As we prepare to bid farewell to 2024, we’re already looking forward to what the gaming industry will bring in 2025. However, when looking at the upcoming video game release schedule, there are many titles with no confirmed release dates, other than sometime in 2025. It’s very likely that this is because Rockstar Games hasn’t announced the release date for Grand Theft Auto VI. Most developers and publishers are probably ensuring they are not anywhere near the release of Grand Theft Auto VI—that’s how big the Grand Theft Auto franchise is.
Nonetheless, there are several exciting games scheduled for release in 2025, and you can see our top 20 most anticipated games below.
20. Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars
I have many fond memories of the original Suikoden on PlayStation. Growing up, I loved the Final Fantasy franchise—and I still do—but Suikoden was released before Final Fantasy VII on the PlayStation. As a result, I spent hundreds of hours playing through it, especially since there are 107 characters to recruit in the first game. For some reason, I never played Suikoden II, which is why I’m really excited about the Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars remastered compilation that features both games. Originally developed by Konami, Suikoden is a must-play for any RPG fan who wants to learn more about the games that ultimately inspired many modern-day RPGs.
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars launches March 6, 2025 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.
19. Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
The next entry in the long-running Civilization franchise is finally arriving, more than eight years since the release of Civilization VI (October 2016). Arguably the most important 4X franchise in the history of gaming, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII once again tasks players with building the greatest empire the world has ever seen as they go through distinct Ages of human history. The game promises to deliver one of the most diverse rosters of leaders yet, and of course, it will support multiplayer and cross-play between PC and consoles. If you’ve never managed to play a Civilization game, this one might be a great place to start. The team has overhauled the tutorial experience and refined gameplay systems to make it easier than ever to learn how quickly one can lose hours, days, and even weeks to Civilization.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII launches February 11, 2025 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
18. Fable
I loved the original Fable on Xbox, but the sequels have never captured my attention. I can’t say that what I’ve seen of the reboot has really captured my attention either, but I’m actually excited to see what Playground Games manages to do with the franchise because I really enjoy the Forza Horizon games. Sure, open-world racing doesn’t exactly translate to an action RPG, but it seems the team knows what it takes to make a fun game. We still don’t know many details about the Fable reboot, but we expect to hear more this year, assuming it hasn’t been delayed.
Fable currently has no release date but will be launching on Xbox Series X|S and PC, though it’s possible it’ll also be heading to PlayStation 5 at a later date given Xbox’s new strategy.
17. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has been a rather strange story. The game was originally announced at E3 2017 but went silent for years. It wasn’t until June 2024 that we finally saw an actual gameplay trailer confirming that the game is scheduled to release in 2025. For fans of the Metroid Prime series, it’s been a long time coming. So long that it’s very likely the game will also be available on the Switch’s successor, possibly even as a launch title.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond currently has no release date but will be launching on Switch and likely its successor.
16. 2XKO
Riot Games has been investing heavily in expanding its League of Legends universe, although Riot Forge has now been shut down after a few games were published. Still, the wild success of the Arcane series on Netflix proves there’s plenty of interest in the characters within the world; it’s just now up to Riot Games to capitalize on that. We’re hoping 2XKO can hit the mark, as the concept of a 2v2 team-based fighting game with League of Legends characters is very interesting to us.
2XKO currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
15. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
It’s been fun watching the Yakuza series transform into the Like a Dragon series while gaining popularity in the U.S. The quirky, over-the-top games are taking things to a new level with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The next entry in the franchise revisits the story of Goro Majima, who has now lost his memory and reinvents himself as a pirate on the open sea—because why not. Developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio continues to impress with the pace at which it’s releasing quality Like a Dragon games. In 2023, we received two titles: Like a Dragon: Ishin! and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, while 2024 introduced Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches February 21, 2025 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
14. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
The original Death Stranding was one of the most unique games I’ve ever played, featuring an interesting world, characters, story, and gameplay. While it’s easy to poke fun at Death Stranding and call it an Amazon delivery simulator, the game is much more than merely delivering packages. Of course, those who have followed Hideo Kojima throughout his career aren’t really surprised by how out of this world Death Stranding was, and we fully expect the sequel. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, to be even crazier.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 5.
13. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
As someone who loves the Xenoblade Chronicles series and is one of the few people who actually played Xenoblade Chronicles X on the Wii U, I’m very much looking forward to the remastered version on the Switch (and its successor). Since the Wii U wasn’t exactly a successful console, I’m glad Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition has finally been confirmed, as it’s one of the few remaining Wii U games that hasn’t been ported to the Switch. It’s an epic adventure featuring giant mechs called Skells, along with a fantastic soundtrack and cast of characters. If you enjoyed any of the three Xenoblade Chronicles games, you shouldn’t miss Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition launches March 20, 2025 on Switch.
12. Grand Theft Auto VI
So, the truth is, I’m not really a huge fan of the Grand Theft Auto series. I’ve tried several times to get into Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V, but huge open-world games like that have never clicked with me. But in recent years, I’ve been exploring games outside my comfort zone and getting why so many people love them. Because of that, I’m excited to play Grand Theft Auto VI with an open mind when it comes out. There’s a reason Grand Theft Auto V is the second best-selling game ever, and it wouldn’t shock me if Grand Theft Auto VI eventually beats that record.
Grand Theft Auto VI currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
11. Slay the Spire 2
Growing up, I spent a lot of my free time playing TCGs, including Magic: The Gathering and the original Star Wars CCG. Hearthstone rekindled my love for deckbuilding and card games, but Slay the Spire really turned it into a passion. I’m not even sure how many total hours I’ve spent playing Slay the Spire across all the platforms where I own the game, but Slay the Spire 2 really has me excited. My only concern is how the sequel will feel different and fresh, but I have complete faith in the team at Mega Crit to deliver another excellent game.
Slay the Spire 2 currently has no release date but will be launching on PC and Mac.
10. Subnautica 2
Crafting survival games is one of our favorite genres to play together as a group, which is why the entire time I was playing Subnautica, all I could think about was how I wished the game supported co-op. So the fact that the sequel will have four-player co-op automatically means Subnautica 2 is on our list of most anticipated games of 2025. Really, if they just released the original Subnautica with multiplayer, it would make its way onto this list. Regardless, we’re excited to see where the franchise is going and how the sequel plays out.
Subnautica 2 currently has no release date but will be launching on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
9. Judas
BioShock is one of my favorite franchises of all time, so I’m extremely excited to see what Ken Levine and his team at Ghost Story Games are cooking up with Judas. From the trailers we’ve seen so far, Judas clearly fits the style of a game from Ken Levine and we love that he’s creating a brand new IP in a sci-fi setting. Very few details about the game have been shared so far; all we know is that Judas is on a disintegrating starship, and the only way to survive is to make or break alliances with its worst enemies.
Judas currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
8. Ghost of Yōtei
Ghost of Tsushima’s success for PlayStation meant a sequel was inevitable, but many were genuinely surprised to see that it’s not a true sequel. Instead, Sucker Punch has decided to expand on the universe with the standalone follow-up, Ghost of Yōtei. The game is set in 1603 and stars Atsu, who embarks on a journey through the lands surrounding Mount Yōtei. This means it takes place centuries after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, which happened around 1274. We are excited to see how Sucker Punch expands on the formula it created with Ghost of Tsushima.
Ghost of Yōtei currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 5.
7. Dune: Awakening
As I mentioned before, we, as a group, love playing crafting survival games, so Dune: Awakening is right up our alley. It also helps that it is being developed by Funcom, the team behind Conan Exiles, another game we have spent hundreds of hours playing over the years. Dune: Awakening is being billed as an open-world survival MMO that takes place in a Dune universe where Paul Atreides was never born, Lady Jessica gave birth to a girl, and Duke Leto survived the assault on Arrakeen. There is a lot of potential for Dune: Awakening to be the next title we spend playing for hundreds of hours as a group, and hopefully, Funcom manages to pull it off.
