The Biggest Games Coming in 2025

There’s a unique thrill that comes with the turn of a new year, especially for gamers. We stand on the precipice of another 365 days, filled with the promise of new adventures, compelling stories, and innovative gameplay. If you’ve just finished watching the video above, you’ve already had a tantalizing glimpse into what’s on the horizon. Much like anticipating a long-awaited journey, the journey into a new year of gaming is fraught with both excitement and the ever-present possibility of unexpected detours and delays. Yet, the anticipation for the biggest games coming in 2025 is already reaching a fever pitch, promising a landmark year for the industry.

For those of us who’ve been glued to our screens for decades, 2025 looks to be a year overflowing with both fresh experiences and nostalgic returns. We’re not just talking about a handful of titles; the roster of upcoming video game releases is stacked, ensuring there’s something to capture the imagination of every player. From sprawling open-world epics to intimate narrative-driven experiences, and from innovative takes on classic genres to brand new intellectual properties, the next twelve months are set to redefine our gaming libraries.

Early 2025: Your Gaming Calendar Fills Up

The early months of 2025 are already looking incredibly busy, with several major titles staking their claim on release dates. It’s a testament to the thriving video game industry that even a year out, we have so many concrete launches to look forward to. Let’s dive into some of the confirmed gems that will kick off your year.

January’s Action-Packed Start

• Dynasty Warriors: Origins (January 17th): Tecmo Koei’s iconic Musou series returns, marking the first full-fledged entry since 2018’s Dynasty Warriors 9. This installment promises to leverage current-gen hardware, delivering massive-scale battles where players can effortlessly plow through hordes of enemies. Expect the signature “one warrior against an army” feel, refined for modern consoles (PS5, Xbox Series, PC).
• Sniper Elite: Resistance (January 30th): For fans of precision and long-range combat, Sniper Elite continues its tradition of gruesome, yet satisfying, takedowns. While the core formula remains largely intact, the sheer fun of its unique brand of stealth and tactical shooting, especially against fascists, makes it a highly anticipated title across all major platforms (Xbox, PlayStation, PC).

February’s Feast of Fantasy and Strategy

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (February 4th): Henry of Skalitz returns in this ambitious RPG sequel that picks up directly from the first game. Known for its immersive, historically grounded simulation of 14th-century Bohemia, KCD2 promises deep role-playing mechanics and a massive open world, allowing players significant freedom in shaping Henry’s destiny. It’s a game for those who appreciate historical accuracy and challenging RPG systems (Current-gen consoles, PC).
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (February 11th): Three decades and seven installments later, Civilization needs little introduction. This grand strategy behemoth tasks players with guiding a society through history, emphasizing exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination (the “fourth X”). Its release is a major event for strategy aficionados, launching on virtually all platforms, with mobile likely to follow (PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Linux).
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows (February 14th): Ubisoft’s flagship open-world series ventures into the long-requested setting of feudal Japan. Offering dual protagonists, players can choose between the stealthy path of a ninja or the honor-bound way of a samurai, blending two distinct combat and exploration styles into one expansive experience. This could be one of the defining 2025 game releases for action-adventure fans (Current-gen, PC).
• Date Everything! (February 14th): For something completely different, this sandbox dating simulator offers a charmingly bizarre premise: romancing anthropomorphized inanimate objects. With 100 fully voice-acted potential partners, it promises a unique, humorous, and possibly heartwarming experience (PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC).
• Avowed (February 18th): From Obsidian, the acclaimed studio behind Pillars of Eternity, Avowed brings their rich fantasy universe into a first-person perspective with real-time combat. Often compared to Skyrim for its look, developers suggest it’s more akin to The Outer Worlds in scope, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a deep RPG that respects their time (Xbox Series, PC).
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (February 21st): In a move that only the Like a Dragon series could pull off, Goro Majima embraces a new career as a pirate in Hawaii after a bout of amnesia. This spin-off promises the series’ signature blend of dramatic storytelling, quirky humor, and over-the-top combat, further solidifying its place among the most unique 2025 game releases (Xbox, PlayStation, PC).
• Monster Hunter Wilds (February 28th): Capcom aims to refine and expand the Monster Hunter experience, building on the massive success of Monster Hunter: World. Wilds seeks to satisfy both long-time fans and newcomers with improved mechanics and new features that fully utilize current-gen hardware, while also enhancing accessibility. This game is poised to be one of the biggest launches of the year (Xbox Series, PS5, PC).

