The video game industry is a billion-dollar business, one that still continues to grow every year. However, one could argue regarding the quality of any year in the industry, with some catering to certain trends and fans, while others may just not hit the same heights as others. In the conversation of the best years in gaming, 1998 and 2007 are often the two brought up. They saw the release of games like Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Tekken 3, Half-Life, Baldur’s Gate, Super Mario Galaxy, BioShock, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, and Mass Effect, just to name a few. History is harder to predict when living it, but 2023 seems to be in the same convo, with major releases like Baldur’s Gate 3, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Sea of Stars, Lies of P, Alan Wake 2, Street Fighter 6, and many, many more.
All of this is to say that 2025 looks like it could meet or exceed these expectations, even with some of these titles inevitably being delayed (possibly into 2026 in some cases). I’ve written Game Rant’s most anticipated games of each year list ever since 2018, and with full confidence, I can say that I’ve never seen a year lined up like this one. PlayStation and Xbox are firing on all cylinders, Nintendo has the Switch 2 lined up (even if it and its games are shrouded in mystery right now), and major AAA games are lined up to kickstart the new year. February alone is enough to break the bank, and there’s seriously a chance we get a new Elden Ring game and Grand Theft Auto 6 in the same year. Anyway, heading into 2025, there are plenty of games to look forward to.
This list only includes games that have a confirmed 2025 release date/window, although this does not rule out possible delays. This list is ordered, first, by release date. For vague 2025 release windows, it is ordered alphabetically.
Civilization 7 – February 11
Read Game Rant’s Civilization 7 Preview
Strategy games like Civilization 7 can easily fall into the trap where any sequel feels more like a half-sequel. Making “Civilization 6.5” and slapping Civ 7 on the cover would have been the easy road for Firaxis. That’s what I expected when I walked into Firaxis Games earlier this year to check it out—and not at all what I experienced.
Everyone knows what to expect from a Civilization game, but Civ 7 is making some smart changes to improve the overall experience. The fact that Civs and leaders are independent of one another is not something I would ever have put on a bingo card, and I love the way that the Civs evolve throughout the ages, being replaced by new ones based on how someone plays. Civilizations, in the real world, are built on top of each other, and this is a smart way to gamify that experience. Add in Transitions, the Crisis System, and all these new changes and improvements, and it’s very clear that Civ 7 is, indeed, Civ 7. Everything revealed since then has me excited to jump back in come February.
Grand Strategy
Turn-Based Strategy
4X
- Franchise
-
Sid Meier’s Civilization
- Released
-
February 11, 2025
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- PC Release Date
-
February 11, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
-
February 11, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
-
February 11, 2025
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
-
February 11, 2025
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14
Finally, Assassin’s Creed Goes to Japan
In an alternate universe, I’d probably be a history teacher at a high school or college. That was a goal for most of my middle school and high school years. I’ve always loved history, and that love has always been fed by Assassin’s Creed. I remember marking out when Assassin’s Creed 3 teased a Japan setting (alongside Egypt and Greece), and finally, that’s actually happening.
Set near the end of the Sengoku Period, Assassin’s Creed Shadows explores the Assassin-Templar war through the eyes of two protagonists: a female shinobi named Naoe and a real-world African samurai named Yasuke. Players will be able to switch between these characters, who each have unique gameplay mechanics, providing players with a “best of both worlds” approach when it comes to recent Assassin’s Creed gameplay decisions. Overall, AC Shadows seems set to deliver an intriguing narrative and an open world filled with content in the franchise’s most requested setting to date.
- Released
-
February 14, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- PC Release Date
-
February 14, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
-
February 14, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
-
February 14, 2025
Avowed – February 18
Read Game Rant’s Preview of Avowed
Obsidian RPGs are special; the company hasn’t released a game yet that didn’t just strike all the right chords for me. I do wish they’d add romance, but I understand why the company avoids it. Avowed takes players back into the Pillars of Eternity franchise, but instead of an isometric RPG, it’s a first-person RPG (with third-person as an option). Players are an Envoy of the Aedyran Empire sent into The Living Lands to investigate the Dreamscourge. The Living Lands have long been mentioned in Pillars of Eternity, but this is the first time the location has been brought to life. Fans should expect a solid character creator, an intriguing and branching story, and fun, interesting characters.