Dune: Awakening currently has no release date but will be launching on PC before heading to PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
6. Elden Ring Nightreign
Elden Ring Nightreign might finally be the game that gets me to enjoy and appreciate FromSoftware’s combat systems. Over the years, I’ve tried several times to engage with multiple different FromSoftware games, and despite sinking nearly 40 hours into Elden Ring, I still can’t find the combat satisfying enough to finish any of these games. Nightreign, however, has truly caught my interest. I generally prefer to play co-op games, and Nightreign looks to be a Monster Hunter version of Elden Ring with a focus on boss fights. I’m extremely excited to hop into this with two of my friends and finally develop my skills so I can go back and conquer other FromSoftware titles.
Elden Ring Nightreign currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
5. Split Fiction
Since we love co-op games, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Split Fiction near the top of our list. Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios have focused on creating exclusively co-op experiences such as A Way Out in 2018 and 2021’s Game of the Year, It Takes Two. It’s worth mentioning that I’m also a huge fan of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, which came from Fares before he formed his own studio. The next game from Hazelight is Split Fiction, which aims to further evolve the formula established by It Takes Two with a variety of gameplay ideas. Like previous Hazelight Studios games, only one person in the pair needs to own Split Fiction for both to enjoy it.
Split Fiction launches March 6, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
4. Borderlands 4
Some of my fondest gaming memories come from playing Borderlands 2 with a group. Unfortunately, some of my worst gaming memories come from playing Borderlands 3 with a group. We’re hoping Borderlands 4 will be more like Borderlands 2 than Borderlands 3; otherwise, we might start losing faith in the franchise. While Borderlands 3 had a better variety of weapons and the gameplay felt sharp, the story, characters, and writing were awful, especially when compared to the witty and cheesy humor of Borderlands 2. We’re hoping Borderlands 4 features more of a Handsome Jack-type villain than the disaster that was in Borderlands 3. Despite being disappointed with Borderlands 3, we’re still looking forward to seeing how Borderlands 4 shapes up. Maybe we’re the true psychos after all.
Borderlands 4 currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I’ve been very enthusiastic about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 since it debuted in June 2024. Despite the Xbox showcase being packed with a lot of amazing debuts, I found Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to be the most exciting. At the time, the unknown indie game made a real splash with its unique and flashy art style and since then we’ve learned a lot more about the game. The main story of the game is going to be about 30 hours long, and it has a star-studded voice acting cast that includes Charlie Cox, Jennifer English, Ben Starr, and Andy Serkis. I might be setting the expectations a bit too high, considering it’s the studio’s first game, but it’s looking better and better with each trailer release.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
2. Doom: The Dark Ages
Growing up, DOOM and DOOM II were my first exposures to online gaming through local dial-up BBSes, before the World Wide Web really became popular. Because of that, the DOOM franchise has always held a very special place in my heart, and I was overjoyed when DOOM 2016 was released and really captured that same fast-paced gameplay I fell in love with as a kid. While I did enjoy DOOM Eternal, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with all the precision platforming present in the game. At the end of the day, though, there are no games truly like DOOM, and I’m loving what I’ve seen so far with DOOM: The Dark Ages. About the only thing I can complain about is the continued lack of support for co-op in the campaign, but I understand the desire to deliver a balanced experience for single-player.
DOOM: The Dark Ages currently has no release date but will be launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
1. Monster Hunter Wilds
For once, we do not have to wait very long to play our most anticipated game of the year so far. Monster Hunter Wilds already has a release date of February 28 and we fully expect to spend hundreds of hours with the game as a group. Our love for Monster Hunter actually began with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on the Wii U, and since then we have spent countless hours playing Monster Hunter: World on both PlayStation 4 and PC, as well as Monster Hunter Rise on Switch. The franchise is one of the few that delivers excellent co-op gameplay and manages to evolve its formula so it feels both familiar and fresh at the same time.
It is also one of the best games at making you feel like you are truly improving the more you play. The first time you take on a Rathalos may result in failure or turn into a 15-minute long fight, but eventually you will learn to take it down in just a couple of minutes. It’s truly a co-op experience like no other, and while games have tried to deliver their own spin on the genre, none have successfully come close to providing a similar experience.
Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
