Branching Path: Kite Stenbuck’s High 10 Video games of 2025

2025 marked a significant turning level in my gaming life. I was a PlayStation fanatic because the PS1 period, however after seeing SIE steadily making quite a few selections that alienate Japanese sport creators and gamers alike, I lastly had sufficient and fully canceled my PlayStation Plus subscription as I moved on to formally be a part of the PC grasp race.

Across the starting of the 12 months, I had simply sufficient financial savings to acquire a whole set of PC components. With an RTX 4070 Ti Tremendous, a Ryzen 9800X3D processor, and a motherboard with 4 M.2 slots, I felt so able to tackle quite a few video games at most settings with over 60 fps at 1440p. Going ahead, this PC shall be my main go-to place for just about each sport that’s not unique to Nintendo’s consoles. (By the best way, I’ve additionally gotten maintain of a Change 2 myself.)

This additionally meant I principally spent the 12 months checking my backlog of video games bought by way of Steam gross sales and revisiting the older video games that I had performed on a PlayStation with this PC (particularly Ace Fight 7, now that the hype squadron for Ace Fight 8 is in full flight in the direction of 2026). I additionally had a newfound curiosity within the Automation style, with video games like Dyson Sphere Program and The Colonists managing to seize my consideration from among the many backlog.

For this text, although, I’ll solely record the single-purchase (non-F2P) new video games and remasters that had their full releases in 2025. Except in any other case specified, I performed most of those video games on the brand new PC. I lastly had performed sufficient new video games to make a full High 10 record this time round. However first, let’s begin with the video games that missed the highest 10 however are nonetheless price a aspect point out.

Aspect Mentions

Tokyo Xtreme Racer

The basic Japanese automobile racing sport collection is again after virtually 20 years of hiatus. After first showing by way of Early Entry early in January, it lastly had a full launch in September. The sport enables you to roam round a very good a part of Tokyo’s actual expressways and race just about any automobile you see throughout from bona-fide rival automobiles, taxis, to even vans.

By the best way, although this sport made it into the nominations for Steam Awards’ greatest soundtrack award, I really principally flip up my playlist of Eurobeat songs which were formally featured in Preliminary D and MF Ghost—identical to in just about each automobile racing sport I play. And as a brand new season of the MF Ghost anime began airing only in the near past, this playlist will certainly get up to date with much more songs.

Tremendous Robotic Wars Y

A brand new Tremendous Robotic Wars console sport launch is already a very good factor by itself. The brand new SRW entry Y significantly got here with a large engine shift to Unity, which additionally introduced a quite main change to its interface. The sport itself nonetheless performs principally the identical as prior entries, and I particuarly like how I can examine the assault ranges of every unit straight from the assault record.

However aside from the historic international launch debut of Macross Delta, the launch roster felt quite underwhelming since all of the returning titles are from the latest localized entries and the SRW DD cell sport, and the opposite debutants have been additionally intently associated to the just lately featured titles.

And the truth that Bandai Namco additionally employed related DLC packs that add extra titles in-game like SRW 30 fully spoiled the story expertise for me. To this point I am nonetheless limiting myself to the early levels, and I’ll solely proceed the sport to its completion as soon as the remainder of the Season Move content material has come out.

Cellular Swimsuit Gundam SEED: Battle Future Remastered

Gundam SEED: Battle Future was one of many video games I performed quite a bit in the course of the PlayStation Vita period. So to see Bandai Namco bringing again this gem to present platforms was a really nice shock to me.

The bottom programs nonetheless principally play the identical like the unique PSV launch with a brand new interface design and improved graphics. However although I’m principally a single-player particular person, the choice to fully eliminating multiplayer whereas nonetheless retaining a “CPU VS” mode nonetheless appears quite questionable.

