Nearly Halfway Through The Year, Here Are The 10 Best Games Of 2025 (So Far)

2025 seems hard to believe it’s halfway through, considering all the fantastic games that have already been released. Shocking hits like “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” and unanticipated remasters such as “Oblivion” have left gamers everywhere in awe, and this is just the start of what promises to be an extraordinary year for the gaming industry as a whole.

Here are some top-rated and widely adored games from 2025, representing various game genres based on Metacritic ratings, overall response, and community sentiment. With a wealth of fantastic games to explore this year, it might be challenging to play them all before the next major release. However, rest assured that you’ll find no disappointment with the games featured here, as they will undoubtedly prove worth your investment of time.

10. Monster Hunter Wilds

A Refreshing Sequel To The Popular Original

Monster Hunter Wilds is a highly anticipated sequel to Monster Hunter World (2018) and Monster Hunter Rise (2021). In this new installment, players encounter innovative features such as the Wound system, enabling targeted attacks on monster vulnerabilities for greater damage, and the Seikret mount, providing advanced mobility and combat advantages. Furthermore, NPC companions and Focus Mode contribute to a more immersive single-player adventure.

In my opinion, although the narrative could use more depth and some main missions might be too straightforward or linear, Monster Hunter Wilds is still seen as a substantial advancement within the series that appeals to both novice players and long-time enthusiasts. Ebaster awards Monster Hunter Wilds an 8 out of 10, highlighting its improved combat system, expansive open-world layout, and captivating ambiance. Monster Hunter Wilds currently holds a Metacritic score of 88, placing it among the top games in 2025 thus far.

9. Sid Meier’s Civilization 7

An Overhauled Civ Experience, For Better Or Worse

This year, Civilization VII made its debut to a wide range of reactions, but it’s hard to argue against the fact that it offers a stunning and authentic revamp of the original Sid Meier’s gameplay. The new Ages system has sparked some debate among fans, but one significant improvement in Civ 7 is its overhaul of the core gameplay mechanics to significantly minimize micromanagement – an issue that was often criticized in its previous version.

Although Civilization VII isn’t flawless, the team at Firaxis has been diligently updating it since its release. They’ve been consistently rolling out updates, quality-of-life improvements, and even incorporating player suggestions into new features. They have a clear plan for the rest of the year and beyond, which suggests that the game’s strong points overshadow its weaknesses. Ebaster justifiably gives Civilization VII a 9/10 rating, despite a Metacritic score of only 79.

8. Avowed

A Faithful Addition To The Pillars Of Eternity

The action role-playing game by Obsidian Entertainment, known as “Avowed,” is established in the Pillars of Eternity universe and debuted earlier this year. In this game, players take on the persona of a reborn Envoy, investigating a disease called the Dreamscourge within the Living Lands. The journey will span four primary regions that are equally captivating and ominous. More recently, they’ve added an arachnophobia mode to make the game more welcoming for individuals who have a fear of spiders.

This game features a versatile battle system combining hand-to-hand and long-range attacks, along with exclusive spellcasting abilities. What’s more, it offers a user-friendly character development system that allows you to freely choose skills from each main class according to your preferences. The narrative in Avowed is influenced by player decisions with tangible effects on the game world. Critics like Ebaster have awarded it 9/10, while it currently holds an 81 score on Metacritic.

7. Split Fiction

A Must-Play Co-Op Experience

As a fellow gamer, let me tell you about my recent discovery: “Split Fiction”, a captivating cooperative action-adventure game crafted by the brilliant minds at Hazelight Studios. This game isn’t just any ordinary adventure; it’s a unique narrative experience that calls for two players to embark on an unforgettable journey together.

You see, our protagonists are none other than Zoe and Mio, two aspiring writers who find themselves in the midst of chaos after an experiment gone wrong at Rader Publishing. The experiment, you ask? Well, it sent them straight into simulations of their own stories!

The game masterfully switches between Zoe’s enchanting fantasy realm and Mio’s thrilling sci-fi universe, ensuring a dynamic gaming experience with distinct gameplay mechanics in each. So, if you fancy yourself as a daring hero in a magical world or a space explorer in a futuristic setting, “Split Fiction” has got you covered!

Glancing at Split Fiction, its visuals, powered by Unreal Engine 5, truly catch the eye, offering lively and fluid surroundings. This game offers both offline and online collaborative play, a feature enriched by a Friend’s Pass system that lets one player own the game while another can join for free without charge. Although the narrative may resort to familiar tropes at times, the unique mechanics and immersive cooperative adventure set it apart as a top choice for co-op gamers, earning a perfect 10/10 from Ebaster and an impressive Metacritic rating of 91.

