It’s that time of year again, when we start putting together epic lists, discussing the merits and shortcomings of our favorite media, and cementing spots for those titles that deserve a little extra attention. Every year, someone says it wasn’t a good time for the industry, that there just weren’t enough good games, the offerings don’t feel strong enough, but then we rarely ever have a problem filling in these spots and arguing for a few more that almost made it.
We won’t all agree on these entries and their order; not every genre appeals to each player, but it’s hard to argue that the games on this list aren’t worth checking out, or at least considering. Whether it’s the visuals, soundtrack, voice acting, or gameplay, each excels in multiple categories and received its praise. So, give us a chance to represent what we consider the best last year had to offer, in one final declaration of their importance.
10. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Some people tend to shy away from the big award winners, those who receive too much praise, but when a title is being held up this much, we have to stop and ask what it’s doing to garner so much attention. Clair Obscur is built on the foundation of the RPG greats and pairs those lessons with excellent turn-based combat. Opinions on that part may vary depending on how the player feels about parrying, of course, and whether the rhythm of the combat can be felt. Most have to agree that the party members all feel unique, and their mechanics are important. Playing within the game’s systems, performing a little trial and error, it’s all incredibly rewarding, watching our crew grow in battles and become more efficient.
The story has a wonderfully dour tone, tackling weighty themes within its own dark sense of humor, while not taking the typical RPG length to say its piece. That does mean it pushes forward a smidge too fast at times, not letting some of the smaller plot elements breathe. It exists in a strange and mysterious world, an interesting place we want to explore, without overflowing in exposition or bogging us down with detail. Everything is so stylistic and beautiful, impressing upon us its artistic values, with character designs, backgrounds, and menu flourishes. The voice acting and motion capture are stunning, working hard at feeling natural in its own skin while not losing that surreal quality. The whole presentation is amazing, overdramatic at times, and very French, but like a beautiful stage play based on an old painting, we can’t help but stare at it and wonder.
9. South of Midnight
Welcome to a fictional part of Louisiana, minus some of that usual hospitality, while still having all the folksy accents. Hazel is on a journey to find her mother, but in the process, she’ll learn a lot about history, the town she lives in, and herself, while venturing into a world of wonder and magic, overflowing with folklore. This is a story about the generational pain people hold on to, how rough it can be dealing with family, and why everything can feel so tainted when people just can’t let go. The narrative is important, even though it jumps around a bit, but it doesn’t lose much potency in doing this. Here we have a concise experience, clocking in at 12-14 hours, and each section feels like discovering a new corner of this wondrous place.
I’m not sure the combat will necessarily impress anyone, but it feels solid and purposeful, not popping up around every corner. There is a repetitive nature to this type of deep cleansing, but as the story progresses, we get new abilities that make things a tad more exciting, and boss fights that almost scratch that itch. The music helps with this. It’s hard not to love a song that explains the story we’re playing, and these tunes are very alive, with many potential earworms. South of Midnight’s animation looks like a stop-motion masterpiece, bringing out another element of the team’s incredible creativity. This is a game with a powerful vision, an ocean of charm, and something that was made out of love for a specific adventure and setting.
8. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4
After getting a chance to experience the first two Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games again on new hardware, fans were chomping on their boards for the chance to grind around 3+4. Not only would they have to wait a while, but also see another developer, Iron Galaxy, step in and take over. Thankfully, it was all extremely worth it, as a majority of that original content has been beautifully recreated and plays exactly as most remember. The main mode sees players taking on multiple challenges with a time limit, adding a motivational type of pressure to chaotic gameplay as we struggle to master expert tricks and extend combos, reaching for the same status as the greats.
Some of the humor has been altered or removed, but the game is still full of personality and charm that is easy to appreciate. The developers also added a few new maps, which contribute to stage variety and show why the franchise feels appreciated in their hands. This remake gives players plenty to do and unlock, also offering a decent level of challenge, keeping those wheels burning until the routines are perfected. Bringing back beloved games like this is simply impressive, and giving so much to those who have been grinding out this series for so long. It’s a perfect example of why we still need more THPS in our lives.
7. Silent Hill f
For those who believe that Silent Hill is less a set place and more a state of being that haunts us all, this is the game you’ve been waiting for. The horror series is revitalized with a new tale set in 1960s Japan, tackling the struggles of a young girl who isn’t quite ready to face what awaits her in the fog. Wonderful visuals of this foreign land and haunting sounds accompany excellent tunes, all setting the stage for a new constant state of dread as we melee our way through the small town of Ebisugaoka, searching for answers. That first playthrough won’t satisfy most players when it comes to the story, but this is a game that is meant to be played multiple times, unlocking new scenes and more memories about what’s really plaguing these characters.
The SH series has never excelled with its combat, but if we can get past the weapon durability debate, encounters here feel more fluid and enjoyable, at least one-on-one. We eventually unlock some special items that help with that, and there are upgrades to make Hinako stronger. The puzzles in Silent Hill f are enjoyable for the most part (except for those damn scarecrows), and the tension around solving some makes them more engaging. There are a few frustrating elements, but this is also one of the most interesting horror games we’ve seen in a long time, even if it’s no Silent Hill: Downpour.
6. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D
A treat for anyone who appreciates a good RPG, two classics are brought back in that glorious HD-2D style. The art is gorgeous, emphasizing colors and lighting, without erasing influences from the original or disregarding the spritework. Fantastic visuals aren’t the only change, as the story and characters have been tweaked slightly, also, fleshing them out to tell a more complete narrative, along with the new content. This isn’t just a re-release, more of a complete package.
