Here are 25 games released in 2025 that received the highest Metacritic scores, the industry's leading review aggregation site for films, games, and television. This isn't a ranking in the traditional sense, but rather a snapshot of the tastes of the gaming press as a whole rather than those of individual critics.
How we grouped the data:
- games are arranged from top to bottom, from highest score to lowest, and in alphabetical order;
- if a game was released on several platforms, the score was taken from the platform with the larger number of reviews;
- projects released before 2025 on at least one platform, with the exception of mobile devices, were not included;
- the data is current as of early January 2026. As more reviews appear, the ranking may change;
- only games with at least 18 reviews were included. The only exception was “The Talos Principle: Reawakened”, which currently has 14 reviews;
- we also recommend checking out the best games of 2023 and 2024.
Hades 2 — 95 points (NS1/2, PC)
Genre: isometric roguelike
Why it stands out: the younger daughter of Hades confronts the titan Chronos, who holds power over time. A new project from the developers of “Bastion”, “Transistor”, and “Pyre”.
Blue Prince — 92 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: first-person puzzle game
Why it stands out: a mix of puzzle and strategy about exploring a mansion where every room hides unexpected secrets.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — 92 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: third-person jRPG
Why it stands out: European developers’ take on the jRPG genre, with an unusual universe inspired by France on the eve of World War I.
Donkey Kong Bananza — 91 points (NS2)
Genre: third-person action
Why it stands out: the adventures of a ferocious tie-wearing ape through a world that can be destroyed almost to its foundations. A new project from the developers of “Super Mario Odyssey”.
Split Fiction — 91 points (NS2, PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: third-person adventure
Why it stands out: a co-op adventure through the worlds of two writers, one of whom specializes in science fiction and the other in fantasy. A new project from the developers of “A Way Out” and “It Takes Two”.
Hollow Knight: Silksong — 90 points (NS1/2, PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series)
Genre: 2D metroidvania
Why it stands out: after the Hollow Knight’s descent into the depths of darkness, his ally Hornet finds herself in a new kingdom doomed to perish.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — 89 points (PS5)
Genre: third-person action
Why it stands out: after the events of the original, the exhausted porter heads to Australia. Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Troy Baker, and Elle Fanning lent their likenesses to the game’s characters.
Despelote — 89 points (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox Series)
Genre: first-person adventure
Why it stands out: 8-year-old Julián gets into mischief and kicks a ball through the streets of Ecuador’s capital on the eve of the World Cup.
The Talos Principle: Reawakened — 89 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: first-person puzzle game
Why it stands out: an enhanced version of the philosophical puzzle game about the nature of intelligence, improving not only the visuals but also the gameplay. A new project from the developers of the “Serious Sam” series.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles — 88 points (NS1/2, PC, PS4/5, Xbox Series)
Genre: tactical strategy
Why it stands out: an updated version of a tactical strategy game that has long since become a classic of the genre.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 — 88 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: first-person RPG
Why it stands out: a direct continuation of the story of Henry, who leads an extremely dangerous and eventful life in early 15th-century Bohemia.
Monster Hunter Wilds — 88 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: third-person action
Why it stands out: the hunters’ guild continues its confrontation with astonishing monsters, each of which poses a unique threat.
Sword of the Sea — 88 points (PC, PS5)
Genre: third-person adventure
Why it stands out: a journey on a hoversword across a dried-up ocean. A new project from the developers of “Abzu” and “The Pathless”.
Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter — 88 points (NS1/2, PC, PS5)
Genre: third-person jRPG
Why it stands out: a full remake of the jRPG about a brother and sister who strive to bring a little order to a troubled world.
Absolum — 87 points (NS1, PC, PS4/5)
Genre: beat ’em up
Why it stands out: in a kingdom destroyed by careless sorcerers, several heroes challenge evil. A new project from the developers of “Streets of Rage 4”.
Dispatch — 87 points (PC, PS5)
Genre: adventure
Why it stands out: the exhausting daily routine of an ordinary dispatcher who helps superheroes accomplish great deeds.
Lumines Arise — 87 points (PC, PS5)
Genre: puzzle game
Why it stands out: a puzzle game about blocks falling from the sky. A new project from the developers of “Tetris Effect”.
Monster Train 2 — 87 points (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series)
Genre: card-based roguelike
Why it stands out: angels and demons join forces to oppose the titans who have seized power over Heaven.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo — 87 points (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One/Series)
Genre: isometric action
Why it stands out: an adventure in the style of the classic “The Legend of Zelda” games, where the main tool is a yo-yo toy.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance — 87 points (PC, PS4/5, NS1, Xbox One/Series)
Genre: 2D action
Why it stands out: the legendary shinobi takes revenge for his burned village. A new project from the developers of “Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap” and “Streets of Rage 4”.
Skate Story — 87 points (NS2, PC, PS5)
Genre: third-person adventure
Why it stands out: a demon whose body is made of fragile glass skates through the Underworld in an attempt to challenge the Devil.
ARC Raiders — 86 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: third-person shooter
Why it stands out: an extraction shooter set on an Earth devastated by warlike machines. A new project from the developers of “The Finals”.
Ghost of Yotei — 86 points (PS5)
Genre: third-person action
Why it stands out: a lone warrior explores 17th-century Japan in search of revenge. A new project from the developers of “Infamous: Second Son” and “Ghost of Tsushima”.
Mario Kart World — 86 points (Switch 2)
Genre: arcade racing
Why it stands out: Mario, his friends, and his sworn enemies race through an open world.
Silent Hill f — 86 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: third-person horror
Why it stands out: in 1960s Japan, Hinako’s hometown is enveloped in fog, and its quiet streets fill with terrifying monsters.
See you next year!
