2025 top twenty games reveals Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Hades 2 dominate year-end rankings. The gaming industry’s most prestigious outlets have solidified their picks as the calendar turns toward 2026. These two titans represent a watershed moment for design and innovation.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025 on December 11, 2025
- Hades 2 achieved 95/100 on Metacritic as the highest-rated original game of 2025
- Clair Obscur released April 24, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S
- Hades 2 launched September 25, 2025 after early access and received widespread critical acclaim
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged victorious at The Game Awards 2025 in a historic sweep. The turn-based RPG developed by French studio Sandfall Interactive took Game of the Year alongside Best RPG honors. This achievement marked unprecedented recognition for a fresh IP in the modern gaming landscape.
The game’s success spans beyond awards. Metacritic listed Clair Obscur among the year’s highest-rated titles with a 92-93 score across platforms. It became instantly available on Xbox Game Pass, becoming the biggest third-party launch on the service in 2025. Players praised the elegant Belle Époque-inspired world and tightly designed turn-based combat mechanics.
Hades 2 Sets Metacritic Records as Highest-Rated Game
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Hades 2 achieved a remarkable 95 Metacritic score on PC, securing status as the year’s highest-rated original game. The sequel surpassed numerous competitors through relentless polish and iteration. Developer Supergiant Games spent months in early access, responding to community feedback throughout 2025.
The roguelike released September 25, 2025 simultaneously across PC, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. Critics highlighted improved combat depth compared to the original Hades, enhanced character writing, and exceptional art direction. The game earned Best Action Game honors at The Game Awards, cementing its place among the year’s elite titles.
2025 Top Twenty Games Rankings Across Major Outlets
| Ranking Position | Top Contenders |
| #1-3 | Clair Obscur, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong |
| #4-10 | Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Donkey Kong Bananza |
| #11-20 | Mario Kart World, Split Fiction, ARC Raiders, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound |
| Critical Consensus | Multiple outlets including Polygon, Guardian, Ars Technica agree on top 20 diversity |
Award Recognition Across Multiple Categories
The Game Awards 2025 saw Clair Obscur dominate multiple categories beyond Game of the Year. The title also secured Best RPG recognition, showcasing industry-wide validation. Meanwhile, Hades 2 claimed Best Action Game, acknowledging Supergiant’s combat refinement and design excellence.
Hollow Knight: Silksong earned Best Action/Adventure Game, confirming the franchise’s continued resonance. Mario Kart World won Best Sports/Racing Game, while ARC Raiders claimed Best Multiplayer Game. This distribution reflects 2025’s remarkable breadth of quality releases across genres and platforms.
Has the quality and diversity of 2025 games justified the year-end rankings?
Critics and outlets consistently noted that 2025 represented gaming’s third-best year since 2011, according to The Gamer. The variety spanning indie darlings like Blue Prince to massive blockbusters demonstrates unprecedented range. Publishers released titles that satisfied hardcore enthusiasts while reaching mainstream audiences through diverse storytelling and mechanics.
Polygon’s comprehensive fifty-game ranking alongside guardian, ars Technica, and TechRadar’s top-twenty lists show remarkable agreement on core titles. The consensus validates that Clair Obscur and Hades 2 genuinely represent 2025’s creative pinnacle. Whether through narrative innovation, technical achievement, or design mastery, these winners earned their recognition through universal acclaim rather than niche appeal.
“Hades 2 has been the highest-rated game of 2025 on OpenCritic for a while with an insurmountable score of 94 on the platform”
— The Gamer, gaming outlet
Watch: Hades 2 Official Launch Trailer
Sources
- The Game Awards – Official Game of the Year 2025 winners and nominees
- Metacritic – Aggregated critic scores and highest-rated games of 2025
- Polygon – Comprehensive fifty best games of 2025 rankings
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.