Top 10 Must-Play Games of 2025: New Releases & Hidden Gems

6 minutes Kevin Leye

From blockbuster headliners to under-the-radar indies, 2025 is stacked with games you won’t want to miss. This curated top 10 blends massive new releases like Grand Theft Auto VI and Monster Hunter Wilds with exciting wildcards such as South of Midnight and Little Nightmares III, plus a competitive splash from 2XKO. Whether you’re chasing sweeping open worlds, razor-sharp action, or atmospheric adventures, here’s the year’s must-play lineup and why each deserves a spot on your calendar.

1) Grand Theft Auto VI

The crown jewel of 2025’s release slate is the next entry in Rockstar’s era-defining series. Expect a living, breathing open world that doubles down on emergent chaos, richly written characters, and the studio’s trademark attention to detail. The real draw isn’t just the story; it’s the sense of place. You log in for a mission and end up chasing distractions for hours, stumbling into unscripted moments that feel uniquely yours. If there’s one game guaranteed to dominate your group chats and feeds this year, it’s this one.

Why it’s a must-play:

  • Big-budget spectacle with unmatched world-building
  • Watercooler moments you can’t manufacture elsewhere
  • A generational technical showcase for current hardware

2) Monster Hunter Wilds

Capcom’s reimagining of the hunt is primed to be your long-haul obsession. Think dynamic ecosystems where weather and wildlife shape the battlefield, and gear paths that encourage creative, stylish play. If you bounced off older entries, Wilds looks more inviting without sacrificing depth. If you’re a veteran, start theorycrafting, because the meta is going to be a ride.

Why it’s a must-play:

  • Seamless zones and living habitats keep hunts unpredictable
  • A perfect game to play with friends or solo tinkerers
  • Deep buildcrafting that rewards mastery

3) Doom: The Dark Ages

Id Software is pivoting from pure sci-fi into brutal, medieval techno-fantasy, and it looks ferocious. Imagine the urgency and precision of modern DOOM fused with new tools, gnarly enemies, and a setting that oozes heavy-metal album art. The core is still about speed, aggression, and flow state combat—only now you’re ripping and tearing through a fresh aesthetic.

Why it’s a must-play:

  • A fresh setting that energizes the DOOM formula
  • Combat that’s easy to pick up, hard to put down
  • Perfect palette cleanser between sprawling RPGs

4) Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Kojima’s follow-up pushes even further into meditative, offbeat territory while doubling down on connection, logistics, and strange beauty. The original turned traversal into a nail-biting strategy puzzle; the sequel looks set to evolve that design while delivering cinematic set pieces that only this team would attempt. It’s weird, it’s bold, and it’s likely to be the game your friends debate late into the night.

Why it’s a must-play:

  • A singular vision you won’t find anywhere else
  • Traversal and systems that reward planning and improvisation
  • A conversation starter from the first hour to the last

5) Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Samus returns with the clean, deliberate exploration that made Prime a legend. Expect labyrinthine spaces, dense environmental storytelling, and that exquisite feeling when a new upgrade recontextualizes an entire map. If you crave patient, thoughtful first-person adventuring, this is the north star.

Why it’s a must-play:

  • Metroidvania mastery in a first-person shell
  • Smart puzzles and satisfying backtracking
  • A love letter to discovery and restraint

6) Little Nightmares III

A co-op-enabled plunge into dark whimsy, this entry expands the series’ diorama-like horror with new tools and eerie set pieces. Whether you play solo or with a friend, the punchy platforming and dread-tinged vignettes make it a compact treat. It’s a perfect “weekend game” with memorable imagery and low-key scares.

Why it’s a hidden gem contender:

  • Beautifully unsettling art direction
  • Bite-sized chapters with big impact
  • Co-op that enhances tension instead of deflating it

7) South of Midnight

Compulsion Games is weaving a Southern Gothic action-adventure rich with folklore, music, and monsters. The stylized look and rhythm-inspired combat set it apart, but it’s the vibe—humid nights, whispered myths, and a sense of place—that could make it a sleeper favorite. If you like your action spiked with narrative flavor, keep this one high on the list.

Why it’s a hidden gem contender:

  • Distinctive art style and cultural texture
  • Character-driven storytelling with fresh mythology
  • Combat that emphasizes timing and feel

8) Fable

Playground’s revival aims to capture what made the originals beloved: playful British humor, meaningful choices, and a fantasy world that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If it sticks the landing, expect whimsical quests, moral shenanigans, and a setting that begs you to wander off the golden path just to see what happens.

Why it’s a must-play:

  • A modern spin on choice-driven action RPGs
  • Charming tone with room for mischief
  • Cozy exploration mixed with crunchy progression

9) 2XKO

Riot’s tag-team fighter is poised to bring the League of Legends roster into a snappy, accessible brawler built around momentum and smart assists. The studio’s track record for polish and live support should serve the fighting game community well, while on-ramps for newcomers could make this a mainstream hit.

Why it’s a must-play:

  • Tag mechanics that encourage creative team synergy
  • Strong fundamentals with room for lab monsters
  • Competitive support and events likely to keep it thriving

10) Hades II (1.0)

Supergiant’s early access run has already proven the sequel’s chops. A full 1.0 launch would be a perfect excuse to dive in—or come back—for new weapons, gods, and story beats. Expect that signature loop: one more run becomes ten more runs, powered by crisp combat and sharp writing.

Why it’s a must-play:

  • The gold standard for roguelite pacing and feedback
  • Builds that feel wildly different from run to run
  • A sequel that respects the original while pushing forward

Honorable Mentions

  • Hollow Knight: Silksong: If it lands, it could instantly hijack your 2025. Prepare for precision platforming and laser-focused combat.
  • Gears of War: E-Day: A return to the series’ roots would be a welcome shot of muscular, cinematic action.
  • State of Decay 3: If it emerges this year, the community-driven survival sim could take a big step up.

Release dates and platforms can shift, but the throughline is clear: 2025 is a banquet. Open worlds will swallow your nights, action games will sharpen your reflexes, and atmospheric adventures will stick in your head long after the credits. Whether you’re here for the zeitgeist or for the deep cuts, there’s a must-play waiting for you.

How to Triage Your Time

  • Pick one big open world: GTA VI or Monster Hunter Wilds.
  • Keep a “palette cleanser” ready: Doom or Little Nightmares III.
  • Save a slot for the vibe-heavy narrative: South of Midnight or Fable.
  • Anchor a competitive fix: 2XKO.
  • Reserve a roguelite sinkhole: Hades II.

When the dust settles, the best games of any year are the ones that leave stories behind—your stories. We’ll be swapping ours all year. What’s at the top of your list?