While most gaming outlets stick to predictable picks, NPR just released their 2025 best games list and it reads like a love letter to overlooked titles. Published on December 3rd, the comprehensive roundup from NPR staff members and contributors highlights everything from multiplayer sensations to narrative-driven indies to tabletop experiences. The surprising winner topping their list is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game many mainstream outlets barely acknowledged.
Why Clair Obscur Beat the Big Names
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed NPR’s top spot for delivering what reviewers called near-perfect execution across every dimension. Available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, the game combines three-dimensional characters that players fall deeply in love with, an unpredictable story packed with mysteries and wild twists, an exceptional soundtrack, and a unique turn-based battle system rewarding timed parries and dodges.
The title translates to “Light Dark” in French, which perfectly captures its tonal range. NPR’s reviewer spent weeks obsessing over the game’s profound themes and narrative surprises, noting how it alternates between light moments that make you cry laughing and dark moments that simply make you cry. With over 100 hours of gameplay, it draws comparisons to narrative-heavy masterpieces like Danganronpa, AI: The Somnium Files, and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.
The Indies That Made the Cut
NPR’s list stands out for championing indie games that flew under most radars. Blue Prince earned multiple mentions as an innovative experience worth celebrating. The Roottrees Are Dead and Many Nights a Whisper also received enthusiastic praise from staff, with multiple reviewers calling them among their personal top picks for the entire year.
Reddit commenters particularly appreciated this focus on lesser-known titles. One user noted how these comprehensive lists benefit people who aren’t constantly up-to-date on every release, with several games catching their attention that they’d never heard of before. The ability to filter by platform made the list even more practical for discovering playable options.
Additional indie highlights included:
- Dispatch – A narrative-driven experience praised for its storytelling approach
- Consume Me – Another story-centric game that made an emotional impact
- The Midnight Walk – A VR experience offering something genuinely different
- Ghost Town – Virtual reality title that stood out in an increasingly crowded space
Big Console Exclusives That Delivered
While indies dominated, NPR didn’t ignore major releases when they truly impressed. Donkey Kong Bananza earned recognition as one of the biggest selling points for the Nintendo Switch 2. The demolition mechanics proved so viscerally satisfying that reviewers admitted having trouble focusing on plot progression just because destroying things felt so good. With layered gameplay and sterling animation quality, it represents Nintendo’s continued ability to deliver system-defining experiences.
Doom: The Dark Ages received praise for its castlepunk aesthetic and aggressive sound design that pulls players into a flow state. While the mecha battles and dragon flights felt slow and awkward compared to the core action, the shield parrying and shotgun combat made it an obvious standout. The basic plot includes some surprises but smartly stays out of the way of what matters most – the relentless action.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins marked a remarkable franchise reboot that trimmed down the previously bloated roster of nearly 100 playable characters. By focusing on a few key people with a tighter narrative, the game created something special for fans familiar with the source material. The action remained dynamic and engaging with officer tag-ins, musou team-ups, troop commands, and branching campaign paths across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Multiplayer and Live Service Winners
NPR’s coverage extended to multiplayer phenomena that defined 2025’s social gaming landscape. Arc Raiders and Elden Ring: Nightreign both earned mentions as multiplayer sensations worth experiencing with friends. These titles demonstrated how live service games can succeed when they prioritize player experience over monetization schemes.
Dune: Awakening particularly impressed for pushing the survival-crafting genre by emulating massively multiplayer games like World of Warcraft and Runescape. The PC exclusive brings players into an alternate timeline without Paul Atreides, driving you to seek out missing Fremen. Exploring the ancient and vast world as a sand-biker gang with an ornithopter hovering overhead created thrilling moments that kept players “thirsty for more.”
Tabletop Games Got Love Too
In a move that sets NPR apart from most gaming outlets, their list included inventive tabletop experiences alongside digital games. Molly House and The Old King’s Crown both received recognition for innovative designs that pushed physical gaming forward. This inclusive approach acknowledges that “gaming” encompasses more than just video games, recognizing the renaissance happening in board games and tabletop RPGs.
The inclusion of tabletop titles reflects NPR’s broader cultural perspective, treating games as a creative medium rather than just a technology category. This philosophy shaped their entire list, prioritizing artistic merit, emotional impact, and innovative design over technical prowess or commercial success.
What This List Reveals About Gaming
NPR’s choices highlight a growing divide between mainstream gaming coverage and what actually resonates with diverse audiences. While major outlets chase blockbuster releases and established franchises, NPR’s staff gravitated toward games offering genuine innovation in storytelling, mechanics, or emotional depth. The mixed reviews for some mainstream titles versus the unanimous praise for overlooked gems suggests the industry still struggles to recognize quality outside familiar patterns.
The interactive format of NPR’s list allows filtering by platform, making it practical rather than just aspirational. Whether you own a Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, or VR headset, the list provides curated options matched to your hardware. This accessibility-focused approach ensures recommendations remain useful instead of frustrating.
FAQs
What game topped NPR’s best of 2025 list?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the top spot on NPR’s 2025 games list. The turn-based RPG earned praise for its compelling characters, unpredictable story, exceptional soundtrack, and unique battle system requiring over 100 hours to complete.
When did NPR publish their 2025 game picks?
NPR published their comprehensive best games of 2025 list on December 3, 2025. The article features picks from NPR staff members and contributors across various gaming genres and platforms.
Does NPR’s list include indie games?
Yes, NPR’s list heavily features indie games including Blue Prince, The Roottrees Are Dead, Many Nights a Whisper, Dispatch, and Consume Me. The focus on lesser-known indie titles distinguishes their list from mainstream gaming outlets.
What platforms are covered in NPR’s 2025 game list?
NPR’s interactive list covers games across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and VR platforms. Users can filter the list by platform to find games compatible with their hardware.
Did NPR include any Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives?
Yes, Donkey Kong Bananza earned recognition as one of the biggest selling points for Nintendo Switch 2. NPR praised its satisfying demolition mechanics, layered gameplay, and sterling animation quality.
Are multiplayer games included in NPR’s picks?
Yes, NPR highlighted several multiplayer experiences including Arc Raiders, Elden Ring: Nightreign, and Dune: Awakening. These games represent what NPR called “multiplayer sensations” worth experiencing with friends.
Did NPR include tabletop games in their list?
Yes, NPR uniquely included inventive tabletop games like Molly House and The Old King’s Crown alongside digital titles. This inclusive approach recognizes gaming as a creative medium beyond just video games.
Conclusion
NPR’s 2025 gaming list proves that thoughtful curation beats chasing hype cycles. By prioritizing artistic merit, emotional resonance, and innovative design over commercial success, their staff assembled recommendations that serve players seeking meaningful experiences rather than just the next big thing. From Clair Obscur’s narrative masterpiece to overlooked indie gems like The Roottrees Are Dead, the list champions games that might otherwise disappear in the noise of mainstream coverage. Whether you’re looking for a quick diversion or an epic 50-hour adventure, NPR’s interactive platform-filtered approach makes discovering your next favorite game genuinely accessible. As the gaming industry grows increasingly homogenized, lists like this remind us that the medium’s greatest strength lies in its diversity.