What really sells it for me is my colleague, Managing Editor Dalton Cooper. He’s been more skeptical of the game than I have been, but we’ve both previewed it (on different occasions). As a diehard fan, I was totally sold based on my time with it. His skepticism, however, melted away during his time with the game, and as history has taught me, that speaks volumes.
- Franchise
-
Pillars of Eternity
- Released
-
February 18, 2025
- Publisher(s)
-
Xbox Game Studios
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – February 21
Read Game Rant’s Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Preview
A Like a Dragon game where you play Majima? Check. Pirates? Check. Action combat? Check.
I love the “Gaiden” series with RGG Studio’s Like a Dragon games where we get to see how the world simply continues to exist outside the mainline games with Ichiban. It’s such a great way to respect the franchise’s legacy, while still working on its future. Combine the excellence of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name with a silly little pirate adventure featuring Majima that certainly won’t make me feel any sort of way by the end of it (I’m already crying), and it’s a recipe for success. Pirate ships, at-sea battles, cool characters, modern pirates, classic-yet-personal combat styles, and legendary treasure are likely just the cherry on top of an excellent, emotional story.
Game Rant’s Katelyn Jewett and I have been freaking out over this game for months, ever since it was first announced. The premise and direction just feel so top-notch for a Like a Dragon game, and this was reiterated when they previewed it. I don’t think we’re ever going to stop geeking out, especially come launch and beyond. I am so ready for it; it’s got MAJIMA and PIRATES!
- Released
-
February 20, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28
Read Game Rant’s Monster Hunter Wilds Preview
Monster Hunter has always been a behemoth, but there’s no denying that Monster Hunter World marked a new chapter for the franchise. Monster Hunter Wilds is attempting to follow up on that success, which for most games is an unenviable position. I’ve played the game twice, and I am fairly confident that it’s achieved that. The weapons are still being fine-tuned but are headed in the right direction, each hunt feels so intuitive and fun, the world design is engaging, and the new weather/season system adds some needed variety to the gameplay loop.
Anyway, I am pretty sure I am going to have to send out SOS/search party (a real one) for Game Rant’s lead guide editor Greysun Morales when Monster Hunter Wilds comes out.
Split Fiction – March 6
Read Game Rant’s Split Fiction Preview
Couch co-op feels like a dying breed, but Hazelight Studios seems to actively fight against this. Its previous game, It Takes Two, received numerous accolades when it released, including a Game of the Year win at The Game Awards. Because of the studio’s established pedigree, Split Fiction was one of many giant announcements to come out of this year’s Game Awards. In it, players take on the roles of Mio and Zoe (in co-op) as they are hooked into a machine designed to steal their creative writings. One writes sci-fi, the other writes fantasy, and to make it back to reality, they’ll need to work together as they cross through their worlds.
Game Rant’s editor-in-chief Anthony Taormina played Split Fiction with Josef Fares at The Game Awards. As he wrote, Split Fiction feels like it evolves on the classic Hazelight formula without just relying on the familiar seen in It Takes Two. It would have been easy enough for Hazelight to basically just make It Takes Two all over again, but it didn’t feel derivative, had engaging and evolving gameplay mechanics, and featured a plethora of interesting side content. Split Fiction is definitely one to watch come March 2025.
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
- Released
-
March 6, 2025
- Publisher(s)
-
Electronic Arts
- Multiplayer
-
Online Co-Op
, Local Co-Op
The First Berserker: Khazan – March 27
Read Game Rant’s First Berserker: Khazan Preview
The First Berserker: Khazan wasn’t really on my personal radar until I played it at Gamescom, and it ended up being one of my favorite games at the event. There are a few differences from the typical Soulslike formula, but anyone who loves Soulslikes is going to find The First Berserker: Khazan scratches that itch quickly. Typically, it takes a few hours of beating my head against a wall before a Soulslike game *clicks* for me, but the world and combat design managed to do so quickly by the end of my brief demo.