Nonetheless, releasing this remaster in 2025 with just about the identical content material as the unique launch left quite a bit to be desired… particularly since individuals these days would principally speak in regards to the Gundam SEED Freedom film. The timing additionally means it missed the newer aspect tales like Gundam SEED Eclipse and Astray: Princess of the Sky. Nonetheless, this remaster additionally rejogged my recollections that the perfect SEED waifu Shiho Hahnenfuss didn’t seem within the authentic PS Vita launch both.

10) Dynasty Warriors Origins

It’s possible you’ll be questioning right here: I’ve been lengthy related to the Dynasty Warriors collection, however why am I placing its newest entry so low in my rating? Merely put, I’m a part of the collection’ fanbase that ended up getting disenchanted with Dynasty Warriors Origins’ path on a really particular side.

I would say this sport continues to be excellent by itself if you happen to’re new or have had a hiatus, although. DW Origins certainly did very properly on the gameplay system and the battle displays, so if you happen to care extra in regards to the gameplay challenges, then this reboot is correct up your alley.

Nonetheless, as somebody who has been lengthy following the collection, I had additionally invested a lot of my time with the characters and settings behind Romance of the Three Kingdoms. And my largest concern with Origins is that the staff made greater than crucial omissions of returning characters that find yourself damaging components of the sport’s narratives. The absence of Lu Xun regardless of the addition of Solar Ce’s siege battle in opposition to the previous’s kinsmen already left a gaping gap in the entire Solar clan’s interactions. However what I discover much more unacceptable are the whole retcons of Cao Ren because the attacking chief within the Battle of Xinye and Man Chong for Cao Cao’s eventual recruitment of Xu Huang.

I’m nonetheless wanting ahead to the upcoming Visions of 4 Heroes enlargement DLC, since it’ll handle one among my lesser points concerning assist in the direction of factions aside from the primary three. But when the present factions’ storylines don’t get any additions, then my most important concern will nonetheless stand.

By the best way, DW Origins was additionally one of many causes for me to depart the PlayStation platform. For no matter purpose, Sony and Koei Tecmo separated the Chinese language language assist to its personal construct on the PS5, so it turns into not possible to benefit from the sport with English subtitles and Chinese language voiceovers there; it’s as a substitute supported on the PC model (in addition to Xbox).

9) Monster Hunter Wilds

The brand new mainline Monster Hunter entry fashioned another excuse for me to construct this new PC. The sooner PC I’ve may barely preserve 60 fps on the benchmark with its i9-10900 processor. As soon as this new PC obtained accomplished, it really lived as much as my expectations by by no means going beneath the minimal 60 fps threshold, even on the hardest processing level on the plains panorama.

However as soon as I really obtained into the total launch of MH Wilds… I had blended emotions on how Capcom drastically modified the Lance’s moveset on this new entry. The digicam focus mode does let me assault particular physique components with a extra pinpointed precision. However having mained the Lance since my entry in Monster Hunter 3, the modifications they made to the fundamental combos felt quite jarring to me.

I additionally quite like how our personal avatar can really communicate within the extra story-driven cutscenes right here. Nonetheless, the whole disappearance of the Monster Hunter Language voiceover possibility is a quite large unhappy information as a long-time veteran. So I find yourself enjoying with German voiceovers as I believe they sound the closest to the unique language.

8) Freedom Wars Remastered

Freedom Wars was one of many video games I loved quite a bit in the course of the interval when Japanese corporations raced to make their very own Monster Hunter clones. So when Bandai Namco and Dimps launched a remaster of this sport, it actually felt like a blast into the previous for me.

Not like the aforementioned remaster of Gundam SEED: Battle Future, Freedom Wars didn’t have any main story bits added elsewhere within the between, so I didn’t fuss about the identical content material quantity right here. The charges for particular enemy half drops are nonetheless as sketchy as ever, although.

Additionally, by enjoying this remaster on PC, I may even get pleasure from it with a number of management schemes, the place I can use the mouse & keyboard after I need to concentrate on the taking pictures section, and the PlayStation controller for the extra normal actions and melee assaults.

7) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

I’ve to say, out of the brand new Warriors/Musou video games that got here out in 2025, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment was the one which I genuinely loved way more. Not like the aforementioned Dynasty Warriors, I do not need any prior data of this sport’s story (identical to how Age of Calamity tried to increase additional on Breath of the Wild’s previous), so I may fully get pleasure from following the brand new storyline.

As well as, as the primary Change 2-exclusive sport I really performed, I additionally completely anticipated how Age of Imprisonment can pull out 60 fps when docked, however I am significantly impressed at the way it can even attain this easy framerate whereas undocked as properly.

As a aspect notice, I additionally checked out how the previous Age of Calamity carried out on Change 2 beforehand, and it seemed to be fully locked into 30 fps, even when docked. I simply want it may have a Change 2 Version or an replace patch that would carry it as much as 60 fps on the brand new console.

6) Juufuutei Raden’s Information for Pixel Museum

I’ve additionally been having fun with Picross/Nonogram puzzle video games throughout a few of my pastime. However whereas most different video games merely confirmed the ensuing photographs, this new sport starring the Hololive Vtuber Juufuutei Raden went far past that.

Juufuutei Raden’s Information for Pixel Museum notably had many of the puzzles primarily based on precise artworks like work, statues, and handicraft, in addition to staple rakugo tales. However the imageries didn’t finish there, because the outcome display screen additionally got here with in-depth commentary by Raden herself. I actually prefer it when a sport has further insights on historic parts like these!

5) JDM: Japanese Drift Grasp

There have been two racing video games that caught my consideration in 2025, however I felt like I may solely embody one among them within the prime 10. After a quite prolonged deliberation, I made a decision that JDM: Japanese Drift Grasp is the one to fill this spot.

This sport is definitely not made in Japan—it is from a Polish group, which additionally defined the protagonist’s nationality, but it felt quite a bit like a love letter to all followers of Japanese racing video games, anime, and manga. Preliminary D particularly involves my thoughts. In reality, the sport additionally has a radio channel devoted to the Eurobeat style, which incorporates each J-Euro songs and Eurobeats with English lyrics.

A really latest replace patch that got here out final December even added the very surprising issues in among the precise Preliminary D Eurobeat songs like Operating within the 90’s, Chemical Love, and The High. That is it, the love letter is lastly accomplished for actual.

4) Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Version

Here is one other one among my confessions: I by no means owned a Wii U. So I had been wanting ahead to see Xenoblade X ported to the Change. And in what has been a forthcoming one, it lastly obtained one.

The precise enjoyable of this sport actually begins as soon as the social gathering members can pilot the Skell mechs. Think about exploring an open world map and preventing monsters whereas piloting the mechs. And on prime of that, the sport’s soundtrack was composed by Sawano Hiroyuki, who’s greatest identified for Gundam Unicorn, Narrative, and most just lately the Hathaway’s Flash motion pictures.

I am going to by no means stop discovering it amusing although that getting a sport over in a Xenoblade entry doesn’t have any punishments in your characters and as a substitute even rewards a number of achievements in addition… but this sport nonetheless has some type of punishment for wrecking a Skell if you happen to in some way screw the eject sequence QTE. It is as if components for the big mechs are way more treasured than the people’ spare our bodies.

3) Profitable Put up 10 2025

The worldwide launch of Umamusume did spark a brand new widespread curiosity for horse racing on the whole to many individuals, together with myself. However the sport having not solely mares but in addition stallions depicted as women (as a substitute of stallions changing into guys) means it is probably not my cup of tea. So after a little bit of wandering, I made a decision it is excessive time I checked Koei Tecmo’s Profitable Put up collection.

To summarize this sport, it locations you as a racehorse proprietor and breeder. You primarily handle the horses’ race schedules and techniques together with particular coaching classes, whereas appointing jockies to experience your horses throughout races and trainers for the extra normal coaching regimes. Throughout the mid-year breeding season, you too can decide which horses ought to breed with one another to provide foals with superb genes.

