My Top 9 Games of 2025

2025 delivered another incredible year of gaming, with diverse experiences ranging from cooperative action games to atmospheric adventures and tactical strategy. Here’s my personal top 9 games of the year, counting down from #9 to #1.

#9 - South of Midnight

South of Midnight is a captivating action-adventure game that weaves together Southern Gothic folklore, atmospheric storytelling, and engaging gameplay. The game’s unique setting and narrative create an experience that stands out in the action-adventure genre.

What makes South of Midnight special is its rich atmosphere and storytelling. The game draws from Southern folklore and mythology, creating a world that feels both familiar and mysterious. The narrative is engaging, with memorable characters and a story that keeps you invested from start to finish.

The gameplay blends exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving in a way that feels cohesive and engaging. The combat is satisfying, with mechanics that reward skill and strategy. The world is beautiful and well-crafted, with environments that enhance the storytelling and create a strong sense of place.

The visual design is striking. The game’s art style creates a distinctive aesthetic that complements the Southern Gothic setting. The attention to detail in the environments and character design enhances the overall experience.

South of Midnight succeeds because it creates a unique and memorable experience. It’s a game that respects its source material while delivering polished, engaging gameplay. It’s an atmospheric adventure that deserves recognition for its creativity and execution.

#8 - The Headliners

The Headliners is a creative and engaging game that delivers a unique experience. The game’s approach to gameplay and storytelling creates something fresh and memorable.

What makes The Headliners special is its innovative design and execution. The game introduces new ideas and mechanics that create engaging gameplay experiences. The narrative is compelling, with interesting characters and a story that keeps you engaged.

The gameplay mechanics are well-designed and polished. The game introduces concepts naturally and allows for experimentation and exploration. The progression system feels rewarding, with meaningful unlocks and improvements that enhance the experience.

The presentation is excellent. The visual design, sound, and music all contribute to an immersive experience that draws you into the game’s world. The attention to detail enhances the overall quality.

The Headliners is a game that proves innovation is still possible in game design. It’s a creative, engaging experience that deserves recognition for its unique approach and polished execution.

#7 - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a stunning remake of one of the most beloved games in the stealth action genre. Konami and the development team have delivered a faithful recreation that honors the original while bringing it to modern standards.

What makes MGS: Delta special is how well it captures the essence of the original game. The story, characters, and memorable moments are all preserved, while the graphics and gameplay have been significantly enhanced. The jungle setting looks absolutely stunning, with detailed environments that bring the world to life.

The stealth mechanics are refined and polished. The game maintains the tactical, thoughtful gameplay that made the original so engaging, while improvements to controls and mechanics make it feel modern and responsive. The camouflage system, survival elements, and boss fights all feel as engaging as they did in the original.

The presentation is outstanding. The voice acting, music, and cinematic presentation are all top-notch, creating an immersive experience that feels like playing through a movie. The attention to detail in recreating the original’s iconic moments is impressive.

MGS: Delta proves that great games can be made even better with modern technology. It’s a remake that respects the source material while creating a definitive version of the experience. For fans of the original or newcomers to the series, it’s an absolute must-play.

#6 - ROUTINE

ROUTINE is a brilliant horror game that delivers an atmospheric and tense experience. The game’s focus on atmosphere, exploration, and survival creates a memorable horror experience that stands out in the genre.

What makes ROUTINE special is its atmospheric design and minimalist approach. The game creates tension through atmosphere and sound design rather than jump scares, creating a more psychological horror experience. The retro-futuristic setting is distinctive and memorable, creating a world that feels both familiar and unsettling.

The exploration is engaging and rewarding. The game encourages you to explore carefully, paying attention to your surroundings and managing your resources. The survival elements add tension and make every decision feel important.

The visual design is striking. The retro aesthetic creates a unique atmosphere that enhances the horror elements. The sound design is excellent, with audio cues that create tension and guide exploration.

ROUTINE succeeds because it understands what makes horror effective. It’s atmospheric, tense, and genuinely scary, creating an experience that sticks with you long after you’ve finished playing. It’s a horror game that deserves recognition for its creativity and execution.

#5 - Tempest Rising

Tempest Rising is a fantastic real-time strategy game that delivers classic RTS gameplay with modern polish. The game successfully captures the spirit of classic Command & Conquer-style games while adding its own unique elements and improvements.

What makes Tempest Rising special is how well it executes the classic RTS formula. The base building, resource management, and tactical combat all feel polished and engaging. The three distinct factions offer varied playstyles and strategies, creating replayability and depth.

The campaign is engaging and well-designed. The missions offer variety and challenge, with objectives that keep you engaged throughout. The story is compelling, with interesting characters and a narrative that provides context for the action.

The multiplayer is excellent. The balanced factions, varied maps, and strategic gameplay create an engaging competitive experience. The game encourages different strategies and playstyles, making matches feel dynamic and interesting.

Tempest Rising succeeds because it delivers exactly what RTS fans want: polished gameplay, engaging campaigns, and excellent multiplayer. It’s a game that respects the classics while standing on its own. For fans of the RTS genre, it’s an absolute must-play.

