Given the potential launch of GTA VI and the probabilities offered by Nintendo’s Swap 2 launch lineup, 2025 may go down as the last decade’s most memorable 12 months in gaming. Even with out these juggernauts, video games like Monster Hunter Wilds and Murderer’s Creed Shadows have already set the tone for what must be one other nice 12 months for brand new video games.
Via the primary quarter of the 12 months, 18 video games have earned a spot on this listing, which compiles each recreation and growth launched in 2025 that obtained a evaluate rating of 8 or increased from IGN. These are IGN’s greatest video video games of 2025.
This listing shall be up to date as new releases obtain qualifying evaluate scores.
Assessment Rating: 8 (“Nice”)
These video games depart us with one thing excellent to recollect them by, often novel gameplay concepts for single-player or multiplayer, intelligent characters and writing, noteworthy graphics and sound, or some mixture thereof. If we have now main complaints, there are greater than sufficient wonderful qualities to cancel them out.
Murderer’s Creed Shadows
From our evaluate: Murderer’s Creed Shadows takes a flashing blade to the sequence’ established norms, trimming them to a extra exact kind in lieu of chopping them down outright. Fight is aggressive and requires extra intentional parrying and talent administration than up to now, and exploring the beautiful provinces of Sengoku-period Japan is inspired due to the revamped map that deemphasizes gathering icons and checking off lists. Naoe and Yasuke are well-realized and memorable protagonists, regardless that a lot of the story they drive follows fairly predictable paths. Each have distinctive playstyles that bolster one another’s weaknesses, however they’re in the end imbalanced by the truth that you may make use of the stealth and exploration expertise of the grasp shinobi excess of the superhuman power of the samurai. This isn’t the Murderer’s Creed that may change the minds of parents that by no means related with the sequence earlier than, however for these of us with a number of hours logged within the Animus, the sum of Shadows’ elements present a refreshing realignment of the sequence that you shouldn’t skip. – Jarrett Inexperienced
Atomfall
From our evaluate: Atomfall is a gripping survival-action journey that takes a few of the greatest parts of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesises them into its personal recent mutation. It presents a picturesque chunk of English countryside suffering from alluring buildings to pique and reward your curiosity, eccentric locals to fulfill, and absorbing mysteries to unravel, and makes use of traditional iconography from British sci-fi and horror to constantly unsettling impact. Despite some enemy behaviours which might be sometimes much less steady than a reactor in meltdown, Atomfall is a compelling, post-apocalyptic survival story that satisfyingly bends to your selections and discoveries regardless of which course you are taking. – Tristan Ogilvie
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
From our evaluate: Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector doesn’t stray too removed from what made the primary one a cult hit, nevertheless it doesn’t have to. It tells a wealthy and poignant story concerning the advanced nature of management on one’s self when that self is a machine that may be rebooted and hacked, discovering and enriching neighborhood within the face of overwhelming odds, and expressing personhood each to oneself and to others. It’s visible novel-like presentation is heavy on studying and cube rolling, so its not precisely pulse-pounding, however the retooled character courses and stats, new crew missions, and stress mechanics present simply sufficient suggestions and create a way of precarity all through that it stays partaking. – Jarrett Inexperienced
Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD
From our evaluate: Someway, Donkey Kong Nation Returns returned (once more), however Nintendo’s third full launch of this 2010 Wii platformer is sort of as recent and enjoyable immediately because it was 15 years in the past. DK’s satisfying, weighty motion paves the best way for a difficult, momentum-based platformer that calls for extra talent and precision than the typical Nintendo recreation. Nevertheless it stays enjoyable fairly than irritating due to extremely spectacular degree design that explores each intelligent thought to the fullest and a ton of hidden collectibles value monitoring down. As a remaster particularly, it’s not more than a satisfactory replace, with graphics that may solely actually be described as “ok” and a few outdated parts that would have used extra fashionable touches, like a scarcity of checkpoints throughout boss fights and some obnoxious sections filled with one-hit kill obstacles. However Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD continues to be a reliable replace and simply one of the best ways to play one of many best 2D platformers Nintendo has launched this century. – Logan Plant
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
From our evaluate: Propelled by a breezy and infrequently utterly bananas treasure-hunting story, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a pleasant spin-off that seamlessly shifts between road thuggery and skulduggery. Majima’s Sea Canine stance is among the most enjoyable and versatile combating kinds I’ve loved within the sequence to this point – at the least in its traditional, combo-based kind – and I welcomed the problem of rigorously balancing my crew lineup with the intention to survive the numerous turbulent naval battles. Whereas its overworld maps really feel just a little padded out with recycled island settings, Honolulu itself is jammed with unpredictable substories and overhauled actions that meant each second of shore depart was filled with surprises. Completely heaving with buried treasures and various pleasures, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a constantly fascinating voyage that saved my timbers shivering whether or not on land or at sea. – Tristan Ogilvie
