Given the potential launch of GTA VI and the probabilities introduced by Nintendo’s Switch 2 launch lineup, 2025 may go down as the last decade’s most memorable yr 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 ought to be one other nice yr for brand spanking new video games.
By way of the primary quarter of the yr, 18 video games have earned a spot on this listing, which compiles each recreation and growth launched in 2025 that acquired a assessment rating of 8 or increased from IGN. These are IGN’s greatest video video games of 2025.
This listing will likely be up to date as new releases obtain qualifying assessment scores.
Evaluate Rating: 8 (“Nice”)
These video games depart us with one thing excellent to recollect them by, normally novel gameplay concepts for single-player or multiplayer, intelligent characters and writing, noteworthy graphics and sound, or some mixture thereof. If we’ve main complaints, there are greater than sufficient wonderful qualities to cancel them out.
Murderer’s Creed Shadows
From our assessment: Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes a flashing blade to the sequence’ established norms, trimming them to a extra exact type in lieu of chopping them down outright. Fight is aggressive and requires extra intentional parrying and talent administration than previously, 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, although many of the story they drive follows fairly predictable paths. Each have distinctive playstyles that bolster one another’s weaknesses, however they’re finally imbalanced by the truth that you can also 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 linked with the sequence earlier than, however for these of us with numerous 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 assessment: Atomfall is a gripping survival-action journey that takes a number of the greatest parts of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesises them into its personal contemporary 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 basic 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 decisions and discoveries irrespective of which route you are taking. – Tristan Ogilvie
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward vector
From our assessment: vector-review”>Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward vector doesn’t stray too removed from what made the primary one a cult hit, but it surely doesn’t must. It tells a wealthy and poignant story concerning the complicated 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 participating. – Jarrett Inexperienced
Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD
From our assessment: Someway, Donkey Kong Nation Returns returned (once more), however Nintendo’s third full launch of this 2010 Wii platformer is sort of as contemporary and enjoyable right this moment 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 common Nintendo recreation. But it surely stays enjoyable slightly than irritating due to extremely spectacular stage design that explores each intelligent thought to the fullest and a ton of hidden collectibles price monitoring down. As a remaster particularly, it’s not more than a satisfactory replace, with graphics that may solely actually be described as “adequate” and a few outdated parts that might have used extra trendy touches, like an absence of checkpoints throughout boss fights and some obnoxious sections filled with one-hit kill obstacles. However Donkey Kong Country Returns HD continues to be a reliable replace and simply one of the best ways to play one of many biggest 2D platformers Nintendo has launched this century. – Logan Plant
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
From our assessment: Propelled by a breezy and sometimes 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 without doubt one of the most enjoyable and versatile preventing kinds I’ve loved within the sequence thus far – at the least in its basic, combo-based type – and I welcomed the problem of fastidiously balancing my crew lineup with a view to survive the numerous turbulent naval battles. Whereas its overworld maps really feel a bit of 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 charming voyage that saved my timbers shivering whether or not on land or at sea. – Tristan Ogilvie
Monster Hunter Wilds
From our assessment: Monster Hunter Wilds continues to easy off the historically tough edges of the sequence in sensible methods, lowering as a lot friction as potential that might 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 a bit of too near the bone in some locations, trimming its problem again a lot that I barely wanted to dig into its in-depth tools system in any respect this time to change into an apex predator. Its extra versatile fight is a number 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
digital-standard-thumb-1727223540640.png?width=114&crop=1percent3A1percent2Csmart&auto=webp” srcset=”https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2024/09/25/mh-wilds-digital-standard-thumb-1727223540640.png?width=114&crop=1percent3A1percent2Csmart&auto=webp 1x, https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2024/09/25/mh-wilds-digital-standard-thumb-1727223540640.png?width=114&crop=1percent3A1percent2Csmart&auto=webp&dpr=2 2x” data-cy=”progressive-image” class=”jsx-2920405963 progressive-image object-image jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387 increase”/>Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
From our assessment: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is neither Ninja Gaiden 2 nor Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, however as an alternative a secret third factor that mixes each variations collectively to create one thing that’s wholly distinctive and by far essentially the most lovely model of this wonderful motion recreation but. Whereas I’ve a tough time calling it the definitive launch as a result of I choose 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 unbelievable recreation and I am comfortable 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 by means of 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 lovely. Ninja Gaiden 2 is exceptional, even with its flaws, and it is good to lastly have it again in Black. – Will Borger
PGA Tour 2K25
From our assessment: With substantial adjustments to the way it appears and performs, PGA Tour 2K25 looks like a distinct 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 group. The extremely customizable MyCareer marketing campaign mode shines as probably the most pleasing elements although it has a tacked-on character 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 most effective {golfing} simulator round, but when it continues to enhance like this with every new iteration, we may even see it shut that hole comparatively quickly. – Andrew McMahon
