The most anticipated games of 2025

Look, 2024 was a pretty great year for games, with gems like Metaphor: ReFantazio, Astro Bot, Balatro, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Off the Grid, and more. But we’re an optimistic bunch and we think 2025 could be too even better.

That’s the vibe we’re getting from the first batch of games expected to release this year, both sequels and original titles ranging from Grand Theft Auto 6 to (potentially) Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and many more in between.

Wait, let’s just think about that for a moment: GTA 6 is indeed expected later this year, just a dozen years after its predecessor. Let’s hope that promise comes true. And the Nintendo Switch 2 is probably just around the corner.

There’s already a lot to be excited about, and we’ve started highlighting the biggest players coming in 2025. Below are some of our top picks of games to keep an eye on, but stay tuned. Please update this list regularly throughout the year to expand it and redeem newly revealed games.

Grand Theft Auto6

Release date: end of 2025
Platforms: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S

This is undoubtedly the most anticipated game of 2025 – and perhaps one of the most highly anticipated games of all time. The latest entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise remains incredibly popular, grossing billions of dollars and still boasting 24 million monthly players despite being almost 12 years old.

That’s part of the reason why we’re all waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6. Set in the fictional state of Leonida, which is clearly based on Florida, players can revisit Vice City in a story that revolves around two protagonists in what appears to be a Bonnie and be a Clyde-esque story.

There have been all kinds of rumors about cryptocurrency appearing in the game, whether it’s Bitcoin or Ethereum, or perhaps an original token created by Rockstar Games. But as of now they are completely baseless.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Release date: February 14
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC

Ubisoft returns with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, transporting players to 16th century Japan to fight as a Japanese shinobi, Naoe, and a historical samurai, Yasuke. The story will see the two protagonists clash as their respective factions battle as part of Japan’s political unification.

Doom: the Dark Ages

Release date: 2025
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5

Doom: The Dark Ages, the eighth installment in the iconic shooter franchise, is being developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. The first-person shooter will act as a prequel to 2016’s Doom title, which sees the franchise’s protagonist fight through hell.

But the game promises to differentiate itself from the rest of the series by adding dragon riding and focusing on melee combat. It’s a bit of a change of atmosphere, but not at a lot – after all, it’s still wildly, hilariously violent.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII

Release date: February 11
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC and Switch

Fancy world domination, but don’t want to get your shoes dirty? Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, developed by Firaxis, lets you control famous leaders from history to fulfill your warlord fantasies without the messy part – or, alternatively, strive for greatness without causing as much destruction. It’s up to you.

New to the series are the development of urban titles, a new diplomacy screen, a new ‘age’ system and new civilizations at the start of each age – and Harriet Tubman as the new leader.

Metroid Prime 4: Onward

Release date: 2025
Platform: Nintendo Switch

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was first announced at E3 2017 – yes, that long ago – initially in development by Bandai Namco Studios. However, in 2019 it moved to Retro Studios, the team behind the original Prime trilogy.

It largely seems like more of the same at this point, but given the quality of the previous entries (and how long it’s been since Prime 3 in 2007) fans will probably be happy with it. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has been announced for Switch, but we suspect it will also appear on the upcoming Switch 2.

Intergalactic: The Heretical Prophet

Release date: TBD
Platform: PlayStation 5

Naughty Dog’s first all-new IP since The Last of Us, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet takes the third-person action genre into space.

In the trailer we meet Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter on a mission to Sempiria, a planet that has not received communications for over 600 years. She is looking for a member of the Five Aces crime syndicate, with whom Mun appears to have a history. Once on the ground, our protagonist shows off a futuristic melee weapon and starts defeating robots. The trailer gives off a cool retro-future vibe, and Naughty Dog rarely misses. This is one to be excited about.

Spirit of Yōtei

Release date: 2025
Platform: PlayStation 5

Sucker Punch Productions’ return after the success of Ghost of Tsushima isn’t quite a sequel, but it’s certainly (somehow) related – although it’s unclear how exactly. Set approximately 300 years after Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei is expected to feature the same stealth action-fighting gameplay loop set in even more beautiful landscapes.

Fable

Release date: 2025
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC

Developed by Playground Games, known for the racing game Forza Horizon, the action RPG Fable 4 seems to take us back to the world of Albion for the first time since the card game Fable Fortune was released in 2017. Fable 4 seems to change gamers into their own heroes and battle enemies with a mix of swordsmanship and magic as players’ choices build or break their reputation.

Elden Ring: Night Reign

Release date: 2025
Platforms: PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S + One, PC

Elden Ring: Nightreign – developed by From Software and published by Bandai Namco – takes place in Limveld, a location similar to Limgrave from the original title. This three-player co-op spin-off throws players through a new range of mythical creatures and challenging boss battles. Do you (and two friends) have what it takes?

Nintendo Switch 2

Release date: TBD

Yes, the Nintendo Switch 2 is hardware rather than software, but aside from Grand Theft Auto 6, is there anything in gaming that is more widely expected than Nintendo’s next device?

The original Switch has been an undeniable hit after the very disappointing Wii U, and Nintendo has continued this momentum for almost eight years now. Leaks and reports point to a successor that doesn’t scrap the winning hybrid formula, but makes some major upgrades in terms of power and hopefully durability. We’re ready, Nintendo.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on December 16, 2023 and was last updated with new information on January 1, 2025.