The finest video video games of 2025, picked by NPR’s employees : NPR

2025 was a yr for the indies. From breakout hits like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince, to long-awaited sequels like Hades 2 and Hollow Knight: Silksong, small groups regularly outperformed established studios, as the broader trade lurched from massive strikes to landmark labor offers to deep layoffs.

Despite the tumult, main firms nonetheless notched some important wins. Nintendo lastly launched the Switch 2 console and blockbuster exclusives like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. PlayStation printed acclaimed cinematic epics like Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yōtei. Microsoft, which confronted fan wrath over cancellations and worth hikes, nonetheless introduced an unprecedented number of latest titles to their Game Pass subscription service.

NPR employees members and contributors have explored the breadth of this gaming yr, from multiplayer sensations like Arc Raiders and Elden Ring: Nightreign to narrative-driven experiences like Dispatch and Consume Me to ingenious tabletop video games like Molly House and The Old King’s Crown. Whether you are searching for a brief diversion or an epic 50-hour journey, we invite you to find your subsequent favourite recreation on this interactive checklist.