While many were expectingGrand Theft Auto 6to be the huge game release of 2025, it’s been pushed back to 2026, but don’t let that dissuade you into thinking that there’s nothing else worth checking out this year. The rest of 2025 is jam-packed with highly anticipated titles, including many long-awaited sequels, from anticipated indie games likeHollow Knight: Silksongto gigantic AAA releases.
Whether you’re looking forward to Hideo Kojima’s next project or the newPokémongame,everyone should have something they’re interested in for the rest of 2025. Just be warned that, like most years, October is going to be jam-packed with new releases, and it might be hard for you to play everything. Nearly all games have specific dates to mark on your calendar, which is a major plus as well.
10Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Revisits A Cult Hit
Bound To Be Hideo Kojima’s Next Masterpiece
Six years after the firstDeath Stranding,Death Stranding 2: On the Beachreopens the mysterious world of a post-apocalyptic future. The first installment has to beone of the biggest cult games in recent memory. The unique gameplay centered around safely delivering packages and connecting outposts isn’t for everyone, but those who love it tend toreallylove it. Hideo Kojima’s story forDeath Stranding 1was wild, predicting the pandemic and covering a dizzying array of ideas, so we’ll have to seewhat’s in store forDeath Stranding 2.
It’s astounding that Hideo Kojima is still directing games at 61 years old. Most legendary developers move on to producing roles or teaching, but Kojima’s still at it, and it’s a good thing because he’sone of the most creative minds in this industry.Death Stranding 2: On the Beachcomes out June 26, exclusively for the PlayStation 5, withDeluxe Edition buyersbeing able to play the game two days early. Keep in mind that Sony no longer owns theDeath StrandingIP, so expect the game to be released on PC and Xbox later on.
9Gears Of War: Reloaded Is A New Version Of A Classic
The Ultimate Ultimate Edition
The originalGears of Waralready received an enhanced remaster withGears of War: Ultimate Editionin 2015. Ten years later, we’re getting anotherGears of War 1remaster, withGears of War: Reloaded. Out of all theGears 1releases, this one looks the best by far. Visually, it blows the original Xbox 360 game out of the water, and it retains the multiplayer mode.
Gearsof Warset the template for many subsequent third-person cover shooters, and multiplayerGearsremains especially fun. BeforeReloadedwas announced, the ongoing rumor was that the new remasteredGears of Warwould be campaign only, but that thankfully proved to be false.Gears of War: Reloadedis coming out on August 26for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam, and, for the very first time, PlayStation 5. The game is also availableday-one on Xbox Game Pass.
8Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Returns With The Order Of Giants DLC
Dr. Jones' Latest Adventure
One of the best games of 2024 had to beIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, a new adventure from the modernWolfensteindevelopers starring the iconic archaeologist. Sadly, it didn’t receive too many Game of the Year awards, as it came out in the middle of December, but it was stillthe most acclaimed Xbox title in years.Great Circlecame out on PlayStation 5 this past April, allowing PS gamers to experienceDr. Jones' best game yet, but there’s more.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circlehas a DLC on the way calledThe Order of Giants. This add-on connects to the main campaign and focuses on a cult surrounding the Nephilim, an important aspect of the story. It’ll be releasedon September 4for all available platforms, but it is a paid DLC. You can order the Digital Premium Upgrade for $35 to gain access to the upcoming add-on.
7Borderlands 4 Could Take The Series To New Heights
The Best Looter Shooter Around Is Back
Six years afterBorderlands 3(and one year after theBorderlandsmovie proved to be a disaster),Borderlands 4brings the franchise back into the spotlight. While video game movies often aren’t good, the games themselves are usually great, and this holds especially true forBorderlands. Even with all the looter shooters out now,Borderlandsis still undeniably the top dog of the genre.
There was some controversy overBorderlands 4’spotential price point, but it’s thankfullystaying at $70 for the base game.Borderlands 4will release on September 12 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version arriving later on. There will also be aDeluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition, but you only get content out of these, not early access.
6Silent Hill F Offers A New Perspective
A World Of Someone’s Nightmarish Delusions Come To Life
After 13 years, we finally have a brand-new installment in the mainlineSilent Hillseries that isn’t a remake:Silent Hill f. The incredible survival horror franchise seemed abandoned for a long time until Konami finally brought it back just a couple of years ago. This will be the firstSilent Hillgame that seemingly won’t take place in Silent Hill at all, asthe location of choice is 1960s Japan.
PreviousSilent Hillgames have taken place in other locations, but you would always end up in Silent Hill at some point in the campaign.Silent Hill fbreaks the mold, and it’s an exciting new direction for the series.Silent Hill fwill be released on September 25on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.The game supportsXbox Play Anywhere, meaning you will own the Xbox Console and PC versions with a single purchase. You can also buy the Deluxe Edition to start playing two days early.
