hades-2Image via Supergiant Games
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Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck
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Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts.
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Every year is excellent for video games nowadays, but 2025 was especially fantastic. From the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 and many new Nintendo first-party games to new studios breaking out with fantastic games to greatly anticipated sequels, gaming fans are eating well this year. December marks a time to look back and reflect on the games of 2025, especially since the Game Awards aren’t too far away.
Whether fans prefer AAA blockbusters such as Assassin's Creed: Shadows or popular indie titles, including Split Fiction, every type of fan gets what they want. That is why this list will rank the 10 best video games of 2025 and how good they will be as movies. However, it is essentially only ranking the quality of these games based on originality, mechanics, gameplay, graphics, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality.
10 ‘Ghost of Yotei’ (2025)
ghost-of-yotei, person on a horse in front of Mount FujiImage via Sucker Punch Productions
Ghost of Tsushima is one of PlayStation's best new franchises, featuring some of the best graphics in gaming history. Thus, the launch of its sequel, Ghost of Yotei, was even more anticipated. It follows Atsu 16 years after the murder of her family, as she seeks revenge against the six who took everything from her.
Ghost of Yotei isn’t anything new, and that is why it lands here at the bottom of the list. Despite that, it is still a magnificent game that is as stunning as it is fun to play. The gameplay is engaging, and the classic revenge story is even better than the first. The only lowlights are the pacing and side quests, which feel like they can grind the game to a halt. Still, Ghost of Yotei is an essential new-gen PlayStation game that should satisfy fans of action-adventure games.
9 ‘Mario Kart World’ (2025)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch, but fans technically haven’t had a new Mario Kart since 2014. This made it only right that Mario Kart World would be the launch title for the new console. It changes up the formula with an open world, wider courses, more characters, and new game modes.
Mario Kart World isn’t perfect, but it has everything it needs to be an excellent entry into the long-running franchise and one of the best games of 2025. The open world is fun to explore with plenty of challenges and collectibles, and the courses are among the series' most complex, creating an all-out, somewhat chaotic experience. They could have improved the mini-games, but the best part is easily the knockout mode. This innovative race alone is worth the expensive price tag, making Mario Kart World a worthy Nintendo game.
8 ‘Split Fiction’ (2025)
An image from Split FictionImage via Electronic Arts
Fans might remember the Game Awards Game of the Year winner, It Takes Two, which was, hands down, the best choice and a multiplayer masterpiece. In 2025, the same designer released Split Fiction, another fun multiplayer title. Two authors get stuck in their own stories, but now they need to work together in order to destroy a machine that steals creative ideas.
Josef Fares is a staple name of the Game Awards because of his endearing presence and innovative games. Split Fiction is a must-play cooperative game that highlights the importance of story and fun gameplay. The multiplayer aspects are unique and inventive, constantly engaging the player with magnificent level design. Split Fiction will also have a movie adaptation in the future, and this story is perfect for the big screen.
7 ‘Blue Prince’ (2025)
blue-princeImage via Dogubomb
2025 is the best year of indie games in a long time, maybe ever, with half the entries on this list being indies. First-time studio, Dogubomb, made Blue Prince in 2025, their first game. Players explore a mansion with rooms that shift and change every day. The draft cards are representative of the 45 rooms, aiming to explore the lore and puzzles with the goal of finding the secret 46th chamber.
It may have taken eight years to make, but the final product was well worth the long dev time, as it is one of the best games of the year. The hidden aspects and secrets were well-paced and placed throughout the game, keeping the player engaged from start to finish. Its storytelling is unique and rewarding, and the puzzles are captivating and satisfying to complete, not to mention challenging but never frustrating, thus making Blue Prince one of the best original indie games ever.
6 ‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’ (2025)
Sam Porter Bridges stares down the camera in Death StrandingImage via Kojima Productions
This list features a handful of sequels, and one of the most anticipated follow-ups of the year is Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Hideo Kojima returns for another cinematic masterpiece, but this time centering on a character in Australia. Players must travel across the country and set up communication networks while avoiding monsters and hostile humans.
