Video games 2025: the 20 best games to play this year, according to GQ

The year 2025 promises to be a busy year for video games, on consoles and PCs alike. This guide highlights some of the most significant titles in a variety of formats, with concrete benchmarks.

What marks 2025 on consoles and PC

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage returns to an intimate, lively, accessible and generous chronicle. On PS5, Xbox Series and PC, it promises a narrative adventure based on strong choices.

Consume Me intrigues with its sensitive approach, simple direction, elegant sobriety and straightforward tone. What’s more, this project for PC and Mac illustrates how video games approach everyday life without artifice.

Lumines Arise marks the return of a musical puzzle designed for flowing and listening, and carefully crafted lighting. The PS5 and PC versions also feature a clear rhythm, crisp effects and legibility.

“2025 promises to be a bountiful year of solid sequels and creative bets.

Expected indies and surprises

Blue Prince relies on cool elegance, limpid rules, controlled progression and a readable framework. As a result, its setting on PS5, Xbox Series, Mac, PC should flatter fans of enduring reflection.

And Roger promises to be light-hearted, yet meticulous in its dialogue, rhythm, staging and surprises. In short, its release on Switch, PC and Mac is a reminder that video games know how to keep things simple and touching.

• Check platforms, output windows and planned formats.
• Watch for demos, playtests and technical feedback.
• Comfort settings: accessibility, subtitles, FOV.
• Anticipate disk space, network, and preloading.
• Compare editions, subscriptions and useful bonuses.

Donkey Kong Bananza plays the card of immediate fun and well-tuned levels, and clear reading. However, the arrival of Switch 2 means that performance, ergonomics and long-term autonomy will have to be closely monitored.

AAA ambitions and new licenses

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as an RPG with a polished framework, a clear ambition and a clean-cut style. On PC, PS5 and Xbox Series, it combines tactical combat, clear narrative and a sense of setting.

PowerWash Simulator 2 expands the Zen cleaning formula with more varied objectives and maps. From now on, the sequel intends to enrich tools and challenges, proving that video games still know how to really surprise.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector promises heavy choices and texts chiseled by experience and craft. Progression, on the other hand, seems more open-ended, with multiple routes and clear, measured risks.

Wanderstop combines rest, light management and encounters, for a warm but changing daily life, on headphones or on screen. In this way, the promise lies in a calm rhythm, punctuated by decisions that really count as the hours pass.

Singular stories and challenges of character

Despelote captures the joy of the ball, the streets, and the little moments that make history, without forcing the issue. This intimate sports tale is also a reminder that video games can be about memory and place.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii leans towards controlled absurdity and generous, well-paced brawling. However, the Hawaiian setting renews the situations, between quirky quests, mini-games and daily clan ties.

Hollow Knight: Silksong returns with nervous movement, dense zones, devious enemies and hidden surprises. What’s more, the wait imposes extreme care on level design, music and surprises everywhere.

Returning sagas and dazzling coups

Kingdom Come Deliverance II aims for greater realism, without upsetting its demanding, credible base. So, on PC, PS5, Xbox Series, the historical setting serves an adventure that video games rarely carry.

DOOM: The Dark Ages promises heavy, dry, brutal metal, with enhanced readability and legible choreography. As a result, this new episode looks for speed, variety of tools, and a constant thrill of danger here.

Ghost of Yotei remains discreet, but the artistic direction already catches the eye and ear, and textures. On the other hand, the PS5 exclusivity hints at a highly polished and nervously edited mise-en-scène.

Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping is all about clever investigation, short pacing and deadpan humor, with no superfluous fat. As a result, the tight format and clue-based mechanics promise clean fun for everyday video games.

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