We’re only partway through 2025, and it’s already clear: this is a landmark year for video games. From long-awaited sequels that have shattered expectations to innovative new IPs that have captured our imaginations, the first half of the year has been an absolute feast for players.
Whether you’re a fan of sprawling RPGs, heart-pounding action, or mind-bending puzzles, 2025 has already delivered something extraordinary. Based on critical acclaim, player reception, and pure, unadulterated fun, here are the best video games of 2025 (so far) that you absolutely need to play.
1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree – Part II
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Genre: Action RPG
It’s rare for DLC to not only meet the towering expectations of its base game but to potentially surpass it. Following the massive success of the first Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, FromSoftware has done it again. Part II plunges players into the sealed “Sunken City of Soria,” a vast, vertical landscape built within a gargantuan crater.
Why It’s a 2025 Standout:
- Vertical World Design: The descent into Soria is a masterclass in level design, offering a sense of scale and discovery that feels fresh even after hundreds of hours in the Lands Between.
- New Legacy Dungeon: The Umbral Spire is already being hailed as one of FromSoftware’s most intricate and challenging creations.
- Innovative Weapon Arts: The new “Echo” weapon type allows players to unleash delayed, phantom attacks, adding a new layer of strategic depth to combat.
Verdict: This isn’t just more Elden Ring; it’s a essential evolution that cements the title as a generation-defining masterpiece.
2. *Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: The Great Web*
Platforms: PS5
Genre: Action-Adventure
Insomniac Games continues its flawless run with this ambitious narrative expansion. Shifting the focus from Peter Parker and Miles Morales, The Great Web puts players in the shoes of Silk (Cindy Moon), whose faster, more acrobatic fighting style makes web-swinging feel new again.
Why It’s a 2025 Standout:
- A Fresh Protagonist: Cindy Moon’s story is compelling, balancing the weight of her newfound freedom with a personal, emotional stakes.
- Dynamic City Events: The “Cult of the Great Web” has infiltrated New York, leading to unpredictable, multi-stage crimes that require quick thinking and traversal.
- Visual Spectacle: Leveraging the full power of the PS5, the set pieces—particularly a battle atop a collapsing, web-constructed bridge—are breathtaking.
Verdict: A perfect blend of heartfelt storytelling and refined, exhilarating gameplay that proves the Spider-Man universe is far from exhausted.
3. Fable (Reboot)
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Genre: Action RPG
After years of anticipation, Playground Games has finally delivered the Fable reboot, and it’s everything fans hoped for. This is a gorgeous, witty, and genuinely hilarious return to the world of Albion.
Why It’s a 2025 Standout:
- The “Hero’s Journey” System: Your actions physically and reputationally change the world in tangible ways. Be a noble knight, and townsfolk will cheer; be a notorious villain, and children will run from you in the streets.
- British Humor Intact: The game’s signature, self-aware humor is front and center, delivered with impeccable timing by a stellar voice cast.
- Living World: Albion feels truly alive, with dynamic events, quirky characters, and a sense of magical wonder around every corner.
Verdict: A triumphant return for a beloved franchise, blending modern RPG sensibilities with the classic charm that made Fable a household name.
4. Star Wars: Hunters
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Genre: Hero Shooter
While Star Wars: Hunters launched last year, the massive “Deep Space” update has completely revitalized the game, transforming it from a solid hero shooter into a must-play title.
Why It’s a 2025 Standout:
- New “Deep Space” Arena: A stunning, low-gravity map set on a derelict Star Destroyer, introducing new verticality and tactical options.
- Two New Hunters: The addition of a cunning Bothan Spy and a powerful Gamorrean Guard has shaken up the meta dramatically.
- Cross-Platform Progression: The launch on new consoles with full cross-play and cross-progression has created a unified, thriving community.
Verdict: The “Deep Space” update is a masterclass in how to support a live-service game, making Hunters one of the most accessible and fun competitive experiences of the year.
5. Avowed
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Genre: First-Person RPG
Obsidian Entertainment’s foray into the Living Lands of Eora has proven to be a deep, complex, and utterly captivating RPG. Avowed gives players the freedom to approach problems with a staggering degree of creativity.
Why It’s a 2025 Standout:
- Spell-Synergy Combat: The ability to combine magic—like creating a wall of fire and then casting a wind spell to turn it into a fiery tornado—makes combat a dynamic playground.
- Meaningful Choices: Dialogue and quest decisions have significant, often unforeseen consequences that ripple throughout the entire game.
- Dense, Hand-Crafted World: Unlike sprawling open worlds, the Living Lands are a more focused, detail-rich environment where every cave and ruin has a story to tell.
Verdict: A thoughtful and brilliantly executed RPG that stands tall alongside the greats, offering a more intimate but no less epic alternative to Elden Ring.
6. Metroid Prime 4
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Genre: First-Person Adventure
It was worth the wait. Metroid Prime 4 is a stunning showcase for the power of the Nintendo Switch 2, delivering a seamless, atmospheric, and jaw-droppingly beautiful sci-fi adventure.
Why It’s a 2025 Standout:
- Seamless World: The game completely does away with loading screens, creating an unparalleled sense of immersion as you explore the alien world of Eclectra.
- Dual-Reality Gameplay: Samus’s new “Echo Visor” allows her to phase between two overlapping versions of reality to solve puzzles and access new areas—a brilliant mechanic.
- Tight, Responsive Combat: The controls are a perfect marriage of classic Prime exploration and modern FPS fluidity.
Verdict: A system-seller that perfectly modernizes the Metroid Prime formula while staying true to its roots. A masterpiece from Retro Studios.
Honorable Mentions: Other 2025 Gems
The year has been so stacked that even our “best of” list has standout titles that just missed the cut:
- Ark II: Finally delivering on its promise of a survival game with a compelling narrative and stunning next-gen visuals.
- Hades II (Full 1.0 Release): Supergiant Games polished this early access gem to a brilliant sheen, with a complete narrative and a host of new weapons and boons.
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Beyond the Anomaly: A deeply immersive and terrifying return to the Zone that was well worth the long development cycle.
- Replaced: This retro-futuristic action-platformer wowed with its incredible pixel-art style and fluid, cinematic combat.
What’s Still to Come?
If the first half of the year is this good, the rest of 2025 is terrifyingly exciting. Keep your eyes on:
- Grand Theft Auto VI (Fall 2025)
- Monster Hunter Wilds (Early 2026, but likely to see a late 2025 beta)
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Fall 2025)
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Late 2025)
Final Thoughts
2025 is shaping up to be one of those legendary years in gaming, a year we’ll look back on as a high-water mark for quality and innovation. From the refined challenges of Elden Ring to the witty charm of Fable and the atmospheric wonder of Metroid Prime 4, there’s a universe for every type of player to get lost in. The best part? We’re only halfway through. Strap in, because the ride is just getting started.