Rift of the NecroDancer
From our assessment: 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 music for hours. Whether or not I used to be preventing stuffy puppet masters, rhythmically ridding the world of monsters, or simply waddling round in a foolish mole costume, it supplies many wonderful flavors of arcade-style rhythm motion. Regardless that this “Best Hits” anthology isn’t as targeted or Earth-shattering as Brace Your self Video games’ genre-bending debut album, it nonetheless regularly stunned and delighted me by offering intelligent twists on time-tested mechanics. – Charlie Wacholz
Tokyo Xtreme Racer (Early Entry)
From our assessment: 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 essentially soup it up and prep it for much more basic Japanese automobiles to race in and towards. The truth is, it’s already properly price its early entry asking value. It’s slender in scope, however its freeway battle hook makes it arduous to place down, and its whole lack of contemporary baggage like microtransactions and tacked-on multiplayer is outright refreshing. – Luke Reilly
WWE 2K25
From our assessment: A few microtransaction-fueled missteps apart, WWE 2K25 is de facto the most effective wrestling recreation since… WWE 2K24, which was additionally fairly nice. It appears implausible, nonetheless feels good, and there’s numerous it, together with small however welcome updates like intergender matches or larger 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 wide array of dishes on the desk, and you may spend an terrible lot of time within the squared circle in case you’re not cautious. Talking of, I must get again to it. I’ve some extra Showcase issues to unlock, Universe is looking my identify, and… properly, you get the concept. – Will Borger
Evaluate Rating: 9 (“Superb”)
We enthusiastically suggest 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 count on to look again at it as one of many highlights of its time and style.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
From our assessment: 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 biggest quantity of enemies the sequence has thrown on display screen directly, it additionally deepens its fight, improves its storytelling with out getting in the best way of the motion, and supplies 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 occasions, however the spectacular ensemble forged made this story sing as I grew to care concerning the characters round him, large and small. Origins is each a terrific entry level for newcomers and a triumphant return for veterans like me who felt the previous few entries had change into 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 assessment: 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. Typically it is unsure if it desires to be a cinematic story a few particular man occurring a selected journey or a really dynamic open-world sandbox full of fascinating and various facet quests, and that may lead to a couple immersion-shattering conflicts. However more often than not, leaning into one would not get in the best way of the opposite, and also you’re free to go on any of its many non-compulsory adventures alongside the best way to a thought-provoking and rousing finale for the primary plot. I used to be delighted to get misplaced in its world, and it will likely be a very long time earlier than I overlook its distinctive story. – Leana Hafer
MLB The Present 25
From our assessment: MLB The Present stays among the best sports activities sequence round. The brand new improve system and the newbie portion of your participant’s journey have reinvigorated Street To The Present, whereas the shift away from Units and Seasons has righted Diamond Dynasty’s greatest improper. Whereas it’s a little bit of a bummer that the Storylines function isn’t residing as much as its full potential, it stays a worthwhile and vital inclusion that has attain past the sport of baseball. All of the small touches, reminiscent of up to date infielder reactions and new fast time occasions just like the swim transfer, have the on-field motion in a terrific 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 Show 25, it does greater than sufficient to make me glad it has arrived. – Justin Koreis
Cut up Fiction
From our assessment: An expertly crafted and absorbing co-op journey that pinballs from one style excessive to a different, Split Fiction is a rollercoaster of gameplay concepts and kinds which might be normally discarded as shortly as they’re launched. This retains it fabulously contemporary for its full, 14-hour period. With no thought sticking round lengthy sufficient to get stale earlier than making manner for the following, it’s a victory of creativeness and restraint in equal measure. Hazelight could have been rewriting the co-op rule ebook for a decade now, however Cut up Fiction is a brand new chapter that you simply (and a associate) can’t miss. – Luke Reilly
Two Level Museum
From our assessment: Two Point 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 concept. The number of totally different displays to unlock and stage 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 try this. – Leana Hafer
Wanderstop
From our assessment: Each inch of Wanderstop pushes the conventions you’d count on 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 similar time, Wanderstop’s easy however satisfying tea brewing experimentation serves as a secure and entertaining area to try this deep digging. There aren’t many video games like Wanderstop on the market at present, however for all our sakes, I hope there will likely be quickly. – Shailyn Cotten
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Version
From our assessment: 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 Change. The standard-of-life enhancements listed below are sufficient to justify one other journey to Mira alone for veteran gamers, and it’s the proper alternative for newcomers to discover its lovely landscapes for themselves. Its fight techniques are deep and fascinating, and the huge open world by no means received outdated to run, soar, or fly throughout. Its fundamental story could not fairly stay as much as the requirements of the sequence, however a likable forged of characters and loads of compelling facet missions imply Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition continues to be an journey price writing again dwelling about. – George Yang
Jordan covers video games, reveals, and films as a contract author for IGN.
