Ars Technica has published its list of the top 20 video games from 2025, highlighting a blend of anticipated sequels and unexpected indie titles. The selection includes major releases like Civilization VII and Doom: The Dark Ages, alongside innovative indies such as Baby Steps and Blue Prince. Published on December 26, the roundup praises the year's diverse offerings amid delays for some blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto VI.
The gaming industry in 2025 delivered a mix of reliable franchise entries and surprising standouts, according to Ars Technica's annual top 20 list. Expected hits like Civilization VII from Firaxis and Doom: The Dark Ages from id Software secured spots, despite initial bugs in the strategy title that were later patched. "I love Civilization VII," one reviewer noted, appreciating its innovations in the 4X genre, including age transitions to prevent late-game snowballing.
Indie gems shone brightly, with Baby Steps by Gabe Cuzzillo and others redefining the walking simulator through rhythmic controls and themes of perseverance. Blue Prince from Dogubomb stood out for its unique puzzle-house-building mechanic, where players draft rooms to uncover mysteries leading to Room 46 and beyond. "Figuring out the more intricate mysteries requires careful observation," the review stated, highlighting over 100 hours of content.
Sequels dominated the higher profiles, including Avowed from Obsidian Entertainment, which immersed players in a world of mistrust with dynamic combat, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach from Kojima Productions, enhancing delivery mechanics with better traversal and poignant storytelling on human connection. Hideo Kojima's title features Sam Porter Bridges reconnecting a fractured world amid supernatural threats.
Other notables include Hades 2's musical roguelike expansions, Hollow Knight: Silksong's intricate platforming after years of anticipation, and Mario Kart World's open-world twist on racing for the Nintendo Switch 2. The list reflects a year where indies like Consume Me tackled adolescent struggles through mini-games, and Sektori captured Geometry Wars' thrill with advanced twin-stick shooting.
Looking ahead, the publication anticipates 2026's lineup, including the delayed Grand Theft Auto VI, but emphasizes 2025's unexpected classics.