What a year it has been for Xbox owners! From the sprawling, pack-hunting grounds of the Forbidden Lands to the clay-moulded nostalgia of Mungola, 2025 has delivered a relentless stream of high-quality experiences. 

We have been spoiled for choice, witnessing the return of legendary franchises and the birth of innovative indie darlings that have redefined what we expect from our consoles. 

But what are our Games of the Year for 2025? Well, every Xbox game on this list represents the pinnacle of its genre, earning a perfect 5/5 in our reviews, and a few were mentioned in our ‘2025, half-year’ piece. Whatever, you should probably play them… 

Monster Hunter Wilds

The unbridled force of nature takes centre stage in Monster Hunter Wilds, as it takes the series to new, sublime heights. 

As a Hunter tasked with surveying the mysterious Forbidden Lands, you’ll track massive beasts through environments that transform drastically as weather shifts from the harsh Fallow to the life-rich Plenty. 

Whether you are a veteran or a newcomer, the depth of the weapon types and the new pack-behaviour of monsters offers a “sublime time sink.” 

Our review noted that “once Monster Hunter Wilds has its teeth into you, you won’t want it to let go,“. This is the ultimate hunting experience.

Developer/Publisher: CAPCOM

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/monster-hunter-wilds/9NMT6XFN0LVD/0010

Split Fiction

The masters of co-op at Hazelight have done it again. 

Split Fiction follows Mio and Zoe, two writers trapped within their own sci-fi and fantasy stories. This mandatory co-op adventure is relentlessly diverse and innovative, tasking players with everything from taming dragons to battling cyber ninjas. 

By utilising the Cosmic Swap system, you and a partner must coordinate timing and abilities to survive their wild imaginations. 

We called it a “very special game” in review, that manages to be both accessible and wildly entertaining. It isn’t just a great co-op title; it’s a genuine Game of the Year contender that “sticks the landing” perfectly.

Developer: Hazelight Studios | Publisher: EA Originals

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/split-fiction/9p6rk94hjpzm

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Transporting the franchise to feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers the epic shinobi and samurai fantasy fans have craved for years. 

By pivoting between two protagonists – the agile Naoe and the powerful Yasuke – Shadows offers complementary playstyles that keep the open-world exploration fresh. 

Whether you are building a network or customising your own shinobi hideout, the game feels “very familiar, but still manages to do a great job of adding extra relish.” 

It’s a winning formula that proves Ubisoft is back on top form, offering a beautiful, reactive world that rewards both stealth and brute force.

Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/assassins-creed-shadows/9P42LWGMC7K4/0010

The First Berserker: Khazan

If you are looking for a challenge that rewards persistence, The First Berserker: Khazan is a “stupendous” hardcore Action RPG. 

Set in the Dungeon Fighter Online universe, you guide the falsely accused General Khazan on a brutal quest for revenge. The combat is “fast, flowing, and very smooth,” demanding mastery of dual-wielding, spears, and great-swords. 

While the boss battles are undeniably difficult, requiring precise timing and strategic thinking, our review highlighted that it “never feels unfair.” The striking 3D cel-shaded visuals bring the continent of Arad to life, creating a “perfect blend of anime and AAA production.“

Developer: Neople | Publisher: Nexon

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/the-first-berserker-khazan/9PKJWMBBGK38/0010

despelote

Without the caps, despelote is a rare gem that proves you don’t even have to like football to fall in love with its story. 

Seen through the eyes of eight-year-old Julián, you wander the parks of Quito, Ecuador, as the country nears World Cup qualification. It’s a “wonderfully moving story” about community, family, and the simple joy of kicking a ball. 

Our review praised despolote as a “perfect length” at just a few hours, delivering a biographical and historical narrative that is “biographical, personal, and of larger historical worth.” 

This is a poignant reminder of what it means to be human and the power of a shared passion.

Developer: Julián Cordero & Sebastian Valbuena | Publisher: Panic

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/despelote/9pcs3q4jscvv?

Aureole – Wings of Hope

Aureole – Wings of Hope is a “uniquely divine spin” on the classic platforming genre. 

