The Best Video Games of 2025 (So Far)

Nostalgic remasters, French gems, and must-play blockbusters: here, in all subjectivity, are the games that have marked the beginning of this year according to “Tech2Geek.”

“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”

A gem from the Montpellier studio Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 kicks the gaming world hard. Its qualities prove that a video game can achieve excellence despite a small team and a budget far from those of the AAA titles launched by Americans or Japanese. The scores speak for themselves: a rating of 92 on Metacritic (an internationally recognized site that collects ratings for music albums, video games, movies, etc., perceived by many as a reference), with over 2 million copies sold in less than two weeks. A record, particularly for a French video game! A memorable storyline, dreamlike graphics, an enchanting soundtrack, and impactful voice acting have made Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 one of the most acclaimed titles of the moment, sparking spectacular enthusiasm on social media. Even though its turn-based gameplay offers an ambitious challenge, those who manage to overcome its difficulty will discover characters and a story worthy of a novel or a film.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series.

“Monster Hunter Wilds”

Vast, lively, and bloody. Released in February, the latest entry in Capcom’s beloved Monster Hunter saga impresses with the richness of its ecosystems and the finesse of its staging, reminiscent of a nature documentary. While the game still involves slaying giant monsters, it questions the legitimacy of these actions more than ever, through sensitive storytelling and ethical choices woven into the gameplay. Beyond its gameplay adjustments and successful casting, Wilds stands out for an unexpected thematic coherence: the tension between wonder and destruction permeates the entire experience, even causing the very enjoyment of the hunt to waver. A paradox that the game does not solve, but embraces, leaving the player to contemplate long after putting down the controller.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series.

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows”

Long awaited, this Assassin’s Creed set in the Land of the Rising Sun did not disappoint: its first images ignited the anger of a segment of gamers upset by the idea that the game features a female ninja and a black samurai. This concept, viewed as a historical inconsistency, resulted in unjust and dubious review bombing. However, once the title was in hand, many critics had to acknowledge the talent of the French studio Ubisoft in creating action-adventure video games, as Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a poetic yet bloody epic set in a realistic and passionate depiction of feudal Japan. Environments transformed by the cycle of seasons immerse players in the Tenshō era when the famous Oda Nobunaga ignited the country in flames to unify it. A key period in Japanese history magnificently captured with stunning graphics and sharp gameplay, a worthy successor to the blockbuster Assassin’s Creed saga… while waiting for the next installment, which is set to take place during the Holy Roman Empire and its witch hunts: Assassin’s Creed Hexe.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series.

“Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle”

Released in December 2024 on Xbox Series and PC, the video game adapted from the universe of the most famous archaeologist finally arrives on PlayStation 5. In this installment subtitled “The Ancient Circle,” our dear Indy must travel through a world largely occupied by the Nazi invader, aiming to shed light on a sect that seems to find its origins in an ancient myth. This first-person action RPG beautifully recreates the ambiance of the films, controller in hand, with numerous nods to the universe and a soundtrack lovingly inspired by John Williams. The graphics dazzle us as we immerse ourselves in the skin of the eternal adventurer wearing a leather jacket, a fedora, and wielding a legendary whip.

“Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars”

This was a somewhat secretive, unique game released in the mid-1990s on the original PlayStation. Suikoden told more than just a simple pixel epic: a political and tragic fable adapted from a great 14th-century Chinese novel, “Water Margin,” where 108 outlaws band together against a sick empire. The game features child soldiers, melancholic strategists, charismatic female warriors, and even talking foxes. Players build a refuge castle piece by piece, reflecting their choices and loyalties. The remastered version now combines the first two installments of the series. The sprites have been smoothed, the lighting effects rethought, and the battles accelerated, but the essence remains intact: the rare feeling of stepping into another world and immersing oneself in a foundational J-RPG legend.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series.

“SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered”

Imagine walking through a Turner watercolor or a Corot landscape, and you will get a glimpse of SaGa Frontier 2, re-released this year in a remastered version: sharper, smoother, yet still haunting. Released in 1999, this Japanese RPG developed by Square already strayed from the established paths of the genre. There is no linear quest, but a mosaic of stories scattered over generations, where heroes come and go, falling and returning under different names. All supported by a remarkably delicate artistic direction, entirely hand-painted, giving every scene a dreamlike romantic quality. However, it features somewhat bewildering and convoluted gameplay, along with the regrettable absence of a French translation. But for those willing to dive in, SaGa Frontier 2 remains a gem with a gently melancholic charm like a forgotten legend whispered by the fireside.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series.

“South of Midnight”

If you’re a fan of action-adventure platformers but don’t want to spend 30-40 hours on one, try South of Midnight. Young Hazel lives alone with her mother in a mobile home in the fictional Southern bayou when a hurricane suddenly ravages the area. They are then separated, and Hazel braves the flooded lands in search of her mother. The young woman discovers that she comes from a long line of Weavers—women with the power to mend the Canvas of reality—and must confront creatures twisted by human wounds. With its stop-motion-like graphics and a deliciously bluesy soundtrack, the game evokes fantastical myths reminiscent of Louisiana, while addressing themes such as grief, abuse, and slavery. A blend of exploration, platforming, and action, South of Midnight is a lovely surprise, savored like a legend told by the fireside to the tune of a folk guitar.