The Dragon Quest series is certainly one of the GOATs, but it was also time for a few quality-of-life updates to help bring these original adventures into 2025. Some items now affect gameplay more; there is an extra playable character, objective markers so players are less likely to get lost, and even an invincibility toggle for those who might struggle with certain fights. The release of this collection means that now the whole original trilogy is available for new and veteran fans alike to enjoy.
5. Marvel Cosmic Invasion
A good beat ‘em up should never go overlooked, as the genre feels like it’s on a comeback tour over the last several years. After gracing us with an amazing TMNT title, Shredder’s Revenge, Tribute Games and Dotemu set their sights on the Marvel universe, and that is one pairing that fits like a real Infinity Gauntlet. They’re taking players on a jaunt through space, featuring many of Marvel’s greatest worlds and personalities, places we don’t usually get to go trapesing through outside the comic book pages. The stages and characters are gorgeous, with bright colors, as well as containing tons of references for fans.
Cosmic Invasion has wonderful couch and online co-op, up to four players, with everyone picking two characters out of a possible fifteen, after we do some unlocking. Everyone will have their favorites after some experimenting, and they can be leveled up, fighting across the universe and battling a myriad of iconic bosses (except for Beetle). Like most brawlers, the game is easy to play—punch the bad guys, but everyone is a little different, and there is some depth to the controls, helping to make the combat feel more involved, especially when it comes to switching between heroes and juggling unlucky henchmen. The game doesn’t take long to beat, but it is ripe for replayability, with challenges, an Arcade Mode, and a vault full of various things to collect.
Some people argue that this is Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus, the best piece of video game art we’ll ever receive from one of the great auteurs of our time. So, it should surprise no one that Snake Eater was given an incredibly faithful remake. It’s a beautiful recreation, even if it seems slightly overpolished at times. It rarely deviates from the story, leaving in many of the mechanical quirks and tricks, even the extreme camp, while also updating a twenty-one-year-old classic with a few quality-of-life improvements for new fans or those eager to experience it all over again.
A new camera and control scheme make for a different, more enjoyable playstyle, while some of the familiar frustrations from the original are still quite present. Players will need to mind their camouflage, hunger, and injuries while attempting to stealth around and prepare for some genuinely intriguing boss fights. The original experience has been preserved here, arguably improved upon, in ways that should satisfy even the hardcore fans. Since we don’t know if or when we’ll get to go on new adventures with Snake, this feels like an opportunity that soldiers new and old shouldn’t miss.
3. Death Stranding 2
Welcome back to the post-apocalyptic world of package delivery and road construction. Players once again step into the shoes of Sam Porter Bridges for an ambitious adventure while running into a notable cast of characters. Whether people think Hideo Kojima is a creative genius or a floundering filmmaker, very few will ever call his work boring. The story is quite intriguing this time around, tackling deeper feelings of pain, grief, and the struggles that come from attempting to rebuild society and people. Some of these themes are too blunt at times, and, in typical fashion, many aspects can be considered confusing; however, it all makes for a unique and memorable experience.
There is a lot of action and excitement that feels baked into the world properly, with new, dangerous environments accented by nature. Nothing like a surprise sandstorm to alter a well-laid plan. Mexico and Australia make for strong new territories to explore, creating a varied set of environments that most won’t expect. The visuals are gorgeous, encouraging the player to stop and take in the land, which almost has its own personality, offering a contrast to the intriguing enemy designs. This sequel is a huge step up, another enthusiastic outing that is still flawed, but an ordeal that may linger with us for quite some time.
2. Donkey Kong Bananza
The Kong has returned, and it was time Nintendo paid its tribute to the king. The team behind the exceptional Mario Odyssey has brought their creative energies together to revitalize this iconic ape hero on his new adventure with his singing sidekick, Pauline. Kong feels strong and weighty while moving like a dream across this wonderful 3D platformer. Roll, leap, climb, and transform, unleashing that Bananergy as we traverse all of these beautiful environments that are begging to be wrecked. Movement in the game feels tight, and DK’s abilities help him express that primate rage as he conquers everything he sees. These mechanics are polished and engaging, as it can be hard not to just demolish everything in sight.
Sometimes the gameplay asks us to be more observant, maybe even a little clever with our demolition derby, if we want to find secrets or reach certain goals. Fights are fun, even if some of the bosses are quite easy; all of them are at least intriguing. The game offers plenty of challenge later on, and features a lot of post-game content for players who aren’t ready to stop breaking things and exploring. Finding these collectibles is made much more enjoyable with a spectacularly handled map system. Longtime fans will appreciate these references to the classic games and its simply awesome soundtrack. It was incredibly generous of Nintendo to bring back one of their best mascots in such a cool way and to give us our own virtual rage room at the same time.
1. Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei had some big shoes to fill after an impressive first outing for the series, but much like the skill its main character shows when dispatching enemies, developer Sucker Punch took what worked and polished the finer elements, demonstrating a high degree of excellence in its execution. It’s still an example of classic Japanese cinema, embracing Kurosawa and others, while providing some absolutely stunning visuals and lush environments for us to play in, as well as flex our talents with the photo mode. We are thrust into the role of an arguably more interesting character, Atsu, a passionate fighter who cares less about honor and remains focused on her tale of revenge.
Players will fight through brutal, large-scale battles and violent one-on-one duels, staining the ground with blood as they progress through the story and explore the region. Combat feels smooth, with tight controls, and there is an appropriate tool for every obstacle we come across. Atsu is a weapons master, wielding a devastating arsenal, deadly and precise with each instrument. Just practice those dodges and parries to feel like a badass on the battlefield. There are some simplistic stealth mechanics, which aren’t bad, but even if that doesn’t work, every conflict is an opportunity to have fun with the mechanics. This title is fun to engage with, less likely to cause open-world burnout in its players, and seems perfectly tweaked from the first one to provide that perfect sword-wielding experience.
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