2025 delivered one of the strongest years for gaming in recent memory, with standout releases across every genre and platform. The Outerhaven’s Top 10 Games of 2025 is a curated and ranked list spotlighting the titles that made the biggest impact on our team, from blockbuster releases to unforgettable indie surprises.
This ranking was compiled using ballots submitted by contributors across The Outerhaven, with each game earning points based on placement. Review scores and honorable mentions were used to break ties, ensuring a fair and consistent process. The result is our definitive Games of the Year list for 2025, celebrating the experiences that truly defined the year in gaming.
So, without further ado!
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is one of the most ambitious visual novel experiences ever, that also has strategic defense-based combat. Takumi Sumino must defend the Last Defense Academy for one hundred days. Takumi has to coerce his fellow classmates into doing their part in protecting this academy, or the whole world could be at stake. With 100 endings, there is a lot to do and a lot to expand on in this world. It has a narrative that is 100% worth the experience, and following various routes to understand more about the cast of characters and the world Takumi lives in. –Scott Adams
Demonschool
Demon School is a stylish tactical RPG that blends supernatural academy life, monster-filled mysteries, dark humor, turn-based strategy, and many social RPG mechanics. You’ll attend classes, build relationships, uncover sinister secrets, and fight off demonic threats to let them know to GO BACK TO HELL! –Matthew “GetSelious” P
Elden Ring Nightreign
As a massive Soulslike fan who plays everything FromSoftware releases, Elden Ring Nightreign came as a welcome surprise, mainly because it finally fixes one of the series’ most frustrating issues: online play. Dying or beating a boss no longer risks booting you back to your own session, while refined systems remove the anxiety of stat allocation and introduce an ever-shrinking ring that forces smart prioritization of bosses and locations. The challenge remains fully intact, resulting in a bite-sized Elden Ring experience that respects your time, even if it still has no respect for your sanity. – Keith Mitchell
Having only really gotten into Soulslike games in 2024 while playing the original Elden Ring I couldn’t wait for Nightreign. It offers exactly what I wanted, a better co-op experience within a Soulslike game, while also offering the replayability and randomness of a roguelike. This combination of genres make Elden Ring Nightreign one of the most unique AAA experiences in 2025 and I still play it regularly to this day. –Jordan Andow
Of the three of us who reviewed Elden Ring Nightreign, I’ll admit I was probably the most lukewarm of us at the start. But to the credit of FromSoftware, the studio made a number of quality-of-life upgrades. Even just recently, it added two more playable characters. Elden Ring Nightreign makes diving into a Soulslike adventure with friends easier than ever, even if the bosses are still just as challenging. –Andrew Agress
Absolum
Absolum represents the modern peak of the beat ’em up. Dotemu and Guard Crush Games once again prove they understand the genre at a fundamental level, delivering combat that is tight, expressive, and endlessly satisfying. Every hit feels intentional and powerful, rewarding skill without overwhelming the player. While the world of Talamh is not a linear one and rewards players for trying something new. Despite being a new IP, Absolum captures what has taken larger studios years to get right. What truly sets it apart is how confidently it exceeds my expectations, surpassing some of the best beat ’em ups I have ever played. –Keith Mitchell
Absolum is an roguelike beat ’em up. It combines the good balance of RNG From roguelikes like Hades and the depth of beat ’em up mechanics from games such as Streets of Rage 4 & River City Girls 2. With 4 playable characters with various specials and play styles the game really is for people who are about RNG vs These Hands. –Matthew “GetSelious” P
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows had years of anticipation to live up to, I waited half my life for this franchise to take us to Japan. Thankfully the game delivered a beautiful rendition of feudal Japan, while balancing the wants of RPG creed and Traditional creed fans. It is without a doubt one of the best games in the franchise and feels like a return to form for Assassin’s Creed. –Jordan Andow
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is welcome return to form for the series with a higher emphasis on stealth and assassination. Join Naoe as she discovers the world’s constant war between Templars and Assassins the series takes place in. You also get a character to play as that more aligns with the RPG combat system with Yasuke. You choose how you play this entry in the Assassin’s Creed series. It is also one of the most requested regions to play Assassin’s Creed, taking place in Japan during the era of the Warring States period. –Scott Adams
Almost exactly a year ago, I went to Japan for the first time. And let me tell you, Assassin’s Creed Shadows practically moved me to tears with its surprisingly faithful rendition of the Kansai region, from its big city castles to its small-town temples. Exploring feudal Japan is worth the price of admission alone. But thankfully, Assassin’s Creed Shadows also wows with its distinct dual protagonists and the variety of activities and abilities for each. –Andrew Agress
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
With a Hideo Kojima game, you can always know you’ll get something unique. It may be strange and incomprehensible, but it’s always an experience. Death Stranding 2 continues Kojima’s unique tale and, in an odd parallel, asks if we should’ve connected more. From a moving score to engaging combat and storytelling, you will remember this game and protagonist Sam Porter Bridges. As said in the game, keep on keeping on. –William Kok
Death Stranding 2 is a game that I never really thought we needed, but I was wrong! This game is Hideo Kojima’s best work in two decades, learning from the previous title and building on it in every conceivable way. A literal walking simulator, that becomes so much more the further you go. –Jordan Andow
Digimon Story: Time Stranger
Digimon Story makes a triumphant return as it comes to a home console. This is the first time this series is built for home consoles and it shows. It adds fantastic fidelity, much better gameplay systems, and some great quality of life systems. This is the absolute best Digimon game and just a solid JRPG in its own right. Collect and digivolve over 450 Digimon and explore the immersive digital world! Even if you aren’t familiar with Digimon this is a perfect entry to start your journey into the series! –Scott Adams
