The Best Single-Player Games Released in 2025

2025 was a fantastic year for players who enjoy gaming on their own. A wide variety of games came out, both from big studios and independent developers, that really raised the bar for storytelling and gameplay. These titles offered deep, engaging experiences that didn’t require an internet connection. This list celebrates the best of those games from the last year, showing how single-player gaming continues to grow and thrive.

‘Ghost of Yotei’ (2025)

Released in late 2025 by Sucker Punch Productions and Sony Interactive Entertainment, this new game continues the story over three centuries after the last installment. Players take on the role of Atsu, exploring the lands around Mount Yotei. The game centers on a personal quest for revenge, unfolding against a beautiful and dynamic world with shifting political climates. Improved combat, featuring more fluid sword fighting and stealth, offers a polished experience for longtime fans. This latest game builds upon the existing fantasy world with a new and engaging story.

‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’ (2025)

In mid-2025, Kojima Productions and Sony released the highly anticipated sequel, continuing Sam Porter Bridges’ story. Players will guide him through new landscapes as he works to rebuild a broken world. The game challenges you to survive harsh conditions, carefully manage supplies, and face strange, dangerous creatures. Featuring a fantastic cast, it delves into important topics like human relationships and the impact of climate change. Unlike many games, this one focuses on exploration and smart planning rather than just fighting.

‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ (2025)

After a long wait, Retro Studios and Nintendo released this highly anticipated first-person adventure on the Switch in 2025. Players once again take on the role of Samus Aran as she confronts a new, unknown danger on a journey through various alien planets brimming with lost history. The game features classic abilities alongside innovative ways to interact with the environment, allowing players to overcome challenges, solve puzzles, and battle powerful bosses. It preserves the series’ signature sense of loneliness and immersive atmosphere, all while boasting stunning, updated graphics. This release marks a fantastic comeback for one of Nintendo’s most cherished franchises.

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ (2025)

This large-scale hunting game, created and released by Capcom on February 28, 2025, takes place in a dynamic, living world. The environment, including weather and ecosystems, affects how the huge monsters behave. The game features smooth transitions between exploring and fighting, and introduces new ways to mount monsters. Players who prefer to play alone can team up with AI companions to overcome tough challenges in the dangerous Forbidden Lands. It’s the most detailed and expansive game in the series yet.

‘DOOM The Dark Ages’ (2025)

Released in 2025 by id Software and Bethesda Softworks, this game tells the story of how the Doom Slayer first began his fight against demons. Set in a dark, medieval-inspired world, players use medieval weapons and a sturdy shield to defeat the forces of Hell. The game keeps the fast-paced, intense combat the series is known for, but adds new features like riding dragons and participating in large-scale battles. It offers a new look for the Doom franchise while still delivering the same thrilling experience.

‘Fable’ (2025)

In the summer of 2025, Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios launched a fresh take on a beloved fantasy adventure. The game sends players back to the world of Albion for a funny and exciting journey where your decisions shape who your character becomes. You can choose to focus on magic, fighting, or a mix of both, and meet a memorable cast of characters along the way. The world is full of mythical beasts and playfully twists familiar fairy tale elements. This new version updates the series for modern audiences while still keeping the original’s distinct British personality.

‘South of Midnight’ (2025)

Released in 2025 by Compulsion Games and Xbox Game Studios, this action adventure game puts you in the role of Hazel, who hunts legendary creatures based on stories from the American South. The game is set in a reimagined Southern landscape with a unique stop-motion visual style and a strong Southern Gothic feel. Players use special weaving magic to explore the world and defeat supernatural enemies. It’s a memorable story that draws heavily on Southern culture and music.

‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ (2025)

Ubisoft’s new historical adventure game, set in feudal Japan, launched on February 14, 2025. Players will control two characters – Naoe, a skilled shinobi, and Yasuke, a famous samurai – as they explore a changing world. The game features a dynamic seasonal system that alters the environment and how you play. Each character has unique combat and stealth abilities, and this latest release brings a highly anticipated setting to life with the depth and quality fans expect from the series.

‘Pokémon Legends Z-A’ (2025)

In 2025, Game Freak and Nintendo released the latest installment in this unique series. The game takes place entirely in Lumiose City, which is undergoing a large-scale rebuilding project. Players will focus on building a harmonious community where people and Pokémon can live together in the city. Mega Evolution is back, playing a key role in both battles and exploring the environment. This game offers a more streamlined and organized open-world experience compared to previous titles.

‘Sid Meier’s Civilization VII’ (2025)

On February 11, 2025, Firaxis and 2K Games released the newest game in the acclaimed strategy series. This installment features a revamped way to advance through history, letting players develop their civilizations through different historical periods. Those playing on their own can challenge intelligent AI opponents, each with their own distinct personalities and goals. The game also boasts a completely updated look, with more detailed and lively cities. It maintains the series’ focus on deep strategic gameplay while making complex tasks easier to manage.

