The scores are in, the critics have spoken, and without a doubt, 2025 has solidified itself as one of the best years for high-quality game releases we’ve seen in some time.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2 Edition; Image credit: Nintendo
While there are opinions galore to be found online, today we’re taking a look at Metacritic’s list of the 25 most highly rated video games of 2025 to see which titles gamers are the most enthusiastic about.
Without further ado, here is the list and their Metascores.
The Top 25 Highest-Rated Video Games of 2025
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- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2 Edition – 95
- Hades II – 95
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition – 94
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – 92
- Blue Prince – 92
- Split Fiction – 91
- Donkey Kong Bananza – 91
- Hollow Knight: Silksong – 90
- Despelote – 89
- Rhythm Doctor – 89
- The Talos Principle: Reawakened – 89
- The Séance of Blake Manor – 89
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – 89
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – 89
- Monster Hunter Wilds – 88
- Abiotic Factor – 88
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles – 88
- Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter (Remake) – 88
- Simogo Legacy Collection – 88
- Sektori – 88
- Sword of the Sea – 88
- Monster Train 2 – 87
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – 87
- Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 – 87
- Pipstrello and the Cursed Yoyo – 87
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The Switch 2 Dominance and the Art of the Rerelease
Nintendo’s new hardware loomed large over the year, and as a result, two familiar adventures returned to the top of the chart. Earlier in 2025, the Switch 2 was launched with a somewhat disappointing lineup of games. While a few exclusives got us excited, the overall list was largely made up of rereleases of popular titles, leaving much to be desired. That being said, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition claimed the first and third spots on Metacritic, with scores of 95 and 94, respectively. These games were already highly regarded, so the improved resolution and smoother performance gave them a fresh shine, making us more than happy to revisit Hyrule.
Donkey Kong Bananza; Image credit: Nintendo
However, Nintendo also scored a win with its original game, Donkey Kong Bananza (which secured a 91), by bringing back the barrel-blasting action fans have craved for years. Another rerelease, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2, bundled two nostalgic favorites together to great success, landing it at an 87.
A Massive Year for Highly Anticipated Sequels
2025 taught us that sometimes a good video game needs time to cook, and in return for our patience, we were rewarded with a parade of bar-raising sequels. Sharing that coveted number one spot with Zelda is Hades II, which earned an impressive 95. Supergiant Games clearly didn’t lose any momentum despite the years since their first installment, as the game was widely praised for how well it polished and refined its iconic roguelike, dungeon-crawling loop.
Hades II; Image credit: Supergiant Games
In a similar vein, the sequel fever continued with Hollow Knight: Silksong, which launched to great success, grabbing a 90 and the 8th spot on the list. Over on the more cinematic side of things, Hideo Kojima brought us Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which earned an 89. It stayed true to its… strange roots while offering a bigger and bolder world to trek through. For those who prefer grit, mud, and a taste of the peasantry, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II arrived with an 89, giving us yet another realistic medieval life sim that doesn’t skimp on the historical aspect.
Indie and AA Games Stealing the Spotlight
The decline of AAA studios has been a point of discussion for some time now, but 2025 really gave them a run for their money. Roughly half of the top 25 consists of indie or AA-scale projects, and the variety and diversity of gameplay in this category is impressive.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33; Image credit: Kepler Interactive
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was the breakout star here, earning a 92. It surprised everyone with its high-budget feel, a unique turn-based combat system, gorgeous visuals, and, most importantly, good writing.
Blue Prince also earned a 92, followed closely by Split Fiction at 91, giving us a rare couch co-op game with fun, accessible gameplay. Even smaller titles like Sektori and Pipstrello and the Cursed Yoyo managed to punch well above their weight class, scoring 88 and 87, respectively. Turns out gamers just want a good game, rather than a big-budget mess that barely runs.
The Year of RPGs and Strategy Games
With so many role-playing games and strategy titles ranking highly, fans of thoughtful, slower-paced gameplay had plenty to celebrate. Along with Zelda, Kingdom Come, and Expedition, The Talos Principle: Reawakened landed an 89, thanks to its clever, philosophical puzzles. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, at 88, brought players back to a beloved world with some modern tweaks. Similarly, the Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter remake also earned an 88, introducing a whole new generation to one of the best slow-burn stories in gaming.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter; Image credit: Nihon Falcom Corporation
Looking back, 2025 was a year when indie studios stood head-to-head with AAA studios, fans were rewarded with sequels that met or exceeded expectations, and developers’ creativity was celebrated. Whether you were exploring Hyrule for the third time or solving mysteries in a shifting mansion, there was no shortage of quality games.
If you’re looking for more lineups of the best of the best or breakdowns of popular media, PixlParade has tons of curated lists, deep cuts, and roundups for you to explore. Be sure to tune in for new lists and articles, and as always, plenty of nerding out over pop culture.
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Source: Metacritic
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