I still hold a huge grudge against the boss I encountered: a gigantic ice ape with frozen shards embedded into its body. I was fighting it when my demo time came to an end, having lost a few times but refusing to give up. I was so enthralled with it that I didn’t realize I was over time and the devs were waiting to speak with me, but they didn’t want to interrupt. Fair enough. That last fight, I was determined to win, slowing down to face it and watch for my chance to punish it. I had run out of health once I got it to its final quarter of health, slowing down even further and trying to get the kill. It was one of those classic Soulslike scenarios where one hit, where missing any parry or dodge, would be death. I did manage to whittle it down to 5% before I ultimately died.
When The First Berserker: Khazan releases in March 2025, I had a scheduled grudge match with that ape.
- Released
-
March 27, 2025
- Developer(s)
-
Neople
Borderlands 4 (2025)
Lootin’, Shootin’, and Warrin’
All year, Game Rant feature editors Andrea Trama, Richard Warren, and I have played a game of “Will it be there?” for Borderlands 4 at each major industry event. Take-Two confirmed it was in development in March 2024 before we got a proper reveal at Gamescom and gameplay footage at The Game Awards 2024. The premise sounds promising, with Borderlands 4’s Vault Hunters leading a resistance against the Timekeeper and his followers, the Order of Kairos. There’s obviously a Vault involved, and somehow, Lilith is involved with Elpis destroying a barrier around the new planet of Kairos.
As it stands, I think the Vault Hunters are a little generic, but that won’t matter if it lives up to the franchise’s looter shooter legacy. Borderlands is THE looter shooter in the industry, after all. If the Timekeeper somehow lives up to Handsome Jack and the action is fun, the combat is meaty, and the weapons pack a punch, Borderlands 4 has a real shot at living up to Borderlands 2 (which is an unenviable position).
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025)
Fight to Live
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looks perfect for turn-based RPG fans, with the game set in a Belle Époque France-inspired world (similar to Lies of P). In it, a being known as The Paintress wakes up once a year to paint a dwindling number on her monolith: everyone who is that age dies. Players, who control party members of Expedition 33 like Gustave and Maelle, set out to destroy the Paintress.
Its turn-based RPG gameplay features some real-time mechanics for dodges, parries, counters, combo chains, and a weakpoint free-aim system, all while players can build their characters however they wish. Furthermore, players will be encouraged to get to know members of Expedition 33, although it is currently unclear if this is just through storytelling or some form of relationship system. While more details are to come, it’s clear how exciting the very premise and direction of Clair Obscur really is.
- Released
-
2025
- Developer(s)
-
Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
-
Kepler Interactive
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 5
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025)
A Reflection on COVID-19
I’ve been a witness to many a Death Stranding argument, with one colleague being a DS truther and the other being a DS naysayer. It’s quite funny. But what neither can deny (not that one would) is the sheer popularity and hype around Hideo Kojima’s long-anticipated sequel. It’ll be interesting to see how Kojima Productions improves on Death Stranding’s Strand-like gameplay for the sequel, but all the important pieces seem to be there. Story-wise, fans know that Kojima reworked the story to be a reflection on COVID-19 (since the first game was a similar world) and that many of the original characters return with a newcomer or two, of course.
Little more than that is currently known about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, but fans can expect some wild trailers and news moving forward.
- Franchise
-
Death Stranding
- Released
-
2023-00-00
- Engine
-
Decima
Doom: The Dark Ages (2025)
A Techno-Medieval Prequel to the Mars Setting of Doom (2016)
Sometimes, we need to let games be a bit ridiculous. Doom: The Dark Ages, a game where the Doom Slayer is fighting Hell’s forces in a techno-medieval setting, serves as a prequel to Doom (2016), a game set on Mars. No one in a million years could have guessed Doom was going here after Doom Eternal, but combine the fun premise with new weapons, a shield, and hordes of demons among castles, and it sounds like a really fun time.
id Software’s DOOM: The Dark Ages is the latest entry in the decorated first-person shooter franchise and the follow-up to DOOM Eternal. The story will cover the Doom Slayer’s origin.
