Summary
- Clair Obscur is a standout game in 2025, offering amazing characters, setting, and combat.
- The Alters provides a refreshing survival experience with balanced mechanics and compelling storytelling.
- Mario Kart World delivers on its open-world promise with engaging gameplay and innovative mechanics.
Game of the Year may be a subjective term for many, but most fans can often agree with a handful of standout nominees given the sheer amount of work put into their development, and the success and popularity of their final releases.
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More than halfway into 2025, fans have been treated to some spectacular video games that are in a class of their own. From ambitious AA projects to incredible blockbuster games, there's no shortage of cool titles for fans to sink into. While not every game is award-worthy, these standout titles are clear frontrunners for 2025's Game of the Year award.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A Double-A Turn-Based RPG That Took The World By Storm
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 generated a decent amount of buzz before its launch, no one expected this title to sell like hotcakes to such an extreme level, or to be such a standout hit among gamers and critics alike. Expedition 33's amazing characters, mature writing, imaginative setting, and excellent combat have helped it stand out as one of 2025's greatest games.
The ambitions of the ex-Ubisoft employees who founded developer Sandfall Interactive are clear as day, as their design choices are inspired, and they innovate on a genre that many thought was stuck in the past. There truly is nothing quite like Clair Obscur, to the point where most people are already considering it 2025's GotY, and some even placing among the best games of the generation.
The Alters
Narrative And Gameplay Work In Tandem In This Survival Sci-Fi Game
The Alters
- Released
- June 13, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- 11 Bit Studios
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Strategy, Management
Fans who thought that 11 Bit Studios made games that were too hard after games like Frostpunk and This War of Mine will find The Alters to be refreshingly easy to get into. The survival mechanics and fun exploration aren't too overwhelming, and players will be able to comfortably move their base well before the game's impending deadline becomes too pressing to handle.
The selling point of this game is definitely Jan interacting with his alters, versions of himself from other dimensions who made different life choices, with the writing doing a great job of exploring the messed-up origins of each of their existences. By the time players reach the end of this incredible title, they'll form a bond with the Jans and actively root for a happy ending that saves them.
Donkey Kong Bananza
The Destruction Mechanics And Platforming Are In A League Of Their Own
Donkey Kong Bananza
- Released
- July 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
Donkey Kong Bananza is an excellent platformer that carries forward the 3D legacy of Super Mario Odyssey, while adding several unique destruction mechanics for players to mess around with. Players will love smashing the environment to a pulp as Nintendo's iconic—but sorely underused—protagonist.
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The fact that fans consider the second half of the experience to be superior to the first, despite the game's strong introduction, makes it clear just how special this title is. Mastering this DK's movement and terraforming the many imaginative levels never ceases to be engaging, and the deeper players go, the more challenging and rewarding Donkey Kong Bananza becomes.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
An Impressive Sequel That Screams Kojima In The Best Ways
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Released
- June 26, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
Death Stranding 2 is a vastly improved sequel over its predecessor, with the technical excellence and engaging gameplay being in a class of their own. Now that fans had grown accustomed to the gameplay loop Kojima wanted to pursue in the first game, players had a better understanding of what to expect from this sequel, which gets things moving at a much faster pace and eases the difficulty curve to make for a more enthralling experience right off the bat.
That being said, combat options are also heavily expanded upon for players who want to play a title that feels like Metal Gear Solid 5, with Sam's arsenal being both more expansive and more creative than anything seen in the first game. This isn't a bad thing in the slightest, and giving players the freedom to pursue any playstyle they want makes Death Stranding 2 a standout 2025 title.
Split Fiction
Another Excellent Co-Op Game From Hazelight Studios
Split Fiction
- Released
- March 6, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Hazelight Studios
Hazelight Studios has done it again with Split Fiction. Fans were treated to yet another stellar co-op adventure with imaginative levels and excellent set-pieces that will keep them coming back for more, only this time, the story is less depressing, following a pair of rival-turned-friend authors as opposed to a couple going through a divorce.
While the story may not be anything revolutionary, the other pillars holding Split Fiction up more than make up for any narrative faults. Two players will love experiencing this magical title together and will get a thrill as they one-up their co-op partner in the game's many challenging minigames.
Blue Prince
An Incredible Roguelike Puzzle Game That Makes Players Feel Smart
Blue Prince
- Released
- April 10, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Alcohol Reference, Simulated Gambling
- Developer(s)
- Dogubomb
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Adventure, Exploration, Strategy
Blue Prince immediately became one of the best puzzle games of all time, cleverly using roguelike elements to make solutions more satisfying to uncover. Relying on RNG to solve certain puzzles can be grating, but the immersive storytelling and constant feeling of progression ensure that players won't ever be bored or frustrated for long.
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The captivating gameplay is the beating heart that makes Blue Prince tick. The quest to reach Room 46 is a satisfying affair, but that's only the beginning of what this indie game has to offer. Sure, some runs may be a bit anticlimactic, especially as players start pushing for the endgame, but they'll eventually become so adept with Blue Prince's mechanics that they'll look forward to every run regardless of the progress they make. The best thing about Blue Prince is that it never punishes failure, which makes pushing forward through the occasional frustration that much easier.
Deltarune
A Worthy Successor To Undertale, Which Is No Small Feat
Deltarune
- Released
- October 31, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Language, Suggestive Themes, Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Toby Fox
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Undertale's successor was bound to generate a ton of hype, and Toby Fox didn't disappoint with Deltarune. While it may not be as fresh an experience as Undertale was, the charm and mystery of this title make it a perfect successor for fans to enjoy.
The characters are endearing and ensure that players will form a long-lasting bond with them long after completing all the game's chapters. It may be a long shot for the big end-of-year award, but Deltarune certainly deserves to be in the discussion of 2025's best games.
Mario Kart World
An Amazing Open-World Take On The Mario Kart Series
Mario Kart World
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
Mario Kart World's promise of an open-world kart racer was delivered on in spades. Players are loving how this game feels like a unique take on the gameplay present in the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, blending with Mario's signature charm. Grinding on rails and participating in the game's many exciting and visually impressive races never ceases to be engaging.
This freeform exploration takes the series from a pure racer to something more robust and modern, and ensures that fans will have a blast with what Mario Kart World brings to the table. The innovation in this game, coupled with the kart racing mechanics that are as satisfying as ever, ensures that Mario Kart World is both a worthy successor to this beloved franchise and a strong contender for 2025's Game of the Year award.
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