Game Informer just revealed their top 10 games of 2025, and it’s a list that perfectly captures what made this year special: surprise hits from small studios competing toe-to-toe with big-budget blockbusters. Topping their list is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the stunning turn-based RPG that swept The Game Awards and captivated players with its Belle Époque-inspired world. But the real story is how many unexpected titles made the cut alongside established franchises.
The Complete Top 10 List
Game Informer’s editorial staff selected these games as the year’s best after extensive deliberation. The list includes a mix of massive AAA releases, anticipated sequels, and indie darlings that came out of nowhere to steal hearts:
– Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
– Ghost of Yotei
– Hollow Knight: Silksong
– Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
– Blue Prince
– Arc Raiders
– Split Fiction
– Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
– The Roottrees Are Dead
– Hades II
Clair Obscur Takes the Crown
That Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 landed at number one shouldn’t shock anyone who played it. The turn-based RPG from French studio Sandfall Interactive became an instant classic with its innovative combat system blending traditional turn-based mechanics with active timing elements. Set in a world where a mysterious figure called the Paintress erases anyone who reaches a certain age each year, the game combines gorgeous Belle Époque aesthetics with compelling characters and strategic depth.
Clair Obscur swept The Game Awards 2025, winning Best RPG, and dominated reader polls with 73% of Game Informer readers ranking it in their personal top five. The game proved that new studios with fresh ideas can compete against established franchises, even in the crowded RPG space. Game Informer’s own review praised it with high scores, noting the reviewer didn’t want the expedition to end despite being eager to see its conclusion.
Ghost of Yotei and Hollow Knight Shine
Ghost of Yotei secured the second spot, proving Sucker Punch’s magic from Ghost of Tsushima wasn’t a one-time thing. The sequel shifted the setting from 13th century Tsushima to 1603 Hokkaido, introducing new protagonist Atsu and expanding on the original’s gorgeous open-world samurai action. The game launched in October 2025 to strong reviews and sold 3.3 million copies in its first weeks, cementing Sucker Punch as one of PlayStation’s most important studios.
Hollow Knight: Silksong finally released after years of anticipation, and it was absolutely worth the wait according to Game Informer. The metroidvania sequel expanded everything players loved about the original while introducing new protagonist Hornet with her own movement abilities and combat style. Silksong won Best Action-Adventure at The Game Awards 2025, beating tough competition to claim the category. Team Cherry proved that taking time to get things right pays off.
The Indie Darlings
What makes Game Informer’s list special is how prominently indie games feature alongside AAA blockbusters. Blue Prince, the narrative roguelike from Raw Fury, landed at number five. The game blends dungeon crawling with deep storytelling as you navigate a prince’s memories through procedurally generated encounters. Game Informer gave it top review scores, praising its unique approach to roguelike storytelling.
The Roottrees Are Dead, a puzzle investigation game about finding every blood relative in a mysterious family tree, claimed the ninth spot. This PC exclusive from developers Sokpop Collective became a sleeper hit for players who love cerebral puzzle games. The engrossing mystery kept players glued to their screens solving genealogical riddles to uncover dark family secrets.
Action Excellence
Arc Raiders represents one of 2025’s biggest multiplayer success stories. Embark Studios’ extraction shooter launched to strong reception, blending PvPvE combat with unique behavior-based matchmaking that matches players by playstyle. Game Informer praised it as a high mark for the growing extraction shooter subgenre, appreciating how it made the notoriously hardcore genre more approachable without sacrificing depth.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance brought Sega’s classic ninja franchise roaring back with modern polish. The action game delivered satisfying combat, gorgeous visuals, and level design that honored the series legacy while pushing it forward. Multiple Game Informer editors included it in their personal top 10 lists, showing the game resonated across the editorial staff.
Co-Op Magic and Medieval Mayhem
Split Fiction from Hazelight Studios proved that developer Josef Fares still has the magic touch for co-op experiences. Following It Takes Two, Split Fiction delivered another mandatory co-op adventure that can only be played with a partner. The game launched in March 2025 and became an instant hit among players looking for quality couch co-op experiences. One player can even join free if their partner owns the game, maintaining Hazelight’s player-friendly philosophy.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II took the seventh spot, delivering Warhorse Studios’ ambitious sequel to their historical RPG. The game expanded the scope of medieval Bohemia while refining the systems that made the original special. Players returned as Henry of Skalitz navigating political intrigue and realistic combat in one of gaming’s most authentic historical settings.