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter remade the very beginning of the Trails series entirely from the ground up. This game shows you just why the series is the powerhouse it is today in the minds of fans. With some of the best in the business visuals and voice acting that will make you remember them forever, this game does it all. Estelle and Joshua begin a journey that takes them all over Liberl, searching for their missing father and learning about the world around them as they travel. –Scott Adams
I’m a sucker for a good RPG, and Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter was indeed one to enjoy. It’s my first title in the Trails saga, but between the fun characters, story, and intense battle system, I was invested from start to finish. The game’s ending made me just as excited for next year’s 2nd Chapter remake release, and the team at Falcom should be proud of how well they overhauled the original classic. Two words: Estelle Dropkick! –Todd Black
In a year of RPG remakes a lot of those remakes rest on the mountain of greatness. Legend of Heroes Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter ascended said mountain to achieve Peak. Providing options on various OSTs you can listen to through the game, gorgeous graphics, and enhanced mechanics prove refreshing to new players and veteran players. Enjoy the beginning of the cult series that puts an emphasis on world building, interpersonal relationships, a love for Liberl, and of the sky we share. –Matthew “GetSelious” P
Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza is a true masterpiece of a game that shows DK still has a lot left to give. The addition of a Young Pauline and a whole new world (that’s underground, no less) for Donkey Kong to break in various ways was an incredible experience to behold. This game truly brought me joy on a level I hadn’t experienced in a long time. Plus, the song “Breaking Through” brought tears to my eyes, so there’s that, too. –Todd Black
There are moments when a game makes you say, “This is why I play video games.” Donkey Kong Bananza has examples. It has moments that instantly click with you and stay with you. From the engaging gameplay loop of “Smash Everything,” the memorable music, and the lovable duo of Donkey Kong and Pauline, this game shows why Nintendo is known for what they do. “Breaking Through” is a song that is still playing in my head that moves me to emotions. That and more is why, personally, I believe Donkey Kong Bananza is GOTY for me. –William Kok
I had my doubts about Donkey Kong Bananza initially, wondering if its main gameplay concept of smashing everything around DK would wear itself thin. What I found is that this never happened. It just feels too good to just destroy, find banana, find treasure, and repeat. Marry this with the adorable companionship of child Pauline and a great soundtrack, and you have a Breath of the Wild moment for the series and undoubtedly one of the best games of 2025. –Sean Garmer
Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Here it is, mes amis. You know it, you love it, it’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. If you haven’t played the game yet, you may be wondering if it lives up to the hype. Short answer, yes. I was late to le fete myself, and I was still blown away. The story includes many twists and turns as it drip-feeds details for you to piece together. The characters are memorable, from the mysterious Verso to the whimsical Esquie. The gameplay is addictive and dynamic, involving turn-based combat with real-time elements. And the pulse-pounding soundtrack? Très magnifique! –Andrew Agress
The team at Sandfall Interactive truly put their all into making a special RPG, while also paying tribute to the RPGs of the past that influenced them. A lot of care and effort was put into making this world and its deep characters. With many narrative plot twists I didn’t see coming, and an ending that is…complex…you can see why so many resonated with it. –Todd Black
Travel to the gorgeous realm of Lumiere as you have to discover a way to defeat the all-powerful Paintress before your town becomes nothing more but a city of kids. Clair Obscur has characters that force you to think of some hard questions as you discover what life is and what it’s worth. Voice talents elevate the personalities of every individual in the game. Combat melds some of the best mechanics done in the genre over the decades. This heartfelt love letter to the JRPG genre will inspire you to think of some of the best games ever made in the business. –Scott Adams
Expedition 33 captures you in a vice grip within the first hour and never lets go. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of turn-based RPGs but it learns from what those games have done so well. However, what makes it truly special is the quality of storytelling and the performances that bring this beautiful narrative to life. Expedition 33 is the only game I’ve ever played where every aspect from writing, music and even art style feed directly back to the core story at all times. It is outstanding! –Jordan Andow
Although the high anticipation was there for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at the start of the year, its unimaginable the level at which the game delivered in every facet. As someone who’s favorite genre is the JRPG, I’ve played my fair share of them over the years and the team at Sandfall Interactive spectacularly paid homage to those that came before and undoubtedly left a mark for those that come after as well. Between its incredible score, the memorable characters, its enjoyable take on turn-based, and its hilarious levity. There’s no game I loved more this year than Expedition 33. –Sean Garmer
I’ll be completely honest; I only finally played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 because everyone would not stop talking about it and reminding me that I owned it but had not touched it. The moment I dove in, I realized this was something special. The story wastes no time throwing curveballs, including a jaw dropping moment just hours in that completely redefines who this game is actually about. The characters are not background filler or window dressing. They matter, they grow, and I cared about every one of them. Then there is the combat, which takes turn-based foundations and injects parries and dodging in a way that keeps every fight tense and reactive. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 turned me into a fan and, it earned its place as one of the most surprising and unforgettable games of the year and completely pulled me into the haunting world of Lumière. – Keith Mitchell
That wraps up The Outerhaven’s Top 10 Games of 2025. To everyone who read, debated, agreed, disagreed, and shared their own favorites with us throughout the year, thank you for being part of the journey. Gaming never stands still, and neither do we. We’ll see you back here next year to find out what we consider our top 10 games of 2026!
