2025 delivered a slate of standout video game releases that resonated with both critics and players.
According to Metacritic's year-end rankings, the 10 highest-scoring games offered a mix of technical innovation, artistic depth and creative storytelling across genres and video platforms.
Here are the best video games of 2025, according to review aggregator.
Nintendo's enhanced edition of Tears of the Kingdom tops the list, as the company's Switch 2 console breathed new life into one of its most ambitious adventures.
Originally launched in 2023, this re-release features improved performance, upgraded graphics and faster load times.
With sprawling sky islands, underground exploration and new gameplay mechanics, the game was already considered a modern classic; on Switch 2, it is a definitive experience.
Also benefiting from the Switch 2's hardware boost, the remastered Breath of the Wild remains as impactful as ever eight years after its original debut.
Supergiant Games returned to its mythological universe with Hades II, a follow-up that expands its roguelike gameplay through the eyes of new protagonist Melinoë.
Set in a surreal, painterly world, this turn-based RPG follows a group attempting to confront the mysterious Paintress, who erases the oldest living individuals every year.
With its haunting visual style, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was celebrated for its emotional resonance.
In Blue Prince, players explore a shifting mansion where choices alter the configuration of rooms and unlock different narrative paths.
The game's dynamic structure and striking aesthetic led to critical praise, especially for its fresh take on procedural storytelling.
A bold narrative experiment, Split Fiction toggles between two protagonists: a detective in a noir world and a rebel in a dystopian sci-fi future.
Actions in one timeline ripple into the other, creating a layered and responsive story.
Nintendo revived its iconic ape with Donkey Kong Bananza, a cooperative platformer that combines traditional side-scrolling action with modern design elements.
Branching paths, environmental puzzles and dynamic level design reintroduced the franchise to a new audience while satisfying long-time fans.
After years of anticipation, Silksong delivered. Taking control of Hornet, players traverse the towering kingdom of Pharloom with expanded mobility and refined combat.
Team Cherry's attention to atmospheric detail and gameplay balance reaffirmed the Hollow Knight series as one of the most accomplished in modern indie development.
Set in Ecuador, critics praised despelote for its emotional subtlety and cultural specificity, calling it a rare narrative experience in gaming.
The third entry in the Talos Principle series continues its inquiry into artificial intelligence, consciousness and morality.
Featuring challenging puzzles and a contemplative storyline, Reawakened stays true to the franchise's legacy while evolving its visual and thematic complexity.