I say it every time, but when it comes to gaming, 2025 has already been an exceptional year. And it just keeps getting better and better. New titles are releasing at the drop of a hat, causing equal levels of joy and panic; just how can we all find the time to play everything?
This week, to help you decide on what to play (or add to the backlog), we're recapping some of the latest games and heavy-hitters you might have missed this past while.
As always, there really is something for everyone, whether you're looking for action and adventure, stealth or platforming, new games or nostalgia remakes, and more.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One & Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC)
With a surprise release date and zero marketing, Hollow Knight Silksong still managed to break the internet. Sequel to the 2017 cult classic Hollow Knight, its popularity was such that when it dropped on Thursday, the Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation storefronts were all briefly taken offline.
If that doesn't give you an idea of the level of hype, I'm not sure what will, as hundreds of thousands of players waited patiently to download the game as soon as they could. So what can you expect if you jump into the game right now?
Silksong is a Metroidvania platform game, meaning it features non-linear gameplay and exploration. As soon as the game starts, you're given free rein to explore wherever you can reach. If and when you hit inaccessible areas, you'll need to commit the location to memory and return when you're stronger, gradually unlocking the story in an unconventional and unorganised way.
You play as Hornet, a lethal hunter who must go on a daring pilgrimage throughout the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom. Across your travels, you'll take on all manner of challenges, including solving ancient mysteries and battling ferocious beasts, all while trying to grant wishes to the downtrodden insects of the world.
Hornet is an exceptional fighter, and you will have endless joy in watching her dance across your screen at lightning speed, wielding her giant Needle, ready to stab those who pose her a threat. Your eyes will always be playing catch-up to the action on screen, as she moves with incredible acrobatic speed, defying gravity for just long enough to reach a ledge, dodge a trap, avoid an enemy, or position herself to strike.
The land of Pharloom gets progressively more hazardous as you press on. There's an endless army of hostile bugs to overcome, with different mechanics you need to familiarise yourself with. There are also over 40 legendary bosses to face down, each of whom can make your health bar vanish in seconds, and often requires mastery of new abilities and tools to defeat. And this brings us to the major appeal (and controversy) of Silksong.
This is a very tough and unforgiving game, and the debate over its difficulty (especially in the early stages) is very much alive across social media. Is the game too hard? Well, that depends on your level of patience.
If you can't beat a specific boss, you need to just try, try, and try again. Eventually, when muscle memory develops, and you do overcome the odds, the feeling is nothing short of euphoric. But equally, being pitted to the post in the final milliseconds of a boss fight can and will be soul-crushing. Silksong takes no prisoners.
Paired with exceptionally haunting environments, whimsical insectoid characters, and a stunning orchestral soundtrack to boot, this plays almost like your very own living storybook. For newcomers to the series, do you need to play the first game, Hollow Knight? Not really. While context can be helpful, and playing the first game can prepare you for the difficulty that lies ahead, both games take place in separate parts of the same world. My advice? Play either first – but make sure you play both.
Lost Soul Aside (PS5, PC)
After spending a decade in development, Lost Soul Aside had quietly built up considerable excitement among gamers. And yet, you'd be forgiven for missing its pretty subdued release at the end of August.
Sadly, the game has been a victim of a busy month in gaming, eclipsed by much bigger releases and an initially lukewarm reception from eager fans. So, is there anything you might be missing out on?
That depends on what kind of game you're on the hunt for. Firstly, let's set the scene. In the game, you play as Kaser, a young man who joins the resistance group known as GLIMMER. Wanting to raise the spirits of citizens against a tyrannical Empire, you're suddenly put into the throes of a mysterious new threat, the Voidrax.
As a single-player action-adventure, combat is the principal fun factor. It is well-executed, mixing elements of modern Final Fantasy with Devil May Cry to great effect. Your screen becomes an explosion of chaos with ease, and controlling Kaser is approachable to even the most passive of players. Fights continue to grow in spectacle throughout the game, with flashy combos enhanced by expanding weapon choices, to the backdrop of some truly gorgeous environments.
Unfortunately, combat and graphics can only do so much, as the game's story is predictable, and at times, quite hollow. It also features some questionable dialogue and voice acting that hinder any connection you might want to make between characters and the world around them. In the end, you might not seem to care at all about the events of the game, only waiting for the next big fight.
There's no doubt that Lost Soul Aside will find a core audience in fantasy fighters who put sword and scythe before story. But the narrative lacks the expected polish that fans would expect at that price. If the combat excites you, then jump right in. But for those hungry for more from your fantasy, you might want to wait for further optimisation, or perhaps even a sale.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Remakes are hard to balance in gaming. Change too much, and the original magic is lost to fans. But if you don't do enough, no one will spend top dollar to support the upgrade. Especially when dealing with critically acclaimed titles that already have huge fandoms, pulling off a successful re-adaptation might feel like it carries too much risk.
Selling over a million copies on its opening day, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a faithful remake of the 2004 masterpiece, Metal Gear Solid 3. And it is proof that when done correctly, lighting can strike twice.
Set in the 1960s, Snake Eater brings players back to the very start of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, where they'll explore an alternative history of world events, albeit with plenty of silliness thrown in for good measure. This is the game of your childhood and teenage years, and the crazy, cookie and absurd nature of creator Hideo Kojima survives the revamp, despite the legendary developer leaving Konami many years ago.
There are daring rescues, sabotaging of secret weapons, rife hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union, and more cut-scenes than you'd think possible - basically everything you'd ever need in a great, campy spy game.
With action-adventure and stealth gameplay, Snake Eater rewards equal levels of aggression, creativity and patience. Players must use their environment to their advantage, camouflaging themselves into the background so they can prey upon their enemies with more ease.
Avoiding detection and picking your fights is key, and players will become acutely aware of how much noise they make on a constant basis. The injury system of the original returns, where players must doctor Snake after scuffles, and a hunger meter forces you to scavenge for rations while on the move to avoid diminished movement and abilities.
And then there's the graphics, which I think speak for themselves. From the trailer alone, it's clear that the remake has made significant leaps and bounds to bring the game to a modern audience. It is both astounding and immersive, and should go a long way to revitalising the series for younger newcomers to the franchise.
After the 16-ish hour campaign, the fun doesn't end there. Snake fans can soon look forward to the upcoming Foxhunt multiplayer mode, scheduled for release sometime this Autumn. My advice? Get your practice in now.
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2)
The Switch 2 was released a few months ago, with just one launch title to its name. And although Mario Kart World is exceptional, gamers thirsted for more opportunity to test the mettle of their brand-new handhelds.
Well, Donkey Kong Bananza arrived to not only address that criticism, but also showcase what kind of adventures we can expect with future Switch 2 games. Released back in July, if, like me, you've finally cleared your backlog and are on the hunt for a new game, it's an undeniable pickup.
Bananza is a 3D open-world platformer game where you'll explore everywhere and destroy everything you can see. It harks back to Nintendo's other acclaimed title, Super Mario Odyssey, in a big way, where your screen bursts with colour, and you're always left with a sense of childlike wonder.
You play as the titular Donkey Kong, who is looking for Banandium Gems during a gold rush. But the corrupt VoidCo company is determined to steal both the gems and the mystical Banandium Root, a relic said to grant people their wishes.
Joined by the young songstress Pauline, Donkey Kong must venture around the world, destroying almost every surface imaginable to find items and a path forward. Your epic quest takes you across lush lagoons, dusty canyons and frozen tundra, where you'll take care of whatever devilment the VoidCo are up to in the area, all while learning transformations that grant you unique abilities.
The wait was long for Donkey Kong Bananza, but ultimately worth it. Let's hope that the Switch 2's next big launch, Kirby Air Riders (November 20th), delivers an equally magical experience.
