It’s, somehow, July 2025, and a very busy year in video games is halfway over.
Nintendofinally released the Switch 2. A smaller,AA studioreleased one of the greatest games of all time. Grand Theft Auto 6 got a new trailer…that confirms a delay until next year.
Undoubtedly, GTA 6 will be one of our highest-reviewed games of 2026, pending a shocking fall from grace for Rockstar Games. What about the games of this year, though? With it being the halfway point of the year, it feels like the right time to recap some of the year’s very best, according to our review team.
In total, four games have been given a perfect 10/10 score, three titles received a 9.5 out of 10, and several others earned an impressive 9/10. So then, which titles are the best of the best and our highest-reviewed games of 2025? Let’s find out!
12 Best Indie Games of 2025 (So Far)
There are always amazing indies every year. For 2025, here are the top contenders you owe it to yourself to check out!
18Fretless - The Wrath Of Riffson
A Cozy, Creative, Musical RPG
Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson
Fretless - The Wrath Of Riffson is possibly the most under-the-radar game on this list, and we think you should help change that ASAP. This little debut title from Ritual Studios is a genuine triumph in cozy, creative RPG design, and it’ll capture fans of many retro-style titles.
Starring Rob Scallon of YouTube guitarist fame and actually referred to as the world’s first “Guitar-PG,” Fretless is a rhythm-based, turn-based RPG with some light deckbuilder influence that is simply dripping with charm, style, brilliant ideas, and enough musical puns and references to satisfy anyone who has ever picked up an instrument.
The combat is highlighted by having to execute moves to the beat of the music, and also features special attacks where you’ll play notes flying down a fretboard akin to a solo in Guitar Hero.
Despite having a lot of systems at play, the game is incredibly approachable and never stops being fun and rewarding. It’s the type of game we really hope puts the dev team on the map so we can get more of this franchise moving forward.
17Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
The Best Version Of A Great JRPG
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
The Xenoblade franchise has always felt like it’s been hampered by inferior Nintendo hardware. Of course, that’s low-key been the case; the Xenoblade Chronicles games have debuted on the Nintendo Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch (yes, as much as I love it, it’s an underpowered system).
Sadly,Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionarrived on the Nintendo Switch. But on the plus side, it’s a massive improvement over what we saw a decade ago on the Wii U hardware, and it gets to take advantage of the Switch 2 hardware too!
One of the biggest changes comes with how streamlined the experience is now, as should be the case with any remaster or “definitive” release. Monolith took the game’s issues to heart, addressing them to create a more enjoyable experience.
The cherry on top is the addition of new story content, new areas to explore, and even some companion characters that have joined the cast. Whether you’ve played the original or are new to the Xenoblade franchise, this is the version of Chronicles X you need to play.
16WWE 2K25
King of the Ring
It’s hard to make a sports game. It’s even harder when that sports game isWWE 2K25.
You see, there’s no real offseason in professional wrestling, which means the superstars on the roster, storylines, and characters are always changing. So while WWE 2K25 may have been “missing” certain wrestlers at launch, the game’s post-launch support has done an excellent job of introducing newcomers like Stephanie Vaquer.
Having said all that, it’s a testament to the hard work of the team at Visual Concepts to deliver one of the best wrestling games I’ve ever played. This is a true love letter to the industry, from the impressive showcase of the Bloodline dynasty, fantastic gameplay, to the popular MyGM and MyRise modes.
Sadly, the all-new Island gameplay is nothing short of a cash grab, but it’s a testament to how strong the rest of the game is that I can easily overlook that fact.
An Essential Obsidian Experience
Fextralife Wiki
I feel like we’ll look back atAvowedin a few years and start to call it one of the more underrated RPGs of the 2020s. It’s already starting to age well, and there’s one big reason for that.
The trend in modern games is to make every title feel bigger than everything else. Playing through the massive world of today’s Assassin’s Creed games is a good idea in theory, but the reality is that there’s so much bloat and downtime, it’s easy to become bored.
That’s not the case with Avowed; Obsidian Entertainment has instead delivered a far more focused, well-paced RPG experience. The Living Lands is gorgeous and vibrant, and I actively want to participate in all its side missions and exploration.
Its streamlined focus has me constantly coming back for more, and the fantastic combat is what keeps a smile on my face. Experimenting with ability builds, weapons, and playstyles is a blast, and it’s one that’s benefited from your impressive supporting cast. Give this a try onXbox Game Pass; you won’t regret it.
14Two Point Museum
Two Point Museum
TheTwo Pointfranchise of business sims may not be as well-known or iconic as others in the genre, but it’s getting harder and harder to ignore them.
It speaks volumes that our reviewer, who was new to the series, felt right at home. “I was pleasantly surprised by how intuitive and accessible Two Point Museum is,” they said, “but that’s not to say there isn’t still a decent challenge in trying to manage and maintain the different museum sites. I can confidently say that Museum is the strongest entry in the series so far. Everything Two Point Museum sets out to do, it achieves with flying colors.”
