Branching Path: Mikhail Madnani’s High 10 Video games of 2025

Wanting again at how I felt at first of the yr, I did not anticipate a few of these video games to make it into my high 10. I additionally did not anticipate a few of the honorable mentions to not be greater on my private recreation of the yr record however right here we’re. 2025 has been a stunning and busy yr for video games. I discovered myself having fun with a couple of video games I dropped earlier than by new ports, rediscovered some classics, and in addition ended up spending a whole lot of time with two new (for me) consoles this yr. When you learn my Branching Path article for my high video games of 2024 and thought there have been too many video games, I apologize for together with much more on this yr’s characteristic. I performed so much and cherished so much regardless of being disenchanted by a couple of video games in 2025.

Honorable Mentions

This part has video games I both did not end but and nonetheless loved so much, or simply video games that narrowly missed my high 10. To be clear, I like to recommend each recreation right here proper now and 2025 managed to surpass 2024 for me with the sheer variety of video games I discovered myself invested in for a lot of causes.

• Inazuma Eleven: Victory Highway – I stored pushing aside enjoying this for per week or two due to how usually it was getting main updates and lastly put a while into it earlier than we recorded our final Tetracast of the yr. I am keen on Inazuma Eleven: Victory Highway and this might’ve been in my high 10 had I completed it in time. 
• Child Steps, Skate Story, and Ball X Pit – I am dishonest by together with three video games collectively right here, however I am doing it for a motive. A few years in the past, Devolver Digital launched Hotline Miami. Since then, I have been enjoying nearly each recreation from the writer however none managed to hit the highs of after I first found Devolver till I performed the trio of Child Steps, Ball x Pit, and Skate Story. They’re all value enjoying for various causes and video games I am keen on, however Child Steps is the one which caught with me probably the most to this point. 
• Elden Ring Nightreign – I did not play a lot of Elden Ring itself in multiplayer, however Nightreign took the Elden Ring method and tailored it right into a recreation I like after its current updates and DLC. I hope it retains getting extra updates and new bosses for a very long time. 
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – As somebody who thought Age of Calamity was a great recreation held again by the worst visuals and efficiency I had seen on Swap, I am glad to see Koei Tecmo’s AAA Studio ship in spades with the gameplay, visuals, and efficiency in Age of Imprisonment on Swap 2. Whereas I do not care in regards to the story in any respect, Age of Imprisonment is a unbelievable Warriors recreation and one of many titles that outlined the primary yr on Swap 2.
• Mario Kart World – Talking of the Swap 2, they lastly launched a Mario Kart recreation I truly loved enjoying for various hours. I dropped Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Swap in lower than a dozen hours, however I spent a number of dozens of hours with Mario Kart World in its launch month. It has an unbelievable soundtrack, beautiful gameplay additions, and I solely want there was extra to the open world. 
• Ninja Gaiden Ragebound and Shinobi Artwork of Vengeance – I am dishonest once more right here with two video games, however it’s my record so I can do no matter I need. After having fun with Ninja Gaiden II Black, I used to be curious to see how I might discover Ninja Gaiden Ragebound. I ended up loving it, and whereas I feel extra performed Shinobi Artwork of Vengeance, the previous made an even bigger impression on me. Each of them are value enjoying even you probably have no historical past with the unique franchises, however in case you needed to choose only one, go together with Ninja Gaiden Ragebound. They’re additionally excellent Steam Deck video games.
• Cyberpunk 2077 Utlimate Version – I assumed Cyberpunk 2077 itself was nice across the time the PS5 model lastly launched, nevertheless it reached a complete different stage with Phantom Liberty. Identical to with The Witcher 3 on Swap, CD Projekt Pink pushed the Swap 2 with a unbelievable (however not excellent) port of its unbelievable open-world RPG. I performed this a ton on Swap 2 and loved with the ability to sync my save throughout PS5 and Steam Deck as properly. Whereas The Witcher 3 on Swap was spectacular for simply being playable on Nintendo’s hybrid console, Cyberpunk 2077 Final Version is simply a good way to play the sport on the go.
• Forged n Chill – Forged n Chill is a late addition to this characteristic. I like fishing mini-games and pixel artwork so Forged n Chill felt prefer it was made for me. The sport itself is an attention-grabbing mix of each an idle and energetic fishing recreation.It launched lower than two weeks in the past and I’ve already performed (together with idle time) over 40 hours of it. 
• Like a Dragon: PIrate Yakuza in Hawaii – Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii looks like a fantastic standalone enlargement to the unbelievable Infinite Wealth. Whereas it has some points with its pacing, I adored my time with it on the seas and interacting with the numerous returning and new characters in the principle story. It additionally has my favourite finale part of any Yakuza recreation due to the track. I additionally preferred it sufficient to purchase the Japanese restricted version for the pop-up pirate toy as you may see within the picture.
• Kirby Air Riders – I like when video games shut me up and that is precisely what Kirby Air Riders did. Why is Nintendo doing two Directs for this random spin-off Kirby recreation I assumed. Then I performed and cherished it. That is simply my favourite recreation by Masahiro Sakurai in a few years, and I am glad it exists. Hopefully it results in extra Nintendo video games getting good accessibility and audio settings as properly.

