Unexpected Gems: The Best Games of 2025

In 2025, the gaming world saw a mix of highly anticipated sequels and surprising new titles. While big names like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Avowed delivered on expectations, the real standouts were the games that caught everyone off guard. These included a challenging walking simulator, a unique puzzle game, and a touching mini-game collection that tackled serious themes. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, for example, didn’t reinvent the wheel but polished the formula to near perfection. It offered a familiar yet immersive experience, making it a comfort food for fans of the series. On the other hand, Avowed stood out by putting players in the role of an envoy who is universally hated, adding a unique twist to the typical hero’s journey. One of the most unexpected hits was Baby Steps, a game that defied the "walking simulator" label. It required precise control and offered a challenging climb up a mountain, with a story that delved into themes of masculinity and perseverance. Ball x Pit combined elements of brick-breaking and shoot-em-up games, creating a compulsively addictive experience with deep customization and upgrades.Blue Prince was a puzzle game that defied easy comparison, offering a complex web of mysteries to solve within a house that resets daily. It required careful observation and note-taking, with a massive endgame that revealed a deep story of political intrigue. Civilization VII, despite its rocky launch, proved to be a deep and addictive strategy game that solved longstanding design problems in the franchise. Other notable mentions include Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which improved on its predecessor with better vehicles and inventory management, and Donkey Kong Bananza, which showcased the power of the Switch 2 with its destructible environments and endless collectibles. Doom: The Dark Ages introduced a new focus on blocking and parrying, though it occasionally stumbled with slower-paced sections. Games like Dragonsweeper added a unique twist to classic puzzle games, while Elden Ring: Nightreign offered a condensed, multiplayer experience that captured the essence of the original. Ghost of Yotei provided a rich exploration and combat experience, and Hades 2 expanded on the original with a new spell system and compelling protagonist. Hollow Knight: Silksong lived up to its hype with a bite-size serving of gameplay that encouraged multiple runs, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II refined its predecessor with a more immersive and memorable experience. Mario Kart World took a bold step with its open-world design, and Sektori delivered a thrilling twin-stick shooter experience that captured the essence of Geometry Wars.