Marching Towards More Mayhem and Mindfulness

• Split Fiction (March 6th): From Hazelight, the studio renowned for co-op adventures like It Takes Two, comes Split Fiction. This title puts sci-fi and fantasy authors into a bizarre virtual reality, promising inventive co-op gameplay and an absurd, often hilarious, narrative. The unique feature of buying one copy for two players online makes it an attractive proposition for gaming duos (PC, Current-gen).
• Tales of the Shire (March 25th): A cozy life sim set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Upper Middle-earth, this game focuses on the tranquil, everyday life of Hobbits. Expect gardening, pipe-smoking, and neighborhood rivalries, offering a serene escape from epic quests and volcanic jewelry-tossing. It’s a charming alternative for those seeking a more peaceful gaming experience (PS5, Xbox Series, PC).
• Atomfall (March 27th): Drawing inspiration from Fallout and S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Atomfall presents a pastoral English countryside drenched in radioactivity after an alternate history nuclear disaster. This survival-focused title promises a darker, more intense experience than a typical RPG, appealing to fans of post-apocalyptic settings (All platforms except Switch).
• The First Berserker: Khazan (March 27th): Expanding the multimedia universe of Dungeon Fighter Online, this single-player action RPG brings intense combat and a rich narrative from the popular South Korean franchise. It’s an opportunity for millions of Dungeon Fighter fans to delve deeper into its lore (Xbox, PlayStation, PC).
• inZOI (March 28th): Hailed as a potential “Sims killer,” this South Korean life simulator has garnered attention for its stunning visual fidelity. With The Sims 4 having accumulated 11 years, 12 game packs, and 17 expansions, many fans are hungry for a fresh take on the genre. inZOI looks set to offer a beautiful and potentially groundbreaking alternative (PC, with current-gen console versions planned).

April’s Fierce Fighters

• Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (April 24th): After a quarter-century hiatus, the mainline Fatal Fury series makes its grand return. Featuring iconic characters like Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui, this fighting game promises to rejuvenate the franchise, bringing its classic competitive action to modern audiences. It’s a significant comeback for a beloved fighting game lineage (PlayStation, Xbox Series, PC).

The Highly Anticipated: New Hardware and its Flagship Titles

Beyond the confirmed dates, 2025 is also expected to usher in a new era of gaming hardware, particularly from Nintendo. The launch of a new console always sends ripples through the industry, and the upcoming “Switch 2” (or whatever it’s officially named) is no exception. Nintendo has confirmed details will drop before the end of March 2025, with speculation pointing to a summer release window. This new console isn’t just about faster load times or better graphics; it represents a potential shift in how we experience Nintendo’s iconic franchises.

The original Switch, revealed in October 2016 and launched the following March, defied initial skepticism, selling almost 50 million more units than the original Wii and becoming the third best-selling console of all time. Its launch lineup, while modest with about 10 day-one titles (including the monumental Breath of the Wild), grew rapidly. Publishers, having seen the Switch’s success, are likely eager to support Nintendo’s next venture from day one. This anticipation fuels the excitement for titles like:

• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: Long a phantom logo, this game is finally expected to materialize. While slated for the current Switch, it wouldn’t be surprising if it served as a flagship launch title for the new console, potentially benefiting from enhanced hardware. Given the new console’s rumored backward compatibility, Metroid fans will likely be diving into this adventure regardless of their specific hardware choice.
• Pokémon Legends: Z-A: The open-world action RPG side series that began with Pokémon Legends: Arceus is set for 2025. Arceus pushed the original Switch to its limits, so the prospect of Z-A benefiting from more powerful hardware is incredibly appealing. It promises to further evolve the groundbreaking gameplay introduced in its predecessor, offering a dynamic new way to experience the Pokémon world.

The Game of the Decade: Grand Theft Auto VI

No discussion of 2025 game releases would be complete without acknowledging the behemoth: Grand Theft Auto VI. GTA V remains the second best-selling game of all time, and after a 12-year, three-console generation wait, the anticipation for Rockstar’s next crime epic is unparalleled. It’s widely predicted to be the best-selling game of 2025, if not the decade.