‘Avowed’ (2025)

Released on February 18, 2025, by Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios, this fantasy role-playing game puts you in the first-person as you explore the world of Eora. You’ll investigate a strange disease called the Dream Scourge, battling enemies with a mix of weapons and magic. Combat emphasizes how different elements interact and allows for meaningful player choices. The story offers multiple paths and challenging moral decisions that affect the people and world around you. The game highlights the developers’ skill in creating immersive worlds and compelling characters.

‘Kingdom Come Deliverance II’ (2025)

Warhorse Studios and Deep Silver launched the highly anticipated medieval sequel on February 11, 2025. Players once again step into the role of Henry of Skalitz, who finds himself caught in the political conflicts and violent battles of 15th-century Bohemia. The game strives for realism in how combat and society function, all within a large and immersive open world. Success depends on building a good reputation and honing your skills, as every choice you make matters. This new installment builds upon the foundations of the first game, featuring enhanced graphics and a more ambitious story.

‘Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’ (2025)

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio launched a unique new game on February 21, 2025. Players take on the role of Goro Majima, who finds himself stranded on a deserted island with amnesia. The game blends the series’ signature fighting action with ship management and ocean exploration across the Pacific. You’ll build a crew, customize your ship, and search for both lost treasure and former companions, all while enjoying the familiar humor and compelling story the series is known for, but in a completely new environment.

‘Mafia The Old Country’ (2025)

Hangar 13 and 2K Games have launched a new game that tells the story of how organized crime began in Sicily during the early 1900s. The game shows the brutal reality of the mob’s growth through the experiences of a young man trapped in a world of violence. Players will use stealth and participate in fast-paced shooting battles set in stunningly realistic historical environments. This installment features a more focused, movie-like story compared to previous games, offering a dark and immersive return to the series’ origins.

‘Borderlands 4’ (2025)

In late 2025, Gearbox and 2K released the latest installment in the popular looter shooter series. Players can select from a new team of Vault Hunters and journey to a strange, distant planet beyond Pandora. The game boasts millions of different weapons and an improved skill system for extensive character customization. While keeping the series’ signature humor, the story also explores a more serious and personal storyline. This new game provides the fast-paced action and loot-collecting gameplay that fans love.

‘The First Berserker Khazan’ (2025)

Early in 2025, Neople and Nexon released this challenging action role-playing game. Set in the world of Dungeon and Fighter, the game follows a banished general on a quest for revenge. Players will learn to use many different weapons and powerful abilities to defeat huge enemies in difficult battles. The game’s art style is a striking blend of cartoon-like animation and realistic detail, giving it a distinct look. It’s designed to be tough but satisfying for players who enjoy a real challenge in combat.

‘Little Nightmares III’ (2025)

In 2025, Supermassive Games and Bandai Namco Entertainment launched the latest installment in the horror series. Players take on the roles of two new characters, Low and Alone, as they try to escape a strange and twisted world called the Spiral. The game is designed for single-player experiences and features an AI companion to help overcome challenging puzzles and evade frightening creatures. Each character has a special ability that’s key to surviving the dangers they face. Like previous games in the series, this one focuses on creating a deeply unsettling mood and tells its story without relying on dialogue.

‘Wuchang Fallen Feathers’ (2025)

Released in 2025 by Leibu Games and 505 Games, this action game is a dark fantasy set in late Ming Dynasty China. You play as a pirate warrior, burdened by a curse, who fights against both supernatural creatures and dishonest government officials. The game focuses on skillful sword fighting that requires precise timing, and you’ll also use magical powers connected to the warrior’s curse. Players will journey through beautiful but eerie environments drawn from Chinese history and legends, all while trying to solve the mystery of a deadly plague. It’s a tough game with a unique visual style based on Chinese culture.

‘Hell is Us’ (2025)

Released in late 2025 by Rogue Factor and Nacon, this game is an immersive action adventure set in a war-torn country plagued by a strange supernatural event and the bizarre creatures it creates. Players navigate this dangerous world without the help of traditional maps or quest markers, relying instead on careful observation and specialized gear to survive and combat hidden enemies. The game emphasizes a deep, natural exploration of a harsh and unforgiving environment.

‘InZOI’ (2025)

So, Krafton dropped this amazing life sim back in late 2025, and it’s totally different from anything I’ve played before. You basically are a god, looking after a whole city and its people. It’s wild! You can customize everything – the people, the buildings, the whole environment. But the coolest part is the AI; these virtual people actually feel alive and have complex relationships. I love being able to nudge their lives, influence their careers, and just watch the city grow and change. Honestly, it’s a beautiful game and really pushes the boundaries of realism in the simulation genre.

‘Eternal Strands’ (2025)

Released in 2025 by Yellow Brick Games, this action adventure game puts you in control of Brynn, who is on a quest to restore her people’s homeland. You’ll face off against giant magical creatures using a combination of spells and close combat. The game features a realistic physics engine, allowing you to climb almost anything, and lets you use elemental magic to change the world around you. It’s designed to encourage creative problem-solving and unique gameplay experiences within a beautiful fantasy setting.

