In a year marked by exceptional creativity from smaller studios, Metro GameCentral has revealed its definitive ranking of the top 20 video games released in 2025. The list, published on December 26, 2025, showcases a significant shift in the industry's landscape, with independent developers earning widespread critical acclaim and commercial success.
The Rise of the Indies
GameCentral's editorial team noted that 2025 was a landmark year where indie titles dominated in terms of both praise and sales. Remarkably, none of the games in their top five were sold at a full premium price, with the combined cost of all five being barely more than the Vault Edition of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7. The list adheres to a long-standing policy of excluding remasters, remakes, yearly sequels, and expansions, which ruled out titles like Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.
Just missing the cut were notable games such as Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Battlefield 6, and Arc Raiders. A football-themed game, despelote, was also highly regarded but will be reviewed upon its Nintendo Switch release in January 2026.
The Top 20 Countdown
The list presents a diverse array of genres and experiences. Kicking off at number 20 is Hades 2, a superbly crafted roguelike available on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC. While praised, critics felt it didn't innovate significantly from its predecessor. At number 19, Dispatch from AdHoc Games marks a triumphant return for the narrative style of Telltale Games, offering an emotional behind-the-scenes tale of superhero life.
Other highlights include the chilling cosmic horror of the one-person project Look Outside (18), the unexpected comeback of PlatinumGames with Ninja Gaiden 4 (17), and Konami's successful original Silent Hill f (16). Monster Hunter Wilds (15) was a sales juggernaut for much of the year, despite some post-launch technical issues on PC.
The Pinnacle of 2025's Gaming
The top spots are occupied by games that pushed boundaries. The ingenious puzzle game Blue Prince (14), the open-world-but-not Mario Kart World (13) for Switch 2, and Obsidian's excellent sci-fi sequel The Outer Worlds 2 (12) all feature. The innovative beat 'em-up Absolum (11) and the beautiful Sword Of The Sea (10) also earned high praise.
Rounding out the top ten are the gothic mystery The Séance Of Blake Manor (9), the metaphor-rich skateboarding sim Skate Story (8), and the dangerously addictive Ball x Pit (7). The top five begins with the destructive fun of Donkey Kong Bananza (6), the narrative-rich Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (5), and the brilliantly ambitious co-op adventure Split Fiction (4).
The Top Three Contenders
The final podium positions are fiercely contested. The bronze medal goes to Sektori (3), a masterful dual-stick shooter from a former Housemarque developer, packed with fresh ideas. The silver is awarded to the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong (2), a metroidvania masterpiece whose exceptional quality justified its lengthy development time, despite some controversy around its release date announcement.
Ultimately, the undisputed Game of the Year for 2025 is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Created by French studio Sandfall Interactive with a core team of just 30 people, this Japanese-style RPG stunned the industry with its impeccable visuals, superb storytelling, and a turn-based combat system so compelling it attracted attention from Square Enix. GameCentral hailed its success as potentially signalling a brighter and more sustainable future for the games industry at large.