Rockstar’s history with game delays is well-documented, so while we keep our fingers crossed for a timely launch, a healthy dose of realistic expectation is advised. However long it takes, the sheer scope, storytelling ambition, and technical prowess expected from a GTA title ensure it will be worth the wait. The initial trailers alone hint at a groundbreaking experience that will likely set new standards for open-world games and cultural impact.

A Mountain of Major Titles: Release Date Unknown, But 2025-Bound

Beyond the confirmed dates and the colossal GTA VI, a vast number of other highly anticipated games are expected to grace our screens in 2025, even if their specific launch windows remain nebulous. These titles represent some of the most exciting developments in various genres, from long-awaited remakes to innovative new IPs.

• Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater: A full modern remake of the fan-favorite third entry in the tactical espionage series. While Hideo Kojima isn’t directly involved beyond the original, Konami appears to be handling this remake with significant care. Early glimpses suggest a faithful yet visually stunning update to a beloved classic (PS5, Xbox Series, PC).
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach: Hideo Kojima’s next ambitious project is an exclusive for PS5, building on the unique and polarizing gameplay of the first game. Its eventual release on PC, Xbox, and potentially Mac/iOS, following the pattern of its predecessor, will allow a broader audience to experience Kojima’s distinct vision (PS5, with other platforms likely later).
• Ghost of Yotei: Sucker Punch, the acclaimed developers behind Ghost of Tsushima, are rumored to be working on their next open-world samurai game. Sony has a history of releasing major first-party titles earlier in the year, so fans of epic Japanese adventures could be in for a treat in 2025 (PlayStation).
• Fable: Playground Games, known for the stunning Forza Horizon series, takes the reins of the beloved fantasy RPG franchise. This marks a fascinating pivot for the studio, and their track record for crafting expansive, engaging worlds has many eager to see their take on Albion, complete with wizards, fart jokes, and large frogs (Xbox Series, PC).
• South of Midnight: A Southern Gothic fantasy action-adventure from the creators of We Happy Few. This title promises a unique blend of atmospheric storytelling, magic, and potential encounters with large swamp creatures, all set within a distinctive, stylized world (PC, Xbox Series).
• Doom: The Dark Ages: Id Software continues to evolve its iconic demon-slaying franchise, this time with a medieval twist. Expect over-the-top weaponry, including a skull-grinding gun, a saw-blade shield, dragon riding, and Doomguy sporting a fur cape – a testament to the series’ commitment to ridiculously metal action (PC, Xbox Series, PS5).
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Bethesda’s take on the iconic adventurer is expected in the first half of 2025. This Xbox-published game will also make its way to PS5, bringing a fresh, cinematic action-adventure experience to fans of the globe-trotting archaeologist.
• Marvel 1943: The Rise of Hydra: From Skydance New Media, led by Uncharted veteran Amy Hennig, this game pairs Captain America with Black Panther (Azuri, T’Challa’s grandfather) during World War II. It promises a compelling, narrative-driven experience set against a crucial historical backdrop.
• Borderlands 4: The first numbered entry in Gearbox’s popular looter-shooter series since 2019. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next chaotic adventure through Pandora and beyond, hoping for a fresh wave of humor, unique weapons, and endless loot grinding (New-gen, PC).
• Skate (formerly Skate 4): The beloved skateboarding series returns, albeit as a free-to-play live service title published by EA. While the shift in model has led to some adjusted expectations, the promise of new skate mechanics and a vibrant online community keeps fans cautiously optimistic about hitting the grind rails again (Early access expected 2025).
• Crazy Taxi: Sega’s arcade classic is being reinvented as an open-world MMO. Rumors suggest a 2025 launch, bringing a whole new dimension to its high-octane taxi service. Hopefully, The Offspring will still be blasting from the stereo.
• Dune: Awakening: A survival RPG set in Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi universe, specifically on the desert planet Arrakis. Players will navigate the harsh realities of the titular planet, striving to survive amidst the spice and sandworms.
• Crimson Desert: A single-player action RPG set in the universe of Black Desert Online. Despite its name, trailers show a surprisingly lush and varied landscape, promising a rich fantasy world to explore with intense combat and engaging narratives.
• Subnautica 2: The highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed underwater survival game. Expected to surface in early access, it aims to build on the exploration, base-building, and terrifying deep-sea encounters that captivated so many players in the original (Early access expected 2025).
• Slay the Spire 2: The follow-up to the groundbreaking roguelike deck-builder that redefined a genre. Fans are eager to see how the developers evolve the addictive card-based combat and procedural generation for its next iteration.
• Hell Is Us: This mysterious title looks to be a Souls-like experience, offering third-person melee combat and exploration in a dark, atmospheric world. It’s shaping up to be a compelling diversion for fans awaiting FromSoftware’s next big release.
• Elden Ring: Nightreign: A standalone co-op survival game set in the Lands Between, offering a streamlined experience focused on gathering runes and gear on a remixed, dynamic map. With a rapidly shrinking acid rain circle, it presents a unique blend of FromSoftware’s challenging combat with survival-roguelike elements, promising new ways to experience its brutal beauty (PlayStation, Xbox, PC).
• Judas: From Ken Levine, the creative mind behind BioShock, Judas is clearly a spiritual successor to his acclaimed works. Set to explore similar themes of societal breakdown and choice, this title promises a thought-provoking, first-person narrative experience (Expected 2025).
• Mafia: The Old Country: This game looks to expand the beloved Mafia series, transporting players to a turn-of-the-century Sicilian sandbox. Expect classic organized crime narratives, period-accurate settings, and intense storytelling for fans of old-fashioned gangster sagas (New-gen, PC, expected Summer).
• The Outer Worlds 2: The sequel to Obsidian’s quirky, first-person RPG in space. Known for its satirical humor, engaging companions, and real-time combat, the next installment promises more of the same beloved formula (Xbox Series, PC).
• Solasta II: For fans of authentic D&D experiences, Solasta II offers a serious isometric RPG with turn-based combat, faithfully recreating the Fifth Edition rule set. It’s a treat for tabletop enthusiasts translated into a digital format (PC, consoles likely later).
• Light No Fire: Hello Games, the studio behind No Man’s Sky, is crafting another ambitious project: a fantasy realm that is literally the size of Earth, exploreable with friends. This unprecedented scale promises limitless exploration and adventure within a high-fantasy setting. Hello Games’ track record with No Man’s Sky also suggests that any initial shortcomings will likely be addressed with significant post-launch support (PC, with other platforms likely later).
• Dying Light: The Beast: A standalone adventure set in Techland’s undead universe, combining zombie parkour with intense survival action. Fans dying for more post-apocalyptic thrills will find plenty to sink their teeth into (Expected 2025).
• 33 Immortals: A chaotic multiplayer roguelike from the developers of Spiritfarer, this title brings 33 co-op players together for massive, cooperative battles. It promises a unique blend of roguelike progression and large-scale team play (Xbox, PC).
• Lunar Remastered Collection: A special mention for the producer’s favorite game, this collection polishes up Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue, two RPG classics from the Sega Saturn era. This remaster brings beloved narratives and charming gameplay to modern platforms (Basically everything, expected 2025).