Playing as Ramila and Ryleth, you must reclaim the Heaven Kingdom from demonic forces by mastering “supersonic speeds” and physics-based movement. It’s an arcade-inspired crusade that is “easy-to-learn yet hard-to-master,” requiring incredible precision as you dash and bounce through lush, celestial environments. 

Our review found it to be “quite simply flawless,” excelling above most modern platformers by merging nostalgia with incredibly smooth, responsive controls. 

If you have a need for speed, this halo-spinning adventure is essential.

Developer: Team Stargaizers | Publisher: JanduSoft

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/aureole-wings-of-hope/9phkhcf5vrc5

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance

Lizardcube has crafted a masterpiece with SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, a single-player experience that sits “proudly at the top of its class.” 

As the legendary Joe Musashi, you seek vengeance for your clan across a dozen visually striking stages. The action is “super-fast and super-furious,” requiring mastery of the Katana Oborozuki and various Ninjutsu arts. While the difficulty is high, our review noted the game is “quite simply flawless” and feels more polished than its genre rivals. 

For fans of high-stakes ninja side-scrollers, this is an unrelenting riot of precision combat and stylish platforming.

Developer: Lizardcube | Publisher: SEGA

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/shinobi-art-of-vengeance/9P37NBQJ58ML/0010

Dorfromantik

In a year of high-octane action, Dorfromantik stands out as a “truly special” peaceful puzzle experience. 

By placing procedurally generated tiles to create landscapes of forests, villages, and water, you build a “beautiful and endless” world at your own pace. It strikes a sublime balance between being “challenging and relaxing,” tasking you with fulfilling specific quests to keep your tile stack growing. 

With its hand-painted board game aesthetic and calming soundtrack, it’s a game that makes “time fly when you’re having fun.” It’s the perfect antidote to a busy day, offering high replay value without any of the stress.

Developer: Toukana Interactive | Publisher: Headup

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/dorfromantik/9pb1lxv5xtf3

Platypus Reclayed

The legendary claymation shooter returns in Platypus Reclayed, and it is “impressive on every front.” 

This isn’t just a remaster; it’s a total revamp with 4K widescreen artwork that makes the squishy, hand-moulded world of Mungola look better than ever. 

As you pilot the antique F-27 “Platypus” against the Colossatropolan fleet, you’ll find a “tight, tricky, but overall tremendous” arcade experience. 

Our review compared its quality to the mighty R-Type, praising its “fast, frantic, and incredibly fun” gameplay. It’s a triumphant return for one of the most iconic indie shooters in gaming history.

Developer/Publisher: Claymatic Games

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/platypus-reclayed/9PB1V7QPW66X/0010

Goodnight Universe

From the creative minds behind Before Your Eyes comes Goodnight Universe, an “uplifting and emotionally twisted” story that defies convention. 

You play as Isaac, a six-month-old baby who is developing psychic powers while being hunted by a secretive tech corporation. The game features mechanics that “surprise,” allowing players to interact with the world in ways they’ve never done before. 

Even without fancy camera tracking, the narrative depth makes you “consider the lives of all those found in-game.” It is a bold, experimental, and emotionally resonant journey that demands to be downloaded.

Developer: Nice Dream | Publisher: Skybound Games

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/goodnight-universe/9nt35fwnb5pc

Satisfactory

Satisfactory is the ultimate “conveyor belt heaven.“ So says our review.

As an employee of FICSIT on an alien planet, your goal is to conquer nature by building “massive, multi-story factories.” Whether you are automating trains to reach distant outposts or exploring the 30km² world with a jetpack, the game “executes its vision near flawlessly.” 

We found it to be a game where players can “easily sink dozens, if not hundreds, of hours” into perfecting their production lines. It turns the complex work of a factory foreman into an engrossing, open-world delight that is even better when shared with friends.

Developer: Coffee Stain Studios | Publisher: Coffee Stain Publishing

Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/satisfactory/9npr2cg6s95q

2025 – A Year to Remember

As we look back at the incredible Xbox games that graced our screens and consoles in 2025, it’s clear that the quality of gaming on Xbox has never been higher. 

Whether you found your thrills in the high-speed combat of SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, the tactical management of Satisfactory, or the moving streets of despelote, there was a 5/5 masterpiece for everyone.

What was your favourite game of 2025? The comments await.