Here's a look at some of the most outstanding games released so far in 2025:
Avowed
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC
Obsidian Entertainment, renowned for RPGs like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity, reaffirms its legendary status with Avowed. Set within the Pillars universe, this spin-off masterfully blends high fantasy with personal, impactful choices. Players embody an amnesiac envoy tasked with investigating a peculiar plague, all while undergoing a transformation due to contact with mysterious deities. The game boasts diverse and compelling companions, a visually stunning world, and exceptional combat, making Avowed an unforgettable action RPG experience.
Blue Prince
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Blue Prince presents a captivating first-person puzzler in the vein of classic adventure games like Myst. After inheriting a grand manor, Simon is challenged to find its hidden 46th room. With limited daily steps, strategic blueprint placement is crucial to navigate the mind-bending mansion, where layouts shift each night. Discovering the hidden room unlocks deeper secrets, revealing a world rich in lore and sinister history, prompting players to continually explore Blue Prince's sprawling halls.
Dune: Awakening
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
This open-world survival MMO, distinct from recent film adaptations, plunges players into an alternate timeline where Paul Atreides was never born. As an agent dispatched to Arrakis, your mission is to "find the Fremen, wake the sleeper." Drawing heavily from Frank Herbert's Dune universe, the game incorporates intricate technology, political intrigue, and detailed world-building. Expect thrilling sandworm encounters, desperate scavenging runs to avoid the scorching sun, and intense resource battles in the PVP "Deep Desert" areas.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
In contrast to the fantastical elements of some RPGs, Deliverance II offers a gritty and realistic medieval experience. Playing as Henry, a blacksmith's son, players navigate the treacherous political landscape of 15th-century Bohemia. This immersive medieval simulator combines narrative roleplay, survival elements, and historical accuracy. While the world can be overwhelming and the learning curve steep, diving into its unforgiving environment will immerse you in a story of scheming, betrayal, and revenge.
Doom: The Dark Ages
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Doom: The Dark Ages transports the Doom Slayer to a medieval hellscape, pitting him against demonic forces centuries before the Earth and Mars invasions. This adrenaline-fueled adventure replaces the agile mechanics of previous Doom titles with a more tank-like approach. The Doom Slayer becomes a mobile fortress, wielding a "Shield Saw" to absorb damage and dissect enemies. This gloriously over-the-top experience is a hell of a good time.
Elden Ring: Nightreign
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Nightreign combines roguelike elements reminiscent of Hades with shrinking battle areas inspired by Fortnite, creating a unique boss rush experience. Departing from Elden Ring's meticulously crafted world, this three-player co-op mode accelerates movement, granting players supernatural parkour abilities. Eight distinct character classes encourage creative team tactics, requiring players to synergise skills and abilities. The game divides hunts for the formidable "Nightlord" bosses into three in-game days, allowing ample opportunity to level up and refine strategies.
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
The Monster Hunter series continues its rise with Wilds, offering larger environments, more ferocious monsters, and rideable lizard-emu mounts called Seikrets. This entry boasts the most substantial story to date, casting players as part of an expeditionary force exploring the uncharted Forbidden Lands, uncovering a lost civilisation and ancient secrets. The game features a fully voiced cast of characters and an overhauled combat system that allows dual-wielding of any weapon type.
Split Fiction
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Hazelight Studios, known for co-op adventures like It Takes Two and A Way Out, may have perfected the genre with Split Fiction. Players control aspiring authors Zoe and Mio, trapped in VR recreations of their stories, switching between science fiction and fantasy worlds. Each chapter explores one character's book, with side stories experimenting with shifting play styles and inventive storytelling. The mandatory co-op aspect may present a small challenge, but with a friend, this is a standout title of 2025.
Mario Kart World
- Platform: Switch 2
Mario Kart World is an impressive open-world racer for the Switch 2, marking the biggest and most elaborate Mario Kart game to date. Envision Forza Horizon with a Nintendo twist, featuring 50 characters from the Super Mario universe racing across the Mushroom Kingdom. The open-world format introduces new race styles, including marathon 24-player elimination races, alongside familiar circuit races and multiplayer battles. Exploring the world between races is rewarding, with hidden challenges, alternate costumes, and collectible stickers.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Clair Obscur is a belle époque-inspired RPG that has captivated players with its beautiful yet sorrowful world, complex characters (voiced by talented actors), and unpredictable story. It revitalises turn-based combat, combining it with challenging parries and customisable character skills. Expedition 33 is a true work of art.
Post a Comment