Sunday, 12 January 2025
Hello and welcome back to the Hot List. This week we will turn our attention to the videogame industry, previewing for you loyal readers the most exciting videogames set for release in 2025.
It is no surprise that 2024 turned out to be a slow year in gaming compared to the unprecedented abundance of 2023. The latter benefited from the delays of Covid to allow for what is, arguably, the most absurdly stocked year for videogame releases in recent memory. That is not to say that 2024 was without excellent games, but as the industry returns to its normal pace, and with game development in general requiring increasingly lengthy incubation periods, some adaptation is required. Looking back at last year's Hot List, for example, I am struck by just how many titles ended up being delayed until after year-end or, in some cases, cancelled outright. So don't let anyone tell you otherwise; while gaming as a sector is larger and more demoractised than ever, there remain real industry challenges.
For this year's list, I have done my best to compile a top 15 of the very best set for release in 2025. In particular, I have focused this year on trying to really nail down the titles most likely for a 2025 release, although there are a few that remain questionable. To that end, here are the 15 key videogames to keep an eye on in the coming year (trailers linked in the title where available), starting with number 15:
15. Judas (PC, Playstation, Xbox)
We start things off with Judas, the highly anticipated debut game from Ghost Story Games, a studio led by BioShock creator Ken Levine, in his first title since 2013's Bioshock Infinite.
We start things off with Judas, the highly anticipated debut game from Ghost Story Games, a studio led by BioShock creator Ken Levine, in his first title since 2013's Bioshock Infinite. Judas promises to deliver a rich, narrative-driven experience. Set on a generational starship enroute to Proxima Centauri, players take control of Judas, as she leads a rebellion against the ship's autocratic leaders.
With its stylised art direction and emphasis on player choice shaping the narrative, Judas is poised to be an exciting new entry in the immersive sim genre, capturing the same philosophical and emotional depth that defined Levine’s earlier masterpieces.
Judas is set for release "no later than" March 2025.
Release Date: March 2025
14. Fable (PC, Xbox)
The Fable franchise returns in a highly anticipated reboot from Playground Games, reimagining the iconic series with modern storytelling and cutting-edge visuals.
The Fable series takes place in the whimsical yet dangerous world of Albion, a high fantasy world which draws heavily on European folklore, and the fantastical stylings of authors like Terry Pratchett and JK Rowling. Combine this with a distinctly British sense of humour, and you get some idea of what has made the setting so enduring.
Players can expect a mix of open-world exploration, dynamic combat, and moral decision-making that will shape the fate of their character and the world around them.
A formal release date has yet to be set, but is said to be targeting the Q4 2025 window.
Release Date: Late 2025
As technology has improved and, with it, the capacity for complex storytelling in gaming, a genre of narrative-focused titles has begun to take greater prominence. Developers Don't Nod are arguably at the forefront of this genre, with the great success achieved by their Life is Strange franchise.
Their newest title, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is being billed as a sort of spiritual successor to the series that put this dev team on the map (now that Life is Strange has been moved on to other developers) and is expected to feature a similar coming of age story with surreal, thematic elements. For fans of their earlier work, this is looking to be an essential purchase. With those who never experienced the original Life is Strange, this could well replicate that moment for a new generation.
Originally set for release in 2024, Lost Records has been delayed and is now expected to release in February.
Release Date: February 2025
Ion Lands' debut title Cloudpunk placed them as one of the new darlings in indie gaming. But while the cyberpunk taxi simulator was blessed with tight driving mechanics and surprisingly adept storytelling, what really elevated the game to prominence was its setting, a stunning voxel cyberpunk dystopia oozing with atmosphere. Follow up project Nivalis builds on that strength. A slice of life sim set in that same immersive setting.
In Nivalis, players control a new character aiming to build a life in this city. The game will feature business management, social simulation and home decorating. Like a cyberpunk version of Stardew Valley, with more life-sim features. Ion Lands recognise that the biggest asset of Cloudpunk was its world, and Nivalis aims to capitalise on that asset by turning it into a fully immersive experience in which players can live and explore, and really feel a part of the setting.
After many years of development, Nivalis has been confirmed for a spring 2025 release.
Release Date: Spring 2025
11. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (PC, Mac, Xbox)
Next up we have a sequel to one of the most hyped indie releases of recent years. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is the sequel to 2022's Citizen Sleeper, a narrative title about a runaway android on a space station, trying to survive and stay hidden from his former corporate masters.
Next up we have a sequel to one of the most hyped indie releases of recent years. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is the sequel to 2022's Citizen Sleeper, a narrative title about a runaway android on a space station, trying to survive and stay hidden from his former corporate masters.If the gameplay was a little simplistic - a blend between a virtual novel with outcomes determined by the role of dice and the player's balancing of different priorities - the art style, world-building, and timely narrative helped Citizen Sleeper rise to become one of the most acclaimed titles of 2022.
