Top 10 Most Anticipated Video Game Releases of 2025

Before 2025 began, players were looking forward to a year packed with heavyweight sequels, ambitious role-playing games, and long-awaited returns. Now that the year has passed, those announcements can be judged against what actually launched. This retrospective revisits ten games that drew notable attention, explains their original release expectations, and notes the platforms and outcomes known by the end of 2025.

Release plans changed for several titles, so the list distinguishes announced windows from final outcomes. It is a curated snapshot of anticipation, not an objective sales or popularity ranking.

How we chose the most anticipated games

These ten games stood out because of their visibility, player interest, recognizable creative teams or franchises, and announced plans for 2025. We also considered how clearly each game’s premise, genre, platforms, and launch window had been communicated.

Anticipation is difficult to measure precisely. A major showcase appearance can bring a game to a wide audience, while a dedicated fan community may generate strong interest without comparable mainstream coverage. The order below is therefore editorial: it balances broad visibility with the distinctiveness of each game, rather than claiming to measure every player’s excitement.

Because the year is over, each entry includes a retrospective status. A title originally announced for 2025 may have slipped, and a planned platform does not always mean a simultaneous launch. Check the game’s official store or publisher page for current editions, availability, and any post-launch changes.

The top 10 anticipated games of 2025

The list spans action-adventure, role-playing, horror, racing, and multiplayer games. Its original timing reflects what players had reason to expect before release plans became clearer; the retrospective notes indicate whether each arrived during 2025.

Entries 10 to 6 offer a mix of established series and new worlds. The top five feature games with especially strong franchise recognition, distinctive gameplay hooks, or extended player anticipation. Platforms below refer to announced or actual releases by the end of 2025, not a promise of future versions.

Games to watch, ranked 10 to 6

These five games appealed to different audiences, from horror fans to players seeking a large-scale role-playing adventure. Their original launch windows varied, and not every announced 2025 date held.

10. Monster Hunter Wilds

Genre: Action RPG. Developer and publisher: Capcom. Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Release: February 28, 2025.

Capcom’s next mainline hunt took players into changing environments where weather, wildlife, and terrain shape each expedition. Players could hunt alone or team up online, using a weapon-specific combat style to track and take down large monsters. It launched on its announced platforms in 2025, making it a strong pick for co-op groups willing to learn its layered combat systems.

9. Civilization VII

Genre: Turn-based strategy. Developer: Firaxis Games; published by 2K. Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Release: February 11, 2025.

The latest entry in the historical strategy series centers on building a civilization across distinct ages. Its major design change lets players select a new civilization at age transitions, creating a different kind of long-term strategy than simply carrying one nation unchanged through the entire campaign. It launched in 2025 across the announced platform families. The turn-based format suits thoughtful solo play, though players should check the edition and platform for specific multiplayer options.

8. Doom: The Dark Ages

Genre: First-person shooter. Developer: id Software; published by Bethesda Softworks. Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Release: May 15, 2025.

This prequel sends the Doom Slayer into a dark fantasy-inspired war, combining the series’ aggressive shooting with medieval weapons and a shield built for blocking and counterattacking. The premise offered a fresh visual direction without abandoning fast, close-range combat. It launched in 2025 as a single-player campaign-focused shooter, making it a straightforward choice for players who prefer a tightly paced action game over a long online progression loop.

7. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Genre: First-person action-adventure. Developer and publisher: Nintendo. Platforms: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Release: December 4, 2025.

Samus Aran’s long-awaited return promised exploration, scanning, puzzle-solving, and combat in a science-fiction world. The game’s development history helped keep it in the conversation, but its eventual December launch meant it arrived late in the year. It is principally a single-player adventure, aimed at players who enjoy uncovering routes and abilities at their own pace. Nintendo’s platform plans evolved with the Switch 2, so players should confirm which version and system features apply to the copy they buy.

6. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Genre: Open-world action RPG. Developer: Ubisoft Quebec; published by Ubisoft. Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Release: March 20, 2025.

Set in feudal Japan, Shadows follows two protagonists with contrasting approaches: shinobi Naoe emphasizes stealth, while samurai Yasuke brings a more direct style of combat. That dual-character structure gives players options for approaching missions and exploring its open world. The game launched in 2025 after its release schedule shifted from an earlier planned window. It is primarily a single-player experience, suited to players who want stealth, historical settings, and a large map to explore.

The five most anticipated releases

The top five combined enormous franchise recognition with fresh settings, long-running fan interest, or unusual gameplay concepts. Two arrived in 2025, while three prominent pre-release picks ultimately moved beyond the year.

5. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Genre: Action-adventure. Developer: Kojima Productions; published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Platform: PlayStation 5. Release: June 26, 2025.

Hideo Kojima’s sequel returned to a world where connecting isolated communities remains central, but its new journey expands the cast, locations, and dangers. The original game’s unusual blend of traversal, delivery, and social features made the follow-up hard to categorize and easy to anticipate. It launched on PS5 in 2025 as a largely single-player adventure. Players who want traditional mission-based action may find its deliberate travel and narrative focus a slower fit.

