2025 has been an absolutely outstanding year in gaming. And the high-calibre adventures we've enjoyed these past 12 months make whittling down the best of the best feel almost impossible...
And yet, here we go.
Below is a selection of the best games of 2025, capturing the signature magic, storytelling and phenomenal fun you can only find in a video game. Whether you’re looking for action and adventure, puzzles or high fantasy, there’s something for everyone from this year.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC)
If I had a euro for every time I recommended playing Expedition 33 this year, I’d be a rich man. But I stand by my conviction that this is one of best ((if not the best) games of the year. And it deserves all the acclaim won since its April release.
The game is set in a Belle Époque-inspired fantasy world where people's life expectancy shortens each year. Battling against time, you lead an eccentric and brave team of explorers on a perilous journey toward a mysterious continent to try to defy fate.
In true RPG fashion, players can expect a spellbinding storyline, as well as a stellar cast of characters to fall in and out of love with. Turn-based combat harks back to the golden era of Final Fantasy, except with a distinct, modern twist.
Make no mistake - talk of Clair becoming a modern masterpiece is not exaggerated, and it's the hot favourite to sweep every category at this year’s Game Awards.
Read our full review of Clair Obscur Expedition 33 here
Ghost of Yotei (PlayStation 5)
Set in 1600s Japan, Ghost of Yotei takes everything we knew and loved about its predecessor, Tsushima, and somehow elevates it to even greater heights. Whether it's the expansive weapon combat, chilling storyline, or addictive open-world exploration, it is another must-play game this year.
You play as a brand new protagonist, Atsu, a mercenary haunted by the violent death of her family. Having honed her skills fighting down South, she returns home with one mission - unapologetic revenge.
By adopting the persona of 'onryō’ (vengeful spirit), Atsu begins a quest to take down the Yotei 6. But to do that, she’ll need to master several weapons, learn intricate fighting techniques, and explore the endless expanses of the breathtaking Ezo region. This is a must-play experience for PS5 owners.
Read our full review of Ghost of Yotei here
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
KCDII had one of the hardest jobs of 2025 – being the first big release of the year. And yet, given the immense scale of the game, impactful performances and hundreds of hours of meaningful open-world gameplay, it had absolutely nothing to worry about.
You play Henry of Sjkatlkiz, who goes on a whistle-stop tour of the Trosky region of Bohemia. When a relatively mundane peacekeeping mission goes sour, Henry is catapulted into a rags-to-riches-to-rags story, full of medieval charm, grit and visceral violence.
The game is chock-full of intricate details that historians will fall in love with, and the responsive world reacts on a near-constant basis to your diabolical (or innocent) actions. Pair this with a brutal spread of combat and three juicy DLCs released afterwards, and you have all the ingredients for an adventure of immense proportions.
Read our full review of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II here
Split Fiction (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2)
Split Fiction is a co-operative action-adventure that combines virtually every genre of game imaginable into one hilarious, heart-warming, shared experience. Trust me when I say this game will leave you and a friend with the best of memories, as you work together (and bicker) throughout.
You play as Mio and Zoe, two aspiring writers with polar opposite imaginations. Lured to a publishing house in the hopes of bringing their ideas to life, they get trapped in a shared simulation of their story ideas.
To escape, they must work together to overcome obstacles across levels that switch between Mio's futuristic sci-fi genre and Zoe’s whimsical fantasy in seconds. Best of all, a generous Friend’s Pass system means only one player needs to own a copy of the game for both to enjoy the whole thing, even across different platforms.
South of Midnight (Xbox Series X/S, PC)
South of Midnight is an action-adventure game unlike anything I have played before. It is a mesmerising deep dive into American Deep South mythology, conjuring up a host of folklore often overlooked by the mainstream.
You play as Hazel, an athletic girl who discovers she is a Weaver, a person who can mend spirits and help them pass on. After a hurricane devastates her home, supernatural phenomena begin to occur, forcing Hazel to not only search desperately for her lost mother but also heal the trauma that appears around her.
The game's gothic stop-motion visuals are undeniably breathtaking. Granted, combat does play on the safe side, but don't let that stop you. South of Midnight deserves praise for its strong storytelling, divine soundtrack, and for developing new ideas outside the usual gaming norm.
Read our full review of South of Midnight here
Blue Prince (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Blue Prince is a puzzle-adventure game that puts a fresh, simple spin on the rougelite genre. Anyone who can manage to complete it without Googling solutions has my utmost respect and envy.
