Get ready for a stacked year of gaming. In this blog about the best PC games of 2025, you’ll find the top three titles from every major genre. From epic RPG adventures to cozy comfort picks, these standout games offer unforgettable worlds, tight gameplay, and pure excitement for all types of players.
Table of Contents
RPGs
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the standout releases of the year and manages to make history at the Game Awards. In this RPG masterpiece, you join a doomed team on a final mission to stop the Paintress before she erases another year of life. It perferoguctly blends classic turn-based strategy with real-time dodges and parries that feel incredibly satisfying. You explore a gorgeous world inspired by Belle Époque France and watch an incredible story unfold with unforgettable characters.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Seven years after its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II draws you back into Medieval Europe with astonishing detail. You experience the world through Henry’s youthful perspective, making every decision, dialogue, and small struggle feel significant. Warhorse has crafted a living world that responds to you, challenges you, and rewards your commitment to its realism. The story is engaging and filled with characters that grow on you in the best ways.
The Outer World 2
The Outer Worlds 2 hits you with that classic Obsidian energy right from the start. You land in Arcadia as a quirky, slightly chaotic Earth Directorate agent, and suddenly, you’re caught in a colony falling apart. The writing is sharp, funny, and full of unexpected twists, and the world responds to you in surprising ways. Combat is fun too, whether you’re zipping around with light weapons or charging forward with a heavy machine gun like an unstoppable force. It’s stylish, clever, and highly replayable, the kind of game that makes you want to start a second run immediately after finishing the first.
Action RPGs
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The latest installment in Ubisoft’s beloved series lets you experience two entirely different fantasies in one breathtaking journey through feudal Japan. As Naoe, you move through darkness smoothly and stealthily vanish into the night. Then you switch to Yasuke, and suddenly, you’re breaking enemy lines with fierce combos and turning standoffs into pure adrenaline rushes. The contrast is addictive, and the world responds beautifully to both play styles. Seasons change, NPCs adapt, and the landscape shifts in ways that make exploration feel alive. And the best part: you can pet the dogs!
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds drops you straight into a world that feels alive. One moment you’re tracking a beast across calm sands, and the next a raging storm flips the entire battlefield upside down. That duality runs through everything. Monsters aren’t just targets; they’re creatures shaped by the chaos of the Forbidden Lands, and discovering how they live is half the thrill. Combat feels sharper than ever thanks to Focus Mode and those new movesets that make every hit feel impactful. It’s fast, chaotic, immersive, and filled with moments that make you want to jump into just one more hunt.
WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers
Set in a haunting, captivating version of late Ming Dynasty China, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers draws you into a world where everything seems touched by decay and mystery. You explore the land of Shu as Wuchang, a pirate warrior with no memory and a creeping illness that distorts both body and destiny. The atmosphere is incredible. Combat feels smooth and punchy, with plenty of options to customize your weapons, enchantments, and techniques until you find a rhythm that works. The difficulty spikes keep you on your toes, but the game is fair enough to let you respec and experiment anytime.
Action Games
Split Fiction
Hazelight Studios truly knows how to create fantastic co-op games. In Split Fiction, you follow Mio and Zoe, two writers with completely different styles, as they become trapped in their own stories and must escape before losing their memories. You switch between Mio’s sci-fi world and Zoe’s fantasy universe, each filled with clever mechanics, sharp writing, and stunning visuals. Every level feels new, introducing different powers and challenges that require real teamwork. The writing is heartfelt, the performances are excellent, and the final moments are unforgettable.
South of Midnight
South of Midnight is a game that grabs you from the first moment and doesn’t let go. You step into the shoes of Hazel, a young woman discovering her powers as a Weaver in a world steeped in Louisiana folklore. You’ll explore eerie, beautiful landscapes, confront strange creatures, and untangle the secrets of Hazel’s family past. The game’s unique stop-motion claymation-inspired art style makes every scene feel alive, while the soundtrack and voice acting draw you even deeper into this modern folktale. Platforming and combat are solid, but it’s the story, atmosphere, and emotional depth that are outstanding.
NINJA Gaiden 4
Fans of hack and slash action can’t go wrong with NINJA Gaiden 4. It throws you into high-speed combat that feels tight, smooth, and incredibly satisfying. Master moves like the revamped Flying Swallow and Guillotine Throw to juggle enemies, break guards, and take control of the battlefield with brutal accuracy. Every fight is exciting thanks to stunning visuals, explosive weapon combos, and satisfying finishing moves that make each battle epic. The story and sound design draw you in, but it’s the pure, lightning-fast gameplay that keeps you hooked.
