial announcement and blew away expectations. It was so highly anticipated that almost every digital storefront crashed as soon as it was available to purchase.

That’s not even accounting for the likes of Hades 2, Sektori, Keep Driving, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, StarVaders, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Sword of the Sea, Ender Magnolia, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, Absolum, the Drifter, Ball x Pit, Bionic Bay, Look Outside – the list goes on. Even if you sat down and only tried to play through all the incredible titles released this year, you would have more than enough to sustain you through 2026.

However, that won’t be necessary. In a twist that no one saw coming, the most anticipated games of next year are – you guessed it – single-player titles. Grand Theft Auto 6 is leading the charge, and that’s all because of its story mode, since we know nothing about how it will handle GTA Online. Resident Evil Requiem crossed one million wishlists just weeks after its announcement, and looks poised to be the biggest game in the franchise by far. Marvel’s Wolverine is, well, a Wolverine title in every sense of the word. Based on Insomniac’s success with Spider-Man and immaculate track record, you can bet it’s going to be another huge success. You also can’t forget Saros, Housemarque’s follow-up to Returnal, which looks to expand upon it in all the right ways while maintaining its creepy environmental and enemy designs.

Heck, even Microsoft’s single-player offerings in 2026 look good with Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, and Forza Horizon 6 to look forward to. We’ll wait and see how Halo: Campaign Evolved fares, but if nothing else, it looks very good.

Compare this to future live-service multiplayer offerings like, say, Fairgame$, which has no buzz or intrigue. Heck, rumors claim that it may even be cancelled before launch. Sony hasn’t outright backed out of such titles, but it’s definitely much more careful after sustaining heavy losses.

It’s not like the business model has no future whatsoever. Where Winds Meet is technically a live-service game, but it offers a massive single-player component that’s only going to get bigger. Ananta has generated buzz for essentially being “Anime GTA”.

However, while publishers still seek to delve into the live-service space for that sweet recurring revenue from microtransactions, it’s single-player games that continue to drive the industry forward in terms of storytelling, immersion and gameplay. And customers are responding in kind – a recent survey by Ampere Analysis revealed that the majority of players in Japan, the UK and the United States preferred single-player games over multiplayer (though younger players skewed more towards the latter).

Personally, I could be the least bothered to remember anything noteworthy that happened in Destiny 2 this year, but meeting Monoco and traveling to confront the Paintress at her Monolith? Trekking across the mountains of Mexico and taking in the sights? Whatever the heck was going on with Hinako in the OtherWorld? All these moments will probably stay with me forever, and deservedly so.

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.

The remake’s visuals were a huge part of making it very immersive indeed, and playing the game over the past few months has made us realize just how much they improve it over the original experience, which was limited by what gaming hardware was capable of back when it was first released.

A full, fun-filled playthrough later, and we had a few scenes that serve as great examples of how Delta: Snake Eater’s improved visuals had an effect on the scene in which they were in effect. This is going to be a fun one, so put on your thinking caps and let’s get started.

An Opening That Shines Bright Like the Sun

We thought it prudent to get the obvious one out of the way first. It’s no surprise that the game’s opening cutscene benefits from ray-traced reflections, and a general layer of polish across the board. Every shot here is already framed quite well thanks to Kojima’s excellent use of the screen space available to him.

The clouds below Naked Snake’s jet are almost as if there’s a curtain over the explosive story that awaits him below, a clever inclusion that makes it quite obvious that there’s going to be a jump involved. It does well to set up the scene that follows, where Naked Snake and his iconic cigar take the stage, showcasing his solitary nature and the clinical manner in which he approaches his orders.

Snake is set up to be quite the protagonist, the elements of the scene leaving no doubt as to his role in the game. However, it’s when he approaches the jet’s open doors, preparing for his leap into Soviet territory that had us smiling from ear to ear, the sunlight gently glancing off his uniform while streams of wind flapped his collar, his goggles reflecting the open sky in front of him.

It’s a shot that was already memorable considering how Naked Snake would go on to build a reputation for himself as Big Boss. But it’s now brought into the future with so much loving attention to detail that this is how we’re always going to remember the first time we met the character whose life was already a crucial part of the franchise’s meta narrative.

It did well to showcase just how far the remake was taking its quest to modernize the game’s visuals, immediately giving players a reason to wonder at how the Camo system would work in such detailed environments, building up the anticipation for Naked Snake’s leap until he hit the ground, and the story began in earnest.

Of course, there are several great moments all through it, but the next one really stood out for us as a showcase of how the remake improved action sequences.

A Battle of Brains, Brawn, and Luck

Snake’s final showdown with Ocelot is our next stop, and this one’s a really good example of how improved facial animations and detailed character models added a lot of cinematic flair to an already great cutscene. From the moment Ocelot forces his entry onto Snake and Eva’s aircraft, things get very intense, and the game’s new visuals keep up with the action in a way that’s both respectful to the original title while building on it.