With this sequel, developer Jump Over the Age is looking to build on these successful foundations, but add more depth, more complexities. A new location and character, this time with your own ship and crew to manage. Another title that had initially been pencilled in for 2024. Following delay, it will now release in January of this year.
Release Date: January 2025
10. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (PC, Playstation, Xbox)
The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance is best known as one of the early examples of successful game production through crowdfunding. This was a niche concept that no publisher would finance, a realistic medieval adventure game with no magic or fantasy tropes, and would not have existed but for what was, at the time, a novel approach to development. It went on to be a massive success, and it was only a matter of time before a bigger, bolder sequel came along.
Which brings us to the creatively named sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. No need for crowdfunding this time. This sequel continues the journey of Henry of Skalitz in 15th-century Bohemia amid the turmoil of civil war. Building upon its predecessor's commitment to historical authenticity, the sequel offers an expanded open world, introducing new regions. Players can expect refined combat mechanics, including the addition of crossbows and early firearms, as well as enhanced character interactions with a deeper persuasion system.
We won't have long to wait for this one, releasing early February.
Release Date: February 2025
The Alters, developed by 11 Bit Studios, is an upcoming sci-fi survival game that sees players assume the role of Jan Dolski, a space miner stranded on a hostile planet, who must create alternative versions of himself—known as "alters"—to survive and find a way home.
The game uniquely blends adventure, survival, and base-building elements. The concept of creating cast of characters comprising of different versions of the same person promises to be a quite delightful twist on narrative gaming, kind of a cross between the clone-operated colony of the film Moon and the personified personality traits of Disco Elysium. Players will need to manage relationships with their alters, each possessing distinct skills and personalities, to operate the colony and survive.
The Alters will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and is expected to release in the first half of 2025.
Release Date: Early 2025
Next we have the debut title from developers AdHoc Studio. Dispatch is an upcoming superhero workplace comedy adventure game set in modern-day Los Angeles, in which players assume the role of Robert Robertson, also known as Mecha Man, whose mech-suit is destroyed in a battle against his nemesis, leading him to take a job at a superhero dispatch center—not as a hero, but as a dispatcher.
Tasked with rehabilitating a group of ex-supervillains, players must manage their roster while navigating office relationships and rebuilding their suit for a shot at revenge. The game features a branching narrative where every decision influences the unfolding story, complemented by a strategy map for deploying heroes to emergencies around the city. The production looks very impressive so far, with crisp animation and surprisingly sharp writing that wouldn't look out of place in an Amazon Prime TV series. It doesn't hurt that the voice cast includes some genuine Hollywood talent in Aaron Paul.
A precise release date is TBD, but this is scheduled to release in 2025.
Release Date: TBD 2025
7. Mafia: The Old Country (PC, Playstation, Xbox)
A new entry in the popular Mafia franchise, but with a delightful twist. Mafia: The Old Country takes players to a charming period setting in early 1900s Sicily for this upcoming action adventure title.
A new entry in the popular Mafia franchise, but with a delightful twist. Mafia: The Old Country takes players to a charming period setting in early 1900s Sicily for this upcoming action adventure title.Players will step into the shoes of Enzo Favara, an orphaned laborer who becomes entangled with the Torrisi crime family, delving into the origins of organized crime. The game emphasizes a deep, linear narrative, focusing on rich storytelling and authentic realism, characteristic of the Mafia franchise.
Mafia is a franchise that has often been compared unfavourably to similar titles in the genre, most notably Grand Theft Auto. But the entries in this series are increasingly standing on their own feet, with highly impressive production and slick gameplay. This looks like it could potentially be the best of the series so far, with a unique setting that should help differentiate it from the crowd.
Scheduled for release in the summer of 2025, it will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.
Release Date: Summer 2025
6. Skate Story (PC, Mac)
Sometimes a project will sell you on the tagline alone: "You are a demon, made of glass and pain. And yet you must skate." The Devil has given you a skateboard with a simple deal: Skate to the Moon and swallow it — and you shall be freed.
Sometimes a project will sell you on the tagline alone: "You are a demon, made of glass and pain. And yet you must skate." The Devil has given you a skateboard with a simple deal: Skate to the Moon and swallow it — and you shall be freed.Skateboarding games have long fallen out of fashion since the halcyon days of Tony Hawk and Skate. Perhaps what they've needed is something more than just generic urban grit. Such is the thinking of Sam Eng, the one man band behind Skate Story.
There's a lot to love about this project. It is visually absolutely stunning, with great music to complement the lonely, wistful themes. The story is just daffy and over the top enough to work. If they can nail the feel of the controls, this looks like it will be solid gold. A baffling, brilliant original.
5. Avowed (PC, Xbox)
There is not a single thing about the pitch behind Avowed that I do not like. Obsidian are masters of the RPG genre, known for the excellent Pillars of Eternity series as well Fallout: New Vegas (and indeed the team features many of the original creators of the Fallout franchise) and most recently the award winning The Outer Worlds. This is a Skyrim-like first person action RPG set in the same world as their Pillars series.
