Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers and editors to share their own personal PS5 picks for 2025. Today, it's the turn of assistant editor Liam Croft.
5. Elden Ring Nightreign
Elden Ring Nightreign is the most I’ve been addicted to playing a game this year, with its run-based twist on the FromSoftware modern classic providing constant challenge and enjoyment. Its time limit cranks up the intensity while the variety of its Nightfarers allows for team experimentation.
I think you’ll see a number of the gameplay updates and improvements from Elden Ring Nightreign carry over into the developer’s next big game — this is a really strong variation on the FromSoftware formula that will benefit its single player efforts in the future.
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4. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid is one of my favourite game franchises, so this remake of one of the series’ best feels like Konami using a cheat code on me. Faithful to the point that it reuses all the cutscenes and voice acting of the 2004 original, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is an excellent recreation of a classic for the modern era.
It looks and plays so much better, and when the game at its core is still so incredible, that’s all you need. It’s good to have you back, Snake.
3. Ghost of Yotei
Some sequel don’t set out to rock the boat; rather, they refine and improve what was achieved the first time around. That’s exactly what Ghost of Yotei is: a PS5 title that impressively builds on Ghost of Tsushima, a game I found to be slightly overrated.
The follow-up is better in every way, with more freeing open world exploration, satisfying combat, stellar visuals, and another engaging story. Ghost of Yotei is excellent at all times, and one of my favourites for 2025.
2. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Anyone familiar with my taste in video games will know a Hideo Kojima game is always one of my favourite experiences, and Death Stranding 2 didn’t disappoint. A more streamlined title compared to the original, the story, atmosphere, and music shine brightest as Sam ventures across Australia.
Even with the easier journeys across the country, the gameplay still offers of the most unique experiences in gaming. Combat is more viable, making the transition between trekking and fighting seamless. With more options for traversal, there’s rarely a situation you can’t overcome.
It all comes together to make Death Stranding 2 one of Kojima Productions’ greatest creations.
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I know how amazing this game is, you know how amazing this game is, we all know how amazing this game is. It’s surreal to reflect on the pre-release review phase of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, knowing how great it is in a vacuum, unable to tell anyone else.
Half a year later and everyone’s in love with it.
Deservedly so, as the journey to take down the Paintress is one of the most unique and charming RPGs in years. Its turn-based combat shines with parries and stylish attacks, the world is vibrant and compelling, and the characters (and the voices bringing them to life) are some of the year’s most memorable.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one you don’t forget in a hurry. Having stuck with me all year, the Sandfall Interactive debut covers almost everything I look for in a video game — there’s little wonder why it’s my Game of the Year.
What do you think of Liam's personal Game of the Year picks? Feel free to agree wholeheartedly, or disagree politely, in the comments section below.
Comments 9
This list is quite arguable. Nightreign isn't on many people's GOTY lists and it is ultimately more Elden Ring, begging the question of whether expansions should be up for any GOTY contention. It is a personal list I understand, but c'mon-if you have to put an expansion of a game that came out a few years ago over the many other great games that came out this year, it kind of makes this year appear weaker. It is a bit smug to say the list is very hard to argue with because someone like me is going to find something to argue with.
Nevertheless, it is reasonable to put a list together of games that the industry has celebrated time and time again. Personally I do tend to deviate from standard mainstream praise because I can't help but find many games cloying rather than emotionally engaging. Death Stranding has always come across to me as a franchise that has an elegant setting and a pleasant soundtrack, but also has goofy product placement and appearances by famous personalities. It's a Kojima product and I appreciate his whimsy, but to me MGS2 is the zenith of his creativity.
I’d say that the top 3 here are pretty much the ‘accepted’ top 3 across the PlayStation strata… 4 and 5 are somewhat arguable either way. I own 1, 2, 3 and 5… and am yet to play any of them. Judging from my personal tastes though, I’m thinking my top 3 will probably end up being 1. DS2, 2. GoY and E33: CO… but I am curious to find out if the latter hits me for 6, as it has with the majority of people.
@JDINCINERATOR At the same time, it's not really more Elden Ring. Like if I'm playing ER as a newcomer to Fromsoft and want more of that sauce, I'd be looking to maybe Dark Souls 3 because Nightreign sure as fudge ain't it.
And it's a spin off game. Far Cry Primal was a spin off to Far Cry 4, as it certainly wasn't an expansion.
Anyways, of the three I played - Yotei was a boring sequel. Could've saved myself the entry fee and played Tsushima again.
Expedition 33 for me is The Emperor's New Clothes and wholly overrated. Great battle mechanics, but that's it. The stages were little more than pretty but empty boxes to run around.
Death Stranding 2 is my top game of the year, albeit I've only played 16 hours so far.
@MrPeanutbutterz Fair enough, though I still reckon that the Elden Ring name and reputation is the reason some will still consider Nightreign to be one of the best of this year. As for Far Cry: Primal, at least Primal was very different in terms of setting, time period and so on, and I don't think it leans as heavily on the FC name as Nightreign leans on the Elden Ring name.
MGS3 is absolutely amazing, my 15-year old me can attest to that! 😍
My Game of the Year Nomination #6
Still Wakes The Deep
It came with recommendations from Push square and is part of the PS Plus sub: It delivers a great, short experience and indulges in its Scottish voicework.
I would describe it as a Lovecraftian descent into madness with bodily horrors abound - it is like that movie The Fog coupled perhaps with The Descent. If you have access to it, it is so easy to pick up and enjoy.
#7 Blue Prince
I respect the hell out of this game, and I suppose I am terrible at it and haven't even reached the last room I think. I've made it outside, but don't know what to do from there. So, it is this and KCD2 that I haven't exhausted/finished, but I think they should definitely be given their flowers 🌺
Any time Expedition 33 is the #1 on someone's end of the year list, an angel gets its wings.
Death stranding deserves all the love. Nothing else quite like it 👍🏻
Why do people struggle to understand that others have different tastes/opinions to theirs...
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