Monster Hunter Wilds
From our evaluate: Monster Hunter Wilds continues to clean off the historically tough edges of the sequence in good methods, decreasing as a lot friction as potential that would get in the best way of you grabbing any of its exceptionally enjoyable weapons and planting them firmly in a monster’s cover. However in that quest to make Monster Hunter extra approachable, Wilds has carved just a little too near the bone in some locations, trimming its problem again a lot that I barely wanted to dig into its in-depth gear system in any respect this time to turn out to be an apex predator. Its extra versatile fight is a few of the most enjoyable I’ve had with the sequence, however just like the blustering lighting storms of its beautiful desert, it will burns brightly however briefly till Capcom unleashes some actual endgame beasts to problem us. – Tom Marks
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
From our evaluate: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is neither Ninja Gaiden 2 nor Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, however as a substitute a secret third factor that mixes each variations collectively to create one thing that’s wholly distinctive and by far essentially the most stunning model of this wonderful motion recreation but. Whereas I’ve a tough time calling it the definitive launch as a result of I want the unique’s “extra dudes who’re extra aggressive however die quicker” method, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a particular enchancment over the Sigma 2 launch, fixes a number of long-standing points, and in contrast to the unique, isn’t trapped on the Xbox 360. It is not the model I hoped for (get on it, modders), however it’s nonetheless an unimaginable recreation and I am pleased it exists. If this actually is it for Ninja Gaiden 2, it is going to at the least exit on a excessive word. This journey via time jogged my memory that when you cannot go dwelling once more, and nothing will ever actually be prefer it was, that does not imply one thing cannot nonetheless be stunning. Ninja Gaiden 2 is outstanding, even with its flaws, and it is good to lastly have it again in Black. – Will Borger
PGA Tour 2K25
From our evaluate: With substantial adjustments to the way it appears to be like and performs, PGA Tour 2K25 looks like a special recreation from its predecessor. The brand new swing mechanics, paired with the considerably improved graphics, makes for a way more reasonable ambiance, even with a torpid efficiency by the saying crew. The extremely customizable MyCareer marketing campaign mode shines as one of the crucial gratifying elements regardless that it has a tacked-on persona system, occasional pointless connectivity points, and naturally microtransactions. PGA Tour 2K25 continues to be a number of strokes behind EA Sports activities PGA Tour as the perfect {golfing} simulator round, but when it continues to enhance like this with every new iteration, we might even see it shut that hole comparatively quickly. – Andrew McMahon
Rift of the NecroDancer
From our evaluate: I may put on out my keyboard slapping arrow keys to the beat and jamming in my seat to Rift of the NecroDancer’s wonderful soundtrack, fervently chasing down an ideal run of a track for hours. Whether or not I used to be combating stuffy puppet masters, rhythmically ridding the world of monsters, or simply waddling round in a foolish mole costume, it gives many wonderful flavors of arcade-style rhythm motion. Though this “Best Hits” anthology isn’t as targeted or Earth-shattering as Brace Your self Video games’ genre-bending debut album, it nonetheless frequently stunned and delighted me by offering intelligent twists on time-tested mechanics. – Charlie Wacholz
Tokyo Xtreme Racer (Early Entry)
From our evaluate: Tokyo Xtreme Racer is an infectiously addictive time capsule of a racing recreation that wants little greater than a little bit of menu refinement and a few main aggression injected into its sound to actually soup it up and prep it for much more traditional Japanese vehicles to race in and in opposition to. In truth, it’s already properly value its early entry asking worth. It’s slim in scope, however its freeway battle hook makes it onerous to place down, and its complete lack of contemporary baggage like microtransactions and tacked-on multiplayer is outright refreshing. – Luke Reilly
WWE 2K25
From our evaluate: A few microtransaction-fueled missteps apart, WWE 2K25 is absolutely the perfect wrestling recreation since… WWE 2K24, which was additionally fairly nice. It appears to be like unbelievable, nonetheless feels good, and there’s numerous it, together with small however welcome updates like intergender matches or greater updates like the brand new MyRise and Showcase modes. It’s an upscale wrestling buffet, if you’ll: It’s fairly delicious, there’s a big selection of dishes on the desk, and you may spend an terrible lot of time within the squared circle if you happen to’re not cautious. Talking of, I have to get again to it. I’ve some extra Showcase issues to unlock, Universe is asking my identify, and… properly, you get the thought. – Will Borger
Assessment Rating: 9 (“Superb”)
We enthusiastically advocate that you simply add these video games to your to-play listing. If we name a recreation Superb, which means one thing about it significantly impressed us, whether or not it’s an impressed new thought or an distinctive tackle an outdated one. We anticipate to look again at it as one of many highlights of its time and style.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