Obsidian are known for crafting immersive, fully fleshed out worlds that provide a high level of player agency, where the player's decisions have a real tangible impact on the story. The opportunity to dive into a new Obsidian RPG is always a reason for excitement, but I am especially excited to see the Pillars series (previously an old-school isometric RPG) reimagined from a fully immersive first person perspective.
A perennially delayed title. After a, clearly premature, reveal several years ago, Avowed will finally see release in February 2025 and I can't wait to sink my teeth into this.
Release Date: February 2025
4. Ghost of Yotei (Playstation)
As we have already discussed with this article, realistic period settings are something of a rarity in gaming. Yet this year we have a good three titles that fit that description, and this might just be the most exciting of the bunch.
Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best original titles to come out of Sony Interactive in many years. Visually stunning, satisfyingly tactile, and blessed with one of the better executed narratives in modern gaming. It was only a matter of time before we saw a sequel.
Set in 1603, over 300 years after the original game, Ghost of Yotei will see players embody Atsu, a female warrior who adopts the persona of "The Ghost" in the regions surrounding Mount Yōtei in Hokkaido, Japan. The game promises to enhance player agency, offering more control over narrative choices, and introduces new gameplay mechanics, including dual-wielding katanas and the use of matchlock guns, reflecting the early Edo period's technological advancements.
With a dynamic open world featuring diverse landscapes from sprawling grasslands to snowy tundras, Ghost of Yōtei aims to build upon its predecessor's legacy, delivering an immersive samurai experience exclusively on PlayStation in 2025.
Release Date: TBD 2025
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PC, Playstation, Xbox)
Release Date: TBD 2025
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PC, Playstation, Xbox)
Billed as a western take on the classic JRPG formula, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an upcoming turn-based role-playing game and the debut title developed by Sandfall Interactive.
The game unfolds in a dark fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France, where players lead Expedition 33 on a quest to end the deadly cycle imposed by the enigmatic Paintress, whose annual paintings determine the age at which individuals perish. Featuring a unique blend of turn-based combat enhanced with real-time mechanics, players can engage in actions such as dodging, parrying, and countering in real time, adding depth and immersion to battles.
The narrative is brought to life by a high quality voice cast, including Charlie Cox as Gustave and Andy Serkis as Renoir, promising a rich and engaging storytelling experience. The JRPG is a tried and tested format that focuses on narrative, world building and characters. The idea of seeing a fresh interpretation of this which breaks free of the usual tropes should be very exciting indeed for fans of the genre.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms, due for release this summer.
Release Date: Summer 2025
2. The Outer Worlds 2 (PC, Playstation, Xbox)
What's better than one RPG from Obsidian? Two RPGs from Obsidian. It's a busy year for the boys from Irvine. This time it's The Outer Worlds 2, the eagerly awaited sequel to the acclaimed 2019 sci-fi RPG.
The Outer Worlds was a big moment for Obsidian. Their first attempt to create a truly big game in full 3D, building on their past experience working on the Fallout franchise, and showing they could do similar work without a Bethesda-sized budget. While it may not quite have reached those heights, it was an unequivocal success, one which gives them the confidence and greater resources to pursue even greater scope.
This sequel promises the same retrofuturistic universe and sense of humour, with players exploring a brand-new solar system with an entirely new cast of characters. Boasting enhanced visuals, an expanded arsenal of weapons, and a heightened focus on action-packed gameplay, The Outer Worlds 2 aims to build upon the original's foundation.
Release Date: TBD 2025
1. Grand Theft Auto VI (PC - eventually, Playstation, Xbox)
And for our number 1 pick in 2025 videogames, it really couldn't be anything else, could it? Grand Theft Auto VI is the long, long, long awaited sequel to one of the biggest videogames of all time, in one of the most celebrated and well known franchises in gaming.
And for our number 1 pick in 2025 videogames, it really couldn't be anything else, could it? Grand Theft Auto VI is the long, long, long awaited sequel to one of the biggest videogames of all time, in one of the most celebrated and well known franchises in gaming.More than a decade in the making, GTA VI sees players return to Vice City in the present day, the GTA universe's version of Florida. Taking a page from its predecessor, this title will feature an expansive world, including its main city as well as the surrounding countryside and wilderness, offering the largest and most immersive evolution of the series to date.
The narrative follows a criminal duo, Lucia and her partner (ostensibly a play on Bonnie and Clyde), as they navigate the underworld of this expansive open world. Players can expect enhanced graphics, increased interactivity with the environment, and next-gen destruction physics, with reports suggesting that approximately 40% of buildings will be enterable. While specific gameplay details remain under wraps, Rockstar aims to push the boundaries of immersive, story-driven open-world experiences, building upon the success of its predecessors.
Release Date: Late 2025
So there you have it folks: 2025 in videogames. Tune in next week for the most exciting new novels and literature coming this year!
