As the festive season settles in, offering a precious window for gaming between Christmas and New Year, the Guardian's Pushing Buttons community has cast its votes. Readers have shared the video game releases from 2025 that utterly captivated them, providing a personal and eclectic snapshot of the year in interactive entertainment.
Award-Winning Sequels and Stunning Debuts
The selections showcase a powerful mix of highly anticipated blockbusters and surprise hits. Death Stranding 2 from Hideo Kojima was repeatedly hailed as a "true masterpiece," with readers praising its emotional depth, absurd humour, and sensational graphics. The character of Rainy and the villainous, guitar-shredding Higgs received particular acclaim.
Another major sequel, Ghost of Yōtei from Sucker Punch Productions, released in October, was described as a triumphant return. One reader noted its incredible visuals, fluid gameplay, and engaging side missions, declaring it "everything that Assassin's Creed wishes it could be."
Standout debuts also made a significant impact. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive was "devoured" by players, who were enthralled by its story, setting, music, and characters. Similarly, the cooperative shooter ARC Raiders from Embark Studios "completely took over" gaming routines, with its immersive sound design and surprisingly positive community highlighted as key strengths.
Indie Gems and Innovative Gameplay
Beyond the AAA titles, reader recommendations revealed a deep affection for inventive independent games. Chicory: A Colorful Tale was celebrated not just for its charming painting-based gameplay, but for its well-written story dealing with depression in a constructive and original way, moving players to tears.
The quirky Promise Mascot Agency by Kaizen Game Works, a game about a Yakuza hitman rebuilding a town with odd mascots, was praised for its unique and wholesome weirdness. Meanwhile, the narrative-driven Dispatch captivated with its blend of story and game, offering compelling decision points without the premium price tag.
Strategy and replayability were also major draws. The autobattler Mechabellum became a sudden hit for groups of friends, offering deep strategy in short, 20-minute sessions. The rogue-like card battler Monster Train 2 and the stylish beat-'em-up Absolum were singled out for their addictive, perfectly tuned gameplay loops that kept players coming back for more.
Virtual Reality and Beloved Expansions
The virtual reality space had a clear winner for 2025: Ghost Town by Fireproof Games. Set in the 1980s with a strong female lead, it was applauded for its incredible narrative, stunning visuals, and challenging puzzles, marking it as the top VR experience of the year.
Expansions to existing worlds also left a lasting impression. The Lies of P DLC, Overture, was a "triumphant return" for many, brilliantly expanding the game's lore with epic, challenging boss fights and a thoughtful, sad storyline that enriched the base game.
From the haunting landscapes of Death Stranding 2 to the colourful, therapeutic world of Chicory, the reader selections for 2025 reflect a year of diverse, high-quality experiences across all genres and platforms. As one reader succinctly put it regarding the historical RPG Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, some titles were simply "outstanding in all respects."
