2025’s Game Releases Have Serious Parallels to 2004’s

The gaming industry is set to have a massive 2025. In the first few months alone, gamers can expect a new Assassin’s Creed, Civilization 7, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Avowed, and that’s just the highlights of what’s to come in February. Long-awaited sequels like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Mafia: The Old Country bring forth other major names scheduled to round out the year, making 2025 a thrilling year for gamers.

While the roster for 2025 is stacked, there is actually an interesting parallel happening with past releases. Looking back two full decades, next year’s release schedule shares some stark similarities with 2004’s titles, bringing a fun dose of nostalgia for gamers who have grown up with these franchises through the years. Looking back, the franchises that have continued into 2025 have helped define the industry, making next year an even more exciting time for gaming.

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2025’s Release Schedule Compared to 2004 Showcases the Legacy of Six Major Franchises

Seeing these titles side by side is wild, as it showcases just how far these franchises have come since their beginnings. While most of these series are more than 20 years old, the genesis of Monster Hunter and Fable was marked in 2004, and seeing the legacy continue over two decades later is impressive. This list of franchises is incredibly diverse, but they all have one huge thing in common. Every listed title has helped influence the industry as a whole, resonating with a wide variety of gamers.

As of now, the only 2025 game with a confirmed release date is Monster Hunter Wilds. Although the rest of the list has yet to nail down a specific date, they have all at least been confirmed for the upcoming year. While Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most anticipated of these titles, the other five franchises represented are massive properties, too. Even if 2025 just had these six releases lined up, that would be enough to make the new year exciting, but these games are simply a small piece of an even larger pie.

2025 Brings Nostalgia Front and Center

While there are some first-time titles set to bring original IPs to 2025, like Split Fiction and Cronos: The New Dawn, the year is also filled with some of the longest-running modern series. Even new Gears of War and Ninja Gaiden projects are set to resurrect their respective franchises. However, the six franchises that presented a similar lineup back in 2004 showcase an exciting example of the evolution of each series. It’s emotional to look back on so many titles and realize how far they have come, but it also demonstrates just how great it can be to grow up alongside such compelling stories and worlds.

Gaming Could Be Ready to Have Its Biggest Year Yet

Until now, 2023 was hailed as one of the best years for gaming. With titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and the Resident Evil 4 remake, it was hard to imagine getting such a similarly packed year so soon. However, 2025 is primed to give 2023 a run for its money, as the schedule is filled to the brim with major names.

As the wait for official release dates continues, it will be exciting to see what time frames these six franchises decide to eye for their launches. It’s amazing to see that, even after 20 years, the fan bases that made these franchises so successful from the start have continued to grow and keep these titles important fixtures in gaming.

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