Metacritic’s Best Games This Year
From Tears of the Kingdom and Hades II to indie standouts like despelote and Blue Prince, these are Metacritic’s top-ranked games of the year - where sequels, surprises, and critic favorites collide.
Items in this hypelist
Ranked from 1 to 25 (highest to lowest)
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
PC (Microsoft Windows) · Xbox Series X|S
Test your skiing skills in serene mountain scenery. Perform tricks, discover shortcuts and try to best your time in the snowy followup to Lonely Mountains: Downhill. Enjoy the slopes alone, participate in thrilling online multiplayer races or gather your friends and conquer the mountains together.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Nintendo Switch
The year is 2054. Earth has been destroyed by an intergalactic war between two alien races, and humanity is on the brink of annihilation. A small number of survivors, aboard the USS White Whale, crash land on the vast and untamed planet Mira—and now it falls to you, as a member of BLADE, to help bring humanity back from the edge of extinction…with the aid of powerful giant robots called Skells! The visually enhanced edition of this open-world RPG contains newly added story elements and more. Take on tough foes in a robust combat system, and pilot powerful giant robots called Skells Choose from a huge variety of special attacks, skills, and classes in a combat system that’s as deep as you want it to be. Once you’ve proven yourself to BLADE, you’ll earn the right to pilot and personalize your very own Skell—a powerful machine that can fly, transform into a vehicle for fast overland travel, and wield immense strength in combat with customizable weapons and armor. Gather resources and take on missions to build the community of New Los Angeles As you go about the reconstruction effort, getting to know the people of New Los Angeles (NLA), you’ll build affinity with your party members and unlock quests for gear and other rewards. Join your choice of military organization within BLADE to take on even more missions—or even team up with up to 32 players from near and far online* in Squad Tasks, Online Missions, and extra-challenging Global Nemesis Battles!
Ghost of Yotei
PlayStation 5
The game takes place 300 years after Ghost of Tsushima. Set in the lands surrounding Mount Yōtei, a towering peak in the heart of Ezo, an area of Japan known as Hokkaido in present day. The area is outside the rule of Japan, and filled with sprawling grasslands, snowy tundras, and unexpected dangers.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
Nintendo Switch · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
Are you ready for the first Yoyovania?! In this 2D top-down adventure you'll explore a sprawling urban landscape, reinterpreting your surroundings through your mastery of yoyo tricks. Combine moves for traversal, fight the city's rival crime lords, and regain the influence of the Pipistrello family!
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Nintendo Switch · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X|S
Slay the enemies in the silence of the moment. Run through the world of Shinobi full of monsters and ninja actions. Grab Oborozuki, the legendary sword, and slay evil once more. Your clan and the world are counting on you.
Monster Train 2
Nintendo Switch · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
It's time to raise Hell in Heaven! Monster Train returns with all new clans, new enemy factions, new challenges, new modes and more! Defend your Pyre in the classic three-tiered, vertical gameplay that made the original roguelike deckbuilder a hit.
Earthion
Arcade · Nintendo Switch · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Xbox Series X|S
Earthion is an upcoming aftermarket shooting game developed by Ancient primarily for the Sega Mega Drive. Physical MD versions will be published by SUPERDELUXE GAMES in Japan and by Limited Run Games in North America. The game will also get a 16:9 version for modern platforms. Earthion is published under the label YKGGG, a brand name covering all the retro-style games developed at Ancient. If Earthion meets success, Ancient will go on the venture of releasing video games designed for retro consoles. A separate version of the game for Arcade was confirmed by Ancient and published by exA-Arcadia, which features a new, exclusive mode that will not be available in the Mega Drive version.
Sword of the Sea
PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5
Surf across magnificent waves of sand and glistening waters on an epic quest to restore a lost ocean. From the visionary artist behind ABZÛ, The Pathless, and Journey, Sword of the Sea is an atmospheric surfing adventure with fast movement inspired by classic skateboarding and snowboarding games.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 2: Super Mario Galaxy 1
Nintendo 64
A short troll hack for Mario 64 based on the Bart Simpson concussion meme
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
Nintendo Switch · Nintendo Switch 2 · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
This dramatic tale of ambition, betrayal, and honor comes to life again with an updated and enriched script with fully voiced dialogue, alongside improved graphics that bring a new level of immersion and playability to the battlefield. Additionally, the enhanced version brings quality-of-life updates like new difficulties, a revamped UI, auto save, and more that make the game more accessible to newcomers.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
A thrilling story-driven action RPG, with a rich open world, set in 15th century Medieval Europe. Experience the ultimate medieval adventure - through the eyes of young Henry - as you embark on a journey of epic proportions.
Abiotic Factor
PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
Abiotic Factor is a survival crafting experience for 1-6 players set in the depths of an underground research facility. Caught between paranormal containment failure, a military crusade, and chaos from a dozen realms, the world’s greatest minds must survive against the universe’s biggest threats.
Monster Hunter Wilds
PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
PlayStation 5
Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam — with companions by his side — sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected?
The Talos Principle: Reawakened
PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
Step back into a world of thought-provoking puzzles, philosophical intrigue, and breathtaking visuals with The Talos Principle: Reawakened - a first-person puzzle masterpiece for both new players and long-time fans alike.
Despelote
Nintendo Switch · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
Despelote is a soccer game about people. Get immersed in the streets and parks of Quito through the eyes and ears of eight year old Julián. Dribble, pass and shoot your soccer ball around town, and see what happens when you kick it someone's way. Feel the city change as Ecuador comes closer than ever to qualifying for the World Cup.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
Nintendo Switch · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5
A remake of the first installment in the main Trails series, serving as the beginning to the Liberl arc and the series as a whole. The game follows protagonists Estelle Bright and her adopted brother Joshua, who journey through the country of Liberl to train to become senior Bracers, members of a non-government multinational organization that acts to keep the peace and protect civilians.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo Switch · Nintendo Switch 2
Donkey Kong Bananza is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2! Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it! Bash, throw, and climb through just about anything in DK’s brand-new 3D platforming action-adventure game!
Split Fiction
Nintendo Switch 2 · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
Split Fiction is a 2025 cooperative multiplayer game. It follows two writers, Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, as they become trapped in their imaginations.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Linux · Mac · Nintendo Switch · Nintendo Switch 2 · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X|S
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the epic action-adventure of bugs and heroes. As the lethal hunter Hornet, journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover ancient secrets tied to your nature and your past.
Blue Prince
Mac · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
Welcome to Mt. Holly, where every dawn unveils a new mystery. Navigate through shifting corridors and ever-changing chambers in this genre-defying strategy puzzle adventure. But will the unpredictable path you create lead you to the rumored Room 46?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S
Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics.
Hades II
Mac · Nintendo Switch · Nintendo Switch 2 · PC (Microsoft Windows)
Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Nintendo Switch 2
No kingdom. No memories. After a 100-year slumber, Link wakes up alone in a world he no longer remembers. Now the legendary hero must explore a vast and dangerous land and regain his memories before Hyrule is lost forever.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Nintendo Switch 2
In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you’ll decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above. Can you harness the power of Link’s new abilities to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom?