Most important is in how you get to see the grudging respect that the two men have for each other, moments of respite between intense CQC sequences focusing on their expressions, their eyes narrowed but lacking the malice that comes when there is history between two combatants. Their menacing glares are brought out in glorious detail, reflections and shadows moving naturally with them as they attack, weave, and generally try a myriad of ways to get the upper hand.

It was a pleasure to watch, and is among our top picks for scenes that allowed the remake to transcend the original release’s limitations and present a cinematic version of MGS3 that has made it a newly minted modern classic. Snake and Ocelot’s showdown was lent a lot of weight thanks to how the remake let the world around them shine through, using all the great angles and framing from the original and bringing a level of realism to it that made this one stand out.

But while the camera was relatively stable on the plane that Snake and Ocelot fought in, there’s one sequence where it’s quite wild thanks to how chaotic things get for Snake and Eva.

The Insane Chase Sequence

We’re talking, of course, about the Shagohod and the thrilling chase sequence where Snake and Eva take it on while Ocelot attempts to run interference. We’ve already talked about how the improved character models bring a lot of life to the faces of our cast. But this entire sequence is a great display of how the remaster has managed to bring cinematic touches to the game.

With your camera having to constantly switch points of view in order to keep your enemies off your back, things could have gotten quite heavy for the remake. But this is where its performance comes into play, with the entire sequence maintaining an excellent framerate while the fortress and its surrounding mountains served as an excellent backdrop for the action.

The improved draw distance and the manner in which the mountains are contrasted against Snake and Eva do a great job of communicating the Shagohod’s imposing size, and the threat it poses to our protagonists, who must rely on speed and skill to bring it down. With Ocelot entering the fray, we expected things to get a little bogged down but the remake powered through it all, its particle physics sending sparks flying between vehicles while ricochets of bullets were presented with pinpoint precision.

It’s probably a good idea to consider that the remake also makes use of controller haptics and other modern touches that do add to the immersion, although players without compatible controllers might not experience those additions which led us to leave that part of it out of our analysis.

With its ray-traced visuals, excellent character models, level of detail, and ability to bring a new level of performance to the game’s most intense sequences, this remake is one that has made Snake Eater feel like a modern, well-produced experience that can surpass even some of the best films. But there is one scene where all of it comes to a head, and elevates the remake above even the original experience in our eyes.

The Concluding Conflict

You were probably expecting that encounter between Snake and The Boss to be the one that we picked. Well, you’re right. There are just so many things about this entire scene and showdown that the remake does so well to bring to life in a way that had us riveted despite knowing every word that was about to be uttered by heart.

From the somber expressions of Snake and Boss, as she ruminates on the futility of conflict across the globe, and the blurred line between soldiers and friends, to the way in which the wind gently carries white rose petals into the air, allowing them to fall in a cascade around the arena, and how the ray-traced reflections allow rays of light to gently illuminate character profiles in important frames, the remake makes this entire encounter all the more emotionally charged.

It’s a list of improvements over the original experience that shows just how clever Konami has been in making good use of modern hardware to add touches to the original experience that preserved its narrative aplomb while building on its dated looks. In doing so, it has found a balance between the old and the new that has made Delta: Snake Eater a modern version of a timeless classic.

And for that, the Metal Gear Solid fan in every one of us is filled with joy, and with the hope of seeing more titles from the franchise come back as cinematically immersive experiences over the next few years.

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.

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.

“Because the series has been around for a long time, we have a wide variety of fans,” said Korekado. “And we are conscious of being respectful to the previous games in the series. With this remake, we thought about how it would be best to bring the game to modern players, while respecting the thoughts and concepts of the original creator. However, if you reproduce the original work exactly as it is, some aspects can be difficult to play [for today’s gamers], so we adapted them.”

Okamura also discussed the circumstances of Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima’s departure from Konami back in 2015, and how this departure also affected the company’s plans to continue with the Metal Gear franchise. He spoke about trying to figure the next steps for the series out without the original staff, as well as the fact that a remake of one of the classics in the franchise was a now-or-never thing to do because of the number of developers with knowledge of the franchise was going down.

“With losing the original staff, it was challenging figuring out how to continue the series,” Okamura explained. “We would start and stop talking about developing something new all the time. However, given our age, and how the number of developers with knowledge of the Metal Gear series was decreasing, we decided that if we didn’t resurrect the series now, it would become difficult to do so. Because it’s such an incredible series, I decided that now was the time.”

As for the future of the Metal Gear franchise, Okamura spoke about not quite being sure about what’s going to happen. While Konami and the development team behind Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater might be trying to figure out what to do next, Okamura is personally “quite hopeful about a remake of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots,” since the title has essentially been stuck on the PS3 since its 2008 launch.

“The hardware back then demanded quite a specialised approach to achieve 3D performance with the technology available at the time, and Metal Gear Solid 4 ended up with some rather peculiar code too,” said Okamura. “Bringing it forward now would be quite a challenge, wouldn’t it?”

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater was released on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S back in August. The title has been quite praised, and you can check out more details in our review.