• Earthion – Yuzo Koshiro’s Historical launched a Mega Drive shoot ’em up this yr with Earthion. It’s attractive and sounds amaziing along with being a ton of enjoyable to play. I am glad this was lastly launched and delivered regardless of a couple of points.
• Donkey Kong Bananza – Donkey Kong Bananza is attractive and in addition probably the most enjoyable Nintendo recreation I performed this yr. Additionally it is the one recreation from 2025 that made me consider Limp Bizkit’s Break Stuff. Give me somethin’ to interrupt. Simply give me somethin’ to interrupt.
• Birdcage – POLYGON BIRD Video games’ vertical shoot ’em up BIRDCAGE blended in components of video games within the style I cherished whereas delivering an unbelievable expertise that’s only some steps away from perfection. 
• Trails within the Sky 1st Chapter – I virtually did not have a Falcom recreation in my finish of yr characteristic as a result of the 2 video games I loved probably the most aren’t truly out within the West but. Trails within the Sky 1st Chapter is an unbelievable remake of a great however not nice Trails recreation. I am principally glad to lastly have one other nice entry level to advocate when newcomers ask about moving into Trails. It positively has me extra excited for Trails within the Sky 2nd Chapter that probably will probably be an unbelievable remake of an unbelievable recreation. 
• Is This Seat Taken? – 2025 was a fantastic yr for puzzle video games like LOK Digital and Spooky Specific, however Is This Seat Taken? caught with me probably the most wanting again. The logic puzzler about inserting individuals based mostly on their wants in a particular location was ok for me to get on each platform. It additionally has one in all my favourite soundtracks of the yr.
• Time Flies – Time Flies is a recreation the place you play as a fly and have a restricted period of time to do what you need to earlier than you die. It’ll make you consider selections, life, dying, and conducting what you need earlier than it’s too late.
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a large step up over the unique and a unbelievable crunchy RPG with its immersive world, extremely dense gameplay, and characters. This could’ve been in my high 10 had I truly completed it and never spent a lot time simply exploring and doing as a lot as I can exterior the principle story.
• Pricey Me, I used to be… – Pricey Me, I used to be… from Arc System Works is a brief interactive and emotional story that goals that will help you understand that it’s by no means too late to observe your desires. It has impeccable artwork and I hope extra individuals play it at any time when it does come to extra platforms. It’s simply one in all my favourite Nintendo Swap 2 experiences of 2025.
• Root Bear – This yr, I bought a Playdate console for writing in regards to the RPGs on it. I have been utilizing it every day to dip my toes into the RPGs and in addition plethora of different inventive exclusives on the hand-held. The 2 that managed to stay with me for every day play are Root Bear and A Balanced Brew. Root Bear has you utilizing the Playdate crank to pour drinks with the goal of matching the required stage the shopper needs. It’s easy and has beautiful animation work. I’ll crank one out proper now. 
• A Balanced Brew –  A Balanced Brew jogs my memory of the early days of iOS gaming. You management an individual on a unicycle making an attempt to get good espresso on the finish of every stage. The degrees preserve getting tougher and it is without doubt one of the higher implementations I’ve seen to this point of the crank for gameplay on Playdate.