5Ghost Of Yotei Is A PS5 Standout
Sucker Punch Production’s Next Japanese Action-Adventure Romp
The PlayStation 5 generation has been a step down for new exclusive games, with Sony focusing heavily on live service titles that either get canceled or launch unsuccessfully, likeConcord. Thankfully, more games have been coming recently, likeAstro Bot, and this year,Sony has a big first-party exclusive withGhost of Yotei.
The successor to the samurai adventureGhost of Tsushima,Ghost of Yoteiis a standalone title that takes place hundreds of years afterTsushima. However, it looks just as good, if not better, expanding the open-world opportunities and adding new combat options. The trailers look absolutely gorgeous, and the game seems to be another must-play title for folks who love playing around in historic Japan.Ghost of Yoteiarrives on October 2, exclusively on PlayStation 5. ADeluxe Edition is available, but this one doesn’t come with any early access opportunity.
4Pokémon Legends: Z-A Could Get The Franchise Back On Track
Catch ‘Em All, But Now On Switch 2
With Nintendo’s latest console, the Nintendo Switch 2, it was only a matter of time until a newPokémongame arrived to play on the system. Alongside its availability on the original Switch,Pokémon Legends: Z-Awill be thefirstPokémongame to be released day one on the Nintendo Switch 2. For those new toPokémon, this isn’t the next mainline installment in the series, but a standalone sequel toPokémon XandY. Think of it asPokémon XandY-2, likeFinal Fantasy.
Pokémonhas been on a bit of a cold streak as of late, with several lackluster titles, butLegends: Z-Acould be the chance to turn it around, especially with the more powerful hardware of the Switch 2. After all, poor performance was one of the main criticisms ofScarletandViolent.Pokémon Legends: Z-Acomes out on October 16for both the Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. For those buying the Switch 1 version and plan on picking up a Switch 2 later, you canpurchase a $10 upgrade to get the native Switch 2 version.
3Ninja Gaiden 4 Serves Up A New Protagonist
The Legendary Master Ninja Returns
Ninja Gaidenis one of the best action series of all time, withNinja Gaiden Blackand the 2008Ninja Gaiden 2, in particular, being two of the best action games ever created. In 2008, however, most of the core development team behind those all-time greats left Team Ninja and went on to create titles likeNaruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker,Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, andWanted: Deadat Soleil.Ninja Gaiden 3received mixed to negative reception, but the series is back withNinja Gaiden 4.
Unlike prior titles,Ninja Gaiden 4is primarily developed by PlatinumGames. Platinum is offering a fresh new take on the serieswith a brand-new protagonist, Yakumo, and theMetal Gear Rising-style gameplay looks incredible.Ninja Gaiden 4releases on October 21 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, PlayStation 5, and Steam, and it’savailable day-one on Xbox Game Pass. One thing to note is that, at least as of now, you cannot purchase a Deluxe Edition Upgrade. Only the full $90 Deluxe Edition is available, but it only includes future DLC and cosmetics, not early access.
2The Outer Worlds 2 Is Yet Another Obsidian Game
Another Action-RPG Romp That Fallout Fans Are Sure To Love
Obsidian Entertainment has three major game releases in 2025, which is wild to think about, and the final title to be released will beThe Outer Worlds 2. The sequel to the 2019 GOTY contender,The Outer Worlds 2will once again be an action-RPG title in a similar vein toFalloutbut with more of an action focus compared to the first game.
The Premium Upgrade isn’t only for Game Pass users, as base game buyers can purchase it as well, similar toIndiana Jones and the Great Circle. Currently, the Premium Upgrade only appears on the Xbox store, but it will likely show up later on other storefronts.
It appears you can jump right intoThe Outer Worlds 2without playing the first title, which is nice to see, althoughThe Outer Worlds 1is available on Xbox Game Passfor those who want to play it before the sequel.The Outer Worlds 2will come out on October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, PlayStation 5, Battle.net, and Steam; plus, it’s available day-one on Xbox Game Pass. Game Pass users canbuy the Premium Upgradefor $30, allowing up to five days of early access, and you get the first two story expansions.
1Hollow Knight: Silksong Has Built Up Enormous Hype
The Most Anticipated Game Of The Year
For years,Hollow Knight: Silksonghas been viewed in the gaming community as the indie game equivalent toHalf-Life 3, with a lack of updates on release plans stretching on . However,Silksongis finally releasing this year. The sequel to the incredible 2017 indie Metroidvania titleHollow Knight,Silksong, appears to be bigger and better in every regard. There is no release date yet forSilksong, but we have a few clues. During the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase,Silksonggameplay was shownon an ROG Xbox Ally, which is currently scheduled for Holiday 2025.
Team Cherry’s marketing director later clarified thatSilksongisn’t a launch game for the new Xbox handheld, as it’ll actually be releasedsometime before the Holiday season. Regardless, it appears we’ll finally be able to play the most anticipated indie game in history not too long from now. It’ll be released on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Switch 1, Switch 2, Steam, GOG, and the Humble Store.Hollow Knight: Silksongwill also be available day-one on Xbox Game Pass.