#4 - Two Point Museum

Two Point Museum is a delightful management simulation game that continues Two Point Studios’ excellent work in the genre. Building on the foundation of Two Point Hospital, this game applies the same charming, accessible design to museum management.

What makes Two Point Museum special is how it combines accessibility with depth. The game is easy to learn and understand, but it offers enough depth and complexity to keep you engaged for hours. The management mechanics are intuitive and satisfying, creating a gameplay loop that’s both relaxing and engaging.

The humor and charm are excellent. The game maintains the same quirky, British humor that made Two Point Hospital so memorable. The exhibits are creative and funny, and the museum visitors add personality and life to the experience.

The building and customization are satisfying. Creating unique museum layouts, designing engaging exhibits, and managing the various aspects of your museum creates a rewarding gameplay experience. The progression system keeps you motivated with new unlocks and challenges.

Two Point Museum succeeds because it delivers polished, accessible management gameplay with charm and personality. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up but hard to put down, and it’s perfect for players who want a relaxing yet engaging simulation experience.

#3 - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an ambitious and impressive RPG that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor while expanding the scope and refining the gameplay. Warhorse Studios has created a sequel that delivers on the promise of the original while addressing its shortcomings.

What makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 special is its commitment to historical accuracy and immersive gameplay. The game creates a believable, detailed world that feels authentic to medieval Bohemia. The attention to detail in the world, characters, and story creates an immersive experience that draws you in.

The combat is improved and more accessible while maintaining its tactical depth. The swordplay feels weighty and impactful, and the progression system allows you to grow from a commoner to a skilled warrior. The combat encounters are challenging and rewarding, requiring skill and strategy.

The story and characters are engaging. The narrative continues Henry’s journey while introducing new characters and locations. The writing is strong, with memorable characters and compelling storylines that keep you invested throughout the adventure.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 succeeds because it delivers an ambitious, immersive RPG experience that respects player intelligence and rewards exploration. It’s a game that creates a living, breathing world that feels authentic and engaging. For players looking for a deep, immersive RPG experience, it’s an absolute standout.

#2 - Hell Is Us

Hell Is Us is a stunning and unique action-adventure game that delivers an atmospheric and engaging experience. The game’s distinctive style, innovative mechanics, and compelling narrative create something truly special.

What makes Hell Is Us special is its bold creative vision. The game isn’t afraid to be different, blending genres and mechanics in innovative ways that create a unique gameplay experience. The world is beautifully realized, with distinctive environments and a strong sense of atmosphere.

The combat is satisfying and engaging. The game blends action and strategy in a way that feels fresh, with mechanics that reward skill and experimentation. The progression system is well-designed, with meaningful upgrades and unlocks that enhance your abilities.

The narrative is compelling and well-told. The story explores interesting themes and features memorable characters that keep you invested. The writing is strong, with dialogue and storytelling that enhance the overall experience.

Hell Is Us succeeds because it’s unafraid to be different. It blends genres, mechanics, and ideas in innovative ways, creating an experience that stands out. It’s a creative, polished, and engaging game that deserves recognition for its innovation and quality.

#1 - ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders is my game of the year for 2025, delivering an exceptional cooperative action experience that combines polished gameplay, engaging progression, and fantastic social gameplay. Embark Studios has created a game that captures the magic of cooperative gaming while delivering fresh, innovative mechanics.

What makes ARC Raiders special is how well it understands cooperative gameplay. The game is designed from the ground up to be played with friends, and every mechanic encourages teamwork, communication, and coordination. The raids are challenging and require genuine cooperation, creating memorable moments where strategy and teamwork lead to victory.

The combat is excellent. The third-person shooting mechanics are polished and responsive, with a variety of weapons and abilities that allow for different playstyles. The enemy design is creative and challenging, with encounters that require both individual skill and team coordination.

The progression system is satisfying and engaging. The game offers meaningful rewards and unlocks that keep you motivated, with progression that feels both accessible and deep. The customization options allow you to tailor your character and playstyle, creating a sense of ownership and investment.

The world and setting are compelling. The game creates an engaging world with a strong sense of atmosphere and style. The visual design is striking, with environments and character designs that enhance the overall experience.

ARC Raiders succeeds because it delivers exactly what cooperative gaming should be: challenging, rewarding, and incredibly fun when played with friends. The game creates memorable moments and stories, and it’s a game that I’ve spent countless hours in with friends. It’s polished, engaging, and respects player time while offering plenty of content and replayability.

For me, ARC Raiders isn’t just the best game of 2025 - it’s the cooperative action game I’ve been waiting for. It captures the magic of games like Destiny and Warframe while delivering its own unique identity and mechanics. It’s a game that creates lasting memories with friends, and it represents what makes cooperative gaming so special.

ARC Raiders is my game of the year because it’s everything I want from a cooperative action game: challenging content, engaging progression, excellent combat, and the kind of memorable moments that only come from playing with friends. It’s a game that I’ll continue to play and enjoy, and it’s a perfect example of what makes the cooperative gaming genre so compelling.