‘Atomfall’ (2025)

Released in March 2025, this game puts you in a dangerous, post-nuclear England. You’ll have to explore the countryside, searching for supplies while avoiding or fighting off enemy groups. The game blends creepy British myths with the anxieties of the Cold War, creating a really unsettling mood. You’ll rely on both sneaking and shooting to survive in a world full of hidden dangers and secrets. It’s a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre, with a strong sense of place and regional character.

‘Clair Obscur Expedition 33’ (2025)

Released in 2025 by Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive, this role-playing game puts players in charge of a group trying to save humanity from the Paintress. The game features strategic, turn-based combat with a dynamic system for both attacking and defending. Its unique art style draws inspiration from the Belle Époque period, creating a surreal and beautiful world filled with unusual landscapes and creatures. It’s a fresh take on classic role-playing games, blending familiar elements with modern visuals and innovative gameplay.

‘The Midnight Walk’ (2025)

Moonbeam Studio’s dark fantasy adventure game came out in 2025. What makes it special is its beautiful, handcrafted look – everything in the game was sculpted from clay and then brought to life digitally. Players control a little creature as it navigates a perilous forest, using a flame for both light and protection. The story is told without words, focusing on mood and atmosphere, and explores the contrast between light and darkness. It’s a visually impressive and uniquely textured game that really stands out in the adventure genre.

‘Tales of the Shire’ (2025)

Released in early 2025 by Wētā Workshop and Private Division, this game lets you live a peaceful life as a Hobbit in the Shire. Set in the familiar world of Middle-earth, you’ll build a cozy existence in Bywater by gardening, fishing, and cooking for your neighbors. It’s a relaxing and friendly experience focused on community and simple pleasures, offering a gentle way to explore the beloved stories of Tolkien’s world.

‘Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2’ (2025)

In 2025, The Chinese Room and Paradox Interactive launched the highly anticipated sequel to their role-playing game. Players become an ancient vampire, maneuvering through the complex politics and shadowy underworld of present-day Seattle. The game lets you deeply customize your vampire’s powers, impacting both battles and conversations. Your decisions will dramatically shape the city and the lives of its immortal population, offering a dark, sophisticated story set in the World of Darkness.

‘Hollow Knight Silksong’ (2025)

Okay, so Team Cherry dropped this huge sequel to Hollow Knight in 2025, and it’s amazing! This time you play as Hornet, and you’re basically climbing upwards through this brand new kingdom. Seriously, there are over 150 different enemies to fight! The combat feels way faster and smoother than the first game, and it’s all about using silk for abilities and tools. I’ve been loving exploring – the game really rewards you for going off the beaten path with tons of lore and some seriously tough hidden areas. If you’re into challenging platformers and exploring big maps, this game is definitely for you. It’s a really dense and satisfying experience.

‘The Alters’ (2025)

In 2025, 11 bit studios launched a sci-fi survival game where players control Jan Dolski, who crash-lands on a dangerous planet. To survive and rebuild his base, Jan creates alternate versions of himself, each with unique personalities and skills shaped by different life choices. Players need to balance the needs and relationships of these alternate selves while scavenging for resources. The game delves into thought-provoking themes of identity and the impact of the roads we don’t take.

‘Lost Records Bloom and Rage’ (2025)

From the creators of Life is Strange, Don’t Nod’s new narrative adventure came out in early 2025. It tells the story of four high school friends who reconnect after 27 years, following a strange event that dramatically altered their lives. As players explore two different time periods, they’ll piece together the truth about that pivotal summer. The choices you make in both the past and present will impact your relationships and ultimately determine how the story ends. This game offers a realistic and moving story centered around character development and a compelling mystery.

‘Wanderstop’ (2025)

Released in 2025 by Ivy Road and Annapurna Interactive, this game offers a relaxing yet emotionally resonant experience. Players take on the role of Alta, a former warrior who now runs a tea shop in a magical forest. Gameplay centers around brewing tea and serving customers, all while Alta confronts the challenges of leaving her past life of conflict behind and finding a new sense of purpose. It’s a cozy game with a surprisingly thoughtful story.

‘Lunar Remastered Collection’ (2025)

In 2025, GungHo Online Entertainment and Game Arts released an updated collection of beloved classic role-playing games. It features remastered versions of Silver Star Story and Eternal Blue, with improved graphics and sound. Players take on the role of Alex, who is determined to become a Dragonmaster and defeat evil, saving the world. The games keep the traditional turn-based battles and memorable animated cutscenes that fans loved in the originals, making these influential titles accessible to a new audience.

‘Gex Trilogy’ (2025)

Okay, so Limited Run and Carbon Engine dropped this awesome remastered collection in 2025, and I’m seriously stoked! It’s got all three of the original games starring that hilarious lizard who loves TV. They’ve really upped the graphics and made everything run smoother. You get to bounce around levels themed after movies and shows, cracking jokes and grabbing collectibles. Plus, they added some really nice features like save states and the ability to rewind, which is a lifesaver! Honestly, it’s a total throwback to when mascot platformers ruled, and it’s bringing back some amazing memories.

Share your favorite single player experiences from the past year in the comments.

2026-01-06 05:19