Roguelike/Roguelite
Hades II
Supergiant Games’s first-ever sequel manages to be an impressive evolution of an already perfect formula. In Hades II, you play as the immortal Princess of the Underworld, facing the Titan of Time with Olympus at your back, in a vast, beautifully designed mythic world. Every run feels new thanks to refined combat, clever new mechanics, memorable characters, and resources that add depth without slowing the action down. The story continues to unfold with each victory and defeat, making every attempt significant.
Shape of Dreams
The indie roguelike Shape of Dreams plunges you into a whirlwind of fast-paced, dreamlike action where every run feels fresh and unpredictable. You’ll master smooth combat, experiment with wild skill combos, and face challenging bosses that test your reflexes and strategy. Solo or with up to three friends, the game allows you to bend the dream to your will, crafting builds that feel powerful and unique each time. Distinct characters, flexible progression, and a constantly changing roguelite world make it easy to lose track of time.
BALL x PIT
BALL x PIT transforms classic brick-breaking chaos into an endlessly satisfying roguelite adventure. You’ll hurl magic-infused balls at hordes of enemies, ricocheting through obstacles while gathering treasure to rebuild New Ballbylon. Each run challenges you to blend skills, projectiles, and strategies creatively, and between battles, you’ll expand your homestead and recruit unique heroes, each with their own flair. The game’s visuals and sound design make every hit feel explosive and rewarding, keeping your mind engaged with pure joy.
Souls-Like
ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN
Soulsborne meets roguelike in ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN, and somehow that combination works perfectly. FromSoftware’s latest release lets you team up in 3-player co-op, commanding heroes with unique skills. The world changes with each session, keeping encounters unpredictable as you face relentless environmental threats, hordes, and bosses. The soundtrack hits hard, immersing you into every moment with emotion, tension, and triumph. With charming characters, dynamic events, and a competitive ranking system, every run feels alive and rewarding.
The First Berserker: Khazan
Set in a dark fantasy world, The First Berserker: Khazan puts you in the role of Khazan, a general returned from the dead to seek vengeance. The combat is a masterclass in timing and fluidity, featuring combos, strategic skills, and perfectly timed deflects. Boss battles are challenging but fair, rewarding patience and learning. The armor sets, weapons, and level designs are visually stunning, combining creativity with dark fantasy flair. With Soulsborne depth, God of War scale, and Nioh precision, the game offers a thrilling, addictive experience.
AI LIMIT
In a post-apocalyptic world on the brink of extinction, you’ll explore the ruined city of Havenswell as Arrisa, an immortal Blader seeking the truth behind civilization’s collapse. The level design in AI LIMIT is masterful, resembling the interconnected, shortcut-filled world of Dark Souls while adding its own unique twists. Combat is sharp, aggressive, and rewarding, with a sync meter that encourages bold play, and bosses are unpredictable, forcing you to adapt on the fly. AI LIMIT blends deep Souls-like mechanics with a haunting sci-fi setting to deliver a truly unforgettable ARPG experience.
Horror Games
SILENT HILL f
Fog rolls in over a quiet Japanese town in SILENT HILL f, transforming the familiar streets of Ebisugaoka into a haunting nightmare. You step into the shoes of Shimizu Hinako, navigating twisted paths, solving eerie puzzles, and confronting grotesque monsters while unraveling a story of guilt, trauma, and self-discovery. The game captures the series’ psychological core, blending folklore, mythology, and personal struggle. The art direction is stunning, from decaying spider lilies to haunting enemy designs, while the music underscores Hinako’s fragile, tense journey.
Cronos: The New Dawn
Step into a world where the past and future collide in a relentless fight for survival. In Cronos: The New Dawn, you explore the wastelands of a ruined future and travel back to 1980s Poland, harvesting souls and battling horrific creatures before they merge. The game’s survival horror mechanics are tight and satisfying, offering weapon upgrades, crafting, and tactical combat that make every encounter tense. Its dark aesthetic combines Eastern European brutalism with retro-futurist technology, creating a haunting, immersive world ideal for fans of Dead Space or Resident Evil.
Dying Light: The Beast
Three years after the release of the second installment, Techland brings us back into their zombie-infested world. In Dying Light: The Beast, you play Kyle Crane as he uncovers a deadly evolution of the infected while mastering terrifying beastly abilities. The game captures the horror perfectly, from infected that stalk and ambush you to eerie, atmospheric sound design that keeps tension high. Parkour feels smooth and challenging, allowing you to navigate the wilderness with skill rather than guidance. The story is compelling, with twists and shifting alliances, and side missions are surprisingly engaging.
Indie Games
Blue Prince
Blue Prince is an outstanding indie release that caught us off guard. It pulls you into the mysterious world of Mt. Holly, where each door presents a new challenge, and every choice affects your journey. You’ll explore shifting hallways and unpredictable chambers, solving puzzles that slowly reveal the manor’s hidden history. The roguelite mechanics keep you thinking and experimenting, while clever ways to control randomness ensure each run feels fair and fresh. Gorgeous art, an engaging story, and satisfying puzzle-solving come together to create a game that rewards patience and curiosity.
