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 Robert Ramsey.

5. Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Dynasty Warriors Origins

I've been playing Dynasty Warriors since the PS2 days, and while the series has certainly had its ups and downs (my immense disappointment in Dynasty Warriors 9 has been very well documented), Dynasty Warriors: Origins feels like a genuine step forward.

In a nutshell, Origins rediscovers and emphasises a lot of what I think makes the franchise so compelling. The sheer scale of its battlefields still leaves me in awe, and the combat system is refined in a way that brings real tension to each and every boss fight.

It's a glorious reimagining of the Dynasty Warriors formula, and I can't wait to dive back in with the Visions of Four Heroes expansion next year.

4. Ghost of Yotei

Ghost of Yotei

I'll be honest with you: Ghost of Yotei was, for its first 40 hours or so, primed to take the top spot on this personal Game of the Year list — but I just think Sucker Punch's highly polished sequel drops the ball with its story right near the end.

I obviously won't spoil anything here, but the narrative's concluding episodes left me feeling disappointingly flat after such an engaging, blood-soaked journey across an incredible open world.

As the old saying goes, it's all about the journey, and I think the vast majority of Atsu's adventure is expertly crafted. I loved playing the role of a bounty hunter, and so many of the boss fights still seem fresh in my mind.

At times, I do think it's Sucker Punch's best work to date.

3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur Expedition 33

I may have dubbed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 "the most overindulged game of the generation", but even then, I can't in good conscience leave it off this list.

I've been a huge fan of turn-based RPGs for decades, and while I'd still hesitate to place Expedition 33 amongst my favourites of the genre, it presents such a unique and memorable blend of story, gameplay, visuals, and music. It really is a work of art.

I think "memorable" is the right word to use here. When I think of all the games I played this year, I remember so many moments from Sandfall's debut, and for me, that's often the mark of a great experience.

It's a truly striking adventure, and I look forward to replaying it one day.

2. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Imagine me doing a Game of the Year list and not including a Trails title. I blame Falcom for making so many of the damn things.

But seriously, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is one of the greatest instalments in the entire franchise. It modernises a classic RPG in all the right ways, to the point where I'd say it's one the best remakes I've ever played.

In terms of classic JRPG structure, it's hard to beat the underdog story of Estelle and Joshua, as they trek from place to place, forming friendships with a cast of fantastic characters. It's peak Trails, and trust me when I say that's awfully high praise.

I hope you're looking forward to seeing Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter on next year's list!

1. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Death Stranding 2 On the Beach

No one on the Push Square team saw this coming. Hell, I didn't see it coming. But I'm being deadly serious: Death Stranding 2 is my favourite game of 2025.

Years ago, I fell off the first Death Stranding with an almighty thud. I got about 75% in and I just couldn't take the tedium of trudging across snowy mountains to listen to yet another overdramatic rant from one of Kojima's Hollywood mates. In short, I ran out of patience.

But with Death Stranding 2, something just... clicked. I think the title's early pacing — which gets you into the gameplay much faster — helped a lot. The sequel doesn't hold your hand anywhere near as often, and that allowed me to better immerse myself in the game's frankly stunning world.

I became downright addicted to delivering packages; it became a kind of meditative experience. And against all odds, I ended up thoroughly enjoying the absurdity of the sequel's story and characters. My jaw was left on the floor more than once.

It's a similar thing to Clair Obscur — Death Stranding 2 just serves up so many memorable moments. In fact, it's probably one of the most memorable gaming experiences I've had on PS5, period.

What do you think of Rob's personal Game of the Year picks? Feel free to agree wholeheartedly, or disagree politely, in the comments section below.