Okay, don't mess with me. Here are 10 great games you must play, listed in ascending order, with no claims from anyone. My only rule is that there are no ports, remasters or remakes on this list. There are so many amazing games released this year that we can't talk about the ones you've already played. So, shall we get started?
This is my personal list, and you may have already seen similar work from the rest of TheGamer editorial team this month. Stay tuned in the future for full site rankings made possible using ancient mathematical techniques.
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Peak is fundamentally a very simple game. Climbing a big mountain with a colleague. You only begin to see its charm when one of your companions steps on an exploding mushroom and sails into the abyss. Their panicked voices echo as they sink further and further into oblivion. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirates of Hawaii
Anyone who knows me knows that a Like a Dragon game would definitely be on my list, and Pirates of Hawaii Yakuza is no exception. You can play as Goro Majima, sail in a large ship, and summon a giant monkey with your electric guitar. You really can't ask for more than that.
Ender Magnolia: Flower in the Mist
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist wasn't the biggest metroidvania release this year (it came later), but it's still one of the best in the genre and shouldn't be overlooked. The world is hauntingly beautiful, the art style is gorgeous, and the combat and boss fights are much more advanced than Ender Lillies, another must-play metroidvania.
Power Wash Simulator 2
I like soap. Make sure to cover everything with soap. If it's not covered in soap, it's failed as a power washer.
Pipistrello and the cursed yoyo
Yes, I've been very interested in Metroidvanias this year. But Pipstrello is another one that might interest you. The almost open world structure is very impressive, with secrets and puzzles scattered throughout and quite fun to boot.
split novel
Split Fiction holds a very dear place in my heart, not because of its incredible storytelling or memorable characters, but because it's the simplest of games. It's pure entertainment that you can share with your friends.
Hazelight is constantly coming up with new ideas and fun mechanics, switching things up at the perfect time before the game gets stale. Sadly, the friends we played with are no longer with us, but the memories of playing with them will stay with us forever.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is pretty much everything I wanted in a sequel to Death Stranding. There are more interesting ways to transport cargo, another amazing soundtrack, and a story that actually makes sense this time.
However, it was the game's ending that secured it such a high spot on my list, as Kojima fully embraced his silly side, creating a finale that needed to be experienced to truly be appreciated.
Elden Ring Nightlane
Elden Ring Nightreign may not be everyone's favorite game, but when did FromSoftware make a game like that? I love that the studio is in a good position to reach out to experimental little side projects like Nightreign, and for the most part, they're absolute triumphs.
It's challenging, embodies that 'one more run' feeling, and achieves it all without compromising the classic Soul formula we know and love.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
If you had told me that Hollow Knight: Silksong wouldn't be my GOTY whenever it came out, I would have laughed in your face. Unfortunately, I think Silksong suffers from increased difficulty, especially in Part 3, with enemy gauntlets that will test your patience.
That said, it's still a truly outstanding metroidvania and one of the best in recent memory. This goes far beyond the original Hollow Knight, giving Hornet a ton of new tools and abilities that make combat more complex and engaging.
The world remains intriguing and full of mystery, and around every corner are interesting characters waiting for you to loathe or fall in love with. This is a great game, and one that would easily take the top spot if it weren't for the genre-defining JRPG it is.
Claire Obsker: Expedition 33
Yes, I usually pride myself on picking more things as my Game of the Year without the popular vote, but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is too good for me not to give it a try.
Turn-based gameplay is something I really enjoy, and combining it with a satisfying parry system will always earn you huge brownie points. It's like if Persona 5 and Sekiro had a child and raised him in France and you didn't like it, nothing would work.
Plus, it has a fantastic cast with talented voice actors, an absolutely amazing soundtrack that will rank as one of the best games have ever produced, and Esquie. Everyone loves Esqui.
- released
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April 24, 2025
- ESRB
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Ages 17 and older / Blood and gore, strong language, suggestive themes, violence
- developer
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Sandpole Interactive
- publisher
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Kepler Interactive