There’s a wonderful mix of deep, strategic simulation gameplay alongside charming humor that makes it a constant delight. Far too often, complex simulation games can feel a little too stressful. On the opposite end of the spectrum, those who attempt to tone back the seriousness do it a little too well. Two Point Museum finds the right balance between the two.
If you’re still on the fence, check this out during a Steam sale, give it a go, and then question why it took so long to discover Two Point Museum before you go back and experience other entries in the franchise.
Two Point Campus Shows We Need a Two Point Theme Park
13Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
The Follow-Up To One Of 2022’s Best Games
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
How do you improve on what many called an already perfect game? It’s no easy task, but one that Jump Over The Age delivers on.
Whether you’ve played the originalCitizen Sleeperseveral times or are coming in to Starward Vector fresh, you’ll settle in quckly. Yes, there’s a bit of a learning curve to get over, but once you get over the hump, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
The star of the show is the story and its characters, which help propel the choose-your-own-adventure style gameplay forward. It shares a lot in common with tabletop RPG experiences, for better or worse, but Starward Vector does an excellent job of feeling more involved gameplay wise than its predecessor.
For that reason alone, I sure hope that more people check out this indie darling. It’s a deep, complex, and crunchy experience that’s far more accessible than you realize, which makes it easier to experience the story a second, third, or even a fourth time.
12Monster Train 2
One of the Best Deckbuilders on the Market
Monster Train 2
2020’s Monster Train became a cult classic thanks to its ability to reinvent the roguelike and deckbuilding genres. When word came of a sequel set to release earlier this year, it caught the attention of many indie fans.
WouldMonster Train 2be a worthy sequel that does enough to improve on the original? The answer is a resounding yes.
One of the biggest issues in the original game was the lack of setup at the start of each fight. Monster Train 2 addresses that issue, removing some of the worst “feels bad” moments that can exist in any card game. You’re no longer sometimes losing to bad luck, and the overall gameplay does a better job of rewarding skill.
It’s super apparent from the get-go, and I’m convinced that I’m emerging victorious in battles that I wouldn’t have otherwise in the original because of this single change.
Everything comes together to deliver a complete package, with gameplay constantly staying fresh and fun no matter how long you’ve been playing. Slay the Spire may have the better brand recognition, but if you’re looking for a new deckbuilder, you need to give Monster Train 2 a try.
11Mario Kart World
Maybe Not $80 Good, But Still Pretty Darn Good
Mario Kart World
The biggest flaw withMario Kart Worldis that $80 price tag. Yes, there is a lot of content here, although not all of it is worth your while (looking at you, free roam).
Don’t let that make you think Mario Kart World is yet another shallow, underbaked modern Nintendo release that led to people beingdisappointed in the Nintendo Switch. This is one of the most jam-packed Nintendo games ever, offering an impressive roster of playable characters, a wide variety of tracks, and plenty of replayability to boot.
This is honestly the first time I realized that we’ve seen a decrease in the number of available in-game tracks since Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, although that number was boosted by the combined DLC tracks. The biggest reason? The inclusion of Knockout Tour, the 24-player races, and the off-road capabilities, along with the wall and rail grinding sections.
I have never seen so much creativity, so much platforming, and so much precision in a game, ever, and it’s all coming from a kart racer! This was a fantastic way to launch the Nintendo Switch 2.
10Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Back in Black
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
There have been some incredibleshadowdropped gamesover the years, but Ninja Gaiden 2 Black may be my favorite.
It was a surprise out of left field that I never expected, and seeing the Team Ninja logo appear on screen during this year’s Xbox Developer Direct got me to scream in delight. It took me a whopping three seconds to jump from my computer to my Xbox so I could install the game after its announcement.
I mentioned in my review that Ninja Gaiden 2 Black may not be the “definitive” version of the game in the way that Ninja Gaiden Black is for the 2004 release, but it’s still a fantastic action game in its own right. Yes, the camera is still bad, and yes, the platforming is still annoying, but none of that matters.
Ninja Gaiden 2 was severely underrated on release, and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black has rightfully put the game and franchise back on everyone’s radar, leading into the release of not one, but two new Ninja Gaiden games later this year.
9Dune: Awakening
The Spice Must Flow
Dune: Awakening
Launching an MMORPG in 2025 is a risky endeavor. The genre is well past its prime, and asking modern gamers for a large commitment is a tough sell. Despite all of those concerns,Dune: Awakeningis more than up to the task.
Between the success of Dune: Awakening and the brilliance of Denis Villeneuve’s movie adaptations, it’s never been a better time to be a Dune fan. This is as close as we’re going to get to knowing what it’s like on Arrakis, which, unsurprisingly, translates super well to thesurvival genre.
Combine that survival style of gameplay along with the feel of an MMORPG, and it’s a match made in heaven. Far too often, modern MMOs tend to push people away, rather than have them work together like we did back in the days of Classic World of Warcraft.
Going it alone on Arrakis is nothing short of a death sentence, and Dune: Awakening’s ability to embrace that into its gameplay experience is a big reason why it’s seen so much success. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the game later this year and beyond.
8 Best MMO’s Where Grinding is Fun
Not all MMO grinds are created equal—some feel like a chore, while others are incredibly rewarding. These MMOs offer the most enjoyable grind.
