Dexerto2025 has been a huge year for gaming so far, with the arrival of the Switch 2, the return of classic franchises like Doom, and even a new idea or two (gasp!). And with such a stacked calendar of game releases, that begs the question: which games are the best of 2025 so far?
As new games release, our specialist writers thoroughly test the game and score it from one to five. If they’re among the best of the year, they end up here.
We think you’ll agree that we’ve done a great job picking out the best of 2025 so far, but a quick note: We haven’t ranked the best games in this list just yet. They’re in descending order of release, as we’re not quite at the end of the year.
Dexerto’s best games of 2025
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo- Release date: July 17, 2025
- Developer: Nintendo
- Genre: Action-adventure platformer
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: Donkey Kong comes to the Nintendo Switch 2 with his first 3D platformer since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64. Villainous apes have stolen the Golden Bananas, and in your quest to get them back, you’ll be completing objectives and battling enemies through almost completely destructible environments.
What we said: “From start to finish, Donkey Kong Bananza is a riot. I wrapped up my journey to Bananza’s credits in a little over 20 hours. Your mileage will vary wildly depending on how much optional content you decide to invest time in, but that’s the beauty of it.
“If you’re not big on collectathons, there’s still plenty of game here for platforming purists to enjoy. I can’t recommend enough taking on the various trials – think Shrines from Breath of the Wild – littered throughout the world, though, especially if you’re a fan of 2D Donkey Kong.”
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Check out our full review of Donkey Kong Bananza here.
College Football 26
Dexerto/EA SPORTS- Release date: July 10, 2025
- Developer: EA Orlando
- Genre: Sports
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: The latest entry in the College Football franchise puts you in control of a college team or player as you chase glory through Dynasty, Road to Glory, or Ultimate Team modes.
What we said: “College Football 26 is a step up from last year, there is no doubt about that. The game looks stunning and plays differently enough from Madden to justify sinking hundreds of hours into it.
“The single-player modes are incredibly challenging to master, but once you’ve got a few things down, you very much feel rewarded for putting time into it. It is extremely difficult to quit Dynasty at any point, and it will consume a whole lot of your life.”
Check out our full review of College Football 26 here.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Kojima Productions- Release date: June 26, 2025
- Developer: Kojima Productions
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: The sequel to Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, it sees Norman Reedus return as Sam Porter Bridges as he works to expand the Chiral Network outside of America to save humanity.
What we said: “In every sense of the word, the follow-up is an improvement over the original. In many ways, it honestly makes the first Death Stranding come across as a tech demo, a mere proof of concept with how it evolves the formula and polishes every possible facet. Here, we get Kojima’s real vision executed seemingly without compromise, and it is utterly tremendous.”
Check out our full review of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach here.
Rematch
Sloclap- Release date: June 19, 2025
- Developer: Sloclap
- Genre: Arcade-style soccer
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: From the studio that made Sifu, this third-person-perspective soccer game puts you in control of a single player in fast-paced 5v5 matches.
What we said: “Rematch is a lot like the beautiful game itself: easy to pick up and understand, but it takes hours of effort on the training ground if you want to reach the elite levels. Its end-to-end matches are exhilarating from the first whistle to the last, full of punch-the-air moments and tense, tactical battles that get the blood pumping and palms sweating.”
Check out our full review of Rematch here.
Date Everything!
Sassy Chap Games- Release date: June 17, 2025
- Developer: Sassy Chap Games
- Genre: Dating sim
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: In this sandbox dating sim, a pair of magical glasses makes everything in your apartment come to life. All these household items are voiced by top-tier voice actors, and you can develop relationships with them, become friends, enemies, or even ask them out on a date.
What we said: “Date Everything’s main draw is its crazy premise, but thanks to its storylines that are brought to life by seasoned voice actors, it is more than just a silly idea. It is a surprisingly heartfelt experience that expertly blends silly and sentiment.”
Check out our full review of Date Everything here.
