How far into the new year is it still acceptable to be publishing “Best of” lists for the year that’s just been? Late January is still close enough to the change of the calendar that we all still kind of, sort of remember 2025, right? On that note, in characteristically late fashion, I’m here with a list.
First, a few honorable mentions: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t on this list, but that’s mostly because I haven’t played it yet. Likewise, Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4. I got Pokemon Legends Z-A and Dragon Quest I+II Remake for Christmas, and they’d both be vying for spots on this list if I played them sooner. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hades II, Dynasty Warriors Origins, and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar are all games that I did play this year and thoroughly enjoyed, but culling a very, very strong shortlist to a top five is ruthless business.
But culled the shortlist has been, and these are my top five games of 2025:
5. PowerWash Simulator 2
Few games scratch a certain kind of itch like PowerWash Simulator, to the point that for the last few years, it’s been my go-to game when I need to just switch my brain off and unwind. That being the case, a sequel was always going to go down well, even if it was just more of the same. But PowerWash Simulator 2 is more than just more of the same—the revamped soap mechanics, in particular, completely change the dynamic of a good, satisfying wash, especially when it comes to the fiddly details of machines and the like. PowerWash Simulator 2 takes everything that made the first game so enjoyable and tweaks it to perfection. And with plans for a steady stream of new updates, both free and through paid DLC, there’s plenty more power washing to look forward to in the months and years to come.
4. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC probably didn’t need a remake, in the sense that the original game still holds up really well today (lack of ports to current consoles notwithstanding). But if you’re going to remake it, then Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a hell of a way to do it. The Trails series has evolved a lot in the 20 years since Trails in the Sky first came out, and this remake effortlessly weaves in those updated systems and new art style without compromising the vision and atmosphere of the original. This makes 1st Chapter the definitive version of a fantastic game, but one that coexists comfortably with the original instead of outright replacing it.
Read our Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter review
3. BALL x PIT
I never saw this one coming, and I’m sure I’m not alone. A mash-up of Vampire Survivors-esque horde survival roguelike, brick breaker mechanics, and colony builder is a bizarre concept, even by the standards of Devolver Digital’s wild portfolio. The even more bizarre part is just how well it works in practice: the creative assortment of different balls and power ups kicks brick breaker arcade action up a whole bunch of notches. A light colony sim where you harvest resources by pinging balls workers across a map works better than you might expect, and adds a fun, dynamic twist to the process of powering up your heroes. There’s been no bigger surprise this year than BALL x PIT, not just in terms of what it is, but how well all the pieces come together.
2. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
Two of my top 5 games are remakes … I’m not sure what that says about me (or about the state of the game industry), but whatever. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles took one of the all-time greats and delivered the best version of it to date. Aside from the mild disappointment of not including the extras from the PSP version, The Ivalice Chronicles takes the already potent story of Tactics to new heights with a more polished script and the addition of new mid-battle dialogue that fleshes out the characters and world dramatically. Add to that a swathe of design improvements, revamped UI, balance adjustments, and visual improvements that keep the art style and atmosphere of the original intact, and you’ve got the best way to visit (or revisit) Ivalice.
Read our Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles review
1. Old Skies
I always expected big things from Old Skies: Wadjet Eye Games rarely misses, and early demos showed a lot of potential in this time travel adventure. Yet even with expectations so high, Old Skies managed to well and truly exceed them. The time travel puzzle design is masterful, especially as the narrative stakes get higher and the time paradox shenanigans ramp up. Its vision of a world where time travel is commercialised to the point where those wealthy enough have relative free rein to alter history to their liking is a refreshing take on the genre, and a potent (if depressing) reflection of the state of the world. But most of all, it’s the way Old Skies uses its emotionally-charged story to remind us that the here and now, no matter how fleeting, is what’s truly important, even in—especially in—a world where such moments can be so effortlessly erased from history. It’s been the better part of a year since I played through Old Skies, and that final act still keeps coming back to haunt me. That’s the mark of a masterpiece.
And there you have it! The best games of 2025, as far as I’m concerned. There’s plenty more to look forward to in 2026, so here’s to another year of good gaming!