- Franchise
-
DOOM
- Released
-
2025-00-00
- Publisher(s)
-
Bethesda Softworks
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- Engine
-
id Tech
- ESRB
-
m
Dying Light: The Beast (Summer 2025)
Kyle Crane is Back!
One of my many highlights for 2024 was speaking to Dying Light franchise director Tymon Smektala, art director Katarzyna, and Roger Craig Smith (the voice of Kyle Crane) about The Beast at Gamescom. If the sheer energy the three shared when discussing Dying Light: The Beast manifests in the game, I already know it’s going to be one of my favorite entries in the franchise (The Following, specifically, if you are interested in my current favorite).
Just looking at Dying Light: The Beast makes me think of The Following, as opposed to the first or second game. And Kyle Crane is back! I have little doubt that fans have asked Techland about Kyle Crane more than anything else over the past decade—I’ve certainly made a point to ask whenever I reasonably could—and fans are finally getting answers.
Dying Light: The Beast puts players back into the shoes of Kyle Crane, who has spent the prior 13 years being experimented upon by The Baron. This manifests in his inner beast, who may impact both its story and gameplay. Vengeance is the sole thing on his mind, but when the people of Castor Woods need his help, Kyle can’t resist giving them a lending hand. It’s still Kyle under everything else, and it’ll be interesting to see where the story goes from here.
- Franchise
-
Dying Light
- Multiplayer
-
Online Co-Op
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Use of Drugs
Elden Ring Nightreign (2025)
Take on the Night
More FromSoftware and Elden Ring is a net positive for the industry. It was easily one of the biggest surprises coming out of The Game Awards 2024, especially the fact it’s coming in 2025. Players should still expect the brutality of a FromSoftware Souls game, but this is a spin-off set in an alternate post-Shattering world. Players can play solo or in parties of three to survive in a procedurally generated Limveld, where players must survive over three days and three nights to defeat the final boss: Elden Ring Nightreign‘s Night Lord. It’s an action RPG that features a shrinking map like battle royale games, survival gameplay elements, and a roguelike-styled gameplay loop. It’s an experimental off-shoot of Elden Ring, but one that sounds incredibly enticing.
Fable (2025)
A New Hero
Fable is one of Xbox’s most popular, most persevering, and most beloved flagship IPs in its library. Unfortunately, the IP has been in decline since the early 2010s. Lionhead was closed, games were canceled, and the IP felt iced (regardless of how true that was). Then rumors came, and Xbox eventually confirmed a new game was in development. It’s been a long wait, even since its proper announcement, but 2025 is hopefully the year of Fable’s revival.
It is being billed as a reboot of the franchise, although it retains everything that made Fable special. Albion, a focus on heroes, and dry British humor have all been confirmed, but little is known in the way of actual gameplay and story. Presumably, reactive game design and player choice are all involved. Regardless, developer Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios are certainly aware of how important this title is, and we are champing at the bit to learn more and eventually play it.
2025 is set to be a big year for Xbox Game Studios, and if it manages to deliver a great and fun Fable game alongside everything else coming from the Xbox brand, 2025 could be Xbox’s best year in a long, long time (even if it did delay a game or two).
- Released
-
2025-00-00
- Publisher(s)
-
Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
-
unreal engine 4, forza tech
- ESRB
-
t
Ghost of Yotei (2025)
A New Ghost
Ghost of Tsushima has been one of the best new PlayStation IPs of the past few years, so a sequel only makes sense. Ghost of Yotei is an anthology-styled sequel, in that instead of Jin Sakai, players take on the role of “Atsu” 329 years after Tsushima. The story is focused on vengeance in the year 1603, where Atsu becomes The Ghost. It remains to be seen what else it involves, though a few key differences revolving around weapons and choices have been confirmed, but no doubt many players are ready to become The Ghost once more.
The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei is a PS5 exclusive scheduled to drop at some point in 2025. Taking place in 1603, the story will feature a new protagonist and a new Japanese region that is far removed from Tsushima’s setting.
