The Best Games of 2025 So Far: Our Mid-Year GOTY Picks

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2025 has certainly been a captivating year for video games, no doubt about it. The gaming industry seems to be on the verge of explosion, as Microsoft’s recent layoffs have made them appear less competent than typical, while Sony continues to lean heavily on sequels and remasters that require extensive development time. Nintendo has managed to fare better following the release of Switch 2, but their decision to price games at $80 might tarnish their reputation among fans.

Despite the industry being somewhat makeshift with its reliance on duct tape and glue, the games themselves have been successful in maintaining a high level of excitement. These include top-tier titles that surpassed expectations as well as smaller games that won over a new generation of fans. Now, we’ve reached the midpoint of 2025, and it’s time for us to announce our picks for the best games of the year, at least up until now.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

To no one’s astonishment, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has garnered praise from both fans and critics. Its compelling narrative and engaging gameplay have demonstrated that games crafted with artistic flair, free from the constraints of AI and trends, can still thrive.

Despite being visually stunning with well-known voice actors, this game might not immediately seem “smaller” in scale. However, what sets it apart is that the developers at Sandfall Interactive weren’t bound by publishers who would typically push for microtransactions and other trendy but annoying features. With its potential to sweep awards by year-end, particularly those honoring the Best RPG category, this game could be a real contender.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Following the initial release of Death Stranding that garnered a mix of reactions, it’s astonishing to witness Death Stranding 2 achieving an immediate success at launch. Given Hideo Kojima’s ongoing involvement, few anticipated such widespread acclaim, with numerous 9’s and 10’s showered upon the game. Our reviewer Feliciano also enjoyed the game, despite its reported “walking simulator” aspects.

It seems as though Kojima may be pretending to dislike favorable responses, but a quicker tempo and more immediate gameplay have made a significant difference. Moreover,

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The unexpected hit, even among some prejudiced individuals, is Assassin’s Creed: Shadow. Despite its series’ controversial history and various factors working against it, Assassin’s Creed: Shadow has surpassed expectations to become one of the standout titles this year. Our reviewer Alister also enjoyed the game, a rarity given his critical stance on previous installments.

Numerous gamers believe that this installment has refined the open-world gameplay it initially presented in Origins. The dual protagonists also proved to be an intelligent decision, as players can opt for stealth or unleash powerful sword attacks without restraint. Despite the Assassin’s Creed franchise not retiring the Animus anytime soon, this remains a fantastic addition that many will find enjoyable.

Mario Kart World

Although we wouldn’t give Mario Kart World a super high score due to its $80 price tag, Nintendo deserves credit for their hard work. If it were priced at $60, the score might be even higher. However, there’s no doubt that Mario Kart World is an exceptional racing game and a great demonstration of Switch 2’s capabilities. Despite its price, this game is still very good.

Compared to other games on this list, Mario Kart Wii might improve with time, as Nintendo continues to update it. However, recent updates have seemingly deteriorated the online experience slightly. Nonetheless, these issues can be rectified, and we believe that Mario Kart Wii could rank among the series’ finest installments in due course.

Hades 2

As a fervent admirer, I must say, despite being in Early Access for quite some time now, the upcoming title, Hades 2, has already captured my heart with its irresistible gameplay and abundant content. The developers have hinted that it might officially launch this year, which means we’ll be seeing more of Supergiant’s masterful roguelite creation. Excitingly, Hades 2 is slated to arrive on both the Switch 2 and Switch 1 platforms, expanding its already expansive PC fan base even further.

Based on the existing material and the acclaim of its precursor, we believe that Hades 2 has a strong potential to carry on the same level of success it initially garnered. The prospect of delving back into this portrayal of Greek mythology is truly enticing, more so with all the charismatic deities involved.

So far, these titles are our top contenders for “Game of the Year 2025”. Keep tuned to Gfinityesports.com as we share our insights about the standout games of this year towards its end.

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2025-07-04 14:42