Hades II Rounds Out the List
Supergiant Games’ Hades II claimed the tenth position after its full release in 2025. The roguelike sequel to the beloved original shifted focus to Melinoe, daughter of Hades, as she fights to save her family from Chronos. The game won Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2025 and earned high review scores from Game Informer. While it built on the original’s formula rather than reinventing it, Hades II proved that Supergiant understands what made the first game special and delivered more of it with new twists.
What the Readers Chose
Game Informer also conducted reader voting using the Borda count method for ranked choice results. Reader picks largely aligned with editorial choices but with some differences. Clair Obscur dominated reader voting even more decisively than the editorial list, with 73% of respondents including it in their top five. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II placed second in reader voting, while Hades II claimed third.
Hollow Knight: Silksong landed fourth in reader polls, and Ghost of Yotei took fifth. The reader top 50 extended far beyond the editorial top 10, including anticipated releases like Monster Hunter Wilds, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Doom: The Dark Ages. The breadth of titles receiving votes shows just how strong 2025 was across genres and platforms.
Category Winners
Beyond the main top 10, Game Informer awarded category honors recognizing excellence in specific areas. South of Midnight won Games For Impact, celebrating its stellar visual and musical presentation rooted in Southern Gothic folklore. Battlefield 6 claimed Best Audio Design, while Ninja Gaiden 4 took Best Fighting Game honors. The category winners showcase the diversity of great games released in 2025 beyond just the overall top 10.
FAQs
What is Game Informer’s number 1 game of 2025?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 topped Game Informer’s editorial list as the best game of 2025. The turn-based RPG also dominated reader voting and won Best RPG at The Game Awards 2025.
Did Hollow Knight: Silksong make the top 10?
Yes, Hollow Knight: Silksong placed third on Game Informer’s top 10 games of 2025 list after finally releasing following years of anticipation.
What indie games made Game Informer’s 2025 list?
Several indie or smaller studio titles made the list including Blue Prince (number 5), The Roottrees Are Dead (number 9), and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 itself came from the relatively small French studio Sandfall Interactive.
Where did Ghost of Yotei rank?
Ghost of Yotei, the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, placed second on Game Informer’s editorial top 10 games of 2025 list.
Did Arc Raiders make the list?
Yes, Arc Raiders placed sixth on Game Informer’s top 10, representing one of 2025’s biggest multiplayer success stories in the extraction shooter genre.
How did Game Informer readers vote?
Readers largely agreed with editorial picks, with Clair Obscur dominating (73% included it in top five), Kingdom Come: Deliverance II placing second, Hades II third, Hollow Knight: Silksong fourth, and Ghost of Yotei fifth in reader voting.
What Game Awards did these games win?
From the top 10 list, Clair Obscur won Best RPG, Hollow Knight: Silksong won Best Action-Adventure, and Hades II won Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2025.
When did these games release?
Release dates varied throughout 2025, with Split Fiction launching in March, Blue Prince in April, Ghost of Yotei in October, and others releasing at different points during the year.
Conclusion
Game Informer’s top 10 games of 2025 perfectly capture what made this year special for gaming. The list proves that great ideas and execution matter more than budget size or studio pedigree. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 topping the list represents a new studio coming out of nowhere to create something magical that resonated with critics and players alike. Meanwhile, established franchises like Ghost of Yotei and long-awaited sequels like Hollow Knight: Silksong proved that patience and craft still produce extraordinary results. The prominence of indie and smaller titles like Blue Prince and The Roottrees Are Dead shows that 2025 rewarded creativity and innovation across the board. Whether you prefer massive open-world adventures, intimate puzzle experiences, chaotic multiplayer shooters, or strategic RPG combat, 2025 delivered something excellent. Game Informer’s list doesn’t just celebrate the year’s best games, it celebrates a year where surprise hits and profound talent from developers of all sizes created one of the most engaging and unexpected mixes of excellent titles in years. That’s a win for everyone who loves gaming.