It was destined to be a yr the place all the pieces was overshadowed by the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. What we as an alternative received was a watershed yr for gaming, with a few of the greatest titles we’ve seen in over a decade.
If I needed to choose one phrase that actually defines one of the best of what this yr has to supply, it could be storytelling. This yr’s prime titles had been outlined by their skill to convey significant, emotional tales to gamers. And for my cash, that’s an ideal pattern for the trade to observe with future video games.
Sure, video games have been telling unimaginable tales for many years now. I’m certain many shed a tear when Aerith met her finish to Sephiroth again in Closing Fantasy VII in 1997. However I nonetheless discover cases the place stronger writing — or no less than a better give attention to it — may have taken a title from being extraordinary to distinctive.
As extra studios dabble with AI experimentation in 2026, I believe there’s going to be an actual motivation to outsource plot writing to the bots as a non-essential facet of constructing a recreation. The identical goes for voice appearing too.
However that will be a mistake. As this yr’s greatest video games present, if something, builders needs to be over-indexing on writing and world-building.
Anyway, let’s get into it. Listed below are my prime three greatest video games for the yr. I’ve additionally gone unlocked all my evaluations for my prime three as summer season reads, in case you’ve missed them.
1) Ghost of Yotei
In case you had been ever looking for an argument that PlayStation recreation exclusivity is hurting Sony, look no additional than Ghost of Yotei.
This recreation is excellent and, dare I say it, a sleeper hit for this yr, that shouldn’t be one. Regardless of very beneficial evaluations and scores, it nary registered a point out at The Recreation Awards, successful no prizes.
As I wrote in my evaluate on the time, Ghost of Yotei doesn’t actually reinvent the wheel, but it surely streamlines and hones lots of the mechanics seen within the unique recreation. That’s all layered on prime of a very significant and well-told vengeance story, with a really robust creative course as well.
It’s slated for a PC launch subsequent yr, broadening out the quantity of people that can play it. I can’t assist however really feel the sport will get its due when that occurs.
2) Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
You don’t want me to let you know to go play this recreation. Given all of the accolades it’s obtained, in all chance, in case you commonly play video video games, you’ve already picked it up. Or perhaps not, given the sport’s stance on AI.
However let me as an alternative let you know why I personally assume it’s particular. This recreation grapples with grief in a manner that maybe no different recreation to this point has actually managed. Unbelievable writing, storytelling and voice appearing come collectively in a package deal that may set the bar for gaming for years to return. Whatever the measurement of the manufacturing and improvement workforce, that’s finally what I believe makes it particular.
My solely mark in opposition to the sport: I nonetheless assume the final clumsiness of the third act is considerably neglected by lots of important evaluations. There’s simply no clear indication on the right way to deal with it, and I’d nonetheless strongly suggest trying up a information if you’re enjoying by means of. Nonetheless, I’m heartened to listen to anecdotally that regardless of the sport being considerably tough, many informal gamers are selecting it up and making it to the very climatic ending.
3) Donkey Kong Bananza
A distant third on my checklist, however probably the Nintendo Swap 2’s greatest recreation to-date. That is one other case of {hardware} exclusivity hampering the general success of the title. We’re all used to Nintendo video games solely releasing on Nintendo units, however this was a Swap 2 unique, which means solely probably the most devoted early adopters of the brand new console have possible performed it.
This can be a recreation that ends stronger than it begins, particularly if you’re a fan of the unique Donkey Kong Nation sequence. However it additionally breaks new floor for 3D platformers. Actually. Nearly each floor is destructible on this recreation, resulting in lots of distinctive and fascinating design decisions.
Anecdotally, this recreation additionally performs very well as a co-op title, so in case you have a associate or youngster who’s gaming curious, you should definitely give {that a} go.
What got here shut?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 — I performed this recreation on the advice of a buddy, and what a suggestion it was. If not for desirous to function a extra accessible Nintendo recreation in my prime three, I’d simply swap this for Donkey Kong: Bananza. It’s a very strong role-playing recreation that’s difficult at first, however will get extremely satisfying as you grasp its techniques. I used to be actually scorching on this when it first got here out, and I stand by my name. In case you are into role-playing video games and haven’t given this a go, look it up in the course of the vacation break.
Hole Knight: Silksong — The long-awaited sequel is such a superb recreation, and I wish to bat for the house workforce right here, given it’s Australian! However its sharp problem curve and, at occasions, imply recreation design—particularly early on—make it onerous to broadly suggest. You’ve already performed this recreation in case you cherished the unique. In case you are new to the sequence, it’s nonetheless a incredible entry level. Be prepared for a problem, however the expertise itself is extremely rewarding.
