Gaming in 2025 is off the charts. This year, players are being treated to everything from retro remakes to epic sequels to groundbreaking spin-offs, fueling excitement in every corner of the gaming community. Whether your jam is slaying monsters, exploring open worlds, or battling friends in high-octane kart races, there’s no shortage of thrilling new adventures. With major titles hitting consoles and PCs, it’s a golden year to grab a controller and lose yourself in these virtual worlds. Here’s a rundown of the most anticipated games of 2025 and what makes them worthy of the hype.
1. Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes players on a stunning stealth adventure through Sengoku-era Japan. The game introduces dual protagonists, Naoe, a nimble shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, a samurai wielding immense strength. The revamped combat system emphasizes precision and strategy, moving away from the flashy but repetitive mechanics of earlier installments.
By focusing on iconic Japanese landscapes and incorporating a streamlined, less overwhelming map design, Shadows delivers both beauty and accessibility. And the inclusion of Yasuke, based on a real-life historical figure, brings a unique sense of authenticity that fans are loving.
2. Monster Hunter Wilds
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
It wouldn’t be a gaming highlight reel without Monster Hunter, and Wilds does not disappoint. This installment expands the franchise with lush, interconnected biomes where players can track, hunt, and battle enormous monsters. The core loop remains intact: beat creatures, craft gear, and rinse and repeat.
The game introduces more accessible mechanics for newcomers without sacrificing the complexity die-hards crave. Flexible combat and jaw-dropping graphics make every monster hunt an exhilarating, cinematic experience. Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie, Monster Hunter Wilds offers something thrilling for everyone.
3. Elden Ring: Nightreign
Release Date: May 30, 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
FromSoftware delivers another dark masterpiece in Elden Ring: Nightreign. While it builds off the success of the 2022 title Elden Ring, this entry focuses on cooperative gameplay. Players team up to explore hauntingly beautiful landscapes, conquer massive dungeons, and slay terrifying bosses.
Fans are eager to experience the studio’s signature difficulty with a fresh multiplayer twist. Nightreign still retains the lore-rich storytelling and atmospheric design that FromSoftware is known for, but sets itself apart by making teamwork an integral (and seamless) part of the challenge. Think Dark Souls meets squad-based exploration, and you’ve got the recipe for player excitement.
4. Mario Kart World
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
It’s been over a decade since the last major Mario Kart installment, and the excitement for Mario Kart World is through the roof. Launching alongside Nintendo’s new Switch 2 console, this game reimagines kart racing with its semi-open-world design, linking tracks and courses in clever new ways.
Players can now freely explore tracks and transition between courses seamlessly. The game even introduces new mechanics like grinding rails with your kart, adding depth to gameplay. It’s a much-needed evolution for the beloved racing series and the perfect title to showcase the power of the Switch 2.
5. Death Stranding 2
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Platform: PS5
Hideo Kojima’s mind-bending Death Stranding universe gets even stranger with its highly anticipated sequel. Norman Reedus returns as Sam Porter Bridges in a beautifully crafted post-apocalyptic world filled with mysterious storytelling and even more bizarre gameplay mechanics.
Building on the success of the original, Death Stranding 2 refines its exploration and survival elements while injecting new features like advanced vehicles and enhanced tools for traversal. Kojima’s unique storytelling ensures this title will have players guessing and theorizing long after the credits roll.
(Note: Claims that George Miller is involved were removed due to lack of evidence.)
6. Blue Prince
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Puzzle enthusiasts are raving about Blue Prince, a game that challenges players to build and explore a sprawling mansion while unraveling its secrets. The gameplay involves strategically arranging rooms, solving intricate puzzles, and uncovering cryptic clues about the enigmatic estate.
The game’s unique approach to environmental storytelling draws comparisons to Portal and Myst. Every puzzle you solve feels like a personal triumph, peeling back layers of a deeply satisfying narrative. It’s immersive, thought-provoking, and an absolute gem for fans of mind-bending mysteries.
7. Grand Theft Auto VI
Release Date: Expected in 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S
It’s no exaggeration to say that Grand Theft Auto VI is likely the most anticipated game of the last decade. Set in Vice City, the game promises an expansive map, familiar criminal chaos, and a new duo of lead characters inspired by Bonnie and Clyde.
After the success of GTA V, expectations couldn’t be higher. While details remain under wraps, fans are thrilled at the prospect of revisiting Vice City with modernized visuals and dynamic storytelling. For now, speculative claims about weather-driven missions and unique map features lack concrete confirmation.
From stealthy assassinations in Japan to racing through interconnected tracks and battling dark creatures with friends, 2025 has already staked its claim as a legendary year for gamers. Each of these titles offers something unique, catering to a broad spectrum of tastes and playstyles. Keep an eye on release dates and clear some space on your gaming calendar because this is one year you don’t want to miss.
