The Most Preferred Games of 2025

Appear, 2024 was a really great time for activities, delivering pearls like Metaphor: ReFantazio, Astro Bot, Balatro, Final Fantasy VII Resurrection, Off the Grid, and more. But we’re an enthusiastic bunch, and we think 2025 could get even better.

That’s the vibe we’re getting from the early batch of games expected to launch this year, spanning sequels and original titles alike, ranging from Grand Theft Auto 6 to ( potentially ) Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and plenty more in between.

Wait, come dwell on that for a second: GTA 6 is really expected to come out later this time, only a few decades after its predecessor. This desire that claim holds true. And the Nintendo Switch 2 is probably just around the corner, as effectively.

Now there is a lot to look forward to, and we’ve started highlighting the biggest names coming up in the pipeline in 2025. Keep an eye on some of our earlier picks below for games to keep an eye on, but keep an eye out because we’ll get updating this list frequently throughout the year to develop and add new ones.

Grand Theft Auto 6

Release Date: Soon 2025
Systems: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S

Unquestionably, this is the most eagerly awaited game of all time in 2025, and perhaps one of the most eagerly awaited sports of all time. The most well-known Grand Theft Auto game continues to be extremely popular, bringing in billions of dollars and still having 24 million regular people despite being nearly 12 years older.

We’re all anticipating Grand Theft Auto 6, piece of why. Players will be able to travel to Vice City in a story centered around two characters in what appears to be a Bonnie and Clyde-like plot, which is obviously based on Florida.

There have been a lot of rumors about crypto appearing in the game, whether it’s Bitcoin or Ethereum, or perhaps an initial coin created by Rockstar Games. But as of now, they’re absolutely baseless.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Release Date: February 14
Systems: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Computer

Ubisoft is back with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which will see players transported to 16th century Japan to fight as a Japanese shinobi, Naoe, and a historical samurai, Yasuke. The story will see the two protagonists clash as their respective factions fight as part of the political unification of Japan.

Doom: The Dark Ages

Release Date: 2025
Platforms: Computers, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5

Doom: The Dark Ages, the ninth primary entry in the renowned shooter company, is scheduled to be developed by key Software and be distributed by Bethesda Softworks. The first-person shooter may serve as a follow-through of the franchise’s protagonist’s battles through hell in the 2016 Doom subject.

The game, however, makes the promise to fixed itself apart from the rest of the line thanks to the addition of dragons driving and a focus on melee combat. It’s a bit of a persona change, but not much—after all, it’s nevertheless madly, wonderfully violent.

Sid Meier’s Society Viii

Transfer time: February 11
Systems: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Computer, and Switch

Fancy world domination, but don’t want to get your shoes dirty? Sid Meier’s Society Viii, developed by Firaxis, allows you to control famous leaders from history to fulfill your warlord fantasies without the messy part—or, alternatively, strive for greatness without causing so much destruction. It’s up to you.

New to the collection will be industrial name development, a new diplomacy screen, a fresh “age” system, and fresh civilizations at the dawn of every age—and Harriet Tubman as a new leader.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Release Date: 2025
Platform: Nintendo Switch

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was initially announced at E3 2017—yep, that long ago—initially under development by Bandai Namco Studios. However, it moved hands in 2019 to Retro Studios, the team behind the original Prime trilogy.

Although it mostly appears to be more of the same at this point, fans are likely to be satisfied with it given the caliber of the earlier movies and how long it’s been since Prime 3 in 2007. We’ve got a hold of the Switch version of Metaroid Prime 4: Beyond, but we’re guessing it’ll also be available for the upcoming Switch 2.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Release Date: TBA
Platform: PlayStation 5

Naughty Dog’s first totally new IP since The Last of Us, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet takes the third-person action genre to space.

In the trailer, we meet Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter on a mission on Sempiria, a planet that hasn’t received any communications for over 600 years. She is looking for a member of Mun’s crime syndicate, who appears to have a history. Our protagonist displays a futuristic melee weapon and launches a robot slaying assault. The trailer gives a cool retro-future vibe, and Naughty Dog rarely misses. One to watch out for is this.

Ghost of Yōtei

Release Date: 2025
Platform: PlayStation 5

Sucker Punch Productions ‘ return after the success of Ghost of Tsushima is not quite a sequel, but definitely ( somehow ) related—although how exactly is unclear. Set some 300 years after Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei is expected to have the same stealth action-fighting gameplay loop set in even more beautiful landscapes.

Fable

Release Date: 2025
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC

Action role-playing game ( RPG) Fable 4 was developed by Playground Games and is renowned for Forza Horizon, a racing game that first aired in 2017. Fable 4 aims to make gamers their own heroes by combining swordplay and magic to help them fight off enemies as they choose to improve or deny their reputation.

Elden Ring: Nightreign

Release Date: 2025
Platforms: PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S + One, PC

Elden Ring: Nightreign—developed by From Software and published by Bandai Namco—will take place in Limveld, a similar location to Limgrave from the original title. This three-player co-op spinoff introduces players to a new cast of mythical creatures and challenging boss battles. Have you ( and two pals ) got what it takes?

Nintendo Switch 2

Release Date: TBD

Yes, the Nintendo Switch 2 is hardware rather than software—but besides Grand Theft Auto 6, is there anything in gaming more broadly anticipated than Nintendo’s next device?

After the deeply underwhelming Wii U, the original Switch has been an undeniable success, and Nintendo has continued to buck its momentum for nearly eight years. According to leaks and reports, a successor will not replace the already-powerful hybrid formula but instead features some significant power and, hopefully, durability improvements. We’re ready, Nintendo.