The video game industry is a billion-dollar business, one that still continues to grow every year. However, one could argue regarding the quality of any year in the industry, with some catering to certain trends and fans, while others may just not hit the same heights as others. In the conversation of the best years in gaming, 1998 and 2007 are often the two brought up. They saw the release of games like Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Tekken 3, Half-Life, Baldur's Gate, Super Mario Galaxy, BioShock, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, and Mass Effect, just to name a few. History is harder to predict when living it, but 2023 seems to be in the same convo, with major releases like Baldur's Gate 3, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Sea of Stars, Lies of P, Alan Wake 2, Street Fighter 6, and many, many more.
All of this is to say that 2025 looks like it could meet or exceed these expectations, even with some of these titles inevitably being delayed (possibly into 2026 in some cases). I've written The Best War Games's most anticipated games of each year list ever since 2018, and with full confidence, I can say that I've never seen a year lined up like this one. PlayStation and Xbox are firing on all cylinders, Nintendo has the Switch 2 lined up (even if it and its games are shrouded in mystery right now), and major AAA games are lined up to kickstart the new year. February alone is enough to break the bank, and there's seriously a chance we get a new Elden Ring game and Grand Theft Auto 6 in the same year. Anyway, heading into 2025, there are plenty of games to look forward to.
This list only includes games that have a confirmed 2025 release date/window, although this does not rule out possible delays. This list is ordered, first, by release date. For vague 2025 release windows, it is ordered alphabetically.
Civilization 7 - February 11
Read The Best War Games's Civilization 7 Preview
Strategy games like Civilization 7 can easily fall into the trap where any sequel feels more like a half-sequel. Making “Civilization 6.5” and slapping Civ 7 on the cover would have been the easy road for Firaxis. That’s what I expected when I walked into Firaxis Games earlier this year to check it out—and not at all what I experienced.
Everyone knows what to expect from a Civilization game, but Civ 7 is making some smart changes to improve the overall experience. The fact that Civs and leaders are independent of one another is not something I would ever have put on a bingo card, and I love the way that the Civs evolve throughout the ages, being replaced by new ones based on how someone plays. Civilizations, in the real world, are built on top of each other, and this is a smart way to gamify that experience. Add in Transitions, the Crisis System, and all these new changes and improvements, and it’s very clear that Civ 7 is, indeed, Civ 7. Everything revealed since then has me excited to jump back in come February.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
- Released
- February 11, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Sid Meier's Civilization
- PC Release Date
- February 11, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- February 11, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- February 11, 2025
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- February 11, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
Assassin's Creed Shadows - February 14
Finally, Assassin's Creed Goes to Japan
In an alternate universe, I’d probably be a history teacher at a high school or college. That was a goal for most of my middle school and high school years. I’ve always loved history, and that love has always been fed by Assassin’s Creed. I remember marking out when Assassin’s Creed 3 teased a Japan setting (alongside Egypt and Greece), and finally, that’s actually happening.
Set near the end of the Sengoku Period, Assassin’s Creed Shadows explores the Assassin-Templar war through the eyes of two protagonists: a female shinobi named Naoe and a real-world African samurai named Yasuke. Players will be able to switch between these characters, who each have unique gameplay mechanics, providing players with a “best of both worlds” approach when it comes to recent Assassin’s Creed gameplay decisions. Overall, AC Shadows seems set to deliver an intriguing narrative and an open world filled with content in the franchise’s most requested setting to date.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- March 20, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Assassin's Creed
- PC Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Avowed - February 18
Read The Best War Games's Preview of Avowed
Obsidian RPGs are special; the company hasn’t released a game yet that didn’t just strike all the right chords for me. I do wish they’d add romance, but I understand why the company avoids it. Avowed takes players back into the Pillars of Eternity franchise, but instead of an isometric RPG, it’s a first-person RPG (with third-person as an option). Players are an Envoy of the Aedyran Empire sent into The Living Lands to investigate the Dreamscourge. The Living Lands have long been mentioned in Pillars of Eternity, but this is the first time the location has been brought to life. Fans should expect a solid character creator, an intriguing and branching story, and fun, interesting characters.
What really sells it for me is my colleague, Managing Editor Dalton Cooper. He’s been more skeptical of the game than I have been, but we’ve both previewed it (on different occasions). As a diehard fan, I was totally sold based on my time with it. His skepticism, however, melted away during his time with the game, and as history has taught me, that speaks volumes.
Avowed
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- February 18, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Pillars of Eternity
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii - February 21
Read The Best War Games's Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Preview
A Like a Dragon game where you play Majima? Check. Pirates? Check. Action combat? Check.
I love the “Gaiden” series with RGG Studio’s Like a Dragon games where we get to see how the world simply continues to exist outside the mainline games with Ichiban. It’s such a great way to respect the franchise’s legacy, while still working on its future. Combine the excellence of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name with a silly little pirate adventure featuring Majima that certainly won' t make me feel any sort of way by the end of it (I’m already crying), and it’s a recipe for success. Pirate ships, at-sea battles, cool characters, modern pirates, classic-yet-personal combat styles, and legendary treasure are likely just the cherry on top of an excellent, emotional story.
The Best War Games’s Katelyn Jewett and I have been freaking out over this game for months, ever since it was first announced. The premise and direction just feel so top-notch for a Like a Dragon game, and this was reiterated when they previewed it. I don’t think we’re ever going to stop geeking out, especially come launch and beyond. I am so ready for it; it’s got MAJIMA and PIRATES!