6. The First Berserker: Khazan

A Soulslike Above The Rest

I’d highly suggest ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’. This game offers an intense action experience, combined with a simple yet complex class and leveling system. Mastering the diverse set of skills it provides is crucial to overcome its challenging bosses. Notably, Khazan has just added a boss-rush mode, further enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Khazan distinguishes itself as a Soulslike title, with Ebaster awarding it an impressive 10/10, while holding a Metacritic score of 79.

5. Blue Prince

A Mystery Worth Investigating

As a curious gamer, I’ve found myself immersed in the mysterious Mt. Holly mansion with the game called “Blue Prince.” Instead of following a traditional path, this genre-bending puzzle-adventure tests my wits by having me navigate rooms that constantly reshape based on my decisions. Each day brings a new challenge as I strive to find that elusive 46th room, all while unraveling fresh mysteries and obstacles along the way.

This remarkable game has earned a great deal of recognition, boasting a Metacritic score of 93, placing it among the top-rated games of 2025. Critics have lauded its complex puzzle mechanics, immersive world creation, and richly developed lore. Noteworthy is that the game can be played by Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus subscribers at no extra cost, giving them an opportunity to experience it without any additional fee.

4. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

A Remaster On Everyone’s List Of Games To Play Next

2025 saw an abundance of fantastic games, but Bethesda added another exciting option by releasing a remastered version of one of their most cherished titles, “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.” By updating this 2006 classic with Unreal Engine 5, the game receives stunning visual and gameplay upgrades. The remaster retains its original allure while incorporating modern enhancements like sprinting, an improved third-person camera view, and a user-friendly interface, making it more appealing to contemporary players.

Even though the improvements have been made, certain performance glitches linger, such as occasional frame rate drops. Some commentators suggest that the improved visuals undermine the original’s distinctive charm. Essentially, Oblivion Remastered provides a nostalgic yet refreshing experience for players, allowing them to revisit this classic in a new light, with a high Metacritic rating of 82.

3. DOOM: The Dark Ages

The Best DOOM Yet?

In a fresh take on the DOOM series, Doom: The Dark Ages weaves in a medieval flavor, offering solutions to questions that have long puzzled fans of the original DOOM games. This game serves as a link between the classic DOOM installments and the contemporary DOOM (2016), taking place during the transitional period. Key elements like the Super Shotgun return, while innovative weapons such as the Shield Saw, the Ravager, and Chainshot are introduced to enrich the gaming experience.

The game, titled DOOM: The Dark Ages, is longer than its predecessors and some players might find parts of it excessive or repetitive. However, I found myself immersed in every moment of the game. The lack of Mick Gordon’s signature soundtrack is noticeable as the new score doesn’t quite match its intensity. Still, despite these minor shortcomings, DOOM: The Dark Ages offers a visually stunning and action-packed experience that any fans of the franchise should not miss out on. Ebaster has given it a perfect 10/10 score, while Metacritic rates it at 85.

2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Two Assassins For The Price Of One

In the game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking depiction of 16th-century Japan. This installment in the “Assassin’s Creed” series deviates from its usual format, featuring two main characters: Naoe, a ninja who excels in stealth, and Yasuke, an impressive Samurai warrior. Although the narrative of Naoe is compelling, some players might find that the character Yasuke’s role could use more depth, and the dual-protagonist system may require further polishing to provide a more seamless experience.

In this game, the Hideout feature is reintroduced to bring back settlement-style mechanics, allowing for customization and a bit of strategy. This adds another layer to the gameplay as it evolves the franchise’s formula. Fans of both stealth and action will find the experience engaging, though the open world, while visually stunning with seasonal changes, doesn’t significantly affect gameplay strategies. Future updates are planned to address this balance, including an NG+ Mode and enhanced Parkour functions.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

The Biggest Surprise Of 2025

Initially, I wasn’t familiar with the game “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” when I started playing it a few weeks ago. However, after giving it a try for a brief period, I was captivated. The game stands out as something unique, blending traditional turn-based RPG combat from games like “Final Fantasy 7” with contemporary Soulslike mechanics such as parrying and dodging. Moreover, its story is exceptional, reminiscent of “Baldur’s Gate 3“, making it nearly impossible not to resonate and develop affection for each of the main characters.

“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” is a strong contender for Game of the Year 2025, despite upcoming heavyweights like “Elden Ring Nightreign” and “Ghost of Yotei.” If you haven’t had a chance to play it yet, you’re in for a delightful surprise. It’s one of those games I wish I could relive the first-time experience with. Ebaster awards Clair Obscur a commendable 9/10, and currently, it boasts the highest Metacritic score among all 2025 releases at 92.

2025-05-21 00:24