The Best Reviewed Games of 2025 (So Far)

2025 has been an unpredictable year for gaming already. Some studios are doubling down on sequels and remasters, others are swinging for original ideas, and indies are proving yet again that small teams can deliver emotional punches bigger than any blockbuster. Here is our “best reviewed” list shows off that variety, highlighting titles that earned an 8/10 or higher. That’s not just “good enough,” that’s “worth your time,” whether you’re a seasoned gamer chasing challenge or a casual player who wants a great story to sink into after a long day.

Split Fiction: The Coop Masterpiece

Every so often a game lands that feels like lightning in a bottle. Split Fiction is one of those. A cooperative narrative adventure that builds on Hazelight’s earlier magic with It Takes Two, it’s scored a rare 10/10 and deserved every bit of it. The storytelling is cinematic, the gameplay constantly reinvents itself, and the characters have heart.
If you love movies, you’ll find yourself nodding at the way it frames drama and comedy, almost like an interactive film festival. For players, it’s proof that games about connection and teamwork can be just as thrilling as any boss fight.

Blue Prince: Puzzles With Personality

Some puzzle games are just abstract brain teasers. Blue Prince feels like wandering through a living, shifting work of art. Set inside a surreal manor where the architecture itself is the puzzle, it channels a little Inception and a little Myst. What makes it so addictive is how it keeps surprising you, corridors that don’t lead where you expect, rooms that hide riddles in their very walls.
It’s quiet, clever, and satisfying. For anyone who likes the idea of solving mysteries without a gun in sight, Blue Prince delivers elegance and intrigue in equal measure.

Cabernet: Vampires With Depth

We’ve had plenty of vampire games over the years, but few have treated them with as much narrative respect as Cabernet. Set in 19th-century Eastern Europe, it’s as much about who you talk to as who you bite. The writing is sharp, morally grey choices feel like they matter, and the atmosphere is thick with gothic tension. Think less Twilight, more Interview with the Vampire. It’s not just about feeding, it’s about deciding what kind of creature you want to be in a world already full of darkness. For RPG and narrative fans, it’s a standout.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Turn-Based With a Twist

JRPG fans and strategy lovers got a gem in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. On the surface, it’s turn-based fantasy, but the way it layers combat with timing and rhythm elements makes every encounter feel fresh. Add a strong emotional core and painterly visuals, and you’ve got a game that lingers long after you’ve put down the controller. It feels like flipping through an illuminated manuscript where every page comes alive.

Donkey Kong Bananza: Joy First

Sometimes you don’t need grit. You just need joy. Donkey Kong Bananza is pure platforming fun, bursting with color, energy, and the kind of slapstick charm Nintendo still nails better than anyone. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, it just polishes it until it gleams. Perfect for families, nostalgic players, or anyone who wants to smile while gaming, it proves that cheerful design can be as impactful as any high-end cinematic RPG.

Elden Ring: Nightreign, The Call of the Dark

Of course, not every game this year has been sunshine. Elden Ring: Nightreign brings back FromSoftware’s mastery of challenge. Expect towering bosses, punishing combat, and worlds drenched in atmosphere. It’s tough, yes, but it’s also breathtaking. When you finally overcome a section you thought impossible, the feeling is unmatched. If you’re a gamer who lives for that mix of despair and triumph, this is your pilgrimage.

Herdling: A Gentle Breath of Fresh Air

Then there’s Herdling, almost the opposite of Elden Ring. No combat, no constant danger: just non-verbal storytelling, natural landscapes, and a meditative pace. You guide herds, explore beautiful vistas, and absorb a story told through images and sounds rather than dialogue. It’s gaming as art, perfect for nights when you want to unplug, breathe, and lose yourself in something calming.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Medieval Life, More Refined

The first Kingdom Come built a reputation for its dense, realistic medieval world, though it was sometimes unwieldy. The sequel smooths out the edges. Combat feels tighter, quests are more engaging, and the world is as alive as ever. This isn’t fantasy, it’s history with all its grit, politics, and survival struggles intact. If you’ve ever wanted to live inside a medieval drama instead of just watching one, this is the game.

Nostalgia Meets Next-Gen: Remakes and Sequels

2025 hasn’t just been about new ideas. It’s also been about honoring the old while giving it modern shine. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater updates a classic stealth adventure with fresh graphics and smoother controls, letting both longtime fans and newcomers enjoy its Cold War tension. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered reminds us why Cyrodiil was such a beloved setting, now with quality-of-life improvements and visual upgrades that make exploring it in 2025 feel magical again. And Mario Kart World proves that Nintendo’s racers still age like fine wine: chaotic, competitive, and endlessly fun.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Alters, Big Studios, Bold Moves

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings the series to feudal Japan at last. While its narrative isn’t flawless, the stealth, combat, and open-world design make it one of the strongest entries in years. For fans of samurai films, it scratches an itch that’s been there since the first Assassin’s Creed in 2007. Meanwhile, The Alters offers something more cerebral: a sci-fi survival game where you interact with alternate versions of yourself. It’s weird, personal, and surprisingly moving, a reminder that big studios can still take risks.

What to Play Next

If you’re wondering where to dive in, think about what you love most. Want an interactive movie night with a friend? Split Fiction is essential. Want something calm and artful? Herdling will surprise you. Need a challenge that will test your patience and your reflexes? Elden Ring: Nightreign. Prefer nostalgia with polish? Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid Delta are waiting. Or if you just want to laugh, cheer, and race with friends, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza have you covered.

2025 isn’t over, and more big releases are coming. But if the year stopped right now, this lineup alone would make it one of the most exciting in recent memory. Games are telling better stories, pushing stronger ideas, and giving us more reasons to grab a controller. Whether you’re a movie buff, a casual player, or a lifelong gamer, there’s something on this list for you. And that, more than anything, is what makes 2025 special.