4. Fable

Genre: Fantasy action RPG. Developer: Playground Games; published by Xbox Game Studios. Platforms announced: Xbox Series X|S and PC. Original window: 2025; delayed beyond 2025.

The reboot of the Fable series promised a new journey through Albion, with the franchise’s comic fantasy tone and player-driven choices at its core. Its return mattered to longtime fans, but the announced 2025 target did not become a 2025 release. Treat platform and timing details as subject to change when planning a purchase; Xbox announcements and official game channels are the best place to check updated plans.

3. Grand Theft Auto VI

Genre: Open-world action-adventure. Developer and publisher: Rockstar Games. Announced platforms: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Original window: 2025; delayed beyond 2025.

Set in the fictional state of Leonida, the next Grand Theft Auto centers on protagonists Lucia and Jason. Its scale, setting, and place in one of gaming’s most prominent series made it a defining pre-release talking point. Rockstar later moved the game out of its original 2025 window, so it should not be counted as a 2025 release. No PC launch was confirmed in the original console announcement; avoid assuming that timing or platform support will match the console versions.

2. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Genre: Metroidvania action-adventure. Developer and publisher: Team Cherry. Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Release: September 4, 2025.

Silksong puts Hornet at the center of a new journey through a vast, unfamiliar kingdom. The sequel’s promise of agile movement, precise combat, exploration, and challenging encounters helped sustain interest during its extended development. It did launch in 2025, making it a major year-end release for players who enjoy skill-based exploration. Its demanding combat and interconnected maps reward patience, but may be a poor match for someone seeking a relaxed, story-led game.

1. Elden Ring Nightreign

Genre: Cooperative action RPG. Developer: FromSoftware; published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Release: May 30, 2025.

Nightreign reworks Elden Ring’s combat and world into shorter, session-based runs designed for groups of three, with players facing a shrinking map and escalating threats. It is a separate co-op-focused experience rather than a traditional direct sequel. The shift toward coordinated multiplayer gave it a clear identity, but also made it less suited to players looking for a solo open-world campaign. It launched in 2025 across its announced platforms.

Release dates and platforms at a glance

This comparison separates confirmed 2025 launch dates from games that slipped beyond the year. Platform availability can differ by edition, region, and later announcements, so verify details with the publisher before pre-ordering.

• Monster Hunter Wilds: February 28; PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC.
• Civilization VII: February 11; PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch.
• Doom: The Dark Ages: May 15; PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC.
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: December 4; Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows: March 20; PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC.
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach: June 26; PS5.
• Fable: Original 2025 window delayed; announced for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
• Grand Theft Auto VI: Original 2025 window delayed; announced for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
• Hollow Knight: Silksong: September 4; PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch.
• Elden Ring Nightreign: May 30; PC, PS4 and PS5, Xbox One and Series X|S.

Release dates can change after an announcement, and platform lists may be updated independently. Pre-orders and launch editions are optional; compare included content and platform compatibility rather than assuming a special edition offers a better experience.

Which 2025 release is right for you?

The right game depends on how you like to play: cooperative combat, solo exploration, strategy, or fast action. Use genre and session style as a better guide than hype alone.

• For online co-op: Try Monster Hunter Wilds for extended hunts with friends or Elden Ring Nightreign for structured, shorter team runs.
• For solo action: Doom: The Dark Ages favors immediate combat; Death Stranding 2 suits players who enjoy slower traversal and a strong narrative focus.
• For exploration and discovery: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Hollow Knight: Silksong reward careful observation, backtracking, and learning a world’s layout.
• For long-term strategy: Civilization VII is built for turn-by-turn planning and campaigns that can unfold over many hours.
• For open-world role-playing: Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers stealth or direct combat in a historical setting. Fable and Grand Theft Auto VI remain titles to track separately because their 2025 plans changed.

Before buying, confirm the current release status, your platform, and whether the game’s multiplayer mode matches your group. A pre-order cannot make a delayed game available sooner, and a listed platform does not guarantee cross-play or shared progression.

Frequently asked questions

Several of the games were announced for 2025 but did not release that year. The answers below reflect their announced plans and outcomes by the end of 2025.

Are all the listed games confirmed for release in 2025?

No. Fable and Grand Theft Auto VI moved beyond their original 2025 windows. The other eight entries listed here launched during 2025, though dates and platform details should always be checked against current official listings.

Which anticipated 2025 games have multiplayer?

Monster Hunter Wilds supports cooperative hunting, and Elden Ring Nightreign is designed around co-op play. Civilization VII also includes multiplayer options. Modes and features vary by title and platform, so check the relevant store page for details such as player counts and cross-play.

What platforms are the games coming to?

The list covers PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Not every game is available on every system, and later ports or platform announcements may alter availability.

Can release dates change after announcement?

Yes. Publishers can delay a game to allow more development time or adjust a launch plan. The clearest example here is the shift of Fable and Grand Theft Auto VI beyond their original 2025 windows. Treat a release date as the latest announced plan, not a guarantee.