With the next generation of game development arising, there is much to anticipate about this upcoming year. The world of gaming is getting upgraded in more ways than one, and these new games coming in 2025 will mark the start of it all. Although previous years have not shown a stellar performance in the gaming industry, it seems like 2025 might be the year that changes that.

1. Ghost of Yōtei

Developers: Sucker Punch Productions.
Platform: PlayStation 5.
Genre: Action-Adventure, RPG.

Set in Hokkaido, Japan, during the 17th century, Ghost of Yōtei promises to be a thrilling sequel. The story takes place 329 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima. Players will take control of Atsu, a female warrior adopting the persona of “The Ghost”. Unlike Ghost of Tsushima, this sequel gives players more control over Atsu’s narrative and her choices. Ultimately, this sequel will provide a completely new experience. Definitely one of the games to look out for in 2025.

2. Borderlands 4

Developers: Gearbox Software.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows.
Genre: FPS, Adventure, RPG.

Borderlands 4 will be the fifth main entry into the franchise. Announced at Gamescom on August 20th, 2024, Borderlands 4 promises to be a different experience than before. However, it will still have billions of new weapons to loot. Along with featuring four new vault hunters, this latest addition to the games will not be set on Pandora when it releases in 2025. Little is known thus far about the popular looter-shooter. The newest trailer offers players a glimpse of this upcoming title. Let’s hope it can salvage the remnants of Borderlands’ reputation. As well as erase the disaster of the movie that is best left forgotten.

3. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Developers: Ubisoft Quebec.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S.
Genre: Action RPG.

Set in 16th-century Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows focuses on the ongoing struggle of the Assassin Brotherhood. Play as the two protagonists: Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, an African samurai inspired by the historical figure of the same name. These two characters will provide unique gameplay styles, allowing quests to be approached in multiple ways. With the ability to switch between these two characters, this new addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise offers a new experience for all players. Thus, adding more to the list of games set for 2025.

4. Grand Theft Auto VI

Developers: Rockstar Games.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S.
Genre: Action Adventure.

Rockstar Games is currently developing Grand Theft Auto VI. Although it is due to be released in 2025, there are chances that it will be pushed back until 2026. This addition will be the eighth main Grand Theft Auto game and the sixteenth overall. Taking place within the fictional open-world state of Leonida—based in Florida—GTA VI promises players a more visually stunning and captivating city than before. The game’s story will follow the criminal duo of Lucia and her male partner in a Miami-inspired Vice City. This game hopes to surpass its previous successful predecessor with a more lucrative world to corrupt and influence.

5. Monster Hunter Wilds

Developers: Capcom.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows.
Genre: Adventure, Hack and Slash.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a third-person, action role-playing video game. Players will take the role of their own Hunter character who travels to the “Forbidden Lands”. These lands are an unpopulated landmass filled with monsters, so be careful. As with previous games in the series, the Hunter tracks and fights monsters, either by capturing or slaying them. By collecting various resources in the game world, players will be able to craft new armor, weapons, consumables, and other gear. Players will be in a constant state of survival to allow them to fight more difficult monsters. The hunt for the missing expedition team is yours to begin.

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6. Death Stranding 2

Developers: Kojima Productions.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5.
Genre: Action. Adventure.

As a sequel to Death Stranding, this next title hopes to continue the story started from the previous game. There is little known about the story of Death Stranding, and that is if one can untangle the mess of a narrative the first game had. Death Stranding 2 will pull players back into the strange and unpredictable world that lies beyond the borders of the UCA. With ambitious visuals and more intriguing narratives to come, there is much to look forward to with this sequel. Perhaps it may provide some insight into the first game’s narrative. Although, it is Kojima… so that’s probably unlikely.

7. Gears of War E-Day

Developers: The Coalition.
Platform(s): Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows.
Genre: Shooter. Adventure.

Adding to the epic list of awesome games for 2025 is the upcoming third-person shooter, Gears of War E-Day. This game marks the sixth main installment in the Gears of War franchise. Set 14 years before the events of the original game, two soldiers from the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG), must survive the Emergence Day. They must survive the onslaught of enemies known as the Locust Horde as they emerge from their underground lair. Set in the city of Kalona, a new location for the franchise, Gears of War E-Day seeks to be an exciting and unique shooter experience.

8. Little Nightmares III

Developers: Supermassive Games.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows.
Genre: Platformer, Puzzler, Survival Horror.

Little Nightmares III is an atmospheric adventure/horror game. Players will follow the journey of Low and Alone, two best friends in search of a way out of the Nowhere. Little Nightmares III offers 2 players online cooperation or solo with an A.I. It is all about teamwork in this nightmare. Work together to solve puzzles and survive in this nightmarish world. With impressive visuals and dark foreboding horror, this will be the perfect scare for 2025.

9. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

Developers: Warhorse Studios.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S.
Genre: Action RPG.

Set in 15th-century Bohemia, this sequel hopes to conclude the story set up by the previous game. Like its predecessor, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 features an open-world RPG where players control the protagonist from a first-person perspective. Players will find themselves reacquainted with Henry from the previous game. Players can complete quests in different ways. NPCs and society will react respectively based on the player’s choices. Developers expect that the reactions of society and the game world will influence Henry’s path. Ultimately, the decisions of the player affect the overall character development and the life of Henry. So, remember to choose wisely.

10. Tales of the Shire

Developers: Wētā Workshop.
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows.
Genre: Life Sim, RPG, Adventure.

Finally, the world of Middle Earth comes to life, and players can, at last, live the cozy life of a Hobbit in the peaceful landscape of the Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this idyllic world. Join friendly Hobbits and meet familiar faces. Create your very own Hobbit and set forth into Bywater. Play a part in helping the quaint town flourish and become an established part of Hobbiton. Decorate your Hobbit hole, tend to your garden, fish at the clear ponds, forage wild fruits and herbs, or trade with the townsfolk. Tales of the Shire aspires to be an Animal Crossing and Dreamlight Valley sibling with visuals almost to match.