The High 10

I wasted an excessive amount of time questioning how I might order my high 10 past the highest three video games. I gave up and simply settled on a particular order for 10 to 4 on this record. I possible will get them organized otherwise in case you ask me tomorrow. It’s humorous this high 10 with so many sudden video games, however that is what makes me love 2025 greater than different years. Being stunned and proved improper with video games is at all times one of the best.

10. Infinite Monday: Desires and Deadlines and Time beyond regulation

Infinite Monday: Desires and Deadlines launched again in 2023 on PC, nevertheless it noticed a giant enlargement and Swap port arrive earlier this yr with Time beyond regulation. I cherished the story and the way it coated totally different points of company work and procrastination, nevertheless it was the primary of its type since VA 11 Corridor-A to hook me as a lot with its characters. Replaying Infinite Monday: Desires and Deadlines hit even tougher as 2025 has been a extremely hectic work yr the place I managed to perform so much regardless of procrastinating. It additionally bought me to need to seize a burger and low fairly a couple of instances and I can not think about wanting extra out of a recreation. 

9. Promise Mascot Company

Kaizen Recreation Works’ follow-up to Paradise Killer was Promise Mascot Company mixing in mascot assortment, open-world exploration, card battles, and a narrative that would slot in with a Yakuza recreation. All of this was accompanied by an unbelievable aesthetic and one of the vital eclectic soundtracks I’ve heard in years. If the Showa-era closely post-processed aesthetic and crime drama aren’t sufficient, the music that includes conventional Japanese devices, classic synths, electrical guitars, and extra cemented Promise Mascot Company as one in all my favourite video games of 2025.

8. Simogo Legacy Assortment

Simogo Legacy Assortment brings collectively one in all my favourite developer’s iOS video games and lots of extras into a sublime bundle on Nintendo Swap, Swap 2, and Steam. System-6 blew my thoughts years in the past on iOS and I am glad to expertise it as soon as once more alongside many traditional video games from a bygone period of cellular gaming. This assortment oozes creativity and additionally it is one of many most-interesting methods to launch a retro assortment that looks like a fictional new cellphone working system with its personal bespoke apps to signify the video games and extras. 

7. Blippo+

Blippo+ debuted as part of Season Two on the Playdate console, nevertheless it made its method in colour to Steam and Swap a couple of months in the past. Blippo+ blends in components of channel browsing from what feels just like the 80s and early 90s. That is a kind of releases that some will say will not be a recreation, however I might argue that Blippo+ is precisely the expertise solely video games can ship with its distinctive storytelling accompanied by sensible writing. Blippo+ on Playdate streams on the system’s display, however the Steam and Swap variations have all of it downloaded offline to your viewing pleasure. I am unsure which one I like extra, however I loved utilizing the crank to alter channels. Blippo+ is without doubt one of the most unusual gaming experiences you may have proper now on any platform and I am glad I bought to expertise each variations of it. 

6. Monster Hunter Wilds

Since moving into the collection on 3DS with Monster Hunter 4 Final, each base recreation launch has aggravated me till a number of updates later the place it bought to some extent the place I may take pleasure in and advocate. Monster Hunter Wilds is a bizarre one the place it felt like a rollercoaster trip of ups and downs pre-release, nevertheless it has solely gotten higher with every replace together with one of the best collaboration performed to this point with the Omega one. An enlargement has so much to do to succeed in the highs of Iceborne and Sunbreak, however I can safely say I loved this much more than each World and particularly Rise’s base recreation. There’s potential right here and I hope Capcom does not falter with it in 2026. That is additionally the one Monster Hunter recreation the place I put time into finishing each single achievement together with farming crowns and spending an excessive amount of time on the fishing trophy.

5. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Having performed it round launch after which dipped my toes into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on and off since to check out updates and patches, I nonetheless love the gameplay, music, and being on this planet as I preserve discovering extra foes to tackle and challenges I left incomplete after I first performed it. Whereas not each character ended up resonating with me, I do not suppose I am going to neglect Monoco and Lune anytime quickly. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 would’ve been greater up on my record if I wasn’t nonetheless aggravated by two particular areas that soured the expertise a bit. That apart, I can not wait to see what Sandfall does subsequent and I hope this is not the final time we’re on this planet of Expedition 33. I promise I did not simply embrace it to have a baguette in my picture. 

4. Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the primary time Omega Pressure managed to launch a recreation that delivered on its promise of 1 vs 1000 at that scale. The huge scale, superb visuals, nice music, and enhanced gameplay elevated Dynasty Warriors: Origins to be my favourite recreation within the collection. I additionally admire how a lot care went into the storytelling and recreation’s construction. Dynasty Warriors: Origins is also a technically spectacular Warriors recreation, one thing I do not say too usually. Whereas I often replay Fireplace Emblem Warriors or Samurai Warriors video games extra, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the primary time a mainline recreation had its hooks in me and I can not wait to play the enlargement and Swap 2 port within the coming weeks.

3. Hades II

The unique Hades was magnificent, and Supergiant Video games managed to surpass it with Hades II. Hades II is a extra assured, polished, mechanically enhanced, and impressive sequel that looks like two sequels in a single. Hades II constructed on the primary recreation’s foundations in nearly each method and even surpassed it in relation to music. I preserve considering Supergiant peaked with recreation music till it releases a brand new recreation. Transistor was my favourite recreation by the developer till I completed Hades II. I can not wait to maintain enjoying it for years to return and additionally it is one of many Swap 2’s greatest video games proper now.

2. The Hundred Line: Final Protection Academy

I did not end The Hundred Line -Final Protection Academy- after I was testing it on Steam Deck and Swap earlier within the yr. Since November, I’ve put in practically 120 hours into it and I completely adore it. Wanting again, I in all probability would not have thought so fondly about it had I performed it with out the standard of life enhancements although. That apart, I’ve at all times been a fan of Kodaka’s work since I first performed Danganronpa, and I am glad he (and everybody else who labored on this) managed to surpass the excessive I bought from V3 with the excellent narrative and tactical RPG expertise of The Hundred Line -Final Protection Academy-. I have never seen all 100 endings but, however this is likely to be my favourite without end recreation as I chip away at it over time. I bought what I needed out of the sport and one other superb Kodaka character to affix Miu and Ibuki with Darumi.

1. Fantasy Life i: The Lady Who Steals Time

Over half a yr later, I nonetheless take into consideration and play Fantasy Life i: The Lady Who Steals Time virtually every day. It doesn’t really feel like a recreation that’s actual or ought to exist. I’ll wait to see how I really feel about it in a yr with extra DLC, however it’s secure to say that Fantasy Life i: The Lady Who Steals Time is one in all my favourite video games of the final decade. It surprises and delights me every time I launch the sport. 

In a whole lot of methods, Fantasy Life i looks like assembly a pal after a decade and experiencing firsthand how they’ve grown and flourished in life after some ups and downs. I additionally need to commend Stage-5 for implementing full cross platform development and multiplayer letting me play it on something and with anybody with out restrictions. Fantasy Life i: The Lady Who Steals Time did not simply reside as much as my nostalgia from the unique. It delivered a recreation that surpassed it whereas being harmful for my free time. Fantasy Life i stole a whole lot of my time in 2025 and I would not have had it every other method.

As for 2026, there’s so much I am wanting ahead to together with catching as much as video games I did not end like Octopath Traveler 0 and Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake amongst others talked about right here.