I ended up getting hooked with the sport’s circulation. Because the years go by, you do not solely elevate the horses but in addition even your human household. You may get married and even elevate youngsters, most of whom will also be raised to have jobs associated to horse racing. As well as, the sport featured not solely races in Japan but in addition main races worldwide from North America and Europe to even Australia and the Center East. Upon getting made sufficient progress, you possibly can even run horse ranches in not solely Japan but in addition the US and a European nation.

Whereas Profitable Put up can also be accessible on PC, the Steam launch is region-locked to Japan solely, in order that’s why I performed this on the Change as a substitute. Regardless of the worldwide rise in horse racing curiosity, I discover it perplexing that Koei Tecmo continues to be conserving the collection locked to Japan, although the video games additionally function well-known horses and races from all world wide… and the following annual launch of Profitable Put up 10 2026 doesn’t appear to rectify that both, so I ponder if we’ll have to attend till a brand new main iteration like Profitable Put up 11 is popping out, hopefully whereas the worldwide racehorse hype continues to be lit.

2) As soon as Upon A Katamari

The King of All Cosmos has lastly returned along with his entire prolonged household. After a few teases with the remasters of the primary two Katamari Damacy entries, Bandai Namco has lastly launched a brand-new console sport in As soon as Upon A Katamari.

This new sport distinguished itself from all previous entries (together with the latest Apple Arcade launch of Rolling Stay) by having its levels happen in older historic durations, but the collection’ regular zaniness continues to be stored intact, similar to having among the individuals put on dinosaur costumes within the Jurassic period levels.

The soundtrack additionally included superior songs as all the time. The climactic world stage feels so thrilling with Matsuzaki Shigeru’s new track Energy of Katamari Damacy, however Suisei Biyori additionally sounds very beautiful. And what I like essentially the most right here is that we are able to make our personal new cousin, in order that we may be a part of the prolonged household too.

If there are a number of criticisms I may throw round, I want the staff introduced again options from the PS3 sport Katamari Without end/Tribute like leaping, and that the Everlasting mode must be accessible for extra levels. However these apart, As soon as Upon A Katamari nonetheless formed as much as be one of many video games I loved essentially the most final 12 months.

1) Digimon Story: Time Stranger

Digimon Story has been one among my prime favourite sport collection, each within the Digimon franchise and the general RPG style. Ever because the DS video games, I have been liking the overall gameplay circulation of scanning wild Digimon information to generate playable variations of them, and after elevating them we are able to select what sorts of Digimon they will evolve into.

The Cyber Sleuth sub-series additional raised the bar by having such an immersive community world-themed setting and storyline. So when Time Stranger was revealed and ultimately launched as a brand new entry within the collection, I already had excessive expectation ranges. And the brand new sport has actually met most of that.

Time Stranger virtually went again to a narrative circulation that is extra typical of a Digimon title, the place the Digital World the Digimon originated from will get prominently featured. However, it nonetheless had a robust narrative to me, particularly after the time skip on the center level. I additionally appreciated the tweaks made to the gameplay system, similar to how the non-fixed Expertise now seem as Attachments, in order that we are able to extra simply customise a Digimon’s talent record to our liking.

But when there’s only one low level for me to carry up right here, I felt like Takada-san’s soundtrack right here wasn’t as sturdy as how he did the Cyber Sleuths—whereas the earlier ones had total hits, Time Stranger had a number of misses regardless of a lot of bullseyes, with the common battle themes being examples of the previous. Whereas I managed to get the Cyber Sleuth music DLC pack, it in some way didn’t embody each monitor from the earlier sub-series both.

It’s but to be identified whether or not Digimon Story: Time Stranger can be my most impactful Recreation of the Decade identical to how the Cyber Sleuth sub-series did for the 2010s, however thus far it did undoubtedly get my prime highlight for the 12 months 2025.