Action
Adventure
Open-World
- Released
-
2025-00-00
- Publisher(s)
-
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Grand Theft Auto 6 (Fall 2025)
Probably the Most Anticipated Game of All Time
Generally speaking, I do not like the phrase “of all time” because it is often just pure hyperbole. I’d also argue that “of all time” includes the future, and if something is the “something of all time,” we’re saying it’s not going to get any better at any point ever. But I digress. If anything makes this hyperbole seem less so, it’s Grand Theft Auto 6. GTA 5 is the most profitable entertainment product ever, which is not surprising but it is astounding, so it adds a lot of weight to any claim that GTA 6 is the most anticipated game of all time.
GTA 6 is already making waves for 2025, with many game developers and studios reportedly shy to announce release dates in fear of Rockstar coming in and announcing it. Might as well clear out the full month it releases, truly. Fans will be flocking to the open-world crime game in droves, where players will return to the state of Leonida and Vice City, while following the criminal duo story of Lucia and her yet-to-be-officially named boyfriend(?).
GTA 6 will be a defining point for 2025 if it does release, although there is some speculation that it will slip into 2026. That’s possible for any game on this list but feels a little more so for GTA 6. We’ll just have to wait and see, but it doesn’t really matter. Rockstar could shadow-drop it tomorrow and it’ll sell instantly.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is an open world crime game that takes fans back to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City.
- Platform(s)
-
PS5
, Xbox Series X|S - Released
-
2025-00-00
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
Mafia: The Old Country (Q2/Q3 2025)
The Origins of the Mafia
Mafia: The Old Country is the fourth mainline entry in the franchise, serving as a prequel for the origins of the Mafia and protagonist Enzo Favara. It takes place in San Celeste and explores Favara’s rise from an indentured servant in Sicily’s mines to a member of the Torrisi crime family. What’s perhaps most exciting about this title is its linear focus. Some games work better as narrative-driven adventures, while others work better as open-world games. Mafia has always been the former, and while Mafia 3 was great for what it attempted, it’s exciting to see Mafia going back to its roots in more ways than one.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (2025)
The Wait is Almost Over…
Metroid Prime 4 has been trapped in an awkward situation for years. It was first announced at E3 2017, announced that its development was being restarted from 2019, and then it was completely ghost until 2024. While such things are unfortunate and often kill the hype behind a game, that’s not the case here. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s announcement reignited every fire that had been dormant all these years. Its trailer showcased several iconic franchise gameplay elements like the Morph Ball, put Sylux in the spotlight, and showcased Space Pirates. That’s pretty much all that’s known, but that’s just an appetizer. The main course could be even better if it lives up to the hype.
- Franchise
-
Metroid
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- Engine
-
RUDE engine
- ESRB
-
t
The Outer Worlds 2 (2025)
From the Studio That Brought You KOTOR 2, Neverwinter Nights 2, and Fallout 3-2 (New Vegas)
Somehow, some way, Obsidian Entertainment plans to release two RPGs in 2025: Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2. Avowed appears to be opening the year, effectively, so fans can expect this one later in the year (in all likelihood). The Outer Worlds 2 takes place in a new solar system, featuring a new cast, and a story that revolves around rifts appearing throughout the solar system. Players are an Earth Directorate Agent tasked with uncovering what’s happening these rifts, while the solar system itself is ripped apart amid a factional war.
- Franchise
-
The Outer Worlds
- Released
-
2025-00-00
- Publisher(s)
-
Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 4
Pokemon Legends: Z-A (2025)
A New Adventure in Lumiose City
At least half the entire team here at Game Rant loves Pokemon, and how could we not? For many people, the franchise features THE childhood game. I started with Pokemon Yellow and have played every mainline release since—and most of the side games. Pokemon Legends: Arceus played with the core formula a lot, which is a risk for a franchise with so much history, and it set the standard for a new subfranchise for Pokemon. Give us all the Pokemon Legends games.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A has only received one trailer so far, but with a 2025 release date, fans can expect this to change in the new year. Presumably, it would have a major role in Pokemon Day (February 27). The basics are exciting, though, as players return to the Kalos region of Pokemon X and Y. The entire game takes place during an urban redevelopment project in Lumiose City, while Mega Evolution is coming back in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Mega Evolution has been the best franchise gimmick to date, and I’m so excited to see the game’s overall direction.