Mario Kart World
Nintendo- Release date: June 5, 2025
- Developer: Nintendo
- Genre: Arcade racing
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: Mario Kart returns as a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title. Expect all the wacky races you could ever wish for in a big open world.
What we said: “It’s such a shame that the key selling point of the Mario Kart Switch 2 game, its open world, falls a bit flat, because pretty much everything else is so, so good. Ok, the lack of kart customization bothers me a little, but with a crazier cast of characters, fun items, and incredibly imaginative tracks, the racing is as good as it has ever been.”
Check out our full review of Mario Kart World here.
F1 25
EA SPORTS/Dexerto- Release date: May 30, 2025
- Developer: Codemasters
- Genre: Racing
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: The eighteenth installment in the long-running racing series, F1 25 brings iconic tracks and cars from the Formula One World Championship in online and offline modes.
What we said: “F1 25 hits all the same notes as F1 24, but it isn’t just a reskin; it is a stylish upgrade that will punish you at a moment’s notice if you get out of line. You may have dreams of becoming Max Verstappen, but it will quickly turn you into Lance Stroll.
“Career mode, Braking Point, and even the F1 Movie scenarios will provide endless hours of content beyond your typically challenging online races.”
Read our full review of F1 25 here.
Elden Ring Nightreign
FromSoftware/Bandai Namco- Release date: May 30, 2025
- Developer: FromSoftware Inc.
- Genre: Multiplayer roguelike
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: In this co-op multiplayer Elden Ring spin-off, the Tarnished must battle a new threat when enemies from across space and time begin invading the Lands Between.
What we said: “After Elden Ring set the bar impossibly high for what’s expected of open-world RPGs, Nightreign delivers a fantastic accompaniment to FromSoftware’s core portfolio. Played with the intended group size, Nightreign is an irresistible co-op experience with far more depth than I expected.”
Read our full review of Elden Ring Nightreign here.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Sandfall Interactive- Release date: April 24, 2025
- Developer: Sandfall Interactive
- Genre: Turn-based fantasy RPG
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: In this dark fantasy version of France, every year, ‘The Paintress’ paints a number, and everyone of that age dies. You set out on an expedition to stop the Paintress once and for all, saving an ever-dwindling population from extinction.
What we said: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gets it right in all the areas that matter. Its storytelling carries emotional depth, and the characterization makes you care about everyone you meet on your journey through this beautifully imagined world. Throw in a combat system that puts mastery above grinding, and you’ve got a classic RPG that, like Baldur’s Gate 3 before it, should appeal beyond its target audience, so much so that a game of the year nomination feels inevitable.”
Read our full review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 here.
Atomfall
Rebellion- Release date: March 27, 2025
- Developer: Rebellion Developments
- Genre: Action survival
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: Waking up in a bunker in a Quarantine Zone five years after a Windscale nuclear disaster in northern England, you don’t know who you are, or how you got there. After exiting the bunker, it’s up to you to explore the world and piece things together.
What we said: “Atomfall shakes off the Fallout comparisons and stands on its own as a captivating sci-fi mystery. The gripping central story and wonderfully realized setting make it easy to forget about its shortcomings, and the lack of hand-holding is a refreshing change that other open-world games like Elder Scrolls or Assassin’s Creed should take note of.”
Read our full review of Atomfall here.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Ubisoft- Release date: March 20, 2025
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Genre: Action adventure
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: Playing as the samurai Yasuke and shinobi Naoe, players will dive into 16th-century Japan to restore peace and, naturally, destroy the deadly Templars that will undoubtedly stand in your way.
What we said: “Assassin’s Creed has been fighting to find its identity for over a decade, and thanks to Shadows, it’s finally rediscovered it. Sure, its combat can be clunky and some story beats felt oddly placed (particularly Yasuke’s backstory), but Shadows is exactly what Assassin’s Creed needed to prove it still has a beating heart.”
Read our full review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows here.
MLB The Show 25
San Diego Studio | Dexerto- Release date: March 18, 2025
- Developer: San Diego Studio
- Genre: Sports
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: If you’re a fan of baseball or even just the MLB itself, The Show 25 is a no-brainer, whether you’re new to the series or a long-time fan. Breathing new life into multiple different game modes that demanded an overhaul, this entry’s Road to the Show mode has you starting in high school and building up from there.