Absolum
The roguelite beat ‘em up Absolum has to be one of the best yet most underrated games of 2025. It drops you into the magical world of Talamh, where outcast heroes fight to take back power from Sun King Azra. It blends fast, satisfying combat with clever modern progression, making every run feel fresh and exciting. The cartoonish art style brings the world to life, turning even a simple story into an engaging experience through environment and gameplay. Branching paths, side quests, and metaprogression add depth, while the soundtrack and visuals perfectly complement the action.
Dispatch
Dispatch flips the superhero genre on its head with a hilarious and heartfelt workplace comedy. You take on the role of Robert Robertson, aka Mecha Man, forced to manage a team of ex-supervillains from behind a desk after your suit gets destroyed. Every decision influences emergencies, office relationships, and your own quest for revenge, combining strategy with story in a lively way. The humor is sharp, and the characters are memorable, brought to life perfectly by the voice cast.
Metroidvanias
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Well, all we really have to say is that this one was worth the 8-year wait. Hollow Knight: Silksong takes everything you loved about the original (except the grubs) and makes it even better. You play as Hornet, exploring a haunting kingdom ruled by silk and song, facing enormous beasts, mastering new powers, and uncovering secrets connected to your past. Every area is filled with stunning art, clever platforming, and memorable characters like Sherma, while the soundtrack makes every moment feel cinematic. Combat is tight, weapon options keep fights exciting, and the challenge is demanding but rewarding.
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful post-apocalyptic world, decades after the events of ENDER LILIES. You play as Lilac, an Attuner with the ability to restore the corrupted Homunculi. The game refines everything that made its predecessor great, from buttery-smooth movement and combat to an incredible map, diverse Homunculi companions, and a mesmerizing soundtrack. Each boss fight challenges you with clever, sometimes brutal mechanics, while the stunning visuals and worldbuilding fully draw you into this dark fantasy Metroidvania.
Constance
The beautifully hand-drawn 2D platformer Constance transforms painting into a weapon, a means of movement, and a tool for puzzle-solving. You play as an artist exploring her vibrant yet deteriorating inner world, slicing through enemies, penetrating walls, and discovering a non-linear landscape full of secrets, upgrades, and side quests. The combat is fluid, with each enemy demanding unique strategies, while the platforming challenges are inventive and rewarding. Stunning visuals, an emotional story, and a gorgeous soundtrack create a deeply immersive experience.
Shooters
DOOM: The Dark Ages
Serving as a prequel to DOOM and DOOM Eternal, DOOM: The Dark Ages places you in a brutal medieval war against Hell. Putting on the Slayer’s armor again is exhilarating, and the new setting gives each arena a darker tone. The combat hits hard, with classic favorites like the Super Shotgun and new weapons like the Shield Saw. Fights feel intense and grounded, without the parkour overload of Eternal, and the weapon variety allows you to destroy demons in your preferred style.
Borderlands 4
The newest entry in the Borderlands series has received mixed reviews, but we had a great time! Borderlands 4 plunges you into the hidden world of Kairos and quickly cranks up the chaos. You play as one of four new Vault Hunters. The movement is the smoothest the series has ever offered. Grappling, gliding, sliding, and chaining all of it together feels fantastic, and the gunplay fits perfectly with that classic Borderlands vibe. Exploring the open world is a blast thanks to its vertical design and quick traversal, and the story offers much more than many give it credit for.
Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 delivers that massive, explosive warfare experience the series is known for, and it finally hits the sweet spot fans have been waiting for. The moment you drop into a match, the chaos feels alive. The new Kinesthetic Combat System makes every movement precise and responsive, and the gunplay feels fantastic whether you’re covering your squad or pushing an objective. Vehicles are a lot of fun to pilot, and the maps balance tight corridors with wide-open battlefields that constantly change the pace.
Strategy Games
Europa Universalis V
Europa Universalis V gives you half a millennium of history and simply says go. You choose a nation, spread out the map, and suddenly you’re managing diplomacy, trade, wars, reforms, rebellions, and the occasional questionable choice that somehow becomes a success. The new systems add real depth without overwhelming you. Every campaign uncovers a mechanic you missed before, making each playthrough feel fresh. It also runs surprisingly well for a Paradox game, with a clean UI and smooth performance. It’s grand strategy at its most addictive.
Anno 117: Pax Romana
The latest installment in the beloved Anno series lets you build the Roman Empire piece by piece. Streets fill with citizens going about their day, soldiers train in detailed camps, and your economy expands across regions that each present their own challenges. Pax Romana captures everything we loved about Anno 1800 and adds a rich Roman flavor. You balance trade, diplomacy, and military strength while shaping the future of your provinces, and every decision leaves a mark on your world.