From our evaluate: If Dynasty Warriors: Origins is supposed to be a brand new starting, it’s one which will get off to a masterful begin. It doesn’t simply have the most important quantity of enemies the sequence has thrown on display directly, it additionally deepens its fight, improves its storytelling with out getting in the best way of the motion, and gives a wholesome quantity of replayability and postgame content material – all whereas wanting higher than ever. Your amnesiac hero is a bit an excessive amount of of a clean slate at instances, however the spectacular ensemble forged made this story sing as I grew to care concerning the characters round him, massive and small. Origins is each a fantastic entry level for newcomers and a triumphant return for veterans like me who felt the previous few entries had turn out to be stale or missed the mark. It feels just like the sequence I as soon as liked is lastly again. – Jada Griffin
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
From our evaluate: In some ways, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 feels prefer it’s picked up and run with the reactive first-person RPG torch that Bethesda left mendacity within the mud years in the past in pursuit of a broader viewers. And it has wonderful melee fight, which The Elder Scrolls by no means got here near even at its peak. Generally it is undecided if it needs to be a cinematic story a couple of particular man occurring a particular journey or a very dynamic open-world sandbox filled with attention-grabbing and various aspect quests, and that may lead to a couple immersion-shattering conflicts. However more often than not, leaning into one does not get in the best way of the opposite, and also you’re free to go on any of its many non-obligatory adventures alongside the best way to a thought-provoking and rousing finale for the principle plot. I used to be delighted to get misplaced in its world, and will probably be a very long time earlier than I overlook its distinctive story. – Leana Hafer
MLB The Present 25
From our evaluate: MLB The Present stays among the finest sports activities sequence round. The brand new improve system and the novice portion of your participant’s journey have reinvigorated Highway To The Present, whereas the shift away from Units and Seasons has righted Diamond Dynasty’s greatest fallacious. Whereas it’s a little bit of a bummer that the Storylines function isn’t dwelling as much as its full potential, it stays a worthwhile and necessary inclusion that has attain past the sport of baseball. All of the small touches, corresponding to up to date infielder reactions and new fast time occasions just like the swim transfer, have the on-field motion in a fantastic place, too. It’s not at all times simple for an annual franchise to justify the transfer to a brand new entry, however within the case of MLB The Present 25, it does greater than sufficient to make me glad it has arrived. – Justin Koreis
Cut up Fiction
From our evaluate: An expertly crafted and absorbing co-op journey that pinballs from one style excessive to a different, Cut up Fiction is a rollercoaster of gameplay concepts and kinds which might be often discarded as rapidly as they’re launched. This retains it fabulously recent for its full, 14-hour length. With no thought sticking round lengthy sufficient to get stale earlier than making means for the subsequent, it’s a victory of creativeness and restraint in equal measure. Hazelight might have been rewriting the co-op rule e-book for a decade now, however Cut up Fiction is a brand new chapter that you simply (and a accomplice) can not miss. – Luke Reilly
Two Level Museum
From our evaluate: Two Level Museum is a rewarding, deep, difficult, and extremely entertaining tycoon recreation that demonstrates Two Level Studios has actually hit its groove with this third iteration of the thought. The number of totally different reveals to unlock and degree up, the fun of discovering new expedition maps, and the array of intelligent and easy-to-use administration instruments make designing and operating a museum joyful and constantly rewarding. I’ve sunk greater than 40 hours into it already and I may simply see doubling that with out operating out of stuff to do. Name the curator. They’re actually going to need to check out this. – Leana Hafer
Wanderstop
From our evaluate: Each inch of Wanderstop pushes the conventions you’d anticipate of equally healthful video games. Its vibrant colours, quirky characters, and enchanting music are used to inform a compelling story that forces you to grapple with each its lead character’s insecurities in addition to your personal. It’s a robust journey not nearly burn out, however about how deeply painful it’s to free ourselves from coping mechanisms that will have beforehand saved us safe. On the identical time, Wanderstop’s easy however satisfying tea brewing experimentation serves as a secure and entertaining house to do this deep digging. There aren’t many video games like Wanderstop on the market presently, however for all our sakes, I hope there shall be quickly. – Shailyn Cotten
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Version
From our evaluate: Xenoblade Chronicles X was already one of many Wii U’s greatest video games, and this Definitive Version has escaped the destruction of its outdated dwelling just like the White Whale and settled down properly on Swap. The standard-of-life enhancements listed below are sufficient to justify one other journey to Mira alone for veteran gamers, and it’s the right alternative for newcomers to discover its stunning landscapes for themselves. Its fight programs are deep and interesting, and the large open world by no means bought outdated to run, soar, or fly throughout. Its primary story might not fairly dwell as much as the requirements of the sequence, however a likable forged of characters and loads of compelling aspect missions imply Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Version continues to be an journey value writing again dwelling about. – George Yang
Jordan covers video games, reveals, and flicks as a contract author for IGN.