What we said: “MLB The Show 25 doesn’t miss a beat. All of the changes in Road to the Show are just what the mode needed, and although I still don’t love Franchise, an effort is being made to improve the experience. Removing Sets and Seasons from Diamond Dynasty was long overdue, and the mode is in a great place moving forward.”
Read our full review of MLB The Show 25 here.
WWE 2K25
WWE / 2K- Release date: March 14, 2025
- Developer: Visual Concepts
- Genre: Sports
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: The next entry in the long-running 2K franchise, WWE 2K25 takes all the features you loved most in 2K24 and brings with it its annual refinements and even a new quest-based experience in The Island, and a focus on the epic Bloodline storyline that’s dominating WWE.
What we said: “Since Paul “Triple H” Levesque took over running WWE creative, the company has had somewhat of a renaissance. WWE 2K25 benefits from this by making The Bloodline saga the theme of this year’s Showcase, which is essentially the game’s story mode that highlights the career of a single wrestler or a group.
“Not only does Showcase focus on Roman Reigns and The Usos, but it also features matches involving other members of the dynasty, such as The Wild Samoans, The Rock, and even Nia Jax.”
Read our full review of WWE 2K25 here.
Split Fiction
EA / Hazelight Studios- Release date: March 4, 2025
- Developer: Hazelight Studios
- Genre: Co-op
- Single player: No
What it’s about: Two budding writers are invited to Rader Publishing on the promise of receiving a publishing deal for one of their stories. However, Mio and Zoe both find themselves trapped in a simulation of said stories while Rader’s true intentions rear their head, threatening to steal their ideas. Navigate through fantasy, sci-fi, and more in this epic co-op adventure.
What we said: “Split Fiction is pure gaming brilliance. It’s the type of experience only this medium can afford, and one only true masters of their craft can cultivate. At times utterly charming while in other moments deeply profound, the endlessly creative adventure will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Dive in with no preconceptions and be swept up by its genius.”
Read our full review of Split Fiction here.
Two Point Museum
Two Point Studios- Release date: March 4, 2025
- Developer: Two Point Studios
- Genre: Simulation
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: The third entry in the charming Two Point series, Museum has you stepping into the shoes of a curator to build up your own collection of historical artefacts. This simulation strategy will have you navigating loads of different challenges, guests, and customization options with the goal of making them happy and raking in the cash.
What we said: “Two Point Museum is so much more than just a grind to build the best possible museum, it also offers plenty of exciting features, a great deal of customization, and it’s all complemented by a good sense of humor that adds an extra layer of depth to the game.”
Read our full review of Two Point Museum here.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Capcom- Release date: February 28, 2025
- Developer: Capcom
- Genre: ARPG
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: The next entry of the long-running Monster Hunter franchise, Monster Hunter Wilds has you gearing up to take on a slew of toothy terrors in combat, with abundant materials to collect and new gear to craft as you tackle harder and bigger bosses.
What we said: “Monster Hunter Wilds is a giant stomp towards a bigger and brighter future for the beast-slaying series. Despite the sluggish pace of its story and a few muddy textures on base PS5, it’s clear Capcom hasn’t bitten off more than it can chew.
“Wilds is a triumphant culmination of mechanics, monsters, and ideas that have been masterfully forged from 21 years of collective knowledge and experience. The result is nothing short of a carefully honed blade that manages to slice its own path and stand proudly amongst Monster Hunter greats.”
Read our full review of Monster Hunter Wilds here.
PGA Tour 2K25
2K Sports- Release date: February 28, 2025
- Developer: HB Studios
- Genre: Sports
- Multiplayer: Yes
What it’s about: If you fancy yourself as a wannabe Tiger Woods or Justin Thomas, then you can take your skills to the virtual greens and fairways of PGA Tour 2K25 – and you’ll be challenged whether you’re a returning player or a newbie.