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- February 21, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Yakuza
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Monster Hunter Wilds - February 28
Read The Best War Games's Monster Hunter Wilds Preview
Monster Hunter has always been a behemoth, but there’s no denying that Monster Hunter World marked a new chapter for the franchise. Monster Hunter Wilds is attempting to follow up on that success, which for most games is an unenviable position. I’ve played the game twice, and I am fairly confident that it’s achieved that. The weapons are still being fine-tuned but are headed in the right direction, each hunt feels so intuitive and fun, the world design is engaging, and the new weather/season system adds some needed variety to the gameplay loop.
Anyway, I am pretty sure I am going to have to send out SOS/search party (a real one) for The Best War Games’s lead guide editor Greysun Morales when Monster Hunter Wilds comes out.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Split Fiction - March 6
Read The Best War Games's Split Fiction Preview
Couch co-op feels like a dying breed, but Hazelight Studios seems to actively fight against this. Its previous game, It Takes Two, received numerous accolades when it released, including a Game of the Year win at The Game Awards. Because of the studio’s established pedigree, Split Fiction was one of many giant announcements to come out of this year’s Game Awards. In it, players take on the roles of Mio and Zoe (in co-op) as they are hooked into a machine designed to steal their creative writings. One writes sci-fi, the other writes fantasy, and to make it back to reality, they’ll need to work together as they cross through their worlds.
The Best War Games’s editor-in-chief Anthony Taormina played Split Fiction with Josef Fares at The Game Awards. As he wrote, Split Fiction feels like it evolves on the classic Hazelight formula without just relying on the familiar seen in It Takes Two. It would have been easy enough for Hazelight to basically just make It Takes Two all over again, but it didn’t feel derivative, had engaging and evolving gameplay mechanics, and featured a plethora of interesting side content. Split Fiction is definitely one to watch come March 2025.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- March 6, 2025
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Hazelight Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
The First Berserker: Khazan - March 27
Read The Best War Games's First Berserker: Khazan Preview
The First Berserker: Khazan wasn’t really on my personal radar until I played it at Gamescom, and it ended up being one of my favorite games at the event. There are a few differences from the typical Soulslike formula, but anyone who loves Soulslikes is going to find The First Berserker: Khazan scratches that itch quickly. Typically, it takes a few hours of beating my head against a wall before a Soulslike game *clicks* for me, but the world and combat design managed to do so quickly by the end of my brief demo.
I still hold a huge grudge against the boss I encountered: a gigantic ice ape with frozen shards embedded into its body. I was fighting it when my demo time came to an end, having lost a few times but refusing to give up. I was so enthralled with it that I didn’t realize I was over time and the devs were waiting to speak with me, but they didn’t want to interrupt. Fair enough. That last fight, I was determined to win, slowing down to face it and watch for my chance to punish it. I had run out of health once I got it to its final quarter of health, slowing down even further and trying to get the kill. It was one of those classic Soulslike scenarios where one hit, where missing any parry or dodge, would be death. I did manage to whittle it down to 5% before I ultimately died.
When The First Berserker: Khazan releases in March 2025, I had a scheduled grudge match with that ape.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
- Released
- March 27, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Neople
- Publisher(s)
- Nexon
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Borderlands 4 (2025)
Lootin', Shootin', and Warrin'
All year, The Best War Games feature editors Andrea Trama, Richard Warren, and I have played a game of “Will it be there?” For Borderlands 4 at each major industry event. Take-Two confirmed it was in development in March 2024 before we got a proper reveal at Gamescom and gameplay footage at The Game Awards 2024. The premise sounds promising, with Borderlands 4’s Vault Hunters leading a resistance against the Timekeeper and his followers, the Order of Kairos. There’s obviously a Vault involved, and somehow, Lilith is involved with Elpis destroying a barrier around the new planet of Kairos.
As it stands, I think the Vault Hunters are a little generic, but that won’t matter if it lives up to the franchise’s looter shooter legacy. Borderlands is THE looter shooter in the industry, after all. If the Timekeeper somehow lives up to Handsome Jack and the action is fun, the combat is meaty, and the weapons pack a punch, Borderlands 4 has a real shot at living up to Borderlands 2 (which is an unenviable position).
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Borderlands
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025)
Fight to Live
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looks perfect for turn-based RPG fans, with the game set in a Belle Époque France-inspired world (similar to Lies of P). In it, a being known as The Paintress wakes up once a year to paint a dwindling number on her monolith: everyone who is that age dies. Players, who control party members of Expedition 33 like Gustave and Maelle, set out to destroy the Paintress.
Its turn-based RPG gameplay features some real-time mechanics for dodges, parries, counters, combo chains, and a weakpoint free-aim system, all while players can build their characters however they wish. Furthermore, players will be encouraged to get to know members of Expedition 33, although it is currently unclear if this is just through storytelling or some form of relationship system. While more details are to come, it’s clear how exciting the very premise and direction of Clair Obscur really is.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- April 24, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Kepler Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025)
A Reflection on COVID-19
I’ve been a witness to many a Death Stranding argument, with one colleague being a DS truther and the other being a DS naysayer. It’s quite funny. But what neither can deny (not that one would) is the sheer popularity and hype around Hideo Kojima’s long-anticipated sequel. It’ll be interesting to see how Kojima Productions improves on Death Stranding’s Strand-like gameplay for the sequel, but all the important pieces seem to be there. Story-wise, fans know that Kojima reworked the story to be a reflection on COVID-19 (since the first game was a similar world) and that many of the original characters return with a newcomer or two, of course.
Little more than that is currently known about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, but fans can expect some wild trailers and news moving forward.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Decima
- Franchise
- Death Stranding
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5