The Uncertain Gems: Games We Hope to See in 2025

The gaming industry is no stranger to delays, and some titles have become legendary for their extended development cycles. While we hope to see them, the following games exist in a realm of “maybe 2025, maybe later”:

• The Wolf Among Us 2: Announced in 2019, this Telltale sequel has seen multiple delays. Fans of the Fables comic universe and Telltale’s narrative style are desperately hoping to finally get their hands on it.
• Ark 2: Revealed in 2020 with an initial 2022 release date, this dinosaur survival sequel has also been pushed back. Vin Diesel’s involvement and the promise of a more action-oriented experience keep its potential high.
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2: Originally slated for early 2020, this highly anticipated RPG has undergone significant development changes and publisher shifts. Its release remains a mystery, but the cult following of the original keeps the dream alive.

As you can see, the list of upcoming 2025 game releases is incredibly diverse and exciting, spanning virtually every genre and platform. From massive AAA blockbusters to innovative indie darlings and long-awaited sequels, the year promises to be a memorable one for gamers. Whether you’re upgrading your hardware for a new Nintendo console or just looking for your next obsession on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, 2025 is shaping up to deliver an unparalleled array of experiences.

Which of these titles has you most excited? Are there any hidden gems you’re tracking that didn’t make our initial list of the biggest games coming in 2025? Let us know in the comments below what you’re looking forward to and why these games are special to you!