We're already one month into 2025, but the games I'm most hyped about are still ahead of us. I can't say I was able to play too many titles in 2024, but starting this year, I'm committed to reducing my backlog without adding to it, i.e., by enjoying as many newer games as possible. This list will be about only those titles that are on my personal radar, so you might not find some popular entries here.

8 Assassin's Creed Shadows (March 20)

My return to Assassin's Creed

The earlier titles in the Assassin's Creed series, the ones with Altair, Ezio, Connor, and Edward Kenway, have been some of the most memorable games I've ever played, but my interest in the series tanked hard after Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. I did play Syndicate, and even enjoyed it, but the passion I had for the series was all but gone after Desmond's story concluded. Assassin's Creed Shadows is the first AC game I've been excited about in ages.

Ubisoft finally brings the series to Japan, allowing players to switch between two protagonists — a female shinobi and an African samurai — as the Assassin-Templar war collides with the rising oppression of Japan. The story trailer for the game promises a strong and emotional narrative as players get to explore historical locations in feudal Japan and experience new weapons and gameplay elements.

Ubisoft has delayed the game to March as it wants to polish it further. If it manages to deliver on its promises, I might even be motivated to go back and play Assassin's Creed: Origins, the only title that I regret not having played to date.

7 The First Berserker: Khazan (March 27)

Looks like one of the coolest action games of late

I'm not a fan of the unforgiving combat seen in Soulslike games, but something about The First Berserker: Khazan has me hyped. When I first saw the cinematic trailer at The Game Awards, I was impressed by the action sequences, but the highly stylized and realistic visuals made it look like many other upcoming games. However, when I later found out that the game would be using a cel-shaded style combined with realistic textures, my interest was officially piqued.

The game promises epic boss battles, satisfying combat, and a great revenge plot, and that is something I can get behind. I'll need more help than most to get used to the challenging combat, but I'm prepared to commit to it.

6 Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15)

A new doomsday is coming

We all knew that a new Doom game was coming, but no one would have thought that Doom: The Dark Ages would be a prequel to the 2016 game, seeing the Doom Slayer fight Hell's forces on a techno-medieval planet. With a few more shake-ups to the traversal, combat style, and weapons, the game is set to reinvigorate the series with more skull-crushing, bone-crunching, bloodcurdling monster slaying than ever before.

We might find out more about the Doom Slayer's origins as he's used by gods and kings in this new entry. What's more, you'll now have a dragon mount to fly around on, and all the gore will be powered by path tracing and supported by Nvidia's DLSS 4.

5 Ghost of Yotei (2025)

Another adventure set in Japan

While Ghost of Tsushima was about Jin Sakai's transformation into The Ghost, the sequel is about a new character known as Atsu. Set over 300 years after the events of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei is a revenge story as players take on the role of Atsu in the year 1603 in Northern Japan. I loved the beautiful locales in Ghost of Tsushima, the engaging combat, and the solid emotional story.

If early reports about Ghost of Yotei are anything to go by, we'd be getting each of those things in the sequel too. The game's description refers to grasslands as well as tundras, and the images promise a gorgeous adventure through Japan. If you loved Jin Sakai's journey, you'd probably like Atsu's too. The game will launch as a PS5 exclusive, but might arrive on PC a few months later.

4 Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (2025)

Konami saw great success with the Silent Hill 2 remake in 2024, and the studio is reviving yet another franchise with the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. A remake of 2004's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the game will introduce a new generation of players to Snake, one of the most iconic protagonists of the Metal Gear series.

Set in the 1960s Cold War era, players will get to infiltrate enemy establishments deep in the jungle and stop a weapon of mass destruction from destroying the world. The game will include a variety of combat techniques and stealth gameplay, and is shaping up to be one of the most visually appealing games of the year. After playing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, I can't wait to get back to the world of MGS.

3 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025)

What happens after the connection?

Death Stranding was one of the most unique, frustrating, and memorable games I've ever played. The game left me with many questions, but I'm glad I took the time out to play Kojima's much-talked-about adventure. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is all set to bring the conversation back to the wonderfully bizarre mind of Hideo Kojima, and the next chapter of Sam Porter's story.

The sequel will retain the otherworldly forces and post-apocalyptic feel of the first game, with familiar faces returning to aid Sam in his quest to prevent human extinction. The PS5 exclusive doesn't have a release date yet, but a 2025 launch window is confirmed.

2 Grand Theft Auto VI (Fall 2025)

The flagship launch of 2025, so to speak

It seems like we've all been waiting forever for GTA VI. The previous installment in the series, GTA V, is the most profitable entertainment product of all time. GTA VI will most likely set new records of its own, and the excitement is quite palpable. Other publishers are still waiting for Rockstar to announce the release date for their upcoming epic to avoid getting overshadowed in the same launch window.

GTA VI introduces two new protagonists named Lucia and Jason, and their story unfolds in the famed Vice City. The game will launch only on consoles this year, with a PC release coming in 2026 or 2027. Regardless, the hype around it will eclipse any other game in late 2025.

1 Dying Light: The Beast (Summer 2025)

Kyle Crane is back!

Dying Light remains one of my favorite titles ever, and I was heartbroken to learn Kyle Crane's ultimate fate in Dying Light: The Following. The sequel introduced new characters, and I left all hope of ever playing as the iconic Crane ever again. The announcement of Dying Light: The Beast, however, came as a welcome shock — I can once again play as Crane, albeit a lot has gone down in the 13 years that we haven't seen the guy.

Crane ended up becoming one of the infected when we last saw him, but he's sort of a human-beast hybrid, with vengeance on his mind after undergoing years of experimentation. I can't wait to see where Techland takes Kyle's story from here.

​​​2025 doesn't look bad at all

The year is stacked with much-anticipated titles set to capture the hearts and minds of gamers. We've got GTA VI finally getting a launch window, several exciting sequels on the way, and a remake and stand-alone adventure that look highly promising. There are, of course, many other titles that aren't on my list, but they could be on yours. The great news is that the near future looks bright for video games.