Blue Prince — Nearly a yr on and accounts nonetheless fluctuate for this recreation. I cherished my time with it, however its randomness can completely frustrate gamers, particularly early on. It appears the gamers that received probably the most pleasure out of this recreation stored enjoying after the primary ending. However I ended there, actually feeling like I’d had my fill. I agree with Al Thumm’s absorb my current predictions piece: video games like Blue Prince are ushering in a return to kind for puzzle titles, and that’s solely factor.
Mario Kart World — Nice recreation. Probably the most technical, difficult-to-master, Mario Kart to this point. However Nintendo has completely dropped the ball on the long-tail administration of it. This might have been the primary really on-line Mario Kart, with steady updates and causes to maintain enjoying. When you end all the cups, there’s simply little or no to do. A missed alternative.
Letdowns:
Metroid Prime 4: Past — I’m nonetheless stinging from this one. Nice shooter, not an ideal Metroidvania. Crushing, given this sequence has a robust fan base that waited years for this recreation. Don’t let me cease you in case your a giant fan of this sequence. It’s simply not so good as it may very well be.
Pokémon Legends Z-A — Why is Nintendo tolerating such nook slicing for one in every of its marquee franchises? Nonetheless enjoyable, however we are able to do extra with the world’s most useful mental property. Its followers completely deserve higher!
Murderer’s Creed: Shadows — Nonetheless recreation, simply want the map was smaller and denser, and the story wasn’t primarily informed by means of the final two character missions.
My most performed recreation?
Closing Fantasy XIV On-line — The sport I play when I’ve nothing to play, and regardless of all the wonderful video games on provide in 2025, it’s nonetheless my most-played recreation this yr. That’s extremely possible because of savage raiding, the place this yr I cleared my fifth raiding tier. Undecided if I’ll go for my sixth within the New 12 months.
This recreation strongly rewards those that keep it up, as a few of the current patch content material has been wonderful. A standout: one of many new raids has an absolute ear-worm of a observe written by Rage Towards The Machine’s Tom Morello.
There’s some renewed momentum right here forward of the subsequent main enlargement, which is able to possible come out late 2026 on the earliest. Although, there’s been little in the best way of teasers or new data for it.
But, regardless of its advertising and marketing slogan than there’s “no higher time to play”, I’m a bit reluctant to recommend this recreation to model new gamers. On my depend it takes over 100 hours to rise up to this point with the brand new content material and play by means of all prior patches, simply to get to the stuff everyone seems to be speaking about or streaming. You’ll be able to pay to skip content material, however that’s ill-advised, as there’s a ability hurdle that older content material helps you surpass.
There have been strikes to make this simpler and playable without having to interact with the multiplayer facet of the sport. That features making the primary two expansions and the bottom recreation free to play. However that doesn’t handle the truth that it stays a serious time sink for individuals who are new to get to present content material.
I’ll be keeping track of Closing Fantasy XIV in addition to the opposite ‘endlessly video games’ subsequent yr. Can a recreation actually final endlessly? I believe inside the subsequent few years, we’re going to seek out out.
Different notable video games in 2025
Age of Mythology: Retold — I really like real-time technique recreation, and this is among the greatest. You’ll be able to sometimes solely play these video games utilizing a mouse and keyboard, however this recreation reboot has completely nailed controller play. With a gentle provide of DLC, it’s positively value a glance in case you like this style—even in case you solely personal a gaming console.
Hades 2 — Did you miss this recreation? I snuck in a play by means of simply because it got here out, however ran out of time to evaluate it. It’s lacking a few of the soul of the unique recreation, however is a robust rogue-like all the identical that actually expands on the concepts of the unique recreation. An awesome vacation recreation!
Elden Ring Nightreign — After a month of false begins and a number of other calls to my web supplier earlier this yr, I lastly received this working. It’s heaps of enjoyable slogging by means of it with a pair of pals. However there’s no actual on-ramp for brand new gamers, and an expectation from the present participant base that what you’re doing from the get-go. So I’d watch some YouTube explainers forward of diving in. You’ve been warned.
Disclosure: I sometimes buy all of my video games I evaluate or point out in Infinite Lives. Nevertheless, I accepted two 60-day game-time codes for Closing Fantasy XIV this yr from the sport’s publicist, however bought the enlargement again in 2024.
I’ve missed so many video games on this piece. Together with many indie titles that I’m seeking to play over the vacation break. What are your standout video games of the yr? Additionally any options for what to play over the Australian summer season?