Whiskerwood
Whiskerwood is another underrated 2025 release. In this strategy city builder, you’re guiding a scrappy community of mice trying to thrive under demanding cat overlords, and the result is a charming blend of humor and surprisingly complex systems. Production chains evolve into extensive networks, automation becomes a puzzle you want to master, and each new region you explore adds another layer of creativity. Even in Early Access, it already feels polished, ambitious, and highly enjoyable for fans of colony management games.
Survival/Exploration
The Alters
Developed by 11 bit studios, The Alters delivers a mix of survival tension and emotional storytelling that sticks with you. You play as Jan Dolski, stranded on a hostile planet with only one way to build a crew: create alternate versions of yourself shaped by the choices you never made. Managing these Alters becomes both a lifeline and a moral minefield as your mobile base moves across the landscape. The survival and base-building systems are strong, but it’s the narrative that steals the show. Every conversation, every dilemma, every memory hits hard. It’s a gripping, thoughtful sci-fi experience.
PEAK
PEAK is a surprise hit that took YouTube and Twitch by storm this year. It looks simple at first, but once you start climbing that constantly changing mountain, it quickly grabs you. You can go alone, but the real magic happens when you and your friends scramble up ledges together, catching each other when someone slips or planting ropes to help the next group make the ascent. Every climb feels different, pushing you to rethink your gear, your route, and your timing. It’s funny, tense, and oddly calming all at once.
VEIN
Remember the good old days of playing DayZ with friends back when it was in Early Access? VEIN brings back that nostalgic feeling. It drops you into a post-apocalyptic world that feels raw, grounded, and full of possibility. You scavenge through collapsing towns, fight off zombies and bandits, and slowly build a home that might actually withstand the chaos. The realism is impressive. Almost everything can be searched, broken down, or repurposed. Seasons change, long-term events unfold, and the world keeps evolving. Play solo or team up with friends to rebuild society on your own terms.
Cozy Games
Wanderstop
Wanderstop is a cozy, narrative-driven journey that combines tea, magic, and quiet reflection. You assume the role of Alta, a fallen fighter now managing a whimsical tea shop in a magical forest, brewing drinks for travelers and uncovering their stories. The gameplay flows gently, allowing you to cultivate ingredients, experiment with teas, and interact with charming characters at your own pace. It’s visually calming, full of small pleasures like petting a penguin or arranging trinkets, and profoundly healing for anyone craving a calm, immersive experience.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Perfect for fans of Sanrio and Animal Crossing, Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a charming open-world escape where you explore, play, and relax alongside Hello Kitty and friends. You’ll wander through eight magical regions, from ocean depths to floating islands, solving puzzles, cooking treats, customizing cabins, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game balances cozy daily activities with epic adventures, like braving volcanoes or hosting birthday parties. It combines exploration, quests, and endless customization into a lively, heartwarming world you can enjoy at your own pace.
Tiny Bookshop
Tiny Bookshop is a cozy escape to a seaside town where you run your own second-hand bookstore. You’ll stock shelves with real books, recommend the perfect read to curious locals, and gradually uncover the lives, hopes, and quirks of your diverse customers. Each day offers a new opportunity to organize your shop, explore inventory strategies, or simply enjoy the small-town life. The charming visuals, soothing sound design, and low-pressure gameplay make it ideal for rainy-day relaxation.
Simulation
Jurassic World Evolution 3
The third entry in the award-winning simulation series lets you build the ultimate dinosaur paradise by managing vast parks filled with over 85 prehistoric species. For the first time, you can nurture juveniles into majestic adults, watching families grow and interact in vibrant, living ecosystems. From semi-aquatic dinosaurs exploring deep waters to pterosaurs walking on land, every species has unique social needs and behaviors that bring your park to life. Jurassic World Evolution 3 combines addictive park management, stunning graphics, dynamic weather, and immersive sound design.
Date Everything!
Date Everything! is a wildly creative and hilarious sandbox dating simulator that transforms your home into a playground of romance and chaos. Featuring 100 fully voice-acted characters—from furniture to existential dread—you’ll explore absurd, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt storylines. The writing is sharp, the humor hits perfectly, and each session feels fresh, giving the game endless replay value. Even if dating sims usually aren’t your thing, Date Everything! manages to be unironically fun, clever, and endlessly entertaining.
Schedule I
The criminal sandbox sim Schedule I drops you into the tough streets of Hyland Point, where you start as a small-time dealer and build a large drug empire from nothing. You’ll produce everything from marijuana to cocaine, create unique strains, and grow your operations with properties, businesses, and employees all while avoiding cartel threats and law enforcement. The gameplay is addictive and complex, offering numerous strategies, recipes, and playstyles to explore solo or with friends. Early access only makes it more fun, with regular updates adding new content and challenges.
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