Fans are divided on whether Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is better or worse than Death Stranding, but the fact that debate exists means they are around the same quality. The first one was a Game of the Year candidate, and the sequel is no less. As expected from Kojima, the narrative and visuals are gorgeous, and while the gameplay isn’t excellent, the overall experience is immersive and a distinct gaming journey. As it turns out, Death Stranding is getting a Disney+ animated series, but one can't help to imagine how the original game and the follow-up would excel on the big screen.
5 ‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ (2025)
Image via Team Cherry
After years of waiting, one of the most anticipated games of all time finally came out in 2025. Hollow Knight: Silksong became a meme because of the long wait, but it’s really here — was it worth the wait? The former protector of Hallownest, Hornet, is captured and taken away to a new land, and players must tackle a whole new set of challenges in this gorgeous world.
If fans liked the first game, then they will also like Hollow Knight: Silksong, as it is pretty much more of the same. However, that approach is both a pro and a con, as it doesn’t do enough differently to be as good as its revolutionary predecessor. Still, the art is absolutely stunning, and the gameplay is addicting, challenging fans with well-designed bosses and the classic Metroidvania formula.
4 ‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’ (2025)
From 2018 computer game 'Kingdom Come: Deliverance'Image via Warhorse Studios
Despite being one of the best games of the year, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II somehow doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. This open-world action RPG is set in Bohemia, with players traveling across the world in a battle for dominance. When the protagonist leaves to question the loyalty of a king, his identification is stolen, and he has no way to prove who he is.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II features an immersive medieval setting that is historically accurate. But the gameplay and narrative are just as intriguing. It is system-heavy and a top-tier role-playing game with plenty of mechanics, abilities, and raw gameplay to keep players entertained. As it happens with all the best RPGs, players can fully immerse themselves as a spy, knight, blacksmith, gambler or more in an authentic medieval setting.
3 ‘Donkey Kong Bananza’ (2025)
A young Pauline in shock in Donkey Kong BananzaImage via Nintendo
Mario Kart World isn’t Nintendo’s only game on this list, as Donkey Kong Bananza was their clear breakout effort by the iconic studio. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has the potential to be the best when it comes out, but Donkey Kong Bananza might be too good. A new threat has stolen all the banana gems and sunk the island, but DK and a mysterious girl are the key to defeating them and getting the island back.
Nintendo had a phenomenal second half of the year, and Donkey Kong Bananza is their best title in a long time. The gameplay is fresh and innovative, allowing players to destroy the entire terrain if they want. This 3D platformer is unlike anything else in the industry, not to mention a true reinvention of the formula for its iconic and long-running protagonist, and that alone makes it a must-play game. Donkey Kong Bananza is pure fun, and it might have been the best game in any other year.
2 ‘Hades 2’ (2025)
hades-2-woman-holding a scytheImage via Supergiant Games
The final sequel on this list is Hades 2, which had a challenging task following the first game, a celebrated Game of the Year nominee in 2020. When Chrono imprisons Zagreus and Persephone, only Melinoe escapes. Once she is strong enough, she sets out to free them and defeat Chronos. Players control her in this dungeon-crawling roguelite, fighting enemies and monsters, and using new weapons with enhanced gameplay.
While the story and characters were a step down, everything else about Hades 2 was an improvement over Hades. The gameplay is more invigorating and satisfying, and they have balanced out the issues so that each item is worth using. The combat is varied and engaging, giving players plenty of opportunities and agency in the everlasting fight. Hades 2 is one of the best indie games in a long time, but one other game might have it beat as the best of 2025.
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1 ‘Clair Obscur Expedition 33’ (2025)
clair-obscur-expedition-33Image via Sandfall Entertainment
Now that this list has reached its end, the obvious choice for the best game of 2025 is the one that had the industry in a chokehold: Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Fans are still debating whether it is an indie game or not, but it doesn’t really matter because it is a magnificent work. Following the volunteers of Expedition 33, this group sets out to destroy the Paintress, a being who erases those above a certain age. Players control a party with turn-based and real-time mechanics.
With a big budget, an excellent voice cast, an incredible narrative, stellar graphics, and unique gameplay, Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is the complete package and, obviously, the best game of 2025. It may have been done before, but its blend of turn-based, real-time, and quick-time events is still innovative and perfected for optimal gameplay and enjoyment. Almost every part of this game is flawless, and players should absolutely make it part of their winter plans.
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