Must-Play Games of 2025 So Far: Death Stranding 2, Expedition 33, Assassin's Creed Shadows and More

CNET

10 hours ago

At the start of the year, 2025 was going to be all about Grand Theft Auto 6, which had so much hype that players were already expecting it to win Game of the Year. That changed last month when Rockstar Games announced that its highly anticipated game would be pushed to 2026. Though this year might not have what could be the biggest game of the decade, 2025 so far has some great games from the most unlikely places.
With the launch of the Switch 2 and Summer Game Fest already happening in early June, the rest of 2025 is going to be a major games come out for the year is done. The midpoint of the year is a good time to look back at what has already come out and maybe try one of the games out during the low summer period before things start ramping up in the fall.
Kojima Productions
Death Stranding 2
Coming in right before the official midpoint of the year is Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The sequel to the first project from famed video game developer Hideo Kojima after he left Konami, it made all the important improvements to elevate a quirky game into an amazing experience.
From CNET's review: "If you had a twinge of interest in the original Death Stranding but found it a bit too awkward or maybe complicated with its mechanics, then Death Stranding 2 is going to suck you right in and will have you spending hours enjoying a peaceful journey of just delivering packages."
Death Stranding 2 is exclusive to the PlayStation 5.
Sandfall Interactive
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Developed by Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has surprised everyone with just how good it is. The turn-based roleplaying game with French influences has wowed everyone who has played it.
From CNET's review: "Expedition 33 will be celebrated for its many excellences, and deservedly so. But above all, it tells an adult story about what's left for us when the future is ripped away bit by bit -- and why it's worth fighting against the inevitable anyway."
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. It's also included on Xbox Game Pass.
Hazelight Studios
Split Fiction
Co-op games are few and far between, but Hazelight Studios is the premier developer of them. Split Fiction is the latest title from the team, and its co-op play completely surpasses any other game out there to make for a unique experience.
From CNET's review: "I think it's safe to say Split Fiction is a fun game for anyone who's got another player ready to try it out. Whimsical, lighthearted, action-packed and thoughtfully made, it feels ready for any co-op team, from strangers to best friends."
Split Fiction is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.
Warhorse
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Developer Warhorse Studios is back with a sequel to its 2018 game Kingdom Come: Deliverance. In the follow-up, players again step into the role of swordsman Henry of Skalitz. He's still on his quest for revenge after his father died in the original game.
What makes Kingdom Come so unique as an RPG is how true-to-life it is in its setting of Bohemia (now the modern-day Czech Republic) in the 1400s. Players don't use magic or have any fantastical abilities. Instead, they need to watch what they eat or else be struck with food poisoning, and they need to wash their clothes because townspeople won't talk to them if they stink. Aside from the protagonist, the locations, characters and events are accurate. Luckily, Warhorse Studios made some welcome improvements to the game to make life in the 1400s a lot of fun.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.
Dogubomb/Screenshot by CNET
Blue Prince
A puzzle game has to be unique to be considered one of the best games of the year, and Blue Prince is definitely unique. The premise is to fill a mansion with rooms in order to find a mysterious Room 46, though the mansion rearranges its layout every day, giving players a fresh chance to discover its secrets. What follows is a mystery that slowly unravels one room at a time.
From CNET's review: "Blue Prince isn't for everyone. While most of the puzzles can be solved with whatever's in the room, there are some intricate solutions afoot that could elude casual players. The mansion's shifting layout and unpredictable room choices can make progress uneven -- or even bring it to a halt if luck isn't on your side. But it's by far one of the most unique games I've played in years, and a true treat for puzzle fiends and mystery fans."
Blue Prince is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. It's also included on Xbox Game Pass.
Capcom
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds from Capcom is the latest in a long-running franchise of beloved third-person action games. As it says in the title, players need to hunt monsters, and those beasts come in all sizes. After more than two decades, Capcom may've developed the best Monster Hunter game ever.
In this entry, players set foot in the Forbidden Lands, which is filled with unique creatures. Capcom made a slew of upgrades to the game's formula, from quality of life improvements, such as carrying a second weapon and being able to set up camps, to creating a huge open world where the monsters are bigger than ever.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. It's also included on Xbox Game Pass.
id Software
Doom: The Dark Ages
The Doom franchise made its return in 2016, and it's back with the third game in this new era, Doom: The Dark Ages. The Doomslayer is back, and players will finally learn what happened to the hero when he left Earth to fight the hordes of demons in Hell.
From CNET's review: "All the new additions Id Software introduced in Doom: The Dark Ages are welcome changes to keep a franchise that's been around for more than three decades feeling fresh."
Doom: The Dark Ages is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. It's also included on Xbox Game Pass.
Ubisoft
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Fans of the Assassin's Creed series have been demanding a game set in Japan, and they got it with Shadows. This time around there are two heroes who, to prevail in feudal Japan, will have to contend with military power and unseen forces pulling at the strings.
From CNET's review: "Ubisoft has found what could be the new formula for the franchise, and it will hopefully retool this formula to keep future titles fresh for players. Some diehard fans may find Shadows to be a bit too action-oriented and less stealthy than previous games in the series, but I feel there's still enough of the original formula in this game to satisfy them, as well as those who want to just use a big ol' sword to chop some heads."
Assassin's Creed Shadows is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.
Microsoft
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
A surprise game this year was the return of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. The remastered version of the game seemingly came out of nowhere, and with it came a flood of fond memories for gamers.
Oblivion was released back in 2006, and the remastered version keeps all the important details in place, adding a fresh coat of paint with new graphics as well as more modern controls and quality of life improvements. It's visually impressive while also being faithful to the original, and new and old players simply love it.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. It's also included on Xbox Game Pass.
Screenshot by David Lumb/CNET
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The Yakuza franchise's spin-off, Like a Dragon, has its own spin-off. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a new adventure featuring a mainstay character for the franchise, Goro Majima, and it answers the age-old question, How do you make a Yakuza game even better? Just add pirates.
From CNET's review: "Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii is a fun, light jaunt that benefits from the idiosyncrasies of its specific setup. Rather than telling a story about modern piracy, the game brings cannon-firing pirate ships, crew-on-crew deck melees and buried treasure hunts into modernity without any pesky logical explanation. The game's bizarre mashup energy is its strength, amplified by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku studio's signature blend of sincere character moments and wacky hijinks."
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PS5, PC and Xbox Series consoles.