What we said: “PGA Tour 2K25 is a great step up from its predecessor with some beautiful graphics upgrades and challenging mechanic tweaks. Having the option to create numerous MyPlayers with different archetypes will have you grinding the new upgrade system for hours on end too. You won’t feel shortchanged whatever route you decide to go down.”
Read our full review of PGA Tour 2K25 here.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
SEGA- Release date: February 21, 2025
- Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Genre: RPG
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: After Goro Majima washes up on the shores of Rich Island, Hawaii, with no memory, he’s saved by a young boy called Noah. Majima soon winds up on a swashbuckling adventure on the open seas. Pirate Yakuza is filled to the brim with treasure to hunt, unsavory pirates to defeat, and epic naval battles – and it’s one of the whackiest entries of the entire Yakuza franchise.
What we said: “While the pacing did pull the momentum to a halt on occasion, Pirate Yakuza is a fantastic action-adventure game and a worthy addition to this iconic franchise.
“The bond between Majima and Noah gives it a surprising amount of heart, and the time you spend with the Goro Pirates is utterly joyous. Whether you’ve played every Yakuza entry or are just looking for something a little different, this over-the-top adventure is certainly a success.”
Read our full review of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii here.
Avowed
Obsidian Entertainment- Release date: February 18, 2025
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Genre: RPG
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: Set in the same world as Pillars of Eternity, Avowed plunges players into The Living Lands, a wild and unforgiving landscape ravaged by the Dream Scourge plague. As the Emperor’s Envoy, it’s up to you to uncover the source of the illness, all while revealing who you really are. Travel through stunning lands, complete challenging side quests, meet unique companions, and make impossible choices in this stellar RPG.
What we said: “Obsidian has perfected the psychology of pushing the player’s decision-making to the forefront, forcing these dilemmas at practically every turn. Do you release the prisoner and use their aid, or do you leave them to starve? Do you agree with one psychopath or the other? All choices matter in Avowed, shaping the story and your character around your own moral compass.”
Read our full review of Avowed here.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Warhorse Studios- Release date: February 4, 2025
- Developer: Warhorse Studios
- Genre: Open-world RPG
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: In this brutally difficult and historically accurate RPG, you play as Henry of Skalitz, a young blacksmith’s apprentice thrown into the world of knights and lords in wartorn 15th-century Bohemia. The sequel picks up immediately where the first game left off, with Henry continuing his quest for vengeance against those who killed his parents. Travel to new lands, meet new enemies and allies, and get up to all sorts of medieval hijinks.
What we said: “It’s obvious a lot of love has been poured into every facet of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. If you found combat in the first game too difficult or the survival mechanics tedious, then the sequel’s streamlined gameplay might not be enough to change your mind.
“However, if you were a fan of the first game, there’s so much to enjoy here. It’s clearly the game Warhorse wanted to make back in 2018, and it’s been improved in so many small ways. Bigger and better, it’s a must-play.”
Read our full review of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 here.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
Koei Tecmo Games Co- Release date: January 17, 2025
- Developer: Koei Tecmo Games
- Genre: Hack-and-slash
- Multiplayer: No
What it’s about: Stepping into the shoes of a martial artist with amnesia, you’ll explore China’s Han Dynasty and the Yellow Turban Rebellion in a hack-and-slash action battler with loads of enemies to face off against.
What we said: “Dynasty Warriors: Origins manages to tread that delightful line between nostalgia and a genuinely impressive technical offering. It retains all of the magic that makes the series so immediately recognizable while taking advantage of current-gen tech to blow previous efforts out of the water.
“As longtime fans will expect, the combat remains the highlight, and it’s just as bonkers as ever. Bombastic fights wait around every corner, and you’ll never get tired of seeing which bizarre weapon the enemy general has brought to take you out.”
Read our full review of Dynasty Warriors: Origins here.
Now that you’re up to date with our picks of the best games of 2025 so far, make sure to check out the best PC games of all time, the best MMOs and MMORPGs to play, and the biggest Souslikes to look out for.