You play as Simon P. Jones, who is on a journey to earn his inheritance from his late great uncle. But there's a catch. To become the new owner of the gigantic Mt. Holly Estate, he must find its elusive '46th room'.
You begin your adventure each day with a blank floor plan, choosing what empty rooms will become as you press forward. But limited stamina, locked doors, and devastating room penalties can cut your journey short, forcing you to restart. This game rewards patience, planning, and its short gameplay loop can make it utterly addictive.
Read our full review of Blue Prince here
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2)
Donkey Kong Bananza is a 3D open-world platformer game of immense creativity, rekindling the magic and curiosity of the likes of Super Mario Odyssey, while still adding plenty of its own pizzazz.
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.
In-game, players can explore and destroy as they see fit. Throw in unique transformations and abilities, and you'll be left with a brilliant sense of childlike wonder at every turn throughout.
Read our full review of Donkey Kong Bananza here
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PlayStation 5)
Hideo Kojima is one of the most celebrated game designers in the industry, and for good reason. His work has always pushed boundaries like no other. Death Stranding 2 is a testament to this.
The game is set some 11 months after the first game, and is just as cookie, camp and imaginative as you'd expect. Having reconnected post-apocalyptic America, Sam is tasked once more with reconnecting the fringes of society; first in nearby Mexico, then in the harsh outback of Australia.
Gameplay is a mix of strategy and combat, where missions require the utmost precision and nerve. One wrong step could prove fatal, as everything from rough terrain to paranormal monstrosities will try to stop you on your quest.
Read our full review of Death Stranding 2 here
Hollow Knight: Silksong (PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One & Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC)
With a surprise release that took several game stores offline due to sheer demand, it's safe to say Silksong was one of the most anticipated games of the year. Thankfully, it did not disappoint.
You play as Hornet, a lethal hunter who goes on a daring pilgrimage throughout the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom. Wielding a giant Needle, she is a skilled fighter, capable of darting around your screen at lightning speed, dodging traps and stabbing anything that moves with incredible poise.
The 2D world of Pharloom is a warren’s nest of danger, and this game is now famous for its challenging gameplay. Dying on repeat is part and parcel of the experience. But it is incredible fun, brimming with atmosphere and polish, and a simply unmissable adventure from this year.
Read our full review of Hollow Knight: Silksong here
Hades II (PC, Mac & Nintendo Switch 1/2)
Despite an early access release in May 2024, the majority of gamers (myself included) demonstrated the utmost restraint in waiting for the official release of Hades 2. And 2025 proved that the wait was well and truly worth it.
You play as Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld and sister of Zagreus, the first game's protagonist. Not to be outshone by her sibling, she goes on a quest to defeat the Titan of Time, Chronos, with help from a pantheon of larger-than-life Olympian Gods.
Sequel to the hugely successful Hades, this game further elevates the roguelike genre like nothing else, delivering highly energetic gameplay, a mesmerising soundtrack, ethereal environments, all rooted in dazzling Greek mythology. This game proves lightning can indeed strike twice.
Silent Hill f (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
From the name alone, Silent Hill can strike fear into the heart of even the bravest of gamers. Well, the iconic survival horror franchise is back, scarier than ever, and ready to haunt your dreams.
Silent Hill f is set in a 1960s fictional Japanese village, where a mysterious fog has turned it into a nightmarish hellscape. You play as high school student Shimizu Hinako, who must overcome all manner of psychological horrors to survive.
Close combat intensifies the nightmarish experience, while clever puzzles draw you deeper into its mysterious setting. Make no mistake, this is a game that assaults all your senses, toying with your mental safety long after the closing credits, all while delivering an emotive narrative.
Assassin's Creed Shadows (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, Amazon Luna)
The Assassin's Creed franchise is one of immense possibilities. Each game takes players on a brand-new journey through history, recreating iconic eras against the backdrop of stealth and visceral combat.
Set in 16th-century Japan, Shadows covers a time of civil and cultural unrest across the country. You play as female ninja Naoe and black samurai Yasuke, two warriors on different sides of the fighting spectrum, but tied together by destiny.
Both characters offer unique perspectives and playstyles to players. While Ghost of Yotei arguably offers a fuller Japanese experience, Shadows provides enough choices and open-world gameplay to help make this epic assassin adventure one of your own bloody making.
Read our full review of Assassin's Creed Shadows here
2025 has been a stellar year in gaming, and there are plenty of titles that still hit all the markers for being a great adventure, across all genres, interests and consoles. Check out RTÉ Culture's Gaming